Toyota to recall 2.77 million cars over steering glitch

TOKYO — Toyota Motor Corp will recall about 2.77 million vehicles worldwide, including the Prius hybrid car, due to problems with the steering mechanism and the hybrid system water pump.

Toyota will recall 13 models sold in Japan between August 2000 and January 2012, it said in a filing with Japan’s transport ministry. Some 1.5 million of the recalls are of cars sold in Japan.

The announcement comes a month after Toyota recalled more than 7.4 million vehicles worldwide for faulty power window switches that are a potential fire hazard, the biggest single recall since Ford pulled 8 million vehicles off the road in 1996.

source: interaksyon.com

Toyota launches new Auris compact hatchback in Japan

TOKYO — Toyota Motor Corp on Monday announced the Japan launch of the completely redesigned Auris compact hatchback, a strategic compact model for both Japan and Europe.

The completely redesigned Auris integrates the underlying appeal of automobiles - styling and performance - and takes them to a new dimension, based on the vehicle’s aim of establishing a new standard for sports hatchbacks. Specific improvements include a 55-mm height reduction for a lower center of gravity, improved driving performance tempered through extensive drive tests in Europe, and the addition of an enhanced “RS” sport grade. These changes advance the unique image established for the first-generation Auris under the “performance you can feel” concept.

source: japantoday.com