Owner: Toyota Car Lovers Online URL:http://spaces.msn.com/members/toyotaloverz/ Join Date: Sat, 10 May 2008 00:39:45 -0500 Rating:0 Site Description: Practical and relevant automotive information for the Toyota car owner and enthusiast from an established auto parts expert.
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Who Said Sporty Can’t Be Green? 2008-02-27 18:58:21 Toyota is showing the world that giving a vehicle the power to go faster does not necessarily equate to being harmful to the environment. See, the Japanese car maker has created a sports car that is very much unlike the Chevy S10 -- it does not send off much harmful emissions to the environment.
What Toyota did was it created the Future Toyota Hybrid Sports (FT-HS). The Toyota FT-HS is still a concept vehicle at present but it has been designed to be a sports car that is equipped with a petrol-electric hybrid engine unit. The car maker, through The Age, boasted that this concept vehicle would be able to have an “ultra high performance” and yet also have “ultra low fuel use and emissions”.
Doug Soden is the product development manager for Toyota and he shared, “There is a stro Read more:Sporty
, Green
Toyota iQ City Car To Debut at Geneva Auto Show 2008-02-15 01:15:25 If Ford has its all-new Fiesta
and Rinspeed boasts of its “sQuba,” well, Toyota
has its latest iQ small car to join the array of cars at the upcoming Geneva
International Motor Show.
According to autobloggreen.com,
iQ’s mini-car concept unveiled in last year’s Frankfurt Motor Show includes a
Japanese mini that is 2.98 meters long, with a three plus one seater, which
means that two seats can be occupied by adults in front. It can also be
utilized as a space for luggage. The
front passenger seat can be pulled forward through the asymmetrical car
dashboard design.
In a Toyota press release, three concepts
regarding the iQ were given much emphasis: First, it is the smart solution to
urban transport. Second, it is designed
within the Vibrant Clarity philosophy - a principle
Toyota Considering Building New Truck 2008-02-11 22:41:53 Toyota is already on a roll and yet it is still continuously working and figuring out just what new vehicles they could send out to the market. Don Esmond, the company’s senior VP, has mentioned via The Car Connection that they are currently looking into a smaller truck which could built on the present Tacoma and sent to the market.
Esmond also did continue to disclose that the vehicle would not be coming with Buick parts but it would actually take on the form that the A-Bat concept truck had. The latter has been on display at the NAIAS and at the Chicago Auto Show. He also did share, “I think everyone is trying to come out with products the customer doesn’t know they want yet.”
An official from Toyota did also note, “Everybody is looking for white space. I think it would have Read more:Toyota
, Building
, Truck
Toyota Cars: Still Hot In U.S. 2008-02-08 20:14:36 Toyota vehicles have sustained their reputation as one of the most admired nameplates in the US territory. Since the beginning of the year 2008, Toyota placed impressive figures headed by the Toyota Camry which sits third best-sales record in the U.S. Five vehicles from Toyota’s abode had been included in the list of best-selling vehicles in the country. According to the Auto Channel, overall sales of the top 20 vehicles increased 1.2 percent or 4,418 units to 378,523. RANK VEHICLE - TOTAL UNITS SOLD (through January 2008) 1. Ford F-Series - 41,125 2. Chevy Silverado-PU - 36,122 3. Toyota Camry - 31,601 4. Honda Accord/Hybrid - 23,957 5. Nissan Altima/Hybrid - 21,635 6. Honda Civic/Hybrid - 20,993 7. Toyota Corolla - 20,736 8. Dodge Ram P/U Read more:Toyota
Toyota 1/X Debuts In North America 2008-02-08 03:08:39
Aside from the much-talked about Toyota
Urban Runner, another Toyota masterpiece was introduced at the ongoing Chicago Auto Show, NorthAmerica
’s largest auto show.
