Toyota concept is the FT-86′s little sister

We’ve been clamoring for a date with the production version of the Toyota FT-86 for longer than we care to remember, but we officially have a new infatuation. Meet the boxer coupe’s younger sister – the TES T-Sport Concept. If our Google Translator is to be believed, the car supposedly originated from an inner-company survey that asked what type of cars Toyota engineers would most like to see built. Apparently the overwhelming answer was a fun-to-drive, affordable sports car.

Color us stunned.

From there, the Toyota Engineering Society set about crafting their vision of a low buck machine that could still slather a smile on your face. Power comes courtesy of a 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine with around 110 horsepower, and this thing hits the scales at less than 2,000 pounds. That sounds like a winning combination to us. The T-Sport Concept wears some plenty funky styling, but we certainly wouldn’t hold that against a would-be Mazda MX-5 competitor. As with most things awesome that hail from auto shows, there’s little likelihood that the T-Sport will ever see production. Head over to AutoGuide to get a closer look at the two-seater.

Dana coughs up $25M to Toyota over rusty Tacoma frames

When an automaker is forced to issue a recall, the defective part or feature is generally the fault of the automaker or of an OEM supplier it contracted to. In the case of the Toyota Tacoma – part of a 110,000-unit recall in 2009 – the problem appears to have been traced back to the supplier. And now the supplier is forced to pay for its mistakes.

The company in question, according to reports, is Dana, the Ohio-based OEM contractor supplying (among other components) axles and driveshafts for automobiles, commercial trucks and heavy equipment. In this case, it supplied the frames for the Tacoma pickup which were found to rust when exposed to road salt.

Although in 2010 Dana sold the plant that manufactures the frame to Mexican conglomerate Grupo Porza’s Metalsa subsidiary, since the component in question was built prior to the sale (from 1995 to 2000), Dana has reportedly been forced to shell out $25 million to Toyota over the issue.

Sport Cars of Toyota Supra

Sport Cars of Toyota Supra were originally produced by the Toyota Motor Company from the years of 1979 to 2010, making it one of the older models with the longest value of production in the Toyota line. The style was originally derived from one of its predecessors, the Toyota Celica; however, it was specifically fashioned to be both wider and longer so that it would be a sturdier car than the Toyota Celica. However, the designers were able to maintain the original speed in the vehicle, despite its larger size than its cousin, the Toyota Celica.

Sport Cars of Toyota Supra also trace many of its roots back to the Toyota 2000GT with the original insistence of the 2000GT being the motor used for the car. During the first three generations of the line, a direct descendent engine of the Toyota 2000GT, the M engine was used. All four of the Toyota Supra’s have sported and produced an incline 6 cylinder engine with most of the engine specs being almost identical except for a few choice technological innovations. The aspects of the interior have also been quite similar through all four generations. The engine is relatively powerful, but lacks a certain get up to the acceleration. However, this is made up for in luxury as well as overall power.

This particular car also gained its own logo after it broke out from the shadow of the Toyota Celica. However, it did derive from the original Celica logo; it still remains somewhat unique, as the car was proven unique. The logo looks very similar to the Celica logo, but it is blue instead of being orange and has several other altercations to it. This logo was used until around 1986 during the second generation right before the Toyota Supra MKIII was released. A brand new logo came along with this new title. It was similar in size but has orange writing and a reddish background and did not have the dragon design as it formerly did. This logo was used on the Toyota Supra until around 1991 when it was switched to the current logo, which is in the shape of a oval.

Toyota discontinued the sale in 1999 and officially stopped production the New Era 2010 in Japan. The Sport Cars of Toyota Supra are an iconic sports cars that has been used in numerous video games and movies for its look as well as its notoriety for power and speed.

Toyota and Lexus show off at Tokyo Auto Salon

You’ve seen the Toyota GRMN iQ Racing Concept (lucky you!), and now it’s time to divert your attention towards the rest of the Japanese automaker’s wares being shown off at the Tokyo Auto Salon.

