Japanese automaker Toyota is now officially the top automaker in terms of global sales overtaking erstwhile leader, Detroit-based General Motors. Toyota managed to grab the top spot from GM, which held the title for seventy seven years, despite experiencing lower sales volume for 2008. In fact, for the fiscal year ending in March 31, the Japanese automaker is expected to report an operating loss of $1.7 billion. Still, despite the dismal outlook, Toyota managed to withstand the challenges plaguing the automotive industry.

Both Toyota and General Motors reported a big drop in sales in 2008, but Toyota sped ahead of the competition. Toyota sold over 8.97 million car and trucks last year, or approximately 620,000 more than GM. However, there is little reason to celebrate for Toyota as the company’s sales were down for about 4% last year. The automaker says it will not post a profit for the first time in 50 years.

Meanwhile, GM President Fritz Henderson says the title wasn’t ‘terribly important’ to him and the company is busy finding ways to downsize its brands, maintain the strong brands and deliver strong products. For now, GM faces February and March deadlines to prove its viability to the US government in order to secure federal loans.

Source: DetNews

Toyota Motor Corp. has confirmed that its electric city-car concept called the FT-EV will be available for sale by 2012. The Toyota FT-EV is based on the Toyota IQ, a European style rabbit hatchback with excellent fuel economy not yet available in the US. The Toyota FT-EV is an electric car designed for the ‘urban dweller’. It can run up to 50 miles on a single charge.

Aside from the FT-EV, Toyota will also fast track 500 plug-in hybrids powered by lithium-ion battery packs. One hundred and fifty of these plug-in hybrids will arrive in the US for lease-fleet customers.

Via Detnews

While we’re going through rough economic times, keeping our expenses down is more important than ever. Expenses such as car repair and maintenance can be minimized by taking care of our cars properly. Preventive maintenance is still one of the best ways to keep our cars in good shape and avoid expensive repairs and replacements. Also, paying attention to what’s happening under the hood of the car can help you prevent problems and solve some before they can get worse. Additionally, following the maintenance schedule on the owner’s manual of your car is good practice.

Here’s a checklist of what you should keep an eye on in your car:

Change the oil and oil filter regularly – It is highly recommended to change the oil and the oil filter for every 3,000 to 4,000 miles.

Check all the fluids – These include brake, power steering, transmission, transaxle, windshield washer and antifreeze fluids.

Check the air pressure level in your tires at least once a month

Check all the lights and make sure they all work

Replace the windshield wiper blades periodically – Old wiper blades can get cracked and torn, causing streaks on your windshield.

Inspect the engine belts for cracks and missing segments

Check the air filter and make sure it’s not clogged or damaged.

Ford Motor Co. will introduce a new self-parking feature on its upcoming Lincoln models. The new feature will debut at the Detroit Auto Show. It will then be made available as an option on Lincoln MKS and MKT models. This feature allows the car to automatically parallel park (See a video of it in action on Youtube).

The new self-parking feature is part of Ford’s efforts to cast the company in a more favorable light with car buyers. A similar self-parking technology has already been offered by Toyota’s Lexus division. In keeping with its push to boost its image through tech innovations and fuel economy, Ford will also debut a new hybrid version of the Ford Fusion which boasts of a mileage of 41 mpg.

Ford is also offering SYNC, which allows hands-free operation of mobile phones, iPods and more. However, Ford has yet to announce the cost of this new parking feature. Meanwhile, Lexus’ automatic parallel parking technology is priced at $700.

