The three major Japanese automakers, as
though in a time warp to the first fuel crunch in the Seventies, are gearing up to release their latest small vehicles
on U.S. shores in 2006. (Yaris, Fit*, and Versa, respectively.)Timing, again, couldn’t be more perfect. Though prices have dropped from $3 per gallon, government and independent studies forecast eventual increases through the next twenty years. And the public agrees: sales of small vehicles such as the Chevrolet Aveo and alternative fuel vehicles like the hybrid Prius have all risen.
Unlike the Seventies, though, it’s not just fuel savings attracting American interest. The new vehicles are well-equipped compared to the old econoboxes of yesteryear with features like MP3 capability (Yaris), an advanced braking system (Versa), and others once found in costlier models.
The competition is heating up. Again.
*Picture is of the Honda Fit, also known as the Jazz.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Rene Curry @ Dec 23rd 2005 8:22PM
I see the Honda Fit & Toyota Yaris gaining market share in China from my observation while there. I have no figures to back that up though. These cars look good and are the right car at the right time if the price point is good. The only hope Detroit has in this market segment is for the Yen to appreciate.
sensitive_man @ Dec 23rd 2005 8:29PM
I am waiting with baited breath for the Honda Fit!
s t a r l i g h t m i c a @ Dec 23rd 2005 9:06PM
Uh, that pic (Photochop to me) doesn't look like any pictures of the Fit/Jazz currently sold. Doesn't look like the drawing at http://fit.honda.com , either.
Nick @ Dec 23rd 2005 9:26PM
Wow, the FIT looks fantastic. Is there a Fit R Type or performance model? That would be cool.
Nick
Dark Leth @ Dec 23rd 2005 9:31PM
I'm wondering if anyone has seen premature Fits at their local hondas. There was one at ours for about two or so weeks, but now it is no longer on the main lot. (I believe it may have been moved inside.) Although I do not have a digital camera to verify this, I am sure if you call Dene Lambkin Honda in Quincy, Illinois they can elucidate you on why it is here early.
John V. @ Dec 23rd 2005 10:01PM
Great fuel economy? Yes. But, what condition are these people going to be in when they get broad-sided by a full sized SUV or truck???? I have to ask...What's more important? Fuel economy or your life? You decide...
Pman @ Dec 23rd 2005 10:01PM
I saw the pics of the Nissan Versa and I have to say I like it. Being a Nissan fan and wanting a car with a great MPG, I think I'm going that route. It's supposed to get 38 MPG. Twice as much as my old Pathfinder!
James Sonne @ Dec 23rd 2005 10:29PM
John V., RE: #6, actually small cars like the European SMART car have proven very reliable in crash tests and have scored higher than most regular sedans up to 70mph, at which speed all automobiles are made fatally equally to the occupants. Small cars have crash prevention and safety features more advanced than your common sedan. Because the cars are small it's much easier to create a high strength steel frame around the cabin without adding significant weight as it would in a larger car and still allowing for high efficiency. So actually, smaller cars are much easier to make safer than an SUV.
Bambino @ Dec 23rd 2005 11:35PM
"The new vehicles are well-equipped compared to the old econoboxes of yesteryear with features like MP3 capability (Yaris), an advanced braking system (Versa), and others once found in costlier models."
And of course, they don't say anything about special features that the Honda would have... since it most probably doesn't have any. Typical Honda. (Not saying Honda is not a good company, since I do trust them and am an owner of a 2004 Civic coup?. one of the last generation of good-looking Civics)
Bigel @ Dec 24th 2005 12:20AM
I know we're supposed to get both sedan and hatchback versions of the Yaris, but does anyone know if we are getting both versions of the other cars?
Dylan @ Dec 24th 2005 12:37AM
We already have the Yaris here (Toronto), and have for awhile now. I see about 2 a day and i actually like them which is odd because i hate the echo hatch.
Nathan @ Dec 24th 2005 2:06AM
I have to say the Yaris looks quite nice in both sedan and HB form. The Fit looks cool too, and hopefully we'll get the CVT-7 that can be shifted as a 7 speed transmission as well as full CVT mode. Hopefully they don't go with a conventional 5 speed auto thus reducing mileage, thinking it would compete with Civic Hybrid. The City/Aria would help increase sales if they decided to bring it over as well.
Kudos to Nissan as well for the Versa. Ford is also supposedly bringing the Fiesta back to the US market. Chevy's new Aveo (re-badged Daewoo I think) is coming too.
Hyundai Accent and Kia Rio (platform twins) have some stiff new competition. Honda and Toyota will most certainly have the MPG crown, but the others certainly have the ability to bring something new to the market. Thank you Ford/GM for your offerings. DCX....Still undecided on the Smart?
JM @ Dec 24th 2005 3:55AM
too bad we won't see the diesel versions here.
Baris Purut @ Dec 24th 2005 6:00AM
This picture is a "fan fiction" from several years ago. It's nothing to do with the current or the 2nd generation Jazz/Fit. Check the links below for the real Jazz/Fit:
http://fitfreak.net/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=11
http://www.japanesecarfans.com/news/2040318.004/2040318.004.1L.jpg
http://fitfreak.net/html_content/FIT_ultra_seats/Ultra%20seat%20page_translation.htm
http://www.motoforum.pl/Magazyn/200509/jazz.html
Dave M. @ Dec 24th 2005 8:08AM
Small cars, big cars, sporty cars, trucks, crossovers, etc, etc. This truly is the golden age of automobiles. I love the look and idea of these little cars - especially the price point and mpg. I just wish I wasn't 6'3"........
Car-la @ Dec 24th 2005 8:12AM
In regards to #6: Time then to get more people to drive smaller cars. It's not just occupants of other cars that in danger when an SUV hits them, but pedestrians as well. I'm sure these small cars fare much better in this regard. In addition to the obvious gas-savings, they also take up less space on the road, thus shortening traffic jams. There was even an article about this not too long ago suggesting that SUVs should be taxed like trucks, since they use so much roadspace.
james ken @ Dec 24th 2005 10:46AM
#9, hahahaha, why is it that EVERY owner of a car, generation current minus 1, HATES the current generation no matter how much it's improved? ..
rhetoric of course. learn to hide the hate. or even better, learn not to hate
btw fit will likely have mp3 + ivtec just like the element already does, so keep touting "no special features" if you like to be wrong
Tad @ Dec 24th 2005 12:00PM
James Sonne, I beg to differ. They may be making these small cars safer then they used to but as a fire fighter, most of the collisions of small cars to trucks or stationary objects ends up with a fatality or serious injury, and most of the time its the guy in the smaller car. It doesn't help that those imports are made of beer cans either. Just the other day our chief (drives a tahoe) had a head-on collision with a brand new Honda...the Honda was totalled, the tahoe needs new front clip and headlights. I'll take my truck for safety over a small rice burner any day.
MikeGR @ Dec 24th 2005 2:03PM
I wish they'd bring the Toyota Ractis too:
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2005/12/toyota_ractis_-.php
Also, I really wonder when the Yaris sedan will come out in Canada. The hatchback is already here (and we have the 5-door, not just the coupe like in the US). Pics of the sedan here.
Barry @ Dec 24th 2005 4:15PM
History doesn't repeat itself but it does tend to rhyme - Mark Twain.
Is this vaguely familiar territory? Can you say 1970's all over again? With CAFE standards double in Japan, all the Japanese majors need to do is prep for US standards and bring a zillion 50mpg cars to our shores while GM tries to sell 8mpg SUVs.
Great management at GM.