Toyota Friend Will Connect Customers To Their Car, Dealer & Toyota

Toyota Friend will be a private social network that connects Toyota customers with their cars, their dealership, and with Toyota. Friend, powered by Salesforce.com's Chatter,  will be first offered in Japan, initially with Toyota's electric vehicles (EV) and plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHV) due in 2012. For example, if an EV or PHV is running low on battery power, Toyota Friend would notify the driver to re-charge in the form of a "tweet"-like alert. In addition, while Toyota Friend will be a private social network, customers can choose to extend their communication to family, friends, and others through public social networks such as Twitter and Facebook. The service will also be accessible through smart phones, tablet PCs, and other advanced mobile devices.

So far TMC has developed its own telematics services to connect people, cars and their surroundings and through Toyota Friend, TMC aims to offer its telematics services worldwide. Moving forward, TMC plans to advance toward the realization of future mobility by teaming up proactively with global IT companies.

Although TMC and salesforce.com will launch their partnership with the building of Toyota Friend, in the future the companies plan to develop cloud services for TMC's open platform and create new business opportunities leveraging their respective strengths. Salesforce.com and TMC will each make investments in Toyota Media Service Co. (TMS), which oversees TMC's global cloud platform development. Salesforce.com will invest 223 million yen and TMC will invest 442 million yen. Microsoft Corporation, which on April 6 announced a strategic partnership with TMC to build a global platform for next generation telematics services, will invest 350 million yen.

Cadillac Escalade Has Highest Overall Satisfaction In 2011: AutoPacific

AutoPacific announced its 15th annual Vehicle Satisfaction Awards last week based on over 68,000 new vehicle owners with the winners performing well in 48 separate categories that objectively measure the ownership experience. At the manufacturer level, multiple top-ranked award winners are: Ford with seven wins; Toyota with four wins; and General Motors and Hyundai with three wins.

The vehicle - car or truck - registering highest overall satisfaction in 2011 is the Cadillac Escalade Luxury SUV.  The car with the highest overall satisfaction score is the Mercedes-Benz S-Class.

Top 2011 model year performers are:
HIGHEST SATISFACTION PREMIUM BRAND:   Lincoln
HIGHEST SATISFACTION POPULAR BRAND:  Chrysler

PASSENGER CARS:
Premium Luxury Car: Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Aspirational Luxury Car: Hyundai Genesis
Luxury Mid-Size Car: Lincoln MKZ
Large Car: Ford Taurus and Toyota Avalon (tie)
Premium Mid-Size Car: Hyundai Sonata
Mid-Size Car: Suzuki Kizashi
Premium Compact Car: Volvo C30/S40/V50
Compact Car: Hyundai Elantra
Economy Car: Honda Fit
Sports Car: Porsche 911
Sporty Car: Scion tC
Hybrid Car: Lincoln MKZ Hybrid
   
LIGHT TRUCKS:
Heavy Duty Pickup: Ford F-Series Super Duty
Large Light Duty Pickup: Chevrolet Avalanche
Compact Pickup: Honda Ridgeline
Luxury Sport Utility Vehicle: Cadillac Escalade
Large Sport Utility Vehicle: GMC Yukon
Premium Mid-Size Sport Utility Vehicle: Jeep Grand Cherokee
Premium Luxury Crossover SUV: Lincoln MKT
Luxury Crossover SUV: Lexus RX
Large Crossover SUV: Ford Flex
Premium Mid-Size Crossover SUV: Ford Explorer
Mid-Size Crossover SUV: Mitsubishi Outlander
Compact Crossover SUV: Kia Sportage
Minivan: Chrysler Town & Country
Hybrid Truck: Lexus RX450h Hybrid

2012 All-new CLS-Class Four-door Coupe Starts At $72,175

The 2012 all-new CLS-Class four-door coupe comes in three models, all powered by new biturbo direct-injection V8 engines and, for the first time, offers 4MATIC all-wheel-drive. The CLS550 with a new 402 horsepower 4.6-liter direct-injection twin-turbo V8 gettig an estimated 18 city / 26 hwy starts at $72,175 including the $875 delievery charge. The CLS550 4MATIC starts at $74,675 and the high-performance CLS63 AMG (pictured above) which starts at $95,775 has a 518 horsepower 5.5-liter version of the new direct-injection V8 engine and there's an optional AMG Performance Package increasing output to 550 horsepower. The 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS is about 1.2 inches longer and wider than its predecessor and fits between the S-Class-based CL and the E-Class two-door.

