The World's Smallest Cars

By Chi-Chu Tschang and Hiroko Tashiro

Washington DC February 11, 2009: The AIADA newsletter reported today that the plunge in oil prices since their highs last July may have relieved some of the anxiety drivers feel when pulling up to the gas pump, but automakers are still betting on consumers favoring more fuel-efficient cars. After all, it wasn't just high oil prices that were sending car buyers to small cars. Several progressive governments, including Australia, Canada and China, have come out with policies to encourage their citizens to buy gas sippers.

Automakers have responded by coming out with mini cars that can squeeze in the tightest parking spots. Some have brought back classics such as the BMW Isetta, Fiat 500 and Mini Cooper, albeit more fuel-efficient versions. Others are planning to come out with hybrids or electric vehicles this year or next year. Many multinational car manufacturers are selling these small, fuel-efficient cars abroad, particularly in emerging markets where locals earn less money yet want cleaner cars. At the same time, auto companies from China and India are also entering the game and coming out with their small cars with hopes of eventually exporting them overseas.

Audi A1

Audi first unveiled this super mini luxury car at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show as the Audi metroproject Quattro concept car. The hybrid car combines a 1.4 TFSI gas engine with a 27 horsepower electric motor that can go from 0 to 62 miles per hour in 7.9 seconds. Production and sales of the A1 are expected to begin this year.

BMW Isetta

BMW came out with the original Isetta 1953, after World War II, to meet the need for cheap, short-distance transportation in Europe. The bubble car was sold in Spain, Belgium, France, Germany, Britain and Brazil. BMW is now bringing back the new Isetta in the form of an electric car, which should arrive in American showrooms in 2012, to help meet California's zero emissions vehicle legislation.

Daihatsu Copen

The Copen is Daihatsu's sportiest model and probably the only convertible/open car among 660 cc class kei cars in the world. (Kei car is a micro car with engine no bigger than 660 cc) The two-seater roadster goes from zero to 60 mph in a respectable 11.7 seconds, while averaging 44.1 mpg of gasoline. Its electric retractable hardtop goes up or down in 20 seconds. In some overseas markets, mainly in Europe, a larger 87-horsepower, 1.3-liter engine version is also available. Since its launch in 2002, Daihatsu Copen has sold constantly more than 500 units a month, 1,000 units a month maximum. Each car is built carefully by skilled technicians selected specially for the Copen. In Japan, price ranges from $17,340 to $21,450.

Fiat 500

Italian auto maker Fiat sold the original Fiat 500 from 1957 to 1975 as a cheap, practical city car. Fiat brought back the Italian automotive icon in 2007 and updated the body shape and made it bigger as well as souped up the interiors with four seats, seven airbags and an iPod connector. At the 2008 British International Motor Show, NICE Car Company and Micro-Vett unveiled an electric powered Fiat 500 that can go up to 65 miles per hour.

Ford Ka

Ford has been selling the smallest car in its portfolio, the Ka, in Europe and Latin America since 1996. On Jan. 1, Ford launched the second generation Ka, based on the Fiat 500, in Britain. The Ka had a cameo in the James Bond film "Quantum of Solace." Ford CEO Alan Mulally says that hed like to bring the Ka to the U.S. to meet rising demand for small cars. However, the Ka, which comes with a 1.2 liter gas or 1.3 liter diesel engine, wouldn't arrive in American showrooms until next year or 2011 at the earliest.