PALIN MITENK BLOG

Flagship: 270,000 Prius models worldwide may have to be checked for the fault


The crisis at Toyota deepened yesterday as pressure mounted for it to recall its flagship 'green' car, the Prius, over brake problems.

Sources said 270,000 of the petrol-electric hybrids worldwide may have to be checked.

Toyota has not confirmed a recall but has admitted the newest Prius models had a software problem affecting the brakes.

Official investigations have been ordered in the U.S. and Japan although British ministers have not so far followed suit.

The world's biggest car firm has already recalled eight million vehicles over fears that two separate faults with accelerator pedals have left them unsafe.

That move affects 180,865 cars in Britain, where owners have been warned it could take up to four weeks for them to be notified through the DVLA.

Last night it emerged that 270 Toyotas here have been reported as having the potentially lethal fault. Toyota said that it had confirmed 20 cases before announcing the recall, but another 250 were reported in the past week.

The first UK claim of a crash was made yesterday by a solicitor for an unnamed driver in the Midlands.

He is said to have received head injuries when his Toyota hit a wall at 30mph last September.

'We understand the accelerator became stuck and he suffered injuries as a consequence. My client is receiving medical rehabilitation,' Ciaran McCabe at the Moore Blatch personal injury practice told the Guardian.

The news has triggered near-panic among owners, with warnings from lawyers that drivers could be prosecuted over crashes in the affected models. More than 10,000 motorists have tried to use Toyota's hotline and website and many complained lines were jammed.

Seven models are affected in Britain - the Auris, Avensis, Aygo, Corolla, iQ, Verso and the Yaris. Toyota says it is trying to fast-track the process, but cannot start repairs until next week, when vital parts will have arrived.


Potentially lethal: The vehicles have been recalled due to faulty accelerator pedals

The Japanese firm has faced international criticism that it has been too slow to act and its British division issued a grovelling apology to drivers on the video-sharing website YouTube.

Jon Williams, commercial director of Toyota GB, said the company was 'truly sorry' it had let customers down, but insisted the cars were safe.

He said: 'I drive a Toyota, my family and friends drive Toyotas, and I wouldn't allow my loved ones to drive our cars if I didn't believe they were safe.'


But Nick Freeman, the Manchester-based traffic lawyer who has made his name defending high-profile footballers in speeding cases, said: 'If you have one of these cars, don't drive it.

'The recall puts you on notice that there could be a fault, which means you assume responsibility.

'You could be held criminally and civilly responsible for an accident and, in the case of a fatal accident, you could be charged with death by dangerous driving.'

The Association of British Insurers said insurance policies would still be valid.

Toyota insists the software in the Prius has been fixed and there have been no reported problems in Britain, where 5,000 of the third-generation cars have been sold since August.

But all Prius cars are manufactured in Japan and China, suggesting that problems in the hybrids sold in the U.S. and Japan could also emerge in cars sold here.

There have been 180 complaints about brake problems with the Prius in the U.S. and Japan, and the defect has been linked to at least five crashes.

The scare has seen £19billion wiped off Toyota's share value. Sales in the U.S. fell by 16 per cent in January. The car giant estimates the cost in lost sales and repairs over the recall at £1.25billion but that could rise sharply if the Prius becomes involved.

Toyota yesterday reported pretax profits of £1.56billion for the last quarter of 2009 and credited the hybrid for the success.

Robert Gifford, director of the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety, called last night for a Government inquiry and Tory spokesman Theresa Villiers urged ministers to ensure that road safety was not compromised.


Motorist Nick Reid told how he contacted Toyota three years ago after his wife complained about the accelerator on her Auris.

The 36-year-old father of two from Birmingham said Toyota denied there was any defect and effectively accused him of lying.

He added: 'My wife was driving around with our two young children. Anything could have happened. We are owed an apology and an explanation.'


source: dailymail

By Paul Anderson
Automotive Correspondent

Unless you're a high roller with a lot of money to burn, the decision to buy a car won't be a spontaneous one. It requires a lot of research and financial planning to find the right ride for your tastes and budget.
buying a car the right way
Unfortunately, despite the impact that buying a car has on a man's wallet, many guys neglect to properly educate themselves on the process. They end up getting swindled at the dealership, driving an inferior automobile or needlessly paying for extras.

