News Service

Toyota recall timeline: apologies, promises and faulty parts

* 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. * Feb. 23 — Toyota Motor Sales USA Inc. President Jim Lentz says recalls may not “totally solve” sudden acceleration

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Toyota recalls all 2000-2003 Tundras with potential corrosion, dropping gas tank, spare tire issues

Last November, Toyota recalled 110,000 Tundras sold in 20 cold-weather states, saying exposure to heavy road salt could cause the corrosion. Toyota spokesman Brian Lyons was unable to say how many additional vehicles are now involved. The recall will now expand nationwide, according to announcements mailed to dealers. The manufacturer reported the rear cross-member of the frame of the Tundra could corrode in some cases, and that could cause loss of rear brake circuits, making it harder for drivers to stop. Toyota redesigned the Tundra in 2007 in an attempt in infiltrate the market for full-size work trucks dominated by Ford, General Motors and Chrysler. James RaiaA sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written

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Oscars: Kim Basinger in, Jeff Bridges out for Hyundai — but all for the show

In order to comply with the rules , Hyundai decided to make seven commercials with other actors’ voices. Bridges suggested a short list of colleagues, and last week Hyundai finished recording the final ad with assists from Kim Basinger, Richard Dreyfuss, David Duchovny, Catherine Keener, Michael Madsen, Mandy Patinkin and Martin Sheen. Hyundai has purchased seven ads that will air during the program and in one pre-show spot. Hyundai signed a three-year option with ABC in 2009. According to Chris Perry, director of marketing communications for Hyundai, the Oscars buy focuses on the 2011 Sonata, a mid-sized sedan poised to take on Toyota’s Camry and the Honda Accord. Of the eight spots that will air during the Academy Awards, six

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Oscars: Hyundai debuts clever Academy Awards ad with Jeff Bridges' actor friends

What do Kim Basinger, David Duchovny, Richard Dreyfuss, Catherine Keener, Michael Madsen, Mandy Patinkin and Martin Sheen have in common with Jeff Bridges and what do the eight actors have in common with the Academy Awards and Hyundai? It’s simple. Bridges has been the voice of Hyundai for the past three years, and the South Korean automaker is the exclusive automotive sponsor for the Academy Awards broadcast. But Bridges is also nominated as Best Actor for his performance in Crazy Heart. And therein lies the problem. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences prohibits sponsors from running advertising featuring any of the night’s nominees or presenters, which put Hyundai in a bind. Bridges suggested seven of his fellow actors,

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General Motors says 661 dealers welcomed back from bankruptcy restructuring

GM planned to terminate franchise agreements with about 1,300 U.S. dealers by the end of 2010 in a bid to operate its retail networks more efficiently and return the company to profitability. About 1,160 dealers have sought arbitration. Mark Reuss, GM North American President, said the manufacturer has opted to reinstate more than half of the dealers appealing closure in an effort to complete the arbitration process before the congressionally mandated deadline of July 15. The company plans to continue settlement talks with some 500 dealers who will not be offered reinstatement and remain in arbitration, Reuss said. To be reinstated, the dealers will have to meet certain business criteria, including minimum working capital requirements, sales and profitability within 60

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Red Ferrari GTO offered for private sale, all-time record price feasible

The 250 GTO model won its division of the World Sports Car Championship in 1962, 1963 and 1964 and was voted by Motor Trend Classic magazine the “Greatest Ferrari of All Time.” The privately-sold Ferrari GTO featured the original Series I bodywork, while the RM example has the slightly later, less desirable Series II design. A U.K. collector recently privately sold a 1930s Alfa Romeo 8C 2900 sports car for 12 million pounds ($17.9 million). A Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa, sold by RM Auctions for $12.2 million in May 2009, holds the record for any car offered in a public salesroom. The current owner acquired the car in 1996 and is selling it because he’s no longer racing. For additional

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Volkswagen debuts CrossGolf at Geneva Auto Show

Volkswagen has unveiled the CrossGolf, the sixth vehicle in the Golf family, at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show. The latest addition joins the standard Golf, longer wheelbase Golf Plus, Golf Variant wagon, Golf GTI and new Golf R. Like the CrossPolo, the CrossGolf is a five-door hatchback with a raised ride height and a rugged all-terrain look. However, it is not based on the standard Golf but rather the slightly larger Golf Plus. The engine lineup consists of compact turbocharged gasoline and diesel engines, with outputs ranging 105 horsepower (base model) to 160 horsepower (range-topper). A six-speed manual comes IS standard but a seven-speed DSG dual clutch transmission is optional. Key design elements include the unique bumpers, finished in an

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Alfa Romeo, Fiat back in full force (almost) in US in late 2012

According to Fiat Group CEO Sergio Marchionne, Alfa Romeo is likely return to the U.S. at the the end of 2012 although MiTo and Giulietta may not be available. While the MiTo is already available in some markets and the Giulietta is making its debut at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, the U.S. is expected to only receive the larger Giulia 159-replacement and another large sedan based on the Chrysler 300 platform plus several sports models. Designed by the Alfa Romeo Style Center, the new Giulietta is a five-door hatchback and on an all-new platform simply titled Compact. New technology features DNA driving mode selector, which offers Dynamic, Normal and All-Weather modes, as well as the automaker’s Q2 electronic front-wheel

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Stuck accelerator problems include Honda, Volkswagen, Volvo

