The very small next big thing in cars

(CBS News) TOKYO - The new big thing in automobile design is very, very small.

Japanese automakers are developing 'microcars' that fit a driver - and the driver only.

They see a growing market among older drivers, in a country with the highest percentage of elderly in the world.

When retiree Masao Suzuki gets behind the wheel these days, he zips himself into a pod-like vehicle that's so snug, there's only room for him.

About the size of a golf cart, the slim, aluminum-frame Toyota concept car can reach speeds of up to 30 miles per hour.

"Compared to my motorcycle, it's more stable, because it has four wheels. And you don't get drenched when it rains," Suzuki said.

Suzuki, 64 years old, says he rarely needs to travel more than a few miles from home. His microcar -- which Toyota is testing -- is environmentally friendly and fun.

"It runs on electricity so I never have to go to the gas station. And since it's a one-seater, it's great on tight turns," Suzuki said.

For a glimpse of the future, CBS News took a quick spin around the neighborhood in a pint-sized electric concept vehicle made by Nissan. The no-frills car is a bit bumpy and chilly for a winter day, but it had no trouble keeping up with traffic.

The beauty of an ultracompact car is you can stash it just about anywhere without breaking a sweat.

One-quarter of Japan's population is over 65. Nissan general manager Eiji Makino says ultracompacts are tailor-made for them.

"Elder people, basically they give up driving the vehicle, but this is tiny, and easy to operate, that people, elder people want to drive," Makino said.

Expected to retail for less than $10,000 each, the tiny Nissans, and an array of other cars, are being tested by Japanese carmakers. If Japan's government approves, cheap ultra-compact cars could be puttering down Japanese streets in the next few years.

[NinthSt78]

Too much time and money goes down the drain on re-designing every few years. The old VW's that stayed essentially the same for decades, and the Jeeps that have stayed essentially the same for decades are a much more cost-efficient way to build and market a product. Parts inventory costs are lower when things don't change as much yearly, and resale value tends to be higher.

I liked what I saw from one of the other German automakers where the small, medium, and large size models looked essentially the same differing mainly in terms of "scale" as we see in hobby shops. The "190", the "320", the "500" with a boxier, more practical shape appealed to me far more successfully than some of the others where I bump my head on the drastically sloping rear window or feel like I'm sitting on the floor with not enough distance to stretch out my legs.

[skithebumps]

Interesting, but will this thing be street legal in the U.S.? I kind of doubt it.

[canislupus16]

I thought about that too. Recall that the original VW Beetle eventually became a victim of more stringent design standards and for a period was not offered in the U.S., until the recent incarnation.

Then think about motorcyles and various scooter designs, all legal insofar as "design standards" applicable to THEM, yet not a one of them - if dubbed a "car" - would even come close to being street legal. Why do they pass muster while certain "cars," no matter how much of an improvement over two-wheeled vehicles, are forbidden?

When I think about the overall environmental footprint of most cars on American streets and roads - the energy cost to produce, the pathetic gas mileage, the increased amount of pavement (either oil based asphalt or concrete with its own energy gobbling production), the pavement required to be set a side just to park these behemoths on streets, parking lots, etc., one wonders if some consideration should be given to permitting smaller vehicles. It makes a lot of sense for an individual whose needs are largely being able to just get around town locally.

[pattonsb]

This kind of car will never sell in America because Americans love big, heavy, inefficient tanks, and cheap gas to put in them. It is time to start taxing consumption in this country so that Americans will actually start thinking about efficiency for a change as represented by this auto.

[cheeselouise]

I like it if the back clamps onto an electromagnetic rail and the front wheels fold under. Then it will form a little train module which faces outward and takes you across the country at 250 miles an hour while you look out the front window and enjoy the scenery whizzing by. At your destination you can disengage and ride around town in it. No gasoline involved at all.

[cheeselouise]

I like it if the back clamps onto an electromagnetic rail and the front wheels fold under. Then it will form a little train module which faces outward and takes you across the country at 250 miles an hour while you look out the front window and enjoy the scenery whizzing by. At your destination you can disengage and ride around town in it. No gasoline involved at all.

[Robert_23143]

Smart Germany is already doing that!!!! No big deal!

[KPeters_from_UK]

And Fiat 500.

[knsn_for_cmn_sense]

thats kind of cool. I would use it for my 12 mile commute.

[jgg000010]

well, the good news is that only one person will become chop meat when this clown car gets into an accident.

[eroteme2]

Like a bicycle, motor scooter, motor cycle.

[netjunkie1]

I'm just waiting on a one man electric corvette.