Toyota debuts China-only Yundong Shuangqing hybrid concept in Beijing

Filed under: Concept Cars, Hybrid, Sedan, China, Toyota, Beijing Motor Show, Design/Style

It's not the most pronounceable model name, but that's not our problem, is it?

Toyota debuted its sharply styled Yundong Shuangqing hybrid concept at the Beijing Motor Show today, announcing that a production version will be sold in China at some point in the future. The Yundong Shuangqing was joined on stage by the Dear Qin compact and the GT 86 rear-wheel-drive sports car.

Toyota developed the Yundong Shuangqing's hybrid powertrain mainly at the automaker's research and development plant in Changshu, China. "We would like to put smiles on the faces of our Chinese customers with hybrid technology," Toyota President Akio Toyoda said in prepared remarks at the show. "I want the people of China to be able to experience the beauty of hybrid technology through a hybrid car born in China."

In 2005, China became the first place outside of Japan where the Prius hybrid was built when Sichuan FAW Toyota Motor Co. Ltd. started making the third-generation model. And two years ago, GAC Toyota Motor Co., which is in China's Guangdong Province, started making the Camry Hybrid.

Earlier this month, Honda said it would launch at least four hybrids specifically for the Chinese market under either its moniker or the Acura brand in order to capitalize on what's likely to be surging car sales in that country. Honda will introduce the CR-Z, Fit and Insight Hybrids in China later this year, and will likely sell its promised hybrid-powered Acura NSX sports car in China as well.

Continue reading Toyota debuts China-only Yundong Shuangqing hybrid concept in Beijing

Toyota debuts China-only Yundong Shuangqing hybrid concept in Beijing originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 Apr 2012 16:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota Dear Qin hatch, sedan foreshadow new global FWD models

Filed under: Concept Cars, Budget, Sedan, Hatchback, Toyota, Beijing Motor Show, Design/Style

Details on the pair of Dear Qin concepts that Toyota unveiled at the Beijing Motor Show this week are sparse, but they do hint at something interesting coming to every market where the Japanese automaker sells cars.

Calling them "global-strategic concepts," Toyota says the sedan and hatchback versions of the Dear Qin models have "a design aiming to attract more people to the user base." With that curious statement in mind, the first promotional video for the Dear Qin models (which you can watch by scrolling below) is both language- and information-free, emphasizing the design of the cars for a global audience. With explosions and lightning, of course.

Reports have said that Toyota is working on a new global, front-wheel drive model that is supposed to be launched in 2013. We can imagine these concepts foreshadowing those cars, and hope we get a pair of highly efficient compacts out of the design process. We'll skip the explosions and lightning, though.

Continue reading Toyota Dear Qin hatch, sedan foreshadow new global FWD models [w/video]

Toyota Dear Qin hatch, sedan foreshadow new global FWD models [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 Apr 2012 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota prices 2013 Tacoma TRD T/X Baja from $32,990*

Filed under: Car Buying, Truck, Toyota, Off-Road

Toyota's Tacoma may be getting a bit long in the tooth, but it's received a mild refresh for 2012, and a new "limited edition" package courtesy of in-house tuning arm, Toyota Racing Development. Toyota showed a preproduction TRD T/X Baja at last fall's Texas State Fair and then again at SEMA, with the real deal now poised to go on sale in May.

The Baja Series will start at $32,990, plus a delivery fee of $810. That's for a Tacoma Access Cab model with a manual transmission - the price scales up for automatic-equipped trucks and Double Cab models. The Baja Series package carries an MSRP of $5,015, but you get to subtract $650 in a "factory credit" if you order it, since the Baja's Off-Road Package is cheaper than the standard Tacoma Off-Road Package. Or to make things simpler, figure the Baja Series Tacoma is going to cost you $4,365 more than the same truck without it.

Besides the kit already included in the TRD Off-Road Package, which is required to get the Baja Series upgrades, the special Tacomas will feature BF Goodrich T/A KO tires (LT265/70R16) with bead-locking wheels, Bilstein shocks (front and rear), a TRD exhaust system, a two-inch front lift, and those snazzy Baja Series graphics.

Toyota has all the details in it's press release, which you can see if you scroll down.

Continue reading Toyota prices 2013 Tacoma TRD T/X Baja from $32,990*

Toyota prices 2013 Tacoma TRD T/X Baja from $32,990* originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 25 Apr 2012 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hundreds of 5-year-old municipal vehicles found in Miami that were never used

Filed under: Hybrid, Government/Legal, Hatchback, Toyota

Have you ever bought a brand new cars only to forget where you put it? How about 300 of them? Probably not - unless you're Miami-Dade County, which was recently reunited with 298 vehicles it bought brand new between 2006 and 2007.