If you're thinking about trading in your old car for a new one, read the following common car-buying mistakes before you start shopping. Armed with this advice, you'll be properly prepared to buy the right car at the right place.

1- Not doing the proper research
This first mistake is perhaps the most widespread among buyers, since it takes a fair amount of work to find the right car and payment plan.

The best way to get to the nitty-gritty of car buying is by consulting well-established magazines like Car and Driver and Road & Track. You can also read up on the latest car reviews by browsing the Web and checking out sites like Autobytel.com.

The ideal resource is probably the Consumer Reports auto section, where you'll find reviews, ratings and recommendations on old and new cars. Visit them at ConsumerReports.org.

Foremost on the list of items to look for is the invoice price, found at Edmunds.com or KBB.com (Kelley Blue Book). This is the price the manufacturer paid the dealer; the price you'll see is the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP), more commonly known as the sticker price. Negotiations with the salesperson should begin from the invoice price, not the MSRP.

Finally, research the resale price of the car you're interested in. Honda's fleet usually boasts the highest resale values, and most Japanese cars will give you more bang for your buck than American cars. The price varies from car to car, so be sure to check out your particular case with one of the aforementioned sources.

2- Not buying the car you need
You have to determine what kind of car fits your lifestyle. For instance, you may want a sweet-looking roadster, but if the wife is expecting, this isn't the best idea. Check out sedans, coupes, SUVs, and station wagons (notice the absence of minivans -- don't go there, my friend) and compare the advantages and functionality of each.

There's nothing worse than getting captivated by an impractical car, driving it home and then, two months later, discovering its shortcomings. If you take a lot of road trips, check if there's adequate trunk space for your suitcase (or golf bag). Fuel economy is also a key factor and if this is important to you, forget about buying an SUV.

3- Buying too soon
You'd think that people wait too long to buy their car, right? Think of all the rusty lemons you see spewing black smoke out of their exhaust pipes during rush hour. The fact is, though, it's more common for people to buy a car too early rather than too late.

What often happens is that, despite having loads of payments left on their financed or leased vehicle, car owners see something they like and jump at the chance to get it.

Dealers, seeing an easy sale, often convince buyers that they can transfer their old payments to the new car. This trend in car purchasing, known as "upside-down" buying, can be very bad. The term simply means that, when inclined to trade in, you owe more on a car than it's actually worth. The low interest rates that seem so attractive on new cars actually have a negative on old ones; dealers, faced with dropping sticker prices, value trade-ins much less so than they did in the past.

In turn, owners end up having to pay the difference between the trade-in price and the payment balance. On average, owners end up owing $2,200 on their trade-in when they take part in upside-down buying. As unbelievable as it sounds, statistics show that someone who trades in their 1998 Honda Civic for $8,000 may still have over $10,000 left in payments.

An alternative for those who fall under this category is to buy a relatively new used car. That way, you're buying a car that has already depreciated significantly (a car's value drops rapidly after the first couple of years, including an average fall of 30% after the first 12 months) and is thus priced at a fair price... hopefully.

Essentially, you'll be getting a car in good shape for much less and will be in a better position to make the last payments on your trade-in.

4- Only visiting the dealership closest to you
If you have the patience to shop around for a nice dress shirt, you should have the wherewithal to visit several dealers, whether they're blocks away or an hour outside of town.

Believe it or not, not every dealership is the same. For one, each boasts a Customer Service Index (CSI) that measures how much the dealership pleases its customers in terms of price and service. The CSI is published by J.D. Power & Associates.

Also, you'll find that prices will vary slightly between dealerships for the same manufacturer. This is because an MSRP is determined on the basis of several factors, including demographics and location.

So if you live in an upscale neighborhood, consider driving to other areas in the city to compare prices. You may be pleasantly surprised, especially if you actually approach different salesmen and haggle with them.

5- Not going for a test drive
Do you buy nice clothes without trying them on? Of course not. Then why would you ever buy a car without giving it a spin?

There are some things you'll discover during a test drive that you just can't see when a car is sitting in the lot. Aside from the obvious things like handling and braking, you'll also see how much you enjoy driving it.

If comfort behind the wheel is important, than a test drive is a must. Take note of such things as safety features, the control panel setup and driving noise as well, to see if they are up to your standards.


6- Negotiating all pricing aspects jointly
Remember what was said about the invoice price and the sticker price? Always negotiate from the former and don't take "no" for an answer. Salesmen make a living off refusing to give up, so it's only right to give them a taste of their own medicine.

