Tag: toyota

Camry crash in Utah puts attention back on Toyota recalls

Filed under: Sedan, Safety, Toyota

Crashed Toyota Camry

Paul Vanalfen’s crashed Toyota Camry – Click above for high-res image gallery

A new incident involving a 2008 Toyota Camry is raising concerns about unintended acceleration once again. On November 5, 66-year-old Paul Vanalfen was exiting Interstate 80 in Utah when his vehicle drove through a stop sign and struck a rock embankment, killing Vanalfen and his son’s 38 year-old fiance Charlene Lloyd at the same time. Vanalfen’s son and wife were also injured in the accident. Early reports indicate that the Camry may have continued to accelerate, even as Vanalfen did his best to stop the vehicle. Skid marks at the scene indicate that this isn’t a case of pedal misapplication, leaving investigators to conclude that a malfunction may have caused the incident.

Vanalfen’s Camry was the subject of a total of three recalls, and at this point, it’s unclear whether or not the Toyota had undergone the repairs.

Toyota, meanwhile, says that it’s too early to draw any conclusions about the cause of the incident, and that it’s assisting Utah Highway Patrol investigators any way it can. Click past the jump to read the company’s statement.

Gallery: Paul Vanalfen’s crashed Toyota Camry

Paul Vanalfen's crashed Toyota CamryPaul Vanalfen's crashed Toyota Camry

[Sources: AP via MSNBC, Toyota | Image: AP/Utah Highway Patrol]

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Camry crash in Utah puts attention back on Toyota recalls originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 Nov 2010 16:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota Prius MPV leaked ahead of Detroit debut? [UPDATE]

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Hybrid, Minivan/Van, Toyota

Toyota Prius MPV

Toyota is planning to reveal its new Prius-based MPV at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show, and while we’ve seen spy shots and teasers of the fuel-sipping people-mover before, we now have our clearest look yet at the forthcoming hybrid hauler.

Our friends at Autoblog.it have managed to snag what appear to be official shots of the Prius MPV, and based on the test mules we’ve seen out on the road, we’ll bet our bottom dollar that the seven-passenger, three-row vehicle you see here is what will be displayed under the Detroit show lights.

Autoblog.it says that the Prius MPV will be powered by the same 1.8-liter hybrid engine used in the five-door hatch, though output has reportedly been bumped up to 138 horsepower. Efficiency will obviously be the MPV’s biggest factor, and we’re that Toyota has tweaked the standard Prius’ powertrain to account for the added heft of the MPV. As always, stay tuned for more information, and head over to Autoblog.it for an additional image of the bulked-up Prius.

UPDATE: As convincing as this image looks, the keen-eyed folks at Carscoop have pointed out that this is not, in fact, the upcoming Prius MPV, and is actually a rendering crafted by Japan’s Best Car magazine. Still, that doesn’t change the fact that Toyota will be debuting the Prius people-mover at the Detroit show in January, and we’ll have the full details after the turn of the new year.

[Source: Autoblog.it (translated)]

Toyota Prius MPV leaked ahead of Detroit debut? [UPDATE] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Oct 2010 13:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda recalls 470K vehicles after Toyota, both used same supplier

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Sedan, Recalls, Safety, Acura, Honda

Honda has announced that it’s recalling a total of 470,000 vehicles in the U.S. due to the same failing master cylinder problem that caused Toyota to recall 1.66 million vehicles worldwide this week.

According to The Detroit News, the two automakers used the same supplier for the part, and when owners use a type of brake fluid other than what’s used at the factory, a seal within the master cylinder may fail, causing a leak that could eventually lead to loss of braking power altogether. Honda says that a warning light would illuminate before this happened, however.

The Honda recall covers 2005-2007 Acura RL models and 2005-2007 Honda Odyssey minivans, while the Toyota recall includes the 2005-2006 Avalon and 2004-2006 Highlander (non-hybrid only), and 2006 Lexus GS, IS and RX cars and crossovers.

Honda says that at this point, it doesn’t know how many of its vehicles have suffered a master cylinder failure nor how many have leaked. The company says it will replace the faulty seal and, if leaking has occurred, the brake booster will be replaced as well.
There’s no set schedule for fixing those vehicles that are impacted by the recall, but owners should expect to hear something soon.

[Source: The Detroit News | Image: Stan Honda/AFP/Getty]

Honda recalls 470K vehicles after Toyota, both used same supplier originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 22 Oct 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Study: The Toyota Prius has a dirty side after all – manufacturing

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Japan, Plants/Manufacturing, Toyota

2010 Toyota Prius

2010 Toyota Prius – Click above for high-res image gallery

There are plenty of revelations in the annual sustainability report recently released by Toyota. By and large, the company is as ecologically-minded as a multi-national corporation can be, but as we’ve touched on before, not everything is as squeaky clean as it could be. The Toyota Prius has earned itself as one of the greenest vehicles on the road – a perception that the company’s report confirmed by detailing the fact that over its lifetime, the Prius is likely to emit much less carbon dioxide than other comparable vehicles.

Unfortunately, that truth is offset a bit by the fact that the vehicle performs marginally worse than average when it comes to the emissions generated to build hybrid. Specifically, Toyota cranks out extra nonmethane hydrocarbons and particulate matter, thanks specifically to the manufacturing of the car’s electric motor and battery pack. Those two pieces require larger amounts of energy and materials, snagging the Prius lower than average ratings across all five manufacturing emissions categories.

Gallery: Review: 2010 Toyota Prius

Photos by Sam Abuelsamid / Copyright (C)2009 AOL
[Source: Automotive News]

Study: The Toyota Prius has a dirty side after all – manufacturing originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Oct 2010 19:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Toyota president assuages fears that he’s closing all Japanese factories

Filed under: Japan, Plants/Manufacturing, Toyota, Earnings/Financials

Toyota President Akio Toyoda caused something of an uproar in the automaker’s home market of Japan when he suggested that “logically, it doesn’t make sense to manufacture in Japan.” Why? The surging value of the Yen, currently at a 15-year high, compared to the U.S. Dollar.

Considering that the vast majority of vehicles Toyota builds in Japan are intended for export and that the American market is still the automaker’s most important, the value of the Yen is a major stumbling block standing in the way of profits. Still, Toyoda has confirmed that his eponymous company has no intention of entirely halting production in Japan.

What that assurance doesn’t mean, however, is that Toyota won’t continue to shift production overseas in an effort to retain profitability. While none of the Japanese plants will be completely closed, they may see a good portion of their output transferred to facilities in other markets… notably North America.

[Source: Just-Auto]

Report: Toyota president assuages fears that he’s closing all Japanese factories originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Oct 2010 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota shows off more of the Tacoma X-Runner RTR

Filed under: Concept Cars, Motorsports, SEMA Show, Performance, Truck, Toyota, Specialty

Toyota Tacoma RTR Concept

Toyota Tacoma RTR Concept – Click above for high-res image gallery

At this point, SEMA is so close we can almost smell the tire shine. Toyota has rolled out a gaggle of official photos and information on the company’s mighty Tacoma RTR Concept, saying it wanted to build the quarter-mile king to demonstrate what exactly is possible with off-the-shelf parts. For those that don’t recall, the company’s engineers managed to snug a supercharged 5.7-liter V8 borrowed from the Tundra into the engine bay. The final concoction is good for 504 horsepower and 550 pound-feet of torque, and it all gets funneled to the rear axle via a six-speed automatic gearbox.

While we’re on the subject of the rear axle, Toyota says the piece is a narrowed version of what’s found in the stock Tundra, though a TRD limited-slip has been plopped in to get both wheels pulling from get go. The whole concoction should be good for quarter mile passes in the 11-second range. Hit the jump for the full details.

Gallery: Toyota Tacoma RTR Concept

[Source: Toyota]

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Toyota shows off more of the Tacoma X-Runner RTR originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Oct 2010 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ralph Nader calls out Toyota on R&D spending

Filed under: Safety, Videos, Toyota, Earnings/Financials

Toyota Camry

Ralph Nader challenges Toyota’s R&D spending claim – Click above to watch commercial after the jump

Ralph Nader isn’t finished. The man whose fame has long outlasted the first car he took to task is now gnawing at Toyota over claims the company makes in its print advertising: “That’s why we’re spending a million dollars an hour on research and development.” In a letter Nader wrote to the U.S. sales chief Toyota, Jim Lentz, he states that an $8.7 billion investment in R&D is “astonishing,” and he’d like to know precisely how that amount is spent.

