Showing posts with label toyota. Show all posts
Showing posts with label toyota. Show all posts

Friday, September 19, 2008

Toyota Camry

The Toyota Camry is a mid-size car, formerly a compact car manufactured by Toyota since 1980. The name "Camry" comes from a phonetic transcription of the Japanese word kanmuri (冠, かんむり), which means "crown", a tradition started with the Toyota Crown in the 1950's, and continued with the Corolla and Corona, which are also latin words for "crown".
There is also a coupé and convertible derivative sold first as Camry coupé from 1994-1997 and later spun off into its own line as the Camry Solara when reintroduced in 1999. The Solara development lags behind the sedan by a couple years and it was not updated to the 2007 current sedan platform, with production scheduled to end in 2008. For the East and Southeast Asian markets, high specification Camry models are seen as executive cars. Since the sixth generation SXV30 model, the Camrys sold in these markets have sported revised front- and rear-end treatment. For the seventh generation SXV40 series, the same was done, although the Australian-designed Toyota Aurion which is based on the seventh generation Camry was the donor model. The Aurion features revised front- and rear-end treatment and changes to the interior, but is fitted with the same powertrain. An up-branded luxury version of the Camry was sold in Japan as the Toyota Windom until 2006; the related Lexus ES shares major chassis and drivetrain components with the Camry.
In the United States, the Camry's largest consumer market, it has been the best selling car for nine of the last ten years starting in 1997, with the only exception being 2001. The Camry also sells very well in Australia, Canada, and a number of Asian markets—in particular Cambodiawhere the vast majority of cars are Camrys. Despite its success, it has often been criticized for its bland design and lack of sportiness compared to its rivals. It has not sold as well in Europe and its homemarket Japan; as its design is ill-suited for European and Japanese tastes.

Current seventh generation Camry:


The seventh generation Camry was introduced at the 2006 North American International Auto Show alongside a hybrid version and went on sale in March 2006 as a 2007 model. The 2007 Camry was significantly redesigned and featured a 2-inch longer wheelbase. Overall length and passenger volume remained equal to the predecessor, while trunk space decreased by about 1.5 cu-ft.
Power came from a choice of four- and six-cylinder engines. The 2.4 L 4-cylinder engine was carried over from the past generation and produced 158 hp and 161 ft·lb. It came with a 5-speed manual or 5-speed automatic. The 3.5 L V6 engine in contrast came with a 6-speed automatic only and produced 268 hp and 248 ft·lb.
The Camry came factory-equipped with frontal airbags, upper body-protecting side-impact airbags for the front seats, head-protecting side air curtains for front and rear seats, and a driver's knee airbag. Other standard safety features included a tire pressure monitoring system, ABS, Brake Assist, and EBD.As a result of this comprehensive safety equipment, the Camry fared excellently in crash tests.
The IIHS awarded the Camry sedan a rating of Good on both "Frontal Offset" and "Side Impact" crash tests.


Camry hybrid


The seventh-generation Toyota Camry is the first generation in which the Camry has been available as a gasoline/electric hybrid. The Camry Hybrid utilizes Toyota’s second generation Hybrid Synergy Drive and contains a 4-cylinder engine with 147 hp (110 kW) in conjunction with a 40 hp (30 kW) electric motor for a combined output of 187 hp (139 kW). The Camry is currently the third Toyota model to be offered as a hybrid, the others being the Toyota Prius and the Toyota Highlander.
Camry Hybrids were initially built solely in Japan, though the majority of production has since shifted to Toyota’s Georgetowe, Kentucky plant, which is projected to produce 45,000 of the vehicles per year. In June 2008, Toyota Motor Corporation has announced that the Camry Hybrid will also be built in a Thailand plant in 2009 and in Melbourne in 2010 with an annual production capacity of 9,000 and 10,000 respectively.
EPA fuel economy estimates for the 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid are 40 mpg (US) (5.9 L/100 km/48 mpg imp) (City) and 38 mpg (US) (6.2 L/100 km/46 mpg imp) (Highway).EPA’s revised method of estimating fuel economy for 2008 and subsequent model years, which now considers the effects of air conditioning, rapid acceleration and cold temperatures, estimates 33 mpg (US) (7.1 L/100 km/40 mpg imp) (City) and 34 mpg (US) (6.9 L/100 km/41 mpg imp) (Highway).

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Monday, September 8, 2008

Toyota prius in india

The Toyota Prius is a hybrid electric mid-size car developed and manufactured by the Toyota Motor Corporation.
The Prius first went on sale in Japan in 1997, making it the first mass-produced hybrid vehicle. It was subsequently introduced worldwide in 2001. The Prius is sold in more than 40 countries and regions, with its largest markets being those of Japan and North America.
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the 2008 Prius is the most fuel efficient car sold in the U.S. The UK Department for Transport, also reported the Prius is tied as the third least CO2-emitting vehicle on sale in the UK.

