| Apr 26 |
Archive for April, 2009Toyota Prius Hybrid Exterior and Interior Review Exterior The most important thing about the Toyota Prius to look at is the fact that driving this particular hybrid is a fashion statement all of its own. At least 57% of Prius owners seem to think that the fashion statement is a good one, and the exterior of the car only helps aid that argument. At first glance, the exterior lends the opinion that the Prius is a great car, and when you look closer, the Prius’s exterior characteristics are quite intricate and outstanding. Reviewers and experts alike have given the Prius fantastic rankings and scores just based on the Prius’s exterior. Considering how sleek and stylish most hybrid cars look, being able to win them out for style has shown that the exterior must have some major kudos to turn that many heads. |
| Apr 26 |
Archive for April, 2009What does a snow flake outline mean on the display of a 2007 Prius? My 2007 Prius has a type 3 display. In ENERGY MONITOR mode, the outside temperature is shown in the upper right corner in an oblong box. Sometimes this box is replaced by a snow flake shaped box for a second or two. It never stays on long enough for me to read it or understand why it changed. What purpose does the snow flake serve? Under what circumstances does it change or change back? |
| Apr 25 |
Archive for April, 2009Toyota’s Reliability Takes a Hit When it comes to car buying, a lot of people consider the different attributes of a vehicle. Others are looking for a new vehicle with good performance while others put more value on comfort. Some buyers are after the exterior design of a vehicle while some are looking for vehicles loaded with features. There are also those whose choice of vehicle depends on its safety. But one thing that all consider is a vehicle’s reliability. And when it comes to reliability issues, Toyota is tops – that is, until this year.
Consumer Reports recently reported that Toyota’s vehicles’ reliability has declined. This comes after years of the Japanese automaker’s leadership in the industry when it comes to reliability. The Consumer Reports 2007 Annual Car Reliability Survey shows that consumers are now finding Toyota vehicles less reliable than their ancestors. In contrast, Ford’s vehicles have received good marks from consumers. The most popular Toyota nameplate, the V6 variant of the Camry received a dismal and surprising below average rating in terms of predicted reliability. The Camry has been redesigned fore 2007 and it has always been Toyota’s best selling vehicle. It has been known through the years as a reliable car. The redesign though may have had negative effects on the reliability of the car. Aside from the 2007 Camry, the redesigned and beefed-up Toyota Tundra also received a below average rating in reliability. The four-wheel drive V8 version of the full-size pickup truck received the dismal rating. Even Lexus’ all-wheel drive variant of the GS sedan received a below average rating. Since Consumer Reports does not recommend any vehicle with a below average rating, the three variants are no longer on the prestigious “Recommended list” of Consumer Reports. Although reliability of aforementioned variants dropped below average, the automaker in general is still third in the overall reliability ranking. That includes Toyota’s luxury division Lexus and its youth brand Scion. The Japanese automaker ranked below fellow Japanese automakers. Honda is ranked as the producer of the most reliable automobiles. Subaru, the makers of the durable Subaru ignition coil, spark plugs, and spark plug wires is ranked second. Toyota Motor Sales Executive Vice President Jim Lentz had this to say in response to the Consumer Reports announcement: “Over all, this survey reflects well on our products. However, we’re taking measures every day to continue to sharpen quality and enhance customer satisfaction.” Being on track to become the largest automaker in the world, Toyota has been stepping up its production output. It is only normal for automakers to have problems with quality control after a huge boost in production. Thus Toyota is expected to bounce back from this minor stumble. In the past, redesigned Toyota vehicles have been recommended by Consumer Reports due to the automaker’s track record. The Auto Channel reported that even if Consumer Reports have insufficient reliability data for a new vehicle, it still recommends redesigned Toyota, Lexus, and Scion nameplates due to the aforementioned reason. But with the amount of Toyota recalls this year, Consumer Reports gave the redesigned Toyota vehicles below average reliability scores. If Toyota can bounce back to its trademark stance in terms of reliability, Consumer Reports may bring back its policy to recommend the automaker’s newly redesigned vehicles. Sphere: Related Content |
| Apr 19 |
Archive for April, 2009Toyota Camry Hybrid Review – the Pros and Cons It is said that as a hybrid the Toyota Camry hybrid does not have the same performance capabilities as the conventional sedan, but I would venture to say that as a moderate recreational driver, this car has all the performance capabilities one would need. The Toyota Camry Hybrid is a more spacious, luxurious, comfortable version of Toyota’s popular Prius hybrid, with equally impressive fuel economy. The Camry hybrid lacks the aspects of the Prius that some buyers might find off-putting, such as the compact size. The Camry hybrid establishes a perfect balance of fuel economy, ‘green’ living, and a functional family sedan. |
