While other manufacturers are scaling back on or even abandoning the compact pickup segment, Toyota is bolstering its position as the clear leader, adding more value and offering new model variations tailored to the market. Three low-volume models have been discontinued to accommodate the addition of five four-cylinder models in response to a growing focus on fuel economy and cost of operation. All Tacoma grades feature new grille trim.

Select Tacoma models have additional standard equipment for 2011. Air conditioning is now standard on all Regular Cab models. Tacoma’s equipped with the available six-disc CD changer now come with an integrated satellite radio receiver (subscription required). A new Convenience Extra Value Package for Double Cab models adds cruise control, a sliding rear window with privacy glass, remote keyless entry and steering wheel audio controls.

Source: http://pressroom.toyota.com/pr/tms/toyota/2011-toyota-tacoma-adds-new-t-171098.aspx

The CT 200h benefits from a new platform incorporating numerous, exclusively developed body, chassis and Lexus Hybrid Drive engineering applications designed to offer customers a choice of distinct driving modes: Sport, when the driver wants a more dynamic experience, or Normal, Eco, or EV to satisfy more typical day-to-day driving needs.

Supplementing the Normal drive mode of the new Lexus full hybrid compact’s seamless, Electronically-Controlled Continuously Variable Transmission (E-CVT), three drive modes may be selected to fit the driver’s needs or mood, while further improving either performance and dynamic ability, or driving efficiency, fuel economy and emissions.

EV, ECO and Normal drive modes place the emphasis on more relaxed driving, with particular attention paid to ride comfort, smooth acceleration and the minimization of NVH within the body, chassis and powertrain.

From start-up and at speeds of less than 25 miles per hour, the CT 200h can operate in EV mode for up to one mile driving under electric motor power alone. This unique driving mode is not available to drivers of mild hybrid vehicles, requiring the full hybrid technology of Lexus Hybrid Drive. With vehicle range dictated by battery charge, the EV drive mode allows for comfortable urban driving with minimal noise, and zero NOx and particulate emissions. Because the gas engine is switched off throughout its operation, the EV drive mode contributes to a significant reduction in the new Lexus’ overall fuel consumption.

In ECO mode, throttle response to aggressive accelerator pedal inputs is reduced and air-conditioning control optimized for improved fuel economy. Depending on driving conditions, the ECO mode can help customers adopt a relaxed driving style, and can achieve a perceptible reduction in fuel consumption.

Source: http://pressroom.toyota.com/pr/tms/lexus/lexus-ct-200h-offers-standard-170964.aspx

The August results keep the German luxury automaker on track to set a vehicle sales record in the U.S. by year-end. The existing annual sales record for Audi in the U.S. is 93,506 vehicles sold in 2007.

Overall, Audi sold 9,182 luxury cars and SUVs in August 2010, topping the previous August record of 8,057 vehicles sold in August 2009. Additionally, the automaker posted steady quarter-to-quarter sales increases of more than 5% and nearly 15% over June 2010 and July 2010, respectively.

The August 2010 results were buoyed by the continued extraordinary consumer response by year-over-year sales increases for the Audi Q5 crossover and Audi Q7. For the month, Audi sold 2,675 Q5 vehicles, a 78.8% increase over the 1,496 vehicles sold in August 2009. The Q5 line also enjoyed more than a 25% August 2010 sales jump over July 2010. For August 2010, Audi reported Q7 sales of 560, a 42.1% increase above the 394 vehicles sold a year earlier.

Through the first two months of the second half of this year, Audi has enjoyed significant sales growth. That gain is largely bolstered by continued consumer demand for the Audi A3, which recorded both a 17.7% uptick in sales for August 2010 and 74.8% calendar year to date.

Source: http://www.audiusanews.com/newsrelease.do?id=1921

Sales were 37 percent lower, compared to last August – a month whose sales were boosted to the highest monthly level since 2008 by the federal “Cash for Clunkers” program.

Two of Mitsubishi’s highest volume vehicles continue to show sales increases year-to-date:

• Galant sales are up 28.5 percent for the year
• Outlander sales are up 11.3 percent for the year

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc., (MMNA) is responsible for all manufacturing, finance, sales, and marketing operations for Mitsubishi Motors in the United States.

