Toyota Calls A Spade A Spade. Saywhat?
A Spade.
Listening to demands for “compact cars with minivan-like features,” Toyota unleashed two truly mini minivans upon the Japanese public, with the aim of becoming the leader in that segment. But wait what they called the thing.
A Spade
Powered by either a 1.3 liter or 1.5 liter engine, both mated to Toyota’s Super CVT-I, the mini minivans come with a “large, passenger-side remote-controlled sliding door. The door can be opened and closed using a wireless key or by the touch of a button from the driver or rear seats.” Apparently, Toyota wants to ncroach on Honda’s NBOX.
A Porte
The two minivans are actually one. Same body, same engine, trim, even price. What is different are the names and the channel. One minivan, called “Porte” is sold through “Toyota” and “Toyopet” dealers, the other, called “Spade” is available at through “Toyota Corolla” and “Netz” dealers.
Yes, they called it a spade. Toyota helpfully supplies the information that Porte is derived “from the French word for door”, whereas “spade” was “chosen as it contains portions of the words space and wide, key elements in the vehicle’s design, and also because it is the strongest suit in a deck of cards.”
Bertel Schmitt comes back to journalism after taking a 35 year break in advertising and marketing. He ran and owned advertising agencies in Duesseldorf, Germany, and New York City. Volkswagen A.G. was Bertel's most important corporate account. Schmitt's advertising and marketing career touched many corners of the industry with a special focus on automotive products and services. Since 2004, he lives in Japan and China with his wife <a href="http://www.tomokoandbertel.com"> Tomoko </a>. Bertel Schmitt is a founding board member of the <a href="http://www.offshoresuperseries.com"> Offshore Super Series </a>, an American offshore powerboat racing organization. He is co-owner of the racing team Typhoon.
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Toyota is copying the not so-successful, only sold in Europe, Peugeot 1007 https://www.google.com/search?q=peugeot+1007&hl=en&prmd=imvns&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=PmQOUP3MD5CShgfUqoG4Aw&ved=0CFQQsAQ&biw=1024&bih=677 The Peugeot 1007 is not really a good car: Too much weight on the roof, too narrow and too tall.
Well, it is the same story than the following Japanese models in Spanish: Mitsubishi Pajero- Well known story. Pajero is somone that practices self-satisfaction too often. Mazda Laputa: Mazda Thewhore Nissan Moco: Nissan Booger In Catalan Nissan Pixo (actually sold now in very low numbers): Nissan I-pee Seriously - this can be checked online or they can send a memo to their world headquarters to ask...