James Raia

Articles by James Raia

Mercedes Benz GLK 350, 2010: Roman Mica's Rambling Review (Video)

Mica liked the Benz, the 2010 GLK 350. He calls it the Chuck Norris of the small luxury crossover segment. ” It just has that don’t mess with me snarling face,” says Mica is his video review. James RaiaA sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004. In addition to founding this site in 2004, James writes a Sunday automotive column for The San Jose Mercury and East Bay Times in Walnut Creek, Calif., and monthly auto review and wellness columns for Gulfshore Business, a magazine in Southwest Florida. An author and contributor to many newspapers, magazines and online publications, co-hosted The Weekly Driver Podcast

Read more
,

Consumer Reports to Sean P. Diddy Combs: Cars for young drivers

Sean P. Diddy Combs recently attracted a lot of attention when he gave his son a new Lamborghini valued at $360,000 for his 16th birthday. The presentation was held in front of MTV cameras and a celebrity crowd gathered in New York in part for a Haiti relief fundraiser. Consumer Reports didn’t pass judgment on Combs’ actions. Instead, it compiled a list of cars it has determined as “appropriate for young drivers.” In part of story detailing its selection, the Consumer Reports’ reporter wrote: “We did not consider cars with 0-to-60-mph acceleration times faster than 8 seconds or slower than 11 seconds, those with braking distances longer than 145 ft. in dry conditions, or those with mediocre emergency-handling scores. Many

Read more
, ,

Ferrari confirms its hybrid will debut at Geneva Auto Show in March

Luca di Montezemolo, the automaker’s chairman confirmed at the presentation of the race team’s 2010 Formula One car. Montezemolo said the prototype 599 hybrid will be unveiled at the Geneva Auto Show. The Italian magazine Quattroruote has reported the Ferrari hybrid new system will use lithium batteries and an electric motor to cut the fuel requirements of the 599’s V12 by 35 percent. Montezemolo said he wants Ferrari to lead F1 in the transfer of race technology to road cars. Experts report the Ferrari hybrid system is derived from the KERS (kinetic energy recovery system) used in 2009 F1 racing season. James RaiaA sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review

Read more
,

Toyota president Jim Lentz on Fox: 'Resolving pedal issue will be measured in months'

Here are  few excerpts and a video from the Fox Business Network interview: On a timeline to solve the safety issues: “I think it’s going to be measured in months not weeks. I can’t tell you exactly how much. At the end of this week, we’ll have a much better idea.” On recalling the pedal now after months of complaints: “Initially, we concentrated on the floor mat. In hindsight, it was more about the pedal. We didn’t really understand how customers use floor mats. We didn’t have enough clearance under our pedals.” “We actually acted quite quickly on that. From October of last year to today, we investigated it, we found a solution, and we implemented a solution….that’s 90 days;

Read more
,

Toyota recall update: CEO offers apology, explains recall dealer fix plan (video)

Here’s a short Associated Press video during which Lentz, in sound-bite form, apologies and explains Toyota‘s plans to repair several million automobile with two potential issues — sticking accelerator pedals and shifting floor mats. James RaiaA sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004. In addition to founding this site in 2004, James writes a Sunday automotive column for The San Jose Mercury and East Bay Times in Walnut Creek, Calif., and monthly auto review and wellness columns for Gulfshore Business, a magazine in Southwest Florida. An author and contributor to many newspapers, magazines and online publications, co-hosted The Weekly Driver Podcast from 2017 to

Read more
,

Toyota recall update: faulty brakes, floor mats fix plan announced.

Toyota recalled 2.3 million vehicles in the United States with the potential sticking accelerator issue. “We know what’s causing the sticking accelerator pedals, and we know what we have to do to fix it,” said Jim Lentz, Toyota‘s president and chief operating officer, in a statement. Toyota dealerships will work extended hours, some 24 hours a day, to repair the recalled vehicles. “It’s not clear how long it will take to fix all 2.3 million cars,” Lentz told CNNMoney.com. The fix involves installing a precision-cut steel reinforcement bar into the accelerator pedal assembly, which will reduce surface tension and prevent the friction that has caused the pedals to stick. The company said it has confirmed the effectiveness of the newly

Read more
, ,

Tesla Motors moves quickly again, announces $100 million IPO

The public offering has been rumored for months. Headquartered in San Carlos, California, Tesla makes the $109,000 Roadster sports car. It has plans to start selling less expensive models including the model-S at around $60,000, $10,000 less with tax credits. The model-S will have three battery pack options for a range of up to 300 miles per charge. Tesla has taken more than 1,500 reservations for the Model S and expects to begin production in late 2011 for the 2012 model-year. Tesla said it lost money between 2006 and 2008, and in the first nine months of last year reported losses of $31.5 million. Tesla has been selling its all-electric Roadsters for nearly two years, and it’s the only highway-capable

Read more
, ,

Honda recall: Melting window switches in Fit potential fire hazard in nearly 650,000 cars

Honda Motor Co., has announced a voluntary recall of 646,000 Fit models, its globally popular sub-compact, to examine window switches that can melt or catch fire when exposed to an extreme amount of liquid. The vehicles affected are Fit models from 2007-2008. Honda reported 141,140 units with the potential window switch issues were sold in the United States. The problem stems from a master power window switch on the driver’s side. It will need replacement or retrofitting with a waterproof skirt. Seven cases of the part melting have been reported n the U.S., two involving fire. No injuries have been linked to the defect. “Under some severe operating conditions, water, rain, or other liquid may enter the driver’s window and

