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Toyota Assembler Company Hit by Earthquake in Japan

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 01:04:55 GMT

A strong earthquake hit the soil of Northern Japan last Saturday, June 14, 2008. This magnitude 7.2 earthquake was reported to have killed six persons and injured more than a hundred. Guests from a leveled resort hotel have been trapped due to fallen debris.

It struck at 8:43 a.m. (12:43 a.m. British time). Its main point was 10 km (6 miles) underground in Iwate and Miyagi prefectures, north of Tokyo leaving some big companies including Toyota Motor Corporation to stop their operation.

Miyagi and Iwate is a place where a lot of of large factories are situated.

Fujitsu Ltd and Sony stop the progress of production in the said region for their equipments damage tests while a company for assembling cars for Toyota suffered some minor damage at a factory. According to a spokesperson, the quake banged over some equipments and auto bodies at a factory operated by Kanto Auto Works Ltd in Iwate which is performs the assembling of Corolla models for Toyota.

Due to the minor damages on the firm, it suspended its operation to perform some equipments tests and still considers the plan for resuming operation on Monday.

A spokesperson for Toyota also added that factories operating nearby and the group of companies in Miyagi did not suffer any damage. Sony has halted operations for safety purposes. Fujitsu also halted for equipment checks at its semiconductor factory. While a car parts maker named Keihin Corp also situated on the tremor place could not be reached for comments.

Toyota Hybrid Production Expands

Tue, 10 Jun 2008 04:33:50 GMT

The best selling car in America for several years has been the Toyota Camry. It is a mid-size car, formerly a compact car manufactured by Toyota since 1980. In May 2006 Toyota has introduced the New Toyota Camry Hybrid; it is a hybrid version of the Camry sedan.

According to a June 7 newspaper report, Toyota Motor Corporation, the world second largest automaker, will start to produce hybrid cars in Australia and Thailand in the course of the big demand for fuel-efficient vehicles. This is Toyota’s method of saving the consumers from having high expense due to high oil price.

According to the Nikkei Business Daily, the plan is the make the Toyota Camry Hybrid later this year in Thailand and in 2010 in Australia. The Toyota Camry Hybrid is currently produced by Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky, in Georgetown, Kentucky. The company is planning to use the same production line that the standard Camry sedan has used.

The production upgrade aims to make 10,000 units of hybrid vehicles within three to four years for every new plant.

This new plant is planning to produce Toyota Camry Hybrids which will utilize the third generation Hybrid Synergy Drive which will debut in the 2009 Toyota Prius. It is a hybrid car technology developed by Toyota which is described as a drive-by-wire system which sends electrical signals to a control computer.

With this plan of expanding, Toyota is expected to become the world’s top automaker and therefore surpass the US giant General Motors.

Troubleshooting Squealing Car Brakes

Tue, 03 Jun 2008 01:41:09 GMT

Anyone doesn’t have to be a master technician to do their own auto repairs. We just need to consult our auto manual or even have few researches online for solution to simple auto problems.

If you do your own auto repair yourself, you’re going to save a lot of money. You will not have to pay high labor charges or even get rid of unnecessary changing of parts.

One of the most common auto problems is the squealing of brakes. This may be created when metal is contacting metal within the brake assembly. Here’s a few reason why car brakes squeak.

Low quality brakes may not have a very good friction compounds which causes metal to contact another moving piece of metal.

Rust may be accumulated on the brake drums and rotors. When the brakes of a car are not used for a while, rust forms on the braking surface of both rotors and drums. This can be solved by applying brakes very lightly during the first step of the brake pedal to remove any rust build-up. The noise may subside after a few tries. Do not use oil or lubricants because you must disrupt the main purpose of the brakes. But some brands include adhesives or lubricants supplied on the products packaged. So as long as it is prescribed, I guess it would be safe.

The most common cause of brake squeal is the worn parts. So it is advisable to check and replace any worn parts such as calipers, sliders, bushings, anti-rattle clips, rotors or drums to reduce the noise.

This is the most basic steps for troubleshooting squealing brake problems. Procedures for replacing worn parts will be shared on later posts.

