At the recent Tokyo Auto Salon, Toyota motorsports partner GRMN worked with the Japanese auto giant to introduce a turbocharged version of the popular Vitz (Yaris) compact. While the car on exhibit may be a one-off, Toyota is reportedly planning to shift its focus to downsized, turbocharged, direct-injection engines rather than focusing only on gas-electric hybrid technology.

While hybrids are capable of achieving greater urban fuel economy, small displacement turbocharged direct-injection engines deliver better day-to-day performance and are also a lot less expensive to develop than hybrid systems. Furthermore, Toyota’s dominance in the hybrid market merely makes it a big fish in a small pond as the collective hybrid market in the United States only accounted for 274,927 sales while Ford’s Ecoboost range attained that figure alone.

Although Toyota has used direct-injection and turbocharging in select models, other automakers have implemented these technologies across the line-up. Other drivetrain developments such as transmissions have been inconsistent as well. While the flagship Lexus LS luxury sedan offers an advanced 8-speed automatic, the RAV-4 makes do with an outdated 4-speed.

Toyota is hoping that its partnership with GRMN will help the Japanese automaker carry out a rapid development program that can potentially make its way into multiple small and midsize products within the next couple of years. A small Japanese business daily paper has already reported that direct-injection turbo engines could appear in domestic Toyota products as soon as 2013. These new power trains will be found in models sold in China and Europe as well. Even though the market in the United States wasn’t formally addressed, automotive analyst of Deutsche Bank Kurt Sanger told The Detroit Bureau, “We expect it to be a potential market for such technology to further increase the competitiveness of (Toyota) products.” In other words, it’s a good idea.

Other sources along with Sanger believe that the next-generation Toyota Corolla is likely the first all-new North American model to receive a direct-injection turbocharged engine. However, Sanger also believes that the current Toyota Camry is ready for a direct-injection turbo engine now, without a need for a model change.

[Source: The Detroit Bureau]

What started out as a nice recreational drive “with no particular destination” turned into a fight for survival as Arizona State University Senior Lauren Elizabeth Weinberg was found stranded with her Toyota Corolla in a heavy snowstorm in northeastern Arizona for 10 days.

Weinberg told Arizona police that she left her mother’s home in Phoenix on December 11 for a drive when she drove through a paved road that turned to dirt 46 miles south from the town of Winslow. Navigating through unfamiliar roads, the situation quickly worsened when a horrible storm unleashed several feet of snow, entombing her Corolla.

Not leaving her vehicle, and not deviating from the main road, Lauren Weinberg survived off two candy bars and snow that she melted into water by using a water bottle and placing it in the sun.

Finally, U.S. Forest Service employees reached the road on snowmobiles and found a hungry, thirsty and cold Weinberg that was coherent and happy to be found.

In a statement from the Medical Center, Weinberg says, “I am so thankful to be alive and warm. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers– they worked. At times I was afraid, but mostly I had faith that I would be found.”

[Source: USAToday]

General Motors halted production of their popular Cruze sedan yesterday after a supplier issue hampered production.

Chevrolet says they plan to resume production as soon as possible, though they declined to disclose what the issue was. Production officially stopped around 1 p.m. EST according to a spokesperson for the Lordstown, Ohio, factory where the Cruze is produced.

Currently the Cruze is the second-best selling small car in the U.S. and the 10th-best overall. Chevrolet has been able to capitalize on consumer demand for more fuel efficient cars, given that the Cruze can achieve up to 42 mpg.

Expect whatever issue is postponing production to be addressed soon, after all the car is a hot seller and one that GM hopes to push beyond current sales to be a market leader. At the moment, it outsells the Honda Civic, though the Toyota Corolla still boasts better numbers.

Gallery: 2011 Chevrolet Cruze

[Source: Reuters]

Toyota has issued a recall for 2010-2011 Corollas and 2011 Siennas sold through Southeast Toyota Distributors (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North and South Carolina) that were installed with non-Toyota aftermarket entertainment, navigation and Bluetooth systems on the A-pillar.

