Toyota to continue production suspension at domestic plants on Mon.2 hours ago.      Toyota Motor Corp. will continue tosuspend automobile production at its domestic plants on Monday amida disruption of parts supplies from Riken Corp. whose facilitieswere damaged by a devastating quake in Niigata Prefecture lastMonday, company officials said Saturday.

     Hino Motors Ltd., a truck and busmaker in the Toyota group, will also suspend production at itsfactory in Hamura, western Tokyo, where Hino is consigned tomanufacture Toyota-brand vehicles.

     Riken, a supplier of piston rings andother key auto components, plans to resume part of its productionon Monday at its mainstay plant in Kashiwazaki, Niigata Prefecture,but the company says it may take time to resume full operations.

     Nissan Motor Co. and four othercarmakers have… // Kyodo News

Honda working for better car ‘next year’.4 hours ago. Honda Racing boss admits technical strengthening not likely to seereward until 2008 campaign.

Despite adding to its technical staff over the past few weeks, NickFry insists that Honda is unlikely to show any major improvement inresults until 2008.

Speaking at Friday’s official press conference at the EuropeanGrand Prix, Fry admitted that the additional input had had someimpact on the future direction of the 2007 car but, with themajority… // crash.net

news articles

Yahoo! Eurosport, 4 hours ago

4 hours ago Honda working for better car ‘next year’. Yahoo! EurosportDespite adding to its technical staff over the past few weeks, NickFry insists that Honda is unlikely to show any major improvement in results until 2008.

Speaking at Friday’s official press conference at the EuropeanGrand Prix, Fry admitted that the additional input had had someimpact on the future direction of the 2007 car but, with themajority of the new staff not yet able to take up their roles, theywould be more valuable to the RA108.

“I think making some progress now,” he said when asked about thestrengthening programme, “We came to a very sensible arrangementwith Williams over Loic Bigois, and he’s been with us now for one whole week andhas already made some small suggestions which we are in the processof implementing. I think he will settle in very well. He knows… // Yahoo! Eurosport

Mazda Achieves Mixed Model Production of V6 and In-Line Four …4 hours ago. Mazda Motor Corporation has announced the introduction of mixedmodel production on the engine parts machining line at its engineplant located near Mazda’s headquarters in Hiroshima.

The engine plant manufactures the new 3.7-liter V6 engine and thecurrent in-line four-cylinder 1.8- to 2.3-liter MZR series gasolineengines. Production of V6 engines resumed in May, nearly four yearssince their manufacture ceased in August 2003. Mazda announced in North America today that the new V6 engine will bemounted in the 2008 CX-9 that is scheduled to go on sale thissummer.

The engine machining line was designed to achieve thediversification and high efficiency necessary for flexibleproduction *1 by applying Mazda’s latest production and manufacturingtechnologies to various engine parts… // AutoCorse.it

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PaddockTalk, 20/07/2007 21:16

20/07/2007 21:16 Mazda Achieves Mixed Model Production of V6 and In-Line Four … PaddockTalkMazda Achieves Mixed Model Production of V6 and In-LineFour-Cylinder Engines

Mazda Motor Corporation has announced the introduction of mixedmodel production on the engine parts machining line at its engineplant located near Mazda’s headquarters inHiroshima. The engine plant manufactures the new 3.7-liter V6engine and the current in-line four-cylinder 1.8- to 2.3-liter MZRseries gasoline engines. Production of V6 engines resumed in May,nearly four years since their manufacture ceased in August 2003.Mazda announced in North America today that the new V6 engine willbe mounted in the 2008 CX-9 that is scheduled to go on sale thissummer.

