Auto News 5

Toyota has been ranked highest in a JD Power customer satisfaction survey of dealer aftersales service in Thailand for the second consecutive year. Full story...

A fleet of 12 Toyota Priuses in London have been fitted with GPS-linked speed limiters to measure how drivers respond to having their speed controlled by a computer rather than their own feet. Full story...

Toyota said on Tuesday its vehicle sales in China in the first half of 2009 were roughly the same as a year earlier. Full story...

Toyota Motor has called off a joint project with Isuzu Motors to develop a 1.6 litre diesel engine for small vehicles for the European market due to the likelihood of low profitability amid the recession, informed sources were quoted as saying on Tuesday. Full story...

Toyota sales in Russia decreased 57.2% year-on-year to 38,000 vehicles in the January-June period, the company has said in a statement. Full story...

Toyota has confirmed reports that it will pull out of hosting the Japanese Grand Prix at its Fuji Speedway circuit from next year. Full story...

Zipcar, Inc., the world's largest car sharing service, today announced its first Electric Vehicle Pod, including an all-electric vehicle (EV) Citroen c1 and a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) Toyota Prius. The vehicles stationed at the EV Pod are among the most efficient and technologically advanced on the road today and are available to members by the hour for a fraction of the cost of owning one. Full story...

Toyota-owned Fuji Speedway on Tuesday confirmed reports that the circuit will no longer host the Japanese grand prix. Full story...

Toyota's Prius hybrid was Japan's best-selling vehicle in June with sales of 22,292 units, industry groups said on Monday, as recently introduced government tax breaks and subsidies helped to boost demand for fuel-efficient cars. Full story...

Toyota plans to spend US$500m to upgrade its Princeton, Indiana, assembly plant in what would be the company's largest such investment this year. Full story...

Japan, along with the rest of the world, is currently facing a heart-breaking choice. Everyone has an opinion on which model will ultimately win the hybrid war -- the venerable Toyota Prius or the game-changing 2010 Honda Insight. What's amazing is that it's been a long while since a two-car battle has been so polarizing. In North America, you'd probably have to go back to the pony car era. Oh how times have changed! Full story...

Toyota plans to increase production for the US market by about 65,000 vehicles after truck inventories dipped too low and demand showed signs of stabilising, executives have said. Full story...

Toyota has denied a German magazine report that it was considering building derivatives of Mercedes-Benz's A-and B-class cars on its own platform to better utilise its European plants in the long term. Full story...

Toyota has not ruled out keeping its NUMMI joint venture with General Motors in Fremont, California, going on its own, after GM pulls out, to produce the Prius hybrid there. Full story...

While most analysts and industry observers will focus on the lessening year on year plunges in US sales recorded last month (especially by a certain Detroit brand with a blue oval on the building), there was a small but significant change in an important pecking order - Chevrolet's Silverado truck line was nudged back to third highest selling US market vehicle (year to date) by Toyota's Camry sedan, itself kept out of the top slot by 29,390 units of that perennial top dog - Ford's F-series truck line. Full story...

Like a mixed breed mongrel that one might adopt from their local SPCA, the Venza isn't a pure-bread of any particular breed yet it makes a terrific family automobile, much like the beloved mongrel makes an outstanding family pet thanks to its combination of pleasing mixed-breed traits. Full story...

Japanese media reports have said Toyota may pull out of hosting the 2010 Japanese Grand Prixbut the giant carmaker has refused to comment. Full story...

Toyota might supply a version of its Prius hybrid to General Motors, two people familiar with the plan told Bloomberg News. Full story...

General Motors is to give up its stake in the New United Motor Manufacturing Incorporated (NUMMI) joint venture with Toyota in Fremont, California, the automaker said in a statement. In a separate statement, Toyota said it regretted GM's decision and would consider options for the plant. A Japanese report said a shutdown could not be ruled out, though that option was being viewed cautiously. Full story...

General Motors is to give up its stake in the New United Motor Manufacturing Incorporated (NUMMI) joint venture with Toyota in Fremont, California, the automaker said in a statement. In a separate statement, Toyota said it regretted GM's decision and would consider options for the plant. Full story...