Author: Eric Loveday

Filed under: Mercedes-Benz, Toyota, Earnings/Financials

Daimler began developing fuel-cell vehicles way back in 1994. To date, the company has spent $1.23 billion on the propulsion technology. Toyota entered into the hydrogen realm even earlier by kicking off development back in 1992. With decades of combined experience, both companies have become front runners in fuel-cell technology. Toyota and Honda became the first automakers to put commercial hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles on the roads back in 2002.

As you are likely aware, Toyota has teamed up with Tesla for development of electric vehicles at NUMMI. Now, a new report suggests that the company may join forces with Daimler (which also holds stake in Tesla) to develop affordable hydrogen-powered vehicles.

According to the Financial Times Deutschland (as reported in Reuters), Toyota and Daimler plan “extensive cooperation in the field of fuel cells for electric cars.” The Financial Times also suggests that the collaborative work could take the form of a joint venture. The newspaper contacted both companies for official confirmation, but Toyota denied knowledge of any such deal and Daimler was not available for comment.

Last year, some of the major players in fuel cell technology agreed to work together to promote the adoption of the hydrogen-powered vehicle. Within that group, we saw names like Daimler, Toyota, General Motors, Ford, Honda, Nissan and Hyundai. With so many companies pledging to combine their might on fuel-cell vehicle development, we assumed that some sort of joint venture would emerge. Tim Urquhart, an analyst at IHS Global Insight suggests that a Toyota-Daimler joint venture could benefit both companies. As Urquhart said:

The high development costs associated with trying to bring fuel-cell powertrain technology to production means that it is a highly logical step for Daimler and Toyota to try and share the costs and their extensive knowledge in fuel-cell technology.

At this point, it may just be wishful thinking, but we’d love to see a joint venture between the two companies. It would surely help out the hydrogen vehicle programs of each respective company and a joint venture might even bring more jobs back to NUMMI.

[Source: Reuters]

Report: Toyota and Daimler planning “extensive cooperation” on fuel cell development originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 26 May 2010 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Etc., Tesla

It’s not all that often that a messy divorce pops up with a billionaire on one side and somebody who wants part of the money on the other, right? Actually, this occurs far too often and a divorce involving wealthy individuals can be downright messy and ultimately destructive to those involved. It appears as though the divorce between Tesla’s chief executive officer Elon Musk and soon-to-be ex-wife Justine Musk is playing out as one of those mega-litigious affairs, and the impact may be extend well beyond just the two involved.

In case you haven’t followed the Musk soap opera, here’s what’s going on. The divorce saga has been going on seemingly forever, as these things take lots of time. Justine Musk recently began blogging about the whole fiasco a couple of weeks ago on her Livejournal site. Justine is fighting the court battle to secure a few things that she feels entitled to. What does Justine want? Not much, just the house, alimony and child support, $6 million in cash, 10 percent of Elon’s stock in Tesla, 5 percent of his stock in SpaceX, and throw in a Tesla Roadster as well.

Naturally, Elon is none too thrilled about the demands and has decided to fight this one in court. As the battle ensues, Elon stands a chance of losing much more than just the things listed above. If the divorce goes awry, Tesla could lose the $465 million in government funding that could delay its initial public offering. How does the divorce play into government funding? A stipulation in the paperwork states that government funds will be withdrawn if Musk doesn’t hold enough stock in the company.

So is Justine being fair? Are her demands legit? As she said on her blog:

Is that what I deserve? I don’t know. Who exactly deserves that kind of wealth? But based on our life and history together, is that reasonable? I think so.

One more thing to think about: by not agreeing to a settlement, Elon Musk risks losing even more as the post-marital agreement could be ruled illegal or fraudulent, and California law would then grant 50 percent of all communal property to Justine.

