Toyota is showing off the production-ready version of an ultra-compact battery electric vehicle (BEV) at the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show. And by "ultra-compact," the company means really, really tiny. The automaker says it designed the city car to "support Japan's aging society and provide freedom of movement to people at all stages of life." It's a two-seater specifically created for short-distance trips -- an elderly user could drive it to the nearest market, for instance, if they're already struggling to conquer subway stairs or can't walk long distances like they used to.

 

Interesting car. It would do well in u.s. retirement communities like The Villages here in florida.

 

For those that are staying in/around said communities, I'm not clear whether this adds enough value over existing golf cars currently in use to justify the additional expense. Definitely an interesting concept though. I would be surprised to see this come to the US, given that Honda is not bringing their impressive-looking E.

 

Yes, but would all depend on the price which isn't stated yet. It looks like it could be pricey compared with enclosed golf carts. It also would eliminate all golfers as potential buyers. I see several similar styles in my community, they seem to be more popular lately but they are all made in China I think. It will be interesting to see the final release with details. Lithium batteries I expect with extended warranty.

 

It is not a golf cart, it is a car that passes all safety standards as car and can be driven on real roads... just a small car, similar to many Kei cars in Japan (but smaller), and they take around 40% of car sales in Japan.

Point is to have semi-automated vehicle for older people that drive alone usually and need help when driving/getting around.

I think it is rather useless for any other market.

 

Nobody is going to buy this car in North America. This car is for China or Japan.

 

I realize it is not a golf cart. I was relating to Bit's post about how it may do well in retirement communities. I live in retirement golf community where we can drive golf carts anywhere unlicensed and outside the community to shopping centers and restaurants. Being unregistered you can only go 20 mph do to the lack of safety features like seatbelts. Recently, I've seen the increase in similar vehicles like this Toyota being used by non golfers.who want more speed. also, the Villages is such a large community that electric golf carts don't have the range to go from one end of the community to another. Some trips in the Villages take a 40 mi round trip.so the 60 mi range of the Toyota could work. The majority of golf carts in the villages are gasoline powered. to overcome the range issue.

I don;t understand your comment that older people need semi automated vehicles. What is a semi automated vehicle anyway? How is this Toyota semi automated?








/

 

Wrong, as said this will sell in retirement communities because it can be registered versus a golf cart. You need to come down to Florida and pay a visit to the Villages, you would be amazed.

 

Understand but golf cars don’t have AC for one thing so if you take your car to go grocery shopping you have to get that ice cream home pretty fast.

 

Well, assuming the Toyota actually comes here, I can see one reason why the Electric Smart-for-Two is being pulled from the American market. It will simply be no competition for a Toyota BEV equivalent like this ^^^^^^. In fact, the gas-powered Scion iQ (below), although no comfort-machine, was a far better product itself than the Smart.

 

I think it definitely stands a better chance here than the Electric Smart-for-Two....see my last post, just above.

 

If it is sold in Canada, it will do well in Montreal, that is for sure.