Most dependable cars: Buick and Jaguar

J.D. Power’s Vehicle Dependability Study says that these are the highest ranked for 2008.

1. Buick and Jaguar (122 problems per 100 vehicles)
2. Lexus (126)
3. Toyota (129)
4. Mercury (134)
5. Infiniti (142)
6. Acura (146)
7. Lincoln (147)
8. Cadillac and Honda (148)
9. Porsche (150)
10. Audi and Ford (159)
11. Hyundai (161)
12. Subaru (162)
13. Chrysler (165)
14. BMW (166)

The industry average for problems per 100 vehicles is 170. Subaru had the lowest score at 263.

Notable sub-par results: Mercedes Benz (184), Volvo (186), Hummer (221) and VW (260).

Tags: Buick, Jaguar, Lexus, Toyota, Mercury, Infiniti, Acura, Lincoln, Cadillac, Honda, Porsche, Audi, Ford, Hyundai, Subaru, Chrysler, BMW, automotive, auto industry, automotive industry, J.D. Power

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Top auto brand images

The winners of Kelley Blue Book’s 2009 Brand Image awards have been announced:

• Best Value Brand: Toyota
• Coolest Brand: BMW
• Most Family Friendly Brand: Toyota
• Most Rugged Truck Brand: Ford
• Best Performance Brand: BMW
• Best Comfort Brand: Cadillac
• Best Exterior Design Brand — Luxury: BMW
• Best Exterior Design Brand — Non-Luxury: Nissan
• Best Interior Design Brand: Cadillac
• Best Prestige Brand: Mercedes-Benz

Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director for Kelley Blue Book and kbb.com had this to say, as reported by the Detroit Free Press:

"The winners of this year’s Brand Image Awards exemplify automotive brands that are on the right track, making a great impression with consumers not just on a specific model level, but across the entire brand lineup."

Tags: Toyota, BMW, Ford, Cadillac, Nissan, Mercedes Benz, Kelley Blue Book, brand image, automotive, auto industry, automotive industry

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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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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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Honda hybrid aims for Prius

Honda has announced a big push in the hybrid segment, most importantly an entry-level car, unnamed yet, that will sell for $19,000, get 60 mpg, and directly target the Toyota Prius. It will be officially presented in October at the Paris Auto Show.

Honda also says they will release three more hybrid models by 2012: an updated Civic Hybrid and a CR-Z hybrid coupe (see photo of concept model) in 2010, and a hybrid Fit in 2012.

Read it at Wired.

Tags: Honda, hybrids, Honda CR-Z hybrid, Honda Fit hybrid, alternative energy, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic hybrid, Honda Fit hybrid

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New Toyota plant in Brazil

Toyota will most likely build a new plant in Brazil, to manufacture compact cars starting in 2011. The facility would have an output of 150,000 units per year.

Toyota already has two plants in Brazil, one that builds Corollas, and another that manufactures parts.

Tags: Toyota, Brazil, Toyota Brazil, automotive, auto industry, automotive industry

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Toyota Prius going solar

Toyota will install solar panels on the roof of their next-generation Prius hybrid cars during their 2009 redesign phase. The energy created will power the auto’s air conditioning system.

Tags: Toyota, Prius, Toyota Prius, automotive, auto industry, automotive industry, alternative energy, renewable energy, sustainable energy, hybrids, hybrid technology, solar cars, solar energy

More at Reuters.

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Only Honda is selling more in U.S.

Vehicle sales for June 2008 fell substantially in the U.S., compared to the same month last year. Only Honda was able to gain ground.

• Honda: Sales improved by 13.8 percent. June sales totaled 142,539 vehicles, a new monthly record. For the first half of 2008, Honda sales also rose, by 4.8 percent.
• Toyota sales fell by 11.5 percent. For the first half of 2008, they sold 1.24 million vehicles, down 6.2 percent.
• Ford sales dropped 28 percent. They sold 167,090 vehicles in June, and 1.1 million for the first half of 2008 (down 14 percent).
• GM sales were down by 18.5 percent (265,937 units in June compared to 326,300 a year ago). For the first half of 2008, sales were 1,6 million, 16.5 percent down. Hummer was especially hit with a drop of 59.3 percent.
• Nissan sales fell 17.7 percent, although sales of their more fuel efficient cars did grow.

Tags: Honda, Ford, GM, General Motors, Toyota, Nissan, automotive, auto industry, automotive industry

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Small gets big in U.S.

Various news items from Automotive News point a rosier picture for Japanese manufacturers vs. the American Big Three, as a pronounced move away from large vehicles towards smaller more eco-friendly ones continues in the U.S.

• Toyota and Honda are better positioned than Ford, GM and Chrysler to adjust production towards smaller cars.
• The full-size pickup segment has virtually collapsed (from 2.5 million units in 2005 to an estimated 1.5 million this year), catching Ford and Chrysler at the worst possible moment as they are about to launch redesigned models.
• GM’s Hummer line is close to being sold off or possibly disappearing.
• GM is considering lightening its big Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon models by moving to a different platform. "The future of other big SUVs such as the Chevrolet Suburban and Cadillac Escalade is unclear".
• Toyota is making a big move with its Prius hybrid, and may soon begin production in the U.S.

Tags: automotive, auto industry, automotive industry, alternative energy, renewable energy, sustainable energy, electric cars, hybrids, GM, General Motors, Toyota, Honda, Hummer, Prius

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