Tag Archives: prius

Toyota Adds Four New 2023 Hybrid Corolla Models

auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, Ken Zino, Hybrid Corolla, Prius, Toyota New Global Architecture-C platform, Continue reading

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Fourth Gen Prius Will Increase Mileage by More than 10%

Toyota Motor Corporation Chairman Takeshi Uchiyamada said this week that the fourth generation Prius hybrid now under development would increase fuel economy by more than 10% in rated miles per gallon. During the previous two updates of the world’s best-selling … Continue reading

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Global Sales of Toyota Motor Hybrid Vehicles Pass 5 Million

“We had to develop a hybrid system from scratch, making our task extremely difficult,” said TMC Vice Chairman Takeshi Uchiyamada, who was responsible for development of the first-generation Prius, the world’s first mass-produced hybrid passenger vehicle. Toyota had been excluded from participating in a multi-billion dollar U.S. Government program that subsidized the national labs and GM, Ford and Chrysler to develop 80 mpg cars. The so-called partnerships for a New Generation of Vehicles ended in failure with no cars other than a few prototypes produced. Continue reading

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Toyota Motor February Sales Increase 4%

Toyota Motor today reported February 2013 sales results of 166,377 units, an increase of 4.3% over the year-ago month, perhaps behind U.S. overall market growth projected at twice that rate. Part of the reason for the slowing of growth at TMS goes back a month. U.S. vehicle sales in January were surprisingly strong, with no automaker stronger than Toyota Motor’s three brands, which increased sales almost 27% in a retail light-vehicle market that grew by 14% to more than 1 million units. It’s payback time. Continue reading

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Toyota Recalls 2.7 million Cars for Sudden Stops, Steering Failures

Toyota is recalling almost three million cars including Prius hybrid and Corolla models around the world because the hybrid engine can shut down suddenly or steering can fail completely. The gigantic recall is caused by a bad cooling pump in the hybrid system and a defective steering shaft in hybrids and other cars. More than 1.5 million vehicles are being recalled in Japan, with at least another 1.2 million in other parts of the world. Continue reading

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Ford C-Max Hybrid EPA Rated at 47 MPG in all Categories

The all-new Ford C-Max Hybrid that goes on sale this fall is now EPA-certified at 47 mpg city, 47 mpg highway and 47 mpg combined. This makes it the first hybrid without a window sticker decline in highway fuel economy ratings. Whether this is real or the product of carefully calibrating the C-Max to the test cycle awaits independent verification. Continue reading

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Milestones – Toyota Motor Sells 4 Million Hybrid Vehicles

Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) in Japan announced today that its global hybrid vehicle sales totaled four million vehicles through April 2012. of that 1.5 million Toyota hybrids have been sold in the United States where it dominates the advanced technology vehicle market by outselling all other hybrid and electric vehicles combined. Toyota in the U.S. now holds 65% of the hybrid market, with the Prius a line accounting for 1.2 million vehicles year-to-date. Continue reading

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Focus Electric Approved for $10,000 in Taxpayer Handouts

The California Environmental Protection Agency’s Air Resources Board (CARB) has dictated that owners of the new 2012 Ford Focus Electric can drive in high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes. Owners also will be able to receive up to $10,000 in tax credits between the state’s new $2,500 rebate and a $7,500 federal tax incentive – both funded by taxpayers at a time of soaring deficits. Critics call this socialism for the rich. These subsidies appear to be crucial for sales success of the Focus Electric. Without them, the car lists starting at $39,995. This means a typical payment to buy the compact car – with $4,000 down – is almost $800 per month for 48 months at Ford’s 7% interest rate. The gasoline-fueled Focus starts at just over $17,000. Continue reading

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50 MPG Predicted for Toyota Prius c Hybrid

While not priced yet, expect the Prius c to sell for around $22,000, which is likely how Toyota will define entry level or an affordable price. In spite of fuel economy benefits, hybrids remain a tiny portion of the U.S. auto market – a little over 2% of sales YTD – because mainstream buyers refuse to pay a premium amounting to several thousand dollars over a comparable gasoline-fueled car. Continue reading

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Muscle Hybrids Decried for Performance in Hybrid Scorecard

The pressure group criticized the Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid, the new Porsche Cayenne Hybrid and BMW’s X6 and 750i Active Hybrids as among the worst-rated hybrids for environmental improvement because they emphasize power over economy in their design. UCS is apparently unaware of the long standing performance marketing positioning of German brands. Continue reading

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Driving the 2012 Toyota Prius V – Another Hybrid Benchmark

Toyota has done it again. A day of test driving the newly enlarged Prius V – for versatile – model affirmed the claim that this hybrid station wagon can indeed return the expected EPA ratings of 44 mpg in the city, 40 highway and 42 mpg combined. On the road Prius V is comfortable, reasonably quick, and mostly quiet except for some pleasant hybrid drive whine and the inevitable tire noise on expansion joints and rough pavement that comes from the low rolling resistance rubber. Alas the electric steering is still vague and without usable feedback. Nonetheless Prius V is a delightful family car. Continue reading

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Ford Kills U.S. Gas C-Max Van. Smaller Hybrids Now Due in 2012

The C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid and C-MAX Hybrid will be followed by another next-generation hybrid in 2012, presumably an updated hybrid version of the Ford Fusion, which in its gasoline form remains the best selling car at the Number Two U.S. automaker. Continue reading

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Toyota Motor and WiTricity Form Wireless Charging Alliance

Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) said today in Japan that it has entered into a technology sharing agreement with U.S. based WiTricity Corporation. The world’s largest automaker will explore the practical application of automotive wireless charging systems and the promotion of … Continue reading

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Toyota Postpones Prius V Japan Launch; With Honda Expects U.S. Plant Shutdowns from Earthquake Parts Shortages

At the same time Toyota was telling workers in U.S. plants to expect shutdowns because of parts shortages resulting from Japan’s triple disasters of earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear plant meltdowns. Toyota said it did not know at this time when, where or how long the production disruptions would last, but it was likely that some would happen. Continue reading

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Prius, Priuses, Prium and Prien? No, Toyota Prii is the Plural

Toyota Motor Sales announced yesterday at the Chicago Auto Show that the official plural of Prius is now ‘Prii.’ This Prii name is the result of a contest that launched in January at the North American International Auto Show in … Continue reading

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