Movin’ on Up: Toyota Headquarters to Move to Texas
Everything is bigger in Texas—until now, as Toyota, a manufacturer focusing on much smaller, and thus much greener, cars, has plans to move Toyota headquarters to the Lone Star State. The unofficial-but-let’s-face-it-it’s-actually-probably-very-true report comes from Automotive News, which got its information from the always mysterious Unnamed Sources, a guy I have always wanted to meet […]
Edmunds Calls Several Toyotas Top Rated
It was a strong week for Toyota last week, as several accolades from the highly respected Edmunds came their way. For starters, Edmunds named several Toyotas Top Rated Vehicles for 2014. The four winners included the 2014 Avalon full-size sedan, the 2014 Highlander midsize crossover, the 2014 Prius hybrid, and the 2014 Sienna van. But […]
Who is the Best in the World: Focus or Corolla?
Oh, there's nothing that quite makes your day like a pissing match between two car makers. Ford says their Focus was the best-selling car in the world in 2013, but Toyota says their Corolla was actually about 1,000 models better. So who's right? Does it even really matter?
Last week, in a press release detailing the 2015 Ford Focus that will be unveiled officially at the New York International Auto Show this week, the automaker confirmed that their analysis of Polk New Vehicle Registration data saw the Focus retain its title as the world’s best-selling nameplate for 2013. This is pretty consistent with […]
UPDATE: Toyota Recall Vehicles Made Clear
Yesterday, I announced a Toyota recall that involved frustratingly little information at the time. We knew that 6.4 million vehicles had been recalled globally, including 2.34 million here in the United States alone. We also knew some of the affected models, but were just handed a humongous date range of 2004 – 2013 models. How helpful, right? […]
Toyota Recalls 6.4 Million Vehicles Worldwide
Apparently, Toyota wasn’t cool with General Motors hogging the recall spotlight anymore. The automaker was already in a close second for “Wow, sucks to be that car company right now” after their $1.2 billion payout last month following an unintended acceleration issue , but as Toyota recalls 6.4 million vehicles around the world for various […]
Navigating the US: Getting Around in Seattle, Washington
Otherwise known as the “Emerald City,” Seattle has given us Starbucks, the grunge scene of the 1990s, and The 12th Man. Known for beautiful mountains, the Space Needle, and a whole lot of rain, Seattle has been found to be one of America’s most progressive, literate, and intelligent cities. If you’re planning a trip to […]
Nissan Frontier, Titan Are Among Most Fuel-Efficient Trucks for 2014
As a truck buyer, your number one concern might not be fuel-efficiency, but as gas prices continue to climb year after year, a truck’s fuel economy is fast becoming a close second or third consideration for consumers. Recognizing this, Edmunds.com recently released its Top 9 Most Fuel-Efficient Trucks for 2014 list. Nissan was one of […]
NHTSA Petitioned to Table Toyota Recall
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has quite a big decision on its hands. After the South Korean government discovered a potential hazard with certain Toyota seat heaters, a recall for over 206,271 vehicles seemed unavoidable. Now, however, perhaps in an effort to avoid all the terrible press that General Motors has received in […]
Consumer Reports Lists 2014 Models with Best and Worst Fuel Economy
Consumer Reports has unveiled its list of the 2014 models with best and worst fuel economy, ranking vehicles by segment. Rather than simply create a list that accounts for every vehicle available on the road, Consumer Reports bears in mind consumers with categorical needs and does the diligence. Not surprisingly, most of the segment-toppers are […]
Three Toyota Vehicles Win KBB 5-Year Cost to Own Awards
Three of Toyota’s 2014 vehicles—the Corolla, Prius c, and Tacoma—took home top honors in their respective segments in this year’s Kelley Blue Book 5-Year Cost to Own Awards. Let’s have a look at the winners! 2014 Toyota Corolla – Best Compact Car The 2014 Toyota Corolla was named Best Compact Car for a superlative combination […]
Traction Control Issue Leads Toyota to Recall 261,000 Trucks and SUVs
Issues with the Japanese automaker’s electronic safety systems have led Toyota to recall 261,000 trucks and SUVs. The voluntary recall was made last week when Toyota contacted the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Going Green: Toyota Earns 10th Consecutive ENERGY STAR Partner Award Affected vehicles include the 2012 RAV4, the 2012 and 2013 Lexus RX […]
Toyota TRD Pro Lineup Officially on Its Way
A YouTube video has been floating around recently that teased what appeared to be Toyota Racing Development (TRD) variants of three of the Japanese automaker’s more capable vehicles, but we are learning today that those vehicles are officially on their way to dealerships. The Toyota TRD Pro lineup features upgraded versions of the Toyota Tundra, […]
Toyota TRD Pro Series Trucks Kick Up Dirt at Chicago
Last week at the Chicago Auto Show, Toyota showed off its all-new TRD Pro Series trucks (in striking Inferno Orange exterior paint jobs), which include the TRD-enhanced (Toyota Racing Development) Tundra and Tacoma pickups and the 4Runner SUV. These monsters have been doctored up with all kinds of goodies straight from TDR and mark the […]
Best of the Chicago Auto Show 2014: Day One
The 2014 Chicago Auto Show opened its doors today to the press, so we got to see a lot of big reveals—and a dancing hamster to boot. I spent so much time running from one conference to the next for social posting that I hardly had time to take any of it in. As I […]
2014 Chicago Auto Show: Production Cars on Display
Get the full list of production models on display at the 2014 Chicago Auto Show
The Chicago Auto Show offers us the most square feet of any major auto show in the United States. With all of that volume, you’ve got a lot of cars to look at, buddy. Here is your definitive list of which production cars will be on the Chicago show room floor. (Looking for reveals and […]
Toyota FCV Concept to Make North American Debut
Vehicles that run off hydrogen and whose only emissions are a little bit of water seem like science fiction, but if you’ve been following the automotive industry in the last year, you would know that they are very much a reality. Toyota has announced that it will take its next step toward getting these vehicles […]
The Art of Toyota’s Simple Brand
The beauty of art is often found in the simple elegance an audience or observer sees that belies the skill and hard work lying underneath. Based on a survey by branding firm Siegel+Gale, the artfulness crafted into Toyota’s simple brand is the finest in the industry. The survey studied the brand perceptions of 10,000 consumers […]
Ford F-150 Embraces Tough Guy Image
Ford is currently pushing their F-150 pickup truck with the tagline “We Own Work.” On their website, Ford is featuring a series of videos that show people using the F-150 to accomplish tough, gritty jobs. It’s like Ford’s own little mini “Dirty Jobs.” In the videos we can watch as the Ford F-150 helps people […]