Toyota iQ: rear window airbag

Toyota has developed a rear window airbag to improve (their goal is to double) the security of back-seat passengers. 

In the case of a rear-end collision, the airbag deploys from the roof lining above the rear window, and spreads like a curtain to protect the heads of back-seat passengers

The rear seat airbag will debut in Toyota’s "iQ" ultra-compact four-seat car, to be launched later in 2008.

As reported by the NYT,

"As part of an effort to attract buyers, Toyota has tried to make side air bags and shield air bags standard features, and has said it plans to increase efforts to develop safer vehicles and technologies that can ultimately eliminate traffic casualties."

Tags: Toyota, Toyota iQ, car safety, airbags, automotive, auto industry, automotive industry

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Toyota moving big in China

Toyota announced two big investments totaling $529 million dollars in the past months, to double their production capacity in China and meet growing demand.

The goal: reach sales of 1 million units and 10 percent market share by 2010.

Sichuan FAW Toyota Motor

This is an equal part joint venture between Toyota and local First Automotive Works Group (China’s #2 automaker).

Will reach annual output of 30,000 units of Coaster light commercial vehicles and Land Cruiser Prado SUVs at Chengdu factory. Production will begin in first half of 2010.

Their Changchun factory makes 10,000 Land Cruiser and Prius units per year. Other factories in Tianjin produce Corolla, Reiz, and Vios sedans.

Guangzhou Toyota

This is a joint venture between Toyota and Guangzhou Auto that produces Yaris and Camry models.

The plan is to add a second production line and reach capacity of 400,000 units.

Tags: automotive, auto industry, automotive industry, China, Chinese auto industry, Chinese automotive industry, Sichuan FAW Toyota Motor, Guangzhou Toyota, Guangzhou Auto, FAW,  First Automotive Works, Toyota

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China: 95% of all vehicles recyclable by 2017

China’s Huliq News reports on a conference held for the local automotive parts remanufacturing industry, where China’s ambitious green program for that industry was launched.

The Chinese Association of Automobile Manufacturers described it as a three stage process:

• Stage 1 (current): China’s automakers and car dealers will be required to register recyclable vehicles made or sold by them.
• Stage 2 (2010): 90% of all China-made and imported vehicles should be recyclable, with at least 80% of their materials recyclable.
• Stage 3 (2017): 95% of all China-made and imported vehicles should be recyclable, with at least 85% of their materials recyclable.

Tags: China auto industry, auto industry, auto parts industry

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Winners and losers in global market share: forecast

According to Global Insight, a leading American market intelligence specialist, these are the automakers that will grow the most in global market share over the next five years:

1. Tata (India): will grow 0.6 percent (current market share: 0.6 percent, 2013 forecast: 1.2 percent)
2. Chery (China): will grow 0.4 percent (0.6, 1.0 percent)
3. Renault (France): will grow 0.3 percent (3.1, 3.4 percent)

Other brands that will gain market share: Maruti (India), Nissan, BMW, Audi, Mitsubishi, Skoda and Wuling (China). All will increase 0.1 percent.

Brands that will stay the same: Honda, Mercedes-Benz, Dodge.

Carmakers that will lose global market share:

1. Ford: will lose 0.7 percent (current market share 7.1, 2013 forecast: 6.4 percent)
2. Peugeot: will lose 0.4 percent (2.9, 2.5 percent)
3. Daihatsu: will lose 0.3 percent (1.2, 0.9 percent)
4. Lada (Russia): will lose 0.2 percent (1.1, 0.9 percent)

Other automakers that will lose global market share: Toyota, Chevrolet, Volkswagen, Kia, Hyundai, Fiat, Suzuki, Mazda and Opel.

Tags: auto industry

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Chinese automaker plans for U.S. delayed

According to Automotive News, the plans of most Chinese automakers for entering the U.S. market have fit a few snags…

Chery. Has an alliance with Chrysler to build small cars for the U.S. market, but Chrysler CEO Tom LaSorda surmises that will not be until 2011 as Chery works to meet safety and emissions standards. Chery will introduce a Chrysler-branded small car in Mexico this year.

Nanjing. Had plans to begin building MG sports cars in Oklahoma this year. The plan looks to have died. Nanjing was recently acquired by Chinese giant Shanghai Automotive.

FAW. Will open a plant in Mexico with a local partner to produce own-brand small cars for that market.

Tiger Truck. Has a plant in Oklahoma that makes two pickups designed by Chinese automaker Chongqing Changan. The pickups don’t meet U.S. safety and emissions standards, so they are only sold for use off of public roads, though now "Oklahoma’s governor signed a law making the trucks legal on Oklahoma roads, except for most federal highways, starting in November."

Geely. Had plans to enter the U.S. this year but that seems to have dissipated; has not announced a new launch date.

Chamco & Hebei Zhongxing. U.S. based Chamco had planned to import vehicles made by small from Hebei Zhongxing Automobile. Chamco is now in the midst of an ugly legal situation. Zhongxing is looking for a new U.S. partner.

BYD Auto. Showed cars at the Detroit Auto Show but has not announced specific plans for the U.S. market.

Changfeng Motor. Showed cars at the Detroit Auto Show but has not announced specific plans for the U.S. market.

Brilliance. Will be present at the Detroit Auto Show in Jan 2009 and say they will start selling there in 2009.

Shanghai Automotive (SAIC). No plans announced.

Tags: Chery, Nanjing, FAW, Tiger Truck, Geely, Chamco, Hebei Zhongxing, BYD Auto, Changfeng, Brilliance, Shanghai Automotive, SAIC, auto industry, Chinese auto industry

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VW is #3

VW has taken the number three spot from Ford, and now sits closely behind Toyota (#1) and GM (#2).

"We are delighted that the Volkswagen Group has made it to the global automobile industry’s top three for the first time. This shows that we are on the right track with our ever-stronger international presence and, above all, our product program. We will systematically push ahead with our growth course even in the present difficult market environment," said Volkswagen’s CEO, Martin Winterkorn.

VW sold 3.31 million units in the first half of 2008, a little ahead of Ford (3.22 million).

Tags: Ford, VW, Volkswagen, Martin Winterkorn, automotive, auto industry, automotive industry

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