Let's see if this gets as much press and a congressional hearing:
Federal regulators have yet to find any electronic defects in Toyota vehicles, a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) official today told a scientific panel appointed to study potential causes of unintended accelerations.
Some members of Congress, consumer advocates and product-liability plaintiff lawyers have said that electronic-throttle control systems may be responsible for reports of unintended acceleration. Toyota has said its rigorous testing has not found any electronic defects that would cause unintended acceleration. Instead, the company has identified unsecured floor mats and sticking accelerator pedals as two causes.
"We have not actually been able to find a defect of electronic-throttle control systems" in Toyota vehicles, NHTSA’s Dan Smith told the National Academy of Sciences panel. He added that NHTSA has identified the same two causes – floor mats and sticking pedals – as Toyota.
The head of NHTSA, David Strickland, told the panel that the problem of unintended acceleration is an industrywide issue. "Complaints of unintended acceleration are not – repeat not – exclusive to Toyota."
Federal regulators have yet to find any electronic defects in Toyota vehicles, a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) official today told a scientific panel appointed to study potential causes of unintended accelerations.
Some members of Congress, consumer advocates and product-liability plaintiff lawyers have said that electronic-throttle control systems may be responsible for reports of unintended acceleration. Toyota has said its rigorous testing has not found any electronic defects that would cause unintended acceleration. Instead, the company has identified unsecured floor mats and sticking accelerator pedals as two causes.
"We have not actually been able to find a defect of electronic-throttle control systems" in Toyota vehicles, NHTSA’s Dan Smith told the National Academy of Sciences panel. He added that NHTSA has identified the same two causes – floor mats and sticking pedals – as Toyota.
The head of NHTSA, David Strickland, told the panel that the problem of unintended acceleration is an industrywide issue. "Complaints of unintended acceleration are not – repeat not – exclusive to Toyota."
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Thursday, June 24, 2010
A Sad Day for Toyot/Lexus High Performance
Toyota's Chief Test Driver Dies in Highway Crash
Hiromu Naruse, Toyota’s chief test driver, died Wednesday in a head-on collision on a two-lane highway in Germany. He was driving the Lexus LFA Nurburgring Edition near its namesake, the famous Nurburgring, an undulating racetrack that automakers use to test their vehicles.
Naruse, 67, was killed in the accident with a BMW (also driven by a test
driver) close to Toyota’s workshop near the circuit. The driver and passenger in the BMW were seriously injured. A Toyota spokesperson in Japan said the company is still trying to confirm details of the accident.
"We are shocked and saddened by the sudden death of Hiromu Naruse," the spokesperson said. "Our deepest condolences go out to Mr. Naruse’s family, and we wish to express our sincere sympathy to the other people involved in the accident."
Naruse joined Toyota in 1963 in the Vehicle Evaluation and Engineering Division. He had been involved with Toyota Motorsports since 1970 and was an important figure in the development of Toyota sports cars, from the 2000GT to the Lexus LFA, the new supercar with a retail price of $350,000 scheduled to go into production late this year. He was also the personal driving mentor of Toyota’s global president, Akio Toyoda.
When more news is available we will post it up
Hiromu Naruse, Toyota’s chief test driver, died Wednesday in a head-on collision on a two-lane highway in Germany. He was driving the Lexus LFA Nurburgring Edition near its namesake, the famous Nurburgring, an undulating racetrack that automakers use to test their vehicles.
Naruse, 67, was killed in the accident with a BMW (also driven by a test
driver) close to Toyota’s workshop near the circuit. The driver and passenger in the BMW were seriously injured. A Toyota spokesperson in Japan said the company is still trying to confirm details of the accident.
"We are shocked and saddened by the sudden death of Hiromu Naruse," the spokesperson said. "Our deepest condolences go out to Mr. Naruse’s family, and we wish to express our sincere sympathy to the other people involved in the accident."
Naruse joined Toyota in 1963 in the Vehicle Evaluation and Engineering Division. He had been involved with Toyota Motorsports since 1970 and was an important figure in the development of Toyota sports cars, from the 2000GT to the Lexus LFA, the new supercar with a retail price of $350,000 scheduled to go into production late this year. He was also the personal driving mentor of Toyota’s global president, Akio Toyoda.