Mercedes-Benz Concept A-Class

The Mercedes-Benz Concept A-Class is front-wheel drive with a new 2.0-liter turbocharged 210 horsepower four-cylinder gasoline engine mated to a dual clutch transmission and also has radar-based collision warning system with adaptive Brake Assist.

A smartphone is fully integrated into the infotainment systems of the Concept A-Class. When the phone is inserted into the recess provided in the center console, it is automatically synchronized with the COMAND multimedia system and all the functions of the smartphone, including internet radio, email and social networks such as Twitter or Facebook, are shown as applications on the 7-inch display and operated by the rotary/push control.

With U.S. gas prices soaring again, small fuel efficient cars are in focus again so this concept may become reality very soon to satisfy luxury-hungry, gas-conscience urban drivers.

Kia's Orth Hedrick Discusses 2011 Optima Hybrid

Kia Motors America Director of Product Planning Orth Hedrick talks about the 2011 Optima Hybrid that hits showrooms next month. Click video to play:

2011 Kia Optima Hybrid Starts At $26,500 Next Month

The 2011 Kia Optima Hybrid, Kia's first hybrid in the U.S., will have a starting price of $26,500 (excluding delivery charges) with an available Hybrid Premium Technology Package for another $5,000, when it hits showrooms in June. The Kia-developed powertrain uses advanced lithium polymer batteries from LG Chem, to deliver up to 35 miles per gallon in city driving and 40 miles per gallon on the highway. The 2011 Optima Hybrid uses a full parallel hybrid system and can be driven in zero emission, full-electric drive mode at speeds up to 62 miles per hour or in blended gas-electric mode at any speed. When the car comes to a stop and the electrical load is low, the engine shuts off to completely eliminate idle fuel consumption and emissions. The Virtual Engine Sound System (VESS), standard on the Optima Hybrid, plays a pre-recorded engine sound during electric-only operation to help notify people outside the vehicle that it is approaching.

The Optima Hybrid is the first Kia vehicle to offer the company's proprietary UVO powered by Microsoft® hands-free, voice-activated infotainment and communications system which is paired with the AM/FM/CD/MP3/Sat audio system and features a rear-view camera, SIRIUS® Satellite Radio capabilities with three months complimentary service, auxiliary and USB audio input jacks for connecting with MP3 players and Bluetooth wireless technology connectivity with steering wheel-mounted controls. 

It's a lot of car for the money with impressive zero to 60 acceleration and many luxury car features.

Tim Colbeck Leaves Subaru of America To Head Saab North America

Tim Colbeck becomes president and chief operating officer of Saab Cars North America today as Saab is going through a re-birth, re-financing and is in the midst of launching the all-new Saab 9-5 Sedan, Saab's first crossover- the 9-4X, the 9-5 SportCombi and the 9-3 Griffin range. Colbeck will report directly to Saab Automobile AB vice president and head of global sales & aftersales, Matthias Seidl and the Saab Cars North America Board of Directors.

Colbeck joins Saab from his post of senior vice president sales at Subaru of America leading record sales and market share in the last two years and making Subaru the only brand to achieve sales increases in each of the last three years in The U.S.  During his career at Subaru, Tim has been in various executive roles, with experience in sales, ebusiness, finance and fixed operations.

An opportunity to take control of a company that had a brush with extinction from a company that has had recent unmatched sales success is a gutsy move Tim, but no doubt a huge new challenge, that if successful, will put you in very high regard in the entire industry - good luck!

