News on Automotive Technology

Toyota 4Runner Off-road Capable

2010-03-20T09:15:23Z

<div id="subtitle">One of the original SUV's Still Compelling after All These Years</div><div><p><p>Toyota 4Runner Off-road Capable</p> <p>By Jim Bray<br /> TechnoFile.com </p> <p>Toyota's 4Runner was one of the first SUV's and its newest version is still a compelling vehicle for those who want four wheel drive stabili...

EU understates emissions from oil: biodiesel lobby

2010-03-19T13:45:41Z

<div><p>BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Union is not taking full account of the environmental impact of oil-based road transport fuels, which could undermine the bloc's renewable energy goals, European biodiesel producers said on Thursday.</p><p>The EU uses greenhouse gas emissions from fossil-based...

U.S. says driver error possible in NY Prius crash

2010-03-19T03:30:24Z

<div><p>WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. safety officials believe driver error may be behind the crash in New York of a Toyota Motor Corp Prius that has been investigated as a possible ...

Feds: Brakes weren't applied on crashed NY Prius

2010-03-19T01:15:53Z

<div id="subtitle">US regulators say data from crashed New York Prius show throttle open, brakes not applied</div><div><p>Computer data from a Toyota Prius that crashed in suburban New York City show that at the time of the accident the throttle was open and the driver was not applying the brakes, Prius as a technician fixes the program of the antilock brake system at a Toyota Motor Corp. dealer in Tokyo, Japan when Prius owners in Japan become the first to get the fix nationwide am...

Japan Britain Nissan

2010-03-18T03:30:32Z

In this March 15, 2010 photo, Nissan Motors Co. Chief Operating Officer Toshiyuki Shiga speaks with a background of the automaker's "Leaf" zero-emission electric vehicle during a press conference with other executives of Japanese automakers, Fuji Heavy Industries and Britain from 2013</div><div><p>Nissan Motor Co. said Thursday it will make its electric vehicle, the Leaf, in England from early 2013 as the automaker gears up for global sales of the zero emission car.</p><p>Japan's...

More than 100 complaints lodged over fixed Toyotas

2010-03-17T22:15:44Z

<div id="subtitle">AP review finds more than 100 complaints filed with government over fixed Toyotas</div><div><p>Complaints of sudden acceleration in Toyotas repaired under recalls have nearly doubled in the past two weeks, according to an Associated Press analysis of government data.</p><p>The complaints from...

Runaway Prius NY

2010-03-17T16:16:43Z

A Toyota Prius is parked at the Harrison, New York police station waiting to be tested by Toyota personnel and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Wednesday, March 17, 2...

Honda to recall 410,000 vehicles for brake problem

2010-03-16T15:16:35Z

<div id="subtitle">Honda to recall 410,000 Odyssey minivans and Element trucks due to problem with brake pedal</div><div><p>Honda Motor Co. will recall more than 410,000 Odyssey minivans and Element small trucks because of braking system problems that could make it tougher to stop the ve...

Why Automotive Crash Tests Are Misleading

2010-03-16T09:55:13Z

Crash tests are conducted in the United States by the NHTSA (the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration). The tests are known as the NCAP (New Car Assessment Program). They entail crashing a car head-on into a fixed barrier (the equivalent of a brick wall) at 57 km/h (35 mph). The cars are mounted on a rai...

Runaway Prius

2010-03-15T15:33:52Z

Jeff Bracken, General Manager of the Southern California Region, Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc., walks past a Toyota Prius before a news conference held Monday, March 15, 2010 in San Diego. The Prius was at ...

Investigators say no explanation yet for Calif. Prius claim

2010-03-15T11:15:40Z

<div><p>WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Safety investigators have found no evidence so far to support or disprove a California motorist's claim that his Toyota Motor Corp Prius sped out of control on its own, and cautioned that the case may ne...

Japan targets global electric car standard

2010-03-15T05:15:40Z

<div><p>Four Japanese auto giants and the country's largest power company joined forces Monday to set up a common system to recharge electric cars, with the aim of creating a global standard.</p><p>The growth of the electric vehicle sector has been hampered by the chicken-or-egg question of what should come first: zero-emission cars or the networks of recharging stations to keep them on the road.</p><p>Reuters) - Safety investigators have found no evidence so far to support or disprove a California motorist's claim his Toyota Motor Corp Prius sped out of control on its own, and cautioned the case may never be exp...

Traffic Fatalities for 2009 Reach 55-Year Low

2010-03-13T00:15:44Z

<div id="subtitle">Variety of factors credited for continued decline in highway deaths</div><div><p>The nation's highways have become a lot safer in the past year, with the number of overall traffic fatalities reported at the end of 2009 at the lowest level since 1954 -- the 15th consecutive quarterly decline. </p><p>According to early projections by the Department ...

Hot pursuit: Competition heats up for police cars

2010-03-12T15:15:10Z

<div id="subtitle">With competition in pursuit, Ford aims to keep police car crown; anti-stab seats come standard</div><div><p>Ford Motor Co. wants to remain the top gun in the U.S. police car market with a new cruiser due out next year, but its competitors are in hot pursuit.</p><p>Ford revealed its new Police Interceptor sedan Friday....

LG Chem Ltd. to make battery cells in Holland, MI

2010-03-12T08:45:26Z

<div id="subtitle">LG Chem Ltd. says it will make battery cells for electric vehicles at Holland, Mich. plant</div><div><p>Korean battery-maker LG Chem Ltd. and its U.S. subsidiary Troy-based Toyota recalls</div><div><p>Government vehicle safety regulators may seek greater authority to investigate defects in cars and trucks and are weighing a range of new safety requirements in response to Toyota's recall of more than 8 million vehicles over brake and acceleration problems.</p><p>...

US regulator defends handling of Toyota

2010-03-11T15:16:33Z

<div><p>A top US automotive safety official flatly rejected charges Thursday that his agency had bungled its handling of deadly Toyota defects or acted as "a lapdog" to the Japanese auto giant.</p><p>National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) chief