lifestyle leader

Plug-in hybrids and lithium-ion batteries are the Next Big Things and Toyota, it would seem from the recent flurry of electric car news, might be losing its grip on first place in the hybrid/lithium-ion battery race.
Lithium-ion batteries developed in a joint project between Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Continental (who will make the batteries) are used in the 2009 Mercedes-Benz S400 BlueHybrid as well as a BMW 7-Series hybrid concept car, and will be the sole power source for the pure electric Mini E. Of course, General Motors has the much ballyhooed 2010 Chevrolet Volt almost ready for primetime.

So has Toyota been resting on its Prius?

Not hardly, says Irv Miller, veep of Toyota’s American corporate communications. Says Miller, “Let me be clear about this: We believe strongly in the viability of plug-in hybrids in some applications, and in their use of lithium-ion batteries. We believe so strongly, in fact, that we plan to begin production of PHEVs late next year.”

Toyota has a joint venture (60 per cent owned by Toyota) with electronics giant Panasonic, which will begin production-line assembly of lithium-ion batteries developed entirely in-house.

Toyota, along with Advanced Power and Energy Program at the University of California, Irvine (UCI) and the Institute of Transportation Studies at the University of California, Berkeley (UCB), began a test of plug-in hybrids equipped with nickel-metal-hydride (NmH) batteries to accumulate real-word data in late 2007. However, the NmH batteries, even in an oversized battery pack, gave only about seven miles of pure electric operation, and as such was not intended for general distribution.

While conceding that seven miles would be adequate for most weekend trips, Toyota still almost frustratedly cited the advantage of its current hybrid system as being independent of the extension cord.

So as announced by Katsuaki Watanabe, president of Toyota Motor Corp., at last year’s Detroit Auto Show, Toyota will build and deliver what he called "a significant fleet" of plug in hybrids to fleet users in the latter part of 2009.

Toyota will introduce the third generation of Prius at the Detroit auto show in January, and (purposefully?) leaked photos of it have been circulating the web and have been confirmed by Toyota as being accurate. Presumably at that time we’ll know, too, whether that plug-in hybrid will be in the form of a specially-equipped Prius.

What we won't know is when Toyota will offer a PHEV to the general public. Or will we? Stay tuned.

Toyota Hi-Ct was introduced at the 2007 Tokyo Motorshow. The new concept from Toyota “Hi-CT” aims to offer a new "coolness" and new ways to have fun as a departure from conventional vehicles-an edgy, urban vehicle inspired by the thinking and lifestyles of youth. With a it’s unique looks and hybrid technology would this car attract more youth user and would it be mass produced ?

Toyota take the ideas of environmentally friendly to another level with the RiN concept that Introduced at the Tokyo Motorshow in October 2007. Rin was designed for “harmony with nature” and a “healthy mind and body”. RiN designed to provide a driver-friendly environment, and a friendly environment itself.

This concept car from Toyota offers several unique features. Toyota Rin looks like some kind of futuristic automotive, designed to help drivers become one with nature. The feature is intended to improve well being, including chairs that support correct body posture, a mood sensing steering control that display the driver’s psychological state on displays, an oxygen-level conditioner, and a pinpoint humidifier.

The green glass were able to reduce UV rays and brightens the surroundings and the headlights uses light distribution control to lessen their intensity for pedestrians. The concept itself was inspired by the Yakusugi tree as seen by the leaf shaped gas and brake pedals as well as other organic design in other parts of the car.

Toyota officially unveiled the latest version of its slick looking, Euro-centric people mover at the Geneva Motor Show this week. Called the Verso (not to be confused with the Nissan Versa), the three-row, five-door hatchback wears handsome sheetmetal with lines that are definitely "in family" for Toyota. For as much as we like the outside, the instrument panel has Scion disease. Center gauges. Please stop it. That third row also has severely limited legroom, but it's still a neat trick to fit so many perches within a Corrola-sized footprint, even if some are occasional-use grade. The Verso will likely delight for bopping across the moorland, but you might need to have your legs removed so you'll fit in back.

Next year, Toyota Australia will begin local production of the Camry Hybrid. To celebrate this (and drum up some PR), Toyota Style Australia has created the HC-CV (Hybrid Camry Concept Vehicle) for the 2009 Melbourne Motor Show. What is that, exactly? Well, it's essentially the recently-updated 2010 Camry Hybrid, gussied up with a custom white paint color, a modified fascia, some snazzy wheels, blue decals and accents, and leather seats that incorporate the Hybrid Synergy Drive wave logo. Strip away the assorted pieces of flair, and you get the production car that's already been unveiled, only with the steering wheel moved over to the wrong side. [Source: Toyota Australia]

Texas is facing a great pickup battle having Ford, Chevy, Dodge, and Toyota as contenders. 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.”

“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.”