| Apr 19 |
Archive for April, 2009Toyota and Scion of Northwest Arkansas, Committed to Excellence in Service Toyota and Scion of Northwest Arkansas is equipped with highly qualified and dynamic professionals whose constant endeavor has been to earn the goodwill of customers and usher in professional excellence in all spheres of an automotive franchise. Toyota NW Arkansas steers you into the world of technological wonders, where you can possess the comfort and power in style. Quality, reliability, transparency, convenience and enviable sales record are a few of the reasons why it makes sense to choose Toyota NW Arkansas. The quest for innovation is the foundation for Toyota and Scion of Northwest Arkansas. |
| Apr 18 |
Archive for April, 2009Toyota Hybrids Sale Hits 1 Million Zeke Gervis asked:
Sphere: Related ContentA decade since the first Prius hit the market (in Japan) Toyota’s global sales of hybrid vehicles have now reached a landmark 1 million, highlighting the giant Japanese automaker’s lead in “green” technology that has changed the face of the auto industry. In a statement released Thursday last week, Toyota says it has sold 577,311 gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles in the USA from mid-2000, when it launched the Prius here, through May. Toyota’s worldwide sales of gas-and-electric-powered vehicles totaled 1.047 million as of the end of May. Nearly 345,000 of those were sold in Japan. Sales of Toyota hybrids have climbed from 18,000 in 1998 to 312,500 last year, the company said. Demand for hybrids, which deliver superior mileage by switching between a gasoline engine and electric motor, has soared amid higher fuel prices and greater consumer concern about pollution and global warming. Toyota’s dominance in the category has caused Detroit’s automakers to follow with their own versions and to depend less on lower-mileage SUVs as the main engine for their profits. The Prius is the hands-down leader in the category, with a total of 757,600 units sold since its 1997 introduction in Japan. Toyota began selling the Prius in North America, Europe and other places in 2000. Last year, the model made up an amazing more than 40 percent of hybrid sales in the U.S. The Prius, which gets 55 miles a gallon on combined city and highway driving conditions, has been enormously popular as a mid-size sedan, a best-selling vehicle category. Although most automakers are now working on hybrids, Toyota has the advantage of almost 10 years of experience in selling the technology, as well as in using feedback from drivers to make improvements, rather than relying on information from labs. Toyota believes hybrid technology is the way of the future. It offers several other hybrid models, including the hybrid Camry and hybrid Lexus models. “Hybrids will play a key role throughout our lineup,” Toyota spokesman Paul Nolasco said. “That means all vehicle categories.” The company also started domestic sales of its most expensive hybrid, the 15 million yen — or about $124,000 at current exchange rates — Lexus LS 600h, which is also equipped with top of the line Lexus parts like the Lexus oxygen sensor. It will be exported over the summer, according to Toyota. Not all hybrids however, enjoy the fortune like Toyota. Earlier this week, Honda Motor Co. said it will discontinue the hybrid version of its Accord sedans, which sold poorly because it didn’t fit the customer demand profile of the smallest, least expensive hybrids with the highest gas mileage. Meanwhile, hybrid sport-utility vehicles have struggled in sales compared to the Prius, partly because an SUV doesn’t have a green image to start with, according to analysts. Sales of Toyota’s RX400h hybrid SUV, sold as the Harrier in Japan, have reached 85,000 worldwide since it was introduced in 2005. Another hybrid SUV, the Highlander, or Kluger in Japan, has sold 67,000 over the same period. The Prius, by contrast, has sold 478,800 units since the start of 2005. Among American automakers, Ford Motor Co. offers the hybrid Escape sport-utility vehicle and General Motors Corp. sells the hybrid Saturn Vue Green Line sport-utility vehicle and hybrid trucks. New hybrids are also reportedly in the works for GM this year – the automaker has promised four: two-mode gas-electric systems in the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon large sport utility vehicles, and hybrid systems for the Saturn Aura and new Chevrolet Malibu sedans. The next innovation in hybrids is expected to come from a new type of battery, called the lithium-ion battery, which will be smaller and lighter than the nickel-metal hydride batteries Toyota now uses for its hybrids. A major breakthrough is needed to switch to lithium-ion batteries, now widely used in laptops, to make them power cars. Mitsuo Kinoshita, a senior Toyota executive, has reportedly told reporters that the Japanese automaker was still working on developing a lithium-ion battery system for the next-generation Prius. Toyotausablog.com |
| Apr 17 |
Archive for April, 20092008 Toyota Rav4 Review – a Review of the 2008 Toyota Rav4 Suv The 2008 Toyota RAV4 is both innovative and reliable, with several new features that offer safety as well as practicality. Impressive new features include the RAV4’s tire pressure monitoring, which alerts the driver when tire levels are critically low. There’s also a DVD rear entertainment system with headphones for passengers.
