Toyota Canada Issues Stop Sale On Lexus HS 250h

Toyota isn’t effing around anymore, are they?

Toyota Canada has quickly issued a stop sale on the Lexus HS 250h due to fire risk concerns. Apparently if a rear collision is severe enough, excessive amounts of fuel can spill out causing a risk of fire, or even an explosion.

Toyota said in a press release:

“As part of its annual compliance testing program, the National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently conducted a test of the
2010 model year HS 250h. The test involved striking the vehicle with a
deformable barrier from the rear at approximately 80 km/h. The vehicle
is struck by a moving deformable barrier with a 70 per cent overlap. As
part of the test, the vehicle was then rotated on its longitudinal axis
incrementally to each successive increment of 90 degrees. During the
rotation, the vehicle exhibited fuel spillage that exceeded the
requirement in the standard.”

That’s all fine and good, but what is the solution Toyota? They have no idea. Until they can think of something, no new 2010 HS 250h’s will be delivered or sold to the public.

Better get on a solution soon, Toyota.

[Toyota Canada]

BREAKING: Toyota’s Chief Test Driver Dies During LFA Testing*

Autoblog is reporting that Toyota’s chief test driver has died in a head on collision near the Nurburgring.

Although there has been no name released, Toyota’s chief test driver is Hiromu Naruse. Naruse also serves as Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda’s personal driver.

Naruse was out testing the Lexus LFA – Nurburgring Edition when he apparently veered into an oncoming BMW. There were two people in the BMW, both test drivers themselves. One has sustained life-threatening injuries and the other is in critical condition.

Condolences to the families of those involved in the crash.

*UPDATE: Toyota has released a statement regarding this incedent. Read it after the jump.

[Autoblog]

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Audi Plays the Stereotype Game With…Everyone

Audi and BMW have long been German rivals as they have both taken pretty funny shots and jabs at each other from time to time. This time, Audi has decided to take a few additional shots at two other rivals: Mercedes-Benz and Lexus.

The 3 minute spot is called “Meet the Beckers” and although it’s an oldie, it’s a goodie. The whole point of the spot is that Audi is for normal people and its rivals are for walking stereotypes.

First Audi naturally takes aim at BMW. We see a blue E46 M3 convertible speeding down the road. It is driven by a stereotypical (in Audi’s mind anyway) BMW driver which is a douchebag wearing a blutooth headset, blasting European techno music with a rather dim witted female in the passenger seat. Driving very aggressively, they catch up to a slow moving Toyota Prius which angers the BMW driver so he lays on the horn, passes on the right, cuts off the Prius without signalling all while giving the Prius driver the middle finger. Basically Audi is showcasing the stereotype that BMW drivers are inconsiderate, aggressive driving pricks who show off to girls and blast loud questionable European techno.

Then Audi picks on Mercedes owners where we see an old man who is obviously not with the times and seemingly has lots of money. He has a gold digging wife much younger than he and has trouble operating all the gadgets and gizmos in the Benz as he leaves his parking spot with the wipers on and the right turn signal on…as he turns left. We also see them splash puddle water into a homeless man begging for money as they make a turn. So basically Audi’s stereotype in this case is that all Mercedes-Benz owners are old rich white guys who have young trophy wives and don’t know how to operate their cars (insinuating they only have a Benz for the badge).

Then Audi turns its eye to Lexus owners as we see a preppy family who seemingly is happy, normal and wholesome, but really they are a bunch of freaks. The daughters aren’t quite what you’d call normal with a gothic heavy metal tendency. Meanwhile the father is clearly a neurotic nerd who may or may not be a hypochondriac. So basically Audi sees Lexus owners as boring, nerdy people who are freaks deep down inside.

Of course, Audi sees their drivers as completely normal level headed people.

Do you think all the stereotypes are accurate? Check out the video above and sound off in the comments.

Lexus LS 460 & LS 600h On Stop Sale Probation

Yup, another Toyota recall.

This time the automaker’s luxury flagship is causing the headaches. The LS 460 and the LS 600h have been issued a stop sale from Toyota due to electric steering problems.

Apparently when making a turn in the LS, the wheel does not return to its original position quickly enough after the turn is made. Obviously this could cause a few problems.

