Japan Introducing Golf Carts to the Streets?
October 8th, 2012
Currently a quarter of Japan’s population is made up of elderly above the age of 65. Yoshiro Sugimoto, 62 year-old Toyota Motor veteran, and his colleagues have invested 20 million yen, which is the equivilent of US$254,800, to introduce the low-powered, eco-friendly ZEVe ultracompact vehicle. This vehicle has been compared to a golf cart; an aluminum framed windshielded single seater, without doors or windows.
Sugimoto, looking at his sociodemographics, has targeted elderly above the age of 60, living on the rural outskirts of Japan, who are in need of convenient transportation. Due to the lack of accessable public transport in those areas, this automobile could prove to be very successful.
Though the ultracompact could have potential in European markets, they probably don’t in North America. Because of the safety criteria established in North America for their street legal vehicles, they have decided not to sell their product in Canada or the US.
However, some points have been made about how the small hatch-back trunk would not be large enough to fit farm tools. Toyota would also have a lot of competiton amongst the other Japanese motor companies, such as Honda, Suzuki, Nissan and Daihatsu Motors who are all also in the ultracompact business.
http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-10-04/japan-tries-cars-that-make-the-mini-look-maxi