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2010 Toyota Corolla 'Top Safety Pick'


2010 Toyota Corolla and Scion xB Earn Insurance Institute for Highway Safety 'Top Safety Pick' Award

Both models take top honours for second consecutive year

 
March 10, 2010 - - The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in the US has announced that for the second consecutive year the Toyota Corolla compact sedan and Scion xB, coming to Canada in September 2010, have each earned "Top Safety Pick" awards.
 
The "Top Safety Pick" is the highest safety designation awarded by the IIHS.  To qualify for the award, a vehicle must earn the highest rating of "good" in the IIHS' front, side, rollover, and rear impact tests and be equipped with electronic stability control.  The IIHS testing was made more stringent in 2010 with the addition of the rollover test, but it did not stop the Corolla and xB from capturing their second consecutive "Top Safety Pick."
 
"'Top Safety Pick' recognizes the vehicles that afford buyers the best overall protection in common crashes," says IIHS president Adrian Lund. "With more top performers, there's no reason to buy a small car with less than stellar crash test ratings."
 
The IIHS is a US based, independent non-profit research and communications organization funded by auto insurance companies.
 
To earn a "good" rollover rating, a roof must be able to support the equivalent of four times the vehicle's weight compared with the current federal standard of 1.5.  In the IIHS testing, the xB's roof withstood a force equal to 6.8 times its vehicle weight.  The Corolla's weight withstood 5.1 times its vehicle weight.
 
All Toyota and Scion models meet or exceed the safety requirements of the federal government and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
 
Note: All testing performed on US specification models
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Retained Value Awards

Toyota and Lexus take top honours in seven categories in Canadian Black Book's Fifth Annual Best Retained Value Awards

MARKHAM, ON (March 8, 2010) - Canadian Black Book (CBB) has released their fifth annual Retained Value Awards, and Toyota and Lexus models have taken the top spot in 7 categories, confirming the trusted quality, reliability and exceptionally high retained value of these vehicles.

The 2010 CBB Retained Value Award Toyota and Lexus winners were named in the following categories:

Sub-compact: Toyota Yaris
Full-size car: Toyota Avalon
Entry luxury car: Lexus IS Series
Compact SUV: Toyota RAV4
Full-size SUV: Toyota Sequoia (tie)
Small pick-up: Toyota Tacoma
Large pick-up: Toyota Tundra

"Given Toyota's recent media attention this outcome may be a surprise to some. So far their values remain stable and that is a strong indicator of the public's trust in Toyota the brand," remarked Larry Shred, executive vice president of Canadian Black Book. "What the public wants is value for their money, and these are some of the top companies delivering high value," continued Mr. Shred.

"We are proud that so many Toyota and Lexus vehicles continue to be recognized for their value, offering an excellent choice to Canadian drivers," said Warren Orton, Director at Toyota Canada Inc. "We thank Canadian Black Book for awarding top honours to seven Toyota and Lexus models in this year's 2010 CBB Retained Value Awards."


This year the award examines 2006 models, and winners have been chosen in 17 segments. The awards are determined from actual value retained from MSRP, measured over a 4 year period.

CBB initiated the awards to help consumers identify which vehicles retain the highest percentage of their original value. Although strong retained value performance is not a guarantee of future strength, it is a strong indicator for how a vehicle should perform in the future. For the consumer, selecting a vehicle with a lower depreciation rate will reduce their overall cost-of-ownership.

About Canadian Black Book
Founded in 1960, Wm. Ward Publishing is a Canadian company owned and operated by Kathy Ward, and is the official distributor of Canadian Black Book. Canadian Black Book is the publisher of the "Black Book" vehicle value and residual guides and is the benchmark for automobile dealers, manufacturers, financial services firms, insurance companies and other sectors with interests in the automobile industry.

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What To Do In The Event Of Unwanted Acceleration


The condition is rare, but can occur when the pedal mechanism becomes worn and, in certain conditions, the accelerator pedal may become harder to depress, slower to return or, in the worst case, stuck in a partially depressed position.

In the event that a driver experiences an accelerator pedal that sticks in a partial open throttle position or returns slowly to idle position, the vehicle can be controlled with firm and steady application of the brakes. The brakes should not be pumped repeatedly as it could deplete vacuum assist, requiring stronger brake pedal pressure. This action should bring your vehicle to a stop. The vehicle should be driven to the nearest safe location, the engine shut off and a Toyota dealer contacted for assistance.

You can also shift the transmission gear selector to the Neutral (N) position and use the brakes to make a controlled stop at the side of the road and turn off the engine.

