Toyota has long been known for producing small cars, and the strategy has certainly paid off. With rising gas prices and economic uncertainly, small cars have fueled Toyota’s sales sucess worldwide. Hoping to continue its dominance in the economy car segment, Toyota will be pushing to bring the small but curvy iQ car to the U.S.

Measuring a mere 9.8 feet in length, the Toyota iQ is smaller than Toyota’s smallest car, the Yaris subcompact. At the upcoming New York Auto Show, the iQ will be featured, but it will be wearing a Scion badge. It has already on sale in Japan is arriving in Europe shortly, but the iQ’s North American presence has yet to be finalized. Dealers across the country from  San Diego Toyota dealers to Boston Toyota dealers expect that the turnout in New York will be a deciding factor.

In Europe, the small but curvy Toyota iQ is intended to draw customers away from other popular mini cars, especially the Smart. As a four-seater, the iQ is larger than the Smart, but smaller than most cars categorized as subcompact. In Japan, the iQ is geared toward drivers in highly urbanized areas where drivers need to maneuver in tight spaces, which is why Los Angeles Toyota believe the iQ will become popular among LA drivers. Best of all, the Toyota iQ gets around 54 miles per gallon, making it an inexpensive alternative to a hybrid.

The Toyota iQ name was derived from the qualities that engineers wanted the vehicle to exude, including individuality and quality. As the ‘bigger is better’ mantra is slowing eroding away, Albany Toyota dealers say the Toyota iQ is intended to further dissolve the misconceptions that small cars lack fun and quality.

While the Toyota iQ is shaping up to be a truly global model, Garden Grove Toyota dealers admit that the car still has high hopes when it comes to battling stagnant auto sales worldwide. That being said, interest in the compact remains high, and dealers expect that such a car will still be able to draw in consumers. Plus as a Scion-branded model, expect ample Toyota car parts and personalization options available.

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Look for more updates from the New York Auto Show here at Toyota in the News.