Toyota Vios Asia

Toyota CEO Apologizes for Safety Lapses

noreply@blogger.com (Irwan Fazri) — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 03:27:00 +0000

"The way these complaints were handled indicates problems at both NHTSA and Toyota," said Edolphus Towns. "There is a serious question of whether NHTSA used all of its regulatory tools to thoroughly investigate this issue."

LaHood defended NHTSA, calling it the most effective automotive investigative agency in the world.

"Over just the last three years, NHTSA's defect and compliance investigations have resulted in 524 recalls involving 23 million vehicles," said Ray LaHood. "We have not been sitting around on our hands. When people complain, we investigate."

LaHood said that NHTSA continues to gather documentation from Toyota about problems with runaway cars and the company's responses to it.

Wednesday, Toyota reached an agreement with the state of New York to pick up recalled vehicles and provide drivers free rental cars during repairs. At the congressional hearing, the head of Toyota's North American operations, Yoshimi Inaba, said the program would be extended nationwide.

Toyota faces new probe on Corolla steering

noreply@blogger.com (Irwan Fazri) — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 07:38:00 +0000

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has received more than 150 complaints about possible steering problems in 2009 and 2010 Corolla models, a U.S. government official said.
The agency began reviewing complaints about the Corolla models last week and on Wednesday determined that the evidence warranted opening a preliminary evaluation, according to the official who asked not to be named because the plan has not been announced.

The Corolla is Toyota's second-most popular model in the U.S. market, behind the Camry.
Such preliminary investigations are a common step by NHTSA and are often closed before being upgraded to a second-stage investigation or prompting a vehicle recall.

Toyota spokeswoman Cindy Knight said the automaker was aware of the Corolla steering complaints and would "cooperate fully with NHTSA's investigation."
Toyota's quality chief, Shinichi Sasaki, said at a briefing in Tokyo on Wednesday that it was not yet clear if the problem is due to the steering, tires or another part, and that there would only be a recall if the issue was deemed to be a safety breach.

"Our internal studies have shown that drivers have complained about a change in steering response versus the older Corollas possibly due to a switch from a hydraulic power steering system to an electronic one," Sasaki said.

But the move comes at a time when Toyota and U.S. safety regulators are under intense scrutiny for their handling of safety complaints related to unintended acceleration in Toyota vehicles going back a decade.
Toyota is being challenged by U.S. lawmakers to answer the criticism that the company's practice of tightly controlling key decisions in Japan had contributed to its deepening problems in the U.S. market and criticism that it has not been forthcoming with safety regulators.
In a move that raised the stakes for a pair of congressional hearings next week, Toyota President Akio Toyoda said he would send North America chief Yoshimi Inaba to testify instead of making an appearance himself.
Toyoda, grandson of the 77-year-old automaker's founder, said he believed Inaba was the logical choice to testify.

"I have full confidence in the management of Toyota Motor North America, led by Mr. Inaba, and I believe he is the best placed to testify," Toyoda told reporters at his third news conference in two weeks.
The statement by Toyoda came a day after the automaker moved to cut production in the United States and NHTSA opened an investigation into whether it had acted in a timely way in responding to safety complaints.
A series of vehicle recalls since January have damaged Toyota's once-vaunted reputation for quality and safety. Up to 34 crash deaths have been blamed on unintended acceleration in Toyota vehicles since 2000, according to complaints filed with U.S. regulators.

Toyoda faces a deepening crisis just seven months into his tenure as the automaker's chief. He said Toyota may have grown too fast in recent years, outstripping its ability to ensure that vehicle quality standards were maintained.
Two congressional panels plan hearings next week to look into Toyota safety issues. The U.S. House Energy and Commerce panel moved its hearing to Tuesday instead of Thursday. The U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government reform is scheduled to hold a hearing on Wednesday.
The top Democrat and Republican on the oversight panel asked major insurers for information they may have provided to U.S. safety regulators on reports of unintended acceleration in Toyota vehicles.
State Farm, the largest U.S. auto insurer, said last week that it had warned NHTSA about a worrying trend of Toyota accidents in 2007.

Rep. Darrell Issa, the ranking Republican on that committee, also sent a letter to Inaba asking him to answer a series of questions about when Toyota became aware of safety problems with its cars.
Issa also told Inaba to submit a written answer by Monday discussing whether there was a "disconnect" between the company's U.S. operations and its Japan headquarters as critics have charged.
Specifically, he asked about a team of NHTSA officials dispatched to Toyota's headquarters in December to deliver the message that the automaker was not moving fast enough to address the U.S. government's safety concerns.

"Why was it necessary for NHTSA officials to visit Japan in order for Toyota to recognize its obligations under U.S. law?" Issa asked in his letter to Inaba.
Toyota also said on Wednesday that it would install a brake override system on all new vehicles after global recalls for acceleration and braking problems that affect 8.5 million vehicles.
LOSS OF PUBLIC TRUST?

Former NHTSA chief Joan Claybrook, a vehicle safety advocate who is scheduled to testify before Congress, said Toyota should install brake override systems on vehicles it has already sold, not just new models.