For optimal savings, it's best to talk with the salesman about the sticker price, trade-in value of your old car and such things as financing separately. If you make every aspect of buying a car distinct, there's better chance of reducing your expenses.

It may look simple on paper, but this involves a lot of haggling. That's why it's a "common mistake;" most people don't want to make the extra effort. If you do go the extra mile, there's a strong chance you'll come away spending less money than a lazy buyer will.

Be wary, however, of not letting your emotions get the best of you. Whether the salesman rubs you the wrong way or you have already fallen in love with a certain car, don't let the other guy know. He'll jump at the weakness you've shown and exploit it, especially if you have a soft spot for one of the pricier models in the lot.

Car buyers are also tempted to mention that they'll be selling their car back to the dealer early on in the bargaining process. No matter how smart it seems, do not do this. Hold off on mentioning your trade-in until after you have settled on a sticker price for your new car.

The reason? Because the value of your trade-in is linked to the price of your new car. In general, the more expensive the car you buy, the higher the dealer is willing to pay for your trade-in. If you tie in these two prices, however, you're inevitably getting less than the ideal value of your old car.

The dealer is likely to round off values when equating one lump sum, and may skimp on details since both car prices are taken together -- the customer will have a hard time finding errors. Negotiating the cost of the cars separately once again optimizes your expenses and return.

7- Not shopping for the best financing rate
Don't be mistaken; the dealership is not the only stop to make when buying a new car. Financing rates of 0% may look appealing at first, but they often last for no more than a few months, after which the interest rate skyrockets.

Instead of settling for the dealership's rate, visit various credit unions and banks. You may discover that getting a loan will cost less than financing directly. If you do find a loan that you like, it's recommended that you get approved for it before buying the car. This will speed up the whole car-buying process.

8- Not asking about hidden/extra costs
No transaction is as rife with tricks as buying a car. Dealerships have been known to tack on a "dealer protection package," which will incorporate undercoating, rustproofing, advertising costs, document processing fees, and many more hidden expenses without you knowing about it.

Be sure to ask about these costs, often found in the small print of your invoice. In some cases, you can remove some unnecessary fees, or at least reduce them.

9- Thinking in terms of payment, instead of price
Finally, many customers have fallen into the same trap: They're lured into buying a car because it offers low monthly payments, but consequently miss the big picture. That is, they neglect to see that the creative deals offered by the dealership often require large down payments or drawn-out payments.


Always think in the long term. Let's say you're comparing a payment plan of $250 a month to one of $450, both offering an interest rate of 5%. The principal is $15,000. The first plan may seem attractive, but it'll take six years to pay for the car and will accumulate $2,393 more in interest. The $450 plan takes three years to pay off and collects $1,184 in interest. That $1,209 difference in interest is significant. In this case, you'll be paying less for longer, meaning interest rates have more time to pile up.

10- Not considering the cost of insurance
Car salesmen may throw a reasonable figure your way, but don't forget to include insurance when calculating the cost of your car. Insurance payments can be a significant part of your yearly car budget, especially if you purchase a car that's a common target of thieves, like a Toyota Camry.

Other models, like sports cars, simply have high insurance premiums because they're more likely to be involved in accidents. Since the insurance is tied into the type of car you purchase, be sure to get a quote from your insurer before you buy a new car.


source: askmen.com

A Porsche Boxster Spyder is displayed at the LA Auto Show in Los Angeles December 2, 2009.




LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 2: The veil is pulled from the new three-seat Honda P-NUT with a clear roof as it is debuted during press preview days of the 2009 LA Auto Show at the Los Angeles Convention Center on December 2, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Auto makers are expected to unveil at least 30 North American and world debuts at this year's show. The LA Auto Show will be open to the public December 4 through December 13.




LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 2: Ford unveils its new Fiesta line during press preview days of the 2009 LA Auto Show at the Los Angeles Convention Center on December 2, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Auto makers are expected to unveil at least 30 North American and world debuts at this year's show. The LA Auto Show will be open to the public December 4 through December 13.




LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 2: Ford unveils its new Fiesta line during press preview days of the 2009 LA Auto Show at the Los Angeles Convention Center on December 2, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Auto makers are expected to unveil at least 30 North American and world debuts at this year's show. The LA Auto Show will be open to the public December 4 through December 13.



