May

Toyota Denies Offering Hybrid Technology to GM

Posted by Brian Published in Alternative Energy, GM, Industry, Toyota

Toyota Motor Corp. sets the records straight. They are offering to help provide hybrid technology to General Motors but not sell it. In short, the deal means that Toyota will help them develop hybrid technology and not spill the beans on their own.

Apparently this had to be done since a lot of people were thinking that Toyota will be selling its hybrid formula to the embattled US car manufacturer. Toyota may be losing but is far from coming close to being bankrupt compared to GM.

The Yomiuri Shimbun reported, without naming its sources, that Toyota would be ready to provide the technology if GM asks for it, even if the Detroit carmaker seeks bankruptcy protection.

But a Toyota official said the Japanese giant was “not considering it.”

(Source) Asia One

Tags: bankruptcy protection, car manufacturer, carmaker, General Motors, GM, hybrid technology, Toyota, toyota motor, toyota motor corp

no comment

Apr

Toyota China Recalls Camry Sedans for Brakes Defect

Posted by Brian Published in Industry, Toyota

About 259,119 Toyota Camry’s from China have been recalled for problems regarding their brakes. Toyota Motor Corp.’s auto-making joint venture in China with Guangzhou Automobile Group Co. is recalling 259,119 Camry sedans due to brake problems, according to a statement posted on China’s product safety regulator’s Web site.

The vehicles were produced between May 15, 2006, and March 3, 2008. In affected cars, a flaw in the braking system may cause the braking distance to increase and may lead to accidents Toyota also has an auto-making joint venture in China with China FAW Group Corp.

(Source) WSJ

Tags: Accidents, automobile, brakes, braking distance, braking system, Cars, guangzhou, safety regulator, sedans, Toyota, toyota camry, toyota motor, toyota motor corp

1 comment

Jan

Toyota Working on First Solar Car

Posted by Brian Published in Alternative Energy, Cars, Concept Cars, Toyota

Don’t look now but it looks like Toyota is looking beyond the plug-in hybrids and may yet unveil a new solar-powered car to add to its roster of vehicles today. With the car industry looking at all angles on logical cars to unveil in the market, including the elements of where they get their energy for transportation has become an important point of consideration considering that fuel consumption is no longer that feasible and has limited people as far as car choices are concerned.

Most car companies today are focusing on the use of alternative fuel while others have invested heavily in electric means. But solar power has not yet dominated the market and it seems we may be seeing that increase soon as well. Toyota, of course, will not allow itself to be left behind!

According to Japanese newspaper The Nikkei, Toyota Motor Corp. is currently working on a car that will be powered only by solar energy. While solar panels on the roof of a vehicle alone would not provide enough power for long distance trips, it’s believed that the system will include a solar array for use at home that the car would plug into when not in use.

Source