The Toyota iQ is on track for North America- a relatively fast track at that. First introduced as a concept car in 2007, the iQ became available in Japan in 2008 and in Europe in January, 2009. A version of the iQ made its American debut as a Scion-badged concept car at the New York Auto Show in April.

Rumor has it that the iQ will become the first in a series that will include the Scion iQ as well as a hybrid version. It is also rumored that the iQ platform will also be the basis for the next generation Toyota Yaris.

New strategies from Toyota tend to support (at least some) of these rumors. Toyota has announced new versions of the iQ that will soon be available in Japan and a joint venture with Aston Martin that will use the iQ platform.

Soon available in Japan will be new versions of the iQ. These will be limited edition, customized versions in much the same way that Scion markets its vehicles in America. Among the versions that will be available as early as November will be a sporty version. Following that are plans for a version tailored to younger consumers and one that will be marketed toward women.

Meanwhile, a joint venture with Aston Martin will produce an iQ-based car called the Cygnet. Aston Martin is based in the UK but will market the Cygnet throughout Europe.

Though Toyota has yet to confirm any rumors, it clearly has shown commitment to the iQ platform and a willingness to move the iQ quickly from concept to production.

Don’t expect an “economy” car like the Kia Forte with a low sticker price. General consensus among car makers is that such vehicles sell poorly due to poor perception of quality and have a low profit margin- a combination that spells disaster. Rather, expect any version of the iQ to be more moderately priced but trendy and “green”.

Toyota reported half-year sales of 770,449 vehicles. TMS saw improvements in the second quarter, posting sales of 410,777 units, an increase 11.2 percent over the first quarter, on a daily selling rate basis. For the month of June, TMS recorded sales of 131,654 units, a decrease of 34.6 percent from last June.

The Toyota Division posted June sales of 114,780 units, down 36.3 percent from the year-ago month. The Lexus Division reported sales of 16,874 for the month, a decrease of 20 percent from last June.

Toyota Division

Toyota Division passenger cars recorded June sales of 75,487 units, down 39.1 percent from the same period last year. Camry and Camry Hybrid remained Toyota’s volume leader in June, posting combined monthly sales of 26,394 units. The all-new redesigned Prius mid-size gas-electric hybrid posted June sales of 12,998 units, up 6.1 percent from the year-ago month. Corolla recorded June sales of 19,935 units. Yaris reported sales of 5,243 units for the month.

Toyota Division light trucks posted June sales of 39,293 units, down 30.1 percent from the year-ago month. Light truck sales were led by the RAV4 compact SUV with sales of 10,054 units, up 0.6 percent from last June. Highlander and Highlander Hybrid posted combined sales of 6,885 units for the month. The Tacoma mid-size pickup reported June sales of 9,035 units. The Tundra full-size pickup recorded sales of 5,187 units.

Scion posted June sales of 4,262 units. The xB urban utility vehicle led the way with sales of 1,869 units. The tC sports coupe recorded sales of 1,446 units. The xD reported sales of 946 units for the month.

Lexus Division

Lexus passenger cars reported June sales of 8,725 units, a decrease of 35.3 percent from June 2008. Passenger car sales were led by the ES entry luxury sedan with June sales of 3,918 units. The IS entry luxury sport sedan posted combined sales of 3,465 units. The LS flagship luxury sedan recorded combined sales of 806 units. The GS luxury sport sedan reported combined June sales of 454 units.

Lexus Division light trucks recorded June sales of 8,149 units, up 7.0 percent from the year-ago month. Lexus sales were led by the RX luxury utility vehicle, which posted combined June sales of 7,355 units, up 21.3 percent from last June.

TMS Hybrids

TMS first-half hybrid sales totaled 81,280 units. In June, TMS posted sales of 16,744 hybrid vehicles. Toyota Division posted sales of 16,189 hybrids for the month. Lexus Division posted sales of 585 hybrids in June.

There were 25 selling days this month, compared to 24 selling days last June.