Toyota has introduced it’s 5th Generation 2010 4Runner. Marking 25 years since the debut of the 4Runner, the 2010 model will feature, “more than $1,700 worth of added content,” yet the price will remain the same as in the 2009 model year.

Be sure to check out our complete coverage of the 2010 4Runner in our trucks section here at Toyoland.com

The 2010 4Runner is being entered in the “stock mini” class of the 42nd Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 race- a 672 mile long desert race with a time limit of 31 hours. The single-loop race starts and ends in Ensenada, Mexico on November 20 through 21 and draws tens of thousands of spectators along the route. Typically, only about half of the racers complete the course withing the 31-hour time limit.

Toyota, still reeling from it’s largest-ever recall, has a new potential problem on the horizon. The NHTSA is investigating complaints against the 2000-2001 model year Toyota Tundra. NHTSA has received 20 reports relating to spare tire separation and brake system failures caused by severe frame corrosion.

There have been 15 reports alleging that the under-body mounted spare tire separated from the crossmember due to corrosion. There have been an additional 5 reports of broken brake lines at the proportioning valve located on the driver’s side of the rear crossmember at the upper shock mount.

There were over 200,000 Tundras sold in the affected model years.

Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., today reported September sales of 126,015 vehicles, a decrease of 16.1 percent from last September, on a daily selling rate basis. TMS posted sales of 525,975 units in the third quarter, a 28 percent increase over the second quarter.

“Improving economic conditions and the CARS program led to a significant increase for the industry in the third quarter over the first-half year,” said Don Esmond, senior vice president of automotive operations for TMS. “Moving into the fourth quarter, we expect continued momentum will close the year on a bright note.”

The Toyota Division posted September sales of 108,076 units, down 19.1 percent from last September. The Lexus Division reported September sales of 17,939 units, an increase of 7.3 percent from the year-ago month.

Toyota Division
Toyota Division passenger cars recorded September sales of 69,737 units, a decrease of 15.2 percent from last September. Passenger car sales were led by Camry and Camry Hybrid, which posted combined September sales of 25,745 units. The Prius mid-size gas-electric hybrid posted September sales of 10,984 units. Corolla recorded sales of 20,741 units. Venza reported sales of 4,738 units for the month.

Toyota Division light trucks posted sales of 38,339 units, down 25.3 percent from the year-ago month. Light truck sales were led by the RAV4 compact SUV with September sales of 10,398 units. Highlander and Highlander Hybrid posted combined sales of 5,216 units for the month. The Tacoma mid-size pickup reported sales of 7,513 units in September. The Tundra full-size pickup recorded September sales of 6,308 units. Sienna recorded sales of 6,442 units for the month.

Scion posted September sales of 3,683 units. The xB urban utility vehicle led the way with September sales of 1,539 units. The tC sports coupe posted September sales of 1,232 units. The xD reported sales of 912 units for the month.

Lexus Division
Lexus passenger cars reported September sales of 8,931 units, down 9.1 percent from the year-ago month. Passenger car sales were led by the IS, with combined sales of 3,346 units. The ES 350 luxury sedan posted September sales of 3,046 units.

Lexus Division light trucks reported September sales of 9,008 units, up 30.7 percent over the same period last year. Lexus sales were led by the RX luxury utility vehicle which posted combined September sales of 8,228 units, up 70.3 percent over the year-ago month. The RX 450h hybrid luxury utility vehicle reported sales of 1,168 units for the month, up 50.7 percent from last September.

TMS Hybrids
TMS calendar-year-to-date hybrid sales totaled 142,566 units. TMS posted September sales of 14,585 hybrid vehicles. Toyota Division posted sales of 12,125 hybrids for the month. Lexus Division posted September sales of 2,460 hybrids.

There were 25 selling days this month, compared to 24 selling days last September.

Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., has reported August vehicle sales of 225,088 vehicles, up 10.5 percent over year-ago levels on a daily selling rate basis. Toyota Division passenger cars recorded an all-time, best-ever month with sales of 142,529 units, up 32.4 percent over the same period last year as the CARS program generated significant incremental sales for TMS and the industry.

“In addition to increased sales, the CARS program provided tangible benefits to consumers, dealers and industry-related businesses, as well as state and local economies, in the form of sales tax and registration income,” said Jim Lentz, president and chief operating officer for TMS. “Toyota vehicles accounted for 19.4 percent of sales within the CARS program, but we estimate CARS-related Toyota sales account for 32.1 percent of total fuel savings for the CARS program, saving customers an estimated 31 million gallons of gas and over $77.5 million in fuel spending over the next year.”

The Toyota Division posted August sales of 202,196 units, an increase of 15.2 percent over the same period last year. The Lexus Division reported August sales of 22,892 units, a decrease of 18.8 percent from the year-ago month.

Toyota Division

Toyota Division passenger cars recorded an all-time, best-ever month with sales of 142,529 units, up 32.4 percent over the same period last year. Camry and Camry Hybrid remained Toyota’s volume leader in August, and posted an all-time, best-ever month with combined monthly sales of 54,396 units, up 28.2 percent over August 2008. The Prius mid-size gas-electric hybrid posted August sales of 18,886 units, up 45.7 percent from the year-ago month. Corolla recorded sales of 43,061 units, up 51.9 percent over last August. Yaris reported sales of 4,797units for the month.