[Source: Livejournal, Reuters, Inside Line]

Wife of Tesla CEO demands 10-percent of his company stock and a Roadster in divorce originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 May 2010 15:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Europe, Plants/Manufacturing, Technology, Mercedes-Benz

Photos copyright (C)2009 Chris Paukert / Weblogs, Inc.
[Source: Green Car Advisor]

Following BMW, Daimler announces carbon fiber future ahead for Mercedes originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 29 Apr 2010 16:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Etc., Government/Legal, UK

Through the power of Facebook, up to a half a million drivers in the UK are expected to boycott gas next month shortly before the nation heads to the polls for a general election in which Prime Minister (PM) Gordon Brown is fighting stiff competition for the win.

Many Brits are upset with recent gas tax increases that were supported and passed by PM Brown. Protesters hope that the mass demonstration will be the nail in the coffin for his chances of winning. Gas prices have soared in Britain, reaching U.S. $1.87 a liter (about $7.06 a gallon) last week. The numbers are a significant increase from a year ago when gas was only $5.55 a gallon. Further upsetting residents, the government pockets a whopping $4.42 from each gallon sold, yet still insists that more taxes are needed. Another government-mandated tax increase is scheduled for this fall followed by one more next winter and, frankly, many people are fed up.

On May 1st, protesters will go into action by blocking entry into local gas stations. As boycott organizer Jo Slater said, “We need to take action, the only way we’ll see petrol prices fall is if we hit someone in the pocket.” Additional protests are scheduled across the nation with support from the trucking industry and farmers.

Here in the states, we constantly hear complaints of gas prices that are astronomical. Sure, $2.80 might seem like a lot to us, but it’s like a slap in the face compared to the UK’s knock-out blow. Ouch. Our thanks go to Andy for this one!

[Source: NewsoftheWorld | Image: BradleyPJohnson – C.C. 2.0]

Taxes drive gas prices to over $7 a gallon in UK, mass boycott coming soon originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 21 Apr 2010 07:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Government/Legal, Canada

Following the lead of the United States, Canada has reportedly chosen to employ a fuel economy regulation program for the first time ever, and it’s virtually identical to ours. According to the Times Colonist, the differences between the two countries’ programs are so minute that you could essentially say Canada has copied our new Corporate Average Fuel Economy guidelines that require automakers to achieve a fleet average fuel economy of around 35 mpg by 2016. Prior to this, Canada did issue emissions guidelines, but it apparently didn’t actually require compliance from automakers.

The guidelines for Canada’s new emissions standard require automakers operating in that country achieve a CAFE number of 35.5 mpg by 2016. Starting in 2011, vehicles will also have to meet stringent greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) ratings, and a failure to meet the standards will result in monetary penalties. The GHG requirements will become more stringent as time passes. Sound familiar?

Okay, so Canada’s new requirements are practically identical to our new U.S. regulations, and that’s great because automakers will only have one standard to meet across both countries. Well, almost. It’s not yet known if Quebec and British Columbia will adopt the new Canadian standards or attempt to regulate vehicle emissions on their own. Regardless, the new Canadian emissions standards will for the most part allow automakers to make one vehicle that can be sold in both countries with no emissions related modifications needed. Now, if we could just get a few more countries on-board, those pesky European and Japanese cars we’ve been longing for could make their way Stateside some day. Except for the issue of differing crash standards. Oh, well…

[Source: Times Colonist | Image: TKOwned via CC2.0]

Report: Canada reveals first-ever vehicle emissions standards that looks awfully familiar originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Apr 2010 15:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Aside from the thrill of the race, motorsports are useful because the race cars they showcase often pass their genes down to the everyday vehicles that we drive. In an effort to perhaps hold its position as a trendsetter, or just to be more green, the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) held a meeting to discuss alternative energies that can be utilized in all major categories of racing. The meeting, held at the Automobile Club de Monaco, brought together the heads of four international of motorsport federations, including motorcycles, powerboats, automobiles and aeronautics. FIM chairman Robert Rasor commented on the gathering by stating,

This was an interesting meeting and we expect to work together with the other motorsport federations and join forces to develop a common strategy towards the environment and its protection and promote the use of alternative energies.

