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Facelifted Toyota Vios headed our way soon!

January 31, 2010 at 11:47 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Spyshots, Toyota

Toyota’s mid-life facelift for the Vios gives it a chrome grille that bears a family resemblance to the recently facelifted Toyota Camry.

The new multi-bar grille distances the new facelifted Vios from the previous cutesy animal-like image that the pre-FL Vios had. The bumper has also been updated with new inserts for the foglamp area.

At the rear, the tail lamps seem to have been ‘flipped’ vertically – the previous design was red at the top and clear at the bottom. The facelifted vios has clear at the top and red at the bottom.

We should most likely see it launched in Thailand first and then the rest of ASEAN later.

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Honda Jazz worldwide recall over switch defect

January 30, 2010 at 2:07 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, Honda, International News

Coming just after Toyota’s sticky accelerator pedal recall, Honda joins the fray with a recall for its Jazz. BBC reports Honda saying that a master switch defect could cause water to enter the power window switch. potentially causing a fire. A total of 646,000 cars will be called in globally to fix this switch defect. This includes Jazz/Fit models built in Japan, China, Brazil, Thailand, Malaysia and India. The total figure also includes “27,000 City models in Asia”, the report added.

However, Honda Siel Cars India said that India will not be a part of the global vehicle recall. “There won’t be any impact on the recall in India because the Jazz that is being sold in India is a second generation vehicle, which is not a part of the global recall.” The official said the Jazz that is being recalled globally is the previous generation model.

So far, three cases of fires due to the defect have been reported – two in the US and one in South Africa. The latter, which happened in September last year, saw two-year-old Vanilla Nurse killed in Cape Town when the Jazz she was sleeping in caught fire.

No news yet from Honda Malaysia, but we will channel any official announcement as it comes our way.

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Official statement by UMW Toyota Motor regarding recalls in North America

January 29, 2010 at 4:10 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, Local News, Toyota

UMW Toyota Motor has released an official media statement regarding the ongoing recall issues faced by Toyota abroad. Here is the statement, published in verbatim:

On 21 January 2010, Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), United States released a media statement of safety recall campaign involving 2.3 million vehicles affecting eight Toyota models. TMS also released a follow-up media statement on 26 January, 2010 regarding the suspension of sales of selected models.

UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd would like to emphasize that we have received confirmation from our principal, Toyota Motor Corporation, Japan that all Toyota and Lexus models sold by UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd are not affected by this recall exercise. The accelerator pedal components of the affected models used in the US markets are different from the Toyota and Lexus models sold in Malaysia by UMW Toyota Motor.

We would like to advise that there is no cause for concern on this matter.

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Toyota’s faulty pedal supplier: It’s not our fault!

January 29, 2010 at 3:12 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under International News, Toyota

CTS Corp, the supplier of Toyota’s sticky accelerator pedals which has led to the Japanese automaker recalling cars in North America and Europe, says it has no knowledge that its parts were responsible for any accidents or injuries.

Mitchell Walorski, head of CTS investor relations said that the company has “no knowledge of any accident or injury” stemming from the accelerator assemblies it supplies Toyota, he told Automotive News. In what looks like an attempt to absolve responsibility he added: “Toyota is heavily involved in all stages of testing and production. That is why their quality is so high.”

In a separate statement, CTS, which designs and manufactures sensors and actuators, said it has been working with Toyota to develop a new pedal to meet tougher specifications from Toyota. “The newly designed pedal is now tested, and parts are beginning to ship to some Toyota factories,” it said.

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Euro NCAP’s top-five safest cars of 2009

January 29, 2010 at 12:33 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, International News

Euro NCAP has released the top-five highest scoring cars among those it tested in 2009. All in the list are five-star rated cars, seperated only by their scores. The safest car it tested in 2009 is the Mk6 Volkswagen Golf, followed by two hybrid cars – the Honda Insight and Toyota Prius. In fourth place is the Hyundai i20 while there are three joint winners for fifth place – the Toyota Avensis, Volvo XC60 and the Opel/Vauxhall Astra.

In 2009, Euro NCAP crash tested 33 car models, using up to a total of three cars, three front seats, four child seats and an array of spare parts per model. To achieve the overall rating, the car is usually put through four crash tests, a component test and is assessed by an inspector who considers tests results and the safety equipment and features of the car. In 2009, upon the request of the manufacturer Euro NCAP also considered results from vehicles crash-tested in 2007/2008 and carried out the necessary tests and assessment to upgrade them to a result applicable under the new rating scheme.

In 2010, the threshold to achieve Euro NCAP’s maximum five stars rises from 75% to 80% in Adult Occupant Protection and from 70% to 75% in Child Occupant Protection. The threshold for Pedestrian Protection rises to 40%. Euro NCAP’s poorest results of the year were achieved by the Suzuki Alto and the Toyota Urban Cruiser, both receiving three stars.

View the score chart after the jump.
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Special Alfa MiTo courtesy cars for Maserati owners

January 29, 2010 at 12:08 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Alfa Romeo, Cars, International News, Maserati

Courtesy cars are nice to have when you send in your car for dealer attention, but when you own an Italian exotic, not any courtesy car will do, as you still need to look stylish without your mega bucks ride. It’ll be perfect if your temporary car is also Italian, and also exotic.