The Prius is completely redesigned into a mid-size liftback which is between the Corolla and the Camry in size. The new model is 6 inches (150 mm) longer than the previous version. Its more aerodynamic body resulted in a drag coefficient of 0.26.
The new Hybrid Synergy Drive (HSD) uses an all-electric compressor for cooling. Combined with a smaller and lighter NiMH battery, the NHW20 is more powerful and more efficient than the NHW11. Air conditioning is now operated independently of the gasoline engine, an industry first. In the U.S., the battery pack of the 2004 Prius is warranted for 100,000 miles (160,000 km) or 8 years, although Toyota has stated that they expect it to last 15 years. The warranty is instead 150,000 miles (240,000 km) or 10 years for Prius in California, and in the seven Northeastern states that have adopted the stricter California emission control standards.
It is classified as a SULEV (Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle) and is certified by California Air Resources Board as an "Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emission Vehicle" (AT-PZEV).
NHTSA (United States) crash testing of the 2004 Prius yielded a five star driver and four star passenger rating in the frontal collision test (out of five stars). Side crash results were four out of five stars for both front and rear seats. The car scored four out of five stars in rollover testing

Among the Prius' options are Toyota's implementation of an advanced key called Smart Key System or SKS (the feature can be user-deactivated), DVD navigation on the MFD, vehicle stability control and Bluetooth for hands-free calling. The 2006 model introduced some minor cosmetic changes, such as a higher-resolution liquid crystal display, as well as new optional features such as a rear-view camera, advanced airbags and an upgraded audio system with an auxiliary input. The 2007 Prius adds advanced and side-curtain airbags standard on all models. A Touring Edition was introduced that includes an elongated larger rear spoiler as well as larger, sharper-pointed 7-spoke 16" alloy wheels with plastic hub cap cover to protect it from scratches when parking against the curb. The Touring Edition also comes with a firmer European style tuned suspension, standard high-intensity-discharge (HID) headlights and integrated (non-HID) fog lights.
Automated parallel and reverse parking is available in Japan and Europe.
Production of the Prius for the China market began in December 2005 by Sichuan FAW Toyota Motor, a joint venture with First Automobile Works.

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Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Skoda turns out to be india's popular car!!

For a second time in a row, Skoda, a unit of German car maker Volkswagen, topped the customer satisfaction survey in JD Power Asia Pacific 2008 India Sales Satisfaction Index study.

The study, in its 9th year, surveyed 5,416 new passenger car owners in 20 Indian cities having an ownership tenure of two to six months. Forty-one different passenger car brands were assessed in the study.

On a 1,000-point scale, Skoda scored 799 points.

Tho know more about these carmakers who top the customer satisfaction list, read on. . . .

Skoda Auto is an automobile manufacturer in the Czech Republic. Skoda became a subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group in 1991.

The company originated in early 1890s and initially it used to manufacture bicycles and motorcycles. By 1905, Skoda started manufacturing cars. During World War I, Skoda was engaged in war production.

At present, Skoda has several manufacturing and assembly plants across the globe. In India, the company has an assembly plant at Aurangabad, Maharashtra. The unit, which was established in 2001, is known as Skoda Auto India Private Ltd.

Ford: Ford stood second in the customer satisfaction survey with a score of 792 points.

Ford Motor Company is an American multinational corporation, founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903.

The company started with a capital of $28,000 pooled in by 12 investors.

During its early years, Ford produced just a few cars a day at its factory on Mack Avenue in Detroit, Michigan.

Groups of two or three men worked on each car from components made to order by other companies.

At present, Ford is the world's fourth largest automaker based on worldwide vehicle sales, preceded by Toyota, General Motors and Volkswagen.

Honda: Honda (782 points) shares the third position in customer satisfaction survey along with Toyota and Mahindra & Mahindra.

Honda Motor Company, Limited is a multinational corporation, engine manufacturer and engineering corporation headquartered in Japan.

To start with, Honda was a racing company. Honda Racing Corporation was formed in 1982. The company combined participation in motorcycle races throughout the world with the development of high potential racing machines.

In 1964, Honda entered Formula One as a constructor at the German Grand Prix.

At present, the company manufactures automobiles and motorcycles, trucks, scooters, robots, jets and jet engines, ATV, water craft, electrical generators, marine engines, lawn and garden equipment, and aeronautical and other mobile technologies.

The company has recently ventured into mountain bikes as well.

Honda is the fifth largest automobile manufacturer in the world and the second largest in Japan behind Toyota and ahead of Nissan.

Toyota: Headquartered in Aichi, Nagoya and in Tokyo, the company manufactures automobiles as well as robots.

Toyota Motor Co. was founded by Kiichiro Toyoda in 1937 and vehicles were originally sold under the name 'Toyoda'.

The company name was later changed to simplify the pronunciation.

Toyota provides financial services through its division Toyota Financial Services. Toyota Industries and Finance divisions form the bulk of the Toyota Group, one of the largest conglomerates in the world.

Mahindra & Mahindra: Mahindra & Mahindra Limited is part of the $6.7 billion Mahindra Group.

M&M is an automotive, farm equipment, financial services, trade and logistics, automotive components, after-market, IT and infrastructure conglomerate.

The company was set up in 1945 and christened Mahindra & Mohammed. The name was later changed to Mahindra & Mahindra.

Initially set up to manufacture general-purpose utility vehicles, M&M is one of the oldest manufacturer of heavy jeeps in India.

The company later branched out into manufacture of light commercial vehicles nd agricultural tractors.

At present, M&M is the leader in the utility vehicle segment.

Maruti Suzuki: Maruti Suzuki came fourth with 775 points in the customer satisfaction survey.

Maruti Suzuki India Limited (formerly Maruti Udyog Limited), a subsidiary of Suzuki Motor Corporation of Japan, is India's largest passenger car company, accounting for over 50 per cent of the domestic car market.

Headquartered in Gurgaon, the company was established in February 1981, though the actual production commenced in 1983.

Maruti Suzuki annually exports more than 30,000 cars and has an extremely large domestic market in India selling over 500,000 cars annually.

Cars similar to Maruti (but not manufactured by Maruti Suzuki) are sold by Suzuki in Pakistan and other South Asian countries.

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