Understanding that even motorsports can have an impact on the environment, either directly or indirectly, is a step in the right direction. Working together, the groups will draw from learned expertise and move towards a greener racing environment quickly. Here’s hoping their efforts do more than slowly trickle down into vehicles that we drive day in and day out.

[Source: Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme]

International racing organizations meet to discuss environmental responsibility originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 04 Apr 2010 15:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Hybrid, Government/Legal, Chevrolet, GM, Electric

In an effort to make the government’s fleet of vehicles more green, the Obama administration has reportedly announced plans to add more hybrids this year followed by plug-in hybrids next year. The plan should double the number of hybrids in the government’s fleet, a step towards achieving its goal of reducing fleet petroleum use by 30 percent by 2020.

The new plan involves purchasing 100 plug-in vehicles by the end of next year, and the front-runner is the Chevrolet Volt. According to Ward’s Auto, the White House has announced that the government will purchase the first 100 Chevy Volts to roll off the assembly line later this year. The government is also considering adding the plug-in hybrid electric Dodge Ram to its fleet, though how many units it’s considering has not been released.

Whether or not the Volt and PHEV Ram are being considered because the government just happens to be part owner of their parent companies remains to be seen, but we haven’t heard mention of the excellent Ford Fusion Hybrid.

UPDATE: GM has officially responded to the government suggesting that the first 100 Volts will end up in government fleets by stating,

We are pleased to see that the Federal government is interested in the greening of their vehicle fleet. Media speculation has led to reports that the GSA and DOE will be buying the first 100 Chevrolet Volt’s because we will meet this criteria. At this time we have no further details regarding these purchases.

[Source: Ward’s Auto]

Report: U.S. government to purchase first 100 Chevy Volts and thousands of hybrids *UPDATE originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Apr 2010 11:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Plants/Manufacturing, Saab, Spyker

Interested in a job in the automotive world? Saab has the news that you’ve been waiting for. According to AFP news service, production of Saab vehicles will be boosted to six times the current amount in just two short years. In order to meet that ambitious target, the automaker has announced that it will need the help of 500 more workers.

Spyker Cars, the new owners of Saab, announced the need for more workers in Paris last Wednesday. Spyker chief executive Victor Muller also laid out some future financial plans for the Saab brand. Muller said that Saab would receive $1 billion in support and plans for expanding the sales volume will result in overall profit by 2012.

Last year, Saab produced just 20,000 vehicles, though it produced over 90,000 in 2008 before it looked like (then) parent General Motors was fixin’ to close up its Swedish shop.. By 2012, the company aims to produce 120,000 vehicles. Spyker anticipates that Saab will sell around 50,000 vehicles this year and slowly increase production until the 2012 target is met. Meeting the goals apparently requires a workforce of 4,000 people, which in turn requires 500 new workers, a sizable hiring uncommon in recent automotive history.

[Source: AFP via Google News]

Saab’s hiring! 500 workers reportedly needed to boost production originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Mar 2010 17:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Etc., Technology, Design/Style

Most everyone is familiar with the Ward’s Auto 10 Best Engines award where BMW, Audi and Ford took several honors for 2010, but a less prominent, though perhaps more eye-catching, award given by the magazine is the Ward’s Interior of the Year awards.

The award recipients are chosen through a process that examines all new vehicles for the given model year. For 2010, Ward’s had 40 vehicles, considered finalists meeting the requirements. Vehicles are placed in several different classes and judged based upon interior ergonomics, quality and feel of materials, comfort, fit and finish and overall value.

The winners in each class will be announced in mid-April, but you can continue after the jump to view the list of competitors in each class. It could be argued that many of the vehicles are deserving, but only one per class will be selected. The Buick Regal interior pictured above caught our eye, but tell us your own in the comments below.