"The American public has lost trust in Toyota and they need to regain that trust," Claybrook said.
Complaints about unintended acceleration in Toyota vehicles in the United States have been rising since it began installing electronic throttle controls on its vehicles a decade ago.
Meanwhile, analyst doubts have been deepening about the pace of Toyota's earnings recovery. Only two weeks ago, the company estimated the recalls would reduce global sales by 100,000 units in the financial year to the end of March.
Toyoda said production cuts had been within expectations so far and he believed the company could stem further sales declines, although it was impossible to tell for sure.
Toyota executives have told dealers that they will roll out a package of incentives in March to keep customers from defecting to rival brands.

Toyota shares, which have fallen a fifth from a peak on January 21, dipped 0.4 percent in Toyko trade.
"Investors, though not overly optimistic, are welcoming Toyota's efforts to move away from behavior that has hurt trust in it, while they expect political pressure to remain against Toyota in the United States in the near term," said Kazuhiro Takahashi, general manager of investment strategy at Daiwa Securities Capital Markets.

Toyota Prius Complaints on Brakes

noreply@blogger.com (Irwan Fazri) — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 15:57:00 +0000

Toyota Motor Corp. has been beaten by more than 100 complaints in the United States and Japan about the problems with the brakes popular hybrid Prius, the ultimate high for a car serentetan as bergulat great memory problems worldwide.
Company sales in the U.S. Japanese dipukuli - The Toyota's largest market - remember the best-selling models for improving gas pedal can be connected in the depressed position.
To add a company problem, the Minister of Transportation United States Ray LaHood said Tuesday he will talk with Toyota's chairman, Akio Toyoda, the car serentetan recalled in the United States. LaHood said the U.S. government is investigating the possible electrical problems in Toyota vehicles.
LaHood said he will call Toyoda in the coming days to ensure cars Japanese government aware of the concerns about security problems with Toyota vehicles.
Secretary stated that the National Roads Traffic Safety will conduct research in the system of electronic throttle control and the potential for electromagnetic interference in the vehicle fleet of nations.
Hybrid gasoline-electric Prius again, the first sold in Japan and the United States in April, is not part of the mind that extend to Europe and China, covering almost 4.5 million vehicles.
U. S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has received about 100 complaints about the brakes of the new Prius models. Two involved in accidents resulting in injuries.
Japanese Transport Ministry said on Wednesday that his company also received 14 complaints since last July about the problems of a new Toyota Prius Hybrid brake.
14 complaints, such as accidents in July, which fell on the head Prius at the crossing. Masaya Ota Transportation Department officials say two people slightly injured in the accident.
Prius driver in the accident, told police that the brakes do not work, "Ota said." Other Prius drivers are not as sharp mengeluhkan brakes. "The complaints in Japan a new Prius model of participation, given that all vehicles in Japan, said.
Toyota ordered the service, world No. 1 car, to investigate complaints. Another 13 cases that occurred between December and January 2010. Ota said the services have not received an official report into allegations of Toyota.
Toyota spokeswoman Ririko Takeuchi company has received reports of complaints about the Prius in North America and Japan, and now look at the problem.
Stock drops
Toyota shares fell 5.7 percent to $ 39.76 Canadian equivalent to eliminate stock investors because of unrest in the U.S. misery Prius and Japan. Beringsut The Nikkei rose just 0.3 percent to 10,404.33 as a decrease in the confidence of Toyota wet.
"Investors fear that the latest problem involves the Prius can be much higher. This problem can lead to a broader issue at Toyota, high security," said Kazuhiro Takahashi, senior market analyst at Daiwa Securities SMBC Co. Ltd.
Also Wednesday, the South Korean government said the local unit of Toyota vehicles recalled over 444 disabled accelerator and floor mats.
The vehicles made in North America and over 19,000 Toyota vehicles imported from Japan is not part of the recall, the Department of Land, Maritime and Transport, said in a statement.
Toyota is facing growing criticism that not enough was done to ensure the safety of vehicles.
Serious problems arise in the Prius, Toyota key green car model, you're more confident of menodai cap.
Prius, now the third generation since its introduction in 1997, is selling gasoline-electric hybrid in the world, press a cumulative total of 1.6 million units sold to date, according to Toyota.
Hybrid, with a shuttle to go between the gasoline engine and electric motors tend to offer a period of better range at low speed and stop-and-go driving is common in the covenant of the city.

How to donate your car !!!

noreply@blogger.com (Irwan Fazri) — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 03:08:00 +0000

How to donate your car!!!!

If you have a car for a while you will know how fast the car terdepresiasi. Indeed, to witness the Blue Book may feel like a slap in the face. Your car can be thousands of dollars a few years ago and now this may vote at the price of a lemon.

Why give something else that might cause problems? Is it worth selling cars for a small portion of what you buy?

Perhaps you may not be aware of other options. One of the options that will help others less fortunate than you and you pay part of the money if you can wait. In other words, you can donate your car.

It donated cars and large vehicles is that they can be deducted from taxes.

But how to donate a car to work right? How do you do and where?

Here are some answers.

How donated a car to work?

First take into account that most types of vehicles that can be attributed. These include several types of vehicles: cars, truck, trailer, boat and recreational vehicles.

