The future of cars is small. Very, very small.
One day after Ford and Toyota officials both discussed plans to bring small microcars like the Smart Fortwo to American showrooms, two more automakers are reportedly joining the rush to tiny cars.
Motor Trend reports that Chrysler is working with China's Great Wall Motor, "collaborating on an all-new, A-segment [that's subcompact, for those who don't speak auto industry lingo] car to be sold around the globe as a Chrysler." Chrysler has already announced plans to develop "a new, fuel-efficient small car it can quickly get into dealerships" in partnership with Nissan. The Chrysler-Great Wall joint project is expected to be smaller, a minicar to compete with the Smart.
Autoblog reports that Audi is also developing a small electric car "based on the Volkswagen up! platform," which would make Audi's entry a tiny, two-door city car as well. Autoblog comments, "Audi will need to work fast if it's going to catch BMW, its natural rival, which has already begun production of an electric version of the hugely popular MINI Cooper."
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