Lexus New Luxury Cars and SUVs from Lexus USA.Lexus belongs to the global Toyota family, whose members together constitute the world's third-leading automaker. We and our affiliated companies employ more than 31,000 in the United States, and our Lexus and Toyota dealers and suppliers employ an additional 160,000 persons. Toyota's investments in the United States amount to $12 billion.

The Toyota car manufacturer launched its Future Toyota Hybrid Sports (FT-HS) concept today.

Toyota Supra underwent a few minor changes for 1998. The exterior remained the same, except for the removal of the Anniversary emblems on the front fenders. Inside, a new 3-spoke steering wheel replaced the previous 4-spoke wheel, the cloth sport seats had a bolder design, and the radio was redesigned. The Naturally Aspirated I6 got Variable Valve Technology with Intelligence (VVT-i), which lead to an increase of 5 bhp and 10 lb-ft over the year before. The Twin Turbo I6 remained unchanged. The 5-speed manual transmission was dropped, even though the 6-speed manual was still available only on the Twin Turbo. Therefore, the base model was only available with an automatic. Faced with declining sales for Japanese super cars, this would be the last year that the Toyota Supra would be sold in the U.S.
for detail of Toyota Supra history,go to musclecarclub.com

Jiji Press reported that Toyota Motor Corp. is considering raising prices in Japan of its Prius gasoline-electric hybrid car and luxury models, company officials said.

The Japanese auto industry leader is expected to raise prices by one to 3 pct on average due to soaring costs of raw materials such as steel, informed sources said.

The company is likely to make a final decision as early as August and start introducing new pricing by the end of this year, the sources said.

It will be the first time for Toyota to raise its vehicle prices without model changes since 1992, when the company increased prices for some commercial vehicles.

Unlike the United States, it is unusual for Japanese automakers to raise prices without remodeling. But other Japanese automakers are highly likely to follow suit as they also struggle with higher costs.

Toyota seems to be finding it easy to raise the prices of the Prius and luxury models because their sales are apparently less vulnerable to a price increase than other lineups including smaller cars.

The Prius is in short supply because of its strong demand. Higher materials prices take a heavier toll on the Prius than on other models because the hybrid car uses a lot of rare metals, of which prices are rising steeply. [ theautochannel.com ]

Even though full-sized Tundra pick-up trucks won't be rolling off the production line of Toyota Motor Corp.'s factory here next month, the world's biggest automaker is keeping 2,000 plant workers on the payroll while it waits out a downturn in demand for its biggest gas-guzzling models.

While its Big Three U.S. rivals are shutting down truck plants and laying off workers, Toyota is hunkering down to keep its foothold in the heart of U.S. truck country.

Toyota will suspend Tundra production at its sprawling San Antonio factory in early August for three months due to slow sales, which are down nearly 50 per cent for the first six months of 2008 versus a year earlier. Record gasoline prices over $4 a gallon have sent consumers scrambling for smaller, more efficient models.

But that doesn't mean the plant's workers won't be busy.

"Team members will continue to report to work and will continue to work as a two-shift operation, and they will continue to be paid 100 per cent of wages," said Toyota spokesman Mike de la Garza.

But instead of building trucks, workers will spend their time in "training and development, to continue quality improvement activities, and to perform community service work," Toyota said.

The company's decision has built up considerable good will in a state where big trucks are synonymous with blue-collar oilfield roughnecks and cattle ranchers.more on : thestar.com

Japanese auto making juggernaut Toyota has been the face of the green revolution in the automotive industry. Although the automaker is not the first to offer a hybrid to consumers especially in the United States, its Toyota Prius is what caught the attention of many. But Toyota is not just about green cars.

Recently, the automaker launched a sports car. When you hear the word sports car, you might think that it is one of those fast machines that guzzle gas as it rack up the miles. But this one has a Toyota badge on it so we can safely assume that this is a green car.

The automaker announced that the Future Toyota Hybrid Sports or FT-HS concept will give consumers the best of two worlds. If you want a fast car, this is the one for you. And if you want a car which produces very little emission then, this is for you too.

Doug Soden, manager of product development at Toyota said: "There is a stronger need for hybrid vehicles to be on the market, or much more fuel efficient vehicles. Whichever way you look at it, whether it is a petrol-electric or hydrogen-electric, there needs to be that hybrid interface."

I just hope that this is not a hybrid just for the sake of it being a hybrid. I mean, the FT-HS should be a hybrid not because it's what people with money want. It should be a hybrid because there is a need for vehicles to reduce their greenhouse gas emission. And if the second case is true for this sports car, then Toyota should have designed it to be fast and really "green". Also, it should be as an Acura valve cover gasket.

Not that it comes to a surprise to anyone aware of the dramatic shift in consumer tastes in the U.S. combined with the knowledge of what the former Big Three have to offer, but just as they did in May, Japanese carmakers took the first four positions in Autodata’s U.S. top 20 best selling vehicles list.