Toyota has already addressed the issue for all new LS’s rolling off the assembly line in Japan, but existing LS’s unsold on dealer lots are not to be sold until the repair needed to fix the problem is completed.

The LS joins the HS 250h and the GX 460 for brand’s latest recalled vehicles.

Shocker: Lexus GX Recalled

Obviously it was going to happen, it was just a question of when. We predicted very soon and we were right. Just five days after Consumer Reports declared the Lexus GX as being unsafe and recommending not buying it, Toyota has officially made the call. The re-call that is.

Seriously though, 9,400 GX 460′s have been recalled and we’re shocked that Toyota even sold that many. This is a relief for current GX owners who will now have a brand new stability control system installed to ensure no over steer or rollovers.

Toyota Admits Worrying Problem With The Lexus GX 460

We reported a few posts down that the slow selling Lexus GX 460 will be doing even more poorly in sales, as in no sales at all, due to an immediate stop sale from Toyota. This was because Consumer Reports found an extremely dangerous problem with the GX’s traction control system.

In aggressive or emergency driving situations, it seems the traction control doesn’t really kick in when it’s supposed to and as a result the GX suffers from tremendous over steer. In fact, due to this issue, if the GX over steered into a curb, or a gavel shoulder, it’s very likely that the GX would roll over. Consumer Reports gave the GX 460 a very rare “Don’t Buy” rating for this very reason.

Three days later, Toyota has admitted that there is a problem with the GX 460.

Lexus Spokesman Bill Kwong told the New York Times that “they duplicated Consumer Reports’ results on the GX 460 and they are currently evaluating potential remedies, but at this point there are no details of what the remedy is”.

Obviously a complete overhaul of the stability control is what the remedy is. Get to it Toyota, you’ve already endangered too many lives with your screw ups.

Still no official recall on the GX 460 from the recall-proned automaker, but expect that to happen soon.

FML: Lexus GX 460 Edition

Toyota can’t seem to keep out of the headlines. The number one automaker in the world is in some serious dog doo as they have experienced a stop sale of most of their lineup, millions of models recalled, lawsuits galore, investigations by American, Canadian and Japanese governments, and loss of accolades. The latter is biting at Toyota’s heals yet again.

Consumer reports has branded the Lexus GX 460 with a very unflattering “Don’t Buy” designation. The reason is due to the GX’s apparent inability to stay sure footed in aggressive or emergency driving situations.  The GX can be prone to rolling over a little too easily as the traction control doesn’t quite do an decent job.

Check out CR’s explanation in the video above.

Interestingly enough, the Toyota 4Runner on which the Lexus GX 460 is based, is not a part of the ‘Don’t Buy’ recommendation. A bit of good news for Toyota then? Nope. As a result of Consumer Reports, Toyota has issued at ‘stop sale’ on the GX, temporarily.

Let’s Try This Again: Next Lexus IS to Spawn Wagon

We called it just a few posts down, and Lexus is helping to prove us right. We said to expect to see more wagons coming in the near future.

You may be forgiven if you’ve forgotten all about the IS 300 SportCross you see pictured above. But it did indeed exist from 2001 to 2005  and it sold badly. So badly that Lexus had decided it was wasting its valuable time and money on it and the SportCross swiftly got the axe.

But AutoCar is reporting that the next generation IS will see the return of the wagon. Whether or not they’ll call it SportCross again is anyone’s guess, but we’re going to go on record as saying they won’t call it the IS wagon. Wagon is such a taboo word for some reason.  Also, the next IS is rumoured to receive a hybrid variant.

So, let’s take a look at the wagon list. BMW has the 3 series wagon, Audi has their A4 Avant, Volvo has their V60 coming, Acura has just announced a TSX wagon will debut this year, and now we have Lexus. Expect Mercedes-Benz to re-examine their decision not to sell the new C-Class wagon here very soon.

Canadian Black Book Announces Best Retained Value Winners

If you want to get the most back from your car when selling it after four years, Canadian Black book has made it a bit easier for you to decide what to buy in the first place.

They have compiled a list of cars that best retain their value from MSRP four years later into 17 categories.

Find out who got the honours after the jump.

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Lexus CT 200h Confirmed for North America

When you’re right, you’re right. And we definitely were right.