[Source: Ward’s Auto – Sub. Req.]

Continue reading Ward’s Auto selects 40 finalists for Interior of the Year award

Ward’s Auto selects 40 finalists for Interior of the Year award originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Mar 2010 07:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Recalls, Safety, Chevrolet, GM, GMC

General Motors issued a recall and stop sale on heavy-duty vans including the 2010 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana due to a problem with the alternator that could potentially lead to a fire. GM advises owners to stop driving the vehicles immediately. adding that vehicles should be parked away from buildings and vehicles, and owners should promptly disconnect both battery cables. Vehicles should not be used until GM has come up with a fix for the problem.

Many of the recalled vans are owned by company fleets. The recall includes all 2500, 3500, and 4500 models built in February and March of this year. Light duty vans are excluded from the recall because they utilize a different alternator. Some of the affected vehicles are utilized for retail operations and as rentals. With the stop sale order, the vans cannot be sold to customers and can not be rented from car rental agencies. Full details in the press release after the jump.

Continue reading GM recalls 5,000 vans with serious fire risk, tells owners to park outside, away from everything

GM recalls 5,000 vans with serious fire risk, tells owners to park outside, away from everything originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 29 Mar 2010 16:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Maybach, Mercedes-Benz, Rumormill

According to one of China’s largest auto-related websites, BYD is interested is acquiring the Maybach brand from Mercedes-Benz within the next few years. The site, auto.sina.com is reporting that an undisclosed official from BYD confirmed the companies interest in Maybach. The source stated that BYD would “launch the acquisition” when Mercedes finalizes its decision to end the Maybach nameplate.

Mercedes and BYD have already joined together in an effort to market electric vehicles in China, so the companies have a working relationship, but whether or not this relationship translates into the acquisition of Maybach is unknown. It seems unlikely that Mercedes would hand over the Maybach nameplate to another company, but it just might happen. BYD’s expansion efforts have been strong and luxury cars such as the Zeppelin, pictured above, tend to sell well in foreign markets so it could be a fit for BYD. For now, we will just have to wait it out and see what develops.

[Source: auto.sina via The Tycho]

Rumormill: BYD interested in buying Maybach from Mercedes?! originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 29 Mar 2010 13:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Technology, Ford

Though driving impressions of the new 5.0-liter 2011 Ford Mustang GT are off limits for now, Popular Hot Rodding notes that Ford made no mention of releasing pure facts. It’s all about the numbers anyway, right? During last week’s media launch for the new Mustangs in California, the showdown between the (supposedly) 412-horsepower 2011 Mustang GT 5.0 and the 426-horsepower 2010 Camaro SS got underway at a sectioned-off portion of the Camarillo Airport. An eighth-mile drag strip lay ahead of the two ponycars, both equipped with six-speed automatics.

With time-slips in hand, the numbers don’t lie. Popular Hot Rodding managed a time of 8.82 seconds at 83 miles per hour in the Camaro, but the Mustang proved to be even faster at 8.62 seconds at 86 mph. Virtually all journalists on hand recorded better times in the Mustang. Crude translations to quarter mile numbers come in at 13.8 seconds for the Camaro and 13.5 seconds for the Stang.

With a base price coming in at $30,495 and numbers that – for now, at least – appear to beat the competition, Ford looks like it has a serious hit in the making with its new 5.0 Mustang. How the renewed rivalry translates from the streets to the sales sheets, where the Camaro currently rules the roost, will be interesting to watch.

[Source: Popular Hot Rodding]

Unofficial drag test puts 2011 Mustang GT ahead of Camaro SS in eighth-mile showdown originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 28 Mar 2010 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Government/Legal, Marketing/Advertising, Hyundai

A California-based Hyundai dealership has filed a lawsuit against Hyundai Motor America claiming that the automaker did not provide help to the struggling dealership despite contractual agreements and assurances that Hyundai would do everything necessary to help out the dealership during the economic downturn.

