Demise of kei cars on the horizon?

The kei car has long been a staple of the Japanese automobile industry and its car culture. Too diminutive for Western markets, the tiny cars and trucks are a strong influencer of design in Japan. Now, as The New York Times reports, the Japanese government has hit kei cars with increases in sales tax, gasoline prices and has reduced the kei car tax break introduced to make the cars popular in the first place by 50 percent.

Toyota teases new 2014 Aygo city car

This is the initial teaser image of the new 2014 Toyota Aygo, set to make its first public appearance at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show next month. The Japanese firm is yet to reveal any details on its new city car, but we do know that it has once again been developed in conjunction with Peugeot and the French firm’s latest 108 compact urban hatchback. On Bing: see pictures of the 2014 Toyota Aygo Find out how much a used Toyota Aygo costs on Auto Trader Just like the previous Aygo, the new car will share its chassis and engine line-up with the latest Peugeot.

Nissan Leaf tours the country

Those who haven't made it to the dealership to test drive a Nissan Leaf can get behind the wheel of the electric car when the carmaker swings through towns across the country on its Drive Electric tour. Started on July 8 in Long Island, the tour is visiting 26 cities from Indianapolis to Austin, Texas. Attendees will learn about driving and owning a Leaf, how the car compares with other vehicles, its fuel efficiency and environmental impact, and how to communicate with the car via phone or computer.