Toyota

Lexus reveals $73,000 price for flagship LS460 sedan

The 2011 Lexus LS 460 Touring Edition, the flagship sedan of the luxury division of Toyota, will be priced at $73,000 (rear wheel drive) and will be available at dealerships in late June or early July, the manufacturer announced. “The Touring Edition adds excitement to our flagship sedan,” said Mark Templin, Lexus Division group vice president and general manager. “The package on this car enhances styling and comfort, allowing us to attract younger buyers to the LS line-up.” The 2011 LS 460 Touring Edition will be available on both the LS 460 Rear Wheel Drive and All-Wheel Drive models. It will be distinguished from other LS models by a Smoky Granite Mica exterior, and following equipment: 19-inch five-spoke alloy wheels

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Toyota Tacoma, 2011 truck review

As an ultimate utilitarian vehicle, it’s hard to find fault with the Toyota Tacoma. It’s the best selling truck in the United States in its class, and the 2011 edition is a recommended buy of Consumer Reports. Two months ago, the Tacoma also was named top truck in its category in J.D. Power and Associates’ 2011 Dependability Study. It’s another reason why despite peaks and valleys, Toyota Tacoma sales have exceeded 145,000 annually since the compact truck’s debut in 1995. Now 17 years old and a few generations into its tenure, I test drove for a week the 4×4 edition, one of several configurations available in 2011. The Weekly Driver Test Drive It’s not often an urban driver needs a

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Tour of California: caravan of cars traverse the state

Beyond many of world’s best cyclists, including top Tour de France contenders, world titlists and Olympic gold medalists, the 800-mile Tour of California, like other cycling events, features a caravan of automobiles, motorcycles and recreational vehicles. An estimated 300 vehicles are traveling start to finish in sponsors’ cars, including Nissan, the co-sponsor of the RadioShack team, and Acura, the co-sponsor of BMC. Each starting and finish city also has its own law enforcement jurisdictions with a sizable array of police vehicles. The caravan of vehicles is nothing new to bike racing, but the sixth annual Tour of California this year began in South Lake Tahoe, California. Inclement weather, including snow, rainy and wet roads, prompted the cancellation of the opening

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Toyota Corolla, 2011 car review

With its unparalleled legacy via sheer numbers, the Toyota Corolla stands alone in the automotive industry. Now well into its 40s, the Corolla is the biggest selling car in history (approaching 40 million), with one new Corolla sold somewhere in world about every 40 seconds. Now in its 10th edition, the car that received its name for the Latin word for crown may have reached its saturation point. Manufactured in 15 countries (but not the United States), the Corolla is facing increasingly difficult competition from several manufacturers thriving in the subcompact and compact car categories. They offer faster, more efficient and better equipment vehicles. Still, the Corolla nameplate, now around since 1966 globally and since 1968 in the United States,

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It's a small, cool world: Tata to Toyota, Rolls-Royce to Ford

Rolls-Royce gets it. Tata Motors and Ford get it. And so does Toyota and Volkswagen. Small cars are cool cars. That was one of the themes at the recent New York International Auto Show and the Geneva Motor Show. And the trend certainly didn’t go unnoticed by John Filiss of SeriousWheels.com. Filiss, in conjunction with CNBC.com has compiled a list of 10 cool small cars, some available now, some still in concept stages. Tata Motors, most well-known for its uber-cheap Nano, will in two years introduce the Tata Pixel, which looks surprisingly looks like a rabbit, not a Volkswagen by the same name, but the real creature. Here’s what Filiss said about the Tata Pixel: “This car concept capable of

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Toyota recalls more than 300,000 RAV4, Highlanders

Toyota has announced a voluntary safety recall involving more than 300,000 RAV4 sport utility vehicles model years 2007 and 2008 and 2008 Highlander and Highlander HV vehicles sold in the United States to replace the airbag sensor assembly. The recall will involve approximately 214,000 RAV4 vehicles and approximately 94,000 Highlander and Highlander HV vehicles. In the roll sensing curtain shield airbag system of the subject vehicles, two sensors in the airbag sensor assembly designed to detect vehicle roll angle. If one of these sensors malfunctions, the airbag warning light (malfunction indicator light) will illuminate and the roll detection system will be suspended; however, the airbag remains available in the event of a side collision. If both sensors fail nearly simultaneously

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Eco-Friendly Cars: Toyota Prius to Tesla Roadster, Part 2

Despite vast promotions and bright, constant media spotlights, Chevy and Nissan are not the only new green players. Tesla, the Bay Area-based manufacturer, debuted its all-electric, super-quick but limited production Roadster in 2006. About 2,000 Tesla Roadsters with a 244-mile range, have been sold worldwide.  And the Tesla’s less expensive, estimated $50,000 S sedan will be available next year with three range options. Automakers carefully choose when and how they debut new models, although most often it occurs at various auto shows around country throughout the year, The buzz for hybrids and electric vehicles was particularly prevalent at the Detroit Auto Show, the year’s first major show, in early January. Ford unveiled the Focus Electric, C-Max Energi and C-Max Hybrid,

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Eco-Friendly Cars: Toyota Prius to Tesla Roadster, Part 1

Without fanfare or an exact date, there must have a collective automotive epiphany in recent years. Somehow, all major carmakers were in on it, except Toyota. It had its awakening 14 years ago. The Japanese carmaker introduced its hybrid gas-electric car in 1997 and then debuted it in the United States car market in 2001. It wasn’t the first electric or hybrid car available in the country. But it was the first mass-produced gasoline-electric hybrid car in the U.S., and the auto industry hasn’t been the same since. Combine the increasing influence of the environmental movement, pending federal regulation for increased fuel efficiency and diminishing reliance on foreign fuel and the auto industry en masse now gets it. The “greening