One Hot Car

Thu, 15 May 2008 06:44:59 GMT

The Honda CR-Z is a gasoline-electric hybrid automobile developed and produced by Honda. It stands for 'Compact Renaissance Zero.' It was first introduced as a concept car by Honda CEO Takeo Fukui on October 23, 2007 at the 2007 Tokyo Auto Show. It was also announced that a variation of the car will make production by 2009. This compact could be a good way for the return of the CR-X. According to Automotive News Europe, Honda plans to roll out the production of CR-Z in 2009 or 2010

This car is powered by a gasoline-hybrid engine. It achieves clean performance and a high level of torque with this engine. It also takes care of the environment at the same time.

It has been named by the company as “the lightweight sports car". The perfect word for this concepts interior is 'Hi-tech and Sporty'. In the cockpit, the meter unit conveys the image of advanced technology in a piece of glass artwork. The exterior has an over-sized grille with a high-performance look. It also features tube-shaped rear combination lamps for better visibility. It has door mirrors that provide high visibility in a stylish form. It also has a LED headlight.

Oh man! They actually made the concept very sweet! This is what I’ve been waiting for. I guess that if they share the same drive train with the Civic HatchBack it will be one mean machine. I would love to see a number of this go into production. And I also want them to bring back the CRX, they are great.

Introducing Hummer-HX

Wed, 14 May 2008 06:35:04 GMT

The Hummer HX is a concept SUV revealed on the eight of January 2008 at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show. HX is not the final name for the production, but the automakers are thinking of naming it the "H4"

“Compared to the H3, the HX concept is shorter by approximately 10 inches, but the HX's track is slightly wider than the H3's” Power for the HX comes from an E85 FlexFuel 3.6L SIDI V6. It is backed up by a six-speed automatic transmission.

It features removable doors which has an easily removable pin that allows the doors to be removed quickly. It is one of the features of many serious off-roaders. It also has its removable fender flares which can be quickly removed for additional ground clearance, or if the flare is damaged during off-road driving. It also includes HID headlamps with as well as LED tail lamps and turn-signal indicators. Hummer HX Concept has a 103-inch wheelbase that can be compared to the Jeep Wranglers in size.

The HX interior was designed to be very stylish but very functional. According to the automakers, the bare aluminum look was inspired by the aeronautical industry.

This is one awesome concept. It is simply the best looking Hummer ever. I like the screens on the dash; if it was toned down a bit I think it could be really nice.

It really does look like something out of a video game, except it needs missile launchers and a turret gun. Anyway, this is what Hummer should be all about.

Battling Teen Crash Fatalities

Thu, 06 Mar 2008 09:24:48 GMT

Teenage drivers are involved in fatal traffic accidents at more than twice the rate of the rest of the U.S. population, and motor vehicle crashes still remain the leading cause of death among teens, according to a Finanzen.net release.

To battle these statistics, Toyota Motor Corp. will be continuing its hands-on national teen and parent advanced driving skills program dubbed Toyota Driving Expectations. The program, offered free of charge countrywide, will be putting teens behind the wheel to face challenging, real-world scenarios under the supervision of professional drivers.

Safety is one of Toyota’s top priorities. This is why the automaker is finding ways to educate the teens and amateur drivers in order to cut fatal traffic accidents. Though the end is not as simple as restricting the use of Nology Coolwires ignition wire set among young drivers, Toyota is determined to probe much deeper.

"Toyota is committed to safe driving and equipping teens with the tools and confidence they need to become better drivers," said Michael Rouse, Toyota's corporate manager of national philanthropy and community affairs. "Since the program's debut in 2004, Toyota Driving Expectations has touched the lives of more than 7,500 teens and parents, creating an open dialogue within families to develop and maintain safe driving habits."

Toyota Driving Expectations in partnership with the National Safety Council is making safe driving milestones a reality. The automaker’s program includes elements of the Council's signature driving programs such as Alive at 25 and Family Guide to Teen Drivers. In spring this year, a Toyota Driving Expectations event will be held at the following locations:

-- Charlotte Knights Stadium, Fort Mill, S.C., 4/4 - 4/6
-- Atlanta Motor Speedway, Atlanta, Ga., 4/11 - 4/13 and 4/18 - 4/20
-- Suffolk Downs, East Boston, Mass., 4/25 - 4/27
-- Belmont Park Race Track, Elmont, N.Y., 5/2 - 5/4

For more info, visit http://www.toyotadrivingexpectations.com/.

