Tag Archives: rav4

Toyota Ending Production at Saint Petersburg Plant

Posted on 23 September 2022 by Ken Zino

“We must now act in a way that allows us to protect the values and principles that our predecessors built up and be confident that we can pass them on to the next generation,” TMC said in a statement. It’s the latest example of global automakers realizing how perilous it is to do business with a mercurial, tyrannical regime. Is China next? Continue reading →

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2020 Ford Escape Hybrid Claimed Best with EPA-Estimated 44 MPG City, 41 MPG Combined Fuel Economy Ratings

Posted on 10 December 2019 by Ken Zino

Escape pricing in the $26,000 to +$36,000 range is roughly $1000 higher than 2019 but competitive in a class dominated by the Toyota RAV4, Honda CRV, and Nissan Rogue hybrid models. Continue reading →

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New 2013 Ford Escape Enters Production in Louisville Plant

Posted on 13 June 2012 by Ken Zino

The upgraded plant is in theory capable of making up to six different vehicles at the same time, thus it is Ford’s most flexible U.S. plant. Louisville is also one of 11 Ford facilities in the U.S. that is participating in the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program – in Ford’s case almost $6 billion total – initiated by Congress under the Obama administration, which also put $80 billion into other auto bailouts, including the forced and politically contentious bankruptcies of Chrysler and GM. Continue reading →

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Stubby Buick Encore SUV Debuts – Revenge of CAFE Regs?

Posted on 10 January 2012 by Ken Zino

Buick today introduced the all-new 2013 Encore – a Korean-made small crossover that goes on sale in early 2013 in North America. Encore joins a line of Buick vehicles that has recently seen the additions of the Verano compact luxury sedan, the Regal GS sport sedan, as well as ongoing LaCrosse and Enclave models. The Encore SUV is a mere 168.5 inches long – about 10 inches shorter than the new Honda CRV. Continue reading →

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Toyota Tops in Quality in Germany Says TÜV

Posted on 28 January 2011 by Ken Zino

Germany’s leading technical inspection association, TÜV, says the Toyota Prius ranks in first place for quality for vehicles aged two to three years. TÜV reports only 2.2% of the Prius hybrids inspected showed signs of a defect.

Toyota’s Auris was a close second in the same category at just 2.3% compared with an average of 5.5%. Furthermore, vehicles across Toyota’s product line performed well in the annual report – including the Avensis, Corolla Verso, RAV4 and Yaris models. Continue reading →

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Honda Cancels Element

Posted on 3 December 2010 by Ken Zino

The 2011 model Honda Element will be the final year of the boxy crossover utility vehicle, American Honda Motor said today. Honda sold fewer than 1,000 Elements in November. First introduced in concept form as the Honda Model X at … Continue reading →

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