Bob Lutz : General Motors, Volkswagen and Hyundai are the World's New Big Three

It's fall again, time for Bob Lutz to make headlines. Less than a month after "Maximum Bob" made his official comeback to General Motors as a consultant, the semi-retired car executive and onetime Marine pilot gave an in-depth interview to German monthly Manager Magazin.

Lutz was questioned about a variety of subjects that mainly concentrated on Opel and its relationship with General Motors, but he was also asked about the future of the industry in general, and whom he sees as being the major players.

According to Captain Lutz, the new big three in the automotive industry are General Motors, the Volkswagen Group and –wait for it- the Hyundai Group. And what about Toyota and the rest of the Japanese carmakers like Honda? According to the GM exec, Japanese automakers have lost it… Follow the jump for his (translated) response as well as the original Q&A.

Bob Lutz: “A while ago, many experts thought, the race for the top position in the auto business would be a dead heat between GM, Toyota, and Honda. This has changed. The Big Three are now GM, Volkswagen, and Hyundai. Toyota is in decline. The Japanese lost their bullet-proof quality image. Their cars aren’t especially pretty. Their driving dynamics is below the level of the best European and American cars.

GM on the other hand has improved its engineering, payroll and healthcare are way down after the bankruptcy. When it comes to platform sharing amongst brands, GM always has been absolutely competitive. Trust me: GM will give Volkswagen and Hyundai a tough fight.”

Original Q&A from Manager Magazin in German:
Manager Magazin: "Sie haben gesagt, Chevrolet sei die neben Hyundai Chart zeigen am schnellsten wachsende Marke der Welt. Wie wird General Motors Chart zeigen angesichts des gewaltigen Wachstums der wichtigsten Konzernmarke 2015 und 2020 dastehen?"
Bob Lutz:"Hervorragend. Früher glaubten viele Branchenexperten, GM, Toyota Chart zeigen und Honda Chart zeigen würden die Position der automobilen Nummer Eins unter sich ausmachen. Das hat sich geändert. GM, Volkswagen Chart zeigen und Hyundai sind jetzt die großen Drei. Toyota fällt dagegen ab. Die Japaner haben ihr kugelsicheres Qualitätsimage verloren, ihre Autos sind nicht besonders schön, nicht besonders reizvoll, und ihre Fahrdynamik reicht nicht an das Niveau der besten europäischen und amerikanischen Modelle heran.
GM dagegen hat sich technisch verbessert und die Ausgaben für Gehälter und Gesundheitskosten nach der Insolvenz deutlich gesenkt. Was den Einsatz gleicher Architekturen für mehrere Marken angeht, war GM schon immer absolut wettbewerbsfähig. Verlassen Sie sich auf eins: GM wird Volkswagen und Hyundai einen sehr harten Wettbewerb liefern."

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Toyota Gets Tough and Cheeky with New Hi Lux Commercials

In of those rare moments when advertisers not only manage to get the message through but also capture our attention with their commercials, Toyota launched a series of ads to promote the recently facelifted HiLux pickup truck.
The common theme line for the humorous TV spots, which were shot for Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, is that the new HiLux is "unbreakable" and extremely lovable – or so Toyota claims.
Turn the page to watch all three ads.
Story sources: Youtube/Toyota via Autoblog

VIDEO

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Toyota Pixis Space Launches in Japan

Toyota has Launches the new Pixis Space in Japan. Supplied by Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd., the car is the result of a partnership the two automakers signed last year.

Minicars are defined under Japanese regulations as having maximum length of 3.4 meters, width of 1.48 meters, height of 2 meters and engine displacement of less than 660 cc.

Equipped with Toyota's eco-IDLE2 – a fuel-saving stop-start system – select versions of the Pixis Space return a class-leading fuel economy rating of 25.5 kilometers per liter (60 mpg U.S.) on Japan's generous 10-15 test cycle.

Minivehicles, with engine displacements of up to 660cc, are unique to Japan and made up about 35 per cent of total vehicle sales last year. They are especially popular in rural areas as a second or third family car.

On the Japanese market, the Pixis Space is priced from JPY1.12 million ($14,700), though it can go all the way up to JPY1.611 million ($21,145).




Press Release

TMC Launches 'Pixis Space' Minivehicle in Japan
-Vehicle First of Minivehicles to be Supplied by Daihatsu on OEM Basis-

Toyota City, Japan, September 26, 2011-Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) in Japan today launched the "Pixis1 Space", the first passenger minivehicle to be launched under the Toyota brand. The vehicle will be sold through more than 200 Toyota dealerships nationwide.

The Pixis Space has been designed to meet the diversifying needs of car-buyers in Japan. The vehicle features sophisticated square styling, employs functions and equipment suited to daily driving and has high environmental performance.

Coming in two distinct variations-the simply styled "L" and "X" models and the strong-presence "Custom X", "Custom G" and "Custom RS" models-the Pixis Space's unique design and eight available body colors create variety that enables buyers to better select a vehicle suiting their tastes. The vehicle's carefully crafted and color-accented front seats convey sophistication, contributing overall to its comfortable interior. Moreover, the adoption of the eco-IDLE2 system-a new idling-stop function-in the X and Custom G models, achieves class-leading3 fuel efficiency of 25.5 km/l in the 10-15 test cycle outlined by Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT).