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Toyota reveals online registration plan for 2012 Prius buyers

Toyota has announced the introduction of a soon-to-launch online system for customers to order the redesigned 2012 Prius Plug-in Hybrid. The first phase of the online system, called Priority Registration, will launch April 22, 2011. Customers interested in purchasing a Prius Plug-in can visit the carmaker’s site to complete the registration. Toyota’s Priority Registration allows customers first access to the online ordering systems when it’s available later in this year. The new online service will allow customers the convenience of configuring their own vehicle from any web browser, select their dealership of choice (within 15 launch states), and track their order through production, distribution and delivery. The Prius Plug-in will begin arriving at Toyota dealers in 15 launch states in

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Honda, Lexus get top best resale honors in new study

Vehicles manufactured by Honda, particularly the Accord sedan, CR-V crossover, Civic compact and Odyssey minivan, retain their value better than any other brand, according to a new study by Edmunds.com. The renowned automotive assessment website announced the result of its study five months after rival Kelley Blue Book named Subaru the top non-luxury brand and BMW the best luxury brand. “A lot of consumers just see (Honda) as a value-oriented brand that has good resale (value) and a good history of reliability,” said Danny Zhou, senior analyst for Edmunds.com. Edmunds calls the new evaluation, the Best Retained Value Awards. The authors used past resale prices to estimate the prices 2011 models when they are resold in five years. Honda retains

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Toyota Prius milestone: 1 million U.S. sales since 2000 debut

The Toyota Prius, introduced in the United States 11 years ago as the first mass-produced gas-electric hybrid vehicle, has reached 1 million units in sale, the automaker announced. It is the third milestone for Toyota’s hybrid lineup in the last six months. Last October, global sales of Toyota Prius surpassed two million. And in February this year, overall global Toyota hybrid sales surpassed three million. “Since the Prius went on sale eleven years ago not a year has gone by when it hasn’t been the number one selling hybrid vehicle in the U.S,” said Bob Carter, Toyota Division group vice president and general manager. The third-generation Prius topped the EPA’s list of the Most Fuel Efficient Vehicles for 2011. It

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Toyota gets favorable court ruling in faulty floormat suit

After deliberating for approximately 45 minutes, a jury in a U.S. District Court in New York has ruled in favor of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. in an alleged unintended acceleration case. The suit was brought by Dr. Amir Sitafalwalla, who claimed an unsecured driver’s side floor mat was the primary cause of the crash of his Scion vehicle in August 2005. During the course of the week-long trial, Dr. Sitafalwalla’s primary expert, Dr. Anthony Storace, withdrew his assertion that the Electronic Throttle Control System in the Scion could also have been a cause of the accident based on his acknowledgment that he had no basis to support that claim. Toyota released the following statement in response to the favorable

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Toyota, Lexus, Scion announce 2011 price increases

Toyota has announced manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) increases today for most 2011 Toyota, Scion and Lexus models. Price increases on Toyota models range from $200 (Yaris Liftback) to $900 (Land Cruiser, Sequoia), Lexus models range from $600 (GX 460) to $900 (IS F, LS and 450h sedans, LX 570 SUV) and for Scion model $65 (xD five-door luxury utility). The MSRP for the 2011 Toyota Tacoma compact pickup truck, Yaris sedan, Scion tC sports coupe, Scion xB urban utility vehicle, the Lexus CT 200h hybrid premium compact and 2012 LFA supercar remain unchanged. The new prices for North American-produced vehicles will become effective with May 2011 production.  For models sourced from Japan, updated pricing will be effective for vehicles

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Toyota Corolla, 2011: World's best-selling car 'refreshed'

Not very excited by cars? Just looking for a comfortable, economical sedan with long-term durability? The 2011 compact Toyota Corolla might be for you. It’s hard to go wrong with the front-drive Corolla, which in various forms over the years has outsold the Ford Model T and rear-engine Volkswagen Beetle. The Corolla arrived as a $1,700 two-door rear-drive model with 60 horsepower in 1968. More than 30 million have been sold worldwide. The 2009 Corolla was slightly revised, and the 2011 model has freshened front and rear styling, along with interior design updates. Changes were made to the front and rear bumpers, grille, headlights, trunk lid and taillights. But the Corolla still looks rather chunky and not as elegant as

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Chinese Zotye leads Chevy, Telsa in first all-electric SUV race

All electric sport utility vehicles are on the near horizon, but which company will debut its offering first remains a race among the Green Automotive and its imported Zotye, AMP/GM’s revised, all-electric Chevy Equinox and a Tesla powered Toyota RAV4 EV. Green Automotive appears to be in the race lead. A fleet of nine Zotye electric SUVs has been shipped to the United States The SUV is powered by a lithium-ion battery which sends the power to an electric motor. It has a top speed of up to 70 mph and can provide an electric range of up to 150 miles. According to Green Automotive’s recent announcement, Roush Industries has been retained to provide testing and engineering feedback on how

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Nissan, other car makers assess disaster impact (video)

The global effect to the auto industry following the earthquake and tsunami in Japan is still be assessed. But Toyota, Nissan, Honda and Mazda have all stopped production, thousands of cars have been destroyed or damaged and the available of some models in the United States and other key sales countries has yet to be determined. Nissan, Japan’s second-largest car maker, reports 2,300 vehicles were burned or crumpled in the disaster, including nearly 1,300 Infiniti M, EX and FX models ready for transport to the United States. Additionally, some Z models, among other Nissan offerings, were destroyed. Correspondingly, six Nissan production plants suffered structural damage. Insurance analysts estimate the Japan disaster may cost the global automotive industry as much as

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