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For owners of a Peel P50 three-wheeler car, those difficult parking spaces that would normally be a tight squeeze prove no problem at all.
Measuring just 134cm in length and 99cm in width it holds the record for the smallest ever production car.
Now a car small enough to fit into a lift isn't for all of us, and I for one would feel slightly conspicuous driving around in something that looks more like an expensive toy than a road-legal car, but putting the niche models to one side, small cars look certain to make a big impact over the next few years.
In the current climate where money is tight and budgets are shrinking, smaller models provide a sensible option, and not just because they're easy to park. The up-front costs of purchase tend to be less and there is potential to save thousands of pounds on running costs.
With a host of smaller cars delivering excellent mpg performance like the Volkswagen Polo BlueMotion (74.3mpg), Seat Ibiza Ecomotive (76.3mpg) and Ford Fiesta Econetic (76.3mpg), the average driver can make serious inroads into cutting their fuel expenditure. What's more, smaller cars with smaller engines will save you money on tax and insurance.
The Government has set challenging targets to reduce CO2 emissions over the next decade and to have a hope of hitting these targets road travel will be a key area focus. With pressure for a 20% reduction in emissions by 2010 compared to the 1990 figure, and in the longer term an 80% reduction targeted by 2050, smaller less-polluting vehicles will make a difference.
Governments are already putting pressure on manufacturers to reduce the overall emissions mix of their ranges, which is forcing them to focus development on the smaller end. This will mean a greater choice of smaller cars, so owning one is less likely to mean missing out on looks or performance. New models such as the Fiat 500 and Alpha Romeo Mito show that small is becoming fashionable - especially in big cities where the practicalities come into their own.
Smaller cars will not meet the needs of every business driver, especially if they have to carry larger loads, but for anyone looking to change cars over the next few years downsizing should at least be a consideration. The numbers make sense for the driver and the company and are likely to look even more compelling in the future.
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