Toyota + Lexus news

[Motor]

Toyota extends its hybrid leadership by making its exclusive Hybrid Synergy Drive available in the 2007 Camry. The Hybrid Synergy Drive System consists of gas and electric power sources that are complementary and produce a combined 187 horsepower. This system varies power between gas and electric, or both, as needed.

The first half of this system consists of a 2.4-liter four-cylinder Atkinson-cycle engine that generates 147 hp and is coupled to a continuously variable transmission. The second half of the Hybrid Synergy Drive equation consists of a small, high torque electric motor that produces 40 horsepower, an ultra-small inverter with a specially designed compact battery and a transaxle to provide the economy and seamless performance hybrid drivers seek.

Additionally, the Camry Hybrid is equipped with an "ECO" button that limits energy consumption by the Heating Ventilating Air Conditioning (HVAC) system and under certain conditions can help improve fuel economy.

Because there are situations in daily driving in which the gas engine in a Toyota hybrid is completely shut down, air-conditioning and power-steering systems are driven electrically, rather than by the engine. This ensures these features will continue to operate, whatever the status of the Camry Hybrid's drive system.

The Camry Hybrid with Hybrid Synergy Drive will yield exceptional fuel efficiency with preliminary estimated ratings of 40 mpg in the city and 38 mpg on the highway and 39 mpg in combined driving. Additionally, Camry Hybrid is expected to be certified as an Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (AT-PZEV), just one of a handful of cars to meet the strict AT-PZEV standard.

The all-new Camry Hybrid will have a base MSRP of $25,900. The new Camry Hybrid will reach Toyota dealers this May.
http://tyt.tnpv.net/Image/2006/01/TYT2006010668853_PV.jpg

[Motor]

complete article (http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060815/FREE/60814017/1041/TOC01ARCHIVE)

IS 250/350: The rwd sedan was redesigned for the 2006 model year; a coupe is in development, likely for the 2008 model year.

A convertible was expected to debut when the coupe arrived. But Lexus is worried that its planned convertible may not succeed in a world of hard-top convertibles. The model may be sent back to the drawing board, forcing a delay.

Lexus executives downplay reports of a V-8, saying the big engine would kill the car's handling - not to mention that a 300-hp V-6 is plenty for a car this size. Don't rule out a hybrid as a midcycle addition.

ES 350: The redesigned 2007 model debuted in the spring.

GS 300/430: The GS sedans get engine upgrades for the 2007 model year: a 3.5-liter V-6 and a 4.6-liter V-8. The V-6 may arrive this fall, while the V-8 may have to wait for the LS 460 to show up first.

LS 460: Lexus executives claim the redesigned 2007 LS 460 will take the luxury segment by storm. A 4.6-liter V-8 produces 380 hp and is mated to an industry-first eight-speed automatic transmission. Rear- and all-wheel drive will be offered. Mating the V-8 engine to Toyota's hybrid powertrain, the LS 600hL will have the equivalent power of a 6.0-liter V-12 engine while delivering the fuel economy of a small V-8.

Interior features will also be impressive, such as a rear executive seat with ottoman and massage and infrared temperature sensors to monitor cabin temperature more accurately.

LF-A: Lexus' two-passenger, high-performance sports car will be unveiled at the same time as the Japan Formula One race moves to Toyota's home, Fuji Speedway, in the fall of 2007. It is likely that a big 500-hp V-8 will be the powerplant, as a V-8 has weight and packaging advantages over the all-but-dead V-10 program. It would arrive in the United States in spring 2008.

Small crossover: Lexus once thought about using the RAV4 as the basis for a luxury vehicle. Executives concluded that the platform was too downmarket. But the success of the BMW X3 and the arrival of the Acura RDX and Volvo XC50 have them rethinking. If a thumbs up is given, it could arrive for the 2009 model year.

RX 350/400h: The V-6 engine gets bumped to 3.5 liters and adds a six-speed automatic transmission for the 2007 model year. A redesign comes in spring 2008. It will be slightly larger but not as large as the Toyota Highlander. The new target width is the same as that of the Acura MDX.

[Carbonized_GT]

on scionlife there was a recent news post of a confirmed is500

http://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=133498

[Motor]

on scionlife there was a recent news post of a confirmed is500

http://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=133498



With so much rumor and specultion, I'm not sure what to believe. If and when, Lexus does comes out with a production IS500, I'll believe it. Till then......watch and wait.

[Carbonized_GT]

well from the scionlife link, a japanese magazine said japan has the is500 already.

[Motor]

well from the scionlife link, a japanese magazine said japan has the is500 already.


I wouldn't believe everything I read on the net. That link is nothing more than 4 pages of ISxxx Vs. M3/RS4. The first poster didnt even provide a link to his sources. I wont believe it, till I see the official press release pics with specs from Lexus. The Lexus of Japan website ( http://lexus.jp/ ) doesnt even have the IS500 listed on their website, only the IS250/350.

[Carbonized_GT]

oh i know not to believe it untill i can touch it.

Something doesnt make sense about a 4 door IS500 though, if they want to go after the m5, wouldnt they use the GS?

[Motor]

Torrance, CA - Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., today announced manufacturer's suggested retail prices (MSRP) for the Toyota Racing Development (TRD) Special Edition package for the 2007 FJ Cruiser sport utility vehicle (SUV)

The TRD Special Edition package adds several exterior performance enhancements to the 2007 FJ Cruiser SUV. Included in the package are TRD/Bilstein off-road tuned, red painted shock absorbers. The special shocks are designed to enhance straight line stability, decrease brake “dive” and acceleration “squat” yaw response, stability and roll feel, body motion characteristics, shock impact and off-road handling. The seamless monotube design provides superior tube strength while maximizing heat dissipation and shock life.

Only 3,200 units of the TRD Special Edition FJ Cruiser will be built. The Special Edition package will carry a base MSRP of $7,265 on manual transmission models and $7,250 for models with an automatic transmission. The base MSRP for the FJ Cruiser four-wheel drive models start at $23,090 for the manual transmission and $23,500 for an automatic transmission. The TRD Special Edition FJ Cruiser will arrive at Toyota dealerships in early November, and will also be on display at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show in November.
http://tyt.tnpv.net/Image/2006/09/TYT2006092914375_PV.jpg

[Motor]

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=ap2.SlfTxLoM&refer=home
Toyota Motor Corp.'s U.S. sales jumped 25 percent in September, led by smaller, more fuel-efficient cars, while General Motors Corp. posted a 3.1 percent sales decline and cut its fourth-quarter production forecast.

It was the biggest percentage increase in 17 months for Toyota, the world's second-largest automaker behind GM. Ford Motor Co.'s U.S. sales rose 4.7 percent as demand for passenger cars rose, while DaimlerChrysler AG and Honda Motor Co. sold fewer vehicles last month than they did a year earlier.

Toyota has posted higher sales than DaimlerChrysler for six consecutive months. For much of 2006, Ford, DaimlerChrysler AG's Chrysler unit and GM have struggled as high fuel prices smothered demand for pickup trucks, sport-utility vehicles and minivans.

[Carbonized_GT]

needs a supercharger.

[LightningRod]

Pretty nice. I wanna see some pics.

[LightningRod]

Yay Toyota! :applaud:

[canton_ph34r]

all black? thats my kinda car

[techgeekwill]

This is news? This has been happening for a while. It will be interesting to see what it looks like come january when both havce they're new full size truck offerings out.

[marc]

Toyota has become the new GM

Translation - they don't make a single car I would buy.

[neological]

Hey, they know where the money is, and it isn't in making sports cars.

[techgeekwill]

Toyota has become the new GM

Translation - they don't make a single car I would buy.


About the same quality.

[Gas-n-Grease]

Toyota has become the new GM

Translation - they don't make a single car I would buy.
agreed, however, the only toyota i'd buy is a yaris.

[Motor]

About the same quality.

:no:

[Korywithak]

My wife and I just picked up an FJ (obvisouly not the TRD one).

Its a hard SUV to beat for the price. Its a very nice and QUIET ride on road, and very good off road as well. We were in need of a good quality fair priced SUV for hauling, towing and moving stuff around. We just needed more room sometimes and the Celica and civic didn't provide that. Good bye Civic, Hello FJ.

[neological]

That thing is fugging sweet. It's the only SUV i'd ever buy (aside from an original F body Landcruiser with a LS1 swap).

[evil eye]

More pics?

[Motor]

Torrance, CA - Lexus today announced pricing for the all-new 2007 LS 460 and the company’s first-ever long-wheelbase model, the LS 460 L. The fourth-generation LS blends new levels of performance, sophistication, contemporary styling, and luxury refinements while redefining the full-size luxury-sedan segment. With a base Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $61,000 for the LS 460 and $71,000 for the LS 460 L, Lexus’ new flagship luxury sedans will represent a compelling value in their segments.

"The new LS continues the heritage set by our original flagship luxury sedan by setting new standards in its class," said Bob Carter, Lexus Division group vice president and general manager. "This sedan has moved the Lexus brand beyond previous achievements in the areas of craftsmanship, styling, performance, and production innovation."

The new LS achieves a segment-leading combination of acceleration performance and excellent fuel consumption with an all-new 4.6-liter V8 engine mated to the world’s first eight-speed automatic transmission. The engine, Lexus’ first all-new V8 since the brand’s launch, produces an impressive 380 horsepower and 367 pound-feet of torque. It features Variable Valve Timing with intelligence and the world's first Electronically controlled intake cam (VVT-iE).

The dual VVT-iE combination of electrically controlled intake and hydraulically controlled exhaust achieves superior engine-startup operation and high-output performance. The LS 460 will travel from zero to 60 miles per hour in approximately 5.4 seconds while achieving an estimated 19 mpg city and 27 mpg highway, 18 city/27 highway for the LS 460 L, by the EPA testing method. The LS sedans also achieve an Ultra-Low Emissions Vehicle II (ULEV II) rating.
http://us.tnpv.net/2006/WKA200608/WKA2006081562622_pv.jpg

[Nasty_impulse]

That looks like the best backseat Ever!!

[homeworld1031tx]

Good looking car, however the rear end looks to much like a Camry in some of the pictures I have seen. And that rear seat is nicer then my couch.

[LightningRod]

I like those rear seats! :drool:

[Joey03_VVT-I]

:drool: VVT-iE :drool:

[marc]

there is no way I would get this over an S-Class or 7-Series

[Carbonized_GT]

thats the type of car i would like if I had a chauffeur

[neological]

That looks like the best backseat Ever!!

Look at a BMW 745li sometime with the "executive" back seat option, My dad had one. It has footrests, massage, a refrigerator, controls for everything, it's own seperate sound system and 3x more leg room than the front seat of any car I have ever been in.

It also features bulletproof glass in the back for the passenger but no bulletproof glas for the driver.

[Motor]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgOIvmM1-U0

:wtf:

[BobtheBuilder]

where can i get the women's model?

[LightningRod]

Teh funney. I wouldn't want to sit in those seats though ... :scared:

[Carbonized_GT]

:wtf:

[marc]

I actually think that's a clever ad.

I also think its blatant false advertising - Toyota is a huge, soulless conglomerate that doesn't know how to build a car that speaks to me (mature sports car enthusiast with no desire to rice out a Scion or drive a whitebread Camry).

[jlitman]

Okaaaaaaaay.

[diegoaccord]

gay as hell.

