Toyota today confirmed it is considering brining the iQ subcompact to the U.S. market. The car, which achieves 54 miles per gallon, was introduced earlier this year at the Geneva Motor Show. It is about to arrive in Japanese and European showrooms, but availability elsewhere around the globe could be next on the agenda.
The news follows a rumor last week indicating Toyota might bring a version of the iQ to America and sell it under the Scion brand.
“We are investigating introducing the iQ to the U.S. market,” Chief engineer Hiroki Nakajima told Automotive News. He said he expects a U.S. launch in the next two years, but the car must first be upgraded to meet tough American regulator requirement for airbag deployment and bumper strength.
Measuring just 118 inches in length, the iQ is certainly smaller than what most Americans are accustomed to. But with a money crisis and rising costs, many U.S. citizens are opening up to the idea of ultra-compact vehicles. The iQ is called a 3+1, meaning it is capable of carrying up to three adults along with a child or luggage.
The Japanese version of the car, which goes on sale next month, comes with a 1.0-liter gasoline engine, but the vehicle is capable of fitting a 1.5-liter mill if needed.
10/15, 5:01 PM
posted by:
mayer_ray_nagin
please Please PLEASE don’t make it a Scion.
10/15, 5:06 PM
posted by:
Captain Crunch
& GM doesn’t think there’s a market for mini cars in the US. What a bunch of jerks.
10/15, 5:11 PM
posted by:
howsmydriving
Yes, GM dismissed out of hand bringing the Beat here, while Toyota continues to explore market feasibility of iQ. Ya gotta love the way GM issues marketing decrees from on high.
10/15, 5:11 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
I really don’t understand how it can take two f*cking years to reinforce the bumpers and install US spec airbags.
10/15, 5:24 PM
posted by:
bigp
i would buy one if they made the mps3
10/15, 6:07 PM
posted by:
Lariat Luxury Locomotive Liner No.3
@johnnycanuck, tons of mandated US vehicle testing. Believe me the Japanese would sell it here first without all the need for testing.
10/15, 6:37 PM
posted by:
freeyellow2000
GM just like the sit and wait approach….it would like to see toyota try the new stuff first and then follow
ie Prius
Remember all big 3 convinced Americans that it all about POWER not Economy. (just look that MPG figures…. it hasn’t gone up at all but rather down in the last decade or so
10/15, 6:44 PM
posted by:
andy
freeyellow200, you are an idiot, no one cared about MPG because gas was so cheap… as for the prius, what about the EV1? it was released a full year ahead of the prius, and the prius didnt hit our shores untill 2000/2001.
as for this car, its a joke, and if they sold in under the Scion name tag it would just further show how Scion isnt this “hip” “youth” brand like it was suppose to be.
10/15, 7:12 PM
posted by:
cereal
this’ gonna be fun.
watch all these creepy little things crawl the streets.
quite cute.
and quite clever on toyota’s part.
10/15, 8:03 PM
posted by:
bolex
since GM aint gonna do it, im might consider this…even tho i aint a big fan of Toyota. i almost feel like these dys you need 2 cars. the fun one (challenger) and a cheap high mpg beater (maybe this one) in its category, this IQ aint bad lookin’.
10/15, 9:01 PM
posted by:
DrFill
That is a good point
GM dropped the ball (I get tired of saying this)
Not bringing the Beat, or, Groove, or TRax here in a TIMELY FASHION was another mistake
Looks like Toyota will, once again, avoid such a mistake
DrFill
10/16, 1:56 AM
posted by:
beatusmongous
Bolex, make that three: One daily driver (iQ or something economical), one family car (minivan or SUV or whatever you want that fits everyone), and one toy car (Challenger or something fun). I used your examples, although I wouldn’t make the same choices.
10/16, 8:07 AM
posted by:
justagigilo85
Does 3+1 count as one child in a piece of luggage?
10/16, 2:35 PM
posted by:
Z06ified
It’ll look good as a hood ornament on my Suburban.
10/17, 12:24 AM
posted by:
vortec4200
Rumors are that this car will wear the Scion dU-MB nameplate as Toyota markets a rival to the Smart ForTwo.
10/17, 7:44 PM
posted by:
beatusmongous
You think there may be a correlation between “iQ” and “Smart”?