Toyota Prius Hybrid Family

The March 11 earthquake that shook Japan to its core had many collateral damages, one of which was vehicle manufacturing. For example, more than 650 of Toyota’s suppliers suffered great damages and halted production, forcing the Japanese automaker to reconsider its strategy.

Two weeks later, its management had reached the conclusion that it should focus its worldwide resources mainly on one model line. “We were rapidly burning through cash, so in order to survive this we prioritized the cars our customers wanted most” explained head of production Atsushi Niimi.

So which vehicles were the chosen ones? Could it be the cars that helped it the most to become the world’s number one car manufacturer since 2008? Nope: Corolla and Camry would have to take a back seat to hybrids, and especially the Prius. Therefore, Toyota started off by ensuring that it could find parts for the Prius and the Lexus hybrids.

“The last several years have been a triple shock for Toyota” said Masatoshi Nishimoto of Tokyo-based consulting company HIS Inc. “It’s now at a major turning point.”

The first came in 1990. Up until that point, six of the world’s 10 biggest companies were Japanese, with Toyota in ninth place. When the real estate bubble burst, things changed dramatically: Toyota is the sole Japanese company in BusinessWeek’s top 50 ranking, down to 35th place.

Then there was the 2009-2010 floor-mat and sticky pedal recall saga. The way it was handled resulted in a $16.4 million dollar fine by the NHTSA and millions of recalls – which meant more millions lost, and perhaps more importantly, the loss of Toyota’s reputation as the manufacturer of the world’s most reliable cars.

This year’s earthquake, along with the strengthening of the yen against the US dollar, made things even more difficult as of all Japanese car manufacturers, Toyota is the one that builds the most cars domestically.

Toyota will certainly lose the number one spot on world sales to General Motors this year andLexus, after a decade, falls behind rivals BMW and Mercedes-Benz. Now, Akio Toyoda is betting his company’s future on hybrid technology and especially the Prius. The three new models of the world’s best-selling hybrid take center spot have to succeed if the company is to make a quick recovery.

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IAA 2011: 2013 Lexus GS 450h

While Lexus has already shown us the gasoline-powered versions of its all-new GS luxury sedanup until today, the Japanese company had only provided teasers of the hybrid version. But now, less than 24-hours before the Frankfurt Motor Show opens its gates, Lexus officially revealed the 2013 GS 450h.
The GS 450h replaces the Japanese firm's hybrid luxury sedan by the same name that entered the market in 2007. Like its predecessor, the new model is based on the gasoline-powered GS 350, combining a 3.5-liter Atkinson-cycle gasoline engine with Lexus’ Hybrid Drive system that includes an electric motor.
The gasoline engine and the electric motor deliver a combined maximum output of 338HP that drive the rear wheels through an Electronically Controlled Continuously Variable Transmission (E-CVT).
Lexus says the GS 450h accelerates from 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in just 5.6 seconds and reaches an electronically governed top speed of 131mph (210km/h). At the same time, average fuel economy is said to have been improved by more than 30%, with Lexus targeting a Super-Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle II (SULEV II) certification in the US.
Like all Lexus hybrids, the GS 450h can operate using only its electric motor, its gasoline V6 or both. The driver can also select between four driving modes: Eco, EV, Sport S and Sport S+.
The hybrid model sports some exclusive styling features such as the three-lamp design that aligns the turn signal and the high and low beam LED lamps in a single horizontal row, while the rear bumper of the GS 450h covers the exhaust pipe apertures. The GS 450h can also be distinguished by Lexus’ signature blue hybrid badging.
Notable interior differences between the GS 350 and the GS 450h include a bamboo-finished steering wheel and the hybrid monitor display.
“The all-new GS 450h will provide our customers with an exciting blend of performance and precision in a new hybrid package”, said Lexus vice president and general manager in the US, Mark Templin. “With its dynamic exterior styling, roomy interior and advanced technology features, the GS 450h further demonstrates Lexus’ mastery of the luxury hybrid.”

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Video: Nissan GT-R Pwns Competition in Mega Drag Race with 11 Sports Cars

The latest Nissan GT-R has put another victory under its belt, this time in a drag race against ten of some of the world's most wanted sports cars at an empty airstrip.

The quarter-mile duel was organized by Motor Trend magazine. The eleven cars assembled were worth more than $1.5 million, and featured a combined 82 cylinders delivering over 5,000 horsepower and 4,000 lb-ft of torque.

The $89,950 and 530HP Nissan GT-R passed through the finish line first with a time of 11.2 seconds and an exit speed of 121.8mph (196km/h). It was followed by the $225,325 and 557HP Ferrari 458 Italia (11.3 seconds and 125.6mph or 202km/h) and the $198,600 and 560HP Audi R8 GT (11.5 seconds and 125.1mph or 201km/h).