The dealer-installed aftermarket equipment may not have been installed properly with the retention clip for the A-pillar trim panel being damaged in the process. As a result, the A-pillar trim could potentially come loose during an accident and cause additional harm to passengers.

A total of 518 vehicles are affected by the recall, but Southeast Toyota estimates that only 25-percent of those vehicles have damaged A-pillars. Nonetheless Toyota would rather play it safe and will be notifying customers this month and the dealers will replace the defective clips free of charge.

For 2012, Toyota’s Corolla will be getting slight upgrades to the L, LE and S models. The L model now gets color-matched side mirrors, power windows with driver’s auto-down, power door locks and remote keyless entry. The LE model will now get 16-inch wheels as standard, and steering wheel audio controls. The S model will get a double-stitch accent to its seats.

In addition, the LE and S grade models will get a new standard audio system featuring a USB port for iPod connectivity and an auxiliary input for any other multimedia players. The system will also include Bluetooth hands-free phone capability and audio streaming.

Toyota did not announce whether or not the 2012 Corolla’s pricing will change from the 2011 models.

GALLERY: 2012 Toyota Corolla

Mazda announced today they have reached a production milestone of three million Mazda3 units as of April 26, 2011. The car is built in three factories (Japan, China, Thailand) and sold in roughly 90 countries and regions. In North America alone, over 1.1 million Mazda3s have been sold, becoming the fastest-selling model in Mazda’s current lineup of passenger vehicles.

Mazda has explained the success of this car through three factors: its distinctive design, its functionality, and its responsive handling. The wide range of models has also been a successful factor. Pricing has also been very competitive in the U.S starting at just over $16,000. The high performance Mazdaspeed3, has also been favorable to auto enthusiasts around the world.

It is quite an achievement for Mazda, considering it took nearly 22 years to hit 900,000 MX-5 Miatas. The Mazda3 three tripled that number in less than eight years.

Mazda’s senior managing executive officer, Hirotaka Kanazawa said, “Its sustained global success has seen it grow into Mazda’s mainstay model, and it now comprises a third of all Mazda vehicle sales.”

Hit the jump to see a list of the top 10 Best Selling Cars of All Time

The Top 10 Best Selling Cars of All Time include:

1 Toyota Corolla (1966- Present) 32 million units

2 Ford F-Series (1948-Present) 30.0 million units

3  VW Golf (1974-Present) 25.0 million units

4 VW Beetle (1938-1979) 2.3 million units

5 Ford Escort (1967- 2003) 20 million units

6 Honda Civic (1972-Present) 17.7 million units

7 Ford Model T (1908-1927) 16.5 million units

8 Honda Accord (1976- Present) 15.8 million units

9 VW Passat (1973- Present) 14.1 million units

10 Chevy Impala (1958- Present) 14 million units

[Source: WYO Tech]

The U.S National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has closed its investigation into the power steering system in the 2009-2010 Toyota Corolla with no defects found.

Furthermore, the NHTSA also said Toyota’s electronic throttles were not to blame for the 2009-2010 recall fiasco. However, Toyota is still dealing with major setbacks with the parts shortage caused by the Japanese earthquake disaster, which will undoubtedly hurt their efforts to rebound in the sales charts.

[Source: Autoblog]

According to a spokeswoman for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Toyota may face yet another investigation, this time over steering-related issues with the 2009 and 2010 Corolla model. The NHTSA has recorded 83 power steering related complaints on the 2009-10 models, which use an electric power steering system. Toyota switched to electric power steering in  the Corolla for the ’09 model year, with ’09 model year Corollas first going on sale in February of 2008.

Complainants say the vehicle can veer to the left or right at over 40 mph. Over the 83 filed complaints, six accidents are associated with the alleged steering issue with 10 injuries reported.