The engine machining line was designed to achieve thediversification and high efficiency necessary for flexibleproduction*1 by applying… // PaddockTalk

Japanese automakers shut down plants, lines after Monday’s quake

Posted Jul 18th 2007 11:33AM by Alex Nunez

Filed under: Japan, Plants/Manufacturing, Honda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru, Toyota

The earthquake that struck Japan on Monday is affecting several automakers, most notably Toyota, as damage to a key supplier’s manufacturing facility has interrupted the flow of parts required to build cars. Riken Corp’s plant at Kashiwazaki is the one that got hit by the 6.8 magnitude quake, and the facility is offline while the company works feverishly to complete the necessary repairs.

Until it does, however, the impact is being felt across the Japanese auto industry. Toyota announced that it’s halted production at 12 plants as a result. In addition, Mitsubishi is shutting down three factories, Nissan has stopped a pair of lines, and Fuji Heavy has stopped production of five minicar models as it waits for Riken to become operational again. Honda could also join the list very soon..

[Source: AP via Yahoo! News]

Arrival of Acura in Japan put on hold

Posted Jul 19th 2007 5:55PM by John Neff

Filed under: Car Buying, Japan, Acura, Honda

It appears that Acura will remain banished from its homeland for the foreseeable future, despite Honda claiming nearly two years ago that it would begin selling its luxury brand in Japan by 2008. At the same meeting this week during which Honda CEO Takeo Fukui announced that there’d be a redesigned Fit come year’s end, he also revealed that an Acura would now not be sold on the nation island until around 2010, or “two years or so from its original plan of fall 2008.” It seems that with sales way off in the Japanese home market, Honda would rather focus its resources on aligning its current Honda dealerships into a better integrated network, as well as establishing larger dealerships in heavily populated metro areas, no doubt in order to move more of those popular minicars. We doubt larger vehicles like the MDX (shown above), would fare as well in Japan as they do in the U.S., anyway.

[Source: Ward’s Auto]

July 13, 2007

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.

Nissan Motorsports International Co., Ltd.

Nissan TIIDA scores podium with 3^rd place finish

- China Circuit Championship Opening Round - Race Report -

July 8th, Shanghai F1Circuit, China: The China Circuit Championship (CCC) had its season-opener at the Shanghai F1Circuit (4.603 km/lap) in Shanghai on July 8^th. In the opening round, the Nissan TIIDA (Dongfeng Nissan Ghiasports Team) finished third in what was a good start to the season.

Although the sun is not always visible, early summer in Shanghai is steaming hot and by 3:00pm on race day, the temperature was already 34 degrees C. With the humidity at almost 90%, the conditions were intense as the drivers prepared to start the 17-lap race.

The green start lights flashed on at 2:45pm. Defending champion Guo Haisheng, proudly displaying #1 on his car, made a mistake at the start and completed the first lap in 4^th place. Guo however managed to fill the gap between the Volkswagen Polo (#5) and KIA Cerato (#21) in front of him, and by the time they reached their 4^th lap, a tail-to-nose battle was taking place between the three cars.

On lap 5, Guo was immediately behind the #5 looking for his chance to overtake on the main straight. On the first corner of the following lap, he took the inside and got past the Polo, moving up to 3^rd place. Then on the final corner of the same lap, he took care of the #21 Cerato, leaping into 2^nd. His next target was the #3 Polo, 7 seconds up the road. The TIIDA was closing the gap every tour, and by lap 14, it was down to 4.02 seconds. While continuing his pursuit, Guo had a suspension problem on lap 16 as he was going into the final corner. The car lost control, hitting the concrete wall, forcing it to retire.

Meanwhile, in his first race in a TIIDA, Lin Lifeng (#2) qualified successfully in 3^rd place. Following his teammate, he too made a mistake at the start, finishing the first tour in 7^th place. Still, he managed to maintain a good pace throughout the race. He recovered to 5^th after passing Peugeot 206s on laps 2 and 3, and kept the pressure on the #21 Cerato until he took back 4^th on lap 12. At the end of the race, with the #1 retired, Lin took the checkered flag in 3^rd.

