Nice New Toyotas

The following question was posed on LinkedIn Answers: ‘The winning team is always the best team.’ Would you make changes in your already winning strategies to increase your returns? We need look no further that Toyota’s recent turmoil for insight into winning and the need for change. Toyota’s growth over the last decade is a blueprint for winning. They’ve increased their world market share and are now the dominate force in the automotive industry. They own the hybrid, the fuel economy and luxury markets, they have the highest resale value, and they’re the most reliable cars on the road. It would seem that their strategy is working. Or it was working, up until a few weeks ago. So what happened? How does a seemingly unstoppable giant suddenly become a top news story?

In 2007 a 70-year-old California woman was killed when her Toyota Camry accelerated and plunged over a cliff. In 2008 Toyota received information on 26 incidents involving defective accelerator pedals in Europe. In August of 2009, a family of four was killed shortly after placing a 911 call from the Lexus they were driving exclaiming, “…our accelerator is stuck…there’s no brakes… we’re approaching an intersection… hold on and pray.” Hundreds of other reported incidents are coming to light (click for more information). The root of Toyota’s catastrophic failures arise from an attitude reflected in the above mentioned LinkedIn question, namely “Would you make changes in your already winning strategies to increase your returns?”

Returns. Is that the essence of winning in business – the bottom line? One need look no further than the accounting scandals of Enron and WorldCom, or the arguments posed for bonuses paid to the executives of failing company AIG, for the answer. The problem is that “The winning team” is always comprised of people! The question shouldn’t be “Are changes justified if they can increase returns?” but rather “Will people benefit from change?” The reality is, Toyota didn’t institute change for the very reason that, not only would it not increase returns, but it would decrease them. Had they asked whether change would benefit people, not only would they have avoided the inevitable financial crisis headed their way, but lives would have been saved!

As a leader, I challenge you to work to impact the consciousness of your organizations. Help create a culture of care and concern rather than one of greed and self-gratification. Winning is about people, not prizes. And change is justified, even on winning teams, when it benefits others.

I am a certified professional coach, management and sales trainer, using the science of personality traits and communication, strengths and learning styles to help organizations develop elite teams, and help individuals realize unparalleled success.

Many cars improve from generation to generation as they incorporate the latest technological and design improvements since the previous generation model was rolled out. However, one misstep here or there can throw those improvements out the window, something Ford learned when they updated their edgy Taurus, replacing it with a bland, bulbous model.

Toyota is about to release its third generation Prius, its award winning and highly popular hybrid car. This model may very well be the best one yet, a car that has sold more than one million copies since its introduction ten years ago.

Nice Improvements For The Next Generation Prius

The third generation Prius will likely be a standout for Toyota, for the following reasons:

The new Prius incorporates the latest advancements in Toyota Hybrid Synergy Drive (HSD) technology. The updated system is smaller and less costly than earlier HSD technology, although nickel-cadmium batteries are still being used. Toyota says that it’ll eventually roll out lithium-ion technology for the Prius in coming years as the technology takes hold.

Priced from $21,000, the 2010 Toyota Prius is actually one thousand dollars lower than the 2009 model. Initially, Toyota was planning a one thousand dollar price increase, but decided to offer a standard model at a lower price to compete with Honda’s new arrival, the Insight. The Honda Insight retails for just under $20,000, but it is smaller, lighter and less roomy than the Prius. Moreover, the Prius deliver much better fuel economy than the Honda.

Exceptional Fuel Economy, Better Than The Honda Insight

Speaking about fuel economy, the Toyota Prius achieves 51 mpg city, 48 mpg highway while the Honda Insight delivers 40 city and 43 highway. Comparatively, the all new Ford Fusion Hybrid sedan which is larger than the Prius, delivers 41 mpg city, 36 mpg highway.

The new Prius will be offered in five trim levels, allowing customers to spec out the car with a leather trimmed interior, heated front seats with driver lumbar support, advanced navigation system and more. Fully optioned, a Prius could retail for as high as $32,000 which puts it in entry level Lexus territory. Oh, by the way, Toyota is working on special Prius based model for Lexus too.

Perhaps the most noticeable changes for the third generation Prius is that it is quieter and roomier than earlier models. Particularly the latter change will be most welcoming, giving the Prius yet another edge over its Honda rival.

