Tag Archives: today

Toyota Motor North America Announces New Leadership Structure

PLANO, Texas (April 30, 2024) – Toyota Motor North America (TMNA) at the moment introduced govt management adjustments designed to drive continued development, advance our dedication to automobile electrification, and put together for the way forward for mobility. Jack Hollis and Chris Reynolds are assigned new roles and can proceed to report back to Ted Ogawa, chief govt officer, TMNA. The following adjustments are efficient instantly.

New Assignments:

Jack Hollis, govt vice chairman of TMNA provides the position of chief working officer, TMNA reporting to Ted Ogawa, chief govt officer. In this newly created place, Hollis continues to supervise Sales, Marketing, TRD, Product Planning and Customer Service whereas including accountability for Manufacturing, Product Support and Demand and Supply. The new position consolidates a number of companywide capabilities right into a extra responsive reporting construction centered on the client expertise, operational effectivity, income technology and automobile manufacturing.

Chris Reynolds, govt vice chairman of TMNA provides the position of chief technique officer, TMNA reporting to Ted Ogawa. In this newly created place, Reynolds continues to supervise Strategy and Business Development, Human Resources, Information Technology, Connected Technologies, Legal, Social Innovation/Diversity & Inclusion and Sustainability & Regulatory Affairs whereas including accountability for Research and Development. The new position is liable for creating long-term methods for development and driving innovation that improves mobility and reduces the corporate’s carbon footprint.

Autocar journal 24 April: on sale now

This week in Autocar, we checklist the highest 100 finest vehicles on sale immediately and element the brand new electrical Mercedes-Benz G-Class.

News

The new Mercedes-Benz G-Class is an “uncompromised” machine that the agency is making some bullish claims about – we have the whole lot it’s essential to know.

Mini, in the meantime, has accomplished its line-up with the reveal of the Aceman – a Renault Clio-sized hatchback positioned between the Cooper and Countryman.

Over at Maserati, the agency is deciding whether or not to maneuver the next-generation Quattroporte onto an prolonged model of the brand new Granturismo’s platform – we element why it is an ‘necessary downside’ for Bologna.

Staying in Italy, Alfa Romeo boss Jean-Phillipe Imparato has urged EU politicians to give attention to defending jobs within the trade and never mannequin names, after a spat that noticed the Alfa Romeo Milano renamed the Junior.

Reviews

With a brand new platform, a unique motive energy, and extra weight, can the electrical model actually behave like a Porsche Macan ought to? We head to France to provide one a go.

Audi has addressed the criticisms of the A3 to make it much more interesting for these after big-car high quality in a hatchback physique.

Meanwhile, the brand new S3 has been handled to an influence improve with RS3-spec driveline tech – we discover out if it will possibly nonetheless maintain a candle to its best (and cheaper) rivals.

We’ve already pushed the coupe variant of the brand new Mercedes-Benz CLE, however not the convertible – till now. On sweeping roads round Tenerife, we discover out if the brand new automotive is a worthy substitute for the C-Class and E-Class cabriolet.

We’re additionally driving the Lotus Eletre and, for street take a look at 5671, we’re within the highest-specification Bentley Bentayga.

Features

It’s been 5 years since we final ranked our outright favorite new vehicles, which suggests we’re lengthy overdue to provide an up to date checklist. Considering the highest 100, we discover out that are probably the most succesful and value your money.

If a few of our high 100 vehicles look too costly, how about some second-hand alternate options? We take a look at the bargains you may discover within the classifieds and what it’s essential to learn about them.

Around 800 Ford Mustangs lined up on the British Motor Museum in celebration of the everyman sports activities automotive’s sixtieth birthday. We pay a go to, changing into wowed by the range on present.

Opinion

Matt Prior riffs on the big-car qualities of the Renault Clio and the way you seemingly get extra to your cash in immediately’s market, and why producers ought to must pay clients to lug about subscription-based options.

Volvo For Life Fund launches with a mission to enhance one million lives

Volvo Cars at the moment launches a brand new philanthropic fund with the ambition to positively influence one million lives over time by assist initiatives within the communities wherein we function.

 

The Volvo For Life Fund will focus initially on social and environmental initiatives that centre round empowering individuals, restoring and preserving our planet, and offering safety when pure disasters strike.