2012 Cayman S Black Edition For $67,500 This Summer

Porsche introduces the new monochromatic limited edition 2012 Cayman S Black Edition arriving late this summer with a 3.4-liter six-cylinder engine with direct fuel injection, mounted in front of the rear axle, producing 330 horsepower, 10 more than the Cayman S with an MSRP of $67,500. With PDK, the Cayman S Black Edition will accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in as little as 4.6 seconds with the optional Sport Chrono Package and reaches a top track speed of 172 mph while achieving EPA estimated fuel economy of 20 city and 29 highway (19/26 when equipped with six-speed manual and top track speed of 173 mph), the same as the Cayman S.

Jaguar To Build 250 C-X75 Supercars With A Price Of $1.1M Or More

Jaguar confirms that it will launch the C-X75 concept car as an exclusive hybrid supercar with a carbon-fiber chassis that is expected to deliver CO2 emissions of less than 99g/km while being able to achieve in excess of 200mph. The Jaguar C-X75, seen last November at the Los Angeles Auto Show, will be developed in association with Williams F1 who will provide their engineering expertise in areas including aerodynamics, carbon composite manufacture and hybrid technologies. Only 250 examples will be built, each costing between 700,000 - 900,000 British pounds depending on market and local taxes. That converts to about $1.1 million - $1.5 million U.S. dollars.

If interested in getting one call:
UK: 0800 015 8605
International: +44(0)1932 335370 or +44(0)1932 335365
China: 400 820 8955

April 2011 U.S. Car Sales

General Motors dealers in the United States reported 232,538 total sales in April, a 27-percent increase versus April a year ago. Year-to-date GM sales are 825,083, up 24.8 percent from the first four months of 2010.

Ford Motor Company April sales were 189,778, up 16 percent. Year-to-date, Ford total sales were 686,498, up 16 percent.

Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. reported April sales results of 159,540 units, up 1.3 percent over the year-ago month. The Toyota Division posted April total sales of 141,964 units, up 2.1 percent over the year-ago month.  The Lexus Division reported total sales of 17,576 units, down 4.3 percent from last April. All sales on a raw not adjusted basis.

American Honda Motor posted April sales of 124,799, an increase of 5.7 percent based on the daily selling rate compared to April 2010 results of 113,697. American Honda year-to-date sales of 432,777 is an increase of 14.6 percent based on the daily selling rate.

Chrysler Group LLC reported U.S. sales of 117,225, a 22 percent increase compared with sales in April 2010 (95,703 units), and the best April sales since 2008. Year-to-date sales are at 404,175, a 23 percent increase from 2010.

Nissan North America reported April U.S. sales of 71,526, an increase of 12.2 percent. For 2011, NNA sales have increased 22.2 percent to 356,884 units.  Nissan Division deliveries are up 23.4 percent to 322,287 and Infiniti sales have increased 11.9 percent to 34,597 units.

Hyundai Motor America today announced all-time record April sales of 61,754 units, up 40 percent compared with the same record-breaking period last year. For the year, total sales are up 31 percent, with retail volume rising 40 percent. 

Kia Motors America announced all-time record monthly sales of 47,074, a 56.7-percent increase from April 2010, and a 6.6-percent increase over the previous record set last month.

Volkswagen of America reported sales of 28,542 April 2011, a 23 percent increase over prior year sales and the company's best sales month since November 2003.  Year-to-date sales are up 17 percent. Audi April U.S. sales of 10,018 was a 7.5 percent rise.

The BMW Group in the U.S. (BMW and MINI combined) reported April sales of 25,247 vehicles, an increase of 19.6 percent from the same month a year ago. Year-to-date, BMW Group is up 18 percent on sales of 90,204 in the first four months of 2011 compared to the same period in 2010.

Subaru of America reported April sales of 24,762, a gain of 6.7 percent from April 2010 and year-to-date Subaru has sold 92,219, a 14.3 percent rise.

Mercedes-Benz USA reported April sales of 19,157 vehicles, a 5.1 percent improvement over April 2010, and the best April on record since April 2008.  On a year-to-date basis, the 75,152 vehicles sold represent a 9.2 percent increase.

Mitsubishi Motors North America reported April 2011 sales of 8,081, an increase of 106 percent compared to April 2010.  It was Mitsubishi's largest month of sales in two-and-a-half years (August 2008) and the eighth consecutive month that the company has achieved a year-over-year sales increase.  Year-to-date sales are up 60.9 percent.

Jaguar Land Rover North America April U.S. sales for both brands totalled 4,231, up 16 percent from April 2010. Land Rover sales were 2,982, up 8 percent from April 2010 and Jaguar sales at 1,249, up 39 percent from April 2010. For 2011, year-to-date, Jaguar Land Rover North America sales are up 18 percent to 14,999 units, with year-to-date increases from both Jaguar and Land Rover brands.

Porsche Cars North America announced April sales in the U.S. of 3,172 vehicles compared to the same period last year, an increase of 82 percent.

American Suzuki sales in April were 2,132, a 9 percent gain over last year and year-to-date sales are 8,834, a 16 percent rise.


Page will be updated as manufacturers report.

New York Auto Show Video: Don Esmond, SVP, Toyota Motor Sales, USA

Toyota's Don Esmond, Senior Vice President of Automotive Operations at Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., at the introduction of the Scion FR-S concept in New York discusses the impact of the devastation of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami on Toyota and the auto industry. Esmond also comments on the new or refreshed vehicles that Toyota will be bringing to market this year, next year and beyond.

New York Auto Show Video: Laura Soave, Fiat North America

Laura Soave, head of Fiat North America, shows the new Fiat 500c cabriolet with soft top at the New York Auto Show and discusses models, dealer network, sales and sales projections for the entire Fiat line-up in the U.S.

New York Auto Show Video: Linda Marshall of OnStar Describes IntelliLink

Linda Marshall, President of OnStar, General Motors' technology unit, describes IntelliLink, a hands-free and touchscreen interface coming on the 2012 Buick Verano, Regal and LaCrosse and the 2012 GMC Terrain. IntelliLink is an in-vehicle wireless connectivity and customizable infotainment system using Bluetooth or USB to connect the driver’s smartphone to a new 7- or 8-inch, high-resolution, full-color touch screen display radio allowing smartphone control via voice activation and steering wheel-mounted controls. It also enables streaming stereo audio from the phone through services like PANDORA® Internet radio and Stitcher SmartRadio®. Buick IntelliLink enables seamless integration of stowed portable devices with each vehicle’s infotainment system, allowing drivers to keep their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.

New York Auto Show Video: Michael Sprague, Kia Motors America

Michael Sprague, Vice President of Marketing at Kia Motors America describes features packed into the all-new Rio sedan and Rio5.

New York Auto Show Video: Carlos Tavares, Nissan Americas

Carlos Tavares, Executive Vice President of Nissan Americas and Board Member of Nissan Motor Corporation comments on the new Versa sedan, U.S. production of the next generation Rogue crossover, the all-electric Leaf and gives an update on the Japan supply issues following the earthquake and tsunami.

New York Auto Show: Bob Lutz "Car Guys vs. Bean Counters" June 8th

Bob Lutz, who has been an executive with many auto manufacturers, the latest as Vice Chairman of General Motors, is now a consultant for Lotus Cars and held a presentation at the New York Auto Show last week with media more intense on learning about his thoughts on GM than Lotus and Bob more than willing to deliver because he discusses much of that in his new book due out on June 8th. Lutz reviewed his thoughts on the demise of U.S. auto industry:
1. 1970 CAFE rules gave the Japanese an advantage because they already had small more fuel efficient engines and the U.S. was forced to change their large engine past.
2. The State Department allowed the dollar-yen foreign exchange rate to give the Japanese a $3-$4,000 per vehicle advantage.
3. The focus on financial results by management.
4. UAW with unrealistic demands that made the U.S. uncompetitive.
5. The media's pro-import bias.

We'll have to wait for the June 8th release of Car Guys vs. Bean Counters from Penguin Books to learn about Lutz' narration on his impressive career in the automotive business which is far from over.

New York Auto Show: Scion FR-S Concept - Star Of The Show

Scion unveiled the rear-wheel drive FR-S Concept sports coupe at the 2011 New York International Auto Show. The FR-S Concept, which stands for Front-engine, Rear-wheel drive, Sport; is Scion's definition of a rear-wheel-drive sports car using Subaru's 2.0-liter flat-four boxer engine that can mate with either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission incorporating Toyota's D4-S injection system, which utilizes both direct and port injection, resulting in increased horsepower and torque throughout the entire powerband, without sacrificing MPG.

The FR-S is 168.2 inches long on a 101.2 inch wheelbase and 71.5 inches wide. Toyota says it's most inspired by the AE86 generation of the Corolla, better known as the Hachi-Roku, meaning "8-6" in Japanese but some will say Ferrari, especially with the rich coats of Code Red, the appropriately named color that consists of a custom blend of candy and a developmental additive from BASF called Mearlite SSQ.

It's a sharp departure from the typical Scion vehicle and a welcomed change. Scion FR-S gets my vote as the Star of the Show from New York this year.

New York Auto Show: 2012 Nissan Versa

The 2012 Nissan Versa Sedan goes on sale this summer with a starting Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price of $10,990 with a second-generation 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine that includes a range of technologies such as a dual injector system and twin Continuously Variable Timing Control (CVTC) system.  Fuel economy is estimated at 30 mpg City, 37 mpg Highway and 33 mpg combined mpg. (CVT transmission), an improvement of five mpg versus the 2011 Versa Sedan.  The 2012 Nissan Versa Sedan will be available in S, SV and SL models.

The Nissan LEAF NISMO RC (for Racing Competition) utilizes a production Nisan LEAF powertrain wrapped in a 2-door carbon fiber body with removable front and rear sections and a large adjustable rear wing. Like the production Nissan LEAF, the NISMO RC is powered by a lithium-ion battery composed of 48 compact modules and a high-response 80kW AC synchronous motor that generates 107 horsepower and 207 lb-ft of torque.

New York Auto Show: 2012 Kia Rio & Soul

Kia Motors America unveiled the all-new 2012 Rio sub-compact sedan at the New York International Auto Show to join its hatchback sibling unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show last month. The all-new ISG technology helps produce fuel economy of 40 miles per gallon.

The 2012 Rio's all-new platform is longer, wider and lower than the previous generation with an overall length of 171.9 (Rio sedan) or 159.3 (Rio5) with a platform measuring 67.7 inches wide and 57.3 inches high. Rio is available in LX, EX and SX trim levels with a 138 horsepower 1.6-liter GDI four-cylinder engine with the option of either a six-speed manual transmission or six-speed automatic providing 30 city / 40 highway mpg.  Rio now offers ISG technology where the engine turns off when the vehicle is not in motion such as at a stop light or in traffic. The engine restarts automatically when the driver releases the brake pedal, resulting in lower levels of fuel consumption.

The 2012 Soul gets a new 1.6-liter gasoline direct injection (GDI) engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission to produce 135 horsepower (an 11 percent increase in horsepower from the previous engine) and 121 pound-feet of torque.  A new 160 horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (a 13 percent increase in horsepower from the previous engine) is available with either the six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission and is standard on Soul+, Soul! and Soul sport models.  Fuel economy for the 1.6-liter comes in at 28 city / 34 highway, three miles per gallon more than the previous engine while the 2.0-liter offers 27/33 mpg for both the automatic and manual transmissions.

New York Auto Show: 2012 Honda Civic

The all-new 2012 Honda Civic, shown as a concept in Detroit in January and for real in New York has a manufacturer's suggested retail pricing ranging from $15,605 for the value-oriented Civic DX Coupe (plus $750.00 destination charge) to $26,750 for the Civic Hybrid with leather-trimmed seating surfaces, the Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™ and XM Radio®.

The 2012 Civic lineup includes a sedan and a coupe with conventional gasoline models, a new "HF" high fuel-economy version with an EPA-estimated 41 mpg on the highway, two sporty "Si" performance versions, along with one hybrid and a natural gas alternative-fuel variant. The Honda Civic and hybrid went on sale April 20th, the day they were unveiled in New York, the Civic Si will hit showrooms a month later with the HF and Natural Gas models to be available this Fall.