2009 Hyundai Accent

In these tough times, buying a new vehicle may be an expense many Americans will choose to forego, at least until the current economic situation gets better. Still, many people will buy a new vehicle this year, although sales figures are expected to continue on the southward route. Buying a new car in 2009 need not be too hard on your pocket. There are several vehicle options you can consider while we are in the midst of a financial crisis. Here are the top ten least expensive vehicles of 2009

1. Hyundai Accent: $10,665
2. Nissan Versa: $10,685
3. Kia Rio: $12,145
4. Chevrolet Aveo: $12,625
5. Smart ForTwo: $12,635
6. Toyota Yaris: $12,925
7. Suzuki SX4: $13,994
8. Kia Spectra: $14,200
9. Hyundai Elantra: $14,795
10. Pontiac G3: $14,995

Source: AutomobileMag

The year 2008 has been disastrous not only for the automotive industry but for the entire global economy as well. Car sales slumped and every major automaker registered a net loss in profits. Three million fewer cars were sold in 2008 compared to 2007. And the forecast is just as gloomy: analysts predict that the downward trend is expected to continue until 2012 or even later.

Still, despite the negative growth in sales, ten vehicles managed to get to the top of the bestselling vehicle list of 2008. The Ford F-150 continued its twenty-three year reign at the top although sales have significantly decreased compared to the mid-2000s sales figures. Meanwhile, six of the top selling cars are all made by Japanese automakers with the Toyota Camry as the best selling import car.

Here are the top ten vehicles of 2008 based on US sales:

1. Ford F-150 – 515,313 units sold
2. Chevrolet Silverado – 465,065 units sold
3. Toyota Camry – 436,617 units sold
4. Honda Accord – 372,789 units sold
5. Toyota Corolla – 351,007 units sold
6. Honda Civic – 339,289 units sold
7. Nissan Altima - 269,668 units sold
8. Chevy Impala – 265,840 units sold
9. Dodge Ram – 245,840 units sold
10. Honda CR-V – 197,279 units sold

Source

For years, inventors and automakers have dreamt of creating an electric car. In fact, the electric car dream goes back to Thomas Edison’s time. However, electric cars have remained a novelty in the automotive world. This is mainly due to the limited battery life which impairs the practicality of such cars.

But that is bound to change with the recent announcement by Japanese automakers of their intent to develop electric cars and roll them out within the next few years. Already, recent technological breakthroughs in the development of longer-lasting lithium-ion batteries may soon eliminate the obstacle of limited battery life.

Read the rest of this entry »

It’s Christmas season once again and in the midst of this economic rut, we all need some good cheer. That’s what made CAR Magazine ask various designers from several car companies to come up with their own version of the vehicle of the season - Santa’s sleigh. Bentley, Nissan, Ford and Rolls-Royce all pitched in their design ideas for Santa’s sleigh. The results were nothing short of interesting. Check ‘em out:

Read the rest of this entry »

The Hummer brand might be in danger of getting axed by General Motors but its newest model managed to grab recognition as Four Wheeler’s Pickup Truck of the Year. The H3T Alpha bested other pickup truck models such as the Dodge Ram, Ford F-150, and the Suzuki Equator to take home the honor.

Four Wheeler Magazine is the oldest and most prestigious four-wheel drive enthusiast magazine in the country today. The competition for pickup truck of the year has been held annually since 1989 and this is the first time that a Hummer won. This year, the four new four-wheel drive pickup trucks underwent tests including a 1,000-mile curriculum on streets, highways, rocky trails, desert sand dunes and steep hills. Elevations ranged from sea level to 6,000 feet. The Hummer H3T won the prestigious Off Highway Performance category and performed strongly in all other scoring categories.

Read the rest of this entry »

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and the Highway Loss Data Institute recently released the list of the top 10 most stolen vehicles for 2008. SUVs and trucks figured prominently in the list. However, it is interesting to note that the most stolen vehicles are not necessarily the flashier models on the road.

Car robbers tend to target vehicles that can be sold for parts, easily blend in with traffic or are popular in foreign markets where the cars can be disposed off easily. SUVs and trucks also spend more time parked in driveways or out in the street making them more accessible to thieves. To compile this list, the IIHS looked at insurance-claim reports to determine theft-frequency rates.

Read the rest of this entry »