We reported that Lexus would be straight up stupid not to sell their hybrid hatch here in Canada and Lexus smartly decided to reverse its decision to not sell it here.

The CT 200h will now be available for sale on our shores giving some competition to the Audi A3, Volvo C30, Mercedes-Benz B-Class and to a lesser extent, the BMW 1-series.

The CT 200h will feature a 1.8 litre engine producing 134 horsepower and along with a  “powerful” electric motor along with a “drynamic driving experience”. It’s going to have to be pretty damned good dynamic if it’s going to take on the Audi A3 and BMW 1-series.

Lexus is touting the CT 200h as the first full hybrid in the premium compact segment just as it did with the HS 250h. And look how good that’s doing (not well).

Still, we predict much more success for the CT 200h as we Canadians love our small hatches. The CT 200h will do well among environmentally concious buyers with a lot of dough, but will likely get overlooked if people are looking for the performance and handling of the A3 and 1-series.

We’re waiting for you to make us eat our words, Lexus.

Lexus CT 200h Not Coming to U.S, But Will It Still See Canadian Shores?

It’s expected to make it’s debut at the 2010 Geneva Auto show in a about a month, and our Amurrican neighbours will not get a chance to have one in their driveways.

Even though Barack Obama said “Yes We Can” Toyota is saying “No You Can’t”. A Toyota Spokesperson confirmed to Edmunds.com that it will not be for sale.

This does not necessarily mean the same fate for the better country at hockey, however. In Canada we get many cars that the Amurricans don’t get such as the BMW 323i, and the Mercedes-Benz B-Class. Also, we Canadians love our small hatchbacks way more than our neighbours down south. On top of that, we’re very much into fuel efficient vehicles, so it would actually make sense for Lexus to bring out the CT 200h for Canadians only. Right now the Mercedes-Benz B-Class, Audi A3 and Volvo C30 are the only premium cheap hatches to choose from, so Lexus would be smart to enter that segment as well.

There are few details released about the CT 200h, other than it will be a compact hybrid hatchback that is expected to take the cheapest Lexus title away from the IS 250. The teaser picture above would seem to suggest LED tail lights as well.

BMW M3 vs. Lexus IS-F

After just writing the post below, we thought we would share this with you…. in case there was ever any doubt in your mind as to who is still king.

(Oh, and Jeremy Clarkson for President of the World)

Canadian Car & Utility of the Year Announced

Great minds think alike. We chose the 2010 Subaru Outback as our pick for the Canadian Utility of the Year, and AJAC agreed. You might as well give us our membership now, AJAC.

Volkswagen took Car of the Year honours and even though our pick was the BMW 335d, there is absolutely no disagreement from us that the GTI is just as deserving.

Congrats to the VW and Subaru!

To find out the winners in each individual category, hit the jump.

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Toyota Brake Issues Expand to Lexus, But It May Help Them Sell More Cars

It’s starting to get to the point where there should just be a big ‘FAIL’ stamped on Toyota’s head office as these gas pedal/brake problems don’t seem to be dying down. In fact, they’re expanding.

Toyota’s Lexus division is now feeling the heat as the rookie model of their line up is now on watch for the same brake issues as the Prius. The HS250 and Prius are close cousins. Notice that they’re both hybrids? The regerative braking process used in hybrids likely has something to do with it, and is why people are complaining of unusual brake fade and temporary loss of braking.

UPDATE: Toyota is expected to announce a global recall for all 2010 Priuses in the very near future, no word on if the HS250 will be included in the recall as of yet. Toyota has officially announced a recall of 437,000 Pruises, and HS 250h’s for brake problems. Pre 2010 Priuses may be affected as well as similar problems are now being reported but there is no official recall from Toyota on previous generation Priuses just yet.

But no matter, these braking set backs may actually help Toyota sell more Priuses. Find out why after the jump.

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Canadian Car of the Year Finalists Revealed! We Make Our Picks!

Those lucky ducks that have coveted AJAC (Automobile Journalists Association of Canada) memberships all recently got together to rate the best new car of the year from the Canadian perspective for 2010. They tested them, rated them, and broke down the finalists into five categories.

Since Car Driven is literally only hours old as we write this, it seems a bit premature to have our own COTY awards. So instead, we’ll just use AJAC’s finalists and make our own picks.

Find out the finalists and our picks after the jump!

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