Tag Archives: toyota

Huge Earthquake Rocks Northern Japan, Tsunami Follows; Effect on Japanese Auto Exports and Yen Value Unknown

Posted on 11 March 2011 by Ken Zino

The earthquake has also shut down an unknown number of Japanese automaker and parts supplier plants at a time when car sales are rising and exports are needed to meet growing demand in the U.S. and elsewhere. Continue reading →

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Toyota Starts a Sweeping Reorganization – “Global Vision”

Posted on 9 March 2011 by Ken Zino

Vowing that “Toyota will lead the way to the future of mobility,” Toyoda, the scion of the founding family, said the executive staff would be streamlined and more decision making power would now reside in the regions.

The unintended acceleration and stuck gas pedal recalls were only undertaken by Toyota after years of neglect when U.S. Department of Transportation officials flew to Japan and insisted on the safety recalls. U.S. Toyota executives were only responsible for sales matters and were powerless to address the issue. Subsequently, DOT imposed record multi million dollar fines on Toyota for delays in addressing the deadly problem.
Continue reading →

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General Motors, Toyota Post Huge February Sales Gains as SAAR Soars to 13.4 Million. Ford and Chrysler Losing Ground?

Posted on 2 March 2011 by Ken Zino

U.S. vehicle sales in February jumped to a surprising 13.4 million units on a seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) as easier credit, liberal incentives and rising truck sales boosted the market. The clear winners were a resurgent General Motors and … Continue reading →

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Accelerator Pedal Recall Causes More Lexus and Toyota Recalls! Technicians Did Not Correctly Replace the Carpeting. Original Recall Now Expanded to Include More Toyota Vehicles

Posted on 25 February 2011 by Ken Zino

Why owners should trust technicians to correctly perform a second modification is a question that will surely be debated. Continue reading →

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

Posted on 21 February 2011 by Ken Zino

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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New Toyota Ads Debut on Monday Touting “Why It’s the Best-Selling Brand in America.” Sales Slowly Coming Back?

Posted on 18 February 2011 by Ken Zino

“#1 for a Reason.” includes rebates and 0% financing for 60 months across most of Toyota’s core vehicles. Continue reading →

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General Motors Joins Toyota in Helping Child Injury Group

Posted on 11 February 2011 by Ken Zino

General Motors has joined the advisory board of the Center for Child Injury Prevention Studies (CChIPS) at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute. GM researchers will help CChIPS faculty in a study aimed at improving safety belt performance and decreasing the child injury rate during vehicle crashes. Continue reading →

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DOT Releases Long Delayed Toyota Unintended Acceleration Report, Exonerates Self, Claiming It Was Right All Along

Posted on 8 February 2011 by Ken Zino

The self conducted NHTSA study if it found problems, of course, would make DOT – with a staggering $79 billion budget vulnerable to Congressional dictated reforms, as well as budget and staff cuts as the deficit debate heats up on Capital Hill. Continue reading →

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Toyota Motor Corporation Reports 5% Increase in Net Revenues for Nine Months as it Struggles in Europe and Japan

Posted on 8 February 2011 by Ken Zino

The world’s largest automaker is still feeling the negative effects of image damaging safety and quality recalls, the rise in the value of the Yen, and the contraction of its Japanese home market. 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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Toyota Recalls Lexus GS 300, 350, IS 250, IS 350 Cars for Fuel Leaks and Possible Fires

Posted on 26 January 2011 by Ken Zino

Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A. today announced a safety recall of approximately 245,000 Lexus models because a leaking fuel pressure sensor that could cause a fire.

Toyota Motor Corporation is also conducting a larger recall outside the U.S. for a similar safety defect involving 1.3 million vehicles to fix a different fuel delivery pipe and a high pressure fuel pump check valve. TMC’s recall announcement does not involve vehicles sold in North America. Continue reading →

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Car Buyers Avoiding Toyota, Edmunds Claims

Posted on 25 January 2011 by Ken Zino

Car buyers are avoiding shopping for Toyota brands, according to data provided by Edmunds.com, an online web site covering the automobile business that sells advertising to virtually all automakers. The privately-held Edmunds declined to provide any information to AutoInformed about … Continue reading →

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Toyota Opens Two New Product Quality Field Offices in U.S.

Posted on 25 January 2011 by Ken Zino

Based on the illegal actions of Toyota’s Japanese executives, Toyota was fined $50 million by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for its failure to promptly act on safety defects last year. (See Toyota Motor Fined Another $32.425 Million for Safety Defects) Continue reading →

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Toyota Number One in 2010 Sales, Beating General Motors

Posted on 24 January 2011 by Ken Zino

In the closely fought global car wars, Toyota Motor Corporation just barely maintained its Number One position in 2010, beating a resurgent General Motors Company, according to sales numbers released today.

Toyota’s worldwide sales in calendar year 2010 tallied 8,418,000, an increase of 8% compared to 2009. General Motors reported that it delivered 8,389,769 vehicles globally, a 12.2% increase from 2009 deliveries of 7,477,178. The third place automaker, Volkswagen group had reported earlier 2010 sales of 7.14 million, a 13.5% improvement from 2009. Continue reading →

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EU Auto Sales Slump Continues in 2010 for Third Straight Year

Posted on 17 January 2011 by Ken Zino

The European passenger car market shrank for the third straight year in 2010, with registrations declining by 5.5%, from 2009, according to the latest data just released from ACEA, the automakers’ trade group in the EU. Continue reading →

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