Where Would Akio Lead Toyota?

Mon, 25 Feb 2008 12:22:59 GMT

No doubt about it, Toyota is trailing the right path towards supremacy. The Japanese auto giant will soon be donning the crown for the world’s largest automaker – a title worn by General Motors for quite a long time.

The implication of the rise to power is to be meticulous in the choice of a leader. Katsuaki Watanabe, 66, will soon retire. And the yoke of managing a very successful auto giant could be burdened on Akio Toyoda, the grandson of the company’s founder.

Where would the 51-year-old heir lead the Japanese auto giant – to bliss or to disgrace?

"If I am going to be at the top of the car company, I want to be the owner-chef" - with knowledge not just of its vehicles but their ingredients,” Toyota said in an interview with the International Herald Tribune. As such, "I taste my car, and if it tastes good, I provide it to the customer."

"Whether Akio gets the top job depends on circumstances, not on some inevitability in the return of a Toyoda," said James Womack, an auto industry expert and a Toyota observer.

As other observers predict, Toyoda would be likely contrasted to his father, Shoichiro Toyoda. The 83-year-old Toyoda was the company’s president from 1982 to 1992. Currently, he is the automaker’s honorary chairman.

Under Shoichiro’s leadership, Toyota abandoned its label as a Japanese exporter by building plants in America and Europe. Notwithstanding the powerful clout of Detroit automakers, Toyota has gradually paved the way for a tighter competition.

Toyoda is now undergoing a series of stringent trainings. He is racing using the company cars. He is also making himself familiar with the auto industry ins and outs. The range of training is "not only to be president," Akio said. "People in the industry have got to like cars."

Instead of holding an engineering diploma, the young Toyoda earned a law degree at Keio University in Japan and an MBA from Babson College in Boston. After that, he went to New York to become an investment banker.

"Everyone says Toyota is the best company in the world, but the customer doesn't care about the world. They care if we are the best in town, or not. That's what I want to be," he concluded.

Do you know why Nology Coolwires ignition wire set is recognized by auto buffs? This is because they build parts with quality in mind. Very much like Toyota. No wonder why the company is on the top.

Toyota UK Launches New Yaris SR

Fri, 22 Feb 2008 06:47:46 GMT

Cute. Sporty. Trendy. These are just some of the exemplary qualities of the new Toyota Yaris SR, offered with a 1.3 VVT-i petrol and 1.4 D-4D diesel engine.

According to carscoop.blogspot.com, these models from Toyota UK are the latest in Toyota Yaris’ line-up. You might be asking, what’s new with these Yaris SR? Just a point of information, these cars boast of a fully-integrated audio system equipped with detachable Tom Tom satellite navigation unit that provides directions as well as touchscreen interface for its stereo. They also have Bluetooth connectivity that allows hands-free phone use and USB connection.

Now, let’s focus on the specifics. These new Toyota Yaris SR Edition don’t feature super mega ultra brighttail lights but they assure powerful and standard quality ride with additional features such as the Toyota Motorsport 16-inch Pit Lane alloy wheels, rear roof spoiler, chrome exhaust finisher, Toyota Motorsport Lowered sports suspension, brushed alloy gearshift knob for the manual versions and front scuff plates.

In addition, they incorporate safety systems including nine airbags, electric front windows, remote central double locking and front fog lamps. It also bears an easy Flat system that facilitates the full flat-folding of the Yaris’ rear seats. Cool, isn’t it? To add to that is its Smart Entry and Start System via an extra light and compact control fob.

According to toyota.co.uk., Yaris adopts Toyota’s Vibrant Clarity design which combines principles of form and function to come up with a product having a balance of four essential qualities: dynamism, energy, simplicity and logic.

Compared to their equivalent T3 version, these Yaris SR models cost about £350 higher. The three-door Yaris SR 1.3 VVT-I manual version’s starting price is pegged at £10,995.

