Toyota to keep No 1 global vehicle position for a 4th consecutive year.

Toyota Motor Corp. is on course to maintain its top position in global vehicle sales for a fourth consecutive year in 2015.

Its group sales, including Daihatsu Motor Co. and Hino Motors Ltd., came to 9,207,000 units from January to November, down 1.0 percent from a year before, Toyota announced Friday.

By comparison, rival Volkswagen AG saw sales in the 11-month period fall a steeper 1.7 percent, to 9,095,900 units.

Toyota projects global sales of 10,098,000 units for 2015, while Volkswagen is unlikely to reach the 10-million mark because of its diesel vehicle emissions testing scandal.

For the period in question, Toyota’s sales in the United States, its core market, climbed 4.7 percent, thanks mainly to brisk sales of big vehicles like sport utility vehicles and pickup trucks as crude oil prices fell.

In China, sales rose 10.3 percent and exceeded 1 million units, led by the Corolla and Levin, a sister model.

By contrast, sales in Japan dropped 6.5 percent, dragged down by a hike in the minivehicle tax.

At Volkswagen, sales slowed down markedly in the U.S., where its cheating on emissions tests came to light. Global sales topped ¥10 million for the first time in 2014, challenging Toyota, but are expected to fall short of the threshold this year.

CES2013: Toyota and Lexus will show autonomous technologies.

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesùs.       

CES2013: Toyota and Lexus will show autonomous technologies.

At a press conference the day before the opening of the 2013 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Nev., Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) will reveal an advanced active safety research vehicle.

During the press conference at Mandalay Bay on Monday, Jan. 7, 2013 at 11 a.m., Lexus Group Vice President and General Manager Mark Templin will discuss the North American based program, designed to explore the use of autonomous technologies and high-level driver assistance systems related to TMC's Integrated Safety Management Concept.

Templin will also discuss the current state of TMC's Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) research and development, which includes vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure communications technology.

Also highlighted will be the new 2013 Lexus LS, equipped with the world's most advanced pre-collision safety system.

The active safety research vehicle, ITS system and 2013 LS will be shown at the Lexus display at the Las Vegas Convention Center from January 8 –11.

About Toyota

Toyota (NYSE:TM) established operations in North America in 1957 and currently operates 14 manufacturing plants, including one under construction. There are more than 1,800 Toyota, Lexus and Scion dealerships in North America which sold more than 2 million vehicles in 2010. Toyota directly employs more than 35,000 in North America and its investment here is currently valued at more than $23 billion, including sales and manufacturing operations, research and development, financial services and design. Toyota's annual purchasing of parts, materials, goods and services from North American suppliers totals nearly $25 billion.

For more information about Toyota, visit www.toyota.com/esq or www.toyotanewsroom.com.

About Lexus

Since its debut in 1989, Lexus has earned a reputation for high-quality products and exemplary customer service from its 231 dealers. Lexus is the luxury hybrid leader, offering five hybrids that provide the best in innovative technology and first-class luxury. When it began, Lexus offered two models of vehicles. Now, more than 20 years later, Lexus offers variations of 10 vehicles, from the sporty CT 200h hybrid to the V10 supercar, the LFA.

For more information about Lexus, visit www.lexus.com or www.pressroom.lexus.com.

Contacts:

Cindy Knight

310-468-2170

cindy_knight@toyota.com

Brian Lyons

310-468-2552

brian_lyons@toyota.com

John Hanson

310-468-4718

john_hanson@toyota.com

SOURCE Toyota Motor Corp

+tecnologia

CES2013: Ford C-MAX Hybrids Outsell Toyota Prius Plug-in and Prius v; Named Official Car for 2013 International CES

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesùs.

CES2013: Ford C-MAX Hybrids Outsell Toyota Prius Plug-in and Prius v; Named Official Car for 2013 International CES.