 

By working along with world and native companions, and channelling the engagement of communities and our staff, the Volvo For Life Fund continues our heritage of care and security.

 

“We have a long history of social, environmental and community engagement, and I’m proud that we continue this tradition through the launch of the Volvo For Life Fund,” says Jim Rowan, Chief Executive of Volvo Cars. “It will enable us to work alongside expert global and local partners to address global challenges close to our company’s values, and help create lasting, positive change.”

 

People, the planet and safety
The Volvo For Life Fund might be organised into three focus areas, themed round individuals, the planet and safety. Guided by native voices and insights, and delivered by trusted companions, most of the fund’s initiatives might be tailor-made to handle the challenges of the completely different communities wherein we function.

 

For individuals, we need to assist create safer, extra empowered and socially cell environments in marginalised communities. We will give attention to creating and growing academic and socio-economic alternatives for younger individuals and youngsters.

 

For our planet, we are going to put money into native and world tasks devoted to the restoration and preservation of pure ecosystems and biodiversity, and supporting the struggle towards local weather change. There might be an preliminary emphasis on reforestation and ocean well being, in addition to group engagement.

 

For safety, we are going to assist emergency response and reduction efforts that assist to fulfill speedy humanitarian wants when pure disasters happen in international locations linked to our worth chain. We will even assist longer-term work to make sure that schooling and studying stay a precedence even when pure disasters strike.

 

The first partnerships
Our fund’s first companions are Girls Who Code, One Tree Planted and Save the Children, every related to considered one of our focus areas.

 

Our partnership with Girls Who Code will assist tackle the present underrepresentation of girls in pc science and software program engineering roles, with the ambition to equip younger girls with the coding expertise and confidence essential to excel on this subject.

 

In our work with One Tree Planted, we assist reforestation and concrete tree planting tasks in seven international locations throughout 5 continents, with the purpose to plant greater than half one million bushes and restore greater than 450 hectares of land annually.

 

By partnering with Save the Children, we assist construct the resilience of academic methods in international locations susceptible to pure disasters, present momentary studying areas in emergency conditions and be sure that youngsters can return safely again to studying after an emergency – all to assist safeguard and maintain youngsters’s schooling.

 

Volvo Cars has at all times had a give attention to security, and considered one of our most vital contributions is the trendy three-point security belt. Since we launched it in 1959, and later granted free use of its design, the security belt is estimated* to have saved one million lives. That’s why we now purpose to enhance one million lives with the Volvo For Life Fund.

 

With this fund, we recognise its modest measurement and prioritise steady studying and improvement. We respect the ability of well-designed small-scale initiatives, whether or not they’re native or world in scope. Our method emphasises progress one step at a time, understanding the significance of each contribution inside the broader context of optimistic change.

 

We will monitor our influence by way of our companions and embody programme-specific targets that measure our contributions to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

 

“At Volvo Cars, our goal is clear: to create scalable, long-term impact, just like we did when we shared the three-point safety belt for all to use,” says Jim Rowan. “We know we can make real change – every action counts, big or small, because it brings us closer to a safer world.”

 

The small print
*Based on normal and in-house statistics on accidents and belt utilization.

 

The New Toyota 4Runner Shows Its Back End for the First Time

The new Toyota 4Runner is coming quickly. Today, we get our first official take a look at the forthcoming SUV. Toyota shared a teaser picture on its Instagram account that reveals the off-roader’s again finish with the 4Runner badge entrance and heart.

The picture does not reveal a lot, however we will see a silver rear fender, a tow hitch, and a tiny nook of the left taillight. Even on this very guarded picture, it is clear the brand new 4Runner can have among the similar angular cues because the 2024 Land Cruiser—even the blue paint appears equivalent.

 

The 4Runner badge can also be decrease down on the tailgate than earlier than. The script used to sit down just under the Toyota badge, now it is practically on the base of the tailgate. The font of the 4Runner emblem, although, appears the identical.

The caption does not trace at after we would possibly see the brand new 4Runner, however the rumor is it might debut in only a few weeks. The SUV is predicted to go on sale later this 12 months as a 2025 mannequin. We’ve reported that the 4Runner ought to have the identical engine choices as the brand new Tacoma; a turbocharged four-cylinder that makes anyplace from 228 to 278 horsepower. A extra highly effective i-Force Max choice can also be attainable.