Matthew C. Keegan

Toyota’s Scion lineup has been wildly successful, and with the continued expansion of the brand Toyota plans on releasing a new vehicle dubbed the Scion xP–the letter ‘P’ for pickup of course! And, like all of Scion’s other products, the car will appeal to the previously ignored Generation Y crowd looking for a hip, urban vehicle.

The Scion truck is unlike your typical entry-level pickup and is modeled after the Fuse concept car. The xP sports numerous trendy and urban styling features similar to it’s Scion counterparts as well as some new and innovative features. Some of the jazzy features include a tailgate that unfolds into a seat for two, rear unfolding speakers, and a beverage cooler in the rear center console. Sketches of the vehicle exemplify an “urban-esque” pickup with, aggressive styling features, a low and tall body profile, and even a hood scoop. The engine specs are quite conservative for the truck–a 161 horsepower, 2.4 cylinder engine is under the hood, which should provide reasonable fuel economy for an entry level pickup.

According to pickuptruck.com, the MSRP starting price of the xP is estimated at around £12,000 which is considerably cheap for the features, options, and styling the coupe sports. Most analysts are predicting that the xP should do quite well in the entry-level pickup segment as the only “real” competitor is the Ford Ranger–a small pickup that hasn’t seen any improvements for quite a few years now. Another benefit for Toyota, is that once they hook some of the younger buyers with the xP, they can than transition them to their “more mature” Toyota Tundra. This will enable them to keep long, satisfied customers coming back for more.

The Scion xP is scheduled to be released in 2010. It would not be a surprise to me if the vehicle outsold the Ford Ranger, and helped Toyota to further increase their market share over it’s “Big 3″ rivals. The test of time will tell, and consumer response will soon unfold after the 2010 mark is soon reached.

The current xB was first released for the 2008 model year. At that time one of the upgrades from the prior version was the engine, along with a complete redesign. The 2.4L engine was already in use for the Camry sedans and Solara coupe models. So it is a well-proven engine from the Toyota stable.

The Scion philosophy is that all the cars leave the factory exactly the same with the exception of the transmission. The idea is that the buyer customizes their car at the time of purchase with a variety of accessories and added items.

As a result, there is only one engine choice in the 2010 Scion xB. At 2.4L this engine offers 158 horsepower and torque of 162 at 4400 rpm from four cylinders. The engine is also utilizing Toyota’s VVT-i technology. The variable valve timing with intelligence (VVT-i) uses a double overhead cam and 16 valves to optimize the airflow through the engine. This results in more power and the added benefit of better fuel economy. In line with the newer engines in the market, this requires no tune up until the mileage has exceeded 100,000, It has a sealed cooling system that is also rated as maintenance free for the first 100k.

As a second brand for the Toyota company, Scion has been successful at creating their own unique identity. Sharing engines that are considered bulletproof in conjunction with the unique and forward thinking designs of their line, Scion is a brand to be reckoned with. The fact that the 2.4L engine in the xB body offers an excellent power to weight ratio, will only take the Scion brand further along this road.

Find out more about Scion xB Engine and other industry specific topics.

Basically the 2010 Toyota Tacoma is the same truck produced for the ‘09 model year. It remains a great selection due to its wide assortment of body styles and trim packages. Other great features are the fact that although the Toyota corporation has had some technical problems, it remains a very reliable pickup. Tacomas equipped with larger engines offer more power than just about any competitors, including the Chevy Colorado. Few downsides include awkward seat positioning and a noisy V-6 engine. All around they remain more than capable work trucks.

Consumers who don’t need a full size pickup truck will do well buying a 2010 Toyota Tacoma. For their size they offer industry leading carrying and hauling capabilities. While not quite able to haul as much as any half-ton on the market, their size makes them highly maneuverable and allows for a more nimble handling experience. Fuel economy is another aspect that will make these trucks more appealing, while the slightly higher price tag than competitors may put off some frugal minded buyers.

Trim packages available include Base models (regular cabs), access cabs, Double cabs, SR-5, and TR-D. As stated before the basic models only come with a regular cab body style and doesn’t offer a whole lot in terms of accessories. Included on base models are 15 inch steel wheels, composite bed liners, tilt steering wheels, cloth seating, and an optional CD player. Basic models are better work trucks than anything, offering the class leading capabilities, without the higher prices. Access cabs represent Toyota’s mid-level trim package. Standard features include AC, full power accessories, skid plates, bench seats in the rear, 16 inch steel wheels, and lumbar support for drivers.