The other cars that participated in the race were the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, Lexus LFA, Corvette Z06, Porsche 911 GT3 RS, Ford Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca, Porsche Cayman R, BMW 1-Series M Coupe and the Lotus Evora S (click on the image on your right to see the results).

Nissan, of course, was quick to issue a somewhatpompous press statement on the GT-R's win:

“We applaud Motor Trend’s editors for pulling off the automotive equivalent of the running of the bulls,” said Brian Carolin, senior vice president, Sales and Marketing, Nissan North America.

“Win or lose, it’s great fun and a great video – especially since we won. In all fairness, if we were running for pink slips, we would have had to bring at least two GT-Rs to match the cost of the competitors. We’ll settle for the title of baddest of the bad," he added.

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BMW Tops Competitors for 5th Consecutive Month

BMW continues to expand its lead in the US luxury car market against its main rivals Mercedes-Benz and Lexus. August was the fifth consecutive month in which the Munich-based carmaker was at the top spot with 20,815 deliveries, an increase of 6.5% compared to the same month of 2010.

On the contrary, Mercedes’ sales decreased by 1.9% in August, to 18,477 units while Lexus, which still suffers from the aftermath of the March 11 earthquake, dropped even more, by 7% to 18,103 cars. Thus, it is almost certain that,after 11 years at the top, Lexus will be relegated to second or perhaps even third place among luxury car manufacturers.

“This has been a very strange August for our industry, with both difficult news and unfortunate events –consumer confidence down and an earthquake, hurricanes and floods in the Northeast”, said head of BMW North America, Jim O’Donnell.

Despite this, BMW expanded its sales lead from the beginning of the year with a 12% increase, delivering 155,929 units. Its August sales were boosted considerably by the 41% increase in 5-Series deliveries and by the new X3, which almost tripled its sales, from 892 cars in 2010 to 2,382 this year.

Mercedes-Benz' year-to-date sales have also increased, albeit at half the rate (6.1%) to 148,409 units and Lexus, as we said, faced a sharp decrease of 17% to 120,652 cars.

Analysts, such as TrueCar’s Jesse Torpak, comment that the increased incentive spending has also contributed to BMW’s rise: “They are being aggressive: $299 a month for a 3-Series versus what you’re going to get for an Accord? Of course you’re going to get a BMW. It is selling down its inventory before offering a new version next year, as well as trying to secure the sales race victory over Mercedes.”

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Lexus Teases the New GS F-Sport and GS 450h

We only just got our first taste of the next generation of Lexus's executive sedan with thepresentation of the 2013 GS 350 at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance show in Monterey last week, but the Japanese automaker has already moved along and is now getting ready for the world premieres of the GS F-Sport and GS 450h.

Teased in these cropped images are the new additions to the GS range. First up is the GS 450h, which as the name implies, will feature a hybrid powertrain combining a V6 gasoline unit with an electric motor.

The hybrid version of Lexus' Audi A6 challenger will receive its world premiere at the Frankfurt auto show in September with sales to follow early next year.

The GS F-Sport, which we get a sneak peek through a single photo, is a sportier version of the GS 350 featuring an aero package that includes among other parts, a redesigned front bumper and honeycomb-style grille, plus larger alloy wheels and according to Lexus, a suspension kit to improve handling.

Though we could see the GS F-Sport in Germany, there's a strong possibility that Lexus may hold back and show it at the Specialty Equipment Market Association show in November in Las Vegas.

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Lexus Adds Optional F-Sport Package to CT 200h 2012

Lexus’ fifth hybrid vehicle and second dedicated hybrid after the HS sedan, the CT 200h, is cruising into its second model year with a few minor updates, the most important of which is the U.S. introduction of the optional F-Sport Package.
Unveiled for the first time at the 2010 Sydney Motor Show in Australia before making its North American debut at last year's SEMA gathering, the F-Sport Package for the CT 200h adds a limited number of visual and performance goods.
These include a sportier tuned suspension, 17-inch alloy wheels and front grille with a mesh pattern. Inside, the package adds metal front scuff plates, perforated leather steering wheel, leather shift knob, aluminum sport pedals and metallic trim on the dash panel. Buyers can further enhance the cabin with Black NuLuxe trimmed seats or perforated black leather-trimmed seats.
In addition to the sport kit, the 2012 model year CT 200h gains a new Vehicle Proximity Notification System that helps alert pedestrians and cyclists of an oncoming vehicle under certain conditions by emitting a low audible warning sound, while Nebula Gray Pearl replaces Smoky Granite Mica finish.
Otherwise, there are no differences with the 2011MY CT 200h with the compact-sized hatchback powered by a hybrid powertrain that includes a 94HP 1.8-litre VVT-i petrol engine and an electric motor producing a combined system output of 134HP and allowing the car to accelerate from 0-60 mph in 9.8 seconds.
Lexus has not yet released any photos of the 2012 CT 200h with the F-Sport Package. The images you see below are of the Australian market version (blue colored model) and the SEMA show car (white finish). 

