Self-Driving Cars Not Available Yet, But Some of the Technology is

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Who's ready for the day when we can hop into our car, tell it where to go, and then sit back and enjoy the ride as the car drives itself? When we'll no longer have to worry about traffic and road rage because self-driving cars will communicate with others on the road to make our trip as efficient as possible? We might not even need to honk anymore! How soon is that happening, exactly? Well, not quite as close as we were initially thinking, the experts from the Society of Automotive Engineers say. Many had hoped we'd see the self-driving car available in around 5 years, at least according to predictions by Google. However, a realistic time frame is looking to be more in the 10-15 year range, or around 2025, to ensure the technology is perfected (and to minimize accidents).

On the plus side, elements of self-driving technology are already making their way into cars to give us all a taste of what's to come. Lots of newer vehicles, such as the Toyota Avalon, are being equipped with sensors and cameras that can detect when you're at risk of colliding into an object, as well as radar-based cruise control that automatically adjust speed based on the distance between your car and others. Adaptable headlights are also quite useful- they can detect when other cars are coming up to a certain distance away, and automatically switch between regular and hi-beam lights, giving you more visibility while not blinding others nearby.

Most interesting of all is park assist, available on the advanced technology package of the Prius V. This technology uses a combination of everything: computer processors, backup cameras, and sensors, to help navigate a vehicle into a parking spot. It's pretty amazing to watch as the steering wheel turns and the vehicle calculates exactly how to reverse itself! To use it, you pull forward as if you were getting ready to parallel park, and then use the backup camera and arrows on the touch screen to choose where the car is parking. Once you align the shape on the screen correctly, it becomes blue, signaling that the car is clear to park into the space. Then, the car will start backing itself up into the space as you control the brakes.

Check out the video below-

Do you know of any other self-driving features that are available, or that you'd like to see available soon? 

The First Scion Convertible?

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The Scion brand has come a long way. With roots going back to 2002, the brand aimed at Gen Y car buyers initially began with two models, the xA hatchback and xB wagon. Since then, they've evolved in all sorts of directions, adding a micro city car, the iQ, as well as several sportier vehicles, such as the tC and the rear-wheel drive FR-S.

All this time however, Scion and Toyota owners have been wondering, "Where are the convertibles?" Interestingly enough, the last time you could buy a brand new one was with the 2009 Toyota Camry Solara.

Despite rumors that have been circulating all year, it looks like Toyota is finally ready to break the mystery and tell us what we've all been waiting for: a convertible is in the works! And to make the news even sweeter, they've decided to give the convertible treatment to the Scion FR-S, which, in my opinion, is the best candidate among Toyota and Scion's arsenal. Nothing against the Camry Solara, it's just the FR-S is a much sportier drive, and one that is definitely suited for cruising around with the top down.

If you recall awhile back, I posted about the 2012 Geneva Motor Show, which focused mainly on hybrid and alternative energy vehicles. While I'm sure they will likely be showing us updates from last year, Toyota also plans to unveil the convertible version of the FR-S (known as the GT86 abroad) for Geneva next year. Instead of a usual hard top, the FR-S will be getting a fabric soft top in order to keep the weight of the vehicle down. This way, it will still get the same amazing handling and performance as a regular FR-S. To accommodate the new fabric soft top, the tiny backseats will be removed entirely, making the convertible FR-S a true 2-seater sports car.

While no official American release date has been made for the convertible Scion FR-S, it is rumored that we could see one by 2014. Are you excited to finally see a convertible being offered by Toyota/Scion?

Another Reason to be Thankful For Owning a Prius

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What are the reasons people tend to buy hybrid vehicles? For some, it's a personal effort to be "greener" and help play a role in reducing carbon emissions worldwide. There's also that desire to be on the cusp of technology and to drive the newest and latest innovations that go into the entertainment features and design of a hybrid. For others, it's the fact that the Prius is built to handle long drives, with gas mileages that can travel ridiculous distances. Take for example this Prius C that went on a 437 mile trip with just a 9.5 gallon tank.