The only difference compared to May is the order of the protagonists, as the Toyota Corolla/Matrix dethroned the Honda Civic that fell in third position, right after the Toyota Camry that took second place. Honda’s Accord managed to maintain the fourth position, followed by Ford’s F-Series that saw its sales shrink 40.5% compared to last year. Notably, Hyundai’s not so well received Sonata managed to make it in the top 10 list with an 11.9% gain over last June’s sales. Source: Autodata Corp

Toyota Motor Corp. on Tuesday told 200 temporary workers at its full-size truck plant here they will be laid off this summer.

The company will also slow production at its Tundra plant, scheduling 14 days between now and October when no trucks will roll off the assembly lines. Those days, workers will be allowed to take vacation, days without pay or work at the plant on non-manufacturing duties as they choose, said Toyota spokesman Mike Goss.

The temporary workers were hired at the plant with hopes of becoming permanent employees as other workers left, but they will instead be returned to the agency that helped hire them, Goss said.

"We have a very long-term view of that factory in Texas. We're trying not to overreact. We're trying not to shut it down," said Goss, who noted record-high gas prices and a slowing economy have badly damaged truck sales.

The layoffs announced Tuesday do not affect the company's permanent work force of 2,000 at the San Antonio plant that opened in November 2006. At full capacity, the plant can produce 200,000 trucks a year.
read the last entry on : www.iht.com

At some point in our recent automotive history, all wheel-drive (AWD) replaced front wheel-drive as the paranoid consumer's drivetrain of choice. The safety advantages of high quality snow tires (as needed) and a low center of gravity (in all cases) got lost in translation. Ready to capitalize on the AWD's popularity: the economy-oriented Toyota Matrix and the Subaru Impreza. Both diminutive scramblers aren't nearly as cheap or efficient as their front-wheel-drive cousins, and they won't off-road, tow a boat or carry seven passengers. Still, both cars offer a [potential] extra safety margin and [potentially] better handling. So if you had to choose one…

The Impreza and the Matrix were both recently restyled. The new Matrix looks like it's been hanging in Beverly Hills. And yet, even after a nip, tuck, stretch and smooth, the Matrix' bloated-Yaris profile remains. Though the car's tighter greenhouse and diving roof line improve on the prior model's anodyne anonymity, form comes at the expense of function (more on that later).

The Impreza hatch's-sorry, "5-Door's" restyle offers a sleek, ovoid look that's both familiar and jarring. Subaru achieved this paradox by littering a restrained, attractive shape with unnecessary, eye-melting flourishes (e.g. icicle taillights, and faux-Chrysler pilot wings on the grille). Select the "sports grille" option and plain black mesh replaces your slice of plastic corporate flair, transforming the Impreza's styling.read more on :
www.thetruthaboutcars.com

The Toyota FT-HS Hybrid Sports Concept is a sports car concept which could fill a gap in Toyota’s model lineup left vacant since 1997 and the passing of the Toyota Supra.

The Toyota FT-HS Concept could be powered by a 3.5 litre V6 working in conjunction with an electric motor, to allow for around 400 horsepower and performance figures in the 4 seconds to 60mph range. Another feature of the Toyota FT-HS Hybrid Sports concept is a retractable roof which can fold down into the space occupied by the rear seats, making it a two seater in this mode.

Inside the driver orientated interior of the Toyota FT-HS concept are angular control surfaces echoing the styling of the exterior. The seats of the FT-HS concept consist of thin red-orange colored pads attached to the surrounding structure, and the hubless steering wheel features paddle shifters for rapid gear changes.

Toyota, rightly or wrongly, is widely considered the greenest automaker, and the company hopes to solidify its hold on the title and move beyond oil through a sweeping plan to produce cleaner, more efficient cars -- beginning with a plug-in hybrid it will produce by 2010.

It's no secret Toyota's been working on a plug-in hybrid to compete against the forthcoming Chevrolet Volt, but Wednesday's announcement sets a firm deadline and makes it clear Toyota has no plans of ceding the green mantle to General Motors. It also underscores how quickly the race to build a viable mass-market electric car is heating up.

The company's ambitious "low-carbon" agenda includes cranking out 1 million hybrids a year and eventually offering hybrid versions of every model it sells. In the short-term, Toyota says it will produce more fuel efficient gasoline and diesel engines and push alternative fuels like cellulosic ethanol and biodiesel. It's also pumping big money into lithium-ion batteries. With fuel prices going through the roof and auto sales going through the floor because of it, Toyota president Katsuaki Watanabe says the auto industry has no choice but to move beyond petroleum.

"Without focusing on measures to address global warming and energy issues, there can be no future for our auto business," he told reporters in Tokyo, adding, "Our view is that oil production will peak in the near future. We need to develop power train(s) for alternative energy sources."
more