Toyota Yaris set for U.S. launch

While hunting for new model launches at the Frankfurt Auto Show, I missed one from Toyota. Although I saw the Yaris on the show floor, I assumed--because of its Eastern European-sounding name--that it was a Europe-only car. But Toyota seems to think that we in the United States are more cosmopolitan than we probably are and will announce the U.S. version of the Yaris at the SEMA show in Las Vegas on November 2. This little car uses intelligent variable valve timing on its 1.5-liter, four-cylinder engine, producing an underwhelming 106 horsepower. Of course, it will be a winner at the pump. Its audio system is MP3 and CD compatible, and it has an auxiliary jack, something I hope will become standard on all cars.