Toyota unloads bounty of SEMA rides

Filed under: Aftermarket, Concept Cars, SEMA Show, Sedan, Truck, Hatchback, Toyota, Specialty, Off-Road, Racing

Toyota is bringing an arsenal of custom vehicles to SEMA 2011, including three pickups and one very cool Yaris B-Spec Racer. The pint-sized bruiser is based on the 2012 Yaris SE and should be bashing fenders with the rest of the SCCA B-Spec class contenders soon. Toyota says that Jamie Bestwick, of BMX fame, will campaign the car in the SCCA National Championship Runoffs at Road America in Elkhart, Wisconsin. The car features all of the hardware necessary to meet spec, including an eight-point SCCA roll cage, fire-suppression system, race seat, and six-point harness.

Toyota also has something special for those of you who prefer to take your racing off the track. The Long Beach Racers Tacoma is inspired by the upcoming Tacoma TRD T/X Baja Series, and features custom 60mm Bilstein race shocks, 35-inch BF Goodrich tires, a 50-gallon fuel cell and a big-brake kit among other goodies. All of that kit will come to bear when the truck heads to the Baja 1000 next year.

DC Shoes and West Coast Customs will also show off a unique Toyota Tundra built just for the motocross crowd while Oakley crafted a special Surf Tacoma to cater to the surfers of the world. A pre-production version of the Tacoma TRD T/X Baja Series pickup will also be on display as will the Camry Daytona 500 pace car.

Toyota unloads bounty of SEMA rides originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 28 Oct 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/28/toyota-unloads-bounty-of-sema-rides/

Toyota FT-86 Goes Social With New iPhone App

Toyota is inviting iPhone owners to post and share images and video of the upcoming FT-86 sports car on a dedicated Web site.
http://www.insideline.com:80/toyota/ft-86/toyota-ft-86-goes-social-with-new-iphone-app.html

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Are you the new Toyota Prius C?

Filed under: Hybrid, Hatchback, Toyota

The upcoming Toyota Prius C has been unveiled in concept form, caught wearing a ton of camouflage and maybe whispered its new name to us (Aqua). But that doesn't mean we're not still interested in what will be the smallest and cheapest model in the Prius family when it arrives in 2012. Thankfully, CarScoop is here to help. A reader sent in a leaked brochure featuring what appears to be the production version of the little hybrid. The scans show off the C so nakedly we want to give it a modesty slip. Almost.

The production version of the Prius C - if that's indeed what we're looking at - loses a lot of the angular, sporty style of the concept, but it still carries a welcome refinement of the traditional Prius wedge. The biggest different is at the front end: the concept's striking headlights have been eliminated in favor of smaller versions of the Prius Liftback's instantly-identifiable lights. The rear end now blends the look of a standard Prius with a Nissan Leaf.

We like most everything about the concept better (see also: the wheels), but if Toyota can hit the speculated numbers - around 60 miles per gallon for around $20,000 - we'll take the highly efficient baby Prius no matter what it looks like. See more scans in our gallery or check out the whole brochure over on CarScoop.

Are you the new Toyota Prius C? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 18 Oct 2011 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/18/are-you-the-new-toyota-prius-c/

Kenneth Moen drifts a hillclimb with his bonkers Toyota Supra turbo

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Etc., Videos, Toyota

Nothing incinerates a perfectly good set of tires better than a drift car. And no drift car makes as much smoke as Kenneth Moen's turbocharged Toyota Supra. Yes, Ken Block turns out some great videos with high production values and plenty of tail-wagging craziness... but wait 'til you get a load of this.

Moen pointed his battle-scarred Supra in the general direction of 'up' at the Lysgårdsbakkene Ski Jumping Arena in Lillehammer, Norway, a facility you may recall from the 1994 Winter Olympics. Smoke-filled antics ensued, and it was all captured on video for your viewing pleasure.

If you fancy yourself a fan of drifting insanity, do yourself a favor and watch the video after the break.

Continue reading Kenneth Moen drifts a hillclimb with his bonkers Toyota Supra turbo

Kenneth Moen drifts a hillclimb with his bonkers Toyota Supra turbo originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 14 Oct 2011 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/14/kenneth-moen-drifts-a-hillclimb-with-his-bonkers-toyota-supra-tu/

Toyota returning to Le Mans with hybrid LMP1 car

Filed under: Motorsports, Hybrid, Toyota, Racing

Toyota has announced that it is returning to the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile's World Endurance Championship in 2012. The car it will be contesting the series with is a new prototype that will use a hybrid gasoline/electric powertrain. We can only hope the experience will equal more exciting future models under the Prius range...