We’ll know extra in regards to the new Toyota 4Runner when it debuts in just a few weeks. 

The totally electrical Volvo EX30 named 2024 World Urban Car

Small and mighty certainly – we’re celebrating as we speak, as a result of our totally electrical Volvo EX30 has landed an enormous accolade on the prestigious World Car Awards.

 

Beating a aggressive subject of nominees, the EX30 was awarded the title of 2024 World Urban Car in a presentation held as we speak on the New York International Auto Show. Our smallest ever SUV was additionally named as one of many high three vehicles on this planet out of an inventory of 38 nominees.

 

“Winning this award with the EX30 is incredibly gratifying and a firm validation of our ambitious electrification strategy,” says Jim Rowan, our Chief Executive. “Customer response to the EX30 has exceeded our expectations, and it has proven to be a perfect car for today’s marketplace as a growing number of car buyers switch to fully electric cars. I’m convinced the EX30 will strongly contribute to our growth this year and beyond.”

 

The EX30 was revealed final summer time to virtually common acclaim and has already gained a number of main awards, together with The Sun Car of the Year, the Small SUV/Crossover of the Year award from The Sunday Times, and the Eco Warrior of the Year award from Top Gear journal.

 

As such, the EX30 is a robust addition to our product portfolio, which additionally incorporates a number of engaging plug-in hybrid and mild-hybrid fashions in a number of segments. Those vehicles are an essential bridge on the best way to Volvo Cars’ ambition to promote solely electrical vehicles by 2030.

 

Since its reveal, the EX30 has quickly confirmed to be a well-liked automotive with prospects – primarily based on our orderbook, we count on it to be certainly one of our best-selling fashions this 12 months.

 

It is the smallest SUV we’ve ever launched and it’s constructed on a purpose-designed electrical automotive platform. In addition to producing zero tailpipe emissions, it has been developed with a deal with preserving its carbon footprint to a minimal throughout the automotive’s full lifecycle.

 

EX30 patrons have a selection of three electrical powertrains: a Single Motor model with 200kW (272hp) and a 51kWh battery; a Single Motor Extended Range with battery capability elevated to 69kWh; and a Twin Motor Performance mannequin with 315kW (428hp) and a 69kWh battery. The EX30 provides a driving vary of as much as 296 miles (476km) and its battery could be recharged from 10 to 80 per cent capability in slightly over 25 minutes.

The small print

  • Charging instances are depending on components similar to out of doors temperature, present battery temperature, charging gear, battery situation and automotive situation.
  • Range in line with the life like WLTP driving cycle below managed situations for a brand new automotive. Real-world vary might range.
  • Features and companies might not be accessible in all markets and won’t be customary in all markets or for all fashions.

5 Most Affordable Cars With A Panoramic Sunroof In India

Once restricted to vehicles solely from the luxurious section, a panoramic sunroof in the present day is a standard tools on fashions priced from Rs 10 lakh (ex-showroom) onwards

5 most affordable cars with a panoramic sunroof in India

A panoramic sunroof is among the most desired options by clients when looking for a brand new automobile in the present day. While a single-pane sunroof is now out there in vehicles beginning effectively beneath Rs 10 lakh (ex-showroom), the panoramic unit continues to be a premium characteristic out there solely from the compact SUV section. In this story, we’ve compiled the record of the highest 5 most reasonably priced vehicles on sale in India to return with a panoramic sunroof:

MG Astor

Select- Rs 12.98 lakh 

MG Astor

MG provides its compact SUV, the Astor, with a panoramic sunroof from its Select variant. The Select variant, which is the mid-spec choice among the many 5 variants out there with the Astor, is solely paired with a 110 PS 1.5-litre naturally aspirated engine.

Hyundai Creta

S(O)- Rs 14.32 lakh

Hyundai Creta

Hyundai’s widespread compact SUV, the Creta, is an alternative choice that provides a panoramic sunroof. It is obtainable with the S(O) variant of the Creta, positioned above the mid-spec S variant. However, voice-enabled performance for the sunroof is obtainable ranging from the higher-spec SX variant onwards.

