Consumer Reports Ranks Three Toyota and Lexus Vehicles Among Top 10

The Camry Hybrid XLE had an overall test score of 93 on a 100-point scale, placing it fourth among Consumer Reports’ ranking of vehicles, according to a report in the New York Daily News.  The publication said, “The Toyota Camry Hybrid has all the safety features (and ultra-safe styling) you’d expect from America’s perennial best-selling sedan, coupled to impressive economy estimates of 40-mpg city/38-mpg highway.”

Also making the top 10 ranking with a score of 90 or better were the Lexus LS 460L and the Toyota Camry XLE (V6), coming in seventh and 10^th, respectively.  The vehicle topping the list was Tesla’s electric-powered Model S with a score of 99.  

courtesy of toyotanewsroom.com

Consumers' Favorites: Best Cars for College Graduates

The eminently agile Scion FR-S sports car took 1st place with 15.2 percent of the vote. 

When the Scion brand debuted in 2002, its mission was to appeal to young buyers with stylish cars boasting affordable pricing, abundant customization options and the promise of reliability backed up by the reputation of Toyota, its parent company. Largely missing from that mix, however, has been performance. Now, a decade later, all the right elements have been combined for the all-new 2013 Scion FR-S.

Co-developed with Subaru (which makes the twin of the FR-S, the Subaru BRZ), the FR-S ups the performance ante considerably above the Scion tC, the next sportiest car in the Scion family. The FR-S is powered by a 2.0-liter flat-4 ("boxer") engine that sends 200 horsepower to the rear wheels through either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission. That's not a lot of power for a sporty car nowadays, and suitably, acceleration is merely acceptable. Yet, the FR-S's light weight, compact dimensions, low center of gravity, sublime steering and beautifully balanced chassis add up to enough fun that you won't mind when a Mustang V6 pulls away from you at a traffic light.

The FR-S cockpit is all business. Frivolous gee-whiz features -- such as Scion's typical flashy instrument displays and adjustable mood lighting -- are nowhere to be found. Instead, the driver faces an array of instruments dominated by a large tachometer, while both front occupants are held fast by aggressively bolstered sport seats. Of course, don't expect a large measure of multipurpose practicality from the compact coupe, as the rear seat and trunk are diminutive.

In terms of competition, the 2013 Scion FR-S has no direct rivals other than its Subaru twin. After all, affordable rear-wheel-drive sport coupes are few and far between. The Mazda MX-5 Miata is the closest in character to the FR-S, but if you prefer a rear-wheel-drive coupe, you'll have to step up to the more expensive Ford Mustang or Hyundai Genesis Coupe. Yet given its desirable qualities -- light weight and a responsive nature -- the 2013 Scion FR-S should be a thrill for driving enthusiasts looking for big kicks for small bucks.

Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options

The 2013 Scion FR-S comes in a single trim level. Standard equipment includes 17-inch alloy wheels, air-conditioning, full power accessories, a height-adjustable driver seat, a tilt-and-telescoping leather-wrapped steering wheel, cruise control, Bluetooth (with streaming audio) and a Pioneer eight-speaker sound system with a CD player, HD radio, RCA output jacks, an auxiliary audio jack and USB/iPod integration.

In keeping with Scion's marketing philosophy, in lieu of factory options there are a number of dealer-installed accessories that include foglights, a premium audio system and various suspension and engine performance parts.

Powertrains and Performance

Under the FR-S's sleek hood is a 2.0-liter horizontally opposed "boxer" four-cylinder engine that makes 200 hp and 151 pound-feet of torque. Power is sent to the rear wheels through either a six-speed manual transmission or a six-speed automatic with paddle shifters and rev-matched downshifts.

At the test track, a manual-equipped FR-S sprinted to 60 mph from a standstill in 6.6 seconds: fairly quick, if not as speedy as more powerful but heavier sport coupes. Testing of an automatic-equipped BRZ yielded a much slower time of 7.9 seconds.

Fuel economy estimates are quite good and stand at 22 mpg city/30 mpg highway and 28 mpg combined for the manual and 25/34/28 for the automatic.

Safety

Standard safety features include antilock brakes (with brake assist), traction and stability control, front-seat side airbags and full-length side curtain airbags.

In Edmunds brake testing, the 2013 Scion FR-S came to a stop from 60 mph in 117 feet -- a short distance, though it's lower than average for a car with summer tires.

