Toyota and Lexus have claimed 9 of a possible 30 total awards given out by people, and the only annual award that does so.

Each category had a Popular brand and a Premium brand winner. For instance the “Cute” award category was won by Volkswagen Beetle for the Popular brand and Volvo C30 for the Premium brand.

Toyota wins for the following models:
Toyota Prius – Eco Friendly
Toyota Sequoia – Kid Friendly
Toyota Sienna – Road Trip
Toyota Yaris – City Car

Find out for yourself why these vehicles were chosen by the public to be the Popular Choice in their perspective categories.

In fact Toyota swept the Eco Friendly with the Toyota Prius and Lexus RX Hybrid and they swept the City Car category with the Toyota Yaris and the Lexus LS model.

No other manufactuer claimed both a premium brand and popular brand category.

This speaks volumes for Toyota as the public is certainly recognizing the quality and direction of both Toyota and Lexus more than any other manufacturer.

Bluetooth Phones – Toyota

With the new technology being integrated in the 2011 Toyota models such as the Toyota Sienna, Toyota Highlander, Toyota Camry and Toyota Venza – owners will be looking for the vehicle that allows them the most access to their media.

Having the ability to connect your bluetooth phone to your vehicle is something that is now an expectation amongst consumers.

The ability to utilize cell phones as music storage devices has become popular with the iPhone and other types of cell phones. Everyone wants to have access to their content whether they are in the car, at home or on public transportation. Now that music is so easily obtainable by downloading it makes sense that vehicle manufacturers should support the needs of their customers.

Toyota Bluetooth Facts and Detailed FAQ Guide

Selecting a Compatible Bluetooth Phone

Mobile Applications In Toyota Vehicles

By integrating the bluetooth technology, vehicle manufacturers are letting go of some control over the devices and equipment that their owners can use – and that the manufacturers could have tried to sell them.

This is good in the long run as people become more informed about alternative ways to accomplish more with less expense. The use of technology such as OnStar for example should become free, allowing drivers access to live operators who can help guide them to the destination.

Technology Excites People And Gets them Talking

Just look at what Apple Inc. has been able to do. Automotive manufacturers have a unique opportunity to produce features in their vehicles that people can get excited about. Simply integrating communication methods so people are no longer texting will be a huge accomplishment because many people would be able to stay connected in the hours they spend commuting to work.

The manufacturer who integrates the coolest technology that can excite the most people will be successful while other manufacturers that try to nickel and dime every last thing will surely lose some customers.

Thanks to everyone who came out for the Pure Scion Show! – we hope you enjoyed the event.

Please let us know if you have any pictures you’d like to share and we’ll add them to the blog.

It seems as though early tests are showing that the Toyota unintended acceleration could have indeed been caused by driver error. Recently the Wall Street Journal covered a story that stated the NHTSA believes that vehicles involved in accidents were due to the driver accidentally pressing the accelerator instead of the brakes.

These findings were based on the data recorders analyzed by NHTSA, which showed that there were no signs of the brake pedal being engaged. In addition, this data has only been reviewed and interpreted by NHTSA and has not been reviewed by Toyota.

The 1989 government-sponsored study investigating the Audi 5000 where there were cases of sudden unintended acceleration. The cause was determined to be driver error.

However, Toyota has indicated that the electronic data recorder is not reliable enough to provide concrete data that would eliminate any possibility of software glitches or other types of conditions that could lead to an uncontrollable vehicle situation.

There have been many cases where paramedics have stated that accidents are often caused when a driver presses down on the wrong pedal. So if this ends up being driver error then what will happen to all the vehicles that have had their gas pedal modified with the shim? Most likely, this modification will be fine considering a corresponding software update was applied.

The issue with the floor mats as well as the space between the gas in the brake pedal could be in some way interfering at times with normal operation so Toyota will likely remedy that situation with an improved design so that the issue can be closed.

On July 8, 2010 two and announced that they would be opening several quality field offices across the United States Canada. These locations will be responsible for collecting field data as well as helping manage new problems with as they arise so that Toyota can act quickly to resolve them.

From pressroom.toyota.com …

“Everyone at Toyota is working aggressively to understand what our customers are experiencing and to respond quickly to their needs by enhancing our information gathering capabilities,” said Dino Triantafyllos, Vice President, Quality Division, Toyota Motor Engineering and Manufacturing (TEMA). “The expansion of our Product Quality Field Offices initiative is one example of the significant changes we are making across our North American operations to help ensure that we are a quality-focused and responsive organization.”

The auto industry designs vehicles with certain jobs in mind. There are vehicles made to accommodate families, vehicles for fuel economy commutes, vehicles to transport goods, and then the best kind: vehicles that cause heart palpitations. These machines have at least one common denominator: The owner needs insurance coverage in case of an accident.

Enter Toyota Hilux, the truck all insurance companies want to insure. Why? According to a well known motoring program out of the BBC, “Top Gear” destroying this truck might just take weapons of mass destruction.

“Top Gear” presenters are self proclaimed Hilux groupies and have footage to prove their praise for the ‘took a licking and kept on’ Toyota is justly deserved. Jeremy Clarkson, who likely needs no introduction, took on the Hilux and to his amazement, the Hilux won.

This test was not one to find the most insanely exotic curves and angles nor cloud like suspension nor unheard of 0 to 60 run. The truck bounced down steps, was rammed into a tree, cast out into the ocean, set on fire, and lifted 240 feet up to be included in a building demolition.

The winner of ALL the tests was, of course, the Hilux which is fantastically unbelievable and why when the Hilux was spotted near the Icelandic volcano that recently erupted was given credit for that feat as well.

“Top Gear” drove the Hilux up the unstable rock about to pitch a smoke plume up to the heavens and molten lava to the valley is little surprise: the cool mountain air meeting with all that hot air was bound to cause a disturbance then add in the rumbling Hilux and the stage was set for the Eyjafjallajökull to go KAPOOEY. Well, that scenario sounds plausible if you have a British accent or work for Toyota.

Toyota execs, looking for the sun to come back out after facing one recall after another now look to the Hilux to metaphorically ride their Company roughshod through that plume of smoke—and begin a new era of strong reliability.

TORRANCE, Calif., February 26, 2010 – Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. today announced that, working in cooperation with Attorneys General across the country, Toyota will be extending on a nationwide basis the additional services being provided to Toyota and Lexus customers in New York affected by the company’s recent recalls.

These services, which were announced for New York customers on February 24, 2010, are now available to all Toyota and Lexus owners in the U.S. affected by current recalls involving sticking accelerator pedals, floor mat pedal entrapment, anti-lock brake system software updates, and Tacoma front drive shaft inspection.

Additional services are being provided to customers concerned about driving their vehicle before the repair is completed and will be tailored to the owner’s individual circumstances. They may include…

• Expediting scheduling of the repair.
• Pick up and return of the vehicle by a dealership representative.
• Driving the customer to the dealership or to his or her place of work.
• Where necessary, providing other alternate transportation for the customer, such as a rental car, loaner vehicle, or taxi reimbursement for the reasonable period that the customer is unable or unwilling to use his or her car.

“Our 172,000 team members and dealers across North America are continuing to go above and beyond to ensure the safety and satisfaction of all of our customers,” said Jim Lentz, president and chief operating officer of Toyota Motors Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

Services will be provided by Toyota through the dealers at no cost to either the owners of affected vehicles or dealers.

Reimbursement of these expenses is separate from the stipends of $7,500 to $75,000 that the company already has provided to dealers in connection with the recalls.

Detailed information and answers to questions about issues related to these recalls are available to customers at www.toyota.com/recall and at the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331 or the Lexus Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-255-3987.