Toyota Motor Corp’s Executive Vice President Takeshi Uchiyamada poses next to the company’s newly developed compact electric vehicle eQ after a news conference in Tokyo September 24, 2012. Toyota will release 21 new hybrid vehicle models over the next three years, the Japanese automaker said on Monday. REUTERS/Yuriko Nakao

Toyota unveiled plans on Monday for a lineup of 21 hybrid models by the end of 2015. Seven of the models are currently available or in production, including the Prius and RAV4 EV, leaving 14 all-new models.

“We plan to launch 21 new or full model change hybrids (by the end of 2015),” Takeshi Uchiyamada, Toyota’s vice chairman and R&D head, said at a press conference.

Toyota predicts total sales of its hybrid models to top one million this year and projects future sales to hit that milestone every year between 2013 and 2015. Hybrids are popular in Japan, where the automaker sold 310,000 vehicles, which equates to 26 percent of its total sales. However, sales of hybrids in other markets like the United States remain low, mostly due to the cost.

“Profits from conventional (gas) powered cars are still higher, so we need to reduce hybrid costs more in order to promote their diffusion,” Uchiyamada told reporters. The good news for Toyota is that interest in hybrid vehicles, like the Toyota RAV4 EV that goes on sale soon, remains high in the U.S. The automaker also plans to further increase that interest.

“(Toyota) plans to enhance the appeal of the Prius PHV plug-in hybrid vehicle by expanding available vehicle grades and by offering an accessory outlet designed to use the hybrid system as a power supply that can also be used in times of emergency,” the automaker said.

Toyota also announced plans to continue developing a hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle as well as offer the Toyota eQ, an electric variant of Toyota’s iQ minicar, in the U.S. on a limited basis starting in December. The eQ has a driving range of 62 miles and a top speed of 78 miles per hour.

Just how tough is the 2012 Toyota Tundra? Well, it’s about to tow something big… really big!

The 2012 Toyota Tundra has been entrusted with the historic transportation of the space shuttle Endeavour on the last leg of its journey to the California Science Center. The full-size pickup will tow the space shuttle on October 13, 2012 from Los Angeles International Airport to the Science Center for the last quarter mile of its 12-mile trip.

“There is no larger or more recognizable icon of the U.S. space program’s success than the shuttle, and to have it towed by the Toyota Tundra is not only an incredible example of the capabilities of the truck, but an honor to be part of history,” said Ed Laukes, TMS vice president of marketing communications. “The entire journey is something the world will be watching, and gives us a chance to prove that the ‘overbuilt’ Tundra is built to do any job – even tow the space shuttle.”

Endeavor will be towed using a stock 2012 Tundra CrewMax half-ton pickup with no additional modifications made to increase towing capacity or power.  The Tundra is equipped with a 5.7L V8 engine that produces a towing capacity of 10,000 pounds.

Obviously, a space shuttle weighs much more than 10,000 pounds, so Toyota teamed up with The Sarens Group, a heavy lifting and engineered transport company, to develop a dolly specifically designed for hauling the space shuttle. The historic artifact weighs 300,000 pounds.

Starting today, online resources and activities are available online at the Tundra Endeavour project website. There, you’ll find behind-the-scenes videos, photos, information, and activities for children. Visitors can also sign up for email alerts, share content, and participate in re-Tweeting information that will help contribute money to the California Science Center for further development of exhibits and displays.

Toyota Motor Corporation collaborated with DENSO Corporation to develop an onboard communications network device, CAN-Gateway ECU, that gathers data while driving and applies it to create a virtual simulation to enjoy a new way of driving.

The CAN-Gateway ECU captures driving data including GPS data, accelerator pedal strokes, steering angles, brake operation signals, gear shift signals, engine RPM count, water temperature, and vehicle speed and sends it to software installed on smartphones and other devices for real-time monitoring.