Press To Turn Chrysler Into Toyota

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 12:13:51 GMT

Fresh from the sanctuary of the largest Japanese automaker, James Press is said to be turning Chrysler into Toyota.

The former Toyota Motor Corp. exec will play a significant role in making Chrysler LLC, one of the most profitable automakers around the globe. As such, watchers in the industry expect the Auburn Hills automaker to entertain model and dealership cuts to be more productive, focused and profitable.

Press is poised to make the goals happen. And he is anticipated to emulate the good organization of his previous employer. At the recent meetings with Chrysler's dealers, Press divulged the beginnings of a plan to overhaul the struggling lineup of the automaker. The company will be slashing its 28 current models to approximately 16 and adding some to fill the gap.

Additionally, the exec told dealers he wants to accelerate consolidation of the company's bloated dealer body, resulting in a smaller retail network that sells Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep brands under the same roof. The moves come on the heels of two major restructuring moves announced by Chrysler in the last 12 months that cut more than 700,000 cars worth of production at several plants and took out about 23,000 jobs, BusinessWeek reported.

"We'll get the company sized right for the market we'll be in," Press told reporters after the dealer meetings on Feb. 8. "We'll be the best damn little car company there is."

Press told dealers he wants to eliminate models sold by one Chrysler brand that are basically clones of a car sold by a sister division. His logic is that, with fewer models, Chrysler can put its marketing dollars behind one car in every market segment and create more noise with its advertising.

One Chrysler dealer has this to say: "Press said they need fewer products so we can really get behind every one of them.”

Press’ strategies will call for the elimination of redundancies and look-alikes in its current vehicle lineup. As a consequence, the maker of Chrysler parts will be facing slipping market shares.

"They will lose sales. When they get rid of one model, they may only get back 20% of those buyers with their remaining cars, said John Wolkonowicz of Global Insight's North American Auto Forecasting Group.”

"We don't know how many models we're going to have," Press said on the company’s Web site. "Nobody knows that."

The exec added Chrysler plans to add more models to find new buyers not already shopping Chrysler's brands: "We'll pick up more quality sales volume," he promised.

Panasonic Toyota Jerez Update

Wed, 23 Jan 2008 00:24:20 GMT

Timmo Glock, Kamuyi Kobayashi and the rest of the Pamasonic Toyota team conveyed its preliminary tests this year. The team had positive results courtesy of Glock who finished the test with the fastest time in his new TF108 racecar in Spain last week. It turned out to be a great day for the team without any busted distributor caps or engine problems.

Let’s check out some practice notes from the team courtesy of the Motor Sport:

Timo Glock

Chassis TF108/02
Best Lap Time: 1min 19.779s
Position: 1st
Total laps: 96
Total distance: 425.088km

"I am pleased with our progress today and I believe we have made some significant improvements to the new car. It is encouraging to see us end the day with the fastest lap and I think we made a step forward. Once again the car was extremely reliable and that allowed us to complete a lot of laps and gather plenty of information. This is a completely different car compared to the TF107 but it is a good step forward and we know what we need to work on to improve. I made a small mistake in the morning on the damp track when the rear wheels locked and I spun but it didn't cost us much time. The team worked really hard this week to improve the car and I am happy."

Kamui Kobayashi

Chassis TF107/06
Best Lap Time: 1min 20.577s
Position: 7th
Total laps: 53
Total distance: 234.684km

"The rain in the morning meant there was not much point in me going out in the TF107 because it is not possible to make accurate set-up judgements in such conditions. So I waited and when the track began to dry I was able to start my programme. Overall it went well and we have had a positive test. I think we have learned some things during my two days and now I am looking forward to getting the chance to drive the TF108 in the coming tests. Both Timo and Jarno have been pretty positive about it so I can't wait."

Gerd Pfeiffer, Test Team Manager

"We have had a very productive four days here at Jerez with the new car, including the roll-out. It has been a promising start to the year and we have made good progress understanding the TF108. But this is only the first step and we know we have more work to do in the next five pre-season tests to improve the car's performance. Today was another busy day for Timo with the new car and he has conducted some important set-up work, including an impressive lap in the afternoon. Kamui did fewer laps because of the damp conditions but he completed the programme we had planned for him."