Imitation is the Sincerest Form of Flattery - Smart Car of America Forums : Smart Car Forum

dw103 · 02-13-2008, 06:39 PM

Check out Toyota's new smart wannabe:

http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dl...146070530/1024

RLove · 02-13-2008, 06:47 PM

This is at least the third thread about this car that isn't coming to the US any time soon. Here's the other current one.

production toyota iQ

Cool car, old news.

dw103 · 02-13-2008, 07:27 PM

Sorry about that

smarTIKI · 02-13-2008, 07:47 PM

smart was not the first "microcar," and the iQ seats 3+1, not 2, so I'm not sure how Toyota's contribution is really an "imitation." See also Japanese keijidosha, dating as far back as 1949.

Smartman · 02-13-2008, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dw103

Sorry about that

None nessessary dw, you posted what you thought was interesting info.

RLove should apologize for the 'tude, or change his username to RPunk.

timhood · 02-26-2008, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smarTIKI

smart was not the first "microcar," and the iQ seats 3+1, not 2, so I'm not sure how Toyota's contribution is really an "imitation." See also Japanese keijidosha, dating as far back as 1949.

I think the claims of imitation are justified, from the name of the car iQ, meaning IQ, or intelligence quotient, also a direct reference to "smart". But most telling was that when I first saw a picture of this car in a short article comparing it to the smart I actually thought it was a picture of the smart until I looked carefully. The front end, headlights, overall shape, especially at the rear pillar, roof line, man, this car really looks like a smart! I'd say it's a fraternal twin. About as close as one could expect without getting sued.