  • If unable to put the vehicle in Neutral, turn the engine OFF or to ACC. This will not cause loss of steering or braking control, but the power assist to these systems will be lost.
  • If the vehicle is equipped with an Engine Start/Stop push button, firmly and steadily push the button for at least three seconds to turn off the engine. Do NOT tap the Engine Start/Stop button.
  • If the vehicle is equipped with a conventional key-ignition, turn the ignition key to the ACC position to turn off the engine. Do NOT remove the key from the ignition as this will lock the steering wheel.

Although the accelerator pedal action may return to normal, NO further attempt to drive the vehicle should be made.

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Toyota Recall

Toyota Canada Inc (TCI) announced that it is instructing Toyota dealers to temporarily suspend sales of the eight models involved in the recall for sticking accelerator pedal, announced on January 21, 2010. Toyota is making every effort to meet the needs of customers and this decision will enable TCI to coordinate activities and expedite the accelerator pedal repairs for customers as quickly as possible.

Toyota will recall approximately 270,000 vehicles to correct sticking accelerator pedals on specific Toyota Division models. Toyota has investigated isolated reports of sticking accelerator pedal mechanisms in certain vehicles without the presence of floor mats. There is 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.

Toyota's accelerator pedal recall and suspension of sales is confined to the following Toyota Division vehicles:

  • 2009-2010 RAV4,
  • 2009-2010 Corolla,
  • 2009-2010 Matrix,
  • 2005-2010 Avalon,
  • Certain 2007-2010 Camry,
  • 2010 Highlander,
  • 2007-2010 Tundra,
  • 2008-2010 Sequoia

No Lexus Division or Scion vehicles are affected by these actions. Also not affected are Toyota Prius, Tacoma, Sienna, Venza, Solara, Yaris, 4Runner, FJ Cruiser, and select Camry models, including all Camry hybrids.

Due to the sales suspension, Toyota is expected to stop vehicle production on seven production lines for the week of February 1. The North America vehicle production facilities affected are:

  • Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky - Line 1 (Camry, Avalon)
  • Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc., Indiana (Camry)
  • Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Canada (Corolla, Matrix, RAV4)
  • Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana (Sequoia, Highlander)
  • Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Texas (Tundra)

The sticking accelerator pedal recall is separate from the on-going campaigns involving certain Toyota and Lexus vehicles to reduce the risk of pedal entrapment by incorrect or out of place accessory floor mats.

The safety of customers and restoring confidence in Toyota vehicles is our first priority. Toyota owners seeking more information are invited to

  1. contact their Toyota dealership who can determine if their vehicle falls within the affected model range for this specific condition and for additional assistance
  2. contact Toyota's Customer Interaction Centre at
    1-888-TOYOTA-8 (1-888-869-6828)
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Tokyo Motor Show

 
Toyota Motor Corporation to Display 3 Concepts, F1 Car at Tokyo Motor Show

Tokyo - TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION (TMC) announces that three concept vehicles and the TF109 Formula One racing car are to highlight its Toyota-brand exhibit for the 41st Tokyo Motor Show.  The show is open to the public from October 24 to November 4 at Makuhari Messe in Makuhari, Chiba Prefecture.
 
TMC views motor shows as an opportunity to highlight new, automotive possibilities, and so over the years has used them to unveil a wide variety of concept vehicles and groundbreaking technologies.

This year, the Toyota-brand exhibit continues its theme from the previous Tokyo Motor Show: "Harmonious Drive-A New Tomorrow for People and the Planet".  This theme expresses TMC's commitment to making cars that brim with individuality but that are also in harmony with society.

The Toyota-brand display will include a compact rear-wheel-drive sports vehicle that embodies the joy of driving and the pleasure of ownership-the fundamental appeal of motor vehicles.  The display will also feature environmentally friendly concept vehicles including a plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHV), the type of vehicle considered best suited for widespread use to effectively meet CO2 emissions restrictions and the diversification of energy, and an electric vehicle (EV) suitable for short-distance trips.

Toyota vehicles to be displayed the 41st Tokyo Motor Show:
1. FT-86 Concept (future Toyota 86) - a compact, rear-wheel drive sports vehicle
2. PRIUS PLUG-IN HYBRID Concept - a plug-in hybrid vehicle
3. FT-EV II (future Toyota electric vehicle two) - an urban electric vehicle
4. TF109 - a Formula One racing car

During the Tokyo Motor Show, TMC will also display its concept vehicles virtually on Toyota Metapolis, which is a Japanese-language marketing website featuring a virtual city.  The virtual vehicle display is planned to go online on October 21 at http://metapolis.toyota.co.jp.