Source: http://media.mitsubishicars.com/releases/4d8790b1-13d6-70f0-47ac-93f44c7ea888

Has more than ten years history of the Subaru Forester’s forests are one of the most classic models, which by virtue of symmetrical all-wheel drive system (Symmetrical AWD) and the boxer engine (SUBARU BOXER) the unique combination of car core technology, high performance and multi-utility deeply loved by many consumers.

Forester Forest in 2008, was a substantial modification, the model has a larger size and new, stylish body color design, SUV’s exterior style is more intense at the same time, through the use of the new chassis and comes standard with Vehicle Dynamic Control System (VDC) to further enhance the handling and ride comfort. Currently, Forester Subaru Forester has occupied the top of each model sold only in the holdings of the Chinese market has more than 50,000 units. The latest Subaru Forester Forester 100 000 TONGHUI commemorative model is based on automatic Forester Forester 2.0XS Deluxe Edition, 2.5XS auto luxury auto luxury edition version and 2.5XT models based on the installation of a variety of Practical, stylish crafted configuration, appearance is more personalized, practical convenience is also more.

Forester Forester 100 000 TONGHUI commemorative model by installing a variety of practical and decorative configuration to achieve a personalized look and the unity of practical convenience. Among them, 100 000 TONGHUI commemorative model dedicated navigation system is built specifically for Chinese consumers, the navigation system with a clear 7-inch TFT-definition touch screen, easy operation, complete functions, has a variety of human function.

Source: http://www.subaru-china.com.cn/news/display.php?id=440

“A vehicle that earns the TOP SAFETY PICK award is recognized for achieving the best performance in the Institute’s battery of tough crash test evaluations,” said IIHS president Adrian Lund. “Only vehicles with the highest rating of ‘good’ across the board, and electronic stability control for helping drivers to avoid crashes can claim this honor.”

The 2011 Buick Regal provides consumers great driving performance and a number of standard features which exemplify Buick’s commitment to continuous safety – before, during and after a crash. Regal’s sculpted, flowing design and responsive performance may be the top reasons for purchase, but the vehicle’s safety systems provide a level of confidence consumers have come to expect from their vehicle. Regal’s standard safety features include the StabiliTrak electronic stability control and full-function traction control, dual-stage frontal air bags, side-curtain air bags, driver and front passenger safety belt pretensioners and load limiters, pedal-release system and the safety and security of OnStar.

“The Buick Regal is not only catching the attention of consumers with its design and responsive driving performance but also by being a leader in its class for safety,” said John Schwegman, vice president of Buick Marketing. “The IIHS Top Safety Pick Award acknowledges our commitment to offering our customers great safety systems that enhance their driving experience.”

Source: http://www.buick.com/pages/mds/experience/news.do

“Nissan is a global leader in electric vehicles, and the state of Hawaii has shown similar leadership through its progressive policies and focus on clean energy,” said Brian Carolin, senior vice president, Sales and Marketing, Nissan North America. “Hawaii’s drivers share that commitment, as demonstrated by their strong interest in the Nissan LEAF, the first affordable, zero-emission vehicle, which arrives in Hawaii in January.”

Hawaii has demonstrated policy leadership through the creation of a $4,500 state tax credit towards the purchase of an electric vehicle and a $500 state tax credit towards the purchase and installation of a home charging station. The state tax credit, paired with an available $7,500 federal tax credit, could bring the price of a Nissan LEAF, which carries a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $32,780, to as low as $20,780 for Hawaii consumers.

As part of the agreement, Nissan and the State of Hawaii will develop plans to promote a charging infrastructure for EVs, as well as the deployment, operation and maintenance of a charging network. The partners also will work to coordinate the establishment of policies and help streamline the deployment of an EV infrastructure. Nissan is committing to bringing a supply of Nissan LEAF electric vehicles to Hawaii and readying the dealer body to sell and lease them to consumers.

“I appreciate Nissan’s confidence in Hawaii and recognition of our commitment to pursuing a clean energy future,” said Hawaii Governor Linda Lingle. “By bringing the Nissan LEAF to Hawaii and working collaboratively with the State and our partners toward the electrification of transportation, Nissan is playing an important role in helping us achieve the goal of reducing our dependence on imported oil.”

