Archive for March, 2010

Toyota Statement Regarding Supplier Investigations

Saturday, March 27th, 2010


The Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division is conducting an investigation of certain automotive electronic suppliers. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. (TEMA) has not been asked for information in connection with the investigation, but will cooperate if asked.
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Toyota Statement Regarding Safety Recalls and Technical Service Bulletins

Saturday, March 27th, 2010


Toyota, like other automobile manufacturers, actively and continuously monitors field information related to our vehicles. Our engineers and specialists look for data and trends that may indicate a vehicle performance issue. If Toyota determines that a defect exists and decides that the defect is “related to motor vehicle safety,” per the Safety Act, the company will conduct a safety recall.

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Car Reviews: 2009 Dodge Ram 1500

Saturday, March 27th, 2010


My family loves trucks. Perhaps it’s because we have two boys or because the hubby is in the construction biz, but there’s a definite novelty associated with them for us. The 2009 Dodge Ram is wicked looking.  Standing tall with a bright, shiny grille angled inward, it almost looked like a giant sheet-metal shark.  I have to admit that the moment my string-bean 4-year-old stood in front of the parked Ram, I had the urge to push him out of the way for fear it might gobble him up.

Dodge redesigned the Ram for 2009, but little has changed for the 2010 model year. The 2010 Ram comes with improved iPod connectivity and a tire pressure monitoring system.

My test pickup truck, the Ram 1500 SLT Crew Cab Sport 4×2, had the optional 390-horsepower, 5.7-liter Hemi V-8. What a beast! The Ram’s performance easily exceeded my expectations.  This Hemi-powered mammoth boasted the acceleration and agility of a much smaller vehicle, and it impressively threw my head back as I moved to accelerate from a cruising speed of 70 mph on the highway.

As you might expect, the Ram’s gas mileage was the only downside to the V-8 engine; it gets an EPA-estimated 14/20 mpg city/highway.

Maneuvering the Ram was easy — no extra arm-muscle was needed to turn this bad boy — its turning radius was sharp and car-like.  The ride was comfy and completely bump-free in the front row. However, when I looked in the rearview mirror to check on the kids, their little heads were bouncing around as if they were in the back row of a bus!
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L.A. Times: 102 Deaths Blamed on Toyota Sudden Acceleration

Saturday, March 27th, 2010

The number of deaths blamed on alleged sudden acceleration in Toyota and Lexus vehicles has now jumped to 102, according to the Los Angeles Times. This is nearly twice the amount reported two months ago. Toyota has recalled millions of…
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Honda launches and#8216;really big’ lease push

Saturday, March 27th, 2010

Honda Division, normally known for having a light touch with incentives, has launched a major leasing and finance campaign that will run through next month.
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Toyota legal battleground begins to take shape

Saturday, March 27th, 2010

Lawyers suing Toyota across the United States over cars alleged to have raced out of control lobbied a special judicial panel to merge the scores of cases and assign them to one or two courthouses for pretrial proceedings.
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BMW Confirms a Front-Drive Future for its Small Cars

Saturday, March 27th, 2010

In what may sound like design heresy, BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer stated at the automaker’s annual financial results press conference in Munich that the next generation of BMW’s smaller vehicle lines will be built off of a new platform designed to accommodate both front-drive and all-wheel-drive configurations.
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First Look: 2010 Lexus IS 350C F-Sport Special Edition

Saturday, March 27th, 2010

Aimed at those seeking open-air flair with a bit more exclusivity, the 2010 Lexus IS 350C F-Sport Special Edition adds a focused combination of fashion and function to this performance-oriented retractable-hardtop coupe.
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First Look: 2011 Scion xB

Saturday, March 27th, 2010

Set to check in at dealers across the country by month’s end, the 2011 Scion xB benefits from a modest but meaningful revamping that adds a bit more edge to its appearance and a measure of additional comfort and convenience touches to its spacious interior.
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2011 Kia Sorento SX @ 2010 New York Auto Show

Saturday, March 27th, 2010

Stealthily unveiled over the weekend at an auto show in Atlanta near the factory where it’s built, the 2011 Kia Sorento SX will formally take its big bow in the Big Apple.
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