[Motor]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15319160
Toyota opens new front in truck war
With new Texas factory, Japanese maker takes aim at Ford and Chevy

Toyota wants to convince American truck drivers to trade in their U.S.-made vehicles for Japanese Tundras, but with an American twist. The company is preparing to move production of the Tundra to a new plant in Texas, the nation’s biggest pickup market, where one of every four vehicles sold is a pickup, compared with one in every eight elsewhere in the United States.

“Toyota has been expanding by building more plants in North America — they put them in areas where they want to increase their business,” said George Magliano, director of automotive industry research at Global Insight. “The idea is truck buyers become more loyal to a manufacturer that brings jobs and money into their state."

The truck segment is a missing piece in Toyota’s product line-up, which focuses on sedans and also includes smaller crossover vehicles. Toyota is looking to grow and break into new vehicle markets, said Magliano. The American pickup market, which has largely been the domain of the Big Three until now, is very lucrative and a tough one to crack, he added.

“One strength Toyota has is its ability to stick with a strategy,” said Magliano. “They got into the truck market about 10 years ago, and they didn’t have much success right away, but they just kept working at it. They keep on improving a product, and they eventually crack the market and that is how they are gaining market share in the United States.”

Indeed, the new 2007 Tundra is much larger and more powerful than its predecessor, with a 5.7-liter, 381-horsepower V-8 engine, compared with the old 271 horses. Trucks start rolling off the San Antonio assembly line next month and hit the showrooms early next year.
http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/061018/061018_tundra_hmed_830a.hmedium.jpg

[marc]

blatant pandering to their target audience

[vindiCAtor]

Haha, I thought it was rather humorous.

[Motor]

blatant pandering to their target audience

Welcome to marketing.

Two new pics:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v113/SpiceAce/Toyota/2007%20Tundra/HPIM2929.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v113/SpiceAce/Toyota/2007%20Tundra/HPIM2943.jpg

[Carbonized_GT]

i love the new tundra.

[Rico6983]

That looks pretty nice.

[Burrcold]

Awesome

[Gas-n-Grease]

Why is it that these car companies continue to make these bahemoths while gas prices are still up there?? I thought the X-runner was big as is...

[homeworld1031tx]

:headbang: go texas

w00t

[neological]

http://evilbobdayjob.tripod.com/ftx.html

[pinoyracer]

So does that mean that the new Tundra will be manufactured in Texas and not in Nor Cal anymore? :(:wtc:

[Burrcold]

So does that mean that the new Tundra will be manufactured in Texas and not in Nor Cal anymore? :(:wtc:Since when was it manufactured in Nor Cal (I'm assuming you mean either NUMMI or TMMBC?) They build the Tacoma, not the Tundra. The Tundra was previously being built at TMMI (Indiana).

[emotart]

holy crapola thats nice

[silverCELICAgt-s]

toyota is going all out with its truck division now. Heres a x-runner with all the trd options -
http://www.motortrend.com/auto_shows/coverage/112_05sema_xrunner01_z.jpg

[Motor]

http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=businessNews&storyID=2006-10-28T070207Z_01_T200174_RTRUKOC_0_US-AUTOS-TOYOTA.xml&WTmodLoc=NewsHome-C3-businessNews-3
TOKYO (Reuters) - Toyota Motor Corp will build two assembly plants in North America, Japan's Mainichi newspaper reported on Saturday.

The plant, with the annual production capacity of 200,000 units, was expected to be operational in 2009, it said.

Toyota will also build another plant in North America to start producing sport utility vehicles around 2010, it said.

[Burrcold]

Horribly written piece. Everything ends with "..said".

I would be suprised if they put 2 new plants up so quickly considering the new Toyota plant in Texas is just opening, and the next plant in Woodstock, Canada is only a few years from opening.

Our company would already be in the planning/sourcing phases if it was true. But who knows.

[Motor]

http://pressroom.toyota.com/Releases/View?id=TYT2006110108952
Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., today reported best-ever October sales of 189,011 vehicles, an increase of 13.6 percent over October 2005. Calendar-year-to-date (CYTD) sales total 2,117,507 units, up 12.2 percent over the same period last year.

[Motor]

complete article (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061122/ap_on_bi_ge/motor_trend_car)
DETROIT - The redesigned Toyota Camry, the hottest-selling car in America, is the winner of Motor Trend Magazine's 2007 Car of the Year award.

The award, announced Wednesday, went to all Camry variations, including the hybrid, because the car is innovative yet has a broad appeal, magazine Editor-in-Chief Angus MacKenzie said in a statement.

"The Camry is the one car rival automakers all wish they could build. It offers something for nearly everyone — performance, efficiency and roominess — at a price point most Americans can afford," MacKenzie said.

The Camry beat 26 other models that were totally new or redesigned in the year prior to Jan. 1, 2007, the magazine said.

Japanese automakers had 10 cars in the field, with six U.S. models, five from Korea, four from Germany, one from the United Kingdom and one from Sweden.

MacKenzie said the Camry won in a very strong field.

"There have never been more choices available to American car buyers. That is a fact of life in the 21st century," he said.

Through October, Toyota sold 350,481 Camrys this year to lead all cars in U.S. sales. The No. 2 car in sales is Toyota's Corolla at 330,995, according to Autodata Corp.

Staffers at the magazine evaluated the vehicles on their innovation in engineering, design, safety and technology; their performance and quality; and whether the vehicle delivers value to the consumer.

This is the first year the Camry has won the award.
http://a904.g.akamai.net/7/904/506/v0011/www.autobytel.com/images/2007/Toyota/Camry_SE/400/2007_Toyota_Camry_SE.jpg

[GSBoek]

Fair enough...hehe

That outdated Corolla is still selling strong!

[GSBoek]

:chuckles:

[Motor]

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061129/OPINION03/611290318
Technically advanced sedan matches up well against the competition: Honda's Accord Hybrid

When Toyota redesigned its best-selling Camry sedan earlier this year, it added a new gas-electric hybrid variant -- the latest in a series of hybrid models from the Japanese automaker and a head-to-head competitor with the Honda Accord Hybrid.

After accumulating several hundred miles over Thanksgiving week, we both agree the Camry is the best hybrid on the market -- but it is not without flaws.

We tested a 2007 Camry Hybrid with $3,000 worth of options and a bottom line of $29,689.
http://us.tnpv.net/2006/WKA200601/WKA2006010950627_pv.jpg

[Motor]

http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/articlenews.aspx?type=basicIndustries&storyid=2006-11-29T080434Z_01_T137655_RTRIDST_0_SP_PAGE_023-T137655-OISBI.XML
TOKYO (Reuters) - Toyota Motor Corp., Japan's biggest auto maker, will invest 20 billion to 30 billion yen ($170-$260 million) to double output capacity at one of its domestic engine plants to 400,000 units, the Nihon Keizai business daily reported on Wednesday.

The paper said a new line could begin operations in 2008 and would be built next to an engine plant in the town of Kanda on the southern island of Kyushu. The plant is operated by Toyota unit Toyota Motor Kyushu Inc.

Toyota is striving to make Kyushu a second domestic engine production center after Aichi prefecture, where the auto maker has its headquarters, the paper said.

[Gas-n-Grease]

i thought the ugly Prius was the best hybrid on the market

[marc]

i thought the ugly Prius was the best hybrid on the market

no way

this car actually drives like a car, not on a tin can

[Blue Bomber]

HE: That's one of my small complaints. Even through 33 m.p.g. is pretty good for a vehicle this size, it's way short of what the EPA says you can expect -- 40 mpg in city driving and 38 on the highway.SHE: It was really amusing to be shuttling our Thanksgiving guests from New York and West Virginia around all weekend in the Camry Hybrid. We did several airport runs, and it was just perfect. We managed to seat four adults comfortably, plus their luggage.
HE = not so smart :rolleyes:

[Motor]

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/061201/laf043.html?.v=68
Public Web sites:
http://www.toyota.com
http://www.lexus.com
http://www.scion.com

TOYOTA RETAIL SALES
(INCLUDES FLEET & HAWAII)
November, 2006

---- CURRENT MONTH ---- -- CALENDAR YEAR TO DATE --
DSR % DSR %
2006 2005 CHG 2006 2005 CHG

YARIS 5,936 0 -- 64,082 0 --
COROLLA 27,015 23,718 13.9 358,010 316,014 13.3
CAMRY 34,189 29,707 15.1 408,906 398,379 2.6
AVALON 7,054 8,225 -14.2 80,983 86,540 -6.4
PRIUS 8,008 7,889 1.5 97,680 98,870 -1.2
SCION xA 2,204 1,977 11.5 30,603 25,641 19.4
SCION xB 3,481 4,244 -18.0 57,976 49,696 16.7
SCION tC 5,084 5,542 -8.3 74,129 68,691 7.9
TOTAL TOYOTA DIV.
PASS. CAR 92,970 81,315 14.3 1,172,402 1,049,243 11.7
ES 350 6,678 4,637 44.0 67,251 60,807 10.6
LS 430/460 3,613 1,670 116.3 15,681 23,723 -33.9
SC 430 406 628 -35.4 5,361 7,533 -28.8
GS 300 1,664 2,223 -25.1 21,676 24,834 -12.7
GS 430/450h 196 396 -50.5 3,426 5,192 -34.0
IS 250/350 3,599 4,447 -19.1 48,729 11,271 332.3
TOTAL LEXUS PASS.
CAR 16,156 14,001 15.4 162,124 133,360 21.6
TOTAL TOYOTA PASS.
CAR 109,126 95,316 14.5 1,334,526 1,182,603 12.8
SIENNA 13,535 11,769 15.0 147,179 146,265 0.6
RAV4 11,425 4,448 156.9 138,263 65,323 111.7
FJ CRUISER 5,459 0 -- 50,376 0 --
4RUNNER 7,415 7,762 -4.5 94,191 93,031 1.2
HIGHLANDER 11,100 9,676 14.7 118,094 126,100 -6.3
LAND CRUISER 282 366 -23.0 3,026 4,406 -31.3
SEQUOIA 2,860 3,910 -26.9 30,938 40,564 -23.7
TOTAL SUV 38,541 26,162 47.3 434,888 329,424 32.0
4X2 TACOMA 8,201 8,124 0.9 96,087 91,549 5.0
4X4 TACOMA 6,260 5,754 8.8 66,407 61,929 7.2
TOTAL TACOMA 14,461 13,878 4.2 162,494 153,478 5.9
TUNDRA 10,469 10,892 -3.9 112,040 110,897 1.0
TOTAL PICKUP 24,930 24,770 0.6 274,534 264,375 3.8
TOTAL TOYOTA DIV. LT
TRUCK 77,006 62,701 22.8 856,601 740,064 15.7
LX 470 434 732 -40.7 5,081 7,608 -33.2
GX 470 2,077 2,856 -27.3 22,425 29,740 -24.6
RX 350/400h 8,052 8,060 -0.1 95,569 97,001 -1.5
TOTAL LEXUS LIGHT
TRUCK 10,563 11,648 -9.3 123,075 134,349 -8.4
TOTAL TOYOTA LIGHT
TRUCK 87,569 74,349 17.8 979,676 874,413 12.0
TOTAL TOYOTA DIV. 169,976 144,016 18.0 2,029,003 1,789,307 13.4
TOTAL LEXUS 26,719 25,649 4.2 285,199 267,709 6.5
TOTAL TOYOTA 196,695 169,665 15.9 2,314,202 2,057,016 12.5
MEMO:
DOM. COROLLA 24,564 23,229 5.7 308,986 306,505 0.8
DOM. CAMRY 26,815 27,695 -3.2 334,367 373,112 -10.4
DOM. PICKUP 24,930 24,770 0.6 274,534 264,375 3.8
DOM. RX 350 5,748 4,852 18.5 67,223 60,422 11.3