The last time Toyota competed in Le Mans racing was in 1999, just before the Japanese automaker abandoned the GT-One program to focus on Formula One.

We don't expect Toyota's new LMP1 racer to have anything in common with the erstwhile GT-One, which was powered by a 600-horsepower 3.6-liter twin-turbo V8 engine. Though always fast, Toyota's last-gen endurance racer never quite put together a complete race. Here's hoping the effort produces more consistent results this time around. Check out the official announcement after the break.

Continue reading Toyota returning to Le Mans with hybrid LMP1 car

Toyota returning to Le Mans with hybrid LMP1 car originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 14 Oct 2011 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/14/toyota-returning-to-le-mans-with-hybrid-lmp1-car/

Toyota builds giant arcade claw game to sell cars in Japan

Filed under: Budget, Etc., Japan, Videos, Hatchback, Toyota, Humor

There is no greater test of skill and dexterity than an arcade claw game. Open heart surgery? For amateurs. Watch making? Child's play. Plucking an oddly-shaped stuffed animal from the clutches of its brethren with nothing but three flaccid claws and a joy stick is what it's all about.

Toyota recently tapped into humanity's bizarre fascination with robotics, oversize stuffed animals and, of course, the claw game in a promotion for the company's tiny Ractis. Using a scaled-up version of the same game we all know and love, contestants battled for the keys to their very own sub-compact hatch.

Alright, so it's all more than a little weird. Whatever. We're more concerned with the fact that the winner will have a hard time fitting their huge stuffed bear into their apartment, much less their Ractis. Hit the jump to check out the insanity for yourself.

Continue reading Toyota builds giant arcade claw game to sell cars in Japan

Toyota builds giant arcade claw game to sell cars in Japan originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 07 Oct 2011 19:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/07/toyota-builds-giant-arcade-claw-game-to-sell-cars-in-japan/

Marine Technology Builds Corvette-Inspired $1.7-Million Speedboat

Marine Technology's ZR48 is loaded with 2,700 horsepower and an interior that looks straight out of the cockpit of a Chevy Corvette ZR1.
http://www.insideline.com:80/chevrolet/corvette/marine-technology-builds-corvette-inspired-1-7-million-speedboat.html

World's Oldest Running Car Fetches a Record $4.62 Million

An 1884 De Dion Bouton et Trepardoux Dos-a-Dos Steam Runabout, the world's oldest running motorcar, sold for $4.62 million at RM Auctions' Hershey sale, more than doubling its original pre-sale estimate. It represents a world record for an early motorcar sold at auction.
http://www.insideline.com:80/car-news/worlds-oldest-running-car-fetches-a-record-462-million.html

Thailand flooding halts Honda and Toyota auto production

Filed under: Japan, Plants/Manufacturing, Honda, Toyota

Japanese automakers are having a rough year coping with Mother Nature. First it was earthquakes in Japan, and now flooding in Thailand. Since late July, typhoons in Southeast Asia have caused billions of dollars of damage, and now production at three Toyota plants and one Honda facility has been halted, according to the Associated Press.

While Toyota's plants in eastern Thailand haven't been directly affected by the weather, the inability of suppliers to deliver parts has caused the shutdowns there. Honda's plant in Ayutthaya, north of Bangkok, isn't so lucky. Offline since October 4, and flooded since October 8, Honda officials can't even assess the damage because the plant remains inaccessible.

The four factories produced over 800,000 vehicles last year. This included 630,000 Toyotas and 170,000 Hondas, representing roughly eight and five percent of each automaker's respective global volume. Among the vehicles produced in Thailand are the Toyota Corolla and Camry and the Honda Civic and Accord, but none of the Thai plants produce vehicles for the North American market.

Thailand flooding halts Honda and Toyota auto production originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 13 Oct 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/13/thailand-flooding-halts-honda-and-toyota-auto-production/

Toyota Launches 2012 Tacoma TRD T|X Baja Series

The updated 2012 Toyota Tacoma compact truck adds a new TRD T|X Baja Series next spring.
http://www.insideline.com:80/toyota/tacoma/2012/toyota-launches-2012-tacoma-trd-tx-baja-series.html

Toyota urges suppliers to slash prices or be left behind

Filed under: Government/Legal, Japan, Honda, Nissan, Toyota, Earnings/Financials

For years, Detroit automakers would argue that the Japanese yen was artificially devalued, and that the value of the currency was a big competitive advantage to the likes of Toyota and Honda. To erase this gap, The Detroit Three pressured suppliers to lower costs in any way possible, which caused ill-will within their supply bases. In fact, Japanese automakers routinely scored higher in supplier relation studies, while General Motors, Ford and Chrysler hovered at the bottom of the list.