The Pixis Space represents the first vehicle supplied by Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd. (Daihatsu) to TMC under a minivehicle OEM agreement reached in September 2010.

Vehicle Outline

Wide variety to match personal tastes

Two distinct style variations and eight available body colors allow selection that matches personal taste.

L and X
With a square form characterized by bold surfaces and excellent driving visibility, the L and X models also deliver an unassuming cabin space, with simple horizontal accents. A warm gray interior gives a welcoming, modern impression.

Custom X, Custom G, Custom RS
The vertical two-lamp, high-intensity discharge headlight configuration and front aerodynamic bumpers contribute to the imposing front view of the Custom grade models, while the side stone guards play into a side silhouette distinguished by a low center of gravity. The inside is characterized by black undertones and an illuminated instrument panel with switch-controlled graduated lighting, combining to deliver a cool, subdued interior.

Spacious cabin area ensures comfort for all occupants

A long, 2,490 mm wheelbase provides the Pixis Space with a 2,000 mm cabin length. Combined with ample height and a broad width, there is plenty of room for four adults while still ensuring sufficient luggage space.

Designed for everyday use, the vehicle features front seats reminiscent of a sofa that are the result of careful attention to fabric selection and fine needlework.

Superior environmental performance

All models adopt a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with both available engines, the 660 cc KF engine with Dynamic Variable Valve Timing (DVVT)4 and the 660 cc KF engine with an intercooler-equipped turbo, thus giving the vehicle a smooth ride and high fuel efficiency.

The front-wheel-drive X and Custom G models are equipped with eco-IDLE, a new idling-stop function, and get 25.5 km/l (equivalent to 91g/km of CO2 emissions) in the 10-15 test cycle outlined by Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT).

All models (excluding the Custom RS) surpass the Japanese 2010 fuel efficiency standards5 by 25%. Combined with certification for emission levels 75% lower than 2005 standards under the MLIT approval system for low-emission vehicles, these models qualify for a 75% reduction in the Japanese automobile acquisition tax and automobile weight tax, in accordance with the Japanese government's taxation system for environment-friendly vehicles.

Toyota's FT-86 II Concept with a New Color

Toyota seems ready to knock down the Chevrolet Camaro's record number of motorshow appearances before it finally entered production with its FT-86 sports coupe.
More than three years after Toyota and Subaru announced plans to co-develop a rear-wheel drive coupe, and almost two years after Toyota first showed a concept of the FT-86, the Japanese company is still displaying prototypes of its long-awaited sports car.
At this week's Frankfurt Motor Show in Germany, Toyota brought along the most recent interpretation of the FT-86 II Concept that we first saw in Geneva this past March with a small twist: instead of a black finish, the study features a bronze/orange hue along with colored brake calipers, and that's about it.
Check out the pictures right after the jump.

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2012 Toyota Avensis Facelift Uncovered at the Frankfurt Motor Show

Following a sneak preview of the updated Avensis, today Toyota went ahead and officially revealed its Opel Insignia-rival at the Frankfurt Motor Show . The facelift brings cosmetic changes both on the outside and the cabin.
While overall dimensions remain the same as the previous model, the mid-size sedan and the estate (Tourer) version benefit from a fresh face with a redesigned grille that has a chrome upper “lip” and new, narrower headlights that incorporate daytime running lights. At the rear, both body styles gain redesigned tail lamps.
The sedan also sports a new rear bumper design with a center guard and a chrome trim for the license plate, while depending on the trim level, the Avensis is offered with 16-inch steel or 17- or 18-inch alloy wheels. .
In the interior, the dashboard has received some minor tweaks to improve the ease of use of the center console switchgear, while the instruments have white instead of red backlighting. The cabin also gains new upholstery and higher quality trim on parts frequently touched by the driver or passengers, like the door grips, the switchgear and the center console.
Another addition to the 2012 Avensis is the new multimedia system, which is offered in three versions: Touch, Touch and Go and Touch and Go Plus. All versions have a 6.1-inch touch-screen, Bluetooth connectivity, rear-view parking camera, automatic phone book access, audio streaming and vehicle settings display as standard, with features like full map navigation, speed warning, SMS messaging, 3D landmarks, e-mail and an 11-speaker audio system added to the two other versions, depending on specifications and market.
The outgoing model had already received a five-star rating in the EuroNCAP tests. Now Toyota is introducing a longer list of active and passive safety systems in order to offer even better protection. Chief among them is the optional Pre-Crash safety system that uses a radar sensor to scan the road and warn the driver of potential hazards. When the driver brakes, it activates the seatbelt pretensioners and provide added braking power. If it detects that a collision is imminent, it will automatically apply full force braking in order to reduce the severity of the accident.
Other options include an adaptive cruise control and a lane departure warning system, while systems like ABS with EBD and Electronic Stability and Traction Control are standard.
In the powertrain department, Toyota has improved the 124HP 2.0-liter D-4D diesel engine by fitting it with a new turbocharger and modifying the combustion chamber. As a result, average consumption is lower and CO2 emissions reduced by 15%, from 139 to 119 g/km.

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