SELLING DAYS 25 25 280 280

TOYOTA DIV. IMPORT
CAR 34,537 22,166 55.8 448,066 283,086 58.3
LEXUS IMPORT CAR 16,156 14,001 15.4 162,124 133,360 21.6
TOYOTA DIV NA BUILT
CARS 58,433 59,149 -1.2 724,336 766,157 -5.5
TOTAL TOYOTA CARS 109,126 95,316 14.5 1,334,526 1,182,603 12.8

TOYOTA DIV. IMPORT
LT TRUCK 35,681 22,252 60.3 403,950 288,860 39.8
LEXUS IMPORT LT
TRUCK 4,815 6,796 -29.1 55,852 73,927 -24.4
TOYOTA DIV NA BUILT
LT TRUCK 41,325 40,449 2.2 452,651 451,204 0.3
LEXUS NA BUILT LT
TRUCK 5,748 4,852 18.5 67,223 60,422 11.3
TOTAL TOYOTA LT
TRUCK 87,569 74,349 17.8 979,676 874,413 12.0

SPORT UTILITY
VEHICLES 43,645 37,810 15.4 507,587 463,773 9.4
Memo: Lexus Sport
Utility 10,563 11,648 -9.3 123,075 134,349 -8.4

SMALL VANS 13,535 11,769 15.0 147,179 146,265 0.6
PICKUPS 24,930 24,770 0.6 274,534 264,375 3.8

* NORTH AMERICAN
BUILT VEHICLES
COROLLA 24,564 23,229 5.7 308,986 306,505 0.8
CAMRY 26,815 27,695 -3.2 334,367 373,112 -10.4
AVALON 7,054 8,225 -14.2 80,983 86,540 -6.4
SIENNA 13,535 11,769 15.0 147,179 146,265 0.6
PICKUP 24,930 24,770 0.6 274,534 264,375 3.8
SEQUOIA 2,860 3,910 -26.9 30,938 40,564 -23.7
RX 350 5,748 4,852 18.5 67,223 60,422 11.3
TOTAL 105,506 104,450 1.0 1,244,210 1,277,783 -2.6
N.A. VEHICLES % OF
TOTAL 53.6% 61.6% 53.8% 62.1%

SELLING DAYS 25 25 280 280

DSR = DAILY SELLING RATE

[Motor]

http://today.reuters.com/news/articleinvesting.aspx?view=CN&storyID=2006-12-04T083958Z_01_T233498_RTRIDST_0_LEXUS-PERFORMANCE.XML
Toyota Motor Corp.'s high-end Lexus brand will launch a performance brand late next year to compete with Mercedes-Benz's AMG and BMW's M divisions, industry paper Automotive News reported on Monday. The offensive will start with the IS sedan, which will get a retuned version of the LS600h's hybrid engine, the paper said, citing dealer sources.

A Toyota spokeswoman declined to comment on the report, saying the company would announce plans for the Detroit auto show in the coming days.

Automotive News quoted a dealer as saying Lexus will likely follow the IS-F with a GS-F sedan and IS-F coupe.

[Motor]

Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc., announced manufacturer's suggested retail prices (MSRP) today for the 2007 Sienna. The Sienna family van will arrive at dealerships nationwide in mid-December.

Total Sienna average MSRP increases $281 or 1.0 percent.


2006 2007 MSRP Change
MSRP MSRP $ %
CE 7-Passenger 2WD $23,775 $24,155 $380 1.6%
CE 8-Passenger 2WD $23,925 $24,305 $380 1.6%
LE 7-Passenger 2WD $25,280 $25,680 $400 1.6%
LE 8-Passenger 2WD $25,430 $25,830 $400 1.6%
XLE 2WD $29,725 $30,125 $400 1.3%
XLE LIMITED 2WD $36,180 $35,465 ($715) -2.0%
LE 7-Passenger AWD $28,895 $29,295 $400 1.4%
XLE 7-Passenger AWD $32,930 $33,330 $400 1.2%
XLE LIMITED AWD $38,380 $37,665 ($715) -1.9%
TOTAL SIENNA $27,214 $27,494 $281 1.0%
http://us.tnpv.net/2006/WKA200609/WKA2006091961049_pv.jpg

[SOAPY]

"F"? Why? hopefully the cars that come out under this name are great cars.

[marc]

It won't hold a candle.

It might be faster, it won't handle as well, and it won't be as comfortable at 160 mph or over broken pavement as ze Germans.

[Gas-n-Grease]

not sure how the F's will do... either fast or F*CKED... we'll see next year.

[neological]

It won't hold a candle.

It will. Toyota is not good at doing things badly. They're building good engines now and their design for Lexus is on the right track. Just imagining an IS350 with no electronannies itself is a nice proposition. Throw in the kind of horsepower their talking about for the IS-F and that's going to be an epic car (if it's low 50k also a stupid-low price).

It might be faster, it won't handle as well, and it won't be as comfortable at 160 mph or over broken pavement as ze Germans.

They will handle differently. Japanese cars tend to eschew the comfort and convenience of soft spring rates and they have a tendency to use very aggressive stock tires nowadays which hurts ride quality but provides better stock numbers (the Evo and STi have 180 treadwear tires for example). I guarantee the IS-F will throw down a skidpad of .88 (what the IS350 does with the VDM turned off) or better and a decent slalom time. I have the utmost confidence that Toyota is going to build a winner here that will steal some of the GT-R's thunder.

[marc]

but you can't turn off the IS350's VDM completely - Lexus won't let you defeat electronic nannies - that's a major complaint.

Plus in this price point, you want something that rides nicer than a Cobalt SS.

The Germans know how to make a super-stiff body so that you don't need to use bonecrushing spring rates (Mazda did the same thing with the RX-8 and came up with a magically handling car).

IF Lexus turns off the nannies, or leaves a defeatable option . . . . . I'll be blown away.

Only direct comparo tests will tell (anyone smell an E92 M3/IS500/RS4 comparo coming?)

[Motor]

http://www.clublexus.com/forums/showthread.php?t=238745

http://images.leftlanenews.com/content/lexus-f.jpghttp://www.clublexus.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=95114&stc=1&d=1165268803

[Steve7thGenGT]

Who gives a ****? :lame:

[Blue Bomber]

You will when it blows you away off the line. :chuckles:

[Beast]

Who needs a subscription to motortrend magazine when you have Motor? Motor even posts pics and prices of minivans. :thumbup:

Well, I guess I "need" to see their head to head comparisons of the Focus v. Cobalt. Battle!

[LightningRod]

You will when it blows you away off the line. :chuckles:


So true. :(

[Gas-n-Grease]

wondering if its using the 2GR-FE/FSE like the Avalon and IS350...

[Motor]

Who needs a subscription to motortrend magazine when you have Motor? Motor even posts pics and prices of minivans. :thumbup:

:laugh: That made my day. :thumbup:

[Motor]

http://www.whatcar.com/news-article.aspx?NA=223572
[QUOTE]• Polo BlueMotion has CO2 emissions of 102g/km
• Lower emissions than a Prius hybrid
• On sale next year for around

[peeper06]

0-62 in 12.8? jeez and i thought my auto gt-s was slow. i dont know how many gallons a 45 liter tank is, but if thats like 12-15 gallons, gets 710 miles on one tank and costs around $10000 thats great. maybe when they come out with the jetta in the states, maybe ill get one eventually.

[Motor]

http://wpherald.com/articles/2794/1/Toyota-to-introduce-new-bigger-hybrid-cars/New-hybrid-system-smaller-and-lower-priced.html
New hybrid system smaller and lower-priced

TOKYO -- Toyota Motor Corp., the world's leader in hybrid cars, plans to introduce a new hybrid-only model in 2009.

The model will be a midsize sedan with a 2.5- to 3-liter-engine, larger than that of the 1.5-liter Prius hatchback, Toyota's first hybrid, Japan's Asahi Shumbun reported Wednesday.

The new model is intended to serve U.S. car buyers, who like hybrids and prefer bigger engines.

Toyota is considering other hybrid-only models, such as a station wagon and a minivan, to spur sales of hybrid vehicles, the newspaper said.

[marc]

isn't the Camry a midsize sedan?
Doesn't it come hybrid ?

[GSBoek]

Nope, the Camry is actually considered a large car now. Think something halfway in between the Corolla and the Camry, like the Avensis for example.

[Gas-n-Grease]

i dont like the idea of a large hybrid cars. its like having a diet pepsi with a fatty burger and fries on the side. midsize hybrid sounds a little more reasonable.
well... as long as toyota makes their hybrid powerplants more efficient i'll be fine with anything.

[Motor]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070103/ap_on_hi_te/japan_toyota_drunken_driving
TOKYO - Toyota Motor Corp. is developing a fail-safe system for cars that detects drunken drivers and automatically shuts the vehicle down if sensors pick up signs of excessive alcohol consumption, a news report said Wednesday.

Cars fitted with the detection system will not start if sweat sensors in the driving wheel detect high levels of alcohol in the driver's bloodstream, according to a report carried by the mass-circulation daily, Asahi Shimbun.

The system could also kick in if the sensors detect abnormal steering, or if a special camera shows that the driver's pupils are not in focus. The car is then slowed to a halt, the report said.

The world's No. 2 automaker hopes to fit cars with the system by the end of 2009, according to the report. Calls to Toyota's headquarters in Nagoya rang unanswered on Wednesday, a public holiday.

Nissan Motor Co., another Japanese car manufacturer, has already been experimenting with breathalyzer-like devices that could detect if a driver was drunken. Similar technologies, such as alcohol ignition interlocks, are in use in the U.S. and elsewhere.

[TrD CeLiCa]

Hmm....well thats just nifty haha

[celi-KAT]

Oh technology!

I think it's a nice start--thinking about ways to prevent drunk driving, but I see many possible flaws. For one, not everyone will go out and buy a vehicle equipped with this detection. And secondly, when it halts to a stop, won't it cause traffic?

[SilverBullet GTS]

Seems like a good thing but in the end thats not cool. Number one like you said all you have to do is put gloves on and crack the bottle. Two, besides the sunglasses workaround thing which by the way would make things even worse for safety, personally I dont want a ****in camera in my face while im driving in the car I bought. Good intentions but its all bull****.

[Motor]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070104/ap_on_bi_ge/ford_toyota
Ford CEO cancels order for Lexus

DEARBORN, Mich. - Ford CEO Alan Mulally said he respects Toyota and its luxury brand, but that he canceled his order for a Lexus after taking the top job at the U.S. automaker. He said traveled to Japan last month to meet with Toyota executives just to show his appreciation, and not in an effort to bring the companies any closer.

Mulally, who took over at the nation's No. 2 automaker last year, said Wednesday he deeply admires the Japanese automaker for its manufacturing processes and product development strategy.

Mulally called Toyota "the finest machine in the world, the finest production system in the world. So we went to study with the master. I really wanted to connect with each of the manufacturers in the industry and to do it quickly," said Mulally, who was hired away from aircraft maker Boeing Co. by Ford Motor Co.