The 2008 RAV4 offers several standard safety features, including front and side curtain airbags, and a 3-point seatbelt system in all seating positions. Its novel cruise control with brake deceleration lets the drive slow down while without turning off the control feature. The RAV4, though sporty, is designed with the family in mind. It has child-protector rear door locks, and a restraint system with tether anchors. Halogen headlamps, chrome or black grilles and black roof rails and cross bars add to the striking appearance of the RAV4, while high solar energy-absorbing glass make it an advanced model. |
| Apr 16 |
Archive for April, 2009Toyota Grabs Its First Pole Position in Nascar For the first time this season, Toyota has earned its NASCAR Nextel Cup pole position, thanks to Dave Blaney, who drove his No. 22 Caterpillar Toyota Camry and set the fastest lap time in the recent practice test that took place at the New Hampshire International Speedway in Loudon. Blaney pushed his Toyota “Car of Tomorrow” Camry equipped with Toyota Sway Bar Link to reach a maximum speed of 129.437 mph, and clocked in at 29.426 leaving other drivers behind. Blaney’s achievement is a milestone for Toyota Racing team as this is the first time that a Toyota car obtained a pole finish. Dave Blaney will put his Toyota Camry in the number 1 starting position at the upcoming Lenox Industrial Tools 300 race this coming July. Check out what Dave Blaney said after the qualifying race. |
| Apr 16 |
Archive for April, 2009Toyota Trucks and Wheels Quite simply because a vehicle cannot function without it, the wheel is considered as one of the most important parts of any automobile. Even used as the term to refer to the entire automobile unit, wheels are so basic that a vehicle cannot travel anywhere without it. Having direct contact with the road while the vehicle moves to different directions, the wheels are key to having a good ride. It is definitely among the things that should be considered by every Toyota truck owner who is serious in finding ways to improve the performance of his vehicle. |
| Apr 15 |
Archive for April, 2009Cooling Things Down With the Toyota Radiator Tagging Toyota as a reliable car manufacturer would be an understatement. A total performer would be an apt moniker. It has been tried and proven through generations of cars, SUV’s, mini-vans and trucks of various lines and models that have stood as strong testaments of Toyota’s unwavering passion of providing nothing but utmost driver and passenger satisfaction. Toyota Motor Corporation started out as a division of the market-leading weaving machinery manufacturer Toyoda Automatic Loom in 1933. It achieved its sole operations in 1937 after successfully introducing two passenger car models and a truck model. However, Toyota only began producing cars commercially after the 2nd World War. Improvements followed afterwards as the Toyota Production System was established. As soon as the pillars had been established, innovations followed suit and a truly unique Toyota craftsmanship has been mastered. In result, top-of-the-class, high-quality vehicles were precision-engineered ever since. As there was a clamor for more vehicles, Toyota started localing their production. The move built an amicable relationship with the dealership and the employees, as well. To give back to the public, the auto giant started to conduct community activities form educational sponsorship to cultural programs. |