The county "discovered" this fleet of no-mileage vehicles after reading about them in a Spanish-language newspaper there (see the source for more images). Most of the misplaced motorcade is made up of Toyota Prius hybrids whose warranties either expired with very few miles on the odo or will very soon.

Looking to save some face, the county has rushed at least 123 of the hybrids into service. The Toyota warranty covered the hybrid bits for eight years or 100,000 miles, but we're not sure if that covers cars parked for five of those eight. We're also not sure what that much time in Miami heat and humidity does to an unused hybrid powertrain, but it can't be good.

The county, as you probably guessed, is looking into how it lost so many cars. The leading theory is that they might be part of Carlos Alvarez's time as mayor. He was the mayor during the period the Toyotas were purchased, but a 2011 recall election successfully removed him from office. Apparently the voters "felt, among other reasons, that he had been behind multiple acts of misappropriation of funds."

We've tried to contact Toyota to see what kind of warranty support these cars will get but haven't had any luck so far. We'll update with their response.

Hundreds of 5-year-old municipal vehicles found in Miami that were never used originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 25 Apr 2012 18:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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When I buy my next car I hope they are still in the business because I will not go anywhere else!

Ryan Manscoe and Donna Winstead were the best people I have dealt with during a vehicle purchase. When I buy my next car I hope they are still in the business because I will not go anywhere else!
http://www.dealerrater.com/dealer/Hudson-Toyota-review-35145/##r650700

My experience with Hudson's Toyota was very satisfactory

My experience with Hudson's Toyota was very satisfactory, especially the nice relationship I had with the salesman, Stacey Carneyhan. He was very prompt and courteous in calling me on the phone to let me know the progress being made on finding a Tacoma that I specifically wanted to buy. He thoroughly answered every question that I had about the truck and the financial arrangements that would be made - I would certainly recommend him to anyone wanting to purchase a Toyota vehicle.Couple of random things: (1) I have been involved in buying automobiles and trucks from Hudson's for many years. My mother used to go to Providence to buy her Chevrolet Malibus from Hooley Hudson's dealership and I feel that reputation serves you well even though these are very different times; (2) My wife and I have been very loyal Toyota owners for many years - I have driven two Toyota trucks for the past 21 years and we currently own a Toyota Highlander. There has never been any doubt on our part about the quality of Toyota vehicles; (3) I am pretty sure that your girl Jamie who does the Hudson's commercials gets a lot of potential customers (the guys anyway) to pay attention to those commercials.Robert JenkinsHenderson, KY.
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Toyota to field GT 86 pair at the Nurburgring 24 - could WRC be far behind? [w/video]

Filed under: Motorsports, Toyota, Racing

You don't build a chassis as superbly balanced and capable as that which underpins the Subaru BRZ, Toyota GT 86 and Scion FR-S without taking it racing. Fortunately the Japanese auto marques involved have plenty of competition spirit coursing through their veins, and are already gearing up to take the nimble little sportscar racing at events around the world.

Subaru recently unveiled the GT300 racing version of the BRZ which it will be fielding in Japan's SuperGT series, and now Toyota is following suit with the announcement that it will be bringing not one, but two examples of its GT 86 to the Nürburgring to compete in the grueling 24-hour race there next month. The pair of cars - whose level of modification remains unclear - will be fielded by the company's own Gazoo Racing team alongside one Lexus LFA.

Toyota's racing plans for the GT 86 extend beyond the 'Ring, however, as it has revealed a program to support privateer teams fielding the car domestically in both the Super Taikyu Endurance Series and All-Japan Rally Championship. The latter announcement crucially comes at a time when rumors have resurfaced of Toyota preparing to re-enter the World Rally Championship - a series which the Japanese automaker dominated in the 1990s with four Drivers' Championships and three Constructors' Championships.

The company shut down its WRC operation to branch into Formula One, but now that its F1 program is long gone, could the time be right for Toyota's return to the pinnacle of rallying? Only time will tell, but for now you can scope out the press release and video footage by scrolling below to see what Toyota has in store in the short run.

Continue reading Toyota to field GT 86 pair at the Nurburgring 24 - could WRC be far behind? [w/video]

Toyota to field GT 86 pair at the Nurburgring 24 - could WRC be far behind? [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 09 Apr 2012 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2013 Toyota Venza is updated and refreshed. Yay.