"I'm really looking forward to it," he said. "I don't know whether I'm showy enough for the show, but I'm going to try to do my best to represent Ford."

[GSBoek]

An Interceptor? :chuckles:

[marc]

crown vic ftw

[dennis]

An Aston Martin.

[peeper06]

its a nice idea, but people who drive drunk wouldnt buy a car with that in it

[Seven-Of-Nine]

It would put alot of people off from buying models equipped with such a device.

[evil eye]

its a nice idea, but people who drive drunk wouldnt buy a car with that in it

It would put alot of people off from buying models equipped with such a device.


I think the point would be if they came as standard equipment, and then all the other major manufacturers followed suit. Kind of like how every car modern day street car comes with amenities such as heat/AC, stereo, cig lighter, etc.

The swerving detection would be the hardest thing to get around.

[jlitman]

How will people get home from the bar? :confused:

[evil eye]

On horseback.

[Motor]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16475612
Wagoner says worldwide room for growth will help hold off Japanese rival

DETROIT - If Toyota Motor Corp. has eyes on taking the title of world's largest automaker from General Motors Corp. next year, it won't happen without a fight.

In an interview Thursday, GM Chief Executive Rick Wagoner said his company has room for growth worldwide and will forcefully defend its title.

"I like being No. 1, and I think our people take pride in it," he told a small group of reporters at GM's headquarters. "It's not something we're going to sit back and let somebody else pass us by."

Toyota last month announced a global production target of 9.42 million vehicles for 2008, increasing the odds that it will surpass GM. That would easily exceed the 9.2 million vehicles GM is estimated to have produced in 2006.

Wagoner wouldn't reveal the company's 2007 production targets, but he said GM has the capacity to build more than 9.42 million cars worldwide. The company will fight for every sale, he said, but will stay within its strategy to rely on quality products to make money and less on selling cars and trucks with incentives.

If Toyota does pass GM, Wagoner said he would not be pleased.

"It won't be a happy day for me, but I've lost basketball games before in my life. You get ready and you learn and you go back the next day, and that's what we'll do," he said. "We're going to fight to keep the position, and if one day we lose it, we'll fight to get it back."

As its U.S. market share shrank when high fuel prices drove people away from trucks and sport utility vehicles, GM cut production last year. But it's rolling out multiple new products and Wagoner said the North American market should be healthier this year.

Toyota, with a better balance of cars and trucks, capitalized on the consumer shift and raised its market share by two percentage points last year. For the first time, the company passed DaimlerChrysler to become the No. 3 auto seller in the U.S.

Toyota isn't concerned about becoming No. 1 globally, said spokesman Irv Miller. The company is working to keep its quality high, focus on customers and roll out its new Tundra full-sized pickup truck, he said.

"A perceived sales challenge for global leadership is not something we're even thinking about," Miller said.

Also in the interview, Wagoner said he agreed with Ford CEO Alan Mulally's statements that the United Auto Workers may have to make significant concessions in upcoming contract talks to keep GM competitive.

[Motor]

http://www.euro2day.gr/articlesfna/26550092
SYDNEY (XFN-ASIA) - Toyota Motor Co topped Australian car sales for a fifth straight year with a record 213,847 units, according to the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI).
Unit sales were up 5.4 pct on the previous Toyota record of 202,817 set in 2005. Toyota also increased its share of the market to 22.2 pct from 20.5 pct a year earlier.

The Japanese manufacturer, which has a midsized passenger car manufacturing plant in Melbourne, also become the first motor vehicle maker in 28 years to achieve the Australian automotive sales "triple crown" - leader in overall sales, passenger cars as well as commercial vehicles.

The last company to do so was General Motors-Holden in 1978. The company was second in overall sales in 2006 with 146,511 units, dropping its share of Australia''s market to 15.2 pct in 2006 from 17.7 pct in 2005.

Ford Motor Co was third overall with 114,965 units in 2006, also reducing its share of the market to 11.9 pct from 13.1 pct in 2005.

Four of Australia''s top 10 selling vehicles in 2006 were Toyotas. The Corolla hatchback was Australia''s second most popular car with 46,256 sales; the light-commercial HiLux vehicle came in fourth; the Camry midsized passenger car was sixth and the Yaris small hatchback was seventh.

http://www.smh.com.au/news/Business/Vehicle-sales-second-best-ever-in-2006/2007/01/04/1167777196121.html
Vehicle sales second best ever in 2006

Australia has posted its second best year for car and truck sales with demand topping 960,000 in 2006.

In its VFACTS bulletin, the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) said 962,521 new vehicles were retailed last year, a 2.6 per cent fall on the market record of 988,269 in 2005.

The FCAI said the result was excellent considering the rise in petrol prices and interest rates over the past 12 months.

Toyota was the top selling brand in 2006 with 213,847 vehicles, more than 67,000 ahead of Holden and nearly 99,000 ahead of Ford.

Toyota also led the market in December with 17,647 vehicles sold compared to 11,501 for Holden and 7,869 for Ford.

[GSBoek]

I'm a diehard Toyota man, but I think GM should stay at #1. The pressure's all on them and I honestly don't care if Toyota ever takes away the crown, as long as the cars don't suffer. I think GM is on the right track and that's good, car enthousiasts gain.

[marc]

I think Ford is gonna get their **** together (if they turn Mercury into a brand selling ONLY their Euro cars unavailable here - like the Euro Focus, Mondeo etc and no badge-engineered clones) and GM is gonna die off

[SOAPY]

GM is just trying to rally their die hard customers into buying GM vehicles.... :chuckles:

[Gas-n-Grease]

do i smell more "red-tag" events?
Rick Wagoner is stupid, GM needs to find themselves a better person. They need to stop giving obese children candy. Ford is looking more hopeful though.

[Motor]

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2007/01/toyota_sludge_settlement.html
Toyota Agrees to Sludge Settlement for Consumers
Class Action Suit Brings Relief to 3.5 Million Toyota, Lexus Owners

Consumers saddled with sludge-clogged Toyota engines may soon get some help from the Japanese auto giant under the terms of a class-action lawsuit settlement that covers roughly 3.5 million Toyota and Lexus vehicles damaged by engine oil sludge.

An engine gummed up with oil sludge can cost thousands of dollars to repair and in many cases must be replaced. The class action settlement could potentially cost the automaker hundreds of millions of dollars.

The agreement will allow consumers whose claims have been denied by Toyota to submit those claims to a third-party mediator at no cost for binding arbitration.

The lawsuit, filed in a Louisiana district court, could receive final approval by the middle of February. Details of the settlement are being mailed to 7.5 million current and previous Toyota and Lexus owners.

The agreement provides owners of sludge-damaged Toyotas eight years plus 120 days from the original purchase date to file a complaint.

Toyota consumers who have repaired their sludge-damaged engines may be able to recover their costs. The car only needs to show evidence of oil sludge damage.

The terms of the settlement are transferable to future vehicle owners.

Toyota owners have repeatedly written ConsumerAffairs.Com detailing Toyota's attempts to blame sludge problems on inadequate vehicle maintenance by the owner.

Charles in Arkansas said: "At 36,000 miles the engine gummed up and quit running. My wife had the oil changed at Wal-Mart and did not keep receipts for the oil changes. The North Little Rock dealer and the Toyota representative told us such problems were rare and that we had caused the problem but for $2,500 they could fix it. They inferred that my wife was a liar," he wrote.

With the new agreement, consumers need only show reasonable maintenance in terms of oil changes.

Toyotas covered by the Louisiana settlement include the:

• Camry 4 cylinder from 1997-2001,
• Camry 6 cylinder from 1997-2002,
• Camry Solara 4 cylinder from 1999-2001,
• Camry Solara 6 cylinder 1999-2002,
• Sienna 6 cylinder from 1998-2002,
• Avalon 6 cylinder from 1997-2002,
• Celica 4 cylinder from 1997-1999,
• Highlander 6 cylinder from 2001-2002,
• Lexus ES 300 from 1997-2002 and
• Lexus RX 300 from 1999-2002.

In 2002 Toyota admitted receiving 3,400 complaints about sludged engines and the automaker extended its vehicle warranty to eight years along with unlimited mileage to owners of 1997-2002 Toyota and Lexus vehicles equipped with 3.0-liter V-6 or 2.2-liter four-cylinder engines.

At Toyota dealerships, however, consumers have encountered repeated denials from service managers insisting that sludging occurs primarily when owners fail to change their oil frequently enough.

Lauren wrote ConsumerAffairs.Com from Tampa, Florida that, "My check engine light came on once again so I immediately returned to Stadium Toyota. The next day, I received a call from Stadium Toyota telling me that my engine is damaged due to engine sludge and it will cost me $4,500 to fix it."

In Lawrenceville, Georgia Valerie ran into a hostile dealer despite Toyota confirming her vehicle was "part of their oil gelling/sludge program. The service dept at the dealership says that I'm not entitled to anything," she wrote.

In Apex, North Carolina Jan heard the bad news from her Toyota dealer.

"They checked it over, then called and said that the engine had sludge in it and it needed a $7,000 to $8,000 repair," she wrote.

"They also said it was my fault, because the oil had obviously not been changed properly. When I purchased the car, the Toyota dealer talked me into a $999 extended warranty plan, which he assured me would cover any major issues that might come up with a car. It is called their Tender Loving Care package."

[Blue Bomber]

So what exactly caused the sludge buildup in these engines?

[FITGT]

So what exactly caused the sludge buildup in these engines?


X2 They never say why, or how?

[wtcnbrwndo4u]

Can you still apply to get this fixed? My stinkin' Avalon has it.

[mukalicious]

yeah my parents got a letter from toyota for my sisters camry. but her car was on a ferry that sank so its a flood title. haha, so i doubt theyll do anything with it. the CEL stays on but it runs fine.

[Motor]

Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., will stage the world premiere of the all-new 2008 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid sport utility vehicles (SUVs) at the 2007 Chicago Auto Show.

The first-generation Highlander, Toyota's best-selling mid-size SUV, debuted during the 2001 model year. The Highlander Hybrid, Camry Hybrid and Prius give Toyota Division the only three-vehicle hybrid line-up in the industry.

The Toyota press conference will take place on Wednesday, February 7 at 9:15 A.M. CT in the Grand Ballroom in McCormick Place, with a live simulcast to the Toyota display area at the show. A video clip of the press conference will be available for viewing following the event on the Toyota.com website.
...

[GSBoek]

Good question. Maybe capitalizing on a loyal customer base? Other than that I don't see a point either.

[elcelicagts]

i want to see a better looking sequoia! i want to purchase a pimp looking suv, and all of toyotas suv's are ugly!

[Motor]

http://www.forbes.com/markets/feeds/afx/2007/01/21/afx3347163.html
TOKYO (XFN-ASIA) - Toyota Motor Co is developing a radically different carmaking process that will drastically cut costs across the entire chain of production, President Katsuaki Watanabe said in an interview with the Financial Times.

'The focus is on low-cost technology,' Watanabe said. 'Everything from design to production methods will be radically changed and we are thinking of a really ultra-low-cost way of designing, using ultra-low-cost materials, even developing new materials if necessary.'

[Gas-n-Grease]

great... more cheaply made toyotas

[Kauchipoteto]

Time to invest in forestry stocks if Toyota is going to start making cars out of chip-board or MDF.

