Detroit 2011: Toyota Prius family adds a V for volume

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Hybrid, Crossover, Hatchback, Toyota

2012 Toyota Prius V
2012 Toyota Prius V – Click above for the high-res image gallery

Nearly one million Prius Hybrids have been sold in the U.S. over the past decade, and with the third generation model sitting in every other politician and Hollywood starlet’s garage, its appeal is at an all-time high. In Toyota’s estimation it’s a great time for the Prius brand to expand and kicking things off is a new crossover with the kiddies in mind.

The 2012 Prius V is packing all the hybrid goodness of the standard Prius but with 34.3 cubic feet of space for your stuff, 38 inches of rear leg room and the fuel economy most vehicles can only dream of. The V is five inches longer and an inch wider than the O.G. Prius with the same 1.8-liter four cylinder hybrid power source, so it won’t match little brother’s 50 miles per gallon efficiency. Sill, the roomy MPV will net 42 miles per gallon in the city and an also lofty 38 mpg on the highway, or better than most anything on the road. The efficiency quotient is helped with a .29 drag coefficient and creative engineering feats like a resin panoramic moonroof that helps keep weight in check.

Technology will likely be improved as well, typified by Toyota’s Entune infotainment system that combines improved navigation, a rich interface, Bluetooth, and XM Satellite Radio. The Prius V hits dealer showrooms this summer but before you put down a deposit, hit the jump for the details and check the live gallery below.

Gallery: 2012 Toyota Prius V: Detroit 2011

2012 Toyota Prius V2012 Toyota Prius V2012 Toyota Prius V2012 Toyota Prius V2012 Toyota Prius V

Gallery: 2012 Toyota Prius V

2012 Toyota Prius V2012 Toyota Prius V2012 Toyota Prius V2012 Toyota Prius V2012 Toyota Prius V

Live photos copyright (C)2011 Drew Phillips and Steven J. Ewing / AOL

[Source: Toyota]

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Detroit 2011: Toyota Prius family adds a V for volume originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 Jan 2011 14:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Toyota sees increased U.S. market share in 2011

Filed under: Toyota

Toyota badge

2010 was as rough a year as Toyota has experienced in many-a-decade, but the Japanese automaker reportedly senses a rebound in 2011. The Detroit News reports that team Toyota predicts that in 2011 it will outpace industry growth due in part to 10 revamped models across its Toyota, Lexus and Scion brands.

And Toyota isn’t just optimistic about its prospects in the year ahead; the automaker feels sales will jump to 12.5 million units on an annualized basis, up a million units from 2010. Many industry analysts polled by The Detroit News seem to agree with that sentiment as well, with figures ranging from 12.5 to over 13 million cars and trucks sold in 2011. Further into the future, Toyota reportedly sees sales hitting 15 million units by 2015.

After the year Toyota had, we are a little surprised that the Japanese automaker is this bullish on 2011. But then again, Toyota struggled as much with an aging lineup as it did with millions of recalls. Ten new models can go a long way toward repopulating dealers with new customers, especially if U.S. car buyers can forget about 2010 as fast as Toyota hopes they do.

[Source: The Detroit News]

Report: Toyota sees increased U.S. market share in 2011 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 06 Jan 2011 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford nearly overtakes Toyota in Consumer Reports Brand Perception Survey

Filed under: Car Buying, Etc., Ford, Toyota

Ford emblem

Consumer Reports has just released its latest brand perception study, and for the first time, Ford seems to be giving Toyota a run for its money. According to CR, the two brands are nearly tied up, though Ford has edged ahead in categories like safety, quality and value. The Blue Oval has been gaining serious ground recently – jumping 35 percentage points in the study in just two years. Meanwhile, Toyota has seen its score fall by 45 percentage points in the same period of time.

The study measures each brand across a handful of categories, including safety, quality, value, performance, design/style, technology/innovation and environmentally friendly/green. Scores are then averaged to generate a total brand perception. Consumer Reports notes that Toyota still leads the green category by leaps and bounds with a score of 46, though interestingly, it notes that buyers seem to be less and less concerned with just how environmentally friendly their vehicles are. Ford, meanwhile holds onto just 18 percentage points in the same category. Hit the jump for the full press blast.

[Source: Consumer Reports]

Continue reading Ford nearly overtakes Toyota in Consumer Reports Brand Perception Survey

Ford nearly overtakes Toyota in Consumer Reports Brand Perception Survey originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 05 Jan 2011 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota: Prius exhaust less harmful than sheep emissions

Filed under: Hybrid, Marketing/Advertising, Hatchback, Toyota

Toyota Prius fart advertisement

Toyota Prius versus sheep – Click above to enlarge

The flatus of the Toyota Prius is less harmful than the flatus of a sheep. Who knew? Apparently, Toyota’s Israeli arm, that’s who.