First up is the Toyota Prius G Sports Concept, which features the kind of gaping maw only the Mama Cylon could love. Rounding out Toyota’s offerings is the TRD Auris GT Concept, which we think actually looks kinda nifty with its subdued body kit and blindingly bright yellow paint.

Lexus wasn’t left out of the proceedings either, and its machines are arguably more interesting than its mothership’s. There’s the F-Sport CT 200h (a future production model) taking center stage with its unique alloy wheels, body kit and Recaro seats, which is joined by the IS F Club Circuit Sports Racer and a set of Club Performance Accessories for the IS F that include front and rear spoilers and a carbon fiber hood.

Last but certainly not least is the Gazoo Racing Lexus LFA supercar that raced at last year’s Nürburgring 24 Hours race. See both sets of vehicular craziness in our high-res image galleries below, then check out all the details in the press releases after the break.

Toyota Worldwide Hybrid Sales Surpass 1 Million Mark

To be exact, as of May 31, 2007, Toyota has sold an amazing 1,047,000 hybrid car units worldwide. In all honestly, who’d believe back in 1997 when Toyota launched the first Prius in Japan, that ToMoCo would manage to pull it off selling over a million hybrid cars in 10 years? We dare to say that this accomplishment is even more astonishing than the fact that ToMoCo is one step away this year from dethroning GM as the world’s largest car manufacturer. Follow the jump for the official press release along with the chronology of Toyota’s Hybrid love affair and an analytical sales chart. 

2011 Toyota Highlander

After more than a decade of wild growth and nearly limitless prosperity, Toyota experienced an unthinkable 2010 – the bandwagon derailed in a very ugly, very public way. Embarrassing recalls played their role in the Japanese automaker’s uncharacteristic slide, but even though that public black eye is beginning to heal, Toyota is still grappling with an aging product lineup. The Camry and Corolla still sell in massive numbers, but they’re growing long in the tooth. Admittedly, the latter received a very mild refresh for 2011, but the competition has caught up with each in every category that counts. It’s much the same story for Toyota’s truck and SUV portfolio, where the RAV4, Tacoma, FJ Cruiser and Tundra are hardly spring chickens.

Compounding the issue is the lukewarm response to some of its newly refreshed. The styling remains staid. The interiors are no longer class-leading. The powertrains and fuel economy have done little to separate them from the rest of the pack. Still, not all Toyota models are headed off the reservation. The redesigned Siennahas been well-received and is doing good work on the sales floor. The same can still be said for the Prius and the redesigned 4Runner, which is selling far better than its predecessor. The subject of Toyota’s latest refresh and the vehicle featured here, the 2011 Highlander, has been consistently successful over its lifespan. Will new tweaks to the seven-passenger crossover help this perennial top-seller stay near the top of the pack, or could the lack of a more comprehensive redesign relegate this CUV to also-ran status?

Toyota sees increased U.S. market share in 2011

2010 was as rough a year as Toyota has experienced in many-a-decade, but the Japanese automaker reportedly senses a rebound in 2011. The Detroit News reports that team Toyota predicts that in 2011 it will outpace industry growth due in part to 10 revamped models across its Toyota, Lexus and Scion brands.

And Toyota isn’t just optimistic about its prospects in the year ahead; the automaker feels sales will jump to 12.5 million units on an annualized basis, up a million units from 2010. Many industry analysts polled by The Detroit News seem to agree with that sentiment as well, with figures ranging from 12.5 to over 13 million cars and trucks sold in 2011. Further into the future, Toyota reportedly sees sales hitting 15 million units by 2015.

After the year Toyota had, we are a little surprised that the Japanese automaker is this bullish on 2011. But then again, Toyota struggled as much with an aging lineup as it did with millions of recalls. Ten new models can go a long way toward repopulating dealers with new customers, especially if U.S. car buyers can forget about 2010 as fast as Toyota hopes they do.