[Crisis11]

watch after this there gunna come out with "new" crumple free crumple zones that are going to have alot of TSB's on them or some trash.... basicly i expect toyota's quaility to go way down after this.

[peeper06]

What's the point? The new RAV4 is as big as the current Highlander. Why even produce another one?

i agree, my mom has a highlander right now and was interested in highlander hybrid as her next car, but it might be too expensive, so shes considering the rav4 v6 with awd. same thing as a highlander pretty much, but looks better.

[GSBoek]

I feel compelled to write this: Saw it in a carparts shop, but it fits here.

There are 3 kinds of jobs: GOOD, FAST, CHEAP
If you want it GOOD and CHEAP, it won't be FAST
If you want it GOOD and FAST, it won't be CHEAP
And if you want it FAST and CHEAP, it won't be GOOD

Why do I feel this new process Toyota is going for will fall in the last category?

[Meltica]

http://www.engrish.com/recent_detail.php?imagename=exciting-version.jpg&category=Cars&date=2006-12-26

[KAT_Ayanami]

Is Hyundai buying toyota??

I cannot believe that somebody would say that in public!!!!

"Our new cars are going to cost you the same! (way more than domestic, but still watered down) but it will now come with a plastic engine :D"

Kat.

[Motor]

http://www.poconorecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070125/SPORTS0301/701250337/-1/NEWS
CONCORD, N.C. AP — With Toyota poised to enter NASCAR's Nextel Cup series this season, Ford team owner Jack Roush is revving up the combative rhetoric.

Roush, the loudest critic of NASCAR's decision to allow the Japanese automaker to enter the Nextel Cup series this season, said he's "preparing myself for siege" on the track and in the boardroom this year.

"I expect to hand Toyota their head over the short term," Roush said on Wednesday during NASCAR's preseason media tour.

Roush, who has said in the past that Americans shouldn't buy foreign cars because it hurts the economy, believes that Toyota's entry will hurt NASCAR because the automaker will outspend teams affiliated with domestic automakers.

But he's ready for a fight.

"Nobody's frightened," Roush said. "We're going to go to war with them, and they should give us their best shot."

Given current events, this might not be the most sensitive time for Roush — a war history buff who owns two World War II-era P-51 Mustang fighter planes — to compare sports to war. But at times on Wednesday, Roush seemed to be channeling Winston Churchill.

"Toyota will not find that the established teams and manufacturers will wither in their path, as has been the case where they have tried to engage elsewhere," he said.

But Roush's preparations to take on Toyota go beyond tough talk. He is negotiating to sell a significant stake of his team to an investment group headed by Boston Red Sox owner John Henry to raise more money to race. And Roush somehow prodded financially troubled Ford Motor Company to help him meet the extra $10 million he said he had to spend in research and development this offseason.

"In their time of greatest need, they're standing shoulder to shoulder with us," Roush said.

Asked if this was a legitimate point or simply spin, Roush turned a pirouette on stage.

Roush and other team owners aren't necessarily worried that Toyota will dominate right away. After all, Toyota is believed to have the biggest budget in the elite Formula One racing series but isn't winning.

"I don't see them spanking the Ferraris in Formula One," Chevrolet team owner Rick Hendrick said.

So does Roush, who bristled when he was asked why he was so scared of Toyota.

"Did I say I was scared?," Roush said. "I don't back away from a fight."

[Zero]

Roush, who has said in the past that Americans shouldn't buy foreign cars because it hurts the economy
No sh!t? Then tell America to stop building P.O.S

[marc]

Roush, who has said in the past that Americans shouldn't buy foreign cars because it hurts the economy
No sh!t? Then tell America to stop building P.O.S


Unfortunately this is wrong no matter what school of economics you come from

buying inferior goods at a higher price results in more expenditure or resources and less marginal consumer utility

[Blue Bomber]

Roush is afraid Toyota's participation will drive up costs, so his solution is to find ways to spend more money on his team? :wtf: And that Hendrick guy says NASCAR has strict limits on technology, so it's more of a driver's race, yet Roush is whining that Toyota has more money to pay for services and technology? :faint: Dumbestic indeed.

[SickCelica696]

Considering the new nascar rules are making every single car nearly identical I don't see how Toyota has anything to do with it..He's just made we're taking their redneck sport. The playing field is gonna be the same for all intents and purposes

[homeworld1031tx]

I want to know how he convinced Ford to give him 10 million. I guess maybe they thought 10 mil wasnt that much when compared to their 12 billion dollar loss? I can't believe they would do something like that...

[SOAPY]

I wanna see his reaction if Toyota wins a Nascar race. I'm pretty sure his high and mighty talk will over then.


Also what I find funny is that he wants us to support a more monopolized car market by telling us to buy domestic to improve the economy. :idiot:

[Gas-n-Grease]

Is Hyundai buying toyota??
... where'd you get that piece of information? Hyundai does not have enough dough to buy Toyota.

[celico_man]

je je je je je je,

they feel inferior in their own sport is what it is.

[TW00Si]

How do you compare F1 to NASCAR?

[Motor]

DAYTONA BEACH, Fl - Scott Pruett, Juan Montoya and Salvador Duran teamed to give Lexus and Ganassi Racing their second consecutive Rolex 24 at Daytona victory as their #01 Telmex/Target
Lexus-Riley won in dominating fashion this weekend.

The winning trio led 468 of the 668 laps, while overall Lexus-powered cars led a total of 504 laps – good for more than 75 percent of the laps run over the 24 hours. Over the past two Rolex 24 races, Lexus-powered cars have now led 971 laps – approximately 70 percent of the laps run over the past two years at Daytona.

After starting 12th, the winning #01 Lexus moved to the lead for the first time on Lap 68 and would go on to dominate the race – never putting a wheel wrong as both the Lexus engine and car ran flawlessly, never pitting for more than brake pads, fuel or tires.

The victory was a record-setting seventh Rolex 24 class victory for Pruett, the series all-time leader in wins. It also marked the second win in a row here for Chip Ganassi Racing, which became the first team in 20 years to repeat a Rolex 24 overall victory after Scott Dixon, Dan Wheldon and Casey Mears drove to victory in their #02 Lexus-Riley a year ago.

While the Ganassi team was one of the pre-race favorites heading into the event, the AIM Autosport #61 Exchange Traded Gold Lexus-Riley might have been the biggest surprise. In its first full season of Daytona Prototype, the squad earned a fifth-place finish with Mark Wilkins, David Empringham, Brian Frisselle and Burt Friselle piloting the car in just the second Rolex Series event for the team. After starting 18th, the Canadian-based team moved into the top 10 during the night and never dropped below eighth from there on out.

Michael Shank Racing (MSR) made it three Lexus-powered cars in the top-10 as the #60 Fresh From Florida Lexus-Riley placed ninth. After an early half-shaft problem, team drivers Oswaldo Negri, Mark Patterson, Helio Castroneves and Sam Hornish Jr. charged from 40th to earn a second consecutive Rolex 24 top-10 showing after earning runner-up honors a year ago. Things didn’t go as well for the second MSR entry, though. An alternator problem negated a spectacular early run by A.J. Allmendinger that saw him stretch out a 12.5-second lead through the race’s first 66 laps. Teammate Ian James later would lead a pair of laps, but mechanical woes thwarted any hopes for victory. After falling as low as 56th, that pair along with Paul Tracy and Henri Zogaib regrouped to earn a respectable 26th.

Things didn’t go as well for the two remaining Lexus-powered entries. The #02 Ganassi Lexus-Riley of Scott Dixon, Dan Wheldon and Memo Rojas ran in the top-five for much of the race, but crashed heavily into the tire barrier on Lap 538 to place 41st. After a testing crash earlier in the month here in Daytona, the Southard Racing team put together an all-out effort to simply make Saturday’s green flag. After qualifying 24th, the team would eventually climb into the top-five before mechanical woes would sideline the squad just 214 laps into the event.


Lexus Race Results Started/Finished

#01 Telmex/Target Lexus (Pruett, Montoya, Duran 12/1

#61 Exchange Traded Gold Lexus (Wilkins, Empringham, Br. Frisselle, Bu. Frisselle) 18/5

#60 Fresh From Florida Lexus (Negri, Patterson, Castroneves, Hornish) 22/9

#6 Michael Shank Racing (James, Zograib, Allmendinger, Tracy) 10/26

#02 Target/Telmex Lexus (Dixon, Wheldon, Rojas) 8/41

#3 Preformed Line Products Lexus (Lewis, Ruhlman, Rahal, Forbes-Robinson) 24/62


LEXUS ROLEX 24 RACE NOTES:

- The #01 Ganassi Lexus never fell out of the top-three overall after the third hour of the race.

- Today’s win is the second consecutive Rolex 24 victory for Lexus and the manufacturer’s 16th overall triumph in 41 Rolex Series races.

- Today’s win is the second for Lexus in just four Rolex 24 attempts

- Lexus-powered cars led 504 of the 668 laps run in this year’s Rolex 24.

- Scott Pruett’s victory today is his seventh Rolex 24 class victory, setting the all-time record. He’s earned previous class victories in 2002, 1994, 1993, 1992, 1988, 1987. This is his second overall win after taking the checkered flag first in 1994.

- With the victory today, Chip Ganassi Racing becomes the first team to win back-to-back Rolex 24’s since Al Holbert’s squad registered the feat in 1986-1987

- Juan Montoya becomes the only driver in history to win a Rolex 24 hour race, an F1 race and an Indianapolis 500. This is Montoya’s first-ever race at Daytona.

- Salvador Duran’s victory comes in his first-ever Rolex Series start.

- Scott Pruett, already the winningest driver in Daytona Prototype history, now matches James Weaver’s 13 wins for the most in Rolex Series history.

- The Ganassi team led the final 91 laps and 2 hours and 43 minutes today. A year ago the team led the final 168 laps.

- AIM Autosports earned a fifth-place finish in their Rolex 24 debut – in just their second-ever Daytona Prototype event.
...

[GSBoek]

Nice!

[Carbonized_GT]

woot. I cant believe actually watched a good 6hrs of it on Speed.

[MicaCeli]

woot. I cant believe actually watched a good 6hrs of it on Speed.


I watched all 16 hours on FoxHD and Speed. Wish speen would get with the times and go HD already.

[Carbonized_GT]

haha. I guess you had nothing to do this weekend then.

[TW00Si]

Speed channel is always screwy via Time Warner cable. Watched the first and last hour of the race with highlights. Good enough for me.

[MicaCeli]

haha. I guess you had nothing to do this weekend then.


It was tivo'd. But I was doing stuff around the house and then had some work to do. So the Gt class cars kept me company.

[Carbonized_GT]

It was tivo'd. But I was doing stuff around the house and then had some work to do. So the Gt class cars kept me company.


:chuckles:

[Motor]

Huntsville, Alabama - State and local officials joined Toyota officials and team members today to mark the production of the first 5.7 liter V8 engine at Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Alabama (TMMAL).

TMMAL employs 950 team members, has the capacity to produce 130,000 4.0 liter V6 engines, 120,000 4.7 liter V8 engines, 150,000 new 5.7 liter V8 engines annually. The total investment is $490 million.

TMMAL, which opened in 2003, supplies V8 engines for the Tundra full-size pickup and Sequoia full-size sport utility vehicle produced in Indiana. The plant also supplies V6 engines for Tacoma pickups produced in California and Mexico as well as the Tundra. The new 5.7 liter V8 engines will be used for the all new Tundra built in San Antonio, Texas and Princeton, Indiana.