When more news is available we will post it up
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
So you thought Ford was more American than Toyota
Well according to this arcticle form Cars.com, the Camry tops the list of the most American made parts content in their US built cars. The former number one, the Ford F-150 doesn't even make the top 10 this year with only 55% of the car from American made parts. Here are some highlights of the article:
For the second year in a row, Toyota Camry ranked No. 1 on a list compiled by Cars.com of the most "American-made" vehicles.
Cars.com’s annual American-Made Index takes into account the percentage of domestically produced parts, the location of the factories where the vehicle was assembled, and its popularity in the United States. "All three factors figure into creating American jobs and prosperity," said USA Today’s Drive On in its report on the list today.
In addition to Camry ranking No. 1 on the list, Tundra was No. 8 and Sienna was No. 10, making Toyota the only manufacturer with three vehicles in the top 10. Honda, Ford and Chrysler each earned two spots. Chevrolet had one spot.
Camry is assembled in Georgetown, Ky., and Lafayette, Ind., while Tundra is assembled in San Antonio, Texas, and Sienna in Princeton, Ind.
Rounding out the list, Honda Accord ranked No. 2; Ford Escape, 3; Ford Focus, 4; Chevrolet Malibu, 5; Honda Odyssey, 6; Dodge Ram 1500, 7; and Jeep Wrangler, 9.
"What’s interesting this year is the lack of a full-sized domestic pickup truck on the list," said Patrick Olsen, Cars.com’s editor-in-chief. "The Ford F-150 went from the top spot a couple of years ago to being totally left off the list. While the F-150 is still assembled in the U.S., its domestic parts content fell to 55 percent. In the past, it’s had a domestic parts content of around 80 percent."
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2010/06/detroits-pickups-flunk-toyota-soars-on-american-made-list/
For the second year in a row, Toyota Camry ranked No. 1 on a list compiled by Cars.com of the most "American-made" vehicles.
Cars.com’s annual American-Made Index takes into account the percentage of domestically produced parts, the location of the factories where the vehicle was assembled, and its popularity in the United States. "All three factors figure into creating American jobs and prosperity," said USA Today’s Drive On in its report on the list today.
In addition to Camry ranking No. 1 on the list, Tundra was No. 8 and Sienna was No. 10, making Toyota the only manufacturer with three vehicles in the top 10. Honda, Ford and Chrysler each earned two spots. Chevrolet had one spot.
Camry is assembled in Georgetown, Ky., and Lafayette, Ind., while Tundra is assembled in San Antonio, Texas, and Sienna in Princeton, Ind.
Rounding out the list, Honda Accord ranked No. 2; Ford Escape, 3; Ford Focus, 4; Chevrolet Malibu, 5; Honda Odyssey, 6; Dodge Ram 1500, 7; and Jeep Wrangler, 9.
"What’s interesting this year is the lack of a full-sized domestic pickup truck on the list," said Patrick Olsen, Cars.com’s editor-in-chief. "The Ford F-150 went from the top spot a couple of years ago to being totally left off the list. While the F-150 is still assembled in the U.S., its domestic parts content fell to 55 percent. In the past, it’s had a domestic parts content of around 80 percent."
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2010/06/detroits-pickups-flunk-toyota-soars-on-american-made-list/
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
The Third Annual Rallye Lexus Tuner Event
So if you were there and want to reminisce, or if you want to see what you missed, here is a compilation of the whole show. We will see you next year!!!
Friday, June 18, 2010
Best In Show From The Rallye Lexus Tuner Event
Whoa man, there is alot of work in this car and it was all carried out with subtle style.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Hybrid Videos of the New CT200h Technology
If you want a great overview that will help you understand or explain Hybrids in general you will love this first video.
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Now this video is all about the particular Hybrid features on the new CT200h.Check it out...
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Now this video is all about the particular Hybrid features on the new CT200h.Check it out...