Although lemons can be accepted, some centers may not accept contributions that are in a car that was not as bad Towing. Most central contribution will actually get to your car in large part from 50 countries. They are usually taken by tourism professionals licensed, insured and bound, however, should always ask about this before the scheduled pick.

Some large charities registered with the centers of car donations charities registered with the IRS non-profit. However, the best is to negotiate with the tax professional to make sure before giving as a car.

Charitable organizations are the most commonly mentioned are American Red Cross, American Diabetes Association, American Breast Cancer Foundation and Boy Scouts of America. If you are interested in a special gift, visit the website and see if they offer the chance to donate your car. Ensure that the organization registered as a 501 (c) (3) charities.

How do you contribute your car?

Once you find a charity that receives contributions from the car and you should contribute, you will need to determine the value of your car. This can be done easily using Kelly Blue Book. IRS also has published several publications such as the IRS Publications 526 ( "Reduction of Charity") and 561 ( "Determining the value of the hotel contributed.

According to Publication 526 IRA include:

''Some business and professional organizations publish used car pricing guides, commonly called "blue book", which contains all distributor prices, prices or sales agents flat-rated to the latest models. May guide published monthly or seasonally, and for different regions. This guide also provides an estimate to be adapted to the unusual equipment, unusual period range, and fitness. Prices are not "official" and that publication will not be considered as evaluation contributed certain hotels. But they do provide for the use of shares and prices for comparison with current sales and offers in your area.

This publication is sometimes available in public libraries, or loan officer at a bank, credit union or finance company. You can also find information about used car prices on the Internet. To find the proper market value of contributions from a car, using the prices listed in this guide to hand in a sale between individuals, and non-value retailers. However, the market value should be less than this amount if the car has engine problems, injuries, range of high period, or impose other types of excess. Reasonable market value of certain vehicles with the price stipulated in the guidelines to hand in a sale between individuals if the user list price sales made the same car, model and year, sold in the same area in the same country, with a choice of identical or similar equipment or , and by ensuring that the car is identical or similar contributions.''

Publications also mention the following examples:

''You contribute a used car in poor condition at a local high school for use by students Automotive repair. User car dealer to show the value of a car in poor condition is $ 1600. However, the user list price for sales between individuals from the car only $ 750. Reasonable market value of the car could be seen as $ 750.''

After you determine the value of your car as directed by 9QU IRS is always best to consult a professional tax) that you can give to charities, and a call to schedule an invite. It is important that when a vehicle diderek, you get a receipt. The receipt must have the following information: your name, year, and model of your car is made and the date at this time. Make sure that the reception is also the name of charity and tax identification number. Keep your hands to your tax return.

Of course, after contributions from the car, you must notify DMV and your insurance company. Check carefully to what the protocol is to remove the title and plates.

What better then, sell or contribute?

Of course, the prize is the best way to go to a lot of time with those who need and because it is simply merepotkan free transaction, without the need to place an ad, find buyers or sell at auction. Many companies pull within 48 hours. Of course, there are those who need extra money and find that sales is the way to go. However, for those who can survive without additional money will be, because they are waiting for tax time and wanted to do something good for society, this may be the way forward ..

10 Tips To Donate Your Car For Charity

noreply@blogger.com (Irwan Fazri) — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 02:45:00 +0000

Seems so simple: donate your used vehicle or boat to charity, avoid kerepotan related to sales, and scores of tax cuts at the same time. Everybody wins, is not it?

Not necessarily. Like saying the word, the way he double hockey stick versa in good faith, and can be very easy to walk on the meaning of this well acted.

Before you give your greatest asset for everyone, read the following tips to ensure you make the correct move.

1. Avoid middlemen. Many non-intermediary organizations without profit beriklan aggressively on television, billboards and elsewhere, offer to help you donate your vehicle to charity. Here's the catch: These organizations typically keep about 50 percent to 90 percent of the value of the vehicle for themselves, and charities can not get what they get. To avoid this, check directly with charities you admire and see if they accept donations of car or boat.

2. Find a charity eligible. If you support charities that are generally not equipped to receive these gifts, do some chores before finding a charity reputable. You can find the track records online charities to this page through the Better Business Bureau and Charity Navigator.

3. Check the math. If you are always prompted to use an intermediary organization - perhaps because you're busy - at least ask how much a car body or the value of the boat will go to charity. If charities to provide only a fixed cost - say, $ 100 for a used car escaped from its value, or $ 2,000 per month - your donation may not meet the requirements of a tax deduction.

4. Know the condition of the recipient. While you're eligible for a reduction, charities that receive your gifts must be approved IRS 501 (c) (3) organization. Your church, synagogue, mosque or temple eligible in May. (Check first just to be sure.) You can also visit the Internal Revenue Service web pages and search for Publication 78 to find no other qualifying nonprofit organization. (Just ketik "78" into the search box on the homepage of the IRS and you will be directed to the publication right.)

5. Make the delivery themselves. Once you have identified the eligible charity, admits he will have to pay someone to download for your car or boat. To help maximize the benefits of charitable giving, you leave a car or boat from yourself.