Well, you can now add another factor to the list of reasons why someone might choose a Prius. According to the National Crime Insurance Bureau, the Prius has a much lower theft rate than many other vehicles, despite being one of the most popular on the road. It also has one of the highest recovery rates, with 96.7% of Prius vehicles being returned to owners. Either thieves don't know what to do when they attempt to steal one, or they really just don't like super efficient vehicles (after all, if you're committing grand theft auto, you're probably not caring about how good of gas mileage you're getting. And let's be honest- a Prius is definitely not the fastest vehicle for going 0-60 out there!)

Perhaps there's a better reason. John Abounader, executive director of the International Association of Auto Theft Investigators, says in a Bloomberg interview that “It’s a one-model car; the parts on it won’t fit anything else but a Prius. If you use a Camry, for instance, the engine might fit in another car. On a Prius, the engine is so different because they’re hybrid.”

The average rate of theft for 2008-2010 model vehicles is one in 78. For Prius models, it's one in 606. If we do the math, that's approximately an eight times greater likelihood of having your vehicle stolen if it's not a Prius!

The Most Popular Car Color Is...

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If someone asked me what I thought the most desirable color on a car was, I'd say red. Wouldn't you? It's fast. Energetic. Associated with flashy cars and being noticed. But does everyone end up with "Firestorm Red" or "Barcelona Red Metallic" on their ride? Nope, and that's why it's not the most popular.

Instead, many car buyers settle for something more modest while they save up for (or rather just dream about) their ideal vehicle.What is the modest car owner's color of choice? White. That's right, white. The color that is devoid of color!

Automobile paint manufacturer PPG conducted a study and found that white was the most popular color, with 21% of car buyers opting for it. Black came in at second with 19%, and silver was third with 16%. The study was also conducted back in 2004, with similar findings. In other words, no love for the quirky yellow or green cars out there (green is one of the least popular colors- only 1 in 50 people are likely to have a green vehicle)!

Perhaps the biggest reason for the popularity of white and black is the fact that the average car buyer doesn't care as much- prioritizing color is most important for buyers considering sports cars, SUV's, and higher end luxury vehicles. 

The most interesting thing about this study? According to PPG representative Jane E. Harrington, "Color is one of the first characteristics noticed in product design, and it is increasingly being used in everyday items, from cell phones to large appliances, based largely on automotive trends."

In other words, if the automotive industry was being compared to the fashion world, it's practically New York City as far as spotting and creating consumer product color trends! 

So...what color is your car? 

The First Car to Get a Blu-Ray Player Is...

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There's certainly been a change in the past year at the features offered in our rides. As we get excited for the newest iPhones, tablets, and apps, we overlook the fact that cars are staying just as savvy to keep up with our desire to have the latest and greatest things.

You may remember my recent blog post on the importance of music and how drivers, especially millennials, want to have more than just a cassette or CD player in their car nowadays. Toyota answered by offering the MP3 input standard on all future versions of the Corolla, and now they want to keep the tech innovations rolling with the 2013 Sequoia, their full sized, eight-seater sport utility vehicle. What's going to change?

For starters, 2013 will mark the first full year that you'll be able to get Entune, Toyota's entertainment and navigation system that has apps like Bing, iHeartRadio, and more. If you haven't seen it in action, you definitely need to ask a friend with select models of the 2012 Camry or Prius, or visit the dealership to try it out for yourself. However, the big news that has got us excited is that the Sequoia will have an industry first Blu-Ray player built into the backseat.

If your kids (or passengers) have a collection of Blu-Rays they're dying to watch, it's a definite upgrade from the DVD players of yesteryear, considering the only other Blu-Ray player that has been available was a 3rd party one that had to be installed separately.

Some other changes will include a power boost, upping the Sequoia's old 310-hp 4.6-liter engine to a 381-hp 5.7-liter V8 that will come standard on all available models. A blind spot monitor has also been added to assist in changing lanes on the road.