Popularly known as the Toyota 1/X, (pronounced as “one-Xth”) the vehicle was named after its mass, fuel use and emissions output, which totals to that fraction compared to other vehicles of the same class. To give you an example, its 500 cc flex-fuel engine, a part of a plug-in hybrid powertrain weighs only one quarter than that of a Prius. With this, it could travel up to 600 miles using a small four-gallon tank fuel bearing an acceleration performance similar to that of a Prius. Also, its ultra-lightweight aerodynamic feature is claimed to be just one-third than that of Prius - maybe a bit more than the weigh Read more:North America
Toyota In China 2008-02-02 00:40:03 We all know how the Asian market seems to be growing. For example, the Indian car market is slowly being entered by auto makers so as to be able to take a good share of the industry. Now, auto makers are trying to take on anther Asian country - China
.
Although Toyota
is known to be from Asian, the car maker is planning on having its own plant in China. That way, the company has disclosed via AFP, they could be able to establish a stronger presence. The company is currently eyeing Changchun in the Jilin Province as the location of their plant which they would want to have the ability to create 100,000 per year.
To be able to make that a reality, the company would have to invest around 50 billion yen so as to be able to build the facility that would manufacture fog lights and all other au
5th Toyota TFLP Held in Salt Lake City 2008-01-26 00:31:03 Three elementary schools in Salt Lake
City received benefits from Toyota
' 5th Toyota Family Literacy Program (TFLP) held last January 17. Monroe Elementary, James Moss Elementary and Woodrow Wilson Elementary, all located in the Granite School District, were given $6,000 to fund its programs that serve children in kindergarten to third grade and their parents. In coordination with the National Center for Family Literacy (NCFL), an organization that advocates family literacy, TFLP aspires to develop basic language and literacy skills among Hispanic and other immigrant families as well as provide training for parents in order for them to help their children excel in school. It reaches out to about 20 cities across the country. Since it started, Toyota had donated over $29 million to Read more:Salt Lake City
Toyota Garners Various Honors In J.D Power & Associates’ Automotive Customer Satisfaction Index Study 2008-01-23 18:46:06 It’s year 2008 and still, the largest and the leading auto manufacturer in the industry continues to take over other nameplates. I guess they know how to keep their engine and radiator scorching to the max!Toyota
reigned over in the most recent South Africa AutomotiveCustomerSatisfactionIndex
Study. Toyota vehicles along with another Japanese brand, Honda, got four segment honors apiece. The two companies equally earned more honors than any other car maker according to J.D. Power and Associates
/CAR Magazine 2007 South Africa Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI) Study(SM). Toyota’s Avensis, Hilux, Land Cruiser Prado and Tazz were the highest ranked models in their particular segments. “Honda and Toyota models continue their strong performance in satisfying customers in South Africa. I Read more:Garners
, Honors
Plug-In Hybrid Development Highlighted By Toyota In Detroit 2008-01-15 19:44:04 The ongoing expansion of plug-in hybrids is headed to a certain bright future as Toyota
continues to promote these exceptional vehicles to the rapidly growing automotive industry. Forget about those filthy fuel filters because the future is here! The company has announced that it will present a number of Toyota Prius plug-in electric hybrid (PHEV) models at the 2008 North American International Auto Show in Detroit
for executive shuttle service to and from the Cobo Center. According to The Auto Channel, the Prius plug-in hybrids prototypes are parallel to the automobiles that were freshly brought to two University of California campuses. These prototypes are being used for studies and testing as part of Toyota's continuing sustainable mobility development program in partnership with the Un Read more:Development
, Hybrid
Toyota to present new hybrid pickup truck 2008-01-08 18:54:40 Last Friday, Toyota
Motor Corp. announced its plans of making the 2008 North American International Auto Show more popularly known as the Detroit Auto Show as the stage of their new concept hybrid pick-up truck. Named the A-BAT, Toyota’s new concept vehicle features the next level of fuel economy and lower emissions. The trapezoidal look is derived from the best selling Toyota Prius. According to the automaker, the A-BAT facets Toyota’s third generation of gas-electric hybrid powertrain technology called the Hybrid Synergy Drive. “This concept is the next evolution of the compact truck,” said Kevin Hunter, president of Calty Design Research Inc., Toyota’s North American-based research and design center, in a statement.Almost the size of Toyota’s smallest SUV, the RAV4, the A-BA
