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New Toyota Technology Will Steer Car Away From an Accident
Toyota Motor Company is continuing its “Kaizen” or constant improvement policy. The goal is to improve safety with never-before seen technology.
One of the new features is the Emergency-Response Technology which can detect driver’s health condition from their grip on the steering wheel.
The wheel will be equipped with optical and cardiovascular sensors which monitor the driver’s physical conditions constantly. If it senses something is wrong it will sound a warning and advise the driver to get to a doctor.
Another great feature Toyota is implementing is its millimeter wave radar system that will detect if there is an obstacle on the road to prevent any crashing. It will include a camera to locate the objects in the driving path and regulate automobile’s motion.
When a [url=://www.carlocate.com/toyota_us/]Toyota[/url] is equipped with this technology, the car will detect pedestrians and it will sound an alarm alerting him of a person in its path. If there is no change in the speed, the car takes control and stops. When the car is heading to a stop, the seat belt automatically tightens and brakes are applied.
Currently this system is being tested in Toyota’s luxury line Lexus with other cars to be tested soon.
As one of the companies that always strives to be safe, Toyota is constantly learning from real world crashes and always striving to enhance the quality of products and services it offers. With the addition of these safety technologies it is bound to be a top pick of consumers. -
When luxury cars go compact: the Aston Martin Cygnet
Automotive consumers have come to expect certain things from cars with the Aston Martin badge on the grille: high speeds, a luxury interior, that sports car finesse. This month consumers will find that same badge on a new compact city model, one that strays from the typical Aston Martin prototype.
Known as the Cygnet, this city car is meant to be a solution for urban drivers who face the problem of tight parking spaces as well as the answer to demands for more eco-friendly vehicles. Emitting only 120 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometer, the Cygnet is a much greener option than other Aston Martin models such as the One-77 which emits 572 grams per kilometer. As Peter Schmidt, editor of Automotive Industry Data asserts, “The attitude of the super-rich has changed…They really do want to be seen to be green.”
In order to reduce cost and production time, Aston Martin enacted a supply deal with Toyota Motor Corporation. Under the deal, Toyota produced the engine, transmission, and frame of the Cygnet, using the Toyota iQ, a similar subcompact car, as their template. Aston Martin needed the partnership to expand the appeal of the Cygnet and ensure a speedy turnaround to increase demand.
While the Cygnet shares several components of the iQ, it remains a characteristically ultra-luxury car. Boasting a hand-stitched leather interior with 3 million possible combinations of trim and color choices, six types of alloy wheels, a navigation system, a six-speaker stereo, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel, the Cygnet is worthy of its Aston Martin badge.
However, the green, subcompact car does sacrifice some of the speed characteristic of Aston Martin. The acceleration rate from 0 to 62 mph is only 11.6 seconds, a slug compared to the One-77 which races to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds. The price tag on the Cygnet could also be a cause for concern. Buyers will be paying $50,500 for the Cygnet as opposed to the iQ which only costs about half of that price.
Despite some negative feedback, Aston Martin is pressing full speed ahead with the Cygnet, aiming to sell 1,500 models a year. Whether it is because of its compact size, eco-friendly performance, or just because it is the newest car flaunting the Aston Martin badge, the Cygnet is a luxury car to be talked about. -
Toyota Holds the Only Minivan Top Safety Pick
It’s not easy to be named a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, a point which was made evident in the minivan category when only one vehicle was awarded the title. The Toyota Sienna blew the other revamped minivans away, and was the only one to receive the highest marks possible in front, side, rear, and rollover crash evaluations, and offer electronic stability control.
Other safety features of the redesigned Sienna that helped wow the IIHS include Toyota’s Star Safety System, which includes traction control, vehicle stability control, anti-lock brakes, brake-force distribution, and brake assist, as well as seven airbags throughout the car. All of these features come standard on the vehicle.
In total, eight Toyota vehicles were named Top Safety Picks. The other vehicles that were recognized for their commitment to passenger safety are: the Toyota Corolla, Venza, Highlander, and Avalon, the Lexus RX, and the Scion tC and xB. -
This February, Toyota Offers 0% Interest Financing
February is a month for sweethearts, and Toyota is offering up their own sweet deal. For the whole month of February Toyota is offering 0% interest rate loans for up to 60 months on select vehicles as well as no money down lease incentives.
The 2011 Toyota Camry and 2011 Tundra can both be purchased with no interest financing for 60-months. A purchase of the Toyota Camry also includes $500 cash back. A 39-month lease can be signed with no down payment and $249 monthly payments. The lease incentive also comes with $500 cash back.
The 2011 Toyota Prius, 2011 Toyota Corolla and 2011 Highlander are all available for lease incentives with a 39-month lease. The Prius offers $189 monthly payments with $2,188 due at signing. The 2011 Corolla is a $149 monthly payment with $2,148 due at signing and the Toyota Highlander requires a $2,278 down payment for $279 monthly payments. These three models are also available for purchase with 0% financing for 39 months.
Find your new Toyota at CarLocate.com and you could be driving off the lot with a pretty sweet deal. -
2012 Will Bring More Electric Cars
Although there are not many electric vehicles on the road today, in a few years the availability and diversity of plug-in cars may be greater than any of us know what to do with. Almost every automaker including the big and small plan to have an all-electric vehicle out by 2012; Toyota plans to have three. There are many start-up companies that are placing their futures on the line with the emergence of the electric car market. Companies like Wheego and Fisker are staring their entrance into the car market with electric-cars.