As part of the celebration, Toyota donated $50,000 to Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Huntsville for technology and reading programs and $50,000 to the National Children’s Advocacy Center.

Kunihiko Ogura, president of TMMAL, expressed appreciation to the Huntsville community for their support.

"We are proud to be part of this wonderful community," Ogura said. "I am proud of the culture of this Toyota Alabama team. The power of teamwork is alive and well and will ensure a bright future for Toyota in Alabama."


http://us.tnpv.net/2007/WKA200701/WKA2007010744691_pv.jpg

[emotart]

lets see how long till some mofo goes... what do i need for the swap....

[marc]

put it in a camaro

[neological]

Now they just need to design a small, light rwd car with a huge engine bay.

[Carbonized_GT]

aka 1st gen celica?

[marc]

Now they just need to design a small, light rwd car with a huge engine bay.

70/30 weight distribution FTW

[Motor]

Law OK with Toyota-Fuji

TOKYO -- A change in Japanese antitrust rules has opened the way for Toyota Motor Corp. to take over Subaru maker Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd.

In October 2005, Toyota bought 8.7 percent of Fuji Heavy. At the time, General Motors was selling its 20 percent stake in Fuji Heavy.

Analysts said Toyota would have preferred to buy a controlling stake in the Subaru carmaker, but doing so would have run afoul of antitrust rules. Toyota and Fuji Heavy combined held 45.6 percent of the 2006 Japanese car market.

...

[TW00Si]

It should be good news as platform sharing might introduce some more "fun" cars under the Toyota badge.

[SOAPY]

I think its good Subis will have better MPG... And the possiblity of Toyota producing more sports cars is way greater. :thumbup:

[nyoneway]

Subies need Toyota's reliablity and quality, and Toyota could use Subaru's AWD and turbo systems.

[Red Falcon]

TRD Wrx.....mmmm sounds good.

[neological]

Toyota doesn't really need Subaru's turbo technology (which is pretty run of the mill) but their AWD system they do need.

I think they should just turn Subaru into Toyota's performance division.

[marc]

if Toyota does what Toyota does, Subarus will look fast and go like turds

Ben is right - they should turn Subaru into the "excitement!" division, use Scion for "da youf tunerz dat gets hyphy in da bay" market and keep Toyota for the boring general public.

[GSBoek]

I had a feeling this was coming a few days back when there was this thread on here about a Toyota-Subaru colaboration.

[MothTRD]

toyota do have a awd car, the lexus is 250

[neological]

Toyota's AWD is a joke compared to Subaru's.

[Zero]

I thought Toyota's tech. during the GT-Four years were pretty good, ahead of their time.

[neological]

Yeah, at that time. That was like 10-15 years ago.

They were basically just using a torsen diff which was a lot more expensive than what other rally programs were willing to throw into their cars. Toyota doesn't have anything that compares to Subaru's symmetrical system or their DCCD.

[Carbonized_GT]

Toyotas GT4 system was good. but the current gen 4wd system as in the matrix and is250 isnt that good.

[Zero]

Toyotas GT4 system was good. but the current gen 4wd system as in the matrix and is250 isnt that good.

What about the Caldina GT-4? How does that rank up there? Though it does only come in an auto.

[neological]

Don't get me wrong, I was a huge fan of Toyota's rallying program. Toyota was the only company to use Torsen rear diffs besides Audi (who didn't compete as heavily in Toyota's WRC heyday) and it made a huge difference in the GT-4. and gave it a superior AWD system in the early-mid 90s (center viscous coupling, torsen rear diffs).

I think the GT-4 "system" of rear torsen/center viscous is the same in every GT-4 car.

The problem with a Torsen diff is that it's mechanical and as such cannot vary torque split. It's set to a certain amount (50-50, 60-40, etc..). A modern variable diff like the subaru DCCD, mitsubishi ACD or the porsche PSK can vary torque split really efficiently and in realtime. Toyota doesn't have a system like this, they just use viscous coupling center diffs in the matrix and the IS250 and the rear (or front of an IS250) only reacts when the other end loses traction so most of time it's not at all AWD. It's an inferior system to the viscous (or mechanical onan STi) lsd's combined with active center diffs on Subarus which can allow the car to optimally split power to any wheel at any given time.

[GSBoek]

^lol

[Meltica]

Subatoy!

[Carbonized_GT]

The problem with a Torsen diff is that it's mechanical and as such cannot vary torque split. It's set to a certain amount (50-50, 60-40, etc..). A modern variable diff like the subaru DCCD, mitsubishi ACD or the porsche PSK can vary torque split really efficiently and in realtime. Toyota doesn't have a system like this, they just use viscous coupling center diffs in the matrix and the IS250 and the rear (or front of an IS250) only reacts when the other end loses traction so most of time it's not at all AWD. It's an inferior system to the viscous (or mechanical onan STi) lsd's combined with active center diffs on Subarus which can allow the car to optimally split power to any wheel at any given time.

GT4 system is just dated. There was no real update to the system since 94. IF they ever decided to revive the program im sure they will include newer technology like DCCD. But for now i love the 50/50 torque split in my dinosaur :gap: (something subaru doesnt have...woot)

[TRD-CELICA-GT02]

Sounds good to me. I hope this brings some excitement back into Toyota's future cars. I think we have enough "MPG" cars in the line up. Time to bring back some sporty goodness.

[Motor]

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070210/BIZ/702100380/1148/AUTO01
Toyota Motor Corp. has agreed to compensate owners of Lexus and Toyota vehicles that suffered engine damage due to a buildup of thickened oil, or sludge, in a settlement approved this week by a Louisiana state court.

The agreement covers 3.5 million 1997-2002 model-year vehicles, although it is not known how many were damaged by sludge.

Toyota agreed to settle the 2001 class-action suit last fall, and says the terms mirror a program the automaker put in place in 2002 to reimburse customers for sludge-related engine damage.

"The terms of the settlement and the settlement itself have no finding of defect," Toyota spokesman Xavier Dominicis said.

[silverCELICAgt-s]

so how would we know if toyota owes us a new engine, lol, seeing that I have a 2002, which runs fine.

[Blue Bomber]

00+ Celicas never had sludge problems.

[Carbonized_GT]

Damn too bad i couldnt blame my alltrac's problem on toyota. lol.

[silverCELICAgt-s]

00+ Celicas never had sludge problems.

but in this article they are saying 00-02 celicas could.

[Blue Bomber]

It said it covers 97-02. The 5SFE was most likely the engine in the Celica that had the sludge problem, since it was also a Camry engine.

[Zero]

I wonder if my mom's 2001 Camry is affect by slugde. It doesn't seem to have any problems.

[Blue Bomber]

I doubt Toyota would replace an engine only because of a potential problem that hasn't occurred yet. This whole deal is more to compensate people who have already shelled out money to replace their engines. By now, just about every engine that has the problem should've shown signs of it already, since the last car with the engine would've been sold sometime in 03 or 04 at the very latest.

[n2toyotas]

It was mainly the 2.2 ltr engine in the Camry and Celica. This engine was never used in any Japanese model on the U.S. Models

[Danny049]

My mom had a 1998 Avalon that had 3 engines in it before 50,000 miles. Was burning oil like crazy, huge clouds of smoke, and it was sludged when they replaced it..Never seen anything like it. oil was changed every 3k and car was well maintained. Now it all makes sense.

[Gas-n-Grease]

sweet, my dad's 97 V6 camry has that problem. I've read around about the 1MZ having sludge build up problem with regular oil changes....
but then again, he rarely changes gets the oil changed.

[nyoneway]

If you use synthetic and change your oils are a regular interval between 3-6k miles, then you should never run into the sludge issue.

[Motor]

Torrance, CA - Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., today announced manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) for the 2007 Camry Hybrid 50th Anniversary Edition. The limited edition Camry Hybrid celebrates Toyota's 50 years of business in the United States.

Only 3,000 units will be built at Toyota Motor Manufacturing in Kentucky. The 50th Anniversary Edition will carry a base manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of $31,680 and will start arriving at Toyota dealerships in March.
http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autobloggreen.com/media/2007/02/50thcamryhybrid_165.jpg

[Carbonized_GT]

gotta love how Toyota celebrates their 50th anniversary in America... With a Bland Econobox.

[Gas-n-Grease]

hmm, i wonder which will sell out more quickly: the VW R32 or this 50th Ann. Camry :chuckles: ? both are limited to 3,000 units.

[Motor]

I don't know if I'd call the Camry an "econobox," that label's reserved for vehicle like a Corolla or a Civic.

[Carbonized_GT]

ok bad wording, A bland peoplemover

Whatever you want to call it, wouldnt buy it.

[homeworld1031tx]

I like how the replaced the tach with a MPG gauge :rolleyes:

[marc]

wow - you could pay $30,000 for this piece of ****, or pay $30,000 for a 3-series BMW and still get 30+ mpg.

[Beast]

wow - you could pay $30,000 for this piece of ****, or pay $30,000 for a 3-series BMW and still get 30+ mpg.


It really depends on what you want. The Camry is listed at 40/38 while the 328i is listed at 21/30 (that's 20/29 for you Marc, since an Automatic is completely out of the question. :D ). Also, the BMW required premium gas. There is a difference beteween 30 mpg reg vs. 30 mpg premium.

That being said, I definitely see where you're coming from. It really depends what you want. If you want a good gas mileage land yacht and peace of mind, the Camry is probably the choice for you. If you like the BMW power, ride, and name, then obviously that's the choice for you.

BTW, everyone who cries about a 4-door sedan being bland or boring, please feel free to post when you are forced to buy a minivan. :chuckles:

[marc]

wow - you could pay $30,000 for this piece of ****, or pay $30,000 for a 3-series BMW and still get 30+ mpg.


It really depends on what you want. The Camry is listed at 40/38 while the 328i is listed at 21/30 (that's 20/29 for you Marc, since an Automatic is completely out of the question. :D ). Also, the BMW required premium gas. There is a difference beteween 30 mpg reg vs. 30 mpg premium.

That being said, I definitely see where you're coming from. It really depends what you want. If you want a good gas mileage land yacht and peace of mind, the Camry is probably the choice for you. If you like the BMW power, ride, and name, then obviously that's the choice for you.

BTW, everyone who cries about a 4-door sedan being bland or boring, please feel free to post when you are forced to buy a minivan. :chuckles:


I feel bad for minivan guys - I love how they have "sport" editions, or how they rammed a VQ into the Quest

oh and with BMW power/ride/name, you left out the most important thing - what makes a BMW a BMW - the handling

[Beast]

It really depends on what you want. The Camry is listed at 40/38 while the 328i is listed at 21/30 (that's 20/29 for you Marc, since an Automatic is completely out of the question. :D ). Also, the BMW required premium gas. There is a difference beteween 30 mpg reg vs. 30 mpg premium.

That being said, I definitely see where you're coming from. It really depends what you want. If you want a good gas mileage land yacht and peace of mind, the Camry is probably the choice for you. If you like the BMW power, ride, and name, then obviously that's the choice for you.

