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Toyota Targets Children

The Japanese automaker dips its toe into the kid market with a new toy-car concept.

By Claire_Martin Jun 18, 2012 12:02PM

With the Camatte concept, a toy that functions like a real car, Toyota seems to be contemplating the idea of hooking in would-be drivers at an unprecedentedly young age. Making its debut at the International Tokyo Toy Show last week, the Camatte is a minuscule vehicle -- just shy of 9 feet long and 4 feet tall -- with three seats and colorful, interchangeable parts. 

Kiddie drivers can get in the driver's seat and operate the instrument panel, gas pedal, steering wheel and brakes while their parents, who sit in the back seat, have access to braking and steering controls. 

"The idea behind the Camatte is to introduce children to the fun of driving, customizing and owning a car," the Toyota U.K. blog reads. 

It's not a terrible idea, considering young drivers' disinterest in automobiles as of late. A recent study showed that nearly half of 18- to 24-year-olds surveyed preferred Internet access to car ownership. 

As of now, Toyota says it has no plans to produce the Camatte, and if it ever does, the intended venues are go-kart courses, not public roads. Yet the vehicles can pull 25 mph -- a speed some parents might not necessarily consider child's play.

[Sources: Gizmag; Toyota U.K.]
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30Comments
Gearhead_Joe
Jun 19, 2012 8:21AM
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Ok, so the link to this story said "Toyota enters Toy car market" and the headline on this page reads "Toyota targets children"  - with what?  A car they don't plan on producing ?!.

 

I dont understand how this qualifies as news.

argy bargy 7
Jun 19, 2012 7:48AM
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Toy  ota...I always wanted to see what a REAL ota looked like!
playforme
Jun 19, 2012 8:40AM
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Toyota should concentrate on solving their over a million car recall for unsafe fuel tanks before they entice more "kids" to their cars!
1toxictexan
Jun 19, 2012 7:37AM
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so now instead of getting a Toyota, you get a toy auto?
Ricko59
Jun 19, 2012 8:19AM
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Looks like the old German Kubelwagen from WW2.
satellitepilot
Jun 18, 2012 5:35PM
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Why the hell would I let my kid in the front seat...I'm the one that needs to see the road...accident waiting to happen. The reason why young people are disinterested in cars is because the cars they want are not being made...too much traffic and they're broke. Cars are too expensive. Gas is too expensive.

 

---claire martin is smoking crack; of course it's a terrible idea!

chirpy
Jun 18, 2012 7:18PM
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These things are meant to be driven on a closed course. I think for the price of one of these i could get a kid a good Shifter Kart.
Someone (goforward)
Jun 19, 2012 9:36AM
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Don't we already have these? I think they're called the "Smartcar"..
ricers_stink
Jun 18, 2012 3:31PM
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Great....now we'll have kids flying off cliffs due to "unintended acceleration". OH What a Feeling!
1123wilk
Jun 19, 2012 10:00AM
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what are they gonna do if the accelerator sticks wide open on a child driving it?
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