• Ford C-MAX Hybrid and C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid combined November sales beat Toyota Prius plug-in and Prius v in C-MAX's first full month of availability

• C-MAX hybrids showcase Ford's most advanced technologies, making both vehicles natural selections for Official Car of the 2013 International CES, the largest technology trade show in the world

• Ford is committed to delivering leading fuel economy across our vehicle lineup to customers; C-MAX Hybrid is EPA-estimated to deliver 47 mpg city and highway; C-MAX Energi is EPA-estimated to deliver 108 MPGe city, 92 MPGe highway and 100 MPGe combined

Customers are reacting positively to the new Ford C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid and C-MAX Hybrid, which combined to outsell Toyota Prius plug-in and Prius v during November, the first full month both C-MAX hybrids were available.

A total of 4,848 C-MAX hybrids were sold in November compared with a total of 4,456 Toyota Prius plug-in and Prius v hybrids. The C-MAX sales figures helped Ford achieve its best hybrid sales month ever in November with 6,985 delivered.

"The C-MAX hybrids are off to a great start and our dealers and customers, especially in California, cannot get enough of them early in the launch," said Dave Mondragon, Ford Motor Company general marketing manager.

Ford dealers in California say customer reaction to the C-MAX hybrids has been phenomenal.

"Because Ford has so perfectly hit the nail on the head with C-MAX hybrids, we have a tremendous number of former import buyers in the dealership every weekend who say they are ready to purchase a domestic vehicle," said Tim Paulus, owner and president of The Ford Store Morgan Hill, located just south of San Jose in Northern California.

The Ford Store Morgan Hill bought a 2013 Prius v and gives customers the chance to drive and compare it with a C-MAX. Paulus says not a single customer prefers the Prius v over the C-MAX hybrids.

"We really weren't sure if customers in Northern California would give C-MAX hybrids a shot because the region has traditionally been import-heavy," says Paulus. "But they truly love the vehicle, so it's very exciting."

Dealers in Southern California report a good response, too.

"The amount of interest in C-MAX has been outstanding," says Dan Theroux, general manager of Los Angeles-based Airport Marina Ford. "We are getting more and more questions about C-MAX every day – including from quite a few Prius owners."

The strong momentum now carries into 2013, as C-MAX Energi and C-MAX Hybrid will kick off the year as Official Cars of the 2013 International CES, the world's largest annual innovation event, scheduled Jan. 8-11 in Las Vegas.

The 2013 CES is made for the all-new line of C-MAX – fitting in among the newest TVs, tablets, cameras, sound systems and just about all things.

Both versions of C-MAX – which make up Ford's first line dedicated to hybrids in North America – will be featured prominently throughout CES.

"C-MAX is made for CES, especially when you consider the amount of advanced hybrid technology it delivers," said Mondragon. "From SmartGauge and MyKey to the hybrid transmission and strong fuel economy, C-MAX belongs in the same conversation as the other technologies at CES."

C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid and C-MAX Hybrid showcase Ford's latest and greatest technologies, including:

• SmartGauge^® with EcoGuide – SmartGauge is a unique instrument cluster that gives hybrid owners a more connected driving experience by coaching them to further maximize the fuel efficiency of the vehicle
• EV+ – Learns frequent destinations using the vehicle's onboard GPS system with the purpose of keeping it in electric-only mode for a longer period of time. Information about EV+ can be found here
• EV mode – Allows drivers to switch vehicle operation between three modes: driving all-electric only, normal hybrid mode or saving battery pack mode for later use
• Charge port light ring (C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid) – Conveniently located on the driver's side and near the front of the car, activates a light ring that illuminates the port twice when plugged in. The light ring then illuminates in quadrants as the car charges. Each quadrant represents 25 percent of the maximum battery charge
• Hands-free liftgate – The available hands-free liftgate allows for quick and easy access to the cargo area without fumbling for keys. A simple kicking motion under the rear bumper opens the liftgate when the user keeps the key fob to the vehicle in his or her pocket or purse, telling the vehicle it's OK to engage
• MyFord^® Mobile (C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid) – Allows owners to control select features of their vehicle from nearly anywhere, anytime, using the MyFord Mobile website or app. More details about MyFord Mobile can be found here

Max performance and choice

C-MAX Energi is estimated by the EPA to deliver up to 108 MPGe city, 92 MPGe highway and 100 MPGe combined. C-MAX Energi also delivers up to 620 miles of range on a single tank of gas and a fully charged battery – 80 miles more than what is delivered by Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid – and can drive up to 21 miles in electric-only mode. By comparison, Toyota Prius plug-in can only go six miles in electric-only mode.

