World's Smallest Cars
by Chi-Chu Tschang and Hiroko Tashiro
Friday, February 6, 2009
The plunge in oil prices since their highs last July may have relieved some of the anxiety drivers feel when pulling up to the gas pump, but auto makers are still betting on consumers favoring more fuel efficient cars. After all, it wasn't just high oil prices that were sending car buyers to small cars. Several progressive governments, including Australia, Canada and China, have come out with policies to encourage their citizens to buy gas sippers.
Auto makers have responded by coming out with mini cars that can squeeze in the tightest parking spots. Some have brought back classics such as the BMW Isetta, Fiat 500, and Mini Cooper, albeit more fuel efficient versions. Others are planning to come out hybrids or electric vehicles this year or next year. Many multinational car manufacturers are selling these small, fuel efficient cars abroad, particularly emerging markets where locals earn less money yet want cleaner cars. At the same time, auto companies from China and India are also entering the game and coming out with their small cars with hopes of eventually exporting their cars overseas. Heres a look at some of the worlds smallest autos.
Audi first unveiled this super mini luxury car at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show as the Audi metroproject Quattro concept car. The hybrid car combines a 1.4 TFSI gas engine with a 27 horsepower electric motor that can go from 0 to 62 miles per hour in 7.9 seconds. Production and sales of the A1 is expected to begin this year.
BMW came out with the original Isetta 1953, after World War II, to meet the need for cheap, short-distance transportation in Europe. The bubble car was sold in Spain, Belgium, France, Germany, Britain, and Brazil. BMW is now bringing back the new Isetta in the form of an electric car, which should arrive in American showrooms in 2012, to help meet California's zero emissions vehicle legislation.
Battery manufacturer-turned electric car maker BYD spent five years developing the F0 mini compact car. In September 2008, BYD started selling the 1.0 liter gasoline engine F0 starting at $5398. The car was originally called the F1 but changed to F0 to avoid copyright violations with the Formula 1 racing league.
____________________________
For the rest of the story . . .
by Chi-Chu Tschang and Hiroko Tashiro
Friday, February 6, 2009
The plunge in oil prices since their highs last July may have relieved some of the anxiety drivers feel when pulling up to the gas pump, but auto makers are still betting on consumers favoring more fuel efficient cars. After all, it wasn't just high oil prices that were sending car buyers to small cars. Several progressive governments, including Australia, Canada and China, have come out with policies to encourage their citizens to buy gas sippers.
Auto makers have responded by coming out with mini cars that can squeeze in the tightest parking spots. Some have brought back classics such as the BMW Isetta, Fiat 500, and Mini Cooper, albeit more fuel efficient versions. Others are planning to come out hybrids or electric vehicles this year or next year. Many multinational car manufacturers are selling these small, fuel efficient cars abroad, particularly emerging markets where locals earn less money yet want cleaner cars. At the same time, auto companies from China and India are also entering the game and coming out with their small cars with hopes of eventually exporting their cars overseas. Heres a look at some of the worlds smallest autos.
Audi first unveiled this super mini luxury car at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show as the Audi metroproject Quattro concept car. The hybrid car combines a 1.4 TFSI gas engine with a 27 horsepower electric motor that can go from 0 to 62 miles per hour in 7.9 seconds. Production and sales of the A1 is expected to begin this year.
BMW came out with the original Isetta 1953, after World War II, to meet the need for cheap, short-distance transportation in Europe. The bubble car was sold in Spain, Belgium, France, Germany, Britain, and Brazil. BMW is now bringing back the new Isetta in the form of an electric car, which should arrive in American showrooms in 2012, to help meet California's zero emissions vehicle legislation.
Battery manufacturer-turned electric car maker BYD spent five years developing the F0 mini compact car. In September 2008, BYD started selling the 1.0 liter gasoline engine F0 starting at $5398. The car was originally called the F1 but changed to F0 to avoid copyright violations with the Formula 1 racing league.
____________________________
For the rest of the story . . .