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2013 Lexus GS

Precisely two weeks remain for the official presentation of the all-new 2013 Lexus GS 350on Thursday, August 18th at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, and the Japanese automaker decided it's time to enter the teaser photo game with the release of a single, partially blacked out image of the mid-size luxury sedan.
There's not much to say about the Lexus sedan from the photo other than that it looks a lot like the LF-Gh Hybrid concept we saw at this year's New York Auto Show.
For those of you that would like to see a bit more of the new GS than what Lexus has to offer, hit the break to watch the first test drive videos of the car by U.S. magazines Motor Trend and Road & Track.

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Mercedes-Benz Tops Secret Shopper Study of U.S. Dealers

Mercedes-Benz dealers were number one for customer treatment in the US according to an independent study by survey company Pied Piper. The California-based company hired 3,524 “secret shoppers” and sent them to US dealerships in order to determine how their salesmen were performing in anything from explaining a car’s features to closing a deal.

This is the third year in a row that Mercedes-Benz, which looks set to top the sales charts this year in the luxury segment, has topped Pied Piper’s study.

The German firm was followed by Jaguar and Lexus dealers, who tied in second place. According to the survey, Toyota and Chrysler’s Ram sales representatives were ranked the best among mass-market carmakers, while Mitsubishi and Suzuki finished at the bottom, as did Lincoln in the luxury segment.

According to CEO of Pied Piper, Fran O’Hagen, in general the brands that scored the poorest were those with the worst sales per dealership. O’Hagen added that’s easy to explain, as these brands cannot retain competent salesmen for a long time.

He also commented that reduced staff has had a negative impact in customer satisfaction now that sales are on the rise again and dealers don’t have the necessary staff to cover their needs.

However, as O’Hagen pointed out, the secret of success in this particular business is not really a secret at all. Good dealerships focus on a customer’s needs, get to know them and ask a few questions about their driving habits – and that takes skill and time.

The “secret”, according to O'Hagen, is to "think not like a salesman, but as a customer".

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Lexus Loses Top Spot in US After a Decade

Lexus has been the top-selling luxury brand in the US for the last 11 years. But in 2011 the luxury division of Toyota looks bound to lose the top spot to both BMW and Mercedes-Benz and be relegated to third place.

The earthquake and Tsunami that hit Japan in March and disrupted production is one of the reasons, as Lexus manufactures all bar one of its models (the RX) in its homeland. However, the production problems aren’t the sole reason for Lexus’ declining sales.

Last year’s recalls and the publicity they received had a negative effect on the brand. Moreover, arch-rivals Mercedes-Benz and BMW are expanding their US line-up and offering bigger incentives – plus let’s not forget, the Germans also manufacture some of their cars locally in the US.

In an interview with the Dallas Morning News, Mark Templin, general manager of Lexus, commented that the media is giving too much attention to market leaders:

“In the 11 years Lexus was number one, we ‘ve never once bragged about it. When we had to reduce production, it pretty much guaranteed that we would be challenged to remain number one in sales”.

He also dismissed all the talk about luxury car ranking: “All that doesn’t matter. All we care about us being number one in quality”.

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Lexus Calls UK Buyers to Enjoy the Summer with IS 250C

While Britain may not be the ideal place to enjoy an open top model, Lexus is calling UK buyers to take a look at its new limited edition version of the IS 250C coupe-convertible. Exclusivity for the IS 250C Limited Edition comes in the form of a distinctive black and red semi-aniline leather interior along with a numbered badge fixed inside the glove-box.
The special edition model is based on the regular SE-L and as such comes fitted as standard with 18-inch alloy wheels, cruise control, electric one-touch easy access to the rear seats, eight-way electrically adjustable front seats with built-in ventilation and heating plus climate control that automatically adjusts temperature settings when the roof is down.
Available for order now, the IS 250C Limited Edition is priced in the UK at £39,990 on the road.

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VIDEO: Lexus LFA By Translogic

Bradley Hasemeyer has driven sοme unique vehicles. We have seen him take the helm οf a Tangο EV, the dolphin-shaped Seabreacher and the electric Z-Kart.

Nοw, Hasemeyer gets behind the wheel οf a vehicle that hits a little closer tο our Autοblog hearts, the Lexus LFA.

Dο not expect a smοky, sideways review of the car – after all, this is Translοgic, and the gist is tο dive into the technolοgy behind the machine.

What yοu can expect, though, is a well-made videο filled with great informatiοn... and that's exactly what is waiting fοr yοu

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