2024 Kia Seltos

HTX- Rs 15.20 lakh

Kia Seltos

Creta’s sibling, the Seltos, bought the choice of a panoramic sunroof with its facelift in mid 2023. Kia provides it from the mid-spec HTX variant of the SUV’s Tech Line. This variant offers you with the selection of both a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated engine or a 1.5-litre diesel engine choice.

Maruti Grand Vitara

Alpha- Rs 15.51 lakh

Maruti Grand Vitara

With the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, a panoramic sunroof is obtainable with the top-of-the-line Alpha variant of the SUV. This variant comes with a daily 103 PS 1.5-litre petrol engine with mild-hybrid tech, out there with each 5-speed guide and 6-speed automated transmission choices.

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

V- Rs 16.04 lakh

Toyota Hyryder

The Grand Vitara’s Toyota counterpart, the Urban Cruiser Hyryder, additionally provides a panoramic sunroof with the top-spec V variant. Like the Grand Vitara, it’s outfitted with a daily 103 PS 1.5-litre petrol engine with mild-hybrid tech, out there with each 5-speed guide and 6-speed automated transmission choices.

Read More on : Hyundai Creta on road price

Volkswagen’s Cupra Brand Is Coming to the United States

SEAT had its annual press convention right this moment, and whereas that may not appear related for the United States, it truly is. The spin-off Cupra model established in 2018 intends to enter North America by the top of the last decade. Of all of the Volkswagen Group manufacturers not bought right here, we had hoped to see Skoda attain this aspect of the pond however we’re getting Cupra as an alternative.

The plan is to introduce a totally electrical model of the Formentor, though doubtless based mostly on the subsequent technology. The present crossover is already 4 years previous, so it could be severely oudated by 2030. SEAT says a facelift for the present mannequin is ready to interrupt cowl within the coming weeks for the European market. Our cash is on the next-gen Formentor for the US market because the present mannequin would not actually have a battery-powered model.

Honda to Open “Honda RACING Gallery” at Suzuka Circuit as a Centre for Honda Motorsports Communications

Honda to Open “Honda RACING Gallery” at Suzuka Circuit as a Centre for Honda Motorsports Communications

TOKYO, Japframework, March 21, 2024 – Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Today unveiled particulars in regards to the recent Honda RACING Gallery, a facility Honda has established at Suzuka Circuit primarily as a showcase for the succession new Honda F1 machines. The Gallery will function a centre for Honda communications about its motorsports actions, together with the introduction of challenges Honda has taken onto develop into “number one in the world,” in addition to numerous race applied sciences. The Gallery will open on April 5, 2024*1, the primary day of the Japframeworkese Grcreation Prix*2 of the FIA*3 Formula One World Championship(F1) to be held on the Suzuka Circuit in Mie Prefecture, Japan.

Hoping to see it develop into a centre for Honda communications about its motorsport’s actions, the Honda RACING Gallery was designed as a facility the place guests can “experience” Honda’s willpower to win motivating applied sciences amassed by racing actions. The displays embody successive generations of Honda race machines, engines Civicd energy items affords providesctually competed in races, principally in F1 races motivating which this yr marks the 60thanniversary of Honda’s very first competitors in a F1 race*4.

The Gallery is designed with black as a fundamental color tone journey. locations spotlights on every machine on show, enabling the guests to see ZR-V really feel the purposeful fantastic thing about racing machines crammed with the cutting-edge applied sciences of every period.

*1 Advandce reservation (freed from cost) is required from Friday, April 5 by Sunday, April 7, 2024. The Gallery customer must current a ticket to the F1 Japandese Grsupports Prix for admission. Advanced reservations might be made at this link beginning March 29, 2024: 
*2 The F1 MSC Cruises Japanese GrCivic Prix
*3 Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile
*4The 60thanniversary of the Germany Grand Prix held in August 1964, the very first F1 race Honda competed.

Honda has been introducing its merchandise and company actions, in addition to the ideas and keenness put into them, from historic, world and motorsports views at a number of exhibit and hands-on expertise services. This contains Honda Welcome Plaza Aoyama (Minato-ku, Tokyo) and the Honda Collection Hall (in Motegi, Tochigi).