One massive global recession and a fast-rising yen later, it appears that the shoe is on the other foot. Automotive News reports that Toyota has made it clear to its 219 largest domestic suppliers that costs must be cut or business will be lost to countries with cheaper labor.

Toyota reportedly loses $343 million in profit for every one yen the currency rises against the dollar. Given that the Japanese currency has risen by 13 versus the dollar over the past year, Toyota could be looking at a staggering $4.5 billion in losses. For perspective, that's more than half of Toyota's total research and development spending for any given year. Ouch.

And Toyota isn't alone in looking for ways to combat the rising yen. Honda recently announced that it was going to build more vehicles outside of Japan. Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn recently asked the Japanese government to adjust the issue of the rising yen, or risk losing a great deal of the country's industrial base.

Given its currency conundrum, we can't blame Toyota for looking for more cost-effective ways to build vehicles. But when GM, Ford and Chrysler were in the same predicament, corners were cut and many vehicles were less competitive than they could and should have been. As a result, The Detroit Three had to add heavy incentives just to move product and their reputations suffered. Here's hoping history doesn't repeat itself.

Toyota urges suppliers to slash prices or be left behind originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 Oct 2011 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/10/toyota-urges-suppliers-to-slash-prices-or-be-left-behind/

Hudson Toyota Oct New Owner Event

Hudson Toyota Oct New Owner Event - Tuesday, Oct.11 at 5:30 pm in the service drive area. Free refreshments, door prizes & FUN!  Calling all New Toyota Owners.  You are invited to Hudson Toyota to meet our award winning parts & service staff to review maintenance schedules, learn gas saving tips & more.

You are Invited to our…

NEW OWNER

CELEBRATION EVENT

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

5:30 - 6:30 PM

At Hudson Toyota Chrysler Dodge Jeep

Service Drive Area

Complimentary Refreshments and Door Prizes!

 

Welcome to the Hudson Automotive Family… It’s Time to Celebrate!

 

You are invited to join us for a very special event created just for new Toyota, Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep owners.  Our award winning Service Manager, Chris Townsend will review your vehicle’s features, maintenance needs and warranty coverage, while you enjoy refreshments, prizes, and answers to all your questions about your vehicle.  Rumor has it we may even have a live demonstration back in our shop area!  But I don’t want to give away too many secrets just yet.  This may all sound like fun, but we take maintaining your vehicle for safety and performance very seriously.

We are committed to providing you the best ownership experience possible. 

At this event you will learn how to:

• Optimize your fuel economy
• Protect your investment through proper maintenance
• Make the most of your vehicles technology and safety features
• Maximize the dependability of your new vehicle with the assistance of factory-trained technicians

 

Special Offer for Event Attendees - 15% Accessory Discount

Toyota to move production of Korean-market Camry to America?

Filed under: Sedan, Japan, Plants/Manufacturing, Toyota, South Korea

Toyota is considering moving production of the company's Korean-market Camry to the United States, according to Reuters. The move would take advantage of the free trade agreement between the U.S. and South Korea and put Toyota in a better position financially as the yen continues to strengthen.

The Korean-market Camry would be built alongside the U.S.-spec Camry in the automaker's Georgetown, Kentucky facility. Even with word that Toyota is mulling sending production outside of Japan, the company has said that it is still committed to keeping some manufacturing at home.

The Toyota Camry has enjoyed substantial success in South Korea, where it remains one of the most popular foreign-built vehicles in the country. Last year, Toyota sold around 4,200 Camry models in the South Korea. That represents a small figure compared to the 203,688 units produced at the Georgetown plant last year, but shifting production to the States could still pay large dividends for Toyota.

Toyota to move production of Korean-market Camry to America? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 Oct 2011 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/04/toyota-to-move-production-of-korean-market-camry-to-america/

Great experience!

Great experience considering my previous vehicles purchases I felt like I was being preyed on by vultures. Will do business with Hudson in the future.
http://www.dealerrater.com/dealer/Hudson-Toyota-review-35145/##r459821