Lexus Sets New Record in Nurburgring 2008-01-07 02:34:45
Based on the reports by Auto Express and Japanese car magazine Holiday Auto, Lexus
insiders have revealed that the upcoming 552 bhp Lexus LF-A sports car has lapped the Nurburgring
in 7minutes and 24 seconds surpassing the current record time set by the Pagani Zonda F at 7 minutes and 27 seconds and even beating the record time set by the all-new Porsche 911 GT2 (7:32 AutoBild, 7:25 AutoExpress).The German Nurburgring has been considered as the benchmark for measuring the performance of sports car like Porsche but recent achievements posted by Japanese automakers like Nissan and Lexus seems to threaten European sports car manufacturers. Right now the GT-R and LF-A sports cars are going head-to-head with European sports car. Last September, the Nissan GT-R lapped the Nurburgring in 7 minut Read more:Record
, New Record
Toyota’s December Sales 2008-01-04 20:00:49 Toyota
Motor Sales
(TMS), U.S.A., Inc. accounted their best-ever year-end sales of 2,620,825 vehicles. Records revealed that they were up by 2.7 percent over last year’s figures. The company now has 12 straight years of exceptional record-breaking sales. The Lexus brand on the other hand is obviously doing great. It’s “sky is the limit” for Lexus and a great rampage of vehicle sales is expected to pour down Toyota’s window for the next years to follow."Great products and value drive a volatile market and put the consumer in the driver's seat," said TMS President Jim Lentz. "Toyota, Lexus and Scion deliver on both."
According to the Auto Channel, Lexus held on to its position as the best-selling luxury nameplate in America for 8 straight years. The bra Read more:December
Toyota’s A-BAT Concept Vehicle to Debut at the 2008 NAIS 2008-01-01 20:24:21
For the 2008 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Toyota
Motor Corporation the archrival of Honda the producer of high quality Acura Legend belts is planning to introduce a concept hybrid pickup truck that will feature an improve fuel economy and lower emissions. The A-BAT concept vehicle as what Toyota called its creation will be equipped with Hybrid Synergy Drive which is the automaker’s third-generation gasoline-electric hybrid power train technology. The vehicle’s trapezoidal profile was derived from the Prius which is one of the top-selling hybrids of Toyota. According to Kevin Hunter, President of Calty Design Research Inc., Toyota’s North American-based research and design center, "This concept is the next evolution of the compact truck." It will fe Read more:Concept
, Vehicle
Deadline Set For Toyota F1 Boss 2008-01-01 18:55:24 Although Toyota
is not as experienced in Formula One as Honda or Renault or McLaren and Ferrari, it is said that the team has the biggest budget. Thus, they are expected to win some races but unfortunately, the team is struggling with the 2007 season ending with Ralf Schumacher leaving the team. Schumacher and teammate Jarno Trulli only managed to finish as high as sixth place last year.This struggle has been going on for years and it seems as if the home office is calling for better results. To motivate the team, a two-year deadline was given to team principal Tadashi Yamashina. The team boss was given until 2010 to stop the bleeding.He had this to say: "We can see that our car was not hard enough on the tyres. It is better to be tough on the tyres and be faster." No mat Read more:Deadline
Toyota Aygo Platinum Edition 2007-12-27 02:00:13
For the coming new year Toyota
UK has prepared something special and it’s called the Toyota Aygo PlatinumEdition
. The Aygo Platinum is offered in both 3-door and 5-door powered with Toyota’s 1.0 liter VVT-i petrol engine that achieves 61.4 mpg in combined driving cycle. Its carbon emission is just 109 g/km of CO2 and charge only with £35 a year in Vehicle Excise Duty. The Aygo Platinum is made better than the Aygo+ since it was added with Alcantara and leather upholstery, leather steering wheel and gear knob, 14-inch turbine alloy wheels that is painted with exclusive Crystal Silver. The other Aygo+ features included are six airbags, electric front windows, tilt adjusting steering column, remote central locking, removable rear parcelsshelf, six-speaker sound system with CD player an
Toyota Plans To Maintain Lead Over GM In 2008 2007-12-26 18:48:55 The battle between the two big names in the auto industry just keeps on getting exciting as ever. It’s like a hot radiator ready to burst anytime! Toyota
and GM, both successful in the past years, has taken the rivalry into the next level.
