Sliding doors the Toyota way

Door openings are about more than hinges and pillars, according to the Japanese automaker.

Sliding doors in passenger cars are nothing new, A vintage Rolls-Royce seen at the 2004 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance featured a large sliding door on either side, allowing easy and dignified entry to and exit from its sumptuous cabin.

Such door types are not new under the Rising Sun either because Japan's roads and streets are narrow and public and private parking spaces come at a premium.