NEWS

TOYOTA is creating new chief quality officer roles worldwide to improve response to customer complaints. The global giant has acknowledged current quality worries by setting up the new roles. There will be one for each specific region worldwide, says Toyota, with the first new quality head role being set up in America. The aim is [...]

CAR dealers should see recalls as an opportunity to impress customers with relationship building techniques. Network Automotive says that, while the negative publicity of car recalls is not ideal, it’s also the perfect opportunity to demonstrate the integrity of both the car maker and the dealer. Both speed and efficiency can be showcased if things [...]

WE all make mistakes – they’re unavoidable, but it’s how you fix them that makes the real difference. There are thousands of very angry Toyota customers out there right now who are driving cars they’ve got to take back to dealers for repairs. But if retailers are clever about this huge recall, they could actually [...]

TOYOTA car dealers across the country are today starting work on the big accelerator pedal recall. Work will start on customers’ cars at the 206 UK Toyota service centres this morning. Things will progress quickly too, promises Toyota. Car dealers have the capacity to process a massive 6000 cars every day – and, by the [...]

TOYOTA is to issue another recall of UK cars due to concerns over the ABS brakes of the Prius. The firm’s car dealers will see an estimated 8500 Prius built before January 27 2010 for remedial work. VOSA will start writing to customers in the next few days, says Toyota, to advise them a dealer [...]

ABI chiefs have confirmed all Toyotas are fully covered under car insurance policies regardless of recalls. The clarification has come after ‘Mr Loophole’ lawyer Nick Freeman suggested the models may not be covered. This has worried Toyota customers and has led the official ABI body to ‘confirm that motor insurance policies will continue to cover [...]

TOYOTA faces a big financial hit from the accelerator pedal recall crisis as UK repair plans take shape. Analysts say the bill could top $2bn. That does not include the additional cost of separate issues surrounding the Toyota Prius in Japan. Toyota GB has also revealed it has now identified all the affected owners in [...]

TOYOTA continues its policy of full transparency by today releasing details of the accelerator pedal fix. Car dealers will start receiving shipments of parts for this from next week. The fix involves reinforcing the pedal assembly with a steel reinforcement bar. This reduces surface tension in the pedal – and ensures the friction that can [...]

PEUGEOT and Citroen car dealers will be handling recalls too as the Toyota accelerator problem stretches. It has been confirmed that both the Citroen C1 and Peugeot 107 are going to be recalled to check and rectify the problem. Toyota builds the cars for PSA at its factory in the Czech Republic. Since Toyota’s announcement [...]

TOYOTA has revealed that 8 models will be recalled across Europe to fix the potential sticking accelerator problem. Car Dealer Magazine has just seen the full list, and can bring you full details, including production start and end dates, here. It includes some real big sellers for the brand: •    Aygo (Feb 2005 – Aug [...]

TOYOTA is planning a series of marketing communications to help car dealers in the big recall crisis. All relevant channels will be used to help restore the brand’s reputation for quality as the recall stretches worldwide. Industry title Marketing says recalls could top 2 million in Europe alone, and that shares have fallen by over [...]

TOYOTA’S massive US recall over sticking accelerators is coming to Europe which may mean big work for dealers. The firm has today announced the recall – but has yet to disclose the exact models affected. It is ‘still under investigation’ the models and exact number of affected vehicles. Toyota car owners will be directly contacted, [...]

SWAPPAGE is taking over scrappage at Toyota car dealers as the Government supported scheme comes to an end. It means Toyota car buyers can STILL get a £2000 saving on the price of eligible new Toyotas! What’s more, it’s even better than scrappage, says Toyota. Cars aged between 7 and 10 years old are eligible [...]

TOYOTA has revealed first pictures of its low-cost Indian market Etios compact hatch and saloon range. It is the first new car developed by Toyota’s new Indian sales and production division, and will go on sale in late 2010. But while it is primarily aimed at developing markets, Toyota tantalisingly said the Auris-sized model could [...]

ASTON Martin has unveiled the first official images of its bizarre Toyota IQ-based city car, the Cygnet. In describing it as a ‘luxury commuter concept car,’ Aston says it hopes to make it a production reality in 2010. Note, however, the firm has not said it is DEFINITELY reaching Aston Martin dealer showrooms. Work is [...]

RUMOURS Toyota will be taking over the UK importation rights for Daihatsu are ‘untrue’, says the IM Group. A number of Daihatsu franchise owners Car Dealer Magazine has spoken to have said they believe Toyota will be taking over distribution. Toyota owns 51.2 per cent of Daihatsu. However, tonight a spokeswoman for IMG said the [...]

09.27: NEW car sales for October are currently under review – because the SMMT data shows NO sales for Toyota! The official spreadsheet released by the SMMT shows not a single registration for the Japanese brand. It is not yet clear whether this will lead to a change in the total registrations for October… … [...]

TOYOTA has made a dramatic exit from F1 motor racing with immediate effect after 8 seasons in the sport. The world’s largest car maker wants to ‘cut costs amid a severe market downturn’. It is a decision, said news agency AFP newswire, due to ‘the current severe economic realities’. Toyota has announced its worst ever [...]

SUBARU is letting development partner Toyota do all the talking with the five-seat boxer-engined coupe. Its time will come. Right now, though, it’s another glance at the firm’s future – with the Hybrid Tourer Concept. This, finally, is a modern Subaru that’s characteristic and stand-out in its own right. What’s more, it’s pretty eco-friendly, too. [...]

TOYOTA is bringing the spirit of the Ford Capri back to life with this dramatic FT-86 Toyota Celica successor. The rear-wheel-drive coupe has certainly grabbed the headlines here at the firm’s stand in Tokyo. That’s because it looks utterly superb. All creases, curves and angles, there really is no missing it. Making it all the [...]