toyota

Plug-in hybrids have emerged as the favorite form of transportation for reducing greenhouse gases in the near term, but calculating their energy efficiency can be a little complicated.

Plug-ins won't conk out after 130 to 200 miles, like electric cars, and they don't require major technological breakthroughs, like hydrogen cars. Converting a Prius to a plug-in hybrid costs about $10,000 to $15,000 now--that's part of the reason only about 50 exist--but if car manufacturers decide to make these at the factory, the additional cost may only run $6,000 or so, say proponents. That'… Read more

Cargo space and performance are the most important car traits among those who post to CarGurus.com, a site that rates cars like TripAdvisor rates hotels.

The No. 1 rated car is the 2007 Jeep Wrangler, according to CarGurus.com's community ratings of the top 10 2007 models, with the 2007 Ford Mustang coming in at No. 2.

The 2007 Toyota Camry, which is known for its gas mileage of 31 mpg on the highway, was No. 3 followed by the also sensible 2007 Honda Accord. The 2007 Ford Focus was also on the list. Except for those three, … Read more

Toyota announced Wednesday that a hybrid car you can recharge from household outlets has been approved for public road testing in Japan.

The Toyota Plug-in HV was formally approved by Japan's transportation, and infrastructure agency and the company said that it also plans to conduct public-road tests (video) in the United States and Europe.

The Plug-in HV has a gas-powered engine with an electric motor similar to the Prius and has a maximum speed of about 62 miles per hour (100 kilometers per hour) while in electric vehicle mode. But unlike the Prius, which recharges its battery from an … Read more

On Tuesday, Toyota Motor Sales, which includes the Toyota and Lexus brands in the U.S., announced record sales for the first half of 2007.

Toyota Motor sold 1,331,074 vehicles since the beginning of the year, making it the "best-ever first half of the year" for the U.S. branch, which also experienced record sales for the quarter.

About 725,219 vehicles were sold in the second quarter, with 245,739 of them selling in June alone. The June number is a 6.1 percent increase over June 2006.

The news follows two other major announcements … Read more

The second-annual Hybridfest takes place in Madison, Wisc., on July 21 and 22, so if you love your hybrid and need a summer vacation idea, consider sharing the love with a bunch of other hybrid owners. The organizers want to get 200 hybrid owners to bring their cars and put them on display. Last year, they had more than 160 from 21 states and Canada show up, plus 2,000 people interested in seeing hybrids in action. Toyota, GM, and Ford are sponsors of the event, and should have some of their latest hybrids on hand for test-drives. This year … Read more

Toyota shareholders have approved the appointment of Jim Press, general manager of Toyota Motor North America, as a senior managing director to the company's board.

Press is the first non-Japanese person to ever be appointed to the automaker's board of directors.

The move was interpreted as a sign that the Japanese automaker wants to show the world that it's truly a global corporation.

The news comes amidst Toyota's release of May production and export results for its Toyota, Daihatsu and Hino brands.

The automaker hit its 18th consecutive month of growth in exports, which it attributed … Read more

Is diesel the answer to more stringent emission standards?

Apparently it is, at least from the perspective of automakers.

Ford India announced Wednesday that it is launching a diesel version of the Ford Fiesta, the latest in a string of similar announcements in the industry.

"(This car) will dramatically change customers' perceptions about the traditional diesel vehicle. The car is designed to deliver responsive acceleration, outstanding fuel economy, and reduced emissions consistent with future norms," Scott McCormack, vice president of Ford India, said in a statement.

While environmentalists, consumers and politicians continued to discuss ethanol, hydrogen and electricity, … Read more

Toyota plans to announce specifics next month regarding collaboration with Isuzu on diesel engines.

Toyota has been in discussions with Isuzu, a company known for its expertise in diesel engine technology, since November, said Tina Ewald, assistant manager for media and investor relations at Toyota Motor North America.

Earlier Friday the Nikkei, Japan's leading business daily, reported that Isuzu has invested in a plant in Hokkaido, Japan for the purpose of supplying Toyota with 200,000 low-emission diesel engines per year. The report said the plant will be operational by 2012.

Toyota would not confirm or deny the report.… Read more

Few people can deny that Toyota's early adoption of hybrid technology has been a stroke of PR genius, giving the world's largest car maker and the producer of such Leviathans as the Sequoia and the Tundra plenty of positive press as well as a green image wherever it goes. (Last year, I even heard Bob Lutz, GM's chairman and product development guru, pay grudging homage to the strategy.)

But here is a headline that deserves its column-inches. According to Motor Authority, Toyota's VP of powertrain development Masatami Takimoto has said that by 2020 hybrids would become … Read more