Despite tough year, Toyota finishes 2010 with best-selling car, brand and luxury marque titles

By most accounts, Toyota didn’t have the rosiest of years in 2010. Hounded by safety recalls, lawsuits and government investigations, the automaker saw its once spotless reputation grow more sullied by the month. Still, it’s important to note that none of these issues stopped the Japanese automaker from snagging some impressive U.S. sales titles, including the best-selling car (Camry), brand (Toyota) and luxury marque (Lexus) for 2010, not including fleet sales. All told, the entire company saw 1,763,595 sales through 2010 – a number that’s more or less comparable to its 2009 figures. The Toyota brand itself walked away with 1,534,266 of those sales, while Lexus sent home 229,329 units and Scion managed to move a further 45,678 vehicles.

While the Toyota division’s sales stayed flat for 2010 compared to 2009, Lexus sales jumped by 6.9 percent. The luxury brand’s increase was driven largely by its light truck sales, which were up 13.3 percent compared to 2009. Interestingly enough, the Lexus GX saw sales increase by 165.6 percent over 2009 numbers, with 16,450 units sold. Hit the jump for the full press release.

Next Toyota Highlander to form basis for new Subaru Tribeca?

From the sound of things, Subaru and Toyota are getting cozier than ever. According to Motor Trend, the two companies are currently exploring ways to integrate platforms, and the fruit of that exploration may very well be the next Tribeca. MT is reporting that engineers are currently looking for ways to base the next-generation Subaru crossover on the bones of the Toyota Highlander. Both models are slated for replacement in 2014, and there’s some indication that the two vehicles will share more than a few bolts when they debut.

According to MT, the project isn’t without hiccups, however. As with the FT-86, both companies need to find a way to work around the Subaru 3.6-liter flat-six found in the nose of the current Tribeca. MTpoints out that the FT-86 avoided this issue by simply using the Subaru engine in the Toyota variant of the sports coupe, though at this point it’s unclear how the Tribeca/Highlander will overcome that particular hurdle. In addition, the crossover platform will also need room for the Highlander hybrid model’s battery packs, which may mean that Subaru will jump into the gas-electric game as well.

Japan’s production of small cars down 30.3% for November

2011 Toyota Corolla – Click above for high-res image gallery

November’s automobile production, not to be confused with total sales, has dropped by 6.7 percent in Japan as compared to a year ago. According to data published by the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, November 2010 automobile production hit 802,009 total units. However, the overall drop fails to tell the whole story.

Japan’s production of standard cars – vehicles with an engine that displaces two liters or more – shot up 3.7 percent year-on-year in November. Likewise, truck production rose by 3.3 percent to 101,853 units and bus output increased by 11.7 percent, hitting 10,348 units. So, larger vehicle’s fared well, but how about the small autos?

Overall, passenger car production dropped off by 8.2 percent, falling to 689,808 units. Output of small cars – vehicles with an engine that displaces between 660 cc and 2.0 liters, just outside the tiny Kei car class – declined by 30.3 percent and mini cars (under 660 cc) were down 4.2 percent. Though production numbers have no direct connection to sales, the reported figures seem to suggest that Japan’s enthusiasm for smaller autos, which are likely to be more fuel efficient than larger vehicles, is waning.

Toyota recalling 94,000 2011 Sienna minivans over brake light bracket issue

Toyota has issued a voluntary recall for approximately 94,000 2011 Sienna minivans produced before the beginning of November 2010. The recall is a result of a Stop Lamp Switch Bracket placed near the parking brake. When the parking brake is fully applied it may deform the switch bracket. This could result in the brake lights remaining lit or even partial engagement of the brakes resulting in a reduction of brake effectiveness over time.

No other vehicles have been affected by the issue and no accidents or injuries have been reported as of a result. Owners of affected vehicles will receive a notice in the mail by the middle of January, which contains instructions on how to handle any affects they might feel if their switch bracket has been deformed. A second notice will be sent out in February to inform customers that replacement parts are now available and appointments can be made with local Toyota service departments. Hop the jump for the full details.