Estes Automotive Group, owner of Merced Hyundai in California, claims that the company treated them unfairly and did not act in good faith. The suit, filed in early March by Estes, seeks $30 million in losses that the dealership endured under promises from Hyundai that the company would help them weather the economic storm.

Estes claims that Hyundai strung the dealership out for more than a year promising to provided assistance as long as the dealership continued to operate. The dealership was instructed to go about its business as usual and Hyundai would take care of the financial situation. With these words, Estes continued to operate the facility at a loss counting on support from Hyundai which never came.

Hyundai Motor America has not commented on the matter, but has until the beginning of April to respond to the lawsuit. The suit is demanding a jury trial against Hyundai on the grounds of the company “engaging in a calculated scheme to bleed assets and operating capital, and ultimately destroying the business.” Merced Hyundai closed its doors for good in January.

[Source: Automotive News – Sub. Req.]

Report: Hyundai getting sued by former CA dealer for $30M originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 26 Mar 2010 18:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Government/Legal, Recalls, Safety, Toyota

Toyota announced an all out recall of both floor mats and accelerator pedals beginning in late 2009, but the issue was clearly known by the company years prior. Recent reports indicated that the automaker was well aware of floor mat-related issues dating back to early 2007. Not only was the company aware of the issue, it responded by posting a technical service bulletin (TSB).

Back in March of 2007, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened an investigation into pedal entrapment on the Lexus ES350. Within two weeks, Toyota issued a TSB to dealers regarding possible pedal entrapment caused by floor mats. Later that year, Toyota warned dealers of the same possible risk on all Toyota models and instructed dealerships not to install optional floor mats. A portion of the TSB is posted below:

NEVER install more than one floormat at a time in the driver’s seating position… If applicable, any secondary set of floormats MUST be placed in the trunk with all the packaging material intact. DO NOT install the secondary mat on top of the primary floormat already in the driver’s seating position.

In September of 2007, Toyota voluntarily recalled 55,000 floormats from Lexus and Toyota vehicles, but stated that no known problem had been found with the mats or vehicles. NHTSA closed the investigation, but the problems didn’t end. Toyota continued to send TSBs for 2008 and 2009 model year vehicles to remind dealers of potential pedal entrapment problems.

The TSBs are clear proof that Toyota was aware of the potential problem and it shows they acted in a way consistent with other automakers by addressing the problem at the dealership level. The mistakes the company made include admitting that the floor mats were not part of the problem and then doing nothing else to discover and fix the real problem.

Tired of Toyota recall news? Try out the recall-free version of Autoblog.

[Source: Reuters]

Report: Toyota warned dealers with floormat TSB back in 2007 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 26 Mar 2010 16:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Government/Legal

California’s controversial “cool cars” guidelines have been laid to rest. According to a report from The Detroit News, the ill supported legislation is no more and automakers can rejoice. The pressure was too much for the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to handle any longer, and automakers, law enforcement officials and crime victim advocates are likely to celebrate their victory.

If you’re unclear about what we’re speaking about, California’s “Cool Cars” legislation was to be adopted into law in May. The rules aimed to reduce heat within a vehicle and thus lower greenhouse gas emissions. The plan included guidelines to reduce the sun’s energy from penetrating a vehicle by 45 percent by 2014 and 60 percent by 2016. The method for achieving this goal included factory installed glazing (window tint) on each and every vehicle sold in California.

Many objections arose. Patrol officers were concerned for their safety, stating that the tint would restrict their view into a vehicle. Sheriff offices argued that the tint could affect cell phone signal quality and thus prevent drivers from contacting emergency services such as 911. Automakers complained that the added costs to tint vehicles would be significant. Complaints poured in from out of state law enforcement and politicians alike.

