Notes from Popular Science article June 2000  i fly

Cirrus Design: conventional aircraft: SR20 $180,000,  4 seat, 200 HP engine, 184 MPH, made from  composites (not riveted) PC based display, GPS.

The SR-20 Primary Flight Display (PFD) is the "single most important technology that will grow this (small aircraft) industry. 

The SR-20 has a rocket-launched airframe parachute {as with Skycar].

The wing of the SR-20 is smaller than usual for this class of airplane, making the aircraft less susceptible to bumping and wandering from its flight path {as with Skycar}

"I can develop a prototype for less than it costs a major manufacturer to hold a meeting"

Cirrus CEO believe that within a few years entry-level private aircraft will be considerably quieter, cheaper, safer, and easier to fly.

Also noted in the article
In 1998 discreet advertisements by Toyota turned in in papers in LA, Duluth, etc.: seeking engineers to develop a new low-cost light aircraft.