February 3, 2010

Toyota Recall Customer FAQs

logo.jpgThe Toyota recalls over sticking accelerator pedals are causing quite a stir this week, one which has grown in volume, really, over months and years. The fallout may be severe for Toyota, depending on how long it takes to fully resolve the issues and whether or not an additional recall regarding the Prius brake system is also required--voluntary or not. The situation is particularly bad for a company that had built a personality based on reliability and safety. No doubt, they will be taken to task. No doubt, mistakes were made. Also no doubt, the media frenzy is turning an already difficult and serious recall situation into recall fever.

But, while the drama plays out on local and national news, and our hard-working Congresspeople ensure they publicly flog Toyota and get their two cents in and "keep us safe," there are real people with real questions. Toyota has some answers for customers, and we'd like to share them with you.

Follow the jump for Toyota's relatively thorough and clear FAQs, including information on both the accelerator pedal and floor mat recalls, and what to do in an emergency.

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Posted by Stephanie Brinley at 6:25 PM | Comments (0)



December 31, 2009

What to Expect in 2010 and Beyond

AutoPacific's Ed Kim appeared on Fox Business News today to discuss what lies ahead in the near future for the auto industry. Yes, 2009 was a real bummer, so what can we expect in the years ahead?

Ed Kim Fox Business 12_31_10.jpg

See the interview after the jump.

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Posted by Ed Kim at 11:20 AM | Comments (2)



December 29, 2009

First Drive: 2011 Toyota Sienna

I recently had the opportunity to drive the all-new Toyota Sienna on public road here in Southern California, and in my mind the segment has a new product leader. As minivan sales have fallen from a peak of 1.3 million units in 2000 to about 460,000 in 2009, many players fell out. Today, the traditional minivans include Sienna, Honda Odyssey, and Chrysler Group's Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country.

Toyota Sienna Limited
002 Sienna Limited.jpg

Designed in California, engineered in Michigan, and built in Indiana, Sienna is developed for U.S. buyers. The 2011 Sienna is about the same size and heft as the outgoing Sienna and looks generally similar. Though the new take carries more contemporary style when the 2010 and 2011 are seen together, the functional requirements of any minivan determine much of its presence, footprint, and shadow. Toyota describes the new look as "visually intriguing." They have hidden the sliding door tracks and used elements like sculpted rear corners to lessen a minivan's natural boxy look.

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Posted by Jim Hossack at 4:26 AM | Comments (2)



December 28, 2009

PickupTrucks.com and AutoPacific Announce the Most Significant Trucks of the Decade

PickupTucks.com and AutoPacific have taken a look at all the new trucks sold in the past 10 years and made their picks for the most significant trucks of the decade. The trucks that made the list introduced cutting edge technologies and pushed the segment into new territory.

"Despite the economic challenges of the past two years, it's hard not to look back at the last ten years without calling it the decade of the pickup truck," said PickupTrucks.com editor Mike Levine. "Sales of full-size pickups hit 2.56 million units in 2004 and Ford's F-Series trucks remain the nation's best-selling vehicles, 33 years in a row."

Though there are many trucks that had a significant impact in the last decade, it's clear that the 2009 Ford F-150 earned the title of "Most Significant".

"On balance, we thought the 2009 Ford F-150 was the most significant pickup of the last decade," said Jim Hossack, vice president of consulting for AutoPacific. "It sells in high volume, owners like it and its body, chassis and powertrain are all first rate. Features abound, and there are more models, series and options than can be counted. It's a good looking truck and suitable for the widest possible range of tasks and uses."

After the jump are those trucks deemed most significant, in no particular order.

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Posted by Stephanie Brinley at 9:20 AM | Comments (0)



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