See the New CT200h as a Coupe and Sedan
Turning the CT (Compact Touring) into a CC (Compact Coupe) and a CS (Compact Sedan) would let Lexus compete with both the Audi A3 and BMW 1-Series, and more importantly, would provide another model to help expand the brand’s position in the European market. Certainly makes sense to me. What do you think?
Check out the link for more "real" photos of the new CT200h
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
More Videos Up On Our Youtube Channel
Check out the link to goto our Rallye Lexus Video Channel. There are a few videos up now and we should have a few more over the next few days from our Rallye Lexus Third Annual Tuner Event.
http://www.youtube.com/user/rallyelexus#g/c/D104318307286298
http://www.youtube.com/user/rallyelexus#g/c/D104318307286298
Friday, June 11, 2010
Our Own Billy Hsu makes his Video Debut!!!
This is the first of several videos shot on Sunday June 6th at our Third Annual Tuner Event. For those of you who missed it(like me), this will give you some insight to what you missed. I should have a few more vidoes up next week showing more of the real Event. This is early in the am and Billy doing a walk around demo of the Limited Edition ISC-F. The car is number 2 of 100 limted build cars. They include everything in the F-Sport Performance Tuning Catalog.
Thanks being Rallye's Video Star!!!
Thanks being Rallye's Video Star!!!
Friday, June 4, 2010
FORD: NHTSA Investigates their Acceleration Issues
This seems like familiar territory for Toyota/Lexus people, but now it seems the truth that we have all been saying that floor mats are an industry wide issue are starting to come out. For those of you who subscribe to the Big Brother Conspiracy Theories, Ford didnt take Stimulus money.....Hmmmm Government Motors is never mention in the press as having an issue.....
And if you really believe that stuff I have a bridge in Brooklyn for sale.....Give you a good price on it....
Read on:
NHTSA Investigates Ford and Mercury for Unintended Acceleration
Posted: Jun. 02, 2010 10:06 a.m.
Ford is cooperating with an NHTSA investigation into reported cases of unintended acceleration in the 2010 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan. As was the case in one of the recent high-profile Toyota recalls, it is believed that floor mats are what’s causing the problem.
Thus far, the NHTSA has only received three complaints about floor mats hindering proper operation of the gas pedal in the Fusion and Milan. However, it is not taking any chances.
Kicking Tires explains: “Typically, three complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration won’t spark an investigation. … The investigation would seem unusual if weren’t for Toyota’s massive recall for a similar problem late last year.”
Interestingly, one of those complaints came from Edmunds’ Director of Vehicle Testing, Dan Edmunds, who experienced a frightening incident of unintended acceleration after the gas pedal in his test-model 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid jammed due to the thickness of its stacked floor mats.
While the investigation is still pending, the NHTSA has “warned owners of 2010 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan vehicles not to place unsecured floor mats -- made by Ford or anyone else -- on top of the standard, carpeted floor mat in the driver's side foot well,” reports the Detroit News. Stacking unsecure floor mats may interfere with the gas pedal, causing it to stick in a downward position.
“Ford spokesman Said Deep said the automaker warns customers on the mats themselves and in instructions that come with them to remove the regular floor mat before using the thicker, rubber mat,” writes the Detroit Free Press. “The all-weather mat has two prominent holes for retaining hooks.”
Dan Edmunds offers this piece of advice: "Don't assume everything is OK because a) you don't drive a Toyota/Lexus product or b) because everything looked OK in a random curbside test. The real world contains far more variables and conditions than you or I can account for."
According to Autoblog, “A grand total of 249,301 cars are being investigated over this potential problem with Ford's all-weather floor mats” -- which is a drop in the bucket compared to Toyota’s multi-million vehicle recall for similar problems.
To date, no accidents or injuries have been reported due to unintended acceleration in either the 2010 Ford Fusion or Mercury Milan.
http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/cars-trucks/daily-news/100602-NHTSA-Investigates-Ford-and-Mercury-for-Unintended-Acceleration/
And if you really believe that stuff I have a bridge in Brooklyn for sale.....Give you a good price on it....
Read on:
NHTSA Investigates Ford and Mercury for Unintended Acceleration
Posted: Jun. 02, 2010 10:06 a.m.