#2 TIIDA driver Lin Lifeng commented afterward: “I regret being pushed by other cars and losing positions at the start. I knew from Friday that the Polos were1.5 to 2 seconds faster, so I wasn’t chasing a win. I am happy to finish 3^rd and get on the podium, but it’s unfortunate my teammate in the #1 did not finish. The team did the best job ever, and the car is very good as well. I am hoping that next time, either one of us will be standing on the top step of the podium.”

The race for 2000cc class cars was also held and the lone privateer Nissan Sunny entry scored back-to-back victories.

China Circuit Championship (CCC)

The China Circuit Championship is a touring car series held in China. Nissan/NISMO is providing technical support to the Dongfeng Nissan Ghiasports Team, which has two TIIDAs entered in the 1600cc class. There is also a privateer Sunny (Bluebird) in the 2000cc class. This season’s championship is comprised of 6 rounds, held at circuits in Zhuhai, Shanghai, Beijing and Chengdu. The 1600cc class entry is limited to Mainland Chinese drivers in order to support young Chinese talent. With rules governing modifications being quite open, the series is considered worth contesting and has become one of the most popular categories in Chinese touring car racing.

###

Toyota Prius is Silicon Valley’s best-selling car5 hours ago. Eco-conscious motorists helped make the Toyota Prius thetop-selling car in Silicon Valley.

The gas-electric hybrids made up 1,627 just over 5 percent of the30,463 new cars and trucks registered in the Santa Clara Countybetween January and May, according to auto industry research firmR.L. Polk.

Prius sales in Silicon Valley topped sales of Toyota’s Camry andCorolla and Honda’s Accord and Civic, all of which outsell thePrius nationwide. The hybrid was the county’s No. 5 car last year.

“Are we ahead of the curve, or what?” asked Rod Diridon, executivedirector of the Mineta Transportation Institute at San Jose StateUniversity, and a Prius owner.

Diridon attributed the hybrid’s increasing… // Press-Enterprise

news articles

KSBY, 6 hours ago

5 hours ago Toyota Prius is Silicon Valley’s best-selling car Monterey County Herald5 hours ago Toyota Prius is Silicon Valley’s best-selling car Enterprise-Record5 hours ago Toyota Prius is Silicon Valley’s best-selling car Contra Costa Times5 hours ago Toyota Prius is Silicon Valley’s best-selling car Fresno Bee/ br/ br Eco-conscious motorists helped make the Toyota Prius the

top-selling car in Silicon Valley. The gas-electric hybrids made up 1,627 - just over 5 percent - of

the 30,463 new cars and trucks registered in the Santa Clara County

between January and May, according to auto industry research firm

R.L. Polk. Prius sales in Silicon Valley topped sales of Toyota’s Camry and

Corolla and Honda’s Accord and Civic, all of which outsell the

Prius nationwide. The hybrid was the county’s No. 5 car last year. “Are we ahead of the curve, or what?” asked Rod Diridon, executive

director of the Mineta Transportation Institute at San Jose State

University, and a… // Fresno Bee

5 hours ago Toyota Prius is Silicon Valley’s best-selling car San Francisco ChronicleThe gas-electric hybrids made up 1,627 just over 5 percent of the 30,463 new cars and trucks registered in the SantaClara County between January and May, according to auto industryresearch firm R.L. Polk.

Prius sales in Silicon Valley topped sales of Toyota’s Camry andCorolla and Honda’s Accord and Civic, all of which outsell thePrius nationwide. The hybrid was the county’s No. 5 car last year.

“Are we ahead of the curve, or what?” asked Rod Diridon, executivedirector of the Mineta Transportation Institute at San Jose StateUniversity, and a Prius owner.

Diridon attributed the hybrid’s increasing popularity in… // San Francisco Chronicle

6 hours ago Toyota Prius is Silicon Valley’s best-selling new car KSBYSAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) - Toyota’s gas-electric hybrid Prius recentlynudged its way up from a fifth place finish last year to become thebest-selling new car in the Silicon Valley.

