The Toyota Prius is a hybrid electric midsize car developed and manufactured by the Toyota Motor Corporation. This is one of the world's first mass-produced and marketed hybrid electric cars. It first went on sale in Japan in 1997, and in 2001 it was sold worldwide.
With the rising cost of fuel and the fast emerging environmental crisis, the car was gracefully received worldwide. It quickly gained high sales, offering its hybrid technology in a decent family sedan design.
By the year 2008, statistically, the Prius is the third most environment-friendly car sold worldwide. It tied up with the Mini Cooper D, and behind the Volkswagen Polo and Seat Ibiza, respectively. But it remains the leader in hybrid sales, with the Honda Civic second to it.
Toyota now is celebrating a huge milestone. They said that they have sold about 1,028,000 Prius cars as of the end of April. They have further claimed that "Prius have eased global warming by producing approximately 4.5 million tons less C02 when compared with gasoline-powered vehicles in the same class."
By the year 2010, they are expecting to improve their sales to a million every year. It is because of the expansion of manufacturing plants such as in Changchun, China and in Kentucky, USA. They are now also selling it in forty countries.
This is truly a milestone not only for Toyota but for every environment-friendly individual. Selling 1 million Priusses means that there are plenty of people who are interested in helping hybrid manufactures in their goal to lessen down the cars carbon dioxide emission. It therefore means that they are willing to consider another alternative fuel or car technology that would completely remove any dangerous emissions coming from cars.
Toyota's pickup trucks have a worldwide reputation for quality and toughness. One of America's best selling midsize pickup trucks is the Toyota Tacoma. It was first introduced in the United States in 1995. The 2008 Toyota Tacoma
The 2008 Tacoma 4X2 is a carryover from 2007. "It is a 2- or 4-door, up to 5-passenger compact pickup, available in 11 trims, ranging from the Regular Cab I4 Manual to the X-Runner V6 Manual". This compact pickup truck offers three cab styles: regular cab, extended Access Cab with rear-hinged back doors
"The Regular Cab I4 Manual is equipped with a standard 2.7-liter, I4, 159-horsepower engine that achieves 20-mpg in the city and 25-mpg on the highway. A 5-speed manual transmission with overdrive is standard. The X-Runner V6 Manual is equipped with a standard 4.0-liter, V6, 236-horsepower engine that achieves 15-mpg in the city and 19-mpg on the highway. A 6-speed manual transmission with overdrive is standard."
When it comes to exterior it has a tough, rugged and youthful image. It features practical details, such as a scratch resistant cargo bed that has built-in storage units; adjustable tie down anchors and even an optional 400-watt electrical outlet.
Talking about its interior this car has a long list of standard features and high-quality materials. It includes an AM/FM radio/CD player is included, and upgrades included six speakers. Reviewers say that the interior feels "more car- than truck-like."
Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, curtain side airbags, and front side airbags. The said pickup ranks 1st out of 7th Compact Pickup Trucks.
The Toyota FT-HS is a hybrid sports car concept introduced at the 2007 North American International Auto Show. The Detroit auto show is a huge theater where carmakers do their best to thrill and amaze a world audience with their hottest and newest car products and concepts. In its 2007 show, the Toyota ft-hs had been one of the most significant unveilings. According to Automobile Magazine, Toyota is planning to launch a production version of the vehicle in 2009.
According to its official site: It boasts a powerful V6 3.5L engine, the FT-HS is coupled with Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive to produce a target power output of approximately 400 horsepower and a projected zero-to-60 acceleration in the four-second rangeSad to say that it is just a concept car, but it might find its way onto the highway.
An integrated instrument panel surrounds the driver, creating an enclosed pod effect. Armrests flow seamlessly into the door and surrounding interior.
Its one of the finest cars ever produced. Some says that this is the revision of the old supra, but for me, it isn't. It's something new all throughout. This is one of the best looking cars in history. I guess that is quite arguable but plenty agree by now.
An article says that Toyota is going to make all their cars hybrids from now on. That's very interesting! I do think it will have positive impact on our environment. Little efforts that we do to reduce emissions and fuel consumption is a very good thing!
Can you imagine anything that has the power to control your car - from power steering to windshield wipers? How about car components that reduce your car's costs while maintaining its simple module? Now, stop. Toyota has now developed a car with exactly the same features.
According to Reuters, Toyota has now applied its Value Innovation (VI) plan in its revamped Crown sedan. The VI plan involves combining several, in fact, tens of thousands car components to form new systems to cut a car's price without compromising its quality particularly its safety features. The VI plan is part of Toyota's cost-cutting strategy which will help them save about 2.8 billion equivalent to 300 billion yen a year.
Using the VI scheme, the Toyota Crown now has ECUs or mini-computers as well as actuators that offer state-of-the-art stability and safety systems. To add, it incorporates wire harnesses and connectors that probably match the quality of an Acura MDX radiator support. It is also equipped with a keyless entry system, and an optional pre-crash safety system, a device that features advanced obstacle detection and eye-monitoring systems to guarantee the driver's alertness while driving.
For those who think that Toyota is promoting cost-reduction primarily for business reasons, well, you're right. But not solely for profit-making. Actually, Toyota invests its savings in funding researches that will help develop the company's competitiveness in the global auto market.