An official release date hasn't been made but we'll be sure to update as soon as we get more information. You can read the official press release and all the changes to the Sequoia at the Toyota pressroom site.

What features are you most excited about?

How Safe Is Your City to Drive In?

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Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/08/27/4762666/three-missouri-cities-rank-in.html#storylink=cpy

Car crash fatalities are at the lowest level they've been since 1949, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Fender bender much? Your likelihood of bumping into another driver on the road could depend entirely on where you live, at least according to a new report released by AllState Insurance Company. They've ranked the 200 largest cities in America according to car collision frequency based off of claims data over a two year period.

Seeing as how I live in Missouri, my first inclination was to of course check and see what locales I'm familiar with that were represented. Three cities from the Show-Me State are featured on the list, with Springfield ranking 10th, Kansas City ranking 16th, and my hometown of St. Louis a distant 101st. The data in the list calculates the probability of a driver experiencing an auto collision compared to the national average, which is once every 10 years.

So, in Springfield and Kansas City, drivers have a 17.4% and 14.6% less chance, respectively, to have a collision in a 10 year period. The estimate is once every 11.7 years in KC, and 12.1 in Springfield. How does St. Louis fare? We're actually 8.8% more likely to have an accident, with an estimated collision once every 9.2 years! 

Who's number one? See the top 10 list below, or download the full list here.

City & Overall Ranking	Collision Likelihood Compared to National Average	Average Years Between Collisions
1.   Sioux Falls, S.D.	27.6% less likely	13.8
2.   Boise, Idaho	27.3% less likely	13.8
3.   Fort Collins,Colo.	26.7% less likely	13.6
4.   Madison, Wisc.	23.0% less likely	13.0
5.   Lincoln, Neb.	19.3% less likely	12.4
6.   Huntsville, Ala.	19.1% less likely	12.4
7.   Chandler, Ariz.	18.9% less likely	12.3
8.   Reno, Nev.	18.4% less likely	12.3
9.   Knoxville, Tenn.	18.1% less likely	12.2
10. Springfield, Mo.	17.4% less likely	12.1

Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/08/27/4762666/three-missouri-cities-rank-in.html#storylink=cpy

Have you been in any auto accidents in the past 10 years? What do you think is the best way to lower your risk for getting into an accident? Leave a comment below! 

Future Toyota Vehicle Seems Inspired by Homer Simpson

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Has the Segway found a new competitor? That is what engineers at Toyota are hoping for with their new i-Real concept vehicle. This latest innovation, being dubbed a "personal mobility concept", was recently shown off at the Beijing International Automotive Exhibition, and quite literally looks like a sofa on wheels. At last, something that the couch connoiseurs and Homer Simpsons of the world can truly appreciate!

The car operates on lithium-ion batteries and three wheels that propel the driver. You drive it by controlling two joysticks, one in each hand, and can push forwards to go forwards, left to go left, and so forth. What's interesting about the vehicle is that it has both a low speed and a high speed mode, capable of going up to about 20 MPH. In low speed mode, the vehicle sits upright, as pictured, and in high speed mode is tilted back to improve aerodynamic capability. It also has built in motion sensors, and can alert the driver if he or she is approaching an object or about to collide into surroundings.

When I first laid eyes on the i-Real, I thought I was watching a science fiction movie. It's crazy to think that a few decades ago we were watching movies that portayed ideas like this as the future, and now it's starting to actually happen!

Do you think this concept will make it to the assembly lines and then eventually to the families of consumers and perhaps those with disabilities? Or is it too sci-fi to be practical? Maybe we'll sooner see the "mood sensing" technology that Toyota is also working on!

Why is the Scion FR-S a Big Deal?

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Whether you're a car enthusiast or know practically nothing about them, you should be excited for Toyota and Subaru's upcoming joint project. In Japan, it's being called the Toyota GT-86. To Subaru, it's the BRZ. Here in the states, it's the Scion FR-S, which stands for

F ront engine

R ear wheel drive

S ports car

The reason this car is so significant is because the FR-S is Toyota's long awaited return to producing an authentic sports car, one that enthusiasts, racing fans, and just about everyone can enjoy. This is the kind of car that doesn't come around often. It's a rare combination of artistry and engineering that turns heads and gets people to go, "Wow, that's nice."