The device collects data from several onboard computer systems known as electronic control units (ECU) and sends the data via Bluetooth to the devices. The ability to send the data to these devices makes the information available to everday drivers instead of only mechanics and technicians using specialized equipment.

Over time, the software evaluates the accumulated data and uses it to coach the user to becoming a better driver. The data can be shared so others can look at the driver’s performance. Software makers can also utilize the data to create games and other software such as those to evaluate driving performance on racetracks.

The device is still in early development and scheduled to be launched in Japan this spring and tested in the Toyota ’86 rear-wheel drive compact sports car. Toyota hopes to release it worldwide following testing.

Toyota Motor Corporation held an awards ceremony for its sixth annual Dream Car Art Contest last week at Mega Web, the company’s interactive vehicle display facility in Tokyo. The theme was “Your Dream Car.”

The Dream Car Art contest challenges the imagination of children younger than 15 years of age in 70 countries and regions around the world. Toyota puts on the contest to “help children develop and express their creativity” and to “develop interest in cars and help (the children) feel the joy and importance of having a dream.”

Each of the 620,000 entries from 70 countries and regions went through a rigorous judging process. National contests were held in each country or region where 900 entries were selected. These entries were then whittled down to 30 by judges that included outside experts in art and automobile science led by TMC President Akio Toyoda.Officials chose 30 finalists from 22 countries and regions to participate in the awards ceremony where Gold, Silver, and Bronze prizes as well as Best Finalist and the President Toyoda Prize awards were given. Gold prize winners were Wiran Honthumma (Thailand, age 9) “Babysitter Car”, KatunyuWattanapraditchai (Thailand, age 10) “Car for visually-impaired people”, and Stefania Mihaela Calinescu (Romania, age 14) “Magic-Toyota regeneration”.

Another award given was the Mega Web Prize, which was chosen by popular vote of visitors to Mega Web were the 30 prize-winning pieces were on display from July 18.

Go here for the list of winners.

As if you needed another reason to own a Toyota, result s of a recent study by Strategic Vision showed that Toyota vehicles have the fewest problems.

Results from the 2012 Total Quality Index (TQI) study showed that Toyota Motor Corporation had a record lowest number of reported problems with a “Problem Impact Measure” (PMI) of 4.29. The PMI is calculated by a formula that takes into consideration the report of the problem, the nature (serious, moderate or minor) of the problem, and the nature of the problem unresolved by dealer.

The PMI is only one factor used to find the Total Quality Index. Total Quality measures how closely the experience of quality matches the “explicit desires of the customer” using criteria like styling and sound systems and problems per vehicle. Strategic Vision argues that quality should not only be measured by problems per vehicle, as with other studies, but should also include customer satisfaction.

Automotive companies had a banner year with only 17 percent of owners reporting problems, an industry best.

“This is really great news for all those corporations, but the key to success and sales will be products that satisfy the customer’s increasingly insatiable need for innovation, and the complete picture of Quality,” says Strategic Vision President, Alexander Edwards. “We point out Total Quality vs. ‘Fewest Problems’ for a reason. When measuring quality, the complete experience must be part of the calculation and include all the perceptions that influence how people make their decision. For instance, even when ‘just’ counting problems, perception is involved. One buyer may overlook what another may report. With Total Quality, we factor in all the perceptions that are proven to create the impression of Total Quality; this is ultimately how people think about vehicles and spend money,” concludes Alexander Edwards.

The Total Quality Awards have been presented annually since 1995 by Strategic Vision. The TQI was calculated from 45,390 buyers who purchased 2012 models in late 2011.

2012 Toyota 4Runner SR5

Toyota recently announced manufacturer’s suggested retail prices for the 2013 FJ Cruise, 4Runner, Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, Sequoia, and Tundra.

The2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser is an SUV that blends the brand’s off-road performance with distinct design. The SUV will gain one new color, Cement Gray, that replaces Silver Fresco Metallic as well as a new color scheme for the Trail Teams Special Edition with Magma that replaces Radiant Red.