Ford is cooperating with an NHTSA investigation into reported cases of unintended acceleration in the 2010 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan. As was the case in one of the recent high-profile Toyota recalls, it is believed that floor mats are what’s causing the problem.
Thus far, the NHTSA has only received three complaints about floor mats hindering proper operation of the gas pedal in the Fusion and Milan. However, it is not taking any chances.
Kicking Tires explains: “Typically, three complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration won’t spark an investigation. … The investigation would seem unusual if weren’t for Toyota’s massive recall for a similar problem late last year.”
Interestingly, one of those complaints came from Edmunds’ Director of Vehicle Testing, Dan Edmunds, who experienced a frightening incident of unintended acceleration after the gas pedal in his test-model 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid jammed due to the thickness of its stacked floor mats.
While the investigation is still pending, the NHTSA has “warned owners of 2010 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan vehicles not to place unsecured floor mats -- made by Ford or anyone else -- on top of the standard, carpeted floor mat in the driver's side foot well,” reports the Detroit News. Stacking unsecure floor mats may interfere with the gas pedal, causing it to stick in a downward position.
“Ford spokesman Said Deep said the automaker warns customers on the mats themselves and in instructions that come with them to remove the regular floor mat before using the thicker, rubber mat,” writes the Detroit Free Press. “The all-weather mat has two prominent holes for retaining hooks.”
Dan Edmunds offers this piece of advice: "Don't assume everything is OK because a) you don't drive a Toyota/Lexus product or b) because everything looked OK in a random curbside test. The real world contains far more variables and conditions than you or I can account for."
According to Autoblog, “A grand total of 249,301 cars are being investigated over this potential problem with Ford's all-weather floor mats” -- which is a drop in the bucket compared to Toyota’s multi-million vehicle recall for similar problems.
To date, no accidents or injuries have been reported due to unintended acceleration in either the 2010 Ford Fusion or Mercury Milan.
http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/cars-trucks/daily-news/100602-NHTSA-Investigates-Ford-and-Mercury-for-Unintended-Acceleration/
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Meet The Man who will make the Difference
Akio Toyoda Profile
Some quotes from the article in Automtive news:
[...]Toyoda embarked on a quest to become one of the company’s top certified test drivers and its top car critic. That challenge and journey combined to forge Toyoda’s management priorities, ones that now are reshaping Toyota in a time of crisis.
By getting behind the wheel and scrutinizing product, the 54-year-old Toyoda believes he is living out the company’s guiding principle: “Genchi, Genbutsu” — Japanese for “go and see for yourself.”
“Growth in itself is not bad if you can cultivate the human resources to keep up,” Toyoda said. “But I don’t want to be the largest company in the world. I want to be the best.”
Also in a related article in the same issue on the LFA race team at Nurburgring:
With 15 minutes left in the race, the crews of all teams crowd the outer pit wall to cheer on their drivers. In front of the Gazoo Racing pit, shutterbug Akio is standing on the roof of the team’s signaling booth, snapping photos and waving his support.
A jubilant President Toyoda leads his team to the infield — breaking into sprints at times — and begins passing out Warsteiner beers and posing for team pictures. Then it’s back to the pits, where the entire team proceeds to shower one another with more champagne and beer. In a year of observing and chronicling Toyoda, I’ve never seen the president laugh, let alone smile, so much.
“We started from nothing just four years ago, and here we are today,” Toyoda said before being drenched in beer. “Our people are stronger; our cars are stronger. Our team really did a great job.”
And as the Lexus Enthusiast says:
There’s something so refreshing about President Toyoda’s passion — it’s so clear in everything he does, and it’s that sincerity that makes me so excited about the future of both Toyota & Lexus.
http://lexusenthusiast.com/2010/05/31/akio-toyoda-profile/
Some quotes from the article in Automtive news:[...]Toyoda embarked on a quest to become one of the company’s top certified test drivers and its top car critic. That challenge and journey combined to forge Toyoda’s management priorities, ones that now are reshaping Toyota in a time of crisis.