Going up in class and style are the Double cab models. These come with 16 inch steel wheels, more tech gadget portals, highly customizable interior fabrics and accents, along with more skid plates to protect the undercarriage. SR-5 trim packages represent a entirely different experience for their owners. They have fog lamps, very nice seating, leather steering wheels with audio controls, rear cameras for backing up, remote keyless entry, and chrome accents throughout the pickup. The off road package (TRD) has been designed to handle rugged terrain. They come with 17 inch alloy wheels, sturdier suspension, sport style seating, fender flares, and heavy duty skid plates. TRD models can also be outfitted as sports packages designed for better highway handling.

The engines available for 2010 Toyota Tacoma pickups include a 2.7 liter four cylinder that put out 159 hp, that are offered with either a five speed manual or 4 speed automatic transmission. The larger engine is a 4.0 liter V-6 capable of 236 hp, and comes with either a 6 speed manual or five speed automatic. Fuel economy for the smaller engine is 19 mpg city and 25 mpg highway, while the larger option gets 16 mpg city, and 20 mpg highway. Those numbers are relatively impressive when compared with the Chevy Colorado, but are slightly less impressive than the smaller Ford Ranger.

Crash test rating received perfect scores for both front and side impact crashes. That makes it one of the safest mid-size pickups available to consumers.

Overall, the 2010 Toyota Tacoma remains one of the best pickups in the small to mid-size class. Towing capabilities are more similar to that of a half-ton pickup than most of it’s competitors. Pricing however is an area that the Tacoma remains less competitive, being offered at substantially higher numbers. Whether you’re looking for a basic work truck, or a fully loaded luxury style interior there is a model to suit just about every consumer’s preference.

Dan Legal is a member of the web development team that runs the website LemonFree.com Cars. LemonFree is a car search engine which currently over 1.8 million new and used cars for sale.

If your interested in purchasing a 2010 Toyota Tacoma; give LemonFree a test drive today!

The Rav4 has certainly made a name for itself in the mid-size crossover SUV market. Benefits of these vehicles include a great V6 engine and an optional third row seat. There have been minor changes both inside and out for the 2010 Toyota Rav4 making it an even more refined vehicle. With room for possibly 7 people it is capable of acting like a full size SUV while retaining it’s wonderful fuel economy. Compared with vehicles like the Ford Escape, the Rav4 has been more adept to change. The new model is probably one of the most modern looking in it’s class.

Trim packages available include the Base, Sport, and Limited. Front or all wheel drive is choice for all these packages along with either a 4 or 6 cylinder engine. Base models come with standard features like limited slip differentials on front drive models, AC, full power accessories, remote keyless entry, CD players, electric power driver seats, and cruise controls. Base models that have 4 wheel drive come with 17 inch alloy wheels that are only offered as optional equipment on 2 wheel drive models.

Sport packages have standard 18 inch alloy wheels. Other features include different exterior accents, suspension designed for highway driving, different location for spare tires than the rear door, run flat tires, heated mirrors, and leather steering wheels. As a mid-level package the Sport models offer enough amenities to compete with high-end models of vehicles like the Ford Escape and Chevy Trailblazer.

Limited Edition packages have a regularly tuned suspension system and are reduced back to 17 inch alloy wheels. they have heated mirrors as well, roof rails, remote ignition starters, dual climate controls, upgraded audio systems that have a 6 CD changer, and optional satellite radio. The limited edition is offered with the V6 engine only. Another set of interesting features for these packages is a hill start assist, and down hill start assist system to relieve the transmission.

It is important to note that all these vehicles were mainly designed for highway driving. Though they do have capable 4 wheel drive systems, they will fair better in poor conditions on the highway than in mud. Overall handling characteristics are very nice and offer a great ride quality and limited road noise.

The engines offered are a 2.5 liter four cylinder that give 179 horsepower and 172 pound feet of torque, and a 3.5 liter V6 that produces 269 horsepower and a whopping 246 pound feet of torque. The smaller engine gets a fuel economy of 22 mpg city and 28 mpg highway. The larger engine comes in with 19 mpg city, and 27 mpg highway. Outfitted with a towing package these vehicles can haul up to 3,500 pounds.