If you look back at history, Toyota has had a long reputation of cars similar to the FR-S, and has also been heavily involved in the racing scene, taking part in well known events such as the World Rally Championship and the Formula 1. Over the years, they developed some well loved and respected vehicles, most notably, the Toyota Supra and the 2000GT (fun fact- the 2000GT was the first car produced to break 13 world speed records, and it was featured in the James Bond film "You Only Live Twice"!)

Sadly, the 2000GT was only made until 1970, and the Supra stopped being produced in 2002. That means it has been a decade since Toyota has offered a legitimate sports car to its customers! By drawing inspiration from both vehicles, the FR-S is built to be a mean machine on a mission: to bring back the excitement and joy of driving a car with exceptional performance and handling.
Now, if that's not enough reason to get you jonesin' to test drive one, how about this? The CEO of Toyota, Akio Toyoda, personally drove the FR-S himself  and gave direct feedback (and plenty of criticism) to Toyota engineers to ensure the vehicle was up to his very high standards. Or as he put it, a car "built by passion, not committee". Take a look at the video below and see for yourself- that is one boss who is not afraid to jump into dirt and snow for his love of cars!

The FR-S packs 200 horsepower into a lightweight package, topping the scales at just 2,758 pounds. When a car's weight is lowered, handling and turning is noticeably different and responsive than a typical 3400-3800 pound sports sedan. For a better comparison, imagine taking a jog. Now imagine if you weighed several hundred more pounds and tried to complete that same jog. Besides losing your breath much more quickly, you'll also notice how much more difficult it can be to dance around and act deftly. Fortunately, the Scion FR-S is the kid in gym class that got the President's Award and always finished the mile run in great time.

To add icing onto the cake, Toyota's newest creation gets surprisingly great mileage- ever seen a sports car get 30+ miles to the gallon? The FR-S is rated at 22 city, 30 highway for the six speed manual transmission and 25 city, 34 highway for the automatic. 

What aspect of the FR-S excites you the most? For full specs, visit the Scion FR-S webpage.

Is There Such a Thing as Mood Ring Technology?

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Ah, the mood ring. A popular novelty item since 1975, which met the same fate as other fads of the time, such as the pet rock and bell bottom jeans. Ever wonder how it worked? Alright, I'll share with you- it was basically a liquid crystal thermometer that you could wear on your finger, affixed with a gemstone of some sort. The stone would change color based on the body temperature of the person wearing it, which was meant to indicate your overall mood. Sound silly?

Well, not if you're a designer at Toyota! They've been incredibly interested in this concept, and have been working on a mood-sensing technology that could be implemented into cars. This project of theirs has been around since about 2006, though they've just recently claimed they've created a working model to demonstrate the technology. If all goes well, some of the mechanics they're creating could be featured in cars within the next five to six years.

How this technology actually works is pretty complicated. Needless to say, you won't be putting on a special ring that you leave in your glovebox. According to Toyota, there are sensors in the car and around the dashboard which take readings from 238 different points on a driver's face. The data is then calculated to determine what sort of emotional state the driver is in, or what they are doing (such as checking a cell phone, or putting on sunglasses, etc). The system can then take safety measures, such as alerting a driver who is tired, or even going as far as steering and braking the car automatically to avoid an accident! Most recently, the designers at Toyota have added the functionality for the sensors to detect minute details, such as moving your hand to change the dial on the radio station, or turning your head to check for oncoming traffic before changing lanes.

Much like their other crazy, futuristic sounding project, the Fun-Vii, this is a concept we'll definitely have to see to believe. However, with the advent of the Google driver-less car, I have a good feeling that cars of the near future will go a long way in being able to keep drivers safer by alerting them and assisting them with maintaining control of their vehicle.

