Aston and Toyota to make luxury car

Toyota announced yesterday that it will build a luxury car for Aston Martin based on the Toyota iQ model and will be named the Aston Martin Cygnet. The Q1 Is claimed to be the world’s most compact four seat car according to Toyota and is a little shy of three feet long.

The Cygnet will be built in Japan and shipped to Gaydon, Warwickshire where Aston Martin can place the finishing touches onto the new vehicle.

According to Aston Martin’s chief executive, Ulrich Bez, the combination vehicle is aimed at bringing a luxury car concept down to a brand value that is affordable across the market.

Toyota revealed the original iQ concept car this past year at the New York motor show and is rumoured to be creating a North American version of the car as well.

There may be some hindrances to Toyota in the US however, as large partner GM have recently pulled out of a joint venture in California at a plant leaving Toyota in a lurch.

Toyota issued a response to the move that stated the economic environment is hurting Toyota and they will have to consider all factors before announcing their next move and how to deal best with the situation.

The venture between GM and Toyota was named the New United Motor Manufacturing and was the first Toyota assembly plant found in the US.

No price has yet been announced on any version of the Toyota Q1 or launch dates.