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Welcome to our new blog!December 7th, 2009Consumer Reports Best Car Overall Lexus LS 460 LMarch 3rd, 2010Best Car Overall Toyota Remains Third in Consumer Reports Brand RankingFebruary 23rd, 2010By CHERYL JENSEN, NY TIMES In spite of all the recalls, Toyota was ranked third in the annual spring auto issue of Consumer Reports, the same rank the carmaker had last year. The magazine rankings are based on the performance, comfort, utility and reliability of more than 280 vehicles. Toyota builds extremely good, reliable cars, said David Champion, senior director of Consumer Reports’ Auto Test Center. “I think once they get through all the recalls,” he said, “you’ll see that they are a very, very reliable manufacturer.” Honda (which includes Acura models) and Subaru were tied for first place, the fourth year that Honda was the leading manufacturer. They were followed by Toyota, and Hyundai (including Kia) was ranked fourth, up from ninth last year. American manufacturers fared poorly. Ford was ranked 11th, moving up one place from last year. General Motors and Chrysler occupied the bottom two slots, respectively. But the big surprise was Toyota (including Lexus and Scion), though it was not all good news. The magazine ended up dropping a couple of Toyota models from the Top Picks after the company suspended sales because of the recall. Mr. Champion said that “it was a little bit of a stretch to say we recommend you go out and buy a Highlander when you couldn’t actually go out and buy one.” There was another surprise. Although Honda was ranked the best manufacturer, the brand did not receive a single top pick, the first time that’s happened to the company since 1998. Top Picks are chosen from among more than 280 vehicles that Consumer Reports evaluates. They must perform well in road tests, have average or better predicted reliability and perform adequately in safety tests. They must offer electronic stability control as standard equipment or as a readily available option. There were six new vehicles on the list, marking a shift from Japanese automakers dominating the top spots. Newcomers are the Chevrolet Silverado and Traverse, Mazda 5, Nissan Altima, Subaru Forester and Volkswagen GTI. The other Top Picks are the Hyundai Elantra SE, Infiniti G37, Lexus LS 460L and the Toyota Prius. The Nissan Altima replaces the Honda Accord as the best Family Sedan and is one example of changes taking place in a very competitive industry. “Honda is starting to get passed over in many categories,” said Jake Fisher, the magazine’s senior automotive engineer, even though they rank tops in the “report card.” “Honda over all does well, they don’t have many bad vehicles. Honda used to be known for great powertrains and great fuel efficiency, and now they are behind most of the top vehicles in terms of fuel economy. That’s unheard of from Honda.” Opinion: Washingtons Toyota U-TurnFebruary 19th, 2010That vague screeching noise you hear in D.C., the slight odor of burning rubber? That’s the government trying to brake its anti-Toyota campaign. It may be a little late, according to Kimberley A. Strassel at the Wall Street Journal. The Toyota spectacle has become slightly surreal, as a few uncertain questions about “sudden acceleration” morphed into a media and political firestorm over the safety of its entire fleet. It is also proving an interesting case study in the treacherous politics that accompany government ownership of U.S. industry. Washington’s initial enthusiasm in bashing Toyota is beginning to backfire. The results of this campaign are now making pols queasy. It was inevitable that such a loud attack would lead to questions as to whether the administration was carrying water for the domestic industry. The White House is today fielding as many queries about its role as owner and regulator as Toyota is fielding about recalls. Toyota has not yet laid off a single one of its 34,000 U.S. workers, but that may change. Only a year ago, lawmakers made noise about economic damage if GM or Chrysler went bust. They forestalled that with government ownership. They, and Toyota, are now dealing with the all-too-easy-to-predict political behavior that followed such meddling in the private economy. Details about Toyota sticking accelerator pedal recallJanuary 30th, 2010Jan. 30–Toyota this week issued a “stop sales order” to address a safety-related defect associated with a significant percentage of its new-vehicle fleet. Click here for the company’s Jan. 26 message to its dealers. No Lexus Division vehicles are effected. Dealers of all makes have voiced concern about the action. Important, the suspension of sales is confined to certain new Toyota models; used Toyotas are not involved. Also, no Lexus Division or Scion vehicles are affected by the stop sale. Toyota dealers should carefully review the link above. Following is some information on the relevant provisions of the federal Motor Vehicle Safety Act (the “Safety Act”) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration regulations that govern safety-related vehicle defect recalls. 1. The federal Safety Act prohibits the sale and delivery of new vehicles subject to orders such as the one Toyota issued yesterday unless and until the defect is corrected. 49 USC 30120(i)(1). (It is our understanding that Toyota does not yet have a remedy for the defect that can be applied to the new vehicles in dealer inventory.) This prohibition does not prohibit dealers from offering such vehicles for sale, as long as the dealer does not sell or lease the vehicles. 49 USC 30120(i)(2); 49 CFR Part 573.11(b). 2. While there is no recall remedy yet available for in-use (used) vehicles, the resale of such vehicles is not prohibited by the federal Safety Act. 49 USC 30112(b). However, other laws, including state product liability laws, may impose liability in this situation if (1) a dealer chooses to sell a used vehicle containing the safety-related defect, especially in the face of Toyota’s instructions that new vehicles should not be sold, and (2) that used vehicle is in an accident involving the defect. 