The MSRP has been set at $26,880 for the 4×2 model with five-speed automatic transmission and $28,470 for the 4×4 automatic. This is an average overall increase of $765, or 2.8 percent.

The fifth generation full-capacity 2013 Toyota 4Runner will remain unchanged except for the SR5 grade transfer case changing from a lever to a switch type and the USB port moving from the glove compartment to the lower center stack.

The MSRP was set at $31,340 for the SR5 4×2 and $40,880 for the 4×4. This is an increase of .9 percent, or $305.

The 2013 Toyota Highlander and 2013 Toyota Highlander Hybrid will offer more standard equipment, new option packages, and audio systems. A new trim will be available, the Highland Plus, that comes equipped with a Tech Package and Cold Weather Package. Display Audio will be standard on Highlander, SE, and Highland Plus grades while the Highlander Hybrid now includes Display Audio with Navigation and the Entune multimedia package.

The base Highlander has an MSRP of $28,870 for the front-wheel-drive with four-cylinder engine while the Highland Limited four-wheel-drive V6 has an MSRP of $39,250. This is an increase of 3.1 percent or $1,037. The MSRP for the Highlander Hybrid is set at $39,970 for the Base trim and $46,170 for the Limited trim. This is an increase of 3.6 percent or $1,527.50.

The 2013 Toyota Sequoia, a full-size, full-capability SUV, gains new family-friendly entertainment features with an industry-first Blue-ray rear-seat entertainment system and Entune availability. Each of the three trims come standard with the 381-horsepower 5.7-liter V8 engine. The base MSRP for the 2013 Toyota Sequoia will be $41,955 for the SR5 4×2 and $62,570 for the Platinum 4×4. This is an increase of 1.1 percent or $580.

The 2013 Toyota Tundra  will offer the Platinum Package in a new grade which features numerous luxury features like heated and ventilated front bucket seats with embroidered headrests and driver’s seat two-position memory feature, perforated leather-trimmed seating surfaces, DVD navigation system, power tilt/slide moonroof with sliding sunshade, and wood-grain-style interior trim.

The base MSRP will range from $25,355 for the Tundra grade 4×2 Regular Cab 4.0-liter V6 to $43,795 for the Limited grade CrewMax 4×4 5.7-liter V8. This is an increase of .6 percent, or $200.

It’s easy for consumers to get caught up in what innovative technology and unique design elements a vehicle has to offer. Often, shoppers overlook safety features, so we are providing a list of the safest Toyotas available today.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is responsible for conducting safety tests to determine how well new vehicles protect drivers and passengers during a crash, how well vehicles resist rollovers, and whether vehicles are equipped with technology that can help avoid crashes altogether.

All new vehicles and models that have undergone major design changes go through four tests: The Front Crash Test, The Side Barrier Crash Test, The Side Pole Crash Test, and The Rollover Resistance Test. Average-sized dummies are placed inside the vehicles, equipped with sensors that record data on how the crash affects the body.

The NHTSA implemented a new ratings system beginning in 2011 that provided more rigorous tests and more comprehensive crash data called the 5-Star Safety Ratings Program. Each vehicle is awarded between one and five stars in different categories with five stars being the safest.

Here are the safest new Toyota vehicles, who received overall scores of five stars:

2013 and 2012 Toyota Camry and Camry HV – The 2012 Toyota Camry comes with the Star Safety System, which includes Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control, Traction Control, and Smart Stop Technology. It also has ten airbags, driver and front passenger Whiplash-Injury-Lessening seats, and an energy-absorbing collapsible steering column.
Front: 4 stars      Side: 5 stars        Rollover: 4 stars               Overall: 5 stars

2013 and 2012 Toyota Prius – The 2012 Toyota Prius comes with the Star Safety System, Advanced Airbag System, front and rear energy-absorbing crumple zone, and engine immobilizer.
Front: 4 stars      Side: 5 stars        Rollover: 4 stars               Overall: 5 stars

Toyota’s hydrogen fuel cell concept vehicle

Toyota continues to be ahead of the curve as it confirmed on Wednesday plans to roll out a hydrogen fuel-cell sedan in 2015.