Would you trust a mood sensor to assist you in driving? Or would you sooner put up pink fuzzy dice in your mirror?

How to be a Mileage Millionaire

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Ever seen a car with ridiculously high mileage? It's practically a rite of passage to hit over 100,000 for most people, a feat deserving of recognition and high fives. Enough so that I set up a photo album on Facebook awhile back to try and find Toyota owners that hit the mark. However, most people don't realize that if you treat your car well, you can take that odometer far beyond a mere 100,000 miles. We're not just talking hundreds of thousands, either. Why settle for six figures when you can have seven? Getting your car up to a million miles is kind of like being a contestant on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, except instead of answering trivia questions, you're answering questions as to how well you've been taking care of your vehicle.

The best part is, you don't need lifelines or to sweet talk Meredith Vieira to win this game!  Just ask Glen Allen, a Toyota enthusiast who recently became the first driver to hit a million miles on his 1996 Tacoma.

The Lousiana native got his Tacoma back in January of 1997, when the truck had a whole six miles on it. How did he manage to drive a million miles in the span of about 15 years? Glen is a driver by profession, and logs up to 90,000 miles a year escorting larger trucks carrying industrial equipment and bulldozers across the country. Affectionately naming his Tacoma "My Little Red Demon", he says, "...you treat her nicely, and she'll take care of you", which is exactly what Allen has done. Here are some tips for reaching the coveted million mark-

1. Keep the hot rodding to a minimum- In other words, don't go nuts slamming on the brakes or pressing the pedal to the floor to accelerate like a madman. You'll only end up putting more stress on the vehicle and shorten it's lifespan.

2. Get your tires rotated regularly-Glen has his tires rotated when he gets his oil changed, every 5,000 miles. Your car may vary - check with your service advisor to see what is best for you!

3. Don't cut corners on other routine maintenance- You know how every time you get an oil change, they ask if you want to flush the fluids for the brakes, transmission, and whatnot? It may cost some extra money, but you do need to do these things! Don't perpetually put off additional routine maintenance.

4. Be pro-active- If you can replace belts and hoses before they're in danger of failing, you'll go a long way towards extending your car's life. The same can be said if you hear your car making strange sounds...don't ignore it!

5. Take care of the cosmetics- Rust can be killer for a car. Make sure to get yours washed and waxed every now and then, to keep salt and debris away from the underbody.

Do you have any other tips for extending the life of your car?

Going Green in Geneva

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Feel like traveling? This week kicks off the Geneva Motor Show in Switzerland, and Toyota has some big news to share regarding hydrogen powered vehicles. Their aim? To sell tens of thousands of fuel cell powered vehicles a year by 2020. Didier Leroy, the company's European head of operations, announced it on Tuesday, making Toyota the first major auto manufacturer to publicly commit to the technology.

He discussed the FCV-R, Toyota's newest concept vehicle (which stands for "Fuel Cell Vehicle Reality and Revolution") and their plans to have a hydrogen powered car available by 2015. The car has a range of up to 435 miles, comparable to many current hybrid vehicles and much longer than electric vehicles, all while producing zero emissions.

There's also a flashy video they released a couple days ago-

The only challenge thus far is the high cost of producing fuel cells, and the lack of hydrogen charging stations across the country. But with Toyota's announcement, that could change. Do you think we'll see a much stronger push for making green technology affordable and accessible? 

Where's My Spare? The mystery of missing tires

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Flat tire? Not as many cars are coming with a spare nowadays.

Not too long ago, the Department of Transportation and the Environmental Protection Agency established some new rules regarding fuel economy, and set goals they wanted car makers to hit. According to their regulations, the average fuel economy of a car must reach 34.1 miles per gallon by 2016, and 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025.

