Toyota ME.WE Concept: It’s an egalitarian EV

Based on the electric running gear of the Toyota i-Road we saw at Geneva (but with a full set of wheels) Toyota and Massaud have created an urban vehicle that takes transport back to the basics; a 2CV for the 21st century, perhaps, or a grown up home-made kart seems to be where the ME.WE is at. The construction of the ME.WE comprises a tubular aluminium chassis and a pile of interchangeable polypropylene panels that can change the function of the ME.We from city car to convertible to pickup to 4×4 (thanks to electric motors on both axles) and is, by any definition, transport and not a car you’d have to make a statement. Inside is just as basic with a single dial for the instruments, flat surfaces made from bamboo (designers love a bit of bamboo), batteries for the electric motors under the floor and you have to store any luggage on the roof under a weatherproof cover.

PREMIUM CARS IN DEMAND DESPITE RISING FUEL PRICES

THE RECENT sustained surge in UK petrol prices is not having a detrimental effect on the market for used luxury cars, large prestige SUVs and supercars, that’s according to industry experts Glass's. Current pump prices are at record highs, however whilst the value of a typical family car has risen by at least two per cent since January, large 4x4s have registered a rise of twice this amount. Also faring well during this period are luxury cars and supercars, which have followed the upward trend of family cars.

Cadillac joins Lexus atop study of customer satisfaction

Cadillac joined Lexus as the brand with the most-pleased customers this year, as Detroit makes held three of the top five posts in an annual University of Michigan study of customer satisfaction. Cadillac rose from No. 2 last year to match Lexus with a score of 89 in the American Customer Satisfaction Index, released Tuesday.