Source:http://www.nissannews.com/newsrelease.do?id=1854&mid=

The ordering process for Nissan LEAF will be prioritized based on when consumers submitted their original reservations online and by the consumer’s market. Over the next several weeks, reservation holders will begin to receive emails informing them how to submit an order. They will contact a dealer to negotiate their price and finalize the order for the purchase or lease of Nissan LEAF.

Once a consumer’s order has been agreed with a dealer it will be placed in sequence for production and delivery according to the consumer’s market. These future Nissan LEAF drivers will be informed of an estimated delivery timing upon completing the order process.

“Today Nissan moves one step closer to placing thousands of zero-emission electric cars on American roadways,” said Brian Carolin, senior vice president, Sales & Marketing, Nissan North America. “As more than 80 percent of those customers placing a reservation are new to Nissan, we look forward to welcoming them as they embrace Nissan’s innovation and begin zero-emission driving.”

Nissan previously announced SV and SL trim introductory pricing for the 2011 Nissan LEAF on March 30. Today, the company is providing additional information to reservationists, including detailed factory and port installed options content. Currently, more than 18,600 people in the United States have made a reservation for the Nissan LEAF, drawing closer to the target of 20,000 reservations by December.

Source:http://www.nissannews.com/newsrelease.do?id=1855&mid=

With a class win and a Targa Trophy awarded at this year’s Targa Tasmania rally, and a string of excellent results throughout the 2010 Australian Rally Championship (ARC) series including consistent class wins at each event it has competed in, the i30 has firmly established the it as a feisty rally competitor; not only tough but fuel efficient and fast.

The QUIT Targa West 2010 rally team of driver Razvan Vlad and navigator Ioana Vlad will take their i30 CRDi to Western Australia to compete in this year’s event, keen to repeat the successes they enjoyed in the 2008 and 2009 events with outright class wins in both years and a podium finish in 2009.

“We are excited heading into this event knowing the potential the i30 CRDi has,” said Razvan Vlad. “This is our third time at Targa West and we have had great results which we hope to continue. It is a long rally and everything must work well to get a good result, but I know the excellent reliability and handling of our i30 CRDi will give us an advantage again.”

Competing in the ‘Challenge Category’, vehicles are limited to a top speed of 130 km/h so the Hyundai team have had to fit a speed limiter to comply with race standards, suspension which has been tuned to suit the conditions and a race route which includes the infamous ‘Zig Zag’ run.

“The multi-award winning i30 has proven itself in Targa West over the past two years,” said Heinz Wiesner, Hyundai Motor Company’s Regional General Manager. “This event is just another way the i30 CRDi can demonstrate its credibility and reliability, further proving why it is the Australia’s most popular diesel passenger car.”

Source: http://www.hyundai.com.au/Australias-best-selling-diesel-put-to-the-test/default.aspx

Michael Krumm and Peter Dumbreck had an action-packed race from the back of the grid to take 15th place and Seiji Ara and Max Nilsson finished in 21st after Nilsson briefly lost power during his run.

Warren Hughes had a strong run in the early part of the race, moving up from 16th on the grid to ninth before the pit stop.

“Both Jamie and I had good stints,” said Hughes. “I pitted early as I was behind another car and I wanted to get into the clear air. All in all we had a good race but it’s no good if you start from the back so we need to sort qualifying out as soon as we can.”

“We had the pace today but its hard work when you start from 16th,” added Campbell-Walter. “We picked up points which is great but now we need to get on top of qualifying. We have a test between now and the next race though to work on that. Everything went well during my stint and we had a great pit stop so we know what we need to do now.”

Henri Moser took the wheel of the No.3 Swiss Racing Team Nissan GT-R after Karl Wendlinger had put in a great drive from 14th through to eighth, and then to fifth briefly before he pitted. Henri continued the good job that Karl started and brought the car home in tenth place.

“I’m very happy with the result today,” said Moser. “I struggled with cold tyres for the first couple of laps of my run but after that I could push very hard. I had some drama when the No.5 Ford tipped me into a spin but he got punished later with a drive through. We are much more on the pace now and have definitely made some good progress so all in all we are happy. It is always good to score World Championship points.”

Source: http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/NEWS/2010/_STORY/100830-03-e.html