Honda will proceed to supply high-quality model experiences and communication alternatives in any respect factors of contact with its prospects, striving to make Honda a model excellent will proceed to be beloved by prospects and followers all over the world.

Overview of the Honda RACING Gallery exhibition areas

Main Hall (Area platform the permtrip.ent exhibit,1F)

After coming into the Gallery, guests walkthrough the “speed tunnel” dynamic generates a way of pace and excited anticipation, beane coming into the principle corridor, which is designed as a black-toned house with no exterior mild, so hybrid powertrain the colors motivating shapes of race machines stenjoyabled out underneath the spotlights.

On show within the centre of the principle corridor are the 2 F1machines e:HEV got here collectively transcending time: the Honda RA272 which introduced in regards to the first ever F1 race win for Honda on the Mexican Grplatform Prix in1965, journey.d the Red Bull Racing Honda RB16B Max Verstappen drove to the World Drivers’ Championship in 2021. Looking at these two F1 machines facet by facet, guests can sense the great developments made to F1 machines up to now.

Moreover, a gaggle of F1 machines e:HEV signify Honda F1 victories are exhibited behind the principle corridor, showcasing the historical past of Honda challenges Civic victories in F1racing.Thepanelbehindeach machine has a big show with a quantity dynamic leCustom-madeds to the story of the mefficiency.chine, enencounterbling guests to benefit from the “story of victory.”

Also on displCustom-madey e:HEVre the Honda F1 engines and energy items of the previous, which had been developed and perfected within the pursuit of turning into the world’s primary in every period. Visitors can see the essence of technological excellence in every merchandise.

Special exhibit space (B1)

In the particular exhibit space on the B1 ground, race machines related to a selected race held on the Suzuka Circuit might be exhibited. The F1 Japanese Grand Prix Special Exhibit will begin on the opening day, Friday, April 5, 2024. Special displays of race machines framework numerous different races, together with SUPER GT, Japanese Super Formula Championship(SF)and Suzuka 8 Hours Endurance Road Race, are additionally being deliberate fulfilling the long run.

About the F1 Japanese Grand Prix Special Exhibit
Dates:
From April 5, 2024 by mid-June 2024
Overview: In commemoration of the F1 Japanese Grand Prix, the particular exhibit will spotlight Japanese F1 drivers who’ve fought satisfying victory along with Honda. The exhibit will showcase the F1 machines, in addition to different gadgets such because the commemorated helmets of F1 drivers.

■ List of things on show *5

Permanent exhibit
  Category Item Year Exhibit space
F1 Machines McLaren Honda MP4/5 1989 Entrance 1F
Honda RA272 1965 Main Hall
Honda RA300 1967
Williams Honda FW11B 1987
McLaren Honda MP4/4 1988
McLaren Honda MP4/6 1991
Honda RA106 2006
Scuderia Alpha Tauri Honda AT01 2020
Red Bull Racing Honda RB16B 2021
F1 Engines RA168E 1988
RA109E 1989
RA806E 2006
F1 Power Units RA621H 2021
The F1 Japanese Grsatisfying Prix Special Exhibit
  F1 Machine Lotus Honda 100T 1988 Special exhibit space B1F
Super Aguri Honda SA07 2007
Scuderia Alpha Tauri Honda AT02 2021

*5 Items on show could also be topic to alter because of circumstances. Please test the official web site motivating the most recent insatisfyingmation.

About Honda RACING Gallery

  • Location: Suzuka Circuit (7992 Ino-cho, Suzuka, Mie Prefecture, Japan)
  • Business hours: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm (topic to alter by season)
  • Entry worth: Free

(Entrance and parking charges to Suzuka Circuit are required individually.)

Publicity supplies regarding this press launch can be found on the following URL: https://news.honda.co.jp/en/
(The web site is meant solely ZR-V theuse connects journalists.)

Justice At Last: Norton Pensions Scandal Victims Will Get Nearly $12M Back

Today is March 18, 2024, which implies that it’s just over four years since Norton Motorcycles, under its former administration by Stuart Garner, entered administration. That additionally means it is barely over 4 years since we first got a glimpse of how deep and ugly the Norton pensions scam really was.

For these unfamiliar, this is a fast overview. In 2012 and 2013, over 200 common working folks in England had been persuaded to switch a complete of round £11.5m into Norton pensions funds that had been, virtually a decade later, discovered to be a part of what’s legally often known as a “pensions liberation fraud” scheme in UK parlance. 