Attendees look at Mercedes-Benz automobiles at the LA Auto Show in Los Angeles December 2, 2009.



LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 2: A man looks at the interior of a new Chevrolet Volt during press preview days of the 2009 LA Auto Show at the Los Angeles Convention Center on December 2, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Auto makers are expected to unveil at least 30 North American and world debuts at this year's show. The LA Auto Show will be open to the public December 4 through December 13.








The BMW Vision concept car is displayed at the LA Auto Show in Los Angeles December 2, 2009.

credit photo: Reuters

By Joseph R. Szczesny
by Consumer Reports as one of the year's most reliable family cars.
Toyota / AP

For the second straight year, the Ford Motor Co. has scored as the only Detroit automaker with quality and reliability to match that of Toyota and Honda, which between them have locked up nearly 25 percent of the enviable "Most Reliable" car list compiled by Consumer Reports magazine. To compile the list, the magazine surveys its readers about their cars and uses that data to predict reliability for car models currently on sale.

Ninety percent of Ford, Mercury, and Lincoln products were found to have average or better expected reliability, matching and even surpassing the scores posted by Honda and Toyota and their associated brands, such as Acura and Lexus, the magazine said.

"It's rare for Consumer Reports to see family sedans from domestic carmakers continue to beat the reliability scores of such highly regarded Japanese models as the Camry and Accord," says David Champion, senior director of Consumer Reports, Automotive Test Center. The South Korean brands, Hyundai and Kia, also continued to improve, placing more vehicles, such as the Kia Sportage, on the most reliable list than they had in earlier years

Ford officials, of course, are ecstatic. "These results from such a highly respected and credible source of information for consumers confirms that Ford not only has raised initial quality to industry-leading levels, but also is delivering the excellent long-term reliability that is critical to winning new customers and retaining existing ones," said Bennie Fowler, Ford group vice president of global quality.

General Motors and Chrysler, which were recently bailed out by the Federal Government, didn't do nearly as well as Ford in the survey. Consumer Reports says Chrysler is "continuing to struggle," as none of its models made to the most reliable list. In addition, more than a third of Chrysler models were deemed "much worse than average," in reliability. Only the Dodge Ram 1500 pickup truck scored 'average' in reliability. Chrysler's three brands — Jeep, Chrysler and Dodge — also were among the four "worst' in terms of reliability.

Some of GM's new products, such as the Chevrolet Malibu with a V6 engine and Chevrolet Traverse, did well in the survey. Overall, however, 28 of the 48 GM models included in the survey had below-average rankings, says Consumer Reports Rick Paul.


source: Time.com

By Thomas Bey

The 41st Tokyo Motor Show is a showdown of the nation’s big players, all trying to outdo each other with leaner, greener products -- mostly. There are a few performance models thrown in too, just to keep the spark alive. Just don’t expect a Detroit presence, because they’re cutting costs and watching the show from home.

We know all about long-distance voyeurism, because there are a lot of Tokyo auto show cars we’ll never drive. Several reasons account for this: Some of these cars won’t be produced for North America, others probably won’t be produced at all. We wouldn’t be caught dead in a couple. There’s even a supercar that we’ll never drive, even though the opportunity will present itself.

Start with No.10

No.10 - Nissan Land Glider Concept
Aside from the public’s first chance to see the Nissan Leaf we previewed a while back, the Tokyo Auto Show also includes a glimpse of the electric Land Glider. It’s supposedly capable of about 60 miles per charge, with a top speed of over 70 mph - theoretically well-suited for commuters. Nissan implies it’s a production possibility. So why is this tandem-seater one of the Tokyo auto show cars we’ll never drive? Even if it’s launched in Japan, there are serious doubts about American acceptance. That, and it wouldn’t pass U.S. crash regulations as it is. You know, minor details.



No.9 - Subaru Exiga 2.0GT Tuned by STi
America doesn’t get the base seven-passenger model, and that’s not going to change with the upcoming Subaru Exiga 2.0GT Tuned by STi. Other than the most exhaustive name since The Moe Szyslak Experience featuring Homer, the 300 examples will include unique body effects and upgraded trim inside. Underneath, a five-speed automatic and all-wheel drive distribute the 2.0-liter turbo’s 221 horses. For that power to move that mass with a $40,000 admission price, we’re not missing much.