In crash testing by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety the FR-S received the highest possible rating of "Good" in the frontal-offset, side and roof strength tests.

Interior Design and Special Features

Scion has made few concessions to style for the FR-S's simple, businesslike cabin that blends Toyota and Subaru switchgear and materials. It's an environment that puts an emphasis on driving. Frankly, it will feel a bit spartan compared to some other sporty cars in its price range like the VW GTI, but then this is supposed to be a back-to-basics sort of driver's car.

In true Scion form, the audio system is anything but basic, however, as it comes with a full assortment of media types and controls. It's also much easier to use than the touchscreen unit found in its Subaru BRZ twin, although Scion does not offer the Subie's navigation system and some other features.

The FR-S's front seats are supportive enough for hard driving, yet still comfortable for long-distance trips as well. People of just about any size should find the driving position to be quite agreeable, and thanks to the low-profile hood, there's an expansive view of the road ahead.

There's a backseat, too, but few humans are likely to want to sit back there. Legroom is next to nil, your head will be perilously close to the rear glass (or entirely pressed against it) and the center tunnel impedes hiproom. Trunk space is also rather small at 6.9 cubic feet, but folding down that mostly useless backseat expands cargo-carrying abilities considerably.

Driving Impressions

If you're the sort of driver whose car must be able to hammer down freeway on-ramps with its tires ablaze, the 2013 Scion FR-S is not for you. Its power is sufficient and nothing more. Instead, the FR-S is for those who get a thrill from going around corners and feeling all the nuances and inputs that go along with a car that offers phenomenal communication and impeccable control.

Its limits are approachable and easily controlled, which makes for a wonderfully engaging sports car. The brakes don't fade, the gearbox is a pleasure to shift and the chassis remains composed even when the road surface doesn't. The steering imparts the front tires' grip status precisely to the driver's hands, and even the available automatic transmission is programmed for enthusiastic driving.

Away from twisty roads and used for more mundane moments -- say, on the way to work or on a road trip -- this Scion is still rewarding. It's surprisingly easy to drive and the ride is sufficiently well damped. However, there is a fair amount of road noise that is especially evident on concrete-surfaced freeways.

 courtesy of edmunds.com

Harris Poll EquiTrend Names Toyota Automotive Brand of the Year

Toyota is the top Full Line Automotive Brand of the Year, according to the latest Harris Poll EquiTrend study, which assesses companies based on familiarity, quality and purchase consideration.  

“Understanding the health of your brand is a critical component in determining the business priorities for companies in any industry,” said Aron Galonsky, senior vice president at Harris Interactive.  “The higher scores point to increased consumer affinity and likelihood to purchase from these companies.”

courtesy of toyotanewsroom.com

A Billion Horsepower and Growing - Toyota's West Virginia Plant Celebrates Production of Its 10 Millionth Unit

Toyota Motor Manufacturing, West Virginia, Inc., (TMMWV) and its 1,300 team members celebrated production of the plant’s 10 millionth powertrain unit at a ceremony this afternoon with guests from the state’s business and civic community.  Powertrain units include engines and automatic transmissions.

Facts about TMMWV and its 10 millionth powertrain:
 

• TMMWV is the first plant outside of Japan to produce 10 million units.
• Every 20 seconds a Toyota vehicle rolls off a North American assembly line with a TMMWV powertrain product.
• Total output of all engines produced at TMMWV tops 1 billion horsepower.   

“From the very beginning, our mission was to support Toyota’s growing North America operations by building high-quality powertrains for our customers,” said TMMWV President Yogi Suzuki.  “Our team members’ focus on quality, safety and their commitment to continuous improvement is second-to-none.  West Virginia has been and will continue to be an important part of Toyota’s efforts to localize production in North America.”

TMMWV, which assembles four-cylinder and V6 engines and 6-speed automatic transmissions for nine of 12 North American-produced vehicles, recently completed its seventh major expansion earlier this year resulting in 80 new jobs.  Production began in 1998.  Cumulative investment at the plant is $1.3 billion and annual capacity is more than 650,000 engines and more than 520,000 automatic transmissions.

Comments from elected officials:

Governor Earl Ray Tomblin:
“Every day TMMWV team members perform at their best, building high-quality engines and transmissions in the small, tight-knit community of Buffalo.  I’m thankful for their commitment to quality craftsmanship because, over the years, these individuals have built a world-class reputation.  I also want to thank Dr. Toyoda and the entire TMMWV leadership for believing in West Virginia and our exceptional workforce. Congratulations to all on your 10 millionth unit!”

