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Tata Motors has garnered global attention via the Nano, the world's cheapest car. It could be awhile, but Tata could surpass its current high plateau of notoriety if it follows up on a recent announcement the Indian manufacturer will produced the world's cheapest hybrid vehicle.
Read moreThe original Honda Insight, sold from 2000 to 2006, was odd-looking. But as the first mass-produced hybrid available in the United States, its unique status and strange looks made it cool. When the Insight departed, the Toyota Prius took over hybrid dominance, and Honda hasn’t been happy since. The Insight returned in 2009 as a 2010 model and Honda is ready to go head-to-head with the Prius by offering its new base model Insight for less than $20,000 — the country’s least expense hybrid. Toyota has responded with new Prius. It’s more expensive and in its recent tenure, several times
Read moreThe 2010 Jetta Sportwagen is not as well known as the Toyota Prius. But the two vehicles have been compared. The Prius is the much talked about, industry-leading hybrid. The Jetta TDI is the increasingly popular and peppy diesel. The Prius made many of 2010 Best-of-the-Year lists and even topped some of the compilations. But the Jetta and its surprising value and impressive gas mileage ratings weren’t too far behind. In short, the Prius revolutionized the hybrid industry in the United States and the Jetta may well do the same for cleaning-burning diesel engines. The Weekly Driver Test Drive There’s
Read moreToyota is preparing to recall 270,000 Prius hybrid vehicles in the United States and Japan with brake problems, and the world’s largest automaker has also begun an investigation for similar problems with its luxury Lexus hybrid. Toyota spokeswoman Ririko Takeuchi said Toyota had not yet decided whether to recall the Prius. But several Japanese media outlets, including business newspaper Nihon Keizai and television network NHK reports the 2010 Prius recall is imminent. The new Prius hybrid went on sale in Japan and the United States in May 2009. More than 170,000 of the new Prius models have been sold in
Read moreThe international news agency has obtained a document that details 223,068 cars in Japan across four hybrid models — the newest Prius model, the Prius PHV (plug-in hybrid), the SAI and the Lexus HS250h — will be recalled for the braking problems first reported last week. The Prius, the world’s largest selling hybrid, accounts for 199,666 vehicles recalled. Toyota will also recall about 213,000 other hybrid cars, including about 150,000 in North America, according to the document. Reuters is also reporting Japan’s transport ministry said Toyota President Akio Toyoda has a pending meeting with Minister Seiji Maehara when he’s expected
Read moreCrosser’s Prius is scheduled to be recalled due to the possibility of the floormat becoming entrapped under the accelerator possibly causing the car to accelerate out of control. Nevertheless, Crosser believes the recall dilemma is overblown. For more unique car reviews, videos and other automotive content, visit: www.tflcar.com 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.,
Read moreThe RX 450h no longer attracts a “wow-factor” response because it initiated a new vehicle segment. Instead, it garners attention for the same reasons as its siblings — class. In short, it deserves the manufacturer’s luxury brand high praise reputation. The Weekly Driver’s Ratings Acceleration (5) An increase of 27 horsepower to 295 is one of the numerous changes this year. The vehicle is also 400 pounds heavier. The new statistics don’t make a lot of acceleration difference. The hybrid won’t win a drag race off the line. But when a powerful, steady burst is necessary, the 450h is quicker
Read moreNissan received $1.4 billion in federal government loans to build the Leaf and its the battery packs in Tennessee. It will go on sale in Nissan showrooms simultaneously in the U.S., Japan and Europe. Nissan, which is anticipating about 20,000 potential customers to sign-up to purchase the vehicle, will announce the price for the Leaf in April. It’s expected the Leaf will cost about the same as the base-level Toyota Prius hybrid, which starts at $22,800. The Leaf’s pricepoint will make it more accessible to the general public than other electric cars on sale today, like the Tesla Roadster, the
Read moreHere is the third of three parts of Toyoda’s prepared text: “Since last June, when I first took office, I have personally placed the highest priority on improving quality over quantity, and I have shared that direction with our stakeholders. As you well know, I am the grandson of the founder, and all the Toyota vehicles bear my name.” “For me, when the cars are damaged, it is as though I am as well. I, more than anyone, wish for Toyota‘s cars to be safe, and for our customers to feel safe when they use our vehicles.” “Under my leadership,
Read more* March 8 — Driver James Sikes speeds along a San Diego County freeway in a 2008 Toyota Prius for 20 minutes, reaching 94 miles per hour, before a Highway Patrol officer helps slow down the car. Toyota, the California Highway Patrol and federal safety officials say they will investigate. * March 2 — U.S. Prius sales rise 10 percent in February despite earlier recalls over faulty brakes and floor mats that can trap gas pedals, causing unwanted acceleration. * Feb. 24 — Toyota President Akio Toyoda apologizes for the Toyota‘s millions of recalls before House Oversight and Reform Committee.