6. Move the vehicle with caution. You want to eliminate any risk of running violations of parking tickets and other after you say goodbye to your donated vehicle? Then formally re-title the vehicle to charity, and report the transfer to the Department of Motor Vehicles and Licensing. Never agree to leave the property room for charitable donations of blank paper.

7. The approximate value of your contribution may not be deducted. If your car or boat is worth more than $ 500, IRS will want to see proof of how charities have for that. (Most charities that accept donations and sell them to turn the money.) You must obtain a receipt from the charity show exactly how much money is created.

8. Know when you can declare a reasonable market value. You do not need proof of the sale price of charity care if the vehicle or ship and use them in charity work, or if your donation is worth less than $ 500. Then you can declare the market value based on a reasonable listing of Kelley Blue Book and similar sources.

9. Keep a thorough paper trail. If your donation worth $ 500, you must attach IRS Form 8283 to your tax return. If it's worth over $ 5,000, your documentation must include an external evaluation. You must also demonstrate the contribution, as the receipt of property titles and copies of the exchange.

10. Be careful. Impressions of this document may seem complicated, but consider this: This may be one of the largest charitable donations ever make. By taking the time to dot the i's, you can ensure that the charities that benefit the most and you get the greatest possible restraint.

Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation Tops 600,000 Unit Sales Level

noreply@blogger.com (Irwan Fazri) — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 13:47:00 +0000

Two years after the stroke of half a million units sold mark, Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation (TMP) has again achieved another pillar added December 7, 2009, with combined sales of 600,000 units since the start of operations 1988. TMP is the first automaker in the Philippine Automotive bags that performance.

For 21 years in industry, TMP remains committed to meet the needs of different konsumen Philippines. Model offers a wide range of vehicles fourteen distributed to 27 outlets national distributor. By maintaining a firm commitment to provide high quality products and excellent service to its customers, TMP has opened the way to becoming the market leader in eighteen years. TMP is also proud to reveal that, despite slowdown in 2009, it collected for the year to date sales of 46,193 units in December 2009.

"While performance is made possible by the exceptional efforts of cooperative network to Toyota, we are very grateful to Toyota for 600,000 customers trust and loyalty of the brand. We will continue our pursuit of improving our right to give the best for our customers. "Said Raymond Rodriguez, TMP's First Vice President for sales of vehicles Operasional.

As TMP strive to maintain its leadership in the market but also take the initiative to consistently meet social responsibilities. TMP continues to comply with its commitment to local production with Vios and Innova, which is currently in the country Top 2 best-selling vehicle with a combination of units per month apartment flat sales in 1800. In introducing the Prius in the Philippines Hydride technology market, he stood at the front line in promoting technology and the environment. TMP also embarks on various social-economic programs through the social and humanitarian arm, Toyota Motor Philippines Foundation (tmpfs).

Toyota's Sales Overtake Domestic Figure

noreply@blogger.com (Irwan Fazri) — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 00:38:00 +0000

We’re surprised it took so long. Toyota’s data for the first 11 months of 2009 show that sales in Asia (excluding Japan) is set to overtake domestic sales for the first time this year. Toyota sold 1,354,000 units in Asia from January to November 2009, an year-on-year increase of 4.5%, compared to 1,256,000 vehicles in Japan. This makes Asia the second-largest market for Toyota in 2009 after North America (1,770,000 units).
The growth in Asia is spearheaded by a 20.7% increase in China to 622,000 units. Sources say that this will grow to 700,000 units for the entire year. November’s data also showed recovery in India, Thailand and Vietnam, it added.
This revelation isn’t shocking. Asia sales count growing markets such as India and China as well as the ASEAN region, while the Japanese auto market is saturated. Although it’s unlikely, but we can wish that with our newfound strength in numbers, Toyota will be less stingy with their JDM models and achieve better volume by exporting them to more sophisticated markets within Asia. The bulk of the figures will be borne by bread and butter models like the Camry, Corolla and Vios, as well as the IMV spin offs (Hilux, Innova, Fortuner), but I’m sure there will be takers for their Japan-only models. Just look at the amount of grey import Toyotas on the road!

Ina :Burned Vios sedan in Tanjung Priok toll

noreply@blogger.com (Irwan Fazri) — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 01:21:00 +0000

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta 17 Dec- A Toyota Vios sedan burned in Toll Road Wiyoto Wiyono, Tanjung Priok, North Jakarta, Saturday (19/12), at 04.40 pm. Events that occur in this 15,200 mile allegedly resulting from a disturbance in the car's engine.

Fire can be extinguished once drenched with water from tanker trucks watering of Jasa Marga. "Fortunately no casualties in the incident," said the operator of Police Traffic Management Center of Metro Davao regional Ajun Inspector One Sriyoko, in his explanation, Saturday (19/12).

Before the fire, he continued, police cars numbered 474 LH B, it had marginalized by the driver to the highway shoulder. "Because, the driver felt something was wrong in his car," he said.

We want to open the hood, the fire suddenly appears, causing the vehicle on fire. Currently, the burning car was evacuated to the Casualty Unit of Metro Jakarta Police Resort North.

Phil: Police Warn of Rise In Car Theft

noreply@blogger.com (Irwan Fazri) — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 09:18:00 +0000

A sports utility vehicle (SUV) and a van were stolen in Quezon City Tuesday night, police said Wednesday while warning the public against a rise in car theft during the holidays.

Senior Inspector Rodelio Marcelo, chief of the Anti-Carnapping Unit of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD-ANCAR), said the vehicles stolen were a white Toyota Fortuner (NAO-906) owned by Arnel Linipin, 40, and a white Nissan Urvan (conduction sticker LC-2268) of Adelio Cortes, 55.

Marcelo warned vehicle owners against car theft and petty crimes during the Christmas season.
He said a group of car thieves was targeting Toyota Vios, Toyota Fortuners and other SUVs.

The police official said that the Fortuner was forcibly taken by thieves at around 11:15 p.m. in front of the house of Linipin at No. 70 Wallnut St., Barangay West Fairview.
Linipin, a training director of Alliance in Motion Global Inc., told police he was about to park his SUV at his garage when two men got out of dark sedan pointed a gun at him.

The two men then boarded the SUV and drove off followed by the dark sedan, said Linipin, who failed to get the plate number of car used by the thieves. Cortes reported to police that he discovered his Urvan was no longer at the parking slot in front of business establishment along Ilocos Sur St., Barangay Alicia, Bago Bantay. Cortes has a mini-mart and hardware shop.

He told police that he arrived in the area to supervise his shops and had his vehicle parked there at around 6 p.m. However, when he was about to leave late that night his Urvan was no longer there.
Police learned that the security guard even assisted the Urvan in getting out of the parking space thinking that Cortes was driving the vehicle.

Marcelo believes that the persons who carjacked the Fortuner of Linipin are part of the group of suspected carnapper Redentor Fajardo.

Fajardo is a suspect in the death of a man in a foiled carjacking attempt of another Fortuner last December 7 in Quezon City. Fajardo, a former kagawad in his hometown in Baliuag, Bulacan, is alleged to have turned to car theft after losing in the last elections.

Toyota Vienna MPV coming into US Market

noreply@blogger.com (Irwan Fazri) — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 01:23:00 +0000

One of the world premieres at the ongoing LA show is the new Toyota Sienna MPV. Our part of the world may be more familiar with Sienna the actress than Sienna the minivan because the latter, now in its third generation, is a US specific model bulit in America for Americans. Its rival is the US market Honda Odyssey, which is bigger than the JDM model we get here – some of you of may know it as the Honda LaGreat.

Toyota promises a sedan-like drive for the Sienna, besides offering comfort and cargo space required of a minivan (that’s what Americans call their MPVs). The new car is much more dynamic looking than its predecessor, and incorporates much of Toyota’s new MPV design language, as seen on its Japanese market people carriers. To these eyes, the Sienna looks much like the new Wish from the front three-quarter view and resembles the current Estima from the rear.

Two engines are available: a 266bhp 3.5-litre V6 or a 187bhp 2.7-litre four-cylinder. Both powerplants have Dual Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i), roller rocker arms and an Acoustically Controlled Induction System (ACIS) that changes the length of the air-intake pipe to supply more torque on demand. A six-speed automatic gearbox with sequential shift is the only transmission available. The Sienna is unique in its segment by having AWD as an option, useful in winter.

The Sienna’s rear-seat Dual View Entertainment Center is a Toyota first. It uses two side-by-side displays to create a joint 16.4-inch widescreen image from a single source – the two individual screens can be used seperately with different inputs, of course. With displays combined, it can be easily seen from the third row, and is controllable from any seat via remote control.

Buyers can choose between seven or eight-seat cabin configurations. In the former layout, the second row captain chairs slide by almost 60cm, creating legroom for the longest legs and for easy ingress/egress. They can be pushed forward close to the front row – useful for parents with young children or for good access to the last row. An illuminated sliding center console can be shared between the front seats and second row passengers.
It doesn’t look like a box on wheels and has the makings of a perfect family car, but sadly the left-hand-drive only Sienna is not making its way out of North America anytime soon.

Asian Fuel Efficiency Award

noreply@blogger.com (Irwan Fazri) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 07:17:00 +0000

Congratulations to all of the winners in the 2009 Asian Auto – Mudah.my Fuel Efficiency Awards! Toyota Vios J won first prize for small family car. The award base on 100 km of fuel consumption. The winners are

Winners List 2009

* Compact City Cars
1st Place: Hyundai i10     5.0 (liter/100km)
2nd Place: Proton Savvy   5.7 (liter/100km)
3rd Place: Kia Picanto       5.8 (liter/100km)

* Compact Premium Cars
1st Place: Mini Cooper    5.8 (liter/100km)
2nd Place: Honda Jazz     6.4 (liter/100km)
3rd Place: Alfa Mito        6.5 (liter/100km)

* Small Family Cars
1st Place: Toyota Vios ‘J’     6.1 (liter/100km)
2nd Place: Proton Persona    6.75 (liter/100km)
3rd Place: Honda City           6.8 (liter/100km)

* Luxury Family Cars
1st Place: Nissan Slyphy           7.8 (liter/100km)
2nd Place: Hyundai Elantra       7.9 (liter/100km)
3rd Place: Peugeot 407            8.1 (liter/100km)

* Premium Family Cars
1st Place: Mercedes Benz B180    7.2 (liter/100km)
2nd Place: Volvo S40                    7.9 (liter/100km)
3rd Place: Toyota Camry               8.8 (liter/100km)

* Executive Cars
1st Place: BMW 320i                            6.1 (liter/100km)
2nd Place: Audi A4                               7.4 (liter/100km)
3rd Place: Mercedes C-Class 200K      8.0 (liter/100km)

* Premium Executive Cars
1st Place: Citroen C5                                8.9 (liter/100km)
2nd Place: BMW 525i                             9.4 (liter/100km)
3rd Place: Mercedes E-Class E200K        9.6 (liter/100km)

* Super Saloons
1st Place: Audi A8                                        9.9 (liter/100km)
2nd Place: Mercedes Benz S-Class S350     10.0 (liter/100km)
3rd Place: Lexus LS460                               11.1 (liter/100km)

* Super Sport Cars
1st Place: Lotus Exige                         9.1 (liter/100km)
2nd Place: Porsche 911 PDK            10.3 (liter/100km)
3rd Place: Nissan 370Z                      10.5 (liter/100km)

* Super Sport Convertibles
1st Place: Mercedes Benz SLK 200K    8.1 (liter/100km)
2nd Place: Volkswagen EOS TFSi                   8.2 (liter/100km)
3rd Place: Porsche Boxster                              9.4 (liter/100km)

* Performance Cars
1st Place: Peugeot 308 GT                     6.8 (liter/100km)
2nd Place: Mini Cooper S JCW             6.9 (liter/100km)
3rd Place: VW Scirocco TFSi                7.6 (liter/100km)

* Pickup Trucks
1st Place: Isuzu D-Max Hi-DEF Diesel                7.0 (liter/100km)
2nd Place: Ssangyong Actyon Sports Diesel         8.0 (liter/100km)
3rd Place: Nissan Navara Diesel    8.2 (liter/100km)

* Compact MPV’s
1st Place: Renault Kangoo 1.5                  5.5 (liter/100km)
2nd Place: Honda Stream 1.8                   6.7 (liter/100km)
3rd Place: Nissan Grand Livina                 7.6 (liter/100km)

* Luxury MPV’s
1st Place: Mazda5                                8.2 (liter/100km)
2nd Place: Hyundai Starex Diesel          9.6 (liter/100km)
3rd Place: Ssangyong Stavic Diesel       9.7 (liter/100km)

* Compact SUV’s
1st Place: Ssangyong Actyon Sports Diesel    8.0 (liter/100km)
2nd Place: Honda CRV                                 8.2 (liter/100km)
3rd Place: Audi Q5 TFSi                               8.4 (liter/100km)

* Luxury SUV’s
1st Place: Volvo XC90 D5 Diesel             8.5 (liter/100km)
2nd Place: BMW X5 3.0 Diesel                8.7 (liter/100km)
3rd Place: Audi Q7 3.0 Diesel                   9.9 (liter/100km)

* Hybrids
1st Place: Toyota Prius HYBRID                 3.9 (liter/100km)
2nd Place: Honda Civic Hybrid HYBRID     4.6 (liter/100km)

Vios 3rd generation in Thailand

noreply@blogger.com (Irwan Fazri) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 07:52:00 +0000

Toyota launches 3rd-generation Vios

Hunting the market for a new subcompact sedan, but can't seem to trust anybody but Toyota? Well there is good news from the company with the launch of its latest Vios.

The new Vios is the third generation of the auto, which took over from the Soluna in Thailand.

The first generation - the Soluna Vios - sold 84,000 vehicles and the second generation 178,000, making a total of 262,000. The Soluna was an important model for Toyota as it helped the Japanese auto giant to reach No-1 spot in Thai sales of passenger cars.

"Vios is a core model for us here in Thailand, and an important model in our global product strategy," said Mitsuhiro Sonoda, president of Toyota Motor Thailand.

"Demand for small sedans is growing rapidly in Thailand and around the world. Our new Vios, the third generation, is designed and developed to meet a global standard which will attract all customers with its appealing design, higher performance, and advanced safety features and technology. In addition to our domestic sales, we will continue to export the new Vios to Asean countries." The new Vios has three main segments: J, E and G grade. Prices will be Bt509,000 to Bt549,000 for the base J range, Bt579,000-Bt639,000 for the E range and Bt699,000 for the top-of-the-range G. Also planned is the launch of S and G limited editions during the Bangkok International Motor Show 2007.

The new Vios will have the same engine as the previous version, although there are additional safety features as Toyota has stated that the main focus in the new vehicle is safety.

Toyota says that due to its focus on marketing strategy and good product quality, it has set a sales target of about 4,000 vehicles per month with no shortage of supply.

Exports to Asean nations will reach 1,400 cars per month, starting in the middle of the year. Toyota will export the Vios as a completely built-up car to Singapore, Brunei and Indonesia, and in completely knocked-down form to Malaysia, Vietnam and the Philippines.