Senator Jay Rockefeller:
“Twenty years ago, the idea of Toyota in West Virginia was just a hope and a dream. Because of the incredible team members, this community, its families and the company that showed so much faith in them, we’re celebrating a milestone: Toyota Motor Manufacturing West Virginia’s 10 millionth unit. Today represents more than just the units produced; it represents a better life for families and new growth for the Buffalo community and our state. From the very beginning, I pledged to Toyota officials that they’d never be disappointed in West Virginia. Each and every day, they see that promise kept. Bringing Toyota to West Virginia is truly one of the proudest moments of my career, and I’m simply thrilled at this historic milestone.”

Senator Joe Manchin:
“As this automotive leader learned more than 15 years ago, there is not a more loyal, well-trained and quality-driven workforce anywhere else in the world.  Today’s celebration is more proof of that.   As we gather today to highlight Toyota’s steadfast commitment to West Virginia, to its team members, to ‘The Toyota Way’ of manufacturing and to the consumers it serves with quality products, I congratulate Toyota and its devoted team members.  I look forward to celebrating many more of these historic milestones with this great company.  With corporate partners like Toyota, we are truly building a brighter future for West Virginia.”

Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito:
“Since 1996, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, West Virginia, Inc., has been expanding, making our state proud and providing the country with high quality automatic transmissions, gears and engines.  Employing 1,300 West Virginians, I want to thank Toyota for making a home in the state that I love.  I also want to congratulate everyone who made the milestone of producing the 10 millionth powertrain unit possible.  Keep growing. Keep building. And keep powering our nation’s automobiles.”

Donation to local schools
To commemorate today’s celebration, TMMWV donated $32,500 to 13 area schools in Putnam, Mason, Cabell and Kanawha counties to enhance TMMWV’s and Bridgemont Community and Technical College’s Advanced Manufacturing Technician program (AMT), created last summer.  The AMT program combines a cutting-edge curriculum, paid work experience, and instruction in highly sought after business principles and best practices from a world-class manufacturer that results in a two-year associate’s degree from Bridgemont.

Additionally, TMMWV last week donated $5,000 to Buffalo High School for last Saturday’s Arbor Day activities at the school where students, teachers and TMMWV team members cleared a three acre tract of land for their Agriculture Education program.

Since 1996, TMMWV has donated nearly $6.5 million to organizations throughout the state.

courtesy of  pressroom.toyota.com

Maintenance Monday: Lighten the load on your keychain.

Having a heavy keychain can really be a drag for your ignition. The extra weight and movement from driving can wear down the tumblers inside the ignition possibly leading to ignition switch failure.

Toyota Division Still No. 1 Sales Retail Brand; Lexus Luxury Hybrid Sales Leader

Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., reported monthly sales of 176,160 units in April 2013, down 1.1 percent on an unadjusted raw volume basis, 5 percent on a daily selling rate (DSR) basis.  Calendar-year-to-date (CYTD) TMS sales are 6.1 percent ahead of the same period last year.

“From an industry standpoint, continued retail sales growth indicates the underlying strength of the market, which is a great sign for the months ahead, especially with new products, low interest rates and plenty of pent up demand,” said Bill Fay, TMS group vice president and general manager.  “Toyota’s two newest models – Avalon and RAV4 – continued to attract customers with double digit gains in April.

Toyota Division sales were 158,069 units, keeping it in the No. 1 spot for top retail brands so far this year.   Avalon had its best April sales month since 2007 with April sales up 119.4 percent.  RAV4 sales also had its best ever April with sales of 18,541, an increase of 22 percent.  Toyota had a good truck sales month with more than 68,000 units sold.  Tacoma sales were up 19 percent, while Tundra sales rose more than 14.6 percent.  Scion’s total April sales reached 5,697, up 3.5 percent over April 2012.

Lexus reported April sales of 18,091 units, down 3.1 percent by raw volume compared to the same period last year.  For the five Lexus hybrid vehicles, CYTD April sales were 3,145 units, up 23.3 percent on a daily selling rate, and accounted for 17 percent of Lexus’ overall sales.

“Lexus now sells two out of every three luxury hybrids, making Lexus the clear luxury hybrid leader,” said Jeff Bracken, Lexus group vice president and general manager.

courtesy of toyotanewsroom.com