We think it will bring consumers back who left the segment. Basically, it will be roomier and the seating arrangement could be significantly different. We are considering a number of options including more flexible layout. But even with design innovations, I don t expect the sedan market to return to levels of 10 years ago. It s not going to happen, I am sure of that.
Analysts claim that sedans currently account for around half the market.
Actually, they account for less than half. For me, a hatchback is not a sedan. And in Europe, hatchbacks are now a substitute for sedans. Likewise in Japan, the Vitz, a type of hatchback, has been extremely successful since its January 1999 launch. I should note that this substitution has not occurred in the U.S. where consumers remain committed to traditional sedans.