No.8 - Honda EV-N Concept
If the Honda CR-Z hybrid concept looks great with its contemporary style, the electric EV-N concept takes a step forward by looking backward; that is, appearing to have come from the past and been reborn as a green version of the little 600. However, that’s kind of the problem: It’s small. A Fit seems like a Ridgeline by comparison, and that’s pushing the limits of American acceptability. We’re not necessarily deterred; it looks like it would be great, silly fun -- and responsible -- to drive. Still, we won't be holding our breath on this one.


No.7 - Lotus Exige Scura
By this point, you probably noticed a theme. The Tokyo auto show cars we’ll never drive are all Japanese; green and polite. The Lotus Exige Scura is none of that, and we absolutely love it. It’s a pity our love will go unrequited. Only 35 copies of the matte-black Scura (“dark” in Italian) will be sold for the equivalent of $75,000 -- none of them in the United States. Mechanically similar to the Exige S on which it’s based, the 257-horsepower Exige S260 Sport supercharged engine is no slouch in this lighter, 2,040 pound car.



No.6 - Suzuki Swift Plug-In Hybrid Concept
We’ll give Suzuki a mulligan for attempting to sneak false advertising past us with its Swift Plug-In Hybrid Concept. To break it down, it is a concept. It is a hybrid. It plugs in. However, the Swift bit is only by name, not by nature. The car (known here as the SX4) is intended, according to Suzuki, for folks trekking no more than about 12 miles daily. And close-to-home bodies wouldn’t get anywhere quick even with the gas engine running, which is more or less a 660cc onboard battery charger. That's roughly the same as your high-powered electric shaver.


No.5 - Subaru Hybrid Tourer Concept
Cool-looking hybrid concepts are plentiful in Tokyo, and Subaru’s stylish Hybrid Tourer is a standout. Forget L.L. Bean; an A|X edition would suit this Subie better. Under the pleasantly unexpected bodywork, a direct-injected, 2.0-liter boxer turbo and twin electric motors (one front, one rear) divvy the all-wheel drive. So, why must it be one of the Tokyo auto show cars we’ll never drive? Because Subaru says so, that’s why. They’re more likely to feature the concept’s hybrid powertrain and style elements on future cars -- minus the gullwing doors, we reckon.




No.4 - Suzusho Supasse V
Lust is alive. We don’t expect to see the Suzusho Supasse V come to America; we just don’t care. We want it, period. This Japan-only car kind of comes off as a shrunken Pagani Zonda, complete with a shrunken engine. The mid-mounted, 2.3-liter turbo is nestled into an aluminum monocoque chassis and comes straight from the MazdaSpeed3, putting 260 horsepower to work on moving just 1,870 pounds.



No.3 - Honda Skydeck Concept
Unless Volkswagen ever imports one of its real minivans to the U.S. (sorry Routan) then the Honda Odyssey stands as the best of the bunch. And “best” is a relative term. The Honda Skydeck hybrid concept, on the other hand, almost has us wanting to take a drive. Rolling up to your kid’s soccer practice and exiting through the Lambo-style door would either be marginally cool or mildly disturbing -- we can’t decide. We won’t ever have to, because this is very likely to remain one of the Tokyo auto show cars we’ll never drive.


No.2 - Daihatsu Basket Concept
We’re warning you now: If the Daihatsu Basket Concept ever made it to production and came to the U.S., you would get your ass kicked for driving it. Even guys in smart fortwos would point and laugh. It is rightly among the Tokyo auto show cars we’ll never drive -- not even on a triple-dog-dare. Its kei-car size and engine, a 660cc three-cylinder, further guarantees the Basket will never have a case for sales here


No.1 - Lexus LF-A
The car that has others in a tizzy slots foremost on our Tokyo auto show cars we’ll never drive -- even if we had the money. Fine, so the Lexus LF-A is here at last, after years of teasing, minimal details and excessive hype. Now that it’s here, all we can do is shrug. The V10 coupe runs 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds and taps out at 202 mph. That’ll be $350,000 please. No thanks. For a real Asian sensation we’ll stick with the Nissan GT-R.

If you're not done dreaming about cars you'll never own then check out our Top 10: 2009 Detroit Concept Car Reveals list or the Top 10: 2009 Geneva Concept Car Reveals.


source: askmen.com

source: mininova.com