Toyota

Runaway Toyota Prius reaches 94 mph, CHP helps driver safely stop (video)

The incident occurred in the same county where an off-duty CHP trooper and three family members were killed last August in an incident that brought the issue to national attention and led to the first major recall over unintended acceleration. Sikes said he had received a recall notice to take his car into a Toyota dealership, but upon arrival he was told his car was not on recall lists, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported. The automaker has not recalled the 2008 Prius. During his incident, Sikes overtook another car on Interstate 8 near San Diego, and then the Prius accelerated beyond his control, according to his report filed to the California Highway Patrol. Sikes said he sped 30 miles along

Read more

Stuck accelerator problems include Honda, Volkswagen, Volvo

[ad#post] 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

Read more

Ford has dramatic sales increase, Toyota tumbles again

[ad#post] 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

Read more

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

[ad#post] 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),

Read more

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

[ad#post] 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

Read more

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

[ad#post] 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

Read more

Toyota recall: How fair was Congress to Akio Toyoda?

[ad#post] 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

Read more

Toyota offering nationwide free rentals for recall clients

[ad#post] The deal was initially scheduled only for New York, but when questioned about the free offer at the congressional hearings in Washington, a Toyota executive said the company was extending the same benefits across the country. New York Attorney General Mario Cuomo said services in his state will include pickup and return of the vehicle, driving the customer to the dealership or their work place, and rental and loaner cars or taxis during the time the customer’s recalled car is being repaired or upgraded. The system will likely work the same way in every state. Toyota has not announced what vehicles it will use as rental cars. For additional information, phone 1-800-331-4331 or visit: www.toyota.com/recall

Read more

Toyota? Toyoda? What's in a name? Try rice paddies and good fortune

The original name of the car was Toyoda. But in 1937, Toyoda had a public competition to design a new logo. The winning entry of 27,000 was the three Japanese katakana letters for Toyoda (トヨダ) in a circle. But family member Risaburo Toyoda (her married name is Toyoda) preferred the word Toyota (トヨタ). It took eight brush strokes, two less than Toyoda. Eight is also a number of good fortune in Japan. But there’s more. The literal translation of Toyoda is “fertile rice paddies.” Toyota was also adopted to distance the company from old-fashioned farming methods. It was trademarked and the company was registered in August 1937 as the “Toyota Motor Company.” In some countries, including the United States, the

Read more
, ,

Toyota Hearings: Akio Toyoda, 'We will invest heavily in quality' (part 3)

[ad#post] Here 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, I would like to reaffirm our values of placing safety and quality the highest on our list of priorities,

Read more
,

Toyota Hearings: Akio Toyoda, 'Priorities became confused' (part 2)

[ad#post] Here is the second of three parts of Toyoda’s prepared statement: “At Toyota, we believe the key to making quality products is to develop quality people. Each employee thinks about what he or she should do, continuously making improvements, and by doing so, makes even better cars.” “We have been actively engaged in developing people who share and can execute on this core value. It has been over 50 years since we began selling in this great country, and over 25 years since we started production here.” “And in the process, we have been able to share this core value with the 200,000 people at Toyota operations, dealers, and suppliers in this country. That is what I am most

Read more
, ,

Toyota Hearings: Akio Toyoda, 'Our customers feel uncertain' (part 1)

[ad#post] “I am Akio Toyoda of Toyota Motor Corporation. I would first like to state that I love cars as much as anyone, and I love Toyota as much as anyone. I take the utmost pleasure in offering vehicles that our customers love, and I know that Toyota‘s 200,000 team members, dealers, and suppliers across America feel the same way.” “However, in the past few months, our customers have started to feel uncertain about the safety of Toyota‘s vehicles, and I take full responsibility for that. Today, I would like to explain to the American people, as well as our customers in the U.S. and around the world, how seriously Toyota takes the quality and safety of its vehicles.” “I

Read more

Toyota Camry, 2010: Roman Mica's Rambling Review (video)

Here is Mica’s synopsis and video: “The Toyota Camry is typically a pretty sedate family sedan. But what happens when you add a silky smooth V6, sports tuned suspension and big Toyota Racing Development wheels? Perhaps the best word to describe the car’s performance and handling is athletic. You can actually feel what the wheels are doing and (get this) the steering is lively and precise in a way that’s more accomplished weekend worrier than couch potato. 2010 Toyota Camry SE V6 Price as Tested: $33,485.00; Engine, Transmission: 3.5 L V6 with 6 speed sequential shift; Horsepower: 268; PocketDyno Test Data: 1/4 Mile: 15.19 seconds at 100 mph; 0-60 mph: 6.95 seconds; 60 mph-0: 118 ft; Max Acceleration: 0.63 g’s;

Read more
,

Honda Fit, Toyota Prius get top value honors, Lexus best overall in Consumer Reports annual auto issue

[ad#post] The Honda Fit and the Toyota Prius each earned a value score of 2.08 and provided the best overall value despite being very different cars. Scores are expressed in relation to the value of the average vehicle (designated 1.00). A score of 2.00 represents twice the value of the average model. In total points, based on the magazine’s average road test scores and predicted reliability scores, Honda and Subaru tied for first with an overall score of 77 out of 100 points in Consumer Reports’ ranking. Toyota and Hyundai finished second and third while Nissan and Volkswagen tied for fourth. The ratings were calculated despite the recent recall issues for the Prius and Fit. Chrysler fared the worst, although

Read more
, ,

Toyota adds Tacoma, Sequoia, Venza to brake override repair list

[ad#post] Models added to the list: the 2005-2010 Tacoma pickup, 2008-2010 Sequoia and 2009-2010 Venza. Toyota says the override feature is not part of previously issued recalls for accelerator pedal repairs. Nonetheless, the models have been added to give Toyota customers an additional measure of confidence in their vehicles. The “smart throttle” will be installed on Venza and Tacoma models when the vehicles are brought in for the pedal recall. Sequoia owners will be notified separately. While investigation continues into possible causes for Toyota unintended acceleration issues, this override should help drivers control the vehicle during acceleration incidents, providing an intuitive throttle override. Toyota previously announced it would install the override feature in other models including the 2005-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010

Read more
,

Toyota recall hearings: Akio Toyoda testimony key to carmaker's future

[ad#post] According to a report on AOL Autos, what is expected to occur is that Toyoda will be asked four primary questions about the Toyota recall. 1. Why didn’t Toyota‘s quality-control measures prevent the problems that now affect millions of cars?; 2. How quickly will the automaker be able to bring in and fix those cars?; 3. Why was Toyota so slow to make the decisions to recall them?; 4. Did Toyota cover up any early knowledge about the defects, or put its finger on the scales of research meant to find problems with its vehicles? Toyota U.S. Chief Operating Officer Jim Lentz, who will also appear before the House committee, has said the issues that caused many of the

Read more
Previous Next