Display vehicles

1. FT-86 Concept (world premiere)
The FT-86 ("86" pronounced "hachi roku"), a compact rear-wheel-drive sports car, provides driving joy and excitement.
  • Compact design gives driver greater control, while body's lightness and low center of gravity allow racecar-like handling
  • Both power and environmental performance provided by 2-liter boxer engine and light body
  • Flash Red body color contains hint of blue; interior expresses modern feel with minimal coverage of the highly refined structural components evoking enthusiasm for cruising
 
Vehicle 
Length 
Width 
Height 
Wheelbase
Seating
FT-86 Concept
4,160 mm
1,760 mm
1,260 mm
2,570 mm
4


2. PRIUS PLUG-IN HYBRID Concept (Japan premiere)
The PRIUS PLUG-IN HYBRID Concept, which employs the first lithium-ion batteries to be used to power a Toyota-brand vehicle, is based on the third-generation Prius.  It is capable of being charged from an external power source, such as a household outlet.
  • Vehicle can operate with battery charged or not, thus it is not completely dependent on battery-charging infrastructure
  • Through greater use of electricity, vehicle has better overall fuel efficiency than conventional gasoline-electric hybrid, thereby lowering consumption of fossil fuels, reducing CO2 emissions and lowering atmospheric pollution
  • Aimed to have a fuel efficiency of 55km/l or more1, CO2 emissions of 42g/km or less and an EV cruising range of 20km or more on a fully charged battery
  • Approximate battery-charging times are 180 minutes at 100V and 100 minutes at 200V
 
Vehicle
Length
Width
Height
Wheelbase
Seating
PRIUS PLUG-IN HYBRID
Concept
4,460 mm
1,745 mm
1,490 mm
2,700 mm
5


3. FT-EV II (world premiere)
The FT-EV II is a compact EV designed for short distances, and it is based on the idea of a future mobility society in which EVs are common, and means of transport are divided according to purpose, the characteristics of the energy to be used and the status of the supply infrastructure.  The FT-EV II features a high-quality package extremely convenient in urban settings.
  • Ultra-efficient package with body more compact than ultra-compact "iQ", but still with seating for four
  • Drive-by-wire technology enables joystick operation of all functions including accelerator, brakes and steering wheel; ample legroom provided by elimination of accelerator and brake pedals
  • Vehicle designed with low front cowl and auxiliary window below windshield for outstanding forward visibility; further consideration paid to safety around vehicle led to see-through LED rear combination taillights
  • Electric sliding doors on both sides facilitate ingress and egress, particularly in narrow spaces
  • Top-speed of over 100km/h
  • Easy coverage of over 90km on fully charged battery-ample for everyday use
  • Extremely quiet and comfortable ride with smooth acceleration, thanks to TMC-cultivated motor-control technology, which is part of the hybrid system at core of TMC's environmental technologies
4. TF109 Formula One racecar
The TF109 is noted for its aerodynamic performance and highly reliable engine.  With eight year's of Formula One racing behind it, Toyota has produced a vehicle that draws on a wealth of accumulated racing experience and incorporates cutting-edge technology and an unshakable desire for victory.
 
 
Vehicle
Length
Width
Height
Weight*
TF109
4,636 mm
1,800 mm
950 mm
605 kg
*Includes driver and camera



1Average fuel consumption was calculated under specified testing conditions combining fuel consumption when running on electrical power (charged from an external power source) and fuel consumption when operating as a gasoline-electric hybrid vehicle after the vehicle's electric power was exhausted.  Driving for the tests was done in line with the JC08 Japanese test cycle.  Average fuel consumption will vary greatly depending on driving conditions, driving methods and the daily distance driven.
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News and Events

2010 Toyota Corolla 'Top Safety Pick'
2010 Toyota Corolla and Scion xB Earn Insurance Institute for Highway Safety 'Top Safety Pick' Award ...
Retained Value Awards
Toyota and Lexus take top honours in seven categories in Canadian Black Book's Fifth Annual Best Retained ...
What To Do In The Event Of Unwanted Acceleration
The condition is rare, but can occur when the pedal mechanism becomes worn and, in certain conditions, ...
Toyota Recall
Toyota Canada Inc (TCI) announced that it is instructing Toyota dealers to temporarily suspend sales ...
Tokyo Motor Show
 Toyota Motor Corporation to Display 3 Concepts, F1 Car at Tokyo Motor Show Tokyo - TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION ...