| Feb 28 |
Archive for February, 2009Gas Saver – Buying a Hydrogen Booster Vs. a Prius So, you’re about to purchase a new Prius because it’s a hybrid gas saver – maybe you’ve never even heard of a hydrogen booster. A new Prius hybrid sounds like a great plan because of all the money you’ll be saving on gas, right? Hey, we aren’t here to judge, but did you know the Prius has gone over 60,000 vehicles sold? This is great news for the car manufacturer, but bad news for you. Why? Well, unfortunately, once they reached this mark that energy tax credit you were hoping for just went out the window. Hey, we aren’t trying to burst anyone’s bubble. We just like you to know some things that others may not like to tell you about a gas saver. The point is there are several individuals wanting to purchase a Prius based on the tax benefit because when they got that return, guess where it would have gone? Yep, towards those ridiculously large car payments. One of the biggest downfalls to purchasing a new hybrid vehicle like the Prius is the cost. |
| Feb 28 |
Archive for February, 2009Toyota Parts and the Japanese Automobile Ingenuity Japanese automobile ingenuity is evident in the products of Toyota Motor Corporation. Since the company’s debut more than seven decades ago, Toyota has remained in the lead as it left its Asian contenders, like Honda and Nissan, at bay. In addition to that, Toyota is also hailed as the second largest automaker in the world. This makes the Japanese company next to American General Motors Corporation. The quality products this automaker has established in years helped it reach its current status quo. Functioning as the foundation for every model is the quality-made Toyota Parts. |
| Feb 28 |
Archive for February, 2009An Update on 3 Automakers: Nissan, Ford, Toyota Renault-Nissan Chief Executive Carlos Ghosn, recently said, in a speech in Washington, Nissan Motor Co. will offer a diesel version of its Maxima sedan in 2010. It will be powered by a Renault-designed engine. While fuel prices rise, fuel economy and emissions rules would continue to toughen around the world. Ghosn explained the decision to introduce the car was partly based on this belief. He said the Maxima diesel will get an estimated 30% better fuel economy than the gasoline version. Still to mention Nissan, according to the first-quarter 2007 model-year Global Quality Research System report by the RDA Group, the automaker together with Toyota has the same quality of Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles. Some reports say consumers might not believe it. But that was revealed by the said market research firm based in Bloomfield Hills. |
| Feb 28 |
Archive for February, 2009Toyota Venza ‘Top Dog’ When it Comes to Pet Comfort, Travel and Fun
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| Feb 27 |
Archive for February, 2009Gm to Sell the Cheapest Hybrid to Challenge Toyota To challenge its closest rival, the Toyota Motor Co., General Motors Corp. plans to set forth the cheapest hybrid in the form of the Saturn Aura sedan in the United States. The hybrid sedan is aimed at fuel-conscious customers who want to enjoy affordability and efficiency in one car. The hybrid version of the Saturn Aura comes with a starting price of $22,695 and it is $100 less than Toyota’s Prius hybrid. The vehicle will hit showrooms this month. The Saturn Aura will be the first hybrid sedan by an American car maker to be offered in the United States. Aura Green Line’s EPA fuel economy rating is rated 28 miles per gallon in the city and 35 mpg on the highway. The Saturn Aura is equipped with GM’s belt alternator starter system, 2.4L Ecotec engine mated to an electric motor/generator and the 4T45-E four-speed automatic transmission and EBC brake rotors to bolster the performance of the car. It claims 30 percent improvement over the XE. |
| Feb 27 |
Archive for February, 2009Five Toyota New Concept Vehicles: in Brief Jerick Brooks asked:
Sphere: Related ContentToyota proves to be still one of the most famous automobile brands in the industry. Five of its surely most awaited concept vehicles include the PM, NLSV, Hybrid X, FT-SX, and the FT-HS. The PM is a personal mobility vehicle that fits car race. Its very small appearance makes it very sporty yet stylish. According to the Toyota website, the car’s cutting-edge vehicle-to-vehicle communications technologies are employed under the concept of “meeting, linking and hanging out together”. The NLSV meanwhile, features a huge, wireless electric sliding door on the passenger side and a flatter and wider floor. On the exterior, it has a narrow bumper, but the interior is exceptionally wide. Toyota rewrites the rules for conceptualizing hybrid cars in its production of the Hybrid X. The company says Hybrid X might establish the norm in building hybrid cars in the future. A key concept on this vehicle is the Vibrant Clarity. It is a design establishing all design works in a unique and emotionally vibrant identity that definitely speaks of Toyota. It offers sustainable mobility for modern families. Through this car, Toyota is making one step closer to its vision of a zero smog-forming emission future because of its environmentally advanced technology. Inside the car, the driver sets the mood using an internal interface that controls lighting, and music. Complete driver control is experienced through technological innovations in interactive navigation, driving information and comfort control. Resembling a tamed tiger, the FT-SX is an exploration of an entirely new genre of automobile. This car delivers complete function, luxury and sporty performance, and is conveyed visually by its imposing size and sleek silhouette. Making it incredibly versatile are the powerful V6 engine, all-wheel drive, 21-inch wheels, four doors, an inventive rear hatch and multi-functional glass roof. Loading large and heavy objects is easy in this car. A loading tray that automatically extends when the lower hatch is opened makes the rear cargo area extremely user-friendly. The interior has a sleek, sporty design of the exterior, with “flying speed board” gauge clusters. Added to this is the luxury of natural woods, soft leathers and durable metals. Finally, the FT-HS — according to Toyota, the car answers the question “What sports car suits the 21st century concept?” The FT-HS is a mid-priced sports car that integrates ecology and emotion, pairing a potent hybrid power train with essential sports-car fundamentals. Using a powerful V6 3.5L engine, the FT-HS is coupled with Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive to produce a target power output of approximately 400 horsepower and a projected zero-to-60 acceleration in the four-second range. The roof has a distinctive scooped-out section designed to reduce aerodynamic drag and provide head room at the key areas. The FT-HS’s interior features “create a dedicated driver’s cockpit” that includes a cross-car instrument panel structure and delta-wing driver pod. Creating an enclosed pod effect an integrated instrument panel surrounds the driver. When the roof retracts, the 4 seats are converted to a seat good for two. This is another milestone from Toyota. Common among this 5 and the other new concept cars are the well enhanced Toyota mufflers. Toyotausablog.com |
| Feb 26 |
Archive for February, 2009Toyota Tundra Lures Texan Truckers Texas is facing a great pickup battle having Ford, Chevy, Dodge, and Toyota as contenders. As the automakers set free their most powerful pickups, the Truck Country is expected to release more steam to signal heated rivalry.
Toyota Motor Corp., meanwhile, works to lure true truckers in Texas to win over more customers. This is why it has unleashed its redesigned Tundra to steal a portion of Ford F-150’s sales. But the best-selling pickup is not the only potent rival. There is the new Chevy Silverado and Dodge Ram. Moreover, the Japanese automaker is expected to exert extra effort in order for its goal to materialize. According to J.D. Power and Associates, Ford F-Series dived nearly 3.6 percentage points across the nation to hold 30.7 percent of the market. In Texas, the models lost 5.5 points to fall to 31.9 percent, reported the Michigan-based R.L. Polk & Co. In comparison, the Tundra, sources divulged recorded nearly 3.5 points nationwide and 3.7 in Texas in its first year since a major redesign. “Those numbers might not seem huge, but when you consider truck buyers are second only to luxury buyers in terms of loyalty, Ford’s drop and Toyota’s climb are significant,” said Lonnie Miller, the director of industry analysis at Polk. “There’s no doubt been a very aggressive push by Toyota.” To improve sales, the Japanese automaker entertained some drastic modifications. The automaker used improved Toyota truck parts such as the V8 engine to enhance power. Additionally, the automaker improved the pickup’s towing capacity to compete better in the segment. What’s more, the automaker launched a number of marketing campaigns to promote the modifications made to the Tundra. And the efforts showed positive results. The numbers show the effort had some meat to it, though no-interest and cash-back incentives had more to do with the success, said Tom Libby, an analyst with J.D. Power. “We certainly had a lot more full-size pickups traded in for Tundras in ‘07,” said Tom Shopoff, the director of truck support for Gulf States Toyota, a network of dealerships that includes statewide Tundra best-seller Fred Haas Toyota World in Spring. “We have a tremendous product.” But Shopoff predicted the Tundra would see a bubble burst. “You’ve seen the big bubble,” he noted. Increased competition from Toyota comes at a time when auto sales in general, and pickup sales in particular, are down, according to Houston Chronicle. Auto sales in 2007 fell 2.4 percent, and large pickups were down 2.7 percent, Libby said in an interview. “That means more competition, which in turn means more incentives and lower prices,” Libby concluded. “The winner in all this is the consumer.” Sphere: Related Content |
| Feb 26 |
Archive for February, 2009Toyota Solicits Testimonials From Hybrid Owners Toyota Motor Corp. is soliciting written and video testimonials from 10,000 hybrid owners. Though hybrid owners only represent less than 2 percent of the overall automobile sales market, Toyota is passionate about them. The automaker believes that customer testimonials can draw more customers.
