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Toyota halts worldwide sales of Lexus GX 460 SUV after Consumer Reports warning

Toyota spokeswoman Mieko Iwasaki said the company is expanding the suspension to the Middle East and Russia, the only other markets where it was sold. “We have no specific target in mind when to resume the sales,” said another Toyota spokesman Ririki Takeuchi. “We are now investigating the case by trying to replicate the situation that Consumer Reports pointed out.” Consumer Reports said it judged the 2010 model to be a safety risk because of a problem that cropped up during standard emergency-handling tests. “When pushed to its limits on our track’s handling course, the rear of the GX we bought slid out until the vehicle was almost sideways before the electronic stability control system was able to regain control,”

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Lexus GX 460 stung with Consumer Report's 'don't buy' warning

Consumer Reports magazine has further tarnished the reputation of Toyota after giving its luxury brand Lexus GX 460 SUV a rare “Don’t Buy” warning. The publication’s editors report a problem that occurred during routine handling tests could lead to a rollover accident in real-world driving. Specifically, during unusual turns during testing, the rear of the vehicle slid until it was nearly sideways before the electronic stability control system engaged. The magazine reported in real-world driving, a similar scenario could cause a rollover accident. As a result, the magazine has given the seven-seat SUV a “Don’t Buy: Safety Risk” label until the problem is fixed. “In a real world situation, by that time, the car can hit the curb or the

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Toyota fined maximum $16.4 million by NTHSA, largest in auto history

According to documents obtained from Toyota, NHTSA detailed in a press release the automaker knew some of its cars had sticky accelerator pedals since September 2009 and failed to notify the agency for more than four months. Under federal regulations, automakers are required to inform the agency within five days of determining a safety defect exists in one of its products. “We now have proof that Toyota failed to live up to its legal obligations,” said Secretary LaHood. “Worse yet, they knowingly hid a dangerous defect for months from U.S. officials and did not take action to protect millions of drivers and their families. For those reasons, we are seeking the maximum penalty possible under current laws.” NHTSA is still

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Land Rover debuts new, intuitive, customer-oriented web site

The new web site includes a ‘Build and Price’ configurator for all models. Consumers can now customize and price a Land Rover, including its wheels, exterior and interior trim colors and other options. The web site’s features also include: 360-degree views of vehicles, detailed specification and a price calculator. The details can be sent to friends, printed as hard copies or sent to a local dealership to arrange a test drive. To view the new Land Rover site, visit: www.landrover.co.uk 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

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Apple iPad, Hyundai Equus soon to travel technology highway together

The Hyundai Equus is being touted as competition for the Lexus LS 460 and the Mercedes Benz S550 sedans. The iPad, scheduled to debut April 3 as Apple’s sleek tablet computer. It will be included as part of the package for consumers who buy an Equus, which has Hyundai says will be priced between $50,000-$60,000. “They (Hyundai) are trying to position themselves as a modern, in-touch, technologically savvy brand, Mike Bloxham, director of insight and research at Ball State University’s Center for Media Design, told Hirsch. “It’s the sort of innovation you would expect from BMW or Mercedes, but not Hyundai.” Hyundai believes its customers willing to spend more on a new luxury car are likely the same customers interested

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Daimler AG, manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz, Maybach, fined $185 million for bribery

U.S. District Court Judge Richard Leon ordered Daimler to pay $93.6 million in criminal fines and $91.4 million in civil penalties. According to court documents, Daimler AG and its subsidiaries in Germany, Russia, and China agreed to the filing of a single count of conspiracy to violate U.S. anti-bribery laws. The Justice Department said Daimler, whose stocks trade on multiple exchanges in the U.S., “engaged in a long-standing practice of paying bribes to foreign government officials.” Countries whose officials were bribed, according to the court documents: China, Croatia, Egypt, Greece, Hungary, Indonesia, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Latvia, Nigeria, Russia, Serbia and Montenegro, Thailand, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Vietnam and several others. The Justice Department said the bribes were made “to assist in

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China's Geely finalizes deal to buy ailing Volvo from Ford

Volvo had been on the market since 2008 when Ford put several brands up for sale. Geely bought Volvo for $1.8 billion, the biggest overseas purchase by a Chinese car manufacturer. “Today represents a milestone for Geely,” the company’s chairman Li Shufu said of the deal first announced last December. Ford, which purchased Volvo in 1999 for $6.5 billion, hopes revenue from the sale will help pay off its debts. Volvo has not made a profit since 2005. Geely, China’s biggest independent car maker, has pledged to keep Volvo as a separate company with its headquarters remaining in Sweden. Geely, founded in 1986, has 12,000 employees and the capacity to manufacturer about 300,000 cars per year. Geely said it will

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Dog rips off police cruiser fender; quarantine for beast, no recall for car

After almost two weeks in confinement, he was reunited with the Emerling family at McKamey Animal Shelter. “We think Chattanooga Police Department showed amazing restraint in not shooting the dog,” owner Michael Emerling said.  “I know that a lot of places close to here we’ve seen cases where dogs have done a lot less and been shot.  So we really are grateful to them for not doing that.” Emerling paid court-required fees of more than $200 and was required to enroll to dog obedience and canine good citizen classes. The dog attacked the vehicle after escaping from a fenced-in area at welding shop on March 14. James RaiaA sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has