C-MAX Hybrid delivers EPA-estimated 47 mpg city, 47 mpg highway – 7 mpg better than Toyota Prius v – for a 47 mpg combined rating.

More information about the C-MAX line of vehicles can be found here. In addition to C-MAX Energi and C-MAX Hybrid, Ford's other electrified vehicles include Focus Electric, Fusion Hybrid and Fusion Energi.

Details about the 2013 CES can be found at CESweb.org.

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F), a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 172,000 employees and 65 plants worldwide, the company's automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products worldwide, please visit http://corporate.ford.com.

SOURCE Ford Motor Company

Toyota unveils high-tech concept car

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesús.

TOKYO (AP) — Toyota's president unveiled a futuristic concept car resembling a giant smartphone to demonstrate how Japan's top automaker is trying to take the lead in technology at the upcoming Tokyo auto show.

Toyota Motor Corp. will also be showing an electric vehicle, set for launch next year, and a tiny version of the hit Prius gas-electric hybrid at the Tokyo Motor Show, which opens to the public this weekend.

But the automaker's president, Akio Toyoda, chose to focus on the experimental Fun-Vii, which he called "a smartphone on four wheels" at Monday's preview of what Toyota is displaying at the show.

The car works like a personal computer and allows drivers to connect with dealers and others with a tap of a touch-panel door.

"A car must appeal to our emotions," Toyoda said, using the Japanese term "waku waku doki doki," referring to a heart aflutter with anticipation.

Toyota's booth will be a major attraction at the biannual Tokyo exhibition for the auto industry. Toyota said the Fun Vii was an example of what might be in the works in "20XX," giving no dates.

The Tokyo show has been scaled back in recent years as U.S. and European automakers increasingly look to China and other places where growth potential is greater. U.S. automaker Ford Motor Co. isn't even taking part in the show.

Toyota's electric vehicle FT-EV III, still a concept or test model, doesn't have a price yet, but is designed for short trips such as grocery shopping and work commutes, running 105 kilometers (65 miles) on one full charge.

The new small hybrid will be named Aqua in Japan, where it goes on sale next month. Overseas dates are undecided. Outside Japan it will be sold as a Prius.

Japan's automakers, already battered by years of sales stagnation at home, took another hit from the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, which damaged part suppliers in northeastern Japan, and forced the car makers to cut back production.

The forecast of demand for new passenger cars in Japan this year has been cut to 3.58 million vehicles from an earlier 3.78 million by the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association.

Toru Hatano, auto analyst for IHS Automotive in Tokyo, believes fuel efficient hybrid models will be popular with Japanese consumers, and Toyota has an edge.

"The biggest obstacle has to do with costs, and you need to boost vehicle numbers if you hope to bring down costs" he said. "Toyota has more hybrids on the market than do rivals, and that gives Toyota an advantage."

Toyota has sold more than 3.4 million hybrids worldwide so far. Honda Motor Co., which has also been aggressive with hybrid technology, has sold 770,000 hybrids worldwide.

Toyota is also premiering a fuel-cell concept vehicle, FCV-R, at the show.

Zero-emission fuel cell vehicles, which run on hydrogen, have been viewed as impractical because of costs. Toyota said the FCV-R is a "practical" fuel-cell, planned for 2015, but didn't give its price.

"I felt as though my heart was going to break," Toyoda said of the turmoil after the March disaster. "It is precisely because we are in such times we must move forward with our dreams."

LTE Connected Car (VW)launches in Asia Pacific

Francisco De Jesús  July 23,2010
We watched before the LTE connected car Toyota, now Alcatel Lucent launched in Asia Pacific in a VW car.