According to The Auto Channel, Chang-Ran Kim, a writer for Reuters, reported that the Toyota Motor Corp. will blast off further into rising car markets to attain another successful year of record sales for the coming year. Toyota aims to stay on top as the world's prime automaker in front of General Motors Corp.
The Japanese car manufacturer is the world's most gainful and valuable carmaker by now. It is projected that it will sell 9.85 million vehicles in 2008 - way beyond the estimated 9.36 million this year.
"The Chinese market has undergone a Read more:Maintain
Panasonic Toyota’s Tests In Jerez 2007-12-16 19:34:41 Panasonic Toyota
is aggressively working things out for the 2008 season. With several alterations in their team, Jarno Trulli and the rest of the team are all set to face the odds in the upcoming 2008 Formula One World Championship and wish to have a great season ahead.
According to Motor Sport, Panasonic Toyota Racing concluded the 2007 season with the final test of the year at Jerez
in Spain several days ago."We tried to achieve many things today so it was quite busy for me. I used the new slick tyres and they gave a lot more grip and were pretty consistent. We also tried the tyres with 2009 levels of downforce which was quite different and a bit tricky. It was not easy to understand everything because we tried so many different things during the day,” says Jarno Trulli.
& Read more:Panasonic
Toyota Tops J.D. Power and Associates Survey in Customer Retention 2007-12-14 22:37:24
Despite the bad publicities hurdled at Toyota
it didn’t stop new and loyal customers from visiting Toyota dealers to purchase Toyota vehicles. As a matter of fact the result of the survey conducted by J.D. Power & Associates
shows that Toyota has once again led all automakers in terms of customer retention. Toyota has posted 65% of Toyota’s buyers last year has traded a Toyota for a new one. Coming in second place is Toyota’s luxury division Lexus with 63% followed by Honda Motor, the producer of high quality Acura headers with 62.8%.Neal Oddes, director of product research and analysis at J.D. Power said, "Toyota's high customer retention rate is particularly notable, considering that new-vehicle sales have declined in the past year. Toyota maintains its high retention ra Read more:Customer
Toyota and Its Violin-Playing Robot 2007-12-14 20:40:44 Toyota
not to be outdone by Honda--the producer of quality Acura distributor cap and creator of the ASIMO robot—in the field of robotics has also released a human-sized robot that can play the violin.The Toyota robot has performed a full rendition of Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance. A video of the robot may be viewed on YouTube.According to Toyota President Katsuaki Watanabe in an interview with The Guardian, "Over the next two to three years, we will put the robots to the test through trial applications and see what kind of business possibilities they present."Mr. Watanabe also said that by 2020 robotics will become an important part of the company as a matter of fact next year Toyota will reveal medical robots, and also plans of producing what they call as “partner robots Read more:Robot
The Launch of Toyota’s Used Car Division 2007-12-03 19:52:29 Toyota
Kirloskar Motor (TKM) has recently announced the launch of the company’s used car division. It will be under the brand name ‘Toyota U Trust’.The unit will be facilitating sales, purchase and exchange of Toyota and non-Toyota cars. It is in goal to offer prospective customers the chance to exchange their old car of any manufacturer in lieu of a brand new Toyota, which may come with quality Toyota car cover.The unit will also cater customers who would like to exchange their cars for competitively priced used Toyota cars.Finance option is included in the value added services the unit offers at the ‘Toyota U Trust’ outlets.Since India’s used car segment is largely unorganized, car companies felt the need to take initiatives for the matte. It is mainly to spur along new car Read more:Launch
, Division
, Used Car
Toyota To Display Plug-In Prius 2008-06-16 20:51:01 Toyota showcased a prototype plug-in Prius
hybrid at Legislative Plaza on today, June 16, during a field hearing on electric drive vehicles entitled for by the Congressional TVA Caucus.According to news, the prototype Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) enhances the high fuel economy and ultra-low emissions of the well-liked Toyota Prius production hybrid model with a developed Nickel-Metal-Hyd Read more:Toyota
, Display
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