Other than using hybrid or electric technology in a vehicle, what's one other easy way to make a car more efficient? If you guessed shedding extra weight, you'd be right! Because of this, auto makers are finding every way possible to make their vehicles lighter - using lightweight steel and carbon fiber, and in some cases, getting rid of the spare tire that many of us have come to expect in the trunks of our cars. The idea of dropping pounds is relatively new, too. According to Christopher Knittel of the Institute of Transportation Studies at the University of California, Davis, "From 1980 to 2004, the average fuel economy of the U.S. new passenger automobile increased by less than 6.5 percent. During this time, the average horsepower of new passenger cars increased by 80 percent, while the average curb weight increased by 12 percent."

Removing that spare tire can lower the weight of a car by up to 40 pounds, slightly aiding the car in reaching MPG goals set by the manufacturer. When I drove my old vehicle around, it didn't come with a full size spare. Rather, it had a "donut", which is a smaller tire designed to only travel short distances (until it can get replaced at a repair center). I was ok with this, because my car had more trunk space as a result.
However, AAA is reporting that the days of donut spares may be quickly coming to an end as well! In fact, some cars might only come with a sealant kit, or "run flat" tires, specially designed tires that can be driven on for short distances after a puncture has occurred, so that a driver can safely get to a repair center.
So what Toyota vehicles have ditched the spare?

• Sienna XLE (run flats)
• Rav 4 Sport (run flats) 
• Scion iQ (inflator/sealant kit) 

Fortunately, all newly purchased or leased Toyota vehicles come with 2 years of ToyotaCare service, free (and if from us, you also get AutoAwards coverage!) So whether you blow a tire, need your battery jump started, or a tow, you'll have 24 hour roadside assistance available.

Would you prefer a spare tire in your car for peace of mind, or do you like the newer alternatives, such as the sealant kit or the run-flat tires being equipped in certain vehicles? Do you think 40 pounds makes a noticeable difference in improving fuel economy? Leave a comment or share your thoughts with us on Twitter @LouFuszToyota !

Akio Toyoda: Upping the Fun Factor

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In a previous blog post, I wrote about how the disastrous earthquakes that struck Japan back in March affected Toyota dealers worldwide. Production was slowed immensely in order to recover from the damage done. In turn, inventory amongst Toyota dealerships saw a very noticeable decline. At one point, CEO Akio Toyoda was concerned, stating "...The earthquake happened and I was afraid we wouldn't be able to produce any cars until next year. And then just when we had recovered from that, we had the Thailand floods."

Fortunately, Toyota did make a recovery. Factories returned to 100% operating efficiency much sooner than planned, and Toyota will still produce roughly 7.8 million vehicles for the 2011 year. Dealer lots across the United States have gradually begun to fill up again with the Camry, Prius, and other models.

Now, Mr. Toyoda wants to move on past the disasters and up the excitement factor for the brand. Being an avid racer (Toyoda races under the pseudonym "Morizo" as part of the Gazoo Racing organization in Japan) he is very vocal with his opinions on Toyota vehicles, and believes performance is an important factor in one's enjoyment of driving. So much so that he is no stranger to dishing out criticism and feedback to his engineers. Toyoda recently made a few statements at the Tokyo Motor Show about the future of Toyota, touching on this notion. "Fun to drive was a slogan we had in the mid-'80s", he stated. "Now we have a new slogan- 'Fun to drive again'".

After making the announcement, he unveiled the Scion FR-S, the new sports car being developed jointly between Toyota and Subaru. Featuring 200 horsepower, a 6 speed manual or automatic transmission, rear wheel drive, and a low weight of around 2,960 pounds, the FR-S is designed to get car fanatics pumped. After seeing the photos, we agree!

Along with the FR-S, a futuristic looking vehicle, the Fun-Vii, was introduced. It's quite possibly the strangest (and yet sleekest) car we've ever seen. The exterior is fully customizable, akin to a giant video display screen. Functionality is also being worked on that will allow the Fun-Vii to connect with other surrounding vehicles and detect danger or road hazards in advance.

While the Fun-Vii is currently a concept with no known release date, the FR-S is set to debut next year. What do you think of Toyota's latest additions? Does Toyota need more "fun" vehicles like these, or should they continue focusing on green technology (such as the Prius line)?