The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., (TEMA), with a 2008 ENERGY STAR Sustained Excellence Award in recognition of its continued leadership in protecting our environment through energy efficiency. TEMA was honored for its long-term commitment to energy efficiency and management across its ten manufacturing operations in the U.S.

“Protecting the environment by reducing greenhouse gas emission while improving energy efficiency is a top priority of our team members,” said Steve St. Angelo, TEMA Senior Vice President. “Our commitment to the environment is a strong business case that not only helps our bottom line, but demonstrates our goal to be the most admired in town in the communities where we do business.”

Examples of energy improvement at TEMA’s U.S. facilities include:
• Replacing plant lights with new technology efficient lights, saving $500,000 annually and reducing CO2 emissions by 10,242 metric tons, equal to 730 homes.
• Reduce weekend and non-production energy usage, saving $103,000 annually and reducing CO2 emissions by 1,596 metric tons, equal to 115 homes.
• Reduce water use during the paint process, saving $185,000 annually and reducing water use by 50 gallons per vehicle.

Since 2002, Toyota has reduced its overall energy usage per vehicle by 21 percent and CO2 emissions per vehicle by 20 percent, equals to 17,000 homes. These overall energy savings equate to savings of $26 million.

Scion announced manufacturer’s suggested retail prices (MSRP) today for the 2009 model year xB urban utility vehicle and tC sports coupe. The xB will arrive at dealerships later this month while the tC will arrive in May.

The xB underwent a major model change in 2008, but this year carries over with only a change in exterior color. Stingray Metallic will replace Nautical Blue Metallic. The base MSRP for the xB is $15,750 with a five-speed manual transmission and $16,700 for the four-speed automatic with sequential shifting. Prices for both configurations represent an increase of $100 or 0.6 percent.

The sporty 2009 tC also carries over with only a minor change- updated seat fabric. Prices for both the automatic and manual transmission remain the same as the 2008 models. The tC with a five-speed manual transmission has a base MSRP of $17,000; the four-speed automatic transmission model carries an MSRP of $17,800.

All Scions come mono-spec with a generous list of standard features including a 160-watt maximum output Pioneer audio system with iPod connectivity and auxiliary port; power steering, windows, door locks and mirrors; cruise control; remote keyless entry; air conditioning; four-wheel anti-lock brakes with electronic brake assist; driver and front passenger airbags; front seat-mounted side airbags; front and rear side curtain airbags; and tilt steering wheel with audio controls.

An additional $620 delivery, processing and handling (DPH) fee is added to all Scion models and is not included in the MSRP. DPH fees for vehicles distributed by Southeast Toyota (SET) and Gulf States Toyota (GST) may vary.

According to the Michigan-based RDA Group, Ford is approaching Toyota and Honda when it comes to vehicle quality. Ford managed 1,284 “things-gone-wrong” (TGW) per 1,000 vehicles during the first three months of ownership this year, statistically matching the two top Japanese brands, which are tied at 1,250 TGW. Ford’s performance in this study marks an eight-percent improvement over the previous year, at which time they were tied with Toyota, but trailing industry-leader Honda.

Attempting to capitalize on that finding, Ford initiated an ad campaign that makes the statement, “Ford’s quality is now equal to Toyota’s.” Unfortunately, this ad campaign may not be as effective for Ford as it is for Toyota. It implies two things- that Ford quality has been poor and that Toyota quality is the standard of excellence to reach.

Ford has been working very hard on its image these days, but faces a large perceived quality gap. For its part, Ford has been making tremendous improvements in quality in the past few years; however it’s surprising to see an advertisement that points to the excellence of a competitor.

I can think of no higher compliment to Toyota than the fact that Ford is riding its coattails. I can think of no sadder commentary on Ford than that it feels it has to. Toyota has been the most profitable car company in the world for a long time. Last year, it officially passed GM to become number one in worldwide sales; and it has passed Ford to become number two in US sales. Toyota has long been a strong force in worldwide motorsports; last year it entered major NASCAR competition. This year, a Toyota Camry won a Sprint Cup race, the first non-US car to do so since 1954.

Toyota is a generation ahead in hybrid technology and is working hard to develop a technological edge in safety, efficiency and luxury. It has a longstanding reputation for quality.

Ford, after being the butt of countless jokes for decades, is finally achieving a sense of quality. The current ad campaign reflects a long history of poor quality at Ford. In many ways, Ford is getting the “You’re Special” treatment. Many of its recent accomplishments are in the “most improved” category. Ford always hoped to be number one- but after half a century at number two, Ford has fallen to number three. It doesn’t look likely to recover the status that Toyota has taken from it. Certainly not with this ad campaign.

What I get from this ad is Ford saying, “We always told you that quality was job one at Ford. It wasn’t, really. We swear, it is important to us this time. Really. In fact, we’re every bit as good as the guy that just beat us.” At least it’s not another Pinto ad.

Approximately 539,500 Corolla and Matrix vehicles sold in the U.S. are subject to a safety recall by Toyota and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Also affected by the recall are 122,598 Pontiac Vibe hatchbacks. The Pontiac Vibe hatchback shares the same platform as the Matrix and is built by GM in a joint venture with Toyota.

On certain 2003 and 2004 model year Corolla and Matrix vehicles equipped with power windows, the driver and front passenger door glass bolts may loosen and come off, causing the door glass to separate from the window regulator. This may cause the window to shatter. Vehicles that are equipped with manual windows are not involved in this campaign.

Toyota said Wednesday that it was aware of 143 cases where the bolts at the bottom of the window assembly had become loose.

If this condition has occurred on the vehicle – in some cases due to the components becoming loose and possibly rattling – an abnormal noise may be heard from the driver and/or front passenger door when operating the power windows.

Toyota will notify owners of the involved vehicles with a Special Service Campaign letter via first class mail beginning in late April. Owners are requested to contact their local Toyota dealer for diagnosis and repair upon receiving their notification. Replacement of the driver and front passenger door glass bolts will be done at no charge to the owners of the vehicle.

Customers with questions or concerns should contact the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.