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Crossover, Toyota, Design/Style

While it doesn't even appear as a bad pixel on most enthusiasts' radar, the Toyota Venza serves legions of mainstream consumers perfectly well. To keep the unassuming family hauler from lagging behind its advancing competition, the automaker has introduced a refreshed and tweaked 2013 Toyota Venza at the New York Auto Show.

Look carefully on the exterior and you may notice the freshened fog lamps or redesigned grille on the front fascia. Out back, there are restyled taillamps. Three new colors join the pallete (Attitude Black, Cypress Pearl and Cosmic Gray Mica). Under the hood, the engines are carried over from last year (2.7-liter four-cylinder or a 3.5-liter V6, depending on trim level, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission).

With the exception of the new interior color (black leather or black cloth upholstery) and new buttons on the steering wheel, the cabin appears virtually identical. However, there are more standard features on the LE trim (blind spot mirror, eight-way power-operated driver's seat, puddle lamps, tilt/telescope steering wheel, and more) and the range-topping Limited receives LED running lights and a premium navigation system with Entune connectivity. Most of the new features are offered across the model range, but at an additional cost. The updated 2013 Toyota Venza goes on sale in late May.

2013 Toyota Venza is updated and refreshed. Yay. originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 Apr 2012 15:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2013 Toyota Avalon Redesigned: 2012 New York Auto Show

The 2013 Toyota Avalon gets a more aggressive face in an attempt to push further upmarket.
http://www.insideline.com/toyota/avalon/2013/2013-toyota-avalon-redesigned-2012-new-york-auto-show.html

Gordon and Johnson Wreck, Newman Wins NASCAR Martinsville

Ryan Newman won the Goody's Fast Relief 500 Sunday at Martinsville Speedway.
http://www.insideline.com/chevrolet/gordon-and-johnson-wreck-newman-wins-nascar-martinsville.html

2013 Toyota Venza refreshed, Entune optional

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Crossover, Toyota

Toyota has been teasing us with glimpses of the redesigned 2013 Venza over the last month, and now we get to see its modest makeover just before the vehicle's New York Auto Show debut.

The new, less fussy grille is the first thing you'll notice. Fewer horizontal bars above the bumper and a chrome accent goes some way toward below classing up the crossutilitywagon thing. The headlamps are new, and the fog lights have also been blacked out with chrome accent ring. Finishing off the new light fixtures are reworked door mirrors fitted with the obligatory built-in turn signals.

In back, the taillights have been slightly updated, but everything else seems to be much the same as the 2012 model. Venzas can now be ordered in Attitude Black, Cypress Pearl and Cosmic Gray Mica.

Interior changes also seem to be minimal except for updated steering wheel buttons and the option of adding Toyota's Entune package that integrates your smart phone with the vehicle's dashboard display. The interior is also available in black for 2013.

Engine choices stay the same, with a 2.7-liter four-cylinder and a 3.5-liter V6 on offer.

Check the gallery for more photos and scroll below to the press release for more details.

Continue reading 2013 Toyota Venza refreshed, Entune optional

2013 Toyota Venza refreshed, Entune optional originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Apr 2012 14:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We loved our experences with Hudsons Toyota.

We loved our experences with Hudsons Toyota. We traded in a 2007 Nissan Versa for a loaded 2008 Toyota Prius. went in very nervious due to the last time we bought a car we had a bad experence. not only did the wonderful emploees make me feel better but they changed my outlook on dealerships. we got a great price for our trade in and a fair price on the prius we bought. we were in and driving out in about an hr yeah just a little over an hr was it. when we bought our versa we were at the dealership for 6hrs. they also got us a lot better intrest rate as well. they explained everything from the warrntys to being sure we knew how everything worked on the car before we left. they were upfront and honest with us and didnt try to hide anything from up no hidden fees and no tricks up their sleeves over all from the Harper's house we give them 2 thumbs up. well worth the hr drive there and the hr drive back.
http://www.dealerrater.com/dealer/Hudson-Toyota-review-35145/##r628206

The salesman and the office people were so nice

The salesman and the office people were so nice and let me get what I wanted and not what THEY thought I needed. They didn't tell me to "go sit down in our lobby and someone will be with you later" like the last Toyota dealership did. After I bought the car the office lady made sure I knew how to work all the controls on the car before I left. She took time to help me and was not in a hurry to get me out the door. She even made my first service appointment. I was impressed. Thank you.
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