Toyota Motor Corp. on Friday said it will become the first major automaker to offer racing karts, in the hopes of nurturing a new generation of auto enthusiasts.
The world’s largest automaker by volume is developing karts and plans to sell them for about a quarter of the current market price to make them affordable for families with children interested in motor sports. Pricing and launch details have yet to be released.
In Japan, racing karts currently retail for about 1.5 million yen ($10,400) — a major obstacle to wider popularity.
Toyota hopes to spark greater interest in automotive careers by giving children easier access to motor sports, aiming to inspire future drivers, engineers and mechanics.
