Millennials are some of the most elusive buyers for car manufacturers to market to. As such, automakers are constantly looking for various ways to impress this mysterious group of new adults. And now Toyota has stepped up to the plate with an all-new small sport utility concept aimed directly at this new generation.
With their lines of green and economical cars, two factors that are high on the millennial car shopping list, Toyota seems to understand the Gen-Y customer better than most. So it comes as no surprise that Toyota has just unveiled a concept car that is packed with millennial-focused features. Called the Urban Utility, or U2, the new concept car "reflects the lifestyle and needs of an entrepreneurial, urban driver."
Dreamed up by Toyota's concept car gurus, Calty Design Research Team, the U2 concept has a host of interesting features that the automaker hopes will appeal to the millennial shopper. Packed with customizable features such as a utility rail that can hold bikes and groceries, a retractable roof, a ramp-like tailgate and a center console that can hold an iPad, the U2 is definitely a whole new way to look at a sport utility.
Now some of these features might seem pretty outlandish to pack all in one car, but that's the point of these concept vehicles. Toyota is looking for the best options and features that will satisfy a millennial driver, who has a wholly different set of car buying rules than their parents and grandparents.
We won't see a market-ready version of the Urban Utility in Texas Toyota's showroom any time soon, but do expect some of these features to show up in future Toyota models. Our vote is for the iPad-mount in the center console or the retractable roof. Either way, as long as Toyota keeps thinking outside of the box, car buyers of all generations will continue to love their Toyotas.
