Toyota Motor Corp. has an ultracompact fuel-efficient 4-seater version of its iQ planned for Europe for 2009.
The car is just 2.98 meters long (Yao Ming can still lay down in it, barely). The car is 80 cm (2.8') shorter than the Yaris subcompact....Toyota's mainstay in Europe.
The car will have a 1-liter-class engine and be able to seat four people (non-American).
It may also have a diesel version.
The car will be produced in Japan starting at around 100,000 units a year.
About 35% of passenger cars in Europe's 14.62 million new car market were fuel-efficient subcompacts in 2006.
Of Toyota's 1.17 million new car sales, 250,000 were the Yaris and the locally produced Aygo subcompact.
Toyota wants to sell more cars in Europe.
The itty bitty iQ won't hurt.
Meanwhile, GM is waiting for the UAW to come back to work.
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