Here's the Thing

Others' woes open door wider for Hyundai, analysis shows

(April 2010) Hyundai got another strong showing when sales figures were posted for March.

An analysis by Edmunds.com shows that three Hyundai models — the Hyundai Sonata, Hyundai Tucson and Hyundai Genesis — have in short order charged into the top 10 "most shopped vehicles" on Edmunds.com.

Automotive analysts say Ford, Chevrolet stand to gain from Toyota's problems

(March 2010) Ford stands to gain from Toyota's problems, at least in the short term -- as does Chevrolet. So says the automotive group of Hachette-Filipacchi-owned firm Jumpstart, whose results and predictions are based on surveys and car shopping behavior across sites like Vehix, Car and Driver and Consumer Guide Automotive.

Jumpstart says Toyota's problems have led 51% of shoppers who would have normally considered a Toyota to remove the brand from their consideration set. The firm says it will take Toyota two to three years to recover.

Don't give up on the internal combustion engine just yet

(March 2010) In a time when hybrids and electric vehicles (EVs) grab the lion's share of automotive tech headlines, at last one organization still believes there's a good deal more fuel efficiency to be extracted from today's modern internal combustion engines — something in the neighborhood of 50-75 percent more.

Don't waste money on outdated advice — debunking long-standing myths

(March 2010) DEARBORN, Mich. — They’ve been around awhile — a snippet of advice here, an old adage there. They’re the guidelines that are supposed to help keep cars running in top condition. Problem is, most of them aren’t based in fact – or they’re just plain outdated. Ford Motor Co. decided to debunk a few of the most popular maintenance myths, including the following:

Toyota incentives trigger bounce in industry sales

(March 2010) Edmunds.com has evaluated early March car sales and determined that so far this month, sales industrywide are stronger than they've been in nearly a year.

Unintended acceleration issue requires attention

(February 2010) Despite all of the questions asked during this week's Congressional hearings on Toyota's recalls, the point is being glossed over: There is a level of complaints for unintended acceleration that is not covered by any current recall: What is the cause?

NHTSA inconsistencies pointed out — Example: Chevy Cobalt vs. Toyota Corolla

(February 2010) Edmunds.com, has obtained and reviewed the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaint and defect investigation database and determined that there are seemingly unexplainable inconsistencies in the vehicle recall process.

Toyota's problems are far from over

By Jim Meachen
MotorwayAmerica Editor

(February 2010) We think Toyota's fall from grace — and sales — will be more precipitous in 2010 than most analysts predict.

We think this because Toyota's leadership continues to make mistakes, continues to cover up problems, continues to stand aloof from the rest of the industry. We think this because we feel there are more problems lurking in the future, and we don't think the sudden acceleration problem has been solved. There are electronic issues that haven't been addressed.

Interest in small cars, hybrids shows steep decline over past 12 months

(February 2010) AutoPacific regularly tracks the impact of fuel prices on the type of vehicles Americans will consider buying. The results for the just completed Fuel Price Impact Survey show very surprising results.

How can a company so rich with people and resources struggle to keep up?

(February 2010) Like a bad dream, the Toyota throttle situation continues to take uncomfortable turns. Since the very unfortunate fatal accident in San Diego back in the Fall of 2009, Toyota seems to always be one step behind this situation. And subsequently, the headlines have followed. That is where the damage in the short (and maybe long) term will arise.