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

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.

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The continued rise in gasoline prices as well as tighter rules on vehicle emissions are reviving automakers’ interests in alternative fuels specifically compressed natural gas or CNG. Toyota revealed plans to expand its line of alternatively-powered cars aside from the Prius by unveiling a new Camry Hybrid that will run on compressed natural gas rather than gasoline.

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Toyota overtook General Motors in sales for the first six months of 2008, selling 4.82 million vehicles compared to GM’s 4.54, a gap of over 280,000 vehicles. This isn’t the first time that Toyota threatens GMs spot as the king of global car sales. Last year, the Japanese automaker also led GM in global sales at the half year mark but GM managed to ease in a slim win – fewer than 4,000 cars and trucks – to retain its top spot by year end.

However, this year, it is increasingly likely that GM will succumb to second place for the first time in the face of rising gas prices, sagging consumer confidence and over-reliance on SUVs and trucks – vehicle segments that buyers in its most important market, the US, are now shunning.
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Riding on a high wave of demand for more fuel efficient vehicles, Toyota is planning to produce a new hybrid-only model to the tune of 100,000 units a year. The planned hybrid will be Toyota’s second dedicated hybrid model after the popular Prius. While the Prius features a 1.5 liter gasoline engine, the new hybrid model will feature a 2 to 2.5 liter engine. It will join the ranks of other hybrid models in Toyota’s lineup including the Prius, Camry Hybrid, and the Highlander Hybrid.

Toyota will also offer a rebadged version of it under the luxury brand Lexus, which is also currently producing a line of hybrid vehicles such as the LS Hybrid, GS Hybrid and the RX Hybrid.

If you drive a 1995 Honda Civic, you better employ better anti-theft solutions because this popular model is America’s most stolen car for 2007, according to ‘Hot Wheels’, a report released by the National Insurance Crime Bureau based on information from the National Crime Information Center. The ’95 Civic is followed by another Honda model, the 1991 Honda Accord in the list.

The 1989 Toyota Camry was the third most stolen vehicle while the 1997 Ford F-150 was the highest-listed pickup truck as well as the most stolen domestic-branded vehicle. Other domestic models were the 1994 Chevrolet C/K 1500 and the 2004 Dodge Ram Pickup, all trucks. Rounding out the top ten perennial favorites of car thieves were the Acura Integra, Nissan Sentra, Toyota Pickup and the Toyota Corolla.

According to the NICB, the types of vehicles being stolen remain consistent year to year. Thieves continue to prey on these older vehicles because they provide the best market for stolen vehicle parts.

To protect your cars from thieves, NICB recommends a ‘layered approach’ by using simple, low-cost solutions to make vehicles less vulnerable to carjackers. These four layers are: common sense, a warning device, an immobilizing device and a tracking device. Common sense means locking the car and taking the keys with you.

Using a warning device or alarm is also an effective deterrent. The third layer encourages the use of an immobilizing device that will prevent the vehicle from being driven such as a smart key or fuel cut off. The fourth layer is the use of a tracking device that law enforcement officers can use to track and recover a stolen vehicle.

Another victim of high fuel prices, the next-generation Lexus SC has been canceled by Toyota while plans for the replacement Toyota Avalon Sedan might also be shelved. The SC is having a very low sales record, moving only 1,230 SC 430 units in the first six months of this year, down more than 40% from a year ago. A new version of the Lexus SC had been in the drawing boards and was supposedly slated for production in early 2009 but was pushed back to mid-2011; now it has been canceled according to Toyota insiders.

Meanwhile, Toyota is also mulling whether to cancel the planned replacement of the Camry-based Avalon which is slated for production in early 2010 in the automaker’s Kentucky plant.