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AAA selects best commuting cars, Honda to VW, Ford to Mazda

With the average commuting nationally about 3 1/2 hours per week, AAA’s last compilation is the  good commuting cars based on comfort, fuel efficiency and affordability Here’s the list and a comment on each car. Honda Insight: Among the best in fuel economy while being reasonably comfortable for the driver and front-seat passenger. Ford Fusion: Four-cylinder versions have a good combination of power, comfort and handling competence. Volkswagen Jetta TDI: A fine-running modern diesel that “is every bit as economical as the most miserly hybrids” and “fun to drive.” Hyundai Electra: Good fuel efficiency combined with an interior that accommodates a driver and three passengers and 10-year/100,000-mile warranty. Subaru Legacy/Outback: These new models with four-cylinder engines perform well and offer

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Cheap insurance available for savvy car shoppers

The recession has affected consumers from all economic levels. And when financial times are tough, both the rich and the poor alike may share one bad financial habit — not saving enough nor properly budgeting money. Shopping wisely for a car and for its insurance is a good way to save money. An insurer presented with Porsche 997, for instance, may exclaim: “Whoa! That’s an expensive car, and it could be stolen just as much for its parts as can for the whole car.” As such, the owner of Porsche seeking cheap insurance isn’t likely to find it. But a car buyer can save money on insurance if they consider buying an older, more common make and model and in

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First U.S. Ferrari 458 grabs $530,000 in Los Angeles auction for Haiti charity fund

The 570-horsepower Ferrri 458 Italia will debut in the United States in estimated price tag of $225,000. the Ferrar 458 Italia is the replacement to the F430, with an even more enticing exterior design and a potent 4.5-liter eight-cylinder powerplant rated at 570 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque. The new Ferrari has a top speed of 202 mph and is rated at 0-100 kilometers kph (62.2 miles mph) in 3.4 seconds. 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

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Ferrari World: fast times on Abu Dhabi F1 roller coaster?

According the official Ferrari literature, Ferrari World facts and figures include:new * World’s first Ferrari theme park; * World’s largest indoor park; * Located on Yas Island on the North East side of Abu Dhabi’s mainland; * Adjacent to the Yas Marina Circuit, site of inaugural 2009 Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix; * More than 20 state-of-the-art rides and attractions: * The world’s fastest roller coaster emulating the feeling of being in an F1 car; * G-force experience taking passengers on an adrenaline-pumping ride up over 62m, through the roof and back down again; * State-of-the-art racing simulators using a similar system as those used by the Ferrari racing team; * Flume ride journey through the heart

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Porsche, Mercedes-Benz most expensive sports cars to insure

1. Porsche 911 Carrera GT2 $2,943.78 2. Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG $2,863.03 3. Dodge Viper SRT-10 $2,851.89 4. Porsche Panamera Turbo AWD $2,837.39 5. Dodge Viper SRT-10 Convertible $2,815.90 6. Mercedes-Benz CL600 $2,754.80 7.  Audi R8 $2,751.55 8. Porsche Panamera S $2,744.78 9. Mercedes-Benz SL600 $2,715.86 10. Porsche 911 Carrera Turbo $2,706.04 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

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Honda recalls more than 400,000 Odyssey and Element models

Honda will recall Odyssey and Element in the 2007-2008 model years to fix the vehicle stability assist modulators. Some of the modulators were assembled so that could allow air to enter, Honda detailed in a media release. The trapped air could cause the brake pedal to fall closer to the floor before the car stops, and in affected vehicles the problem tends to increase over time. Not all of the cars involved in the recall may have this issue, but Honda is including all units that could be affected. Honda said it will start contacting affected customers at the end of April, and it encouraged all owners to see an authorized dealer as soon as they receive notification that their

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Nissan debuts mini-car March in China, hopes for 1 million global sales in 4 years

The 1,200-cc engine compact, called March in Thailand, China and Japan, and Micra in India, Europe and other markets will have a price range between $11,500 $16,500). Nissan Chief Operating Officer Toshiyuki Shiga said the compact would be sold in more than 160 countries, with Thailand one of four main manufacturing and export hubs with China, India and Mexico. Nissan expects production in China to begin in the second half of this year. Production of the March model would nearly double Nissan’s Thai car output to 200,000 units a year. The Micra/March, unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in early March, is the Japanese car maker’s most important model in years, the culmination of extensive experimenting with new materials and

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Hyundai cruises past Toyota, Honda in Kelley Blue Book customer loyalty

Additionally, throughout the month of February 2010 Hyundai outperformed the overall car segment average by a healthy margin. Hyundai values increased 2 percent month-over-month, relative to a 0.3 percent increase for the entire car segment. In addition to topping brand loyalty, the all-new 2011 Sonata was named to kbb.com’s Top 10 Most-Researched New Vehicles list for the first time. In February, the Sonata was the fifth most-researched new car on kbb.com alongside ‘Top 10 Most-Researched’ mainstays such as Accord, Civic, Camry and CR-V. “2009 marked an unprecedented year for the Hyundai brand and we are well poised to keep the momentum going in 2010,” said John Krafcik, president and CEO, Hyundai Motor America. “With impressive new vehicles like the all-new

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