Yesterday Toyota announced a worldwide recall of the 437,000 hybrid models, including the 2010 Prius hybrid after the NHTSA opened an investigation into electric braking problems with the car and the Lexus HS250h.

Toyota also has two other recalls out for over 8 million vehicles, one for “floor mat entrapment” and another for faulty brake pedals. Both of these recalls also include the 2009-10 Corolla.

The NHTSA is considering an investigation into the complains which could result in further analysis of the car by Toyota and (if deemed necessary) a recall. Currently the NHTSA is investigating 40 possible defects, three of which are for Toyotas.

See more Toyota recall news here: AutoGuide Toyota Recall News Hub

[Source: Automotive News]

Toyota has confirmed that, for the first time, it will close one of its U.S. plants. The facility is the New United Motor Manufacturing Inc. (NUMMI) plant in Freemont, California.

“After the decision by General Motors to withdraw from the NUMMI joint venture, Toyota conducted a thorough review of its alternatives in light of current and anticipated market conditions,” said Toyota executive vice president Atsushi Niimi in a statement. “Based on this review, we have determined that over the mid- to long-term, it just would not be economically viable to continue the production contract with NUMMI. This is most unfortunate, and we deeply regret having to take this action.”

“We remain strongly committed to maintaining a substantial production presence in the U.S.A. and North America. To that end, we will consider moving additional Corolla production back to North America over time.”

Opened as a joint project with General Motors in 1984, Toyota’s decision to shutter the factory became necessary when GM exited the deal through its recent bankruptcy proceedings.

At the NUMMI facility Toyota assembled the Corolla and Tacoma pickup truck. Now Toyota will have to rely on its Cambridge, Ontario plant for all of its North American supply of Corollas. Inventory of the compact car is particularly low due to the Corolla being the most popular car sold under the cash-for-clunkers program.

The NUMMI facility employed 4,700 workers, which were Toyota’s only unionized workforce.

The move by Toyota comes as Japan’s number one automaker is reportedly looking for ways to cut production by 10 percent. According to Japan’s Nikkei business paper, the automaker is looking to reduce output from 10 million vehicles to 9 million vehicles. Along with the NUMMI closure, Toyota is also expected to shut down a production line in Japan next spring, as well as one in the U.K.

[Source: Automotive News via Autoblog and Autoweek]

With the Cash-for-Clunkers program officially ending last night, the U.S. Department of Transportation has now released its top 10 list of the most purchased vehicles under the program, with the most popular car purchased being the Toyota Corolla.

Toyotas actually took three of the top 10 spots, with the Camry placing third and the new Prius ranking seventh. Honda did equally well, taking three of the top 10 spots, with the Civic coming in second, the Accord 8th and the Fit 9th.

Nissan and Hyundai each had one spot on the list with the Versa in 6th and the Elantra in 5th. Ford was the only U.S. automaker to break into the top 10, with the front-wheel drive Focus in 4th and the FWD Escape in 10th.

The “Top 10″ list doesn’t tell the whole story, however. While no General Motors products are listed in the top 10, collectively, GM products accounted for 17.6% of the total of new cars purchased under the program, second only to Toyota with 19.4%.

In total, the Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS) generated 690,114 transactions worth a total of $2.8 billion.

“American consumers and workers were the clear winners thanks to the cash for clunkers program,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “Manufacturing plants have added shifts and recalled workers. Moribund showrooms were brought back to life and consumers bought fuel efficient cars that will save them money and improve the environment. This is one of the best economic news stories we’ve seen and I’m proud we were able to give consumers a helping hand.”

In total, 84 percent of consumers traded in trucks, while 59 percent purchased cars. The average fuel economy of a car traded in was 15.8 mpg, whereas the average fuel economy of a car purchased was 24.9 mpg – an improvement of 9.2 mpg or 58 percent.

[Source: Department of Transportation]