Toyota Division light trucks posted August sales of 59,667 units, down 12.1 percent from the year-ago month. Light truck sales were led by the RAV4 compact SUV with all-time best-ever sales of 18,312 units, up 47.3 percent over the same period last year. Highlander and Highlander Hybrid posted combined sales of 10,656 units, up 37.1 percent over August 2008. The Tacoma mid-size pickup reported sales of 12,547 units for the month, up 5.0 percent over the year-ago month. The Tundra full-size pickup recorded August sales of 7,872 units.

Scion posted August sales of 10,727 units. The xB urban utility vehicle led the way with sales of 4,588 units, up 3.0 percent over last August. The tC sports coupe recorded sales of 3,082 units. The xD reported sales of 3,057 units for the month, up 15.1 percent over the same period last year.

Lexus Division

Lexus passenger cars reported August sales of 12,610 units, a decrease of 26.6 percent from August 2008. Passenger car sales were led by the ES entry luxury sedan with August sales of 5,629 units. The IS entry luxury sport sedan posted combined sales of 4,855 units.

Lexus Division light trucks recorded August sales of 10,282 units, down 6.6 percent from the year-ago month. Lexus sales were led by the RX and RX Hybrid luxury utility vehicle, which posted combined August sales of 9,317 units, up 7.9 percent over last August.

TMS Hybrids

TMS posted August sales of 24,191 hybrid vehicles, up 28.6 percent from the same period last year. Toyota Division recorded sales of 21,836 hybrids for the month. Lexus Division reported August sales of 2,355 hybrids.

There were 26 selling days this month, compared to 27 last August.

Toyota will add capacity at its engine plant in Huntsville, Ala., to increase North American production of four-cylinder engines. The expansion will allow Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Alabama (TMMAL) to produce 216,000 four-cylinder engines annually. Production will begin by summer 2011.

The plant currently builds both V8 and V6 engines. The expansion will bring its annual engine capacity to 577,000.

At least 240 new employees will be hired, raising total employment at TMMAL to more than 1,000. New investment will be $147 million, bringing the total to $637 million.

“The four-cylinder engines to be produced in Alabama will be for Camry and RAV4,” said Jim Wiseman, vice president of Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.

“Currently all engines for RAV4s made at our Woodstock, Ontario plant come from Japan, as well as engines for Camrys built at SIA in Lafayette, Ind.,” he explained. “We’re pleased to be moving all of this production to North America.”

He added that four-cylinder engines will continue to be built in Kentucky for Camry production at that plant.

Both of Toyota’s Bodine Aluminum castings plants, located in Troy, Mo. and Jackson, TN., will also add capacity to provide cylinder heads and blocks to TMMAL.

Combined investment for those two facilities will be $25 million with up to 60 new jobs.

Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., today reported that July vehicle sales of 174,872 vehicles trailed year ago levels by 11.4 percent, on a daily selling rate basis. The CARS program generated significant incremental sales for TMS this month.

“Beyond the tangible economic stimulus, the positive environmental benefits of the CARS program is clear to see,” said TMS President Jim Lentz. “The program is achieving its goal of increasing fuel efficiency. CARS-related Toyota sales, over the seven days alone, will save customers an estimated 8 million gallons of gas and 20 million dollars in gas spending over the next year.”

The Toyota Division posted July sales of 156,355 units, a decrease of 10.8 percent from the same period last year. The Lexus Division reported July sales of 18,517 units, a decrease of 16.5 percent from the year-ago month.

Toyota Division

Toyota Division passenger cars recorded July sales of 102,665 units, down 10.6 percent from the same period last year. Camry and Camry Hybrid remained Toyota’s volume leader in July, posting combined monthly sales of 33,974 units. The all-new redesigned Prius mid-size gas-electric hybrid posted best-ever July sales of 19,173 units, up 29.7 percent from the year-ago month. Corolla recorded sales of 29,593 units. Yaris reported sales of 5,483 units for the month.

Toyota Division light trucks posted July sales of 53,690 units, down 11.1 percent from the year-ago month. Light truck sales were led by the RAV4 compact SUV with best-ever July sales of 15,912 units, up 32.5 percent over the same period last year. Highlander and Highlander Hybrid posted combined sales of 9,407 units, up 39.1 percent over July 2008. The Tacoma mid-size pickup reported sales of 12,552 units for the month, up 7.6 percent over July 2008. The Tundra full-size pickup recorded July sales of 6,313 units.

Scion posted July sales of 6,754 units. The xB urban utility vehicle led the way with sales of 2,838 units. The tC sports coupe recorded sales of 1,939 units. The xD reported sales of 1,976 units for the month.

Lexus Division

Lexus passenger cars reported July sales of 9,904 units, a decrease of 25.1 percent from July 2008. Passenger car sales were led by the ES entry luxury sedan with July sales of 4,393 units. The IS entry luxury sport sedan posted combined sales of 4,029 units. The LS flagship luxury sedan recorded combined sales of 874 units. The GS luxury sport sedan reported combined July sales of 551 units.

Lexus Division light trucks recorded July sales of 8,613 units, down 3.9 percent from the year-ago month. Lexus sales were led by the RX and RX Hybrid luxury utility vehicle, which posted combined July sales of 7,811 units, up 10.0 percent over last July.

TMS Hybrids

TMS posted July sales of 24,295 hybrid vehicles, up 19.3 percent from the same period last year. Toyota Division recorded sales of 22,853 hybrids for the month. Lexus Division reported July sales of 1,442 hybrids.

There were 26 selling days this month and last July.