Toyota expects to sell 5,500 units of this new model which is actually the thirteenth generation of the Crown sedan. The latest Toyota Crown, widely used as a taxi in Japan, costs $34,100 or 3.68 million yen. Meanwhile, it's full-hybrid version that amounts to $55,200 or 5.95 million yen will be available in the market in May.
The 2008 Highlander Hybrid notched this year's Best Family Car 'hybrid division' award from Mother Proof's 2008 awards for Best Family Vehicles. This happened last week and it took place during Women's Day at the Chicago Auto Show. Mother Proof, the leading website that assists women and mothers navigate the automotive world, has collected and honored the best of the best family vehicles for this year. And the Toyota Hi-Hy is undeniably among the hottest properties!
According to the Auto Channel, Mother Proof explained that the Highlander hybrid is more powerful than its non-hybrid sister. The Highlander Hybrid is fun to drive along with a dazzling headlight, and a new Center Stow system that allows passengers to alter the middle row from a bench seat for three into two captain's chairs. An accessible automatic tailgate and auto-folding third-row seat make this car versatile and efficient.
"There are countless family-friendly vehicle options on the market today, offering families a combination of style and features. Our goal is to help women, and moms in particular, evaluate the options best suited for their unique needs. Our awards are unique in that evaluations are based on our own experiences with test vehicles -- taking our kids to school, loading up groceries for the week, commuting, even heading out for date night. We put each car to the test the way real families use them in their daily lives," says chief mother Kristin Varela.
The complete list of the 2008 Mother Proof Award Winners:
Minivan: 2008 Chrysler Town & Country
SUV/Crossover (three rows): 2008 Hyundai Veracruz
- Runner-Up: 2008 Mazda CX-9
SUV/Crossover (two rows): 2008 Mazda CX-7
- Runner-Up: 2008 Mercedes M-Class
Wagon/Hatch: 2008 Volvo XC70
Runner-Up: 2008 Honda Fit
Sedan: 2008 Chevy Malibu
Hybrid: 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
- Runner-Up: 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid
Just for Fun: 2008 Volvo C30
Top Overall Value: 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan
Best Latch Connectors: Mini Cooper
You may not know it but outside your own world, car accidents may be occurring in various areas worldwide. Right this very moment, while you're busy reading this article, someone might be having a brake failure that will soon lead him or her to his/her deathbed. Those scenes are already familiar scenes in movies and TV shows. More than just the thrill, such situations depict one thing: the immediate need for car safety systems.
Brake failure is one of the leading causes of car accidents. And as always, nothing beats pre-emptive measures if you were to assure a safe ride. That is why Tom Torbjornsen, at newcarbuyingguide.com raised the importance of knowing the common signs of brake failure. That includes poor braking performance, loss of brake pedal, noise while braking and others.
Like Torbjornsen, Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) also recognizes the value of the car braking system in securing motorists' safety. At toyoland.com, TMC announced that its brake assist technology will now coordinate with a navigation link as part of the company's safety initiatives.
In union with Aisin AW Co., Zenrin Co., and Toyota Mapmaster Incorporated, TMC aims to take part in reducing collisions and other brake-related incidents at intersections by offering car models that feature this BA with navigation link system - a fusion of two state-of-the-art technologies.
As we all know, brake assist (BA) technology is the braking technology applied to increase braking pressure during emergency circumstances. Toyota's latest BA technology will provide visual and audio cues to drivers that a stop sign is ahead. This latest BA technology employs a rear-mounted camera that provides vehicle-position information while the navigation system has a map data that delivers information and proximity warning on stop-signs. With safety systems like this plus strict use of seat belts, drivers won't have to worry about accidents they might encounter on the road.
This new technology from TMC is the application of its safety technology and vehicle development concept that intends to produce vehicles that do not cause accidents by using combined safety technologies and systems.
Toyota Formula One did not have a very good run last year. The best that Jarno Trulli and Ralf Schumacher can do is place sixth. In the second half of the season, it looks as if Toyota is finally showing signs of resurgence, their cars suffered breakdown after breakdowns.
It is of course ironic that the company known for the reliability of cars is fielding unreliable Formula One cars. But this year, that may change as the recent tests shows. On the third day of testing in Bahrain, Toyota's Jarno Trulli and test driver Kamui Kobayashi tested the teams cars and suffered no breakdown meaning that it is more reliable than their cars last year.
Trulli posted the third fastest lap time during the third day of testing after covering 97 laps. "This was a better day for us because we had no technical problems and the weather improved quite a bit," said Trulli. "We completed a lot of laps which was important because we had quite a few things to test and we needed to get some information about the different mechanical set-ups. Everything went well and we are making progress but we still have to push hard to continue this improvement."
Kamui Kobayashi echoed Trulli's statement saying: "Today was successful and I did all the work we had planned. The weather has improved here since Monday, when I last tested, and that made for better track conditions, especially as there was much less wind today. This was my last day in the car until Barcelona later this month so I hope Timo and Jarno can continue to find improvement during the rest of our time in Bahrain."
Hopefully, the team will have a better chance this year of finally taking a win. After all, they now have a car which is more reliable than an Acura radiator.
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