Read more
,

Pirelli legacy: innovative tires to provocative yearly topless calendar

Pirelli was founded by Giovanni Battista Pirelli in 1872 in Milan, Italy, and throughout its more than 125-year history has evolved as among the world’s most well-known tire companies. In 1974, Pirelli debuted the “wide radial tire.” It was created after a request from the Lancia rally racing team for a tire strong enough to withstand the power of the new Lancia Stratos. The new tire attracted global attention. And Pirelli tires are now synonymous with the World Rally Championships, the British Rally Championship and the Superbike World Championships, among other prestigious races and motorsports events. Pirelli also received vast attention in 1974 for reasons it would liked to have avoided. But it’s all worked out. After a decade in

Read more
,

Toyota recall: Test your pedal mettle, read manufacturer's suggestions

The precautionary test the Q&A format of frequently asked concerns follow: Precautionary Test Drive to empty parking lot and practice how to put your car in “N” (neutral) position. Get the feeling of how the car responds to your actions, especially braking and turning, while the car’s gears are in “N” position. You must have learned this in your driver’s education class, but a refresher may be a good idea. If you are not sure what putting the car in “N” means, then you really should ask an experienced (and good) driver to teach you. The FAQs list: Which models are affected by the recall/stop sale? Toyota‘s accelerator pedal recall and suspension of sales is confined to the following:  2009-2010

Read more
,

Toyota recall: Faulty gas pedals to rental car worries

Here in capsule form are facts and figures of Toyota‘s current predicament: * Toyota is temporarily suspending sales of eight models involved in last week’s recall: 2009-2010 RAV4, 2009-2010 Corolla, 2009-2010 Matrix, 2005-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 Camry, 2010 Highlander, 2007-2010 Tundra, 2008-2010 Sequoia. The Camry and Corolla sedans are the top two best-selling cars in the U.S. market. Combined, those eight models sold 1,008,611 units last year, representing 57 percent of Toyota‘s 2009 U.S. sales. * Toyota has expanded the recall by at least two million cars, to include cars and trucks in Europe and China with the same gas pedals from CTS. * Toyota vehicles in Japan do not use a gas pedal manufactured by CTS. * Toyota will halt

Read more
, , ,

Ferrari set to unveil new F1 car, team live via team's webcast

Alonso, the former two-time world titlist, is switching this season to Ferrari from Renault. The presentation is scheduled for 9:30 (GMT). Alonso will be joined by Felipe Massa, Luca Badoer and Giancarlo Fischella and other key personnel are part of the naming of the new vehicle. If weather is cooperative at the Ferrari Fiorano test track, the new team hopes to use the new car for a promotional video. Ferrari has launched its new car online every year since 1996. The webcast lauch will available in Italian, English and Japanese, according to web site information. To view the Ferrari launch, visit: Ferrari.com. James RaiaA sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car

Read more

Toyota recall: CBS details Camry, Corolla and siblings production halt with dramatic video

The video features anchor desk and field correspondent reports and footage of two prominent accidents involving Toyota vehicles. James RaiaA sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004. In addition to founding this site in 2004, James writes a Sunday automotive column for The San Jose Mercury and East Bay Times in Walnut Creek, Calif., and monthly auto review and wellness columns for Gulfshore Business, a magazine in Southwest Florida. An author and contributor to many newspapers, magazines and online publications, co-hosted The Weekly Driver Podcast from 2017 to 2024.

Read more

Toyota recall: Safety research firm reports 275 crashes, 18 deaths in 11 years from faulty acceleration in suspended models

USA Today reported in its January 28 edition, that Safety Research and Strategies, a Massachusetts-based safety research firm, said it has found 2,274 incidents of sudden unintended acceleration in Toyota vehicles causing 275 crashes and at least 18 fatalities since 1999. Toyota‘s most recent problems became public last September. In a statement, Toyota disclosed it had investigated isolated reports of sticking accelerator pedal mechanisms in some models without the presence of floor mats. “There is a possibility that certain accelerator pedal mechanisms may, in rare instances, mechanically stick in a partly depressed position or return slowly to the idle position,” the company added. Toyota‘s first problem with various models occurred last September. Designated as a “Safety Improvement Campaign,” Toyota posted

Read more

Toyota recall: Tips for owners of Camry, Corolla, Matrix, other suspended cars

When the sale and production of the Toyota Corolla, the biggest selling car in history, and the Toyota Camry, the top-selling passenger in the United Sates the past seven years, comes to a sudden halt, something is obviously wrong Toyota Motor Co., confronted the problem with a sudden and unprecedented announcement. Sales of several years of the Corolla and Camry models as well as six other Toyota models have ceased. Likewise, a temporary production halt of the same eight models from numerous North American production plants has been announced. The models which will no longer be sold and which will stop production in early February include: 2009-10 RAV4, 2009-10 Corolla, 2009-10 Matrix, 2005-10 Avalon, 2007-10 Camry, 2010 Highlander, 2007-10 Tundra,

Read more
,

Toyota recall: Camry, Corolla, Matrix among eight models suspended

Toyota Motor Corp., has announced it will suspend the sale and production of eight models, including the top-selling Camry, at production plants throughout the United States and Canada. The halt, which will begin in the first week of February, comes in the aftermath last week of the second recall of various Toyota models with potentially faulty accelerator pedals. The Camry has been Toyota‘s top-selling vehicle every year since 2007.  The Toyota Corolla is the best-selling car in automotive history. The suspension and production halt also includes: RAV4, Corolla and Matrix (2009-2010); Sequoia (2008-2010); Tundra (2007-2010); Avalon (2005-2010); Highlander (2010). Production plants involved in the suspension are located in Indiana, where the manufacturers has two facilities, as well as one location

Read more
Previous Next