Read moreToyota, in its continuing whirlwind of runaway vehicles, recalls and pending litigation, has received the ultimate compliment. It’s been parodied on Saturday Night Live. In a brief skit on the March 13 show, cast members Kenan Thompson and Abby Elliott are peaceful walk through what appears to be a national park or forest trail. But when the couple returns to their Toyota Prius, parked at the trail head, and leaves the area, the car immediately suffers from the proverbial “unintended acceleration.” The couple panics and shouts mock expletives. Despite the current series of runaway incidents around the country, the skit
Read moreTakeshi Uchiyamada announced the automaker’s plans during a speech Sept. 13 in Detroit. Toyota’s Prius gasoline-electric hybrid vehicle has dominated the segment. The world’s largest automaker has been less certain about the market for fully electric vehicles like Nissan’s Leaf due out this year. Tesla and Toyota announced a partnership in May to develop electric vehicles under the strategy of the start-up company for its $109,000 Roadster, powered by more than 6,800 laptop batteries. Toyota had previously announced plans for its first electric vehicle. James RaiaA sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the
Read moreAccording to a dispatch in the Wall Street Journal from the recent National Dealer Conference in Las Vegas, one of the new hybrids will be smaller and one larger than the current Prius, the country’s largest-selling hybrid. According to the newspaper, Toyota executives briefed dealers about the new vehicles, including size details. AUTOMOTIVE RESOURCES AND INFORMATION Auto Shipping Quote–Car Financing–Car Insurance Quotes–Car Loans–Online Car Insurance–Rental Cars–Used Cars The pending smaller hybrid will comparable to the Toyota Yaris. The larger new hybrid will offer about 50 percent more interior space and storage than the Prius. Toyota also announced a milestone for
Read moreAfter various debuts in recent years at car shows around the globe, the 2011 Honda CR-Z (Compact Renaissance Zero) arrived for North American consumers in August as a compact hybrid electric and marketed as a sport hybrid coupe. The CR-Z combines a hybrid gasoline-electric powertrain and is the successor to the second generation Honda CR-X via its design and similar name. The CR-Z is the only gasoline-electric hybrid model offered by any automaker that can be equipped with a manual transmission. The new Honda is offered in three trim levels: base, EX, and EX with navigation and has a base
Read moreThe new, compact CT 200h from Toyota’s upscale Lexus division shares its hybrid gas/electric powertrain with Toyota’s Prius. But the Prius feels like an appliance, while the CT 200h feels and drives like a luxury car. The 2011 front-drive, four-door CT 200h is the first Lexus hatchback and thus is more practical than the Prius. Also, compared to the Prius, the new Lexus has an ultra-rigid chassis, better suspension and a body that, while somewhat chunky, looks rather sporty, partly because of a rakish roofline and short body overhangs. However, a low front end (for aerodynamic efficiency) could be damaged
Read moreIn the wake of ever-increasing hybrid and other alternative engine vehicle infiltrating the automotive industry, Chrysler has announced it’s working with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to introduce a hydraulic hybrid system to hopefully use on its Town & C0untry minivan. Chrysler is the only major automaker in the U.S. market without a hybrid offering. The announcement came at a joint appearance by Chrysler Chief Executive Sergio Marchionne and EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson. The project, according to a Reuters report, comes as automakers work to meet strict new fuel economy standards expected to take effect after 2016. The EPA has
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