Possible competition??

[Gortok]

The Toyota IQ is scheduled for deployment in 2008.
This (according to marketing gurus) would be a GOOD thing for smart, in that, it'll bring more validity to the ultra-compact segment as viable transportation for the US...

See here: http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z...Q/default.aspx

Your thoughts?

[spdickey]

Holly smart Batmobile Batman. How would that look in black?

[Gortok]

I'm wondering about structural rigidity?

It does look like it's scowling..."get outta my way or I'll eat you!!"

ARRRRGGG!

[Karl Roth]

I love it, not going to give up my spot in line just yet.
karl

[sisyphus]

Smart size. Toyota quality. In black, yes! (and a better red for Mr. Cash!) But will Toyota bring it here right away upon introduction, or will they wait to see what the smart does in America long term?

[RLove]

Okay, I've seen this concept car before, and I scanned over the article twice and failed to see any mention of this car being released in the US, in '08 or any other year. The initial report I read was that Toyota was wanting to build a sub-compact for introduction in emerging markets.

From what I've seen in the past, a concept car won't be in production trim, (if it gets the green light) for at least three years.

This car seems like direct competition for the Yaris that they already sell here.

[pauly]

I've read about this - I think it was at the Frankfurt Auto Show a few months back. At that time it was a "maybe" for Europe, and a "no" for North America. If the Smart Car is a huge success then they may reconsider.

[Gortok]

I doubt it'll happen.

I actually placed this thread without knowing it was only a concept. The top of the page names this car as 2008 Toyota IQ. It does not call it this years "entry" to a concept show...Obviously, I'm confused.

I'm pumped about getting the chance to have my own smart. I can only hope I have the willpower to wait two years to get one. Especially, once I start seeing them EVERYWHERE...

[propes]

The only thing I worry about competition is fragmenting a small customer base, making everything unprofitable. Don't get me wrong, I would love to see smaller cars in the US in general (it bugs the crap out of me that it'll take high gas prices for most of the sheeple to even consider it), but it'll take a while before smart and the mini are more than niche players.

[Ared08]

All manufacturers have come out with concept micro cars. Mitsubishi has an electric model shown in the new Road & Track. This thread started with the mention of possible competition for the smart car. Look at the new issue of Popular Mechanics, there is an article about clean diesel and mention is made of the 2007 VW Polo Bluemotion. It's a 1.4L three cyl. diesel that gets 74 mpg. (base $23,315). I would seriously think about something like that. As much as I would like to have a smart, I first of all want great mileage. That was my original interest in the car. Now the mileage figures have dropped from 50mpg to 40mpg (we'll see about that) but I want this car to be my daily driver to and from work. If that VW were available here, now, I would be getting one of those. Even at the most optomistic mileage figure given for the smart the VW beats it by 24 mpg. Granted diesel is expensive, but, around here, no more expensive than the premium gas needed in the smart.