Of course, “Cool Cars” may be dead, but a CARB spokesman has gone on record stating that the organization will pursue other methods to reduce air conditioning emissions and to provide “cooler” cars in the future. Hat tip to John!

[Source: Detroit News]

Report: California scraps ‘Cool Cars’ legislation, automakers, law enforcement cheer originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 26 Mar 2010 13:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Government/Legal, Recalls, Safety, Toyota

The Los Angeles Times scoured public records and discovered that the number of deaths possibly linked to Toyota’s unintended acceleration issue could top more than 100 – twice the amount previously reported earlier this year.

With recalled vehicles reaching record numbers, complaints have poured in to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and the number of reported accidents involving sudden acceleration have increased accordingly. A review of police reports, lawsuits and NHTSA filings have revealed that sudden, unintended acceleration could be a possible cause of death in as many as 102 cases.

The rise in possible deaths related to sudden acceleration has led to a thorough evaluation of each and every fatality reported involving a recalled Toyota vehicle. All accidents involving recalled vehicles, and in particular cases that involve a fatality, will be investigated by the feds, and the government’s final report should finally solidify the gruesome numbers.

Tired of Toyota recall news? Try out the recall-free version of Autoblog.

[Source: Los Angeles Times]

Report: 100 cases of death possibly caused by Toyota unintended acceleration originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 25 Mar 2010 19:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Etc., Government/Legal, Safety

Should other drivers be aware that the vehicle they’re tailing is piloted by someone under the age of 21? New Jersey thinks so and has become the first state to enact a law requiring drivers under 21 to affix a red sticker to both their front and rear license plates.

The law, called Kyleigh’s Law in memory of a young driver killed by another young driver, will go into effect beginning in May, and the stickers can be purchased from the local motor vehicle department for $4.00.

The sticker program is not without its challengers. Some believe that it will call out undue attention to teenage drivers while others believe that teenage drivers could become the target of criminals or even sex offenders.

According to the state, the stickers will help local police to enforce the state’s 11 o’clock curfew for young drivers and to enforce other laws specific to restricted license drivers.

Similar systems have been instituted around the globe – from the UK to Japan – for years, with varying levels of effectiveness. Whether the sticker solution will be widely adopted across the U.S. remains to be seen, but feel free to posit your own opinion in the comments below.

UPDATE: Drivers who have completed the 12-month provisional-license period will not have to display the decal even if younger than 21. Only those with provisional licenses or learner’s permits will be required to display the red sticker. Once the driver obtains a regular driver’s license, the sticker can be removed.

[Source: New Jersey Online , My Central Jersey]

New Jersey drivers under 21 required to affix red sticker to cars *UPDATE originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 25 Mar 2010 08:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Hybrid, Etc., Recalls, Safety, Toyota

According to a Toyota memo first obtained by Jalopnik and later reported by the Associated Press, Toyota is currently notifying dealers that a replacement pedal can be installed at no charge to owners of recalled Toyota products if the owner is not satisfied with the current fix for the problem.

Most vehicles involved with the pedal recall have been fixed by inserting a metal shim into the accelerator pedal, which is believed to reduce friction and provide smoother travel to the pedal. The AP reports that owners who either do not feel confident in the fix or who still complain of pedal problems can ask their dealership for a new replacement pedal at no charge.

Through data analysis, it has been determined that at least 100 owners of recalled vehicles have filed complaints regarding pedal action after the dealership reportedly fixed the problem. Perhaps by witnessing this data, Toyota has responded to reduce further complaints by replacing the entire pedal assembly on vehicles with on-going problems.

The Associated Press quotes a portion of the memo as follows:

A replacement pedal should only be offered to a customer after the reinforcement bar has been installed and the customer has expressed dissatisfaction with the operation and/or feel of the pedal. (Pedal replacement) is based upon specific customer request only. Dealers are not to solicit pedal replacement.