As you can see from the advertisement above, the methane gas produced by livestock can indeed be worse for the environment (animal gas, including that from humans, is in fact a greenhouse gas) than the emissions from the ass end of an automobile, depending on what you’re trying to define – and that goes for any automobile, not just one that’s as popular in squeaky clean circles as the Prius hybrid.

We think this is a pretty funny and effective ad, though something tells us it might never see the light of day in the United States. Sadly.

[Source: Copyranter via Jalopnik]

Toyota: Prius exhaust less harmful than sheep emissions originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 Jan 2011 18:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AP: Seven insurance companies sue Toyota over unintended acceleration-related claims

Filed under: Government/Legal, Safety, Toyota, Earnings/Financials

unhappy Toyota windshield sticker

Can’t say we didn’t see this one coming… According to the Associated Press, seven insurance companies* are suing Toyota in California court for damages in excess of $230,000. We suspect that figure could rise, as it’s derived from just 14 of the alleged 725 total accidents the insurers claim Toyota is at least partially at fault for.

The suit reportedly alleges that Toyota is at fault for accidents blamed on unintended acceleration because the Japanese automaker failed to equip its vehicles with a brake override system that would electronically force the engine to return to idle if both the accelerator and brake pedals were pressed at the same time. After the recall hubbub first began, Toyota announced that all of its future models will come with this technology.

For its part, a Toyota spokesperson unsurprisingly responded that “any allegation that a vehicle-based defect is the cause of unintended acceleration in this or any other complaint is completely unfounded and has no basis.” In December of 2010, Toyota agreed to settle a high-profile case in California regarding unintended acceleration in a Toyota Camry for $10 million, though it never admitted any wrongdoing. Four people were killed in that accident.

In October of 2010, Allstate filed suit against Toyota seeking $3 million in compensation as a result of 270 claims of sudden acceleration.

*The seven insurance companies bringing forth this suit are: American Automobile Insurance Co., Fireman’s Fund Insurance, National Surety Corp., Ameriprise Insurance, IDS Property Casualty Insurance, Motorists Mutual Insurance and American Hardware Mutual Insurance.

[Source: Associated Press via AOL Autos | Image: David McNew/Getty]

AP: Seven insurance companies sue Toyota over unintended acceleration-related claims originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 Jan 2011 15:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Next Toyota Highlander to form basis for new Subaru Tribeca?

Filed under: Crossover, Subaru, Toyota, Rumormill

2010 Subaru Tribeca

2010 Subaru Tribeca – Click above for high-res image gallery

From the sound of things, Subaru and Toyota are getting cozier than ever. According to Motor Trend, the two companies are currently exploring ways to integrate platforms, and the fruit of that exploration may very well be the next Tribeca. MT is reporting that engineers are currently looking for ways to base the next-generation Subaru crossover on the bones of the Toyota Highlander. Both models are slated for replacement in 2014, and there’s some indication that the two vehicles will share more than a few bolts when they debut.

According to MT, the project isn’t without hiccups, however. As with the FT-86, both companies need to find a way to work around the Subaru 3.6-liter flat-six found in the nose of the current Tribeca. MT points out that the FT-86 avoided this issue by simply using the Subaru engine in the Toyota variant of the sports coupe, though at this point it’s unclear how the Tribeca/Highlander will overcome that particular hurdle. In addition, the crossover platform will also need room for the Highlander hybrid model’s battery packs, which may mean that Subaru will jump into the gas-electric game as well.

Gallery: 2010 Subaru Tribeca

[Source: Motor Trend]

Next Toyota Highlander to form basis for new Subaru Tribeca? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 03 Jan 2011 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Toyota Prius Cozy is a total stitch

Filed under: Hybrid, Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Hatchback, Toyota, Humor

Toyota Prius Cozy

Toyota warms up the Prius with a cozy – Click above to watch video after the jump

No matter what part of the country you live in, temperatures are probably a bit colder than you might like. Whether that’s 65 degrees in Arizona or negative numbers in the Midwest, it’s the time of year for extra layers. You know what else gets cold? Your car. To remedy this, Toyota decided to get a bunch of crochet pros together and have them knit a cozy… for a Prius.

We really can’t add anything else here… grab some cocoa, put on the holiday sweater your grandmother bought for you and hop the jump to view the clip.