3. The federal Safety Act contains provisions to ensure dealers receive compensation when a “stop sales order” is issued. These include: · an obligation either to repurchase vehicles subject to defect recalls or to provide a remedy for dealers to implement immediately. Regardless, manufacturers must also compensate dealers with an additional 1% of the price they paid for such vehicles, per month, prorated from the receipt of the “stop sales” notice until the vehicle is repurchased or the remedy is implemented. 49 USC 30116(a) and (b); and · compensation for parts and labor associated with the remedy. 49 USC 30116(b) and 30120(f). 4. In contrast to a safety recall to address a non-compliance with the federal motor vehicle safety standards, the federal Safety Act does not directly prohibit a manufacturer from selling to a dealer a vehicle that contains a known safety-related defect. However, as noted in point 3. above, the federal Safety Act would immediately require the manufacturer either to repurchase such a vehicle once it was sold to the dealer or to provide an immediate remedy to the dealer free of charge. And, as also noted above, it is our understanding that Toyota does not have a remedy for the defect that can be applied to the new vehicles in dealer inventory or which are in transit to dealerships. Auto Makers Add to Haiti Relief EffortJanuary 20th, 2010The auto industry stepped up efforts this week to help with relief work in Haiti, where death toll estimates now run as high as 200,000 after last Tuesday’s earthquake. According to Automotive News, American Honda Motor Co., Inc. said today its North American companies are donating more than $300,000 to the Red Cross. The company also said it is contributing portable generators, water pumps, and other Honda products. The largest automotive contributor to the effort so far has been Toyota Motor North America Inc. Toyota said Friday that it is donating $500,000 to the American Red Cross, Save the Children, and Doctors Without Borders. Hyundai Motor Co., pledged yesterday to give $100,000 to the International Committee of the Red Cross. Nissan donated $30,000 to the Red Cross last Thursday. It says it eventually will provide more than $100,000 for the Haitian earthquake relief effort. Nissan’s program includes a $25,000 cash donation from Nissan North America and a $5,000 cash donation from Nissan Canada Inc. The automaker also will match the first $25,000 in employee donations, for a combined employee-company contribution of up to $50,000, and will give $52,000 to Habitat for Humanity International to construct 13 houses in Haiti as rebuilding programs get under way. Looking forward to 2010, we sure areJanuary 5th, 2010Late Surge in Car Sales Raises Hopes for 2010! Sales Tax Deduction for New Vehicle PurchasesDecember 28th, 2009The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act permits taxpayers to take a deduction for state and local sales and excise taxes paid on the purchase of new cars, light trucks, motor homes and motorcycles. The deduction is available on new vehicles purchased from Feb. 17, 2009, through Dec. 31, 2009. In states that don’t have a sales tax, the law provides a deduction for other taxes or fees paid. This deduction is available whether or not a taxpayer itemizes deductions on Schedule A. The deduction is limited to the taxes and fees paid on up to $49,500 of the purchase price of an eligible vehicle. The deduction is reduced for joint filers with modified adjusted gross incomes (MAGI) between $250,000 and $260,000 and other taxpayers with MAGI between $125,000 and $135,000. Taxpayers with higher incomes do not qualify. Taxpayers who make qualifying new vehicle purchases this year can estimate the deduction with the help of IRS Publication 919, How Do I Adjust My Withholding? Lines 10a to 10k on Worksheet 10 take into account purchases above the $49,500 limit, as well as the reduced deductions for taxpayers at higher income levels. 2010 Lexus GX460 Luxury vs. UtilityDecember 7th, 2009The 2010 Lexus GX460 design shares some similarities with the new Toyota 4Runner, though they definitely have different personalities. Lexus blends luxury and comfort, while Toyota captures economy and utility. Finding out which one is more suitable may reside in looking at ones tastes, hobbies, and line of work. A Toyota 4Runner is certainly capable of offroading and a popular vehicle in areas that may see some more extreme weather conditions. It is better to have four wheel drive even if you barely use it, it’s those situations where not having it means you don’t leave the house. With a Lexus, its also great to have the 4 wheel drive but most likely you would own one over a 4Runner if knowing the difference between a locking differentials and limited slip would never be a conversation of interest. The Lexus GX460 is the Nordstrom or Saks of the sport-utility vehicle line, whereas the Toyota may be Sears or Home Depot. It’s not about which one is better, its mostly what suits your taste and interests best. Brands have meaning and people have ideas of what those meanings are so it is simply a matter of preference in shopping for a vehicle. Along those same lines, shopping for your car also is what one might consider in selecting which one suits them. You may find that when you walk into a Lexus dealer the setting is far different than stepping foot into a Toyota dealer. These are reasons why the Lexus may be the experience you want to have because it extends past the day you drive home and that relationship you have with the dealer should meet your expectations and lifestyle. Whether its the GX460 vs. 4Runner or a HS 250h vs. Prius, you may notice that Lexus has been there to provide the luxury that may have been lacking in other models. Finding out which matches your lifestyle is in many cases what will ensure you have a very enjoyable vehicle and relationship with your dealer. |
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