Despite all of the possible offerings of electric cars, fewer than 7% of Americans say they would consider buying a plug-in vehicle. Of the few that would buy even fewer are willing to risk it on an unknown company. The dooming statistics don’t scare the big automakers because their futures do not rely solely on sales of plug-in vehicles; but for some of the smaller companies it’s electric cars or bust.
The smaller companies plan to compete with the bigger guys in customer service and specialization. Wheego’s CEO says “if you email me as CEO, you’re going to get a response back.” Also, the smaller guys don’t need to sell as many cars to stay afloat. Fisker Automotive plans to sell luxury plug-in sedan that will not be direct competition for cars like the Chevy Volt and Nissan Leaf .
By 2012 we may be seeing as many as 14 different electric plug-in vehicles for sale. Experts believe the market will be similar to the hybrid market, with one model taking half the sales and the others competing for the rest. -
Most Popular Car Where You Live
What factors do you consider when purchasing a new car? Most people would say style, individual needs, and budget are the three main things that influence their purchase decision. However, where you live is apparently a major factor too.
This makes sense, when you consider that people who reside in different areas of the country generally live different lifestyles, and therefore have different wants and needs. A recent study has confirmed this, by naming the top five best selling cars in each of the four major regions of the United States (Northeast, Midwest, South, and Western regions).
So, what are people driving in your part of the country? Do you fit the list, or do you break the mold?
Northeast Region
1. Nissan Rogue
2. Mercedes E-Class Sedan
3. Honda CR-V
4. Chevrolet Malibu
5. Jeep Grand Cherokee
Midwest/Central Region
1. Chevrolet Silverado 1500
2. Ford F-150
3. Cadillac SRX
4. Toyota Camry
5. Chevrolet Impala
Southern Region
1. Chevrolet Camaro
2. Ford F-150
3. Toyota Tundra
4. Lexus ES350
5. Dodge Ram 1500
Western Region
1. Toyota Prius
2. Lexus IS Sedan
3. Honda Fit
4. Audi A4/S4
5. BMW 3 Series Sedan -
2011 Best Resale Value
When making the decision to purchase a new car, consumers weigh many factors. Price, size, brand, and safety are all major considerations. Another factor drivers should think about when making this decision is the resale value of a vehicle. This is an important issue, as it not only estimates how much you can expect to get for the automobile if you decide to trade it in, but it is also an indicator of a high quality vehicle that is built to retain its value. Kelley Blue Book recently named the 2011 vehicles with the best resale value for each major category. And the winners are:
- Subcompact car: Honda Fit
- Compact Car: MINI Cooper
- Mid-Size Sedan: Honda Accord
- Full-Size Sedan: Ford Taurus
- Wagon: Subaru Outback
- Sports Car: Subaru Impreza WRX
- High-Performance Car: Ford Mustang GT
- Hybrid/Alt. Energy Car: Volkswagen Golf TDI
- Compact Utility Vehicle: Honda CR-V
- Mid-Size Utility Vehicle: Toyota FJ Cruiser
- Full-Size Utility Vehicle: GMC Acadia
- Van: Toyota Sienna
- Near-Luxury Car: Lexus IS
- Luxury Car: Audi A5
- Full-Size Pickup: Ford F-Series Super Duty
- Luxury Utility Vehicle: BMW X5
- Hybrid/Alt. Energy Vehicle: BMW X5 xDrive 35d
- Mid-Size Pickup: Toyota Tacoma -
Coming Soon at the LA Auto Show- the RAV4 EV
The all-new Toyota RAV4 Electric Vehicle will make its debut at the LA Auto Show this November. The new model for 2012 will run on Tesla’s lithium ion battery technology and has been redesigned to be more aerodynamic. No pictures have been released of the new RAV4 so there is much anticipation for its debut in Los Angeles. Based on the success of the RAV4 Toyota plans to increase its fleet of hybrid vehicles to 20 by adding 6 new hybrid vehicles by the end of 2012. The RAV4 is just the first in a line of many more to come.
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Why So Many Recalls?
It seems like lately when you turn on the news everyday there are more car manufacturers recalling at least one of their vehicles. With the continuing release of more and more recalls the question has to be asked; why are cars that are supposed to be safer seeming to be more dangerous? Though the cars do have problems; consumer knowledge and world-wide spread news are some of the biggest factors in creating recalls. Consumers today have higher expectations and are much more aware of potential safety issues. Problems in cars are more likely to be reported and in order to avoid any problems or accusations of trying to hide something car manufacturers have found it’s safer to simply recall the “problematic” vehicles. After Toyota was accused of “dragging its feet” with reference to all of its recent recalls other manufacturers are willingly recalling any vehicle that may cause problems. The government’s legal system “encourages companies to recall products proactively instead of waiting for something to go wrong.”
What do all of these recalls mean for the automotive industry? Absolutely nothing. The automotive industry is not going to suffer from all of the recent recalls. Today’s cars are still safer than any in the past and most manufacturers are just being cautious. Quality standards in the industry have improved as well as industry regulation. The reality is that recalls are normal; according to the Consumer Union; “virtually every car has at least one recall.” This is due to the components and systems in newer cars that change with age; and since vehicles are lasting longer than ever it is only natural that they component could potentially cause problems in the future. But manufacturers cannot wait 10 or 15 years to introduce a new system into the market simply to see how it ages. Chances are taken and occasionally there are problems. But today’s cars are still the safest on the road.
If your car is recalled simply take it to the dealer, allow them to fix whatever the problem is and then be on your way. There is no need to worry about the safety of your vehicle. Once manufacturers find a problem they are quick to find the solution. There are many current Toyota owners who remain loyal to Toyota despite all of its recalls. Ultimately what is most important is how the manufacturer handles the problem for the consumer.
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