The AP added that the memo lists vehicles involved as: the 2005-10 Avalon; 2007-10 Camry and Tundra; 2009-10 Corolla, Matrix and RAV4; 2008-10 Sequoia and 2010 Highlander. It remains uncertain if other vehicles such as the Prius may also be included in the replacement pedal process.

UPDATE: Toyota’s official statement on the matter after the jump.

Tired of Toyota recall news? Try out the recall-free version of Autoblog.

[Source: The Associated Press via Google, Jalopnik]

Continue reading Report: Toyota to replace pedals for owners not satisfied with fix

Report: Toyota to replace pedals for owners not satisfied with fix originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Mar 2010 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Hybrid, Government/Legal, Recalls, Safety, Technology, Hatchback, Toyota

Last week, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported its initial findings on the runaway Prius case in New York. The NHTSA disclosed information regarding its belief that the 2005 Prius involved in the suspected runaway case resulting in a head on crash into a stone wall was not caused by a manufacturing error on Toyota’s behalf, but rather a driver error resulting from not applying the brakes during the incident.

The follow-up investigation conducted by the local Harrison police department came to an identical conclusion. The police department was initially upset with the NHTSA investigation and believed that the agency had come to a conclusion too quickly. Upon conducting its own investigation, Harrison police believe that the overwhelming evidence appears to support the NHTSA findings that driver error was the cause of the crash. The findings point to an open throttle and lack of brake pedal application, causing the vehicle to accelerate and eventually crash. Toyota has released its statement regarding the Harrison, N.Y. incident, which can be read after the jump.

The findings of this investigation appear more conclusive than the one involving James Sikes and his runaway Prius in California, where the California Highway Patrol did not find enough evidence to agree with Toyota and NHTSA that the car could’ve been stopped.

For Toyota, this is one more image boost during trying times for the company. Aside from the Prius winning a J.D Power award a few days ago and a couple of other sparse good words, the automaker has faced nothing but struggles in the last two months.

[Source: Washington Post, Toyota]

Continue reading Local police agree, runaway Prius in NY caused by driver error

Local police agree, runaway Prius in NY caused by driver error originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Mar 2010 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Government/Legal, Technology, Electric, Diesel

New CAFE standards set to take affect in 2015 have automakers in a hurried frenzy. Meeting target CAFE numbers of 35.5 miles per gallon within the short five-year time frame is no easy feat. Current standards, set at a fleet average of 27.5 mpg, will quickly become a thing of the past. As automakers push to meet the new requirements, decisions must be made. These decisions could best be regarded as risky bets that could impact an automakers success in the years ahead.

New rules within the CAFE guidelines will require many compact vehicles to achieve even higher numbers than the 35.5 mpg listed above. It’s a bit technical, but put simply, the more compact vehicles a company sells, the higher its fleet average must be. This may sound simple, but compact cars may be hard to sell if the technology required to meet the goals adds a significant amount to the vehicle’s bottom line.

Automakers are at a crossroads where they must decide which approach will prove to be most beneficial. Should the diesel engine be employed to meet CAFE requirements? Should hybrid powertrains be widely adopted? Automakers must answer these questions and many more. The wrong answer could spell disaster for market share and profits, and the Environmental Protection Agency estimates that new CAFE requirements will increase a vehicle’s price by an average of $1,300. Others predict numbers far exceeding these claims, but no matter the numbers, cost is a major concern in the compact class of cars.

Here’s a breakdown of some choices automakers should consider; improve gasoline engines to extract up to 20 percent more fuel efficiency, more widespread adoption of diesel engines, aerodynamically design vehicles for improved efficiency, add start/stop features, add more mild hybrids and consider weight saving measures or electrify vehicles. Each option has an associated risk versus cost versus reward factor that must be weighed out precisely for automotive success.

[Source: Automotive News – Sub. Req.]

Report: Diesel and electric vehicles two of many options to meet CAFE regulations originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Mar 2010 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments