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The second half of 2010 starts today but for Toyota, it wishes yesterday was the end of the year. 2010 has been the year of recalls for auto makers and Toyota is by far the biggest contributor. As if the gas pedal recall wasn't enough to keep the company's legal department busy, Toyota is preparing itself to issue another recall for faulty engines that affect 270,000 cars world wide.
Since the beginning of this year, 200 complaints about engine problems have been received which pushed the auto maker to start an investigation and found a problem with the valve spring of 4.6 liter V8 engines and 3.5 liter V6 engines installed in the Lexus LS460, Lexus LS600h, Lexus LS600hL, Lexus GS350, Lexus GS450h, Lexus GS460 and Lexus IS350 and the Toyota Crown.
"We need to take some form of measure...We will carry it out as soon as we decide on the measure to minimize inconvenience for our customers." Toyota's spokesperson reassured the press.
Recalls are generally bad news for everyone involved but it is good to know Toyota has learned its lesson, and addressing problems sooner rather than later.
P.S. Note to Volkswagen Group - it's about time for a recall on the cam follower problem people are having with the FSI 2.0T motors. Let's not make 2011 the year for VW's recall woes.
School Bus Goes High Tech, Offers Wi-Fi On The Go (No Update On When Seat Belts Become Standard).
Written by Truong Nguyen
When I was in high school, riding the school bus was an adventure through busy city streets inside a boombox. It made for an exceptionally painful experience especially when one just got out of bed and it's 20 below on a gloomy winter morning. I survived those bus rides by staying up way too late so that I could sleep through them on the way to school.
To relieve this pain, many school administrators now propose having Wi-Fi on the bus. So far, 25 counties have gotten on board with this Wi-Fi on the go program. Kids are saying they get more homework done on the way to school, they're now able to do more research right before a class discussion and all the good that technology upgrades should provide academically.
My thoughts? I'd say it's an interesting idea to occupy the kids, but I don't see how this would make the experience more pleasant. If anything, it opens up a possibility where one would hear loud rap from the back of the bus, Keith Urban in the front, foreign tunes the Asian kids are listening to, and Spanish songs blasting all at the same time - on top of whatever else is playing on the most popular radio station in town.
Thanks, but I'll take the short bus.
Cadillac XTS got the go-ahead for production
Written by Truong Nguyen
GM has been making a lot a smart moves lately, and this confirmation of the XTS production is definitely beneficial for the company's revival effort. The XTS will eventually replace the aging STS and DTS. Production will start later this year and the first XTS will hit the road next year as 2012 model.
The Cadillac XTS sports a green image by featuring a plug-in hybrid system that mates with a direct-injection 3.6L V6 in its powertrain. Being green probably helped solidifying a business case for the XTS, but the exciting news is the twin turbo V6 in the works. We certainly hope to see one rolls off the production line with a twin turbo V6 under its hood next year because after all, we buy emotionally.
J.D. Power 2010 Vehicle Dependability Study Report
Written by Truong Nguyen
For the first time in quite a while, Japanese automakers dropped out of the top 3 in J. D. Power annual study of vehicle dependability. Porsche took the top honor while Lincoln and Buick cruised in at second and third respectively. Lots of improvements in quality across the board (Porsche jumped 10 spots, and Ford gained 6 spots from last year report). Follow the link for the official press release.
Runaway Prius was operated by a con man in financial troubles
Written by Truong NguyenOn my drive to Northfield this afternoon, I saw a Prius trying to accelerate to merge onto the highway and I couldn't believe the car's acceleration was intended. Then it reminds me of the "breaking news" last week about a runaway Prius in California. The second I heard of it, I could smell BS (not because of the cattle farms along HW 3).
Jim Sikes, a man who has his name on multiple bankruptcies with the collective debt amounts to over $700,000 (of which Toyota Financials is one of his debtors), was the driver of said runaway Prius. Further background investigation found that Sikes was 5 months behind on his Prius' bill as well as many other interesting bits. The man appeared on media networks claiming he's not planning to sue Toyota, yet has hired a lawyer the moment his name was on the news.
GM sold Saab to the highest bidder, Spyker Cars
Written by Truong Nguyen
Unlike Tiger Woods who gave in to publicly apologize for his sex scandal, The General has finally called it quits and divorced his Swedish beauty, Saab. In all fairness, GM didn't have any offspring with Saab so the financial complications weren't too bad to work out in court. It also helps when there's always someone (Spyker Cars, Dutch supercar maker) who desperately lusts after a Swede native with a good-looking behind.
Consumer Reports unveils 2010 Top Pick Cars
Written by Truong Nguyen
Japanese cars in the years past have dominated the Consumer Reports' Top Pick Cars. So it is a nice change of pace to see more diversity this year with German and American automakers joining the list. Among the ranks are the MKVI GTI from Volkswagen, Traverse and Silverado from Chevrolet. Follow the link to read the press release from Consumer Reports.
Automotive Recyclers and I-CAR Agree to Information Exchange
Written by Truong Nguyen
The Automotive Recyclers Association Education Foundation (ARAEF), developer of educational programs for the automotive recycling industry, announced a collaboration agreement with I-CAR.
In a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), the two organizations outlined plans for mutually promoting the level of knowledge and skills required to improve communication and educational exchanges between the recycling and repair industries.
"Our planned partnership presents an enormous range of potential benefits to the automotive recycling and collision industries," said ARAEF Managing Director Virginia Whelan. "This collaboration will undoubtedly result in new educational training tools and endeavors with tremendous potential for innovation and far-reaching benefit."
"A mutual understanding of each other's industries can go a long way in improving communications and meeting customer expectations," said Jamie Jacobs, I-CAR Instructional Designer. "This agreement between the ARAEF and I-CAR is a big step forward toward this goal, and provides a commitment from both industries to continuing education with regard to the considerations for recycled parts usage during collision repairs."
The ARA Educational Foundation is a non-profit organization formed to research and develop learning materials for automotive recyclers. The ARAEF is the founder of the ARA University, an online training platform for the automotive recycling industry.
Source: Collisionweek (requires login)
Humvee to retire, BAE Systems M-ATV soon ready for deployment
Written by Truong Nguyen
Since the Humvee first reported for duty decades ago, all branches of our military have changed their BDUs more than once. It is now time for the Humvee to retire (and for China to play catch-up with its pending purchase of Hummer).
The Humvee's replacement, BAE Systems M-ATV is the right choice for the modern warfare. It's designed for the tough terrain of Afghanistan and sports a camouflage of what looks like 8-bit graphic from a Nintendo NES game. The M-ATV is equipped with a fully independent suspension, turbocharged V8 diesel, a powered weapons ring turret on the roof, and the all-important blast-dispersing V-hull bottom.
Some of the specs:
* Commercial turbo charged V8 diesel engine
* Top speed of 80 mph
* Best-in-class fuel economy
* Fully independent suspension (offers better mobility than traditional MRAPs, which have straight axle systems)
* Can generate 20 kilowatts of exportable power for mission equipment.
To continue our effort in making AAA's new website better and easier to use, we have now implemented Live chat through Windows Live Messenger. As shown in the screen capture, you can contact our online support team in real time from 8AM to 5PM central time.
If you already have a Windows Messenger ID, you can sign in to get connected to us. Otherwise, you can sign in anonymously to start sending IM. I will personally be online to answer your questions most of the time and I'm looking forward to assisting you.