The larger issue, however, might be Nader coming so late to the game. After all, Toyota released a commercial in June in which the narrator says, “At Toyota, we care about your safety. That’s why we’re investing one million dollars every hour to improve our technology and your safety.” Everyone, including the New York Times, wanted to know how Toyota could be spending a million an hour on safety.

A Toyota rep responded to the NYT by saying “The $1,000,000 an hour claim represents all Toyota R&D spending globally, much of that allocated to new quality and safety technologies.” True, that doesn’t exactly answer Nader’s question since he moves the discussion from spending on safety to spending on R&D, but the claim relies on how Toyota defines R&D. Even though Nader says the term “has a specific meaning,” it’s amorphous enough that we’re sure Toyota can defend it… if that’s even necessary. Lentz says he’ll respond to Nader directly.

[Source: USA Today]

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Ralph Nader calls out Toyota on R&D spending originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 17 Oct 2010 14:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Aston Martin Cygnet… it’s not a Toyota. Really.

Filed under: Coupe, Europe, Videos, Aston Martin, Luxury

Aston Martin Cygnet video

Aston Martin swears the Cygnet isn’t a Toyota – Click above to watch video after the jump

Aston Martin has begun its PR assault to attempt to assure its customers that the Cygnet is more than a gussied-up Toyota iQ. The company just released a new video detailing exactly what makes the compact fit into the Aston Martin bloodline. Brace yourself for an onslaught of terms like “tailor fit” and “owner-customized.” As with the rest of the company’s products, buyers will be able to slather their Cygnet in a bevy of custom interior materials and colors, as well as an array of exterior paint colors. We’re even assured that the pint-size Aston will smell like the real deal.

And to think we were worried.

All jesting aside, the Cygnet should help Aston Martin significantly raise its average corporate fuel economy in preparation for ever stricter emissions regulations. Still, we don’t exactly see James Bond getting the girl from behind the wheel of this thing. Hit the jump to see the video for yourself.

[Source: YouTube]

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Video: Aston Martin Cygnet… it’s not a Toyota. Really. originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 15 Oct 2010 18:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota Prius MPV to debut at Detroit Auto Show [w/video]

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Hybrid, Minivan/Van, Videos, Toyota

Toyota Prius video

Toyota teases the new Prius MPV – Click above to watch the video after the jump

Recently, Toyota teased its second addition to the Prius family during its 10th anniversary party for the automaker’s infamous hybrid. Now, Toyota has tweeted that the new vehicle, which obviously takes the shape of a Mazda5-sized MPV, will make its official debut at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show in January.

Rumors have suggested that the Prius MPV will offer seating for seven via three rows of perches, though there’s no word on whether or not the larger Prius variant will use sliding doors or stick to a more Kia Rondo-like shape. Expect the Prius’ powertrain to be slightly revised for MPV duty, as well, probably with a few more lithium-ion batteries on hand to keep things extremely economical. We’ll know more come January, but for now, click past the jump to see a video of the Prius MPV’s teaser billboard coming to life.

[Source: Twitter, YouTube]

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Toyota Prius MPV to debut at Detroit Auto Show [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 15 Oct 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Working for Toyota makes you healthier?

Filed under: Etc., Toyota

Happy Toyota

Toyota has just released its annual sustainability report – a tome that delves into everything from the company’s air-conditioning habits and the environmental impact of its individual models to the health of its employees. Needless to say, there are plenty of revelations stacked into the report, but one of the most surprising is that Toyota employees are now less likely to smoke and be obese than they were four years ago. According to Automotive News, only 36 percent of the company’s workers are likely to smoke occasionally compared to 42 percent in 2006. Likewise, the number of overweight employees fell from 28.5 percent to 24.7 percent this year.

In addition, the company revealed that its using recycled snow to cool its Hakkaido facility during the summer, helping to drop the factory’s ambient temperature by 14 degrees. Apparently the workers aren’t sweating out that weight…

Toyota also revealed that while the Prius produces fewer emissions once it’s on the road, the manufacturing process for the hybrid yields greater than average nonmethane hydrocarbons and particulate matter compared to the rest of the company’s fleet. Head over to AN for a full recap of the report.

[Source: Automotive News – Sub. Req’d | Image: David McNew/Getty]

Working for Toyota makes you healthier? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 15 Oct 2010 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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