Toyota officials added that exports could be higher than this, but the company has reached its production limit at its Gateway plant in Chachoengsao. There are plans to expand annual capacity from 200,000 to 250,000 vehicles at the plant, although the time scale was not stated.

Vios Thailand awesome

noreply@blogger.com (Irwan Fazri) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 06:18:00 +0000

Hey guys, check it out this pictures of vios from Thailand. This vios is look great after modified. The doors look like sports car. Here is the front view of the vios.

Then, this is the side view

The rear view look likes this

The vios is really look sporty, very beautiful and high class.

Vios is compatible for RON95

noreply@blogger.com (Irwan Fazri) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 06:11:00 +0000

With recent government introduction of RON95 petrol, most petrol station diminished their RON97 products; and drivers are mostly left with RON95 option. There's a lot of argument on this RON issue, some says its a low-grade fuel, some says it is not compatible with modern cars, etc.

What is RON? RON stands for Research Octane Number. Fuels are chains of hydrocarbon (CH chains). The more stable the chain are, the more strong chemical bonding occurs between them. This will result in more output power when being burnt. Higher bond are indicated by higher RON. Contra to that, lower RON indicates that the chemical bonding of the hydrocarbons chain are weaker. They might get burnt pre-maturely; for instance, upon compression in the engine, and when spark plug is about to on, it gets combusted already. This resulted in two things; pre-mature burnt causes 'knocking' while weaker bond gives lower output power.

How to know whether you engine are design to accept which RON? Your owner's manual is always the best resource. For this Vios, it is stated that minimum RON is RON91 and higher. Thus theoretically RON95 should be no problem. I also had refuel RON95 twice; and no problem at all, did not notice any lacking though. Just the same performance. Perhaps 97 and 95 are not differ so much that will produce obvious performance difference for short journey.

What could is say that RON95 is OK but performance is a bit lower when driving in high speed.

GT Street Version

noreply@blogger.com (Irwan Fazri) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 07:03:00 +0000

UMW Toyota has been toying with a TRD Sportivo bodykit for the Vios but perhaps they should also take a look at what their friends up north are doing. This Toyota Vios GT is on sale in Thailand and it features a bodykit which I at first glance thought was the TRD Sportivo bodykit, but after looking closely I noticed there are variances in the design.

Other than a sporty front bumper without foglamps, the Vios GT also features an improved (over the TRD Sportivo design that is) rear bumper with a little integrated faux diffuser design. They also gave it a chrome tipped exhaust pipe but made it point downwards!

But still in the end this is just another dressed up Vios. Nothing special under the hood – just a stock 1.5L VVT-i with stock output levels. With the previous generation Vios at least Toyota Thailand was adventurous enough to offer a Vios Turbo that put out 143 horses and 196Nm of torque thanks to a factory-installed bolt-on turbo (yes I know that kinda contradicts), equivalent to a 2.0 liter engine.

No factory turbocharged Vios on sale anywhere in the world as of now but in Japan, its Vitz (Yaris) hatchback brother gets a TRD Turbo M variant that puts out 150 horsepower and 195Nm of torque.

Malaysian Car Rank, Vios is 2nd Entry Midsize

noreply@blogger.com (Irwan Fazri) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 02:40:00 +0000

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 21 (Bernama) -- The Perodua Myvi has for the third time ranked highest for its initial quality in terms of new-vehicle ownership, in the compact car segment, according to J.D. Power Asia Pacific.

In the same segment, Myvi was followed closely by Proton Savvy, with the Perodua Viva in tow, the marketing information services provider said of its 2009 Malaysia Initial Quality Index study.

The study examines the quality of new vehicles during the first two to six months, and measures more than 200 problem symptoms covering eight vehicle components, it said in a statement here.

Meanwhile, the re-designed Honda City ranked highest in the entry midsize car segment, followed by the Toyota Vios and the Proton Saga.

As for the midsize car segment, the Toyota Corolla Altis was top, with the Honda Civic coming in second and the Nissan Sylphy in the third place.

The Toyota Innova ranked highest in the MPV/van segment for a second consecutive year, followed by the Nissan Grand Livina and the Toyota Avanza.

In the pick-up segment, the Isuzu D-max received top spot, with the Toyota Hilux as runner up and the Mitsubishi Triton in the third place.

J.D. Power conducts customer satisfaction research and provides performance analytics services in the automotive, information technology and finance industries.

The Malaysia Initial Quality Index is one of three consumer-based studies and was based on responses from 2,874 new-vehicle owners who purchased their vehicles between September and May 2009.

Vios TRD

noreply@blogger.com (Irwan Fazri) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 12:32:00 +0000

The new Toyota Vios TRD Sportivo is here, and it replaces the Vios 1.5S as the flagship model of the Vios range. The Vios TRD Sportivo is estimated to be priced at RM90,900.00 OTR with insurance, though apparently it’s not 100% finalised yet.

The Toyota Vios TRD Sportivo project started off as a response to customer feedback that they wanted a sportier Vios. This new variant is a development of the 1.5S, the model that it replaces. What you get is a new bodykit, Enkei alloy wheels, door visors, a new interior trim style, and an optional sports suspension kit.