More than 1,600 new Prius registrations were recorded through Mayin Santa Clara County.

That’s enough to give it the lead over Toyota’s Camry and Corollaand Honda’s Accord and Civic, all of which outsell the Priusnationwide.

The 2007 Prius is the most… // KSBY

6 hours ago Toyota Prius is Silicon Valley’s best-selling new car KESQSAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) - Toyota’s gas-electric hybrid Prius recentlynudged its way up from a fifth place finish last year to become thebest-selling new car in the Silicon Valley.

More than 1,600 new Prius registrations were recorded through Mayin Santa Clara County.

That’s enough to give it the lead over Toyota’s Camry and Corollaand Honda’s Accord and Civic, all of which outsell the Priusnationwide.

The 2007 Prius is the most… // KESQ

6 hours ago Toyota Prius is Silicon Valley’s best-selling car KESQSAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) - Toyota’s gas-electric hybrid Prius recentlynudged its way up from a fifth place finish last year to become thebest-selling car in the Silicon Valley.

More than 1,600 Prius registrations were recorded through May inSanta Clara County.

That’s enough to give it the lead over Toyota’s Camry and Corollaand Honda’s Accord and Civic, all of which outsell the Priusnationwide.

The 2007 Prius is the most fuel-efficient… // KESQ

6 hours ago Toyota Prius is Silicon Valley’s best-selling car KSBYSAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) - Toyota’s gas-electric hybrid Prius recentlynudged its way up from a fifth place finish last year to become thebest-selling car in the Silicon Valley.

More than 1,600 Prius registrations were recorded through May inSanta Clara County.

That’s enough to give it the lead over Toyota’s Camry and Corollaand Honda’s Accord and Civic, all of which outsell the Priusnationwide.

The 2007 Prius is the most fuel-efficient… // KSBY

Just close your eyes for a moment and let your mind wander into the showrooms of the prestige motorcars. By-pass the high performance Ferrari’s etc and home into the luxury end of the market. You pass Mercedes, Aston Martin, Bentleys perhaps even BMW’s and then you see the Lexus showroom. At first you may do a double take, Lexus up there in alongside the prestige segment you may query, but take another look at their latest offering, the LS 600h that quite frankly will knock a few dents in other prestige manufacturers egos with this new flagship model

Drawing on thier previous strength of driving refinement, interior luxury, safety and performance, Lexus have added another sting to thier bow in the fact that this is the worlds first full-time-all-wheel drive full hybrid V8 power train that will certainly pull on even the most die hard motorist’s conscious in terms of being environmentally friendly therefore a wannabe purchase.

Read the rest of this entry »

For 2008 Infinitis M Sedan line is to receive numerous updates and additional features. Most notably, the ATTESA E-TS intelligent all wheel drive system will be available paired to the V8 powered M45. Until now, AWD was only available with the 3.5 litre V6 engine. The V8 and all wheel drive combination will aim the M45 more towards similar offerings from Audi, Mercedes and BMW.

A new and improved Lane Departure System is fitted too, which now uses the Vehicle Dynamic Control system to actively brake and keep the car within its lane, should the driver begin to wander. This system represents advanced technology working together with existing hardware to help keep occupants safe and in control.

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Eurosport

The F1 Honda Racing Team is pleased to announce that it has appointed Jorg Zander to the role of Deputy Technical Director, supporting Senior Technical DirectorShuhei Nakamoto.

Jorg Zander, 43, joins F1 Honda team from the BMW Sauber F1 Team where he held the position of Chief Designer. He has worked with Honda previously.

Shuhei Nakamoto, Senior Technical Director of the Honda Racing F1 Team, commented: “I am very pleased that Jorg will return to Honda. I am looking forward to working with him again. This is the latest in a series of key appointments that we have made in orderto bolster our team. We have some very talented.