Toyota Motors Europe plans to start manufacturing its first European built hybrid Auris in the United Kingdom by the middle of this year. This further solidifies Toyota’s continued commitment to low-emission hybrid vehicles following their success with the famed Toyota Prius.

The Toyota Auris actually came out to the European Market in 2007 and has been decently selling to the market. However under the new plan, the new Toyota Auris will now come equipped with a 1.33-litre dual VVT-i engine and Toyota’s Start&Stop technology, reducing CO2 emissions by 17% (135 g/km) and improving fuel consumption by 19%.

‘With today’s announcement, Toyota has taken a significant step forward in ensuring that full hybrids become more accessible to a wider range of customers. Such efforts are crucial if we are to see more low-carbon vehicles on European roads,’ said Tadashi Arashima, CEO and President, TME.

(Source) Press

Tags: european roads, fuel consumption, hybrid vehicles, hybrids, motors europe, new toyota auris, reducing co2 emissions, stop technology, tadashi, tme, Toyota, toyota motors, toyota prius, united kingdom, vvt

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When it comes to car insurance, some people would not care. But as far as UK motorists are concerned, it is a big deal. In fact, based on a study, they spend at least 2 hours searching for a good insurance quote, giving you an idea how important car insurance is over at the United Kingdom.

The poll of 1,000 Swinton customers, found that motorists are spending more time online looking for cheap car insurance, than they were doing this time last year. In May 2008 drivers spent on average one and a half hours to find an insurance policy.

The name of the game is cost. Car insurance varies and while we have seen a lot of companies adjust their car insurance schemes, it seems apparent that UK motorists are trying to be wiser in this aspect. Not really meant to be a cheapskate, the times have a hand in it. Motorists just don’t want to compromise car insurance premiums but are forced to seek flexible insurance mediums in light of the current economic conditions today.

(Source) Press

Tags: car insurance premiums, cheap car insurance, economic conditions, insurance policy, insurance quote, insurance schemes, swinton, uk motorists, united kingdom

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It seems that “the world’s cheapest car” is finally going to make its way to North American dealers, if the Indian automaker Tata Motors has anything to do with it, that is.

We’ve been hearing about the Tata Nano for some time now with intentions of a US debut dating back to March but a solid price point and release window were no where to be seen. Well, Ratan Tata, an exec from the company, has come forth and said the following regarding the Nano:

“It will need to meet all emission and crash standards and so we hope in the next two years we will be offering such a vehicle in the U.S,

But just how much will it cost? Well, according to CNN, the Nano is making its way to the UK in 2011 at a price point of about $2,300. This coupled with its 65 MPG fuel rating is sure to have some Americans drooling.

$2,300 for a brand new car? Count me in. But wait, how fast does it go?

Tags: Europe, India, tata motors, tata nano, UK, united kingdom, united states

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A day after the said launch of the UK’s car scrappage scheme, Toyota and Honda have reportedly held back, stating that they need exact figures on just how much they will be contributing before they actually participate in the said scheme.

The need for clarification and certainty seems to be demanded by the two car manufacturing giants, opting to see in black and wait just how much would have to contribute to the scheme, which was designed to kickstart moribund sales and revive the flagging industry.

To refresh your memory, Motorists who trade in their old car and buy a new model from participating manufacturers will receive a £2,000 discount, half of it paid by the government and half by the car industry.

Unless this issue gets resolved, sudden constraints have come up. And knowing how many motorists own cars under these two car giants, you know that something may eventually hinder the success of this car scrappage scheme in the United Kingdom.

(Source) Guardian

Tags: car giants, car industry, car scrappage scheme, Cars, clarification, constraints, exact figures, Ford, Honda, launch, memory, motorists, new model, Toyota, united kingdom

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The United Kingdom has made good its promise to address the growing problem of carbon emissions by older cars as its car scrappage scheme was officially inaugurated today, providing owners a £2,000 discount if they surrender their car for scrappage. Cars over 10 years are eligible for the scheme.

Now before you go on considering this deal, would £2,000 be sufficient to get rid of that old automobile in lieu for a new one? Depending of course on the type of car you will be getting, you just have to do some pencil pushing. New cars don’t come cheap despite the price cuts and discount deals that car manufacturers are undertaking to survive.

One cry is to adjust the said discount deal, something more tempting to be able to get a good vehicle in the market. Though nothing has been said for now, it looks like this deal will remain the same although it is likely studies may be ongoing as we speak.

“There are so many good deals out there on pre-registered nearly-new stock that actually it’s easier to find a car with a bigger discount under these pre-registered deals than it is under the scrappage scheme,” said Kieran Puffett, editor of Parker’s.

(Source) BBC

Tags: 10 years, automobile, BBC, car manufacturers, car scrappage scheme, carbon emissions, discount deals, good deals, kieran, new cars, older cars, pencil, uk car, united kingdom

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One thing about the car industry, if you don’t have a certain car that can compete with the various set lines and models, you are bound to lose. Mitsubishi motors has been very quiet with regards to the development of electric cars while others are busy conceptualizing them.

With the announcement of its new electric car, the Mitsubishi i-MiEV (Mitsubishi innovative Electric Vehicle), expect a lot of interested car enthusiasts to take note of its features.

Among the features highlighted thus far include:

Zero tailpipe emissions

Accomodation: 4 6 ft adults plus 246 litres of luggage

Tops speed of 87 mph

47 KW electric motor

Battery pack that can run 100 miles without charging

The i-Miev is expected to be released first in the United Kingdom. The purchase price for this vehicle was said to be about 35,000 pounds.

Via Entertainment and Showbiz

Tags: battery pack, car industry, electric car, electric cars, electric vehicle, electrical car, Mitsubishi, mitsubishi motors, tailpipe emissions, united kingdom

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