Friday May 25, 2012

JAPAN NEWS AND DISCUSSION

Toyota considering bringing iQ ultra-compact to U.S.

Business Jan. 23, 2009 - 04:34AM JST ( 6 )

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6 Comments

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saborichanJan. 23, 2009 - 11:25AM JST

Anyone ridden in one of these things? I like the idea that smaller, more fuel-efficient cars might become widespread... But not if everyone is going to be killed in the first accident they have. I feel sort of vulnerable already in my flimsy k-car... And it's a four seater.

I think the size is not so much the issue as the sense of safety. Who uses their car to cart a large amount of stuff frequently ? Most people are just commuting or shopping...
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bebertJan. 23, 2009 - 02:31PM JST

Two more problems for these small cars.

1) They are usually nosier, more uncomfortable and have a terrible ride - meaning you feel every pothole and tar strip in the road.

2) Have you seen the size of some Americans? A quarter of Americans can't even fit in these small cars and the suspension barely has the capacity to hold more than two of these fatties, let alone a family of them. Let alone their drive-thru take-out meal.
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mrgalacticJan. 23, 2009 - 03:58PM JST

When pray tell, will Toyota stop focusing all it's energy on the uS market ? Didn't they learn their lesson the first time around ? Maybe the reality of the Obama presidency has finally sunk in. Obama, the representative from Illinois has deep ties to his neighbour state Michigan and, drum roll please, the big 3 auto companies ! Toyota is toast! They will not receive financial assistance from the Japanese government, nor will they continue to have unabated access to Americas markets. Welcome to the post Bush world !
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rajakumarJan. 23, 2009 - 09:36PM JST

Why not US and Japan team up as a team in motor industry. Japan motor industry and USA industry can share the revenue-tech together in both nations motor industry.

No harm in working together in joint tech team to build cars of future for US market,Japan market and world market.

A car is a car,parts can be made in US and Japan/elsewhere via contracts of parts factory, is the case in today's motor industry.
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Good_JorbJan. 24, 2009 - 12:34AM JST

Japan motor industry and USA industry can share the revenue-tech together in both nations motor industry.

They indirectly do, parts suppliers, fabricators, dye casters and so on build parts in America for both American and Japanese automakers. The trickle down effect of the bailout money will benefit Japanese automakers as well becuase a higher % of a Japanese car sold in America, is made in America then American Automakers.

I think bebert's #2 is right, I remember well driving down to California seeing a rather large guy driving in a pontiac firefly, the car was tilting to the side and it seemed that he keep his arm to the window to actually fit in the car.
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KwaabishJan. 25, 2009 - 03:32AM JST

With the rate of obesity in the US, I'm not sure how an ultra-compact car may fare... not only will there be a hard time getting into and out of the car, I'm sure the acceleration would suffer.

It was always weird seeing some of the largest people driving Ford Festivas back in the days.