BTW, everyone who cries about a 4-door sedan being bland or boring, please feel free to post when you are forced to buy a minivan. :chuckles:


I feel bad for minivan guys - I love how they have "sport" editions, or how they rammed a VQ into the Quest

oh and with BMW power/ride/name, you left out the most important thing - what makes a BMW a BMW - the handling


I counted the handling within the "ride" category. :D

I bet some of these guys are fatties who need a shoe horn to get out of their Celicas. Camry might not be that bad of an idea. :chuckles:

[Motor]

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/070301/lath088.html?.v=79
Spurred by record hybrid sales, Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., today reported best-ever February sales of 187,330 vehicles, an increase of 12.2 percent over February 2006.

Public Web sites: http://www.toyota.com
http://www.lexus.com
http://www.scion.com

TOYOTA RETAIL SALES
(INCLUDES FLEET & HAWAII)
February, 2007

-- CURRENT MONTH -- -- CALENDAR YEAR TO DATE --

DSR % DSR %
2007 2006 CHG 2007 2006 CHG

YARIS 5,702 0 -- 11,572 0 --
COROLLA 28,321 25,088 12.9 53,840 49,975 5.5
CAMRY 32,148 27,354 17.5 63,609 54,794 13.7
AVALON 5,583 6,900 -19.1 12,112 13,846 -14.3
PRIUS 12,227 6,547 86.8 20,526 14,201 41.6
SCION xA 1,722 2,285 -24.6 3,480 4,343 -21.5
SCION xB 2,868 4,074 -29.6 5,701 7,910 -29.4
SCION tC 4,366 5,048 -13.5 8,779 9,855 -12.7
TOTAL TOYOTA DIV. PASS.
CAR 92,938 77,304 20.2 179,620 154,942 13.6
ES 350 5,286 3,223 64.0 10,606 6,556 58.5
LS 460 2,423 1,015 138.7 5,429 2,205 141.2
SC 430 282 446 -36.8 584 851 -32.8
GS 300 1,388 1,771 -21.6 2,756 3,470 -22.2
GS 430/450h 175 278 -37.1 358 557 -37.0
IS 250/350 3,937 3,882 1.4 7,332 7,955 -9.7
TOTAL LEXUS PASS. CAR 13,491 10,615 27.1 27,065 21,594 22.8
TOTAL TOYOTA PASS. CAR 106,429 87,919 21.1 206,685 176,536 14.7
SIENNA 11,039 12,329 -10.5 21,888 24,103 -11.0
RAV4 11,643 11,068 5.2 23,568 20,450 12.9
FJ CRUISER 5,040 0 -- 9,988 0 --
4RUNNER 7,555 8,613 -12.3 14,885 17,125 -14.9
HIGHLANDER 9,368 9,033 3.7 19,690 17,781 8.5
LAND CRUISER 226 297 -23.9 460 587 -23.2
SEQUOIA 2,312 2,868 -19.4 4,370 5,622 -23.9
TOTAL SUV 36,144 31,879 13.4 72,961 61,565 16.1
4X2 TACOMA 8,698 8,124 7.1 16,176 15,514 2.1
4X4 TACOMA 6,324 5,611 12.7 11,909 10,631 9.7
TOTAL TACOMA 15,022 13,735 9.4 28,085 26,145 5.2
TUNDRA 9,669 10,566 -8.5 15,990 20,025 -21.8
TOTAL PICKUP 24,691 24,301 1.6 44,075 46,170 -6.5
TOTAL TOYOTA DIV. LT
TRUCK 71,874 68,509 4.9 138,924 131,838 3.2
LX 470 269 452 -40.5 556 996 -45.3
GX 470 1,672 1,813 -7.8 3,385 3,759 -11.8
RX 350/400h 7,086 8,247 -14.1 13,630 14,436 -7.5
TOTAL LEXUS LIGHT TRUCK 9,027 10,512 -14.1 17,571 19,191 -10.3
TOTAL TOYOTA LIGHT TRUCK 80,901 79,021 2.4 156,495 151,029 1.5
TOTAL TOYOTA DIV. 164,812 145,813 13.0 318,544 286,780 8.8
TOTAL LEXUS 22,518 21,127 6.6 44,636 40,785 7.2
TOTAL TOYOTA 187,330 166,940 12.2 363,180 327,565 8.6
MEMO:
DOM. COROLLA 25,549 22,549 13.3 48,311 45,793 3.3
DOM. CAMRY 24,990 25,271 -1.1 47,834 50,135 -6.5
DOM. PICKUP 24,691 24,301 1.6 44,075 46,170 -6.5
DOM. RX 350 4,832 5,065 -4.6 8,621 8,419 0.3

SELLING DAYS 24 24 49 48


TOYOTA DIV. IMPORT CAR 36,816 22,584 63.0 71,363 45,168 54.8
LEXUS IMPORT CAR 13,491 10,615 27.1 27,065 21,594 22.8
TOYOTA DIV NA BUILT CARS 56,122 54,720 2.6 108,257 109,774 -3.4
TOTAL TOYOTA CARS 106,429 87,919 21.1 206,685 176,536 14.7

TOYOTA DIV. IMPORT LT
TRUCK 33,832 29,011 16.6 68,591 55,943 20.1
LEXUS IMPORT LT TRUCK 4,195 5,447 -23.0 8,950 10,772 -18.6
TOYOTA DIV NA BUILT LT
TRUCK 38,042 39,498 -3.7 70,333 75,895 -9.2
LEXUS NA BUILT LT TRUCK 4,832 5,065 -4.6 8,621 8,419 0.3
TOTAL TOYOTA LT TRUCK 80,901 79,021 2.4 156,495 151,029 1.5

SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES 40,131 42,391 -5.3 80,544 80,756 -2.3
Memo: Lexus Sport
Utility 9,027 10,512 -14.1 17,571 19,191 -10.3

SMALL VANS 11,039 12,329 -10.5 21,888 24,103 -11.0
PICKUPS 24,691 24,301 1.6 44,075 46,170 -6.5

* NORTH AMERICAN BUILT
VEHICLES
COROLLA 25,549 22,549 13.3 48,311 45,793 3.3
CAMRY 24,990 25,271 -1.1 47,834 50,135 -6.5
AVALON 5,583 6,900 -19.1 12,112 13,846 -14.3
SIENNA 11,039 12,329 -10.5 21,888 24,103 -11.0
PICKUP 24,691 24,301 1.6 44,075 46,170 -6.5
SEQUOIA 2,312 2,868 -19.4 4,370 5,622 -23.9
RX 350 4,832 5,065 -4.6 8,621 8,419 0.3
TOTAL 98,996 99,283 -0.3 187,211 194,088 -5.5
N.A. VEHICLES % OF TOTAL 52.8% 59.5% 51.5% 59.3%

SELLING DAYS 24 24 49 48
DSR = DAILY SELLING RATE

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin...YLOGO)

Source: Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc.

[neological]

Jack Taylor Alexandria Toyota here in Alexandria made it's sales quotas in the 2nd week of last month.

[Motor]

http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D8NTIVO05.htm
Apparently it's been pissing off the Toyota overlords that some of their dealers have been buying American full-size pickup trucks for use as dealership parts haulers, so now they'll be kicking back $2000 to any Lexus, Scion, or Hino distributor that buys a Tundra for dealership use ($2000 being the approximate price difference between the base Tundra and the base F-150). Another step in the Greater Toyota Co-Prosperity Sphere's plan to chip away at the last remaining stronghold of the once-mighty Detroit Empire.

[enthennd]

Hah, have to pay their own dealers to not use domestic, sad.

[neological]

Well, parts hauling doesn't at all require the capabilities or nicities of a Tundra and last I looked there wasn't a JDM pickup nearly as cheap as a ranger or a colorado (japan is not interested in producing 12k sh!tboxes for export). The toyota dealership around here uses Tacomas and Scion xBs.

[marc]

Well, parts hauling doesn't at all require the capabilities or nicities of a Tundra and last I looked there wasn't a JDM pickup nearly as cheap as a ranger or a colorado (japan is not interested in producing 12k sh!tboxes for export). The toyota dealership around here uses Tacomas and Scion xBs.


The frontier is a pretty cheap import truck - I think you can get one under $20,000

plus doesn't mazda sell a ranger clone ?

[LightningRod]

I don't see what's wrong with Toyota dealers using domestics for their gruntwork ... they could care less about them, anyway.

[nyoneway]

If you're a corporate Ford (non-unionized) employee and drive another other car to work, you'll be fired. Try drinking Coke on the job while working for Pepsi.

[LightningRod]

If you're a corporate Ford (non-unionized) employee and drive another other car to work, you'll be fired. Try drinking Coke on the job while working for Pepsi.


I'm a Roman Catholic working in a Seventh Day Adventist hospital. **crosses fingers**

[Motor]

Watch it here: http://www.freshcreation.nl/comments.php?id=1001_0_1_0_C
This interactive holographic Lexus ad by Vizoo is drawing so much attention that the police has to drop by to stop the gathering crowd from jamming the traffic. Watch the videos about the Lexus ad and about the 3D floating video images technology.

[Zenith]

:eek: :AF: :hitit: :drool: :headbang: :bowdown: :eatpop:

I think that about covers it... AWESOMENESS!!!

[celica_2nr]

thats awesome

[Gas-n-Grease]

wow thats cool... just a step closer to actual 360 viewing. Wanna be able to walk around the object and view it from any angle.

[Zenith]

wow thats cool... just a step closer to actual 360 viewing. Wanna be able to walk around the object and view it from any angle.

The way they were showing it... I think you can...

[Gas-n-Grease]

from what i see, this system seems gives everyone the same view from every angle. so instead of trying to get the middle seat, you can sit anywhere and still have the best view.

[Zenith]

Hmm.. I'll have to watch them another time then :)

[Motor]

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070401/REG/70401001/1128&refsect
Two ex-Toyota workers claim they have been unfairly blamed for leaking an embarrassing memo to the media that lays out the automaker's desire to reduce U.S. wages.

The confidential memo is now being quoted by UAW organizers hoping to pick up union support at Toyota's nonunion North American factories.

Riddell and Eades say that several other Georgetown employees were being investigated when they were, as Toyota attempts to find out who leaked the document to the press. But they are the only two who have been terminated.

Riddell and Eades claim that Sudo's memo showed up on an internal website used throughout Toyota's North American operations, and that it was freely accessible to the plants.

The two admitted reading the document. Riddell said that he brought the memo to the attention of his supervisor at Georgetown.

[Speed4TheNeed]

Why wouldn't Toyota want to lower their workers' wages? It may not be popular to those affected workers, but I really don't see what's embarassing about it. What normal company doesn't want to increase profits?

A better question would be, would you rather buy a Toyota for a few hundred dollars less or would you rather pay a few hundred dollars more to support a worker whose job virtually requires no skill and whose wages are already well above free-market value?

I'll take the discount :) .

[Motor]

http://www.4wdcentral.com.au/70seriesdetails.htm
NEW TURBO V8 IS STATE-OF-THE-ART

LandCruiser 70-Series' all-new 4.5-litre V8 turbo-diesel engine is the first Toyota engine with a graphite-iron cylinder block.

The use of graphite iron provides for low weight and a compact size while resisting the high cylinder pressures of a turbocharged diesel design.

The turbocharged and intercooled Quad Cam 32-valve Toyota 1VD-FTV engine uses electronic high-pressure (common rail) D-4D direct injection.

The water-cooled turbocharger utilises a variable nozzle vane to ensure high engine output, low fuel consumption and low emissions.

The 1VD-FTV engine has an air-to-air intercooler and dual electronic throttle valves.