Well, here is it. The Alfa Romeo MiTo is also Italian and also exotic, albeit on a different level. European Maserati owners will now get MiTo courtesy cars produced exclusively by Alfa Romeo for sister company Maserati. 100 units of these special purpose cars will be made, painted in Maserati Blu Oceano and with a limited edition plaque on the dashboard. The little car’s kick plates will also bear the words “Alfa Romeo for Maserati”.

Based on the range topping MiTo, it will be powered by a 1.4-litre MultiAir turbo engine with 170 bhp. Creature comforts include Pelle Frau leather and a radio navigator covering the whole of Europe. Maser’s MiTo will also get 18-inch alloys and Dynamic Suspension electronic shock absorber control system.

Designer casual wear when you’re not in the usual designer suit. Same concept as Aston Martin’s Cygnet, but this one is not for sale! More pictures after the jump!
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First 2010 F1 car to be unveiled – the Ferrari F10!

January 29, 2010 at 11:04 am By Danny Tan Filed Under Ferrari, Formula 1

2009 wasn’t a year to remember for Ferrari, which just won one race and finished fourth in the constructors’ championship. The Scuderia is keen to close that chapter and look forward to 2010, and becomes the first team to launch its 2010 challenger.

Maranello’s F10 machine is the result of substantial design work, after Ferrari decided to switch its focus to 2010 early in last year’s campaign. Piloting the F10 will be Felipe Massa and two-time champion Fernando Alonso, who makes his switch from Renault. Making a debut along with him is Spanish banking group Santander. Naturally, hopes are high.

“This championship will be very important for us,” team boss Stefano Domenicali told Autosport. “The last championship, for different reasons, was not very positive, that is why we are dealing with this one looking to be competitive – and this is what Ferrari deserves to have.”

Domenicali added that Ferrari has “two new drivers”, taking into account the “new version of Felipe” after the Brazilian’s dreadful mishap in Hungary which left many wondering if his F1 career was over. More pictures after the jump!
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Toyota sticky accelerator recall crosses to Europe

January 29, 2010 at 10:05 am By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, International News, Toyota

The recall in North America which has seen Toyota USA suspend sales of eight models and call back up to 2.3 million vehicles has spread to Europe, due to the same “sticky accelerator pedal” issue. Details of corrective action and implementation will be communicated directly to customers with vehicles potentially affected. The models and exact number of potentially affected vehicles is under investigation.

The Japanese carmaker said that there’s a possibility that certain accelerator pedal mechanisms may, in rare instances, mechanically stick in a partially depressed position or return slowly to the idle position. Progressive wear, combined with certain operating and environmental conditions, can increase friction in the mechanism leading to the problem. In case of occurrence, the driver may notice that the accelerator pedal is progressively harder to depress or is slower to return. A rough or chattered feeling may also be experienced when depressing/releasing the accelerator pedal.

A running change in production using different parts has already been implemented model-by-model in the European production. Therefore, there is no need or intention to stop production in Europe, says Toyota.

UPDATE: Toyota has announced that the Europe recall will involve eight models and up to 1.8 million vehicles. No other models or Lexus models are affected:

- AYGO (Feb 2005 – Aug 2009)
- iQ (Nov 2008 – Nov 2009)
- Yaris (Nov 2005 – Sep 2009)
- Auris (Oct 2006 – 5 Jan 2010)
- Corolla (Oct 2006 – Dec 2009)
- Verso (Feb 2009 – 5 Jan 2010)
- Avensis (Nov 2008 – Dec 2009)
- RAV4 (Nov 2005 – Nov 2009

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Is this diecast the next Volkswagen Touareg?

January 29, 2010 at 9:42 am By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, Spyshots, Volkswagen

This is a rather unusual way for an impending launch to be leaked out. A German model car company has let slip images of its next product – the new Volkswagen Touareg that’s supposed to be previewed at the Geneva show!

How do we know it’s new? This diecast sports VW’s new corporate face, already seen on products like the Golf, Polo and Amarok pick-up truck. The shape of the SUV also looks more rounded compared to the current car, brining it closer in looks to sister car Porsche Cayenne. The box or catalogue reads fourth quarter 2010, so could this be the launch date of the real car as well?

One more image after the jump!
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GM capitalizes on Toyota’s recall headache!

January 28, 2010 at 4:28 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under General Motors, International News, Toyota

Toyota’s big rival in North America, General Motors, is seeking to capitalize on the recall issues that is giving its Japanese competitor an almighty headache. Toyota USA recently suspended sales of eight models involved in a recall that aims to fix sticking accelerator pedal mechanisms that could cause unintended acceleration (only applicable in North America).

GM has come up with incentives to entice Toyota and Lexus owners to switch to its cars. The programme, which runs through the end of February, offers Toyota/Lexus owners three options should they opt for a GMC, Buick, Cadillac or Chevrolet vehicle:

- Leasing: Three payments for up to a total of $1,000 waived
- Financing: 0 per cent financing for up to 60 months for qualified customers
- Cash buyers: $1,000 off the purchase price

This move is in response to “thousands” of calls and e-mails to dealers and GM employees from Toyota owners asking for help, GM spokesman Tom Henderson was quoted as saying. In other words, GM says that it is merely helping the American public and is not twisting the knife that’s hurting Toyota. The explaination behind this offer is that it will compensate for some of the value Toyota trade-ins would have lost as a result of the recalls. Will other opportunists follow suit?

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