The just-released NPR report details consumer complaints to federal regulators regarding accelerator issues have also been problematic for Volkswagen, Volvo and Honda, among other manufacturers. The analysis covers about 15,000 complaints filed over the past decade, covering cars back to the 1990 model year. The complaints were filed with the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) which regulates auto safety. In 2009 models, for example, NHTSA  identified 251 complaints alleging sudden acceleration and related problems. To read the NPR account of unintended acceleration, visit: Unitended Acceleration To view a year-by-year individual manufacturer list of complaints, visit: Complaints James RaiaA sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver

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Saab story: 500 new cars left in US, but Spyker purchase adds promise

The company’s current moniker is “The Well-Built Swede.” But while all of Saab‘s slogans have sounded great, none have proven particularly pertinent. As a result. just how far the carmaker had fallen during its 60-plus years was no more evident than it was during an interview with the Associated Press at the Geneva Auto Show. Saab‘s CEO  Jan Ake Jonsson said the company, purchased last December by Dutch automaker Spyker, has only 500 cars for sale in showrooms across the United States  “That number should probably be 5,000,” Jonsson said. General Motors Corp. sold Saab Automobile AB to Spyker Cars NV for $74 million in cash plus $326 million worth of preferred shares in Saab. The deal was completed last

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Ford has dramatic sales increase, Toyota tumbles again

Ford announced sales rose to 137,644 vehicles for its Ford, Lincoln and Mercury brands and it plans to build 595,000 in North America in the second quarter and increase of 32 percent from 2009. The industry’s sales were announced following one if them most turbulent months for the car industry, particularly for Toyota and other manufacturers facing recalls. Despite the tumultuous times, Ford sales in February rose for every brand when compared to the same month last year.  It was the first month since 1998 that Ford outsold General Motors, the biggest U.S. carmaker. General Motors reported its February U.S. sales rose 12 percent to 141,951 vehicles with its four core brands – Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac increasing by

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Gas mileage by the numbers: 15 most fuel-efficient 2010 cars

But EPA city and hwy mileage average are the most prominent numbers listed on an manufacturer’s monroney sticker. Someone purchasing a Hummer is as interested in the numbers as someone buying a Honda Insight, but odds are they’ll still look at the averages. All things considered, here are top 15 most fuel efficient cars, ranked in increasingly efficient order based on city mpg. 15. The Hyundai Elantra Blue (manual), MPG: 26 city, 35 highway Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price: $14,145; 14. Mini Cooper (manual) MPG: 28 city, 37 highway; MSRP: $19,500. 13. Toyota Yaris (manual), MPG: 29 city, 36 highway; MSRP: $12,905; 12 (tie): Volkswagen Jetta TDI (manual) MPG: 30 city, 41 highway, MSRP: $22,830; 12. Volkswagen Golf TDI (manual), MPG:

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GM joins recall frenzy: 1.3 million Chevrolet and Pontiac models

The recall affects 2005 to 2010 Chevrolet Cobalts, 2007 to 2010 Pontiac G5s, 2005 and 2006 Pontiac Pursuits sold in Canada and 2005 and 2006 Pontiac G4s sold in Mexico. The automaker said the vehicles are still safe to drive and never lose their steering. The affected cars may be harder to steer them when traveling under 15 mph. Alan Adler, GM spokesman, said the failures are rare and the cars can still be driven until motors can be replaced by dealers. Drivers will see a warning light and hear a chime if the power steering fails, but they could be surprised when the steering becomes more difficult. GM told the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration about the recall March

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Toyota troubles again: Potential oil leak in more than 900,000 cars, Avalon to Camry

Toyota notified its dealers of the issue March 1, according to Reuters. The potential oil leak problem has not prompted a recall, the issue is not a major safety concern and has been described as a “limited service campaign.” The oil hose service campaign covers 2007-2010 model year Camry, 2005-2009 Avalon, 2006-2009 Rav4, 2007-2008 Lexus ES 350 and 2007-2009 RX 350 vehicles. The leak would likely be noticed by drivers as the condition may cause abnormal engine noise or cause the oil pressure light to illuminate. Toyota owners who need the oil hose replaced can do so without charge at Toyota dealerships until March 31, 2013. The service takes about an hour. Toyota spokesman Brian Lyons confirmed the company had

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Toyota incentive plan: lure back customers with five-year, zero percent financing on recalled models

The new incentives will start March 2 and continue through March. Toyota will offer zero-percent financing for 60 months on some 2010 model year vehicles, including its most popular Camry and Corolla sedans and other vehicles involved in the recalls that involved faulty accelerator pedals. Returning Toyota customers will also receive a complimentary two-year “Toyota Auto Care Premium Package” that includes oil changes and other maintenance services, in addition to cash rebates. Akio Toyoda, whose grandfather founded Toyota, spoke before the U.S. Congress last week in Washington. D.C., to address the recall of more than 8.5 million cars, including several of Toyota’s best-selling vehicles, including the Prius, Corolla, Camry and Lexus, among others. A Toyota spokeswoman said the company planned

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Toyota recall: How fair was Congress to Akio Toyoda?

That’s the way it is with many well-published hearings in Washington, D.C. Some observers feel politicians use the public platform to “grandstand.” Some news networks believe politicians are indebted to special interest groups. Newsy.com videos analyze and synthesize news coverage from multiple sources.  Its unique method of showing how different media cover the news helps viewers better understand complex stories. In this instance, according to a Newsy.com representative, “The video shows a clip from his actual speech as well as a few different opinions on the speech, Toyoda, and Congress/reporters’ aggressiveness or appropriateness in interviewing him.” For new car reviews, videos and other automotive content, visit: dev.theweeklydriver.com James RaiaA sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James

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