Toyota is aiming to produce hybrid variants of every model by 2020. A forerunner in the green scene, Toyota believes that their Hybrid Synergy Drive (HSD) petrol-electric hybrid drivetrain, which powers the popular Toyota Prius, is versatile enough for use in every model from family sedans to sports coupes and people-carrying MPVs. “Our hybrid technology is adaptable. There is …Read More

It will be 10 to 20 years before fully-electric cars become mainstream, according to Honda CEO and President Takanobu Ito, who believes that the current battery technology still needs a significant breakthrough if batteries are to sustain the range and power of electric cars, in the way fuel does for combustion-engine cars. Honda is playing catch-up in most green areas: Toyota has established …Read More

Toyota has plans to expand the Prius model range by introducing a seven-seater mini-MPV based on the Prius’ platform. In fact, the upcoming MPV known as Prius Alpha is already in its final stages of development, and will be launched as soon as in March 2011, according to Motor Trend. To accommodate the extra third row of seats, the Prius’ platform will be …Read More

Mazda has agreed to license Toyota Prius‘ hybrid technology from Toyota, as part of its Building Block Strategy, which calls for efficiency-boosting measures in every aspect from introducing more efficient drivetrains, lowering weight count, to using hybrid and other systems like start-stop and regenerative braking. By 2015, Mazda aims to improve the average fuel economy of its model range …Read More

Just as the media storm over the Toyota fiasco is seemingly dying down, a report of a driver experiencing braking problems with his second-generation Toyota Prius once again thrusts Toyota into the limelight, and for all the wrong reasons. In California yesterday, James Sikes, the driver involved, called for help when he found his Prius accelerating out-of-control and the brakes failing to function. …Read More

Starting off the Geneva Motor Show coverage is the Lexus CT 200h, a rival to Audi A3 and BMW 1-Series that is described by Lexus as “the first full hybrid vehicle to be launched in the premium compact segment”. CT 200h will remain as a hybrid-only model when it goes on sale worldwide in 2011, which presumably means that we will eventually …Read More

Perhaps it is the fear of looking bad in the eye of the public, or perhaps it is down to a genuine sense of regret, but Toyota has rejected an energy efficiency and ecological quality award handed out by the Japanese Government’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. That award was of course for Toyota Prius, the hybrid vehicle embroiled in …Read More

Honda has decided to recall a further 437,000 vehicles due to faulty airbags, adding to a global recall that has lasted 15 months and involved nearly one million vehicles. Of the 437,000, 378,000 vehicles are in the U.S., 41,000 in Canada and 17,000 in Japan, Australia and other Asian countries. According to Honda, the airbag inflator on the …Read More

Toyota has finally decided to recall almost half a million of the Prius and two other hybrid cars over the braking issue. And UMW Toyota Motor is following suit, announcing that there will be a special service campaign from February 12, aimed at fixing the problem for over 60 units of the latest Prius in Malaysia. Globally, a total of 437,000 …Read More

In the face of unprecedented events—the massive recall and Toyota Prius’ brake issue, that is—Toyota Motor President and CEO Akio Toyoda made a formal apology in his first public appearance since the media storm started two weeks ago. But, ironically, the Japanese media were critical of their flagship auto company, complaining that the apology was too little, too late—especially so when …Read More

Toyota Prius, the most high-tech hybrid car to date, could be the latest Toyota to suffer from quality issues—this time with the regenerative brakes. Japan’s Transport Ministry has ordered Toyota to investigate 14 reports of momentary brake failure filed since the third-generation Prius went on sale in May. In the U.S., there are at least 136 complaints regarding the …Read More

With Honda CR-Z hogging the limelight at the Detroit Auto Show, surely Toyota has something to show off too? Indeed, they do, unveiling a compact hybrid concept known as the FT-CH, a four-seater hatchback designed for urban commuting and targeted at a younger audience. As one of the models under the planned Prius family, FT-CH uses Prius’ platform and hybrid …Read More

The 2011 Honda CR-Z has been officially unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show. With the 2+2 CR-Z coupe-hatchback, Honda aims to introduce a sporty, fun-to-drive hybrid to a segment in which the current driver’s car is Toyota Prius. CR-Z is based on a shortened, widened version of Honda Insight’s platform, but features new spring and damper settings. Power comes …Read More

In a sure sign of our go-“green” times, Toyota Prius has won the prestigious Japan Car of the Year award, edging out fellow hybrid Honda Insight. Japan has always been on the forefront of producing environmentally-friendly cars, and the trend is clear from the list of winners: Honda Fit won in 2007, Toyota iQ won in 2008, both of which are compact, clean …Read More

For the past decade or so, the Toyota brand is almost a synonym to reliability in the automotive world and that is the underlying reason why it is currently the largest car producer in the world. Unfortunately, superior dependability, efficiency and advanced technology do not equate to excitement, the ingredient that Akio Toyoda is seeking to add into the recipe for Toyota to …Read More

Our forefathers thought the earth was flat. But they were of course proven wrong. Many also thought that achieving 97.8 km/litre fuel economy was impossible. But then Chevrolet Volt comes along and changes that. That astounding figure is viable under city driving conditions, though it drops to at least 42.5 km/litre on average, GM announced. Like its name suggests, Volt is a plug-in …Read More

Honda Insight is of course Honda’s answer to Toyota’s Prius, with the same eco-friendly credentials but without the high price tag. Although Insight is relatively new, making its debut at the 2008 Paris Motor Show, there sure is no lack of attention it is receiving—negative news, however. Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson reviewed and then called the five-door hatchback “biblically terrible,” further …Read More

The third-generation Toyota Prius could hit Singapore showrooms as early as this month. The hybrid car recently made its debut in Japan in mid-May, and after a mere few weeks, it was spotted around Singapore distributor Borneo Motors’ premises. Considering that Honda Insight has just been made available through parallel importers, and that petrol prices have been on the steady rise these few …Read More