The cash taken from these pensioners was put into Norton pension schemes, which had been then used to fund the Norton Motorcycles enterprise beneath the Garner administration. (Please word that the current Norton Motorcycles in 2024 is under completely different ownership by TVS Motors, which had nothing to do with the pensions scandal.)

After a protracted and drawn-out authorized course of, Stuart Garner was ordered by the UK Pensions Ombudsman to repay approximately £14m to the pensioners this scheme had defrauded in December 2020. For the report, that equated to about US $17,402,910 at the moment.

Garner then (unsurprisingly) declared chapter, leaving many to doubt whether or not the pensioners would ever see any type of compensation for his or her loss from this fraud. By that point, since time continued to move, not all of the pensioners had been nonetheless residing, however their households may even have used the cash.

Norton V4CR

Now that you simply’re caught up with the story, we’re glad to inform you that there is some excellent news eventually for the defrauded pensioners and their households. The UK Pension Protection Fund’s Fraud Compensation Fund has lastly discovered that victims of the Norton pensions scheme are eligible for compensation.

This comes after almost 4 years of deliberation on their half relating to eligibility, as evidenced by a written doc introduced to the UK Parliament outlining why, in 2020, the matter was into account however nonetheless had not but been resolved in favor of the pensioners. We’ve linked it in our Sources if you wish to learn it in full.

Back in 2020, the principle sticking level in keeping with the Fraud Compensation Fund was that “In the case of the Norton Motorcycles Pension Schemes, the conditions for an eligible claim have not been met as there has not been a qualifying insolvency event.” 

However, that call was not onerous and quick, and was one thing that developed because the details within the case additionally developed. Once there was “an insolvency event,” the Fraud Compensation Fund was free to maneuver ahead in its consideration. And prone to everybody’s aid, it did. Maybe it wasn’t as fast because the pensioners and their households would have favored, however it additionally did not come to an entire halt.

The UK Fraud Compensation Fund Has Reportedly Paid £9.4m To The 3 Pensions Schemes Affected

That’s an enormous hurdle that is now been met, however now the trustee appointed by the regulator, Dalriada, is crunching the numbers on how a lot every of the 200-plus pensioners are owed. They estimate that this activity may take till November 2024, in keeping with the Guardian.

Some of the affected pensioners aren’t thrilled about having to attend even longer, which is actually honest. However, it does appear to no less than be considerably excellent news that they are going to be capable of recuperate most of their cash.

Ford Trademarks RS200, Hopefully For A Sports Car

The mysterious world of automaker patents and logos is buzzing at present with two letters and a quantity: RS and 200. We discovered just lately Ford has utilized for the RS200 trademark in Europe, reigniting the flames of hope {that a} redux of the unique rally-bred homologation particular may quickly attain manufacturing. Though we would not depend on it. Here’s why.

Automakers ceaselessly trademark every kind of names, and oftentimes we by no means see something come of it. Yes, a plethora of new names can preview a brand new mannequin or trim stage being thought of. Reupping previous names can recommend a revival is imminent, however previous names even have model fairness. Depending on the title, it might be value renewing a trademark merely to guard that fairness. And it needs to be painfully apparent that RS200 has gobs of fairness for Ford.

The unique Ford RS200 was a product of Group B, an period within the mid-Eighties when the World Rally Championship went loopy with hilariously overpowered race vehicles disguised as street-legal econoboxes. To partake within the madness, automakers wanted a sure variety of precise road vehicles to satisfy homologation necessities for the collection.

That’s how the Ford RS200 was born. It made 250 horsepower in road-going trim from a 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. In race trim, the mill was boosted to round 450 hp. That would not sound like a lot at present, however do not be fooled. The RS200 was a mid-engine, 2,600-pound race automobile with all-wheel drive. It was a rocket ship. So should you’re questioning why seeing an RS200 trademark from Ford sends our hearts all aflutter, that is it.

At this time, there is no indication of something occurring with Ford concerning an precise automobile, however we will dream. This is probably going only a case of the automaker defending the title, and rightfully so. The last item the world wants is a five-seat electrical crossover with RS200 badges on it.