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kart1
Rev to 6000, drop the clutch, and let the show begin!
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$7000.00 Toyota
"[Toyota] is planning a new emerging-market car aimed at budget-minded shoppers in China and Russia, reports AFP, citing a story in Britain's Financial Times. Toyota president Katsuake Watanabe had said to the Times, "The focus is on low-cost technology" for the car, which is expected to undercut Renault's Logan, a venture with Romanian automaker Dacia. The Logan uses Renault/Nissan's global B platform (as the Nissan Versa) but with reduced equipment and a simpler design; the stripped-down subcompact is aimed primarily at emerging markets in Asia, Eastern Europe, and Africa and starts at about $7000.

Toyota says that its competing vehicle in this class, like the Logan , will pass European safety standards. While not designed with Western Europe in mind, the Logan has found some success among budget-minded buyers even in several countries that use the euro. Such models are unlikely to ever go on sale in the U.S. , where it would simply not be cost-effective to install the required safety equipment on a vehicle in this price range.

As it stands, U.S. automakers have said that domestically produced small cars are a loss leader. They're looking to China and other emerging markets to produce potential U.S.-market small cars. Just last month, the Chrysler Group struck a deal with the Chinese automaker Chery to build a subcompact model based on last year's Hornet concept.

Watanabe said that Toyota plans to deliver the car at such a low price - presumably at a profit - by radically rethinking the design and production process, incorporating lower-cost materials, and possibly developing new materials for the project as needed.

By entering the emerging-market segment, Toyota has nearly all of the world market niches covered, including in the U.S. This year, the automaker is introducing an all-new version of its Tundra pickup that looks to be a greater threat than before to what has traditionally been the stomping ground of GM, Ford, and Dodge." Read Article



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kart1kart1 - 1/24/2007 2:27:12 AM
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Here is an example of Toyota staying on its toes with the ever increasing cheap car market. Toyota like Renault SA (Who made the Logan with Dacia) will be introducing their cheap car to compete with the Chinese and Koreans. One thing is for sure people will be more comfortable buying a $7k Toyota than a $7k Chery.

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jon21jon21 - 1/24/2007 9:33:00 AM
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Sweet...I think it will be a nice first new car. It will be great for the low income market. Or people just starting out in life.

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NeverfollowNeverfollow - 1/24/2007 12:10:14 PM
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The best part......it'll drive better than any BMW, Audi, or MB! Just kidding of course.

Sorry, I'm having a flame war day

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