TRD Sportivo is not TRD. It’s a Toyota accessory brand that’s more towards aesthetics. In fact some accessories that UMW Toyota were trying out with the Vios TRD development cars such as the air filter did not make it to this production car that will go on sale. Even the different exhaust system from the development cars did not make it to the production car. UMW Toyota says they did not want to touch those to keep the regular Vios 3 year and 100,000km warranty.

The bodykit consists of front and rear lips, a bootlid spoiler, and side skirts, all made of polyurethane (PU) except for the bootlid spoiler which is made of ABS plastic. This particular bodykit is exclusive to the Malaysian market – it is not the same one as Thailand’s Toyota Vios GT.

On the interior you get two-tone red and black fabric on the seats and door panels, TRD Sportivo floor mats, a leather gearknob, stainless steel cruff plates with the TRD Sportivo logo on the door sills, and some carbon fiber lookalike inserts on the center console. The 15 inch alloy wheels were wrapped with Bridgestone Potenzas at the media launch, and the wheels manufactured by Enkei are said to be 10% lighter than the standard Vios 15 inch alloy wheel.

There is an optional sports suspension kit that’s not included in the standard car. This suspension kit has a sportier damping rate and also lowers the car by 10mm.

Toyota Vios 1.5 TRD Sportivo (AT) – RM90,900.00
Toyota Vios 1.5G (AT) – RM85,025.00
Toyota Vios 1.5E (AT) – RM79,425.00
Toyota Vios 1.5J (AT) – RM73,525.00
Toyota Vios 1.5J (MT) – RM69,825.00

Vios J (Manual & Auto)

noreply@blogger.com (Irwan Fazri) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 12:27:00 +0000

UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd has added the new Toyota Vios 1.5J to their model range for the 2008 and 2009 model years. The new Toyota Vios 1.5J comes with both a manual and automatic transmission and costs RM69,800.00 or RM73,500.00 respectively, OTR with insurance.

Mechanically, the Vios J spec is similiar to its higher spec brethren, featuring the same 109 PS 1.5 liter VVT-i engine mated to a 4-speed Super ECT gearbox. As for equipment levels, it comes with 14 inch steel wheels wrapped with 175/65R14 tyres, manual wing mirrors, a bumper with no foglamps, dark grey fabric seats, a 1-DIN CD player, 4 speakers, and power windows for all four doors.

There are no SRS airbags in this car, but the anti-lock brakes and EBD remain, with ventilated disc brake at the front and drum brakes at the rear. For those who are interested, the 5-speed manual gearbox’s ratios are: 1st: 3.525, 2nd: 1.904, 3rd: 1.310, 4th: 0.969, 5th: 0.815, reverse: 3.250.

UMW Toyota Motor is also currently running a Merdeka Meriah promo for the Vios from the 1st of July until the 31st of August 2008 where buyers will get a downpayment rebate or a petrol card.

Toyota Vios 1.5J (Manual) – RM69,800.00
Toyota Vios 1.5J (Auto) – RM73,500.00

Vios Grades

noreply@blogger.com (Irwan Fazri) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 12:08:00 +0000

The second generation Vios is currently available in three grades: two grades initially available on the previous Malaysian Vios (E and G), and a new grade (S).

The E grade is the entry-level model, branded as a cost-effective version of the Vios, and is the cheapest and most stripped-down Vios among the three grades, priced at around an estimated RM 78,900. The car includes several cut-backs compared to the G and S grades, including:

* Rear drum brakes instead of an all-disc set-up for the G and S grades;
* 14-inch alloy rims as oppose to 15 for the G and S;
* driver's side only airbag as opposed to dual-front airbags for the G and S;
* driver's side only pretensioned, forced limited seatbelts as opposed such seatbelts on all occupants' sides for the G and S; and
* a single-DIN CD receiver and four-speaker system, instead of steering mounted audio controls and six-speaker, dashboard integrated CD receiver with MP3 and WMA-playback capability for the G and S.

The new Vios line saw the inclusion of a new S grade Vios. The S grade features cosmetic enhancements rather than a performance-based ones, sporting a set of "aero parts", a minor body kit encompassing a front bumper spoiler, side skirts and a bootlid spoiler. The interior receives a dark grey/black trim treatment, and includes an "Optitron" meter with a multi-information display, as opposed to the E and G grades' conventional backlit display. The S variant is estimated to be the most expensive Vios among the three, at around RM 88,600.

The G grade is considered to be a mid-priced model between the E and S grades, retailing at an estimated RM 85,300.

Toyota added a fourth grade called the J grade, which is the cheapest and most bare bone grade of the Toyota Vios in Malaysia. Unlike the other grades which are only available with an automatic transmission, the J grade has the option for a manual transmission. The manual J grade Vios is priced at just under RM70,000 (RM69,825.00 or RM73,525.00 for manual and automatic respectively). The J grade Vios does not come with any airbags.[1]

All model grades were reported to include ABS, EBD and brake assist, as are passive safety features such as whiplash injury lessening seats, a collapsible steering wheel column and an impact sensing fuel cut-off.