[Source: YouTube]

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Video: Toyota Prius Cozy is a total stitch originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 30 Dec 2010 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Toyota recalls fuel massive spike in complaints to NHTSA

Filed under: Government/Legal, Recalls, Safety, Toyota

Ray LaHood complaints

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration got a wee bit busier this year. As of December 14th, the agency reported that it had received over 64,000 complaints. Edmunds’ calculations, which remove duplicates, pegs the figure at more than 40,000 complaints – thanks in no small part to the spate of massive recalls from Toyota.

In fact, NHTSA reports that it received 87 complaints for every 100,000 vehicles sold by Toyota in 2010, more than double the Japanese automaker’s performance from the previous year and the highest percentage of any company selling cars in the United States.

Not that other automakers fared that much better. Nissan came in with the second highest ratio at 62 complaints per 100,000 vehicles and Volkswagen nabbed third place with 58. The industry average of 47 complaints per 100,000 vehicles was up from fewer than 30 in 2009. For what it’s worth, Ford and Honda had the lowest ratios of complaints, and there was little difference between American and Japanese manufacturers.

These complaints are a good thing, says NHTSA, as the agency can then determine if a customer’s problem is singular or part of a larger issue that affects multiple vehicles, possibly prompting an inspection or safety recall. So don’t quit yer’ complaining!

[Source: LA Times | Image: Alex Wong/Getty Images]

Report: Toyota recalls fuel massive spike in complaints to NHTSA originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 30 Dec 2010 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Toyota recalls fuel massive spike in complaints to NHTSA

Filed under: Government/Legal, Recalls, Safety, Toyota

Ray LaHood complaints

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration got a wee bit busier this year. As of December 14th, the agency reported that it had received over 64,000 complaints. Edmunds’ calculations, which remove duplicates, pegs the figure at more than 40,000 complaints – thanks in no small part to the spate of massive recalls from Toyota.

In fact, NHTSA reports that it received 87 complaints for every 100,000 vehicles sold by Toyota in 2010, more than double the Japanese automaker’s performance from the previous year and the highest percentage of any company selling cars in the United States.

Not that other automakers fared that much better. Nissan came in with the second highest ratio at 62 complaints per 100,000 vehicles and Volkswagen nabbed third place with 58. The industry average of 47 complaints per 100,000 vehicles was up from fewer than 30 in 2009. For what it’s worth, Ford and Honda had the lowest ratios of complaints, and there was little difference between American and Japanese manufacturers.

These complaints are a good thing, says NHTSA, as the agency can then determine if a customer’s problem is singular or part of a larger issue that affects multiple vehicles, possibly prompting an inspection or safety recall. So don’t quit yer’ complaining!

[Source: LA Times | Image: Alex Wong/Getty Images]

Report: Toyota recalls fuel massive spike in complaints to NHTSA originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 30 Dec 2010 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog Podcast #210: Camaro outsells Mustang, ‘Cuda comeback, BYD at Detroit, Toyota’s blunder

Filed under: Podcasts, Etc., Buick, Toyota, Volkswagen

Autoblog podcast logo

Click above for the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes, RSS or listen now!

Episode #210 of the Autoblog Podcast is hosted by Dan this time around, though Chris Shunk calls in, and Zach Bowman takes up his role as number three. It starts with the Autoblog Garage and then heads for the Camaro outselling the Mustang for the first time since 1985. Staying with neo-ponycars, we talk about the ‘Cuda making a comeback (possibly), and our podcasters discuss why the Hyundai Sonata may just be their car of the year. BYD’s 2011 Detroit appearance and Toyota’s recall woes in 2010 being cited as the second biggest blunder of the year finish us up before we hit a couple of your questions before we end it at 58 minutes. Thanks for listening!

Autoblog Podcast #210: Camaro outsells Mustang, ‘Cuda comeback, Sonata is our COTY, BYD at Detroit, Toyota’s blunder

In the Autoblog Garage:

2011 Toyota 4 Runner
2011 Volkswagen Jetta
2011 Buick Regal Turbo

News Topics:

  • Toyota recalls named blunder of 2010
  • BYD coming to Detroit show with two cars
  • Hyundai Sonata is our informal COTY
  • Camaro outsells Mustang
  • Cuda comeback?


    Hosts:
    Dan Roth, Chris Shunk, Zach Bowman,
    Runtime: 58:26


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Autoblog Podcast #210: Camaro outsells Mustang, ‘Cuda comeback, BYD at Detroit, Toyota’s blunder originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Dec 2010 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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