Sphere: Related ContentOne of the customers who have given Toyota hybrid testimonial is Craig, a Los Angeles-based Prius owner. Along with other hybrid owners who have given their testimonials, Craig is now on toyota.com/hybrids site. Other customer testimonials will make their way into broadcast spots. Peter Kang, creative director of emerging technology at Saatchi & Saatchi, Los Angeles, Toyota’s primary agency, said he is now editing such footage for future ad campaigns. “These spots will be literally the same content as on the site, only in a different format. It’s easy to find people who are passionate for their hybrids, and these people will list their reasons for owning or being interested in hybrid technology. These people will be part of 15-second spots and they give very honest answers about what life is about and how this car is important to them,” Kang said. Auto analysts are warning the automaker about the consequences of the move. Chevrolet had ventured in similar effort with its Tahoe unfortunately; it stumbled on the way. “It makes the people nervous to allow the consumer to get into this, but we monitor and filter the blogs,” said Gregg Benkendorfer, Toyota’s national manager of interactive marketing. “We don’t edit, but we filter; the last thing we need is a video by some guy with his girlfriend draped across a Prius.” Toyota is the finest when it comes to hybrid car manufacture. To maintain this standing, the automaker intends to unveil a hybrid-only model in 2009. Asahi Shumbun, a Japanese newspaper, earlier reported that the model will be a midsize sedan with a 2.5- to 3-liter-engine, larger than that of the 1.5-liter Prius hatchback. The latter is Toyota’s first hybrid car. It is known for its cutting-edge Toyota parts for Prius. The model will be offered to the American hybrid market that prefers bigger auto engines. Asahi Shumbun also reported that Toyota will also be considering other hybrid-only models like the minivan and the station wagon. In this regard, the automaker is developing a new hybrid system that is more affordable. It will be installed on Prius and other hybrid sedans. By: Mark Clarkson About the Author: Mark Clarkson is a 35 year old marketing consultant for a leading auto parts store. This native of Denver is also an offroad enthusiast. |
| Feb 25 |
Archive for February, 2009Another Reliable Toyota Truck Infiltrates the Global Market Glady Reign asked:
Sphere: Related ContentToyota has clearly succeeded in creating a mark in the global market as it has become the world’s largest automaker by revenue, production, sales and profit. Founded in 1937 by Kiichiro Toyoda, it’s tradition of building trucks dates back to the second World War when it manufactured simple every Toyota truck for the Japanese Imperial Army. Although the company previously focused on looms, being formerly known as Toyoda Automatic Loom, its new division eventually concentrated on the production of cars. Until now, Toyota is still involved in the textile industry and it still makes automatic looms that are now fully computerized as well as electric sewing machines that are available worldwide. North America is a major automobile market for Toyota, particularly for the various models of the Toyota truck. In fact, the company has five major assembly plants in North America—at Huntsville, Alabama, Georgetown, Kentucky, Princeton, Indiana, San Antonio, Texas, and Buffalo, West Virginia. Meanwhile, a new one is being built in Blue Springs, Mississippi. These assembly plants are responsible for the production of the company’s vehicles that include every Toyota truck and sedan. Aside from the design and assembly of these comfortable and reliable vehicles, Toyota is also responsible for the development of components, like the Toyota truck parts, that feature innovative technologies. Some of these advanced characteristics that many drivers love, like the exceptionally durable Toyota Truck parts, are the first mass-produced hybrid gas-electric power system, a four-speed automatic transmission that is electronically controlled and has buttons for power and economy shifting, an eight-speed automatic transmission, and the Advanced Parking Guidance System or, quite simply, automatic parking. Like Toyota’s legendary Hilux, which has been tagged as “the indestructible car,” the 2007 Toyota Tundra is yet another example of a reliable Toyota truck. Having a towing capacity of over 10,000 lbs, a payload capacity of over 2000 lb, and a new 6-speed automatic transmission, the latest Tundra is offered in three engine types. All distinctly powerful in their engine capacity and power, the Toyota Tundra has become quite a success. It is now the best selling foreign full-size half-ton truck. As affirmed by Edmund.com, which awarded the Tundra as the Most Significant Vehicle of the Year and as the Most Wanted Full-size truck, there is just no going wrong with Toyota trucks. Toyotausablog.com |
| Feb 25 |
Archive for February, 2009Toyota Introduces All-new Tundra in Texas Toyota Motor Co. rolled out two prototypes of its latest Tundra pickup truck at the State Fair of Texas. Said Tundra models will be assembled in Toyota’s billion-dollar San Antonio plant. “The State Fair is a true icon of Texas, which just happens to be the epicenter of the U.S. light truck market. It’s easy to illustrate just how important Texas is to us,” says Ernest Bastien, vice president of vehicle operations for Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. “If you need more proof of how important Texas is to Toyota, all you have to do is take a look in San Antonio at our new truck plant there.” “We think both of these trucks will have special appeal with true truckers, including a variety of hard-working commercial and ranch users,” Bastien added. “We decided the new Tundra needed to be a truck built exclusively for the customer, not a truck that simply benchmarked the full-size competition. When you add in the investments being made by Gulf States Toyota and our dealers, we are bringing nearly $2 billion worth of new facilities into the economy of Texas.” |