The 4461cc engine has a 90-degree V angle, undersquare bore and stroke dimensions of 86.0mm by 96.0mm to maximise torque and a compression ratio of 16.8:1.

The bank offset is 22mm and the bore pitch is 97mm, to create a compact block relative to the engine's displacement.

The forged steel crankshaft has five journals and seven balance weights.

All pins and induction journals' fillets are hardened to ensure optimum strength.

The base of the cylinder block has substantial stiffening plates, to minimise vibration, and four plastic-region tightening bolts for each bearing cap.

The connecting rods are made of high-strength steel and the big-end bearings are secured with nut-less plastic-region tightening bolts.

Knock pins are used at the mating surfaces of the bearing caps, to ensure correct alignment during assembly.

The 1VD-FTV engine has aluminium-alloy pistons with combustion chambers in the piston crown.

The pistons have an internal cooling channel, a Ni-resist cast-iron top ring carrier to improve wear resistance and resin coating on the skirt to reduce friction loss.

[Gas-n-Grease]

wow, toyota put a lot of R&D into this SUV. i'm expecting the same treatment when toyota rolls out their sport cars.

[jlitman]

Put one in my fukin' Celica.

[homeworld1031tx]

lol and melt your tires all day long with the billion pounds of torque that thing will be putting down. i wouldnt complain if someone did it for me though :cool:

edit: are we gonna see one of these in the new tundra?

[Punkers7465]

Put one in my fukin' Celica.

hahaha

[marc]

wow, toyota put a lot of R&D into this SUV. i'm expecting the same treatment when toyota rolls out their sport cars.


Toyota does not build sports cars

[Red Falcon]

Toyota does not build sports cars
Haha the truth hurts.

[Carbonized_GT]

edit: are we gonna see one of these in the new tundra?


From those who i have spoken to, that attended Toyotas specialized training for the new Tundra, last January, Toyota has no immediate plans to sell the Tundra in a diesel.

[marc]

edit: are we gonna see one of these in the new tundra?


From those who i have spoken to, that attended Toyotas specialized training for the new Tundra, last January, Toyota has no immediate plans to sell the Tundra in a diesel.


probably impossible to meet emissions standards

[jlitman]

wow, toyota put a lot of R&D into this SUV. i'm expecting the same treatment when toyota rolls out their sport cars.


Toyota does not build sports cars

Nevertheless, I will continue to pray for the production of the FT-HS :bowdown:

[Motor]

http://www.pressroom.lexus.com/
Lexus today announced the
manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) for the all-new 2008 LS 600h L
luxury hybrid sedan. The LS 600h L will be the ultimate Lexus statement,
providing the highest level of luxury, technology, performance, safety and
efficiency.

With an extensive list of standard luxury equipment and technological
features, including the world's first full hybrid V8 powertrain, the LS
600h L will carry a base MSRP of $104,000 when it reaches Lexus dealers in
June.
http://www.newswheel.com/files/Lexus/LS/lexus-ls-600h_2007_6.jpg

[marc]

I hate Lexus but this thing is astounding

[GSBoek]

I agree with the astounding.

Anybody notice it has a CVT. Was only time untill they could be made to handle big power.

[booyaolian]

this sedan kicks ass

[marc]

I agree with the astounding.

Anybody notice it has a CVT. Was only time untill they could be made to handle big power.


Unfortunately CVTs are the worst transmissions in the world - I just can't stand them

[GSBoek]

I can feel you. Rode in a CVT Lancer and I didn't know it was, so I asked the driver (a detective, long story) if the tranny was slipping.

[Motor]

http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2007/04/09/043106.html
The votes are in, and readers and editors of the award-winning Automotive Engineering International (AEI) magazine say the Lexus LS 460 is the Best Engineered Vehicle of 2007.

"The voters had good reason for choosing the Lexus LS 460," Kevin Jost, Editor-In-Chief of Automotive Engineering International, said. 'The LS 460 brings consumers at least nine world-firsts, including safety breakthroughs such as an advanced obstacle-detection system, emergency-steering assist and rear pre-crash systems. For driving pleasure, there's also an eight-speed automatic transmission.'

The LS 460's world-first highlights include:

-- eight-speed automatic transmission;
-- pre-crash safety system;
-- advanced obstacle-detection system;
-- driver-monitoring system;
-- emergency-steering assist;
-- intelligent powertrain control system;
-- rear pre-crash safety system;
-- roof climate diffusers;
-- VVT-IE electrically actuated camshaft phasers.
...

[marc]

Can't disagree

If were 60 years old this thing would be at the top of my list for a daily driver

[neological]

I'd take it over a BMW 750 which i believe is it's only competition (don't talk to me about Mercedes or Audi.)

[GSBoek]

I'd take it over any sedan out there for a DD.

[phaqgm]

If I could afford it, I would own one.

[TW00Si]

I saw a review of the LS 460 on the "Speed Test Drive" show and thought the infrared heat sensor on the seats was really ingenious. The self-parking process was pretty interesting.

[Motor]

http://www.sema.org/main/semaorghome.aspx?ID=57227
After recently announcing its vehicle manufacturer sponsorship of the 2007 SEMA Show, Toyota says it will also use the show to debut two new Toyota brand vehicles, according to a story in the Detroit Free Press.
http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/04/chil_sema06_.jpg

[Mochiman]

so... more fixed up and modified cars at the show? haha

[Speed4TheNeed]

I'd love to go to a SEMA show, by far the best thing out there in terms of "shows."

But go because Toyota is debuting a couple of soon-to-be-cheap-ricer vehicles? No.

[marc]

since 2005 Toyota has launched two new models: the Yaris and the FJ Cruiser. They

[GSBoek]

I'd consider the Yaris only a convenient name change since Echo=Yaris in other markets since 1999.

[homeworld1031tx]

[QUOTE=marc]since 2005 Toyota has launched two new models: the Yaris and the FJ Cruiser. They

[silverCELICAgt-s]

a company i was talking to about a possible sponsorship that showcases at sema asked me if i ever have or would ever show my car there... i was like i would love to, but I cant afford to just take my car across the country there so if a company is willing to take it there and show it then they can be more than happy to, lol.

[Speed4TheNeed]

^^ A company is the ONLY way to show your vehicle as SEMA. They also have to be SEMA registerred companies.

You probably already knew that, but your post was a little confusing. It's not like anyone can just go and show their cars. No "person" can, period.

[Carbonized_GT]

I'd consider the Yaris only a convenient name change since Echo=Yaris in other markets since 1999.

I thought Vitz = Yaris.

[jlitman]

:drool: :headbang: heres hoping for a FT-HS production :wiggle:
x2

[Motor]

http://www.motorauthority.com/cars/toyota/toyota-cutting-hybrid-costs/
Toyota has always backed its hybrid technology as the key to reducing fuel consumption and carbon emissions, but as advanced as the technology is, diesel powered cars manage to offer similar levels of eco-friendliness but with more performance to boot. It doesn’t help that hybrid vehicles are considerably more expensive than their oil-burning counterparts as well.

That’s why Toyota is hard at work developing cheaper hybrid systems. Reuters reports that Toyota is hoping to make as much money from hybrids as it does from conventional cars by the end of the decade. The news comes from Toyota’s vice president in charge of powertrain development, Masatami Takimoto, who said cost cutting on the electric motor, battery and inverter were all showing positive results and by the time Toyota’s sales goal of one million hybrids annually is reached, it “expect margins to be equal to gasoline cars”. Takimoto also made the bold claim that by 2020, hybrids will be the standard drivetrain and account for “100 percent” of Toyota’s cars as they would be no more expensive to produce than a conventional vehicle.

[Gas-n-Grease]

eh, I hope they don't. hybrids are just the stepping stone to an actual replacement of gasoline powered cars. By 2020, alternative energy powered cars would have started to come into production and hybrids will begin to become obsolete. well, this is my prediction.

[homeworld1031tx]

By hybrids in 2020, they better mean plug in capable ones. Otherwise, these things are going to be useless

[GSBoek]

There comes a point where you can have too much of a thing.

[Zero]

100%? The environment might not be able to hold up any longer when that time comes. Wow.

[Gas-n-Grease]

^ awww man... no Jennifer Love Hewitt. That's messed up.

[Zero]

^ awww man... no Jennifer Love Hewitt. That's messed up.

you gotta do, what you gotta do. :chuckles:

[Motor]

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...ticleId=120856
Sales of Toyota Prius and Camry hybrids reached record levels in March as the technology has broken out of the "early adopter" niche and gone mainstream, according to Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. General Manager Bob Carter.

"Right now the technology is acceptable beyond the early adopters," he said. Because of that trend, the company is focusing its attention on providing hybrid versions of its bread-and-butter models sooner rather than later.

The company has made a general statement that it hopes to eventually offer hybrid versions of every model it sells. But in the near-term, it makes sense to focus on high-volume market segments, said Carter. "We are covering the main segments first, the midsize sedan and midsize SUV segments," Carter said. Toyota sells more Sienna minivans than Highlander SUVs, so that looks like another strong candidate segment, especially because the two vehicles share much of their mechanical design.

[homeworld1031tx]

funny that toyota is outselling vw in just hybrids, i'm pretty happy about that.

anyways, motor, i've always wondered if you actually own a celica, or at least a toyota?

[GSBoek]

Sienna Hybrid should do pretty good.

^Funny question. So what does Motor drive?

[Royalcelica00]

he is on a celica forum.

[homeworld1031tx]

a lotttt of people on the forum dont own celicas (or at least dont own them anymore...)

[Motor]

anyways, motor, i've always wondered if you actually own a celica, or at least a toyota?
^Funny question. So what does Motor drive?

:chuckles: I've still got my trusty fuel-efficient Celica GT. I've just stopped modifying it. The last and final thing I'm going to do to it is, get it repainted back to it's carbon blue color. I've waxed and clay-barred the damn thing so much, that it looks like a mix of SBM and CB. I want a Lexus or an Infiniti next.

[Red Falcon]

:chuckles: I've still got my trusty fuel-efficient Celica GT. I've just stopped modifying it. The last and final thing I'm going to do to it is, get it repainted back to it's carbon blue color. I've waxed and clay-barred the damn thing so much, that it looks like a mix of SBM and CB. I want a Lexus or an Infiniti next.
IS-F ftw!

[Motor]

Maybe a couple of years after I graduate. We'll see. :burnout: But in all likelihood there'll be newer and better cars by the time I'm done.

[homeworld1031tx]

heh didn't think you had one thats kinda cool. I always thought you just hung around in the all other models section of NC cause it is more organized than most other car websites lol.

[Motor]

http://www.nihoncar.com/en/news-516-Lexus+is+ready+for+the+battle+!.html


Firstly the Lexus IS, challenging cars such as the BMW 3 series or Mercedes C Class, should soon be adding a convertible version to the lineup, a great news for all those who want to enjoy the upcoming summer in the best dispositions, no infos on the type of engine there will be under the right foot yet.

The second news will please all the Motorsport fans like myself, especially in the United States of America because Lexus has never been closer to enter the American Le Mans Series with the IS-F, to compete in the GT2 class alongside the Ferrari F430 and Porsche 997 GT.

Last but not least, Lexus is bringing something on the table for all the supercar lovers, the LF-A, considered by some as the new Toyota Supra, will mean business: 570HP and 320+kmh (200+mph) on the speedometer.