By getting behind the wheel and scrutinizing product, the 54-year-old Toyoda believes he is living out the company’s guiding principle: “Genchi, Genbutsu” — Japanese for “go and see for yourself.”
“Growth in itself is not bad if you can cultivate the human resources to keep up,” Toyoda said. “But I don’t want to be the largest company in the world. I want to be the best.”
Also in a related article in the same issue on the LFA race team at Nurburgring:
With 15 minutes left in the race, the crews of all teams crowd the outer pit wall to cheer on their drivers. In front of the Gazoo Racing pit, shutterbug Akio is standing on the roof of the team’s signaling booth, snapping photos and waving his support.
A jubilant President Toyoda leads his team to the infield — breaking into sprints at times — and begins passing out Warsteiner beers and posing for team pictures. Then it’s back to the pits, where the entire team proceeds to shower one another with more champagne and beer. In a year of observing and chronicling Toyoda, I’ve never seen the president laugh, let alone smile, so much.
“We started from nothing just four years ago, and here we are today,” Toyoda said before being drenched in beer. “Our people are stronger; our cars are stronger. Our team really did a great job.”
And as the Lexus Enthusiast says:
There’s something so refreshing about President Toyoda’s passion — it’s so clear in everything he does, and it’s that sincerity that makes me so excited about the future of both Toyota & Lexus.
http://lexusenthusiast.com/2010/05/31/akio-toyoda-profile/
Forget Summer Camp, go to Safety Camp this Summer
I will look for more info on this, but I know alot of people (staff as well as clients) who could really use a day on learning this technology. Check it out....
Blog: ParentsWithStyle.com Lexus Family Safety Camp
Bloggers are invited to Lexus family safety camp for the opportunity to learn about the standard Lexus safety features.
Quotes from the story:
I am so excited to share with all of you that I will be flying out to California, compliments of LEXUS for their FAMILY SAFETY CAMP on June 3rd. I cannot wait to learn more about LEXUS and all of the safety features that will make my family safe.
At the Lexus Family Safety Camp, youll get to:
Spend time with and talk to technical specialists about vehicle safety features in a language that makes sense
Test drive vehicles on special courses set up at the Rose Bowl parking lot and gain hands-on experience with vehicle stability control (VSC), anti-lock brakes (ABS), brake override system, LATCH child seat system, Bluetooth and Lexus telematics (Lexus Enform and Safety Connect)
Visit with other safety experts and advocates including Stephanie Tombrello of SafetyBeltSafe USA, an organization dedicated to child passenger safety, and Janette Fennell, founder of KidsAndCars.org, a national nonprofit dedicated to reducing injury and death to children in and around motor vehicles
For each attendee, Lexus will make a donation so that low-income, inner-city kids can also enjoy the Kidspace Children's Museum
http://www.theparentswithstyle.com/2010/05/lexus-family-safety-camp.html
Blog: ParentsWithStyle.com Lexus Family Safety Camp
Bloggers are invited to Lexus family safety camp for the opportunity to learn about the standard Lexus safety features.
Quotes from the story:
I am so excited to share with all of you that I will be flying out to California, compliments of LEXUS for their FAMILY SAFETY CAMP on June 3rd. I cannot wait to learn more about LEXUS and all of the safety features that will make my family safe.
At the Lexus Family Safety Camp, youll get to:
Spend time with and talk to technical specialists about vehicle safety features in a language that makes sense
Test drive vehicles on special courses set up at the Rose Bowl parking lot and gain hands-on experience with vehicle stability control (VSC), anti-lock brakes (ABS), brake override system, LATCH child seat system, Bluetooth and Lexus telematics (Lexus Enform and Safety Connect)
Visit with other safety experts and advocates including Stephanie Tombrello of SafetyBeltSafe USA, an organization dedicated to child passenger safety, and Janette Fennell, founder of KidsAndCars.org, a national nonprofit dedicated to reducing injury and death to children in and around motor vehicles
For each attendee, Lexus will make a donation so that low-income, inner-city kids can also enjoy the Kidspace Children's Museum
http://www.theparentswithstyle.com/2010/05/lexus-family-safety-camp.html
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