In a speech at the 2012 Center for Automotive Research management Briefing Seminar, President and CEO of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. Jim Lentz noted Toyota is currently developing a lineup that will include “a wider variety of hybrid vehicles and plug-in hybrids and a choice of pure electric vehicles.”

Among those will be a hydrogen fuel cell sedan that will receive an advanced battery that outperforms today’s lithium-ion cells.

The major reason hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are not on the market now is not because of the development of the technology. That already exists. Rather, the cost to produce the vehicles is much greater.

Experts estimated it would cost the consumer $500,000 to purchase the technology. However, Toyota vowed two years ago it had figured out how to cut the cost by 90 percent, meaning a hydrogen-powered vehicle would cost about $50,000.

The hydrogen-powered sedan will have the same driving range as a gas-powered car. Honda has noted its FCX Clarity will have fuel efficiency three times that of a comparably sized gas-powered car with a driving range of 240 miles and five-minute refueling time. Honda has sold a few hundred of these cars since 2008, mostly in California.

Other car manufacturers expect the hydrogen fuel cell vehicles to be as affordable as full battery vehicles. However, their estimated timeframe is in the 2020 range. The biggest obstacle for Toyota will be the installation of hydrogen fueling stations. The state of California plans to have 68 by 2015, which is where Toyota plans to initially sell the car.

The federal government last week named the 2012 Toyota Prius c as the most gasoline-stingy on the road. With an estimated combined city/highway rating of 50 miles per gallon, the Prius c is the leading gasoline-electric hybrid in the country.Not only does the Prius c get an estimated 53 mpg in the city, the price is not bad either. The Prius c is has the second-lowest base price of any hybrid at $19,710, a compelling offer to both thrifty consumers and caring environmentalists. The 2012 Toyota Prius c will also remind the driver of just how much they are saving through an onboard computer that tallies how much a trip costs as the car travels.The Prius c is available in four trim levels – Prius c One, Prius c Two, Prius c Three, and Prius c Four. The high end, the Prius c Four, has an MSRP of $23,230.

All safety and convenience features are available on all trim levels. These include the Star Safety System, nine airbags, driver and front passenger Advances Whiplash-Injury-Lessening seats, Vehicle Proximity Notification System, and Hill Start Assists Control.

On the inside, the Display Audio with Navigation and Entune is available on the Three and Four trims. This feature includes a 6.1-inch touch screen, Sirius Satellite Radio, port with iPod connectivity, Bluetooth wireless technology, and hands-free phone capability. Both trims also come with the Smart Key System and Touch Tracer Display. The Prius c Four gets heated side mirrors and front seats.

Arlington Toyota in Jacksonville, Florida is eagerly anticipating the fall arrival of the new 2013 Toyota Avalon. The Avalon model is available as a hybrid that boasts an EPA-estimated 40 mpg.

The Avalon is the same as the Toyota Camry in that both cars combine a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor and batteries to produce 200 horsepower. However, where they differ most noticeably is the size of the vehicle. The Avalon offers more space for the driver and passengers both inside and outside.

The 2013 Avalon Hybrid’s system can power the car in all-electric mode for up to a mile at 25 mph. The EPA estimates the fuel-efficiency at 40 mpg in the city and 39 mpg on the highway. Typically, hybridization is not found on full-size cars, but in the redesign for the 2013 model, the Avalon lost more than 100 pounds making a hybrid version an easy possibility.

The base version of the Avalon comes with a 268-horsepower 3.5-liter V-6 and six-speed transmission. It gets an estimated 21 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway.

The 2013 Toyota Avalon should arrive in dealer lots like Arlington Toyota in November.