A Drive For Youth AppealA Drive For Youth Appeal

The Internet is such a great source of plugged-in young buyers that Toyota will introduce a car line aimed at Web surfers. The automaker says buyers can order the as-yet-unnamed brand on the Web and pick it up at a dealer, a method that's proven successful with Toyota's Prius.

The cyberstrategy comes as Toyota's youth appeal suffers. Sales of two-seater and sports coupes aimed at young buyers are down 12% this year, and the automaker thinks a separate Internet brand in 2002 or 2003 will bring young buyers back. Jupiter Media Metrix says Toyota may be on to something: By 2006, 33% of all auto sales will originate on the Internet.