The 2010 Toyota Rav4 comes with standard safety features like traction control, front head restraints, stability control, front and side airbags, and full curtain airbags. In crash tests these vehicles received mixed reviews. In frontal crashes, drivers safety got a perfect score, while passenger safety only received 4 out of 5 stars. Side impact tests were rather similar as well, receiving mostly perfect scores.

Rav4 models have become very popular in recent years, and for good reason. They offer very classy bodies and interiors, along with more than capable 4 wheel drive systems. As a city vehicle they are well adept for parking in small places, and can hold their own out in the country as well. Consumers looking for an all around vehicle capable of handling poor driving conditions, and hauling a decent sized family should really enjoy owning one of these renowned Toyota vehicles.

Dan Legal

The Toyota Rav4 is one of those vehicles that I always find “good-looking.” It’s one of those vehicles that I classify as durable just by how it looks. But Rav4 isn’t only externally attractive; it has its fair share of strengths and weaknesses as a vehicle. One of its strength is great fuel economy. Who would want a vehicle that consumes so much fuel in a short period of time or distance? Although, fast cars consume a great deal of fuel, for practical reasons, why would anyone not want a vehicle that does not consume so much fuel? 2001 Rav4 saves you a lot of money with its fuel economy engine and being able to save money from fuel is always a plus considering the ever continuing increase in fuel prices. Second strength is it is fun to drive. Why? Because it gives you a “car-feeling” although you are driving a Sport Utility Vehicle. And other strengths include the appearance, versatility, and built-quality.

And just like every other vehicle, there are also weaknesses. First would be is that the driver’s seat is not comfortable to sit on after long periods of time. Second is that although it looks huge and spacious on the outside, it is not on the inside. Third is that the rear glass door does not open separately but together with the entire rear door. And lastly is that it has an engine noise and rattles just like most Utility Vehicles. Although, for me, these weaknesses are negligible, except for the fact that it might not be comfortable after a long drive.

Although one of the things that confuses me about Rav4 is that it literally looks exactly like a Honda CR-V. I think this vehicle is worth your money, simply because it is not too overdone or having too much going on. It just simply looks sleek and clean and the overall look is just simple. So if you are looking for SUVs or are searching for vehicles that you can have fun driving with and even take to rough terrains, this is one of the best options you should consider. It depends on your budget, but if you are the type who likes outdoors and going to mountain side, then this is a car for you. It is a four-wheel drive, so if you are going through rough terrains or getting up a slope, then you can definitely reach the top.

Toyota has a couple of big things in store for the Camry when the 2007 model year version of the car rolls out this coming summer: a complete redesign and the availability of a hybrid engine. Already the best selling car in America, the Camry is destined to be overhauled and re-engineered. Let’s take a look at some of the changes scheduled for Toyota’s venerable model.

<b>New Styling Cues</b> – Nobody has ever said that the Camry is a knock out when it comes to style. Despite its pedestrian look, the Camry has managed to capitalize on Toyota quality, price, and engineering to present a car that is clearly a best seller. Still, critics have routinely yawned at the Camry’s looks, but that will soon all change and dramtically at that. Borrowing some styling cues from Toyota’s Lexus line up of luxury cars, the 2007 Camry is expected to delight motorists and critics alike. Witness the recently made over Toyota Avalon: what was once a bland, full sized car has now been transformed into a sleek, luxurious sedan.

<b>Time For A Hybrid</b> – Toyota is riding the hybrid crest and it will, therefore, introduce hybrid technology into the Camry line up. Like all other Camry models, the hybrid version will also be built in the US, making it the first Toyota hybrid to be built outside of Japan. However, the battery and inverter will be imported from Japan while the engine will be Kentucky built. The Camry will join the Prius and the Highlander as the third Toyota model to offer hybrid technology.

<b>More Power</b> – Expected to be in the same size range as the current model, the Camry will keep its current four and six cylinder engines, but both will be reworked enough to crank out additional horsepower without compromising on fuel economy.

The Camry’s chief competitor over the past decade has been the Honda Accord. With a hybrid offering available and an improved appearance in place, the Camry is likely to strengthen its hold on the “top seller” category when the new model is released.

No one knows for sure if the “hybrid phase” is simply a fad or something that will ultimately catch on. With government credits still available and high gas prices at the pump, Americans continue to look at hybrids as a viable alternative to thirsty internal combustion engines. Toyota, for its part, continues to capitalize on this trend and the Camry is the latest vehicle in Toyota’s expanding arsenal to successfully incorporate hybrid technology.