Tag Archives: Toyota Yaris

Automobiles

Next-Generation Mazda 2 Allegedly Previewed in Japanese Magazine, Inherits Kodo Design Language

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By Alexander Stoklosa

2014 Mazda 2

If this image from a Japanese publication is the real deal, it looks as though the next-generation Mazda 2 (called Demio in other markets) will inherit the same Kodo design language worn by the Mazda 6, CX-5, and all-new Mazda 3. The grille and headlight treatment are especially reminiscent of the 3, 6, and CX-5′s mugs, although the body sides seem fairly free of the creases and bulges found on those other Mazdas. This image—which includes a graphic element with the number “2014″—lead us to believe the next 2 will debut fairly soon, probably early next year. 

We already know that the next 2 will share its underpinnings with the next-generation Toyota Yaris, and the pair will be built in Mazda’s new production facility in Mexico. We expect the same suite of Skyactiv fuel-efficiency-boosting technologies that are baked into the Mazda 3, Mazda 6, and CX-5 will trickle down to the 2. But fuel-economy is boring—all we care about is whether the new 2 drives as well as it does now. Given how enjoyable our time behind the wheel of the 2014 Mazda 3 was, we don’t think we’ll be disappointed.

…read more

Source: FULL ARTICLE at Car & Driver

Automobiles

Report: Subcompact car sales in a funk despite high gas prices

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By Chris Paukert

2013 Mazda2 - metallic green, front three-quarter view

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When gas prices rise, knee-jerk consumerism means that sales of small cars increase in lockstep, right? Well, sometimes – but that’s not always the case. Ward’s Auto reports that sales of subcompact car sales in America are off despite fuel prices pushing and holding at $3.50 to $4.00 a gallon across the country. According to the report, the “Lower Small” segment has seen a 2.6-percent sales decline since October, while fuel prices have been on the rise. Despite their comparatively thirsty appetite for fuel, the industry publication notes that sales of large crossovers are up a whopping 61 percent over the same time period.

Part of the sales stories may center on the boom/bust cycle that comes as a result of new or aging models in each segment – the full-size CUV segment has received a raft of new models, including the refreshed Lambda triplets from General Motors, the Nissan Pathfinder and even derivatives like the new Sport model in the Ford Explorer family. Yet it isn’t as if America’s subcompact segment is stagnant – as Ward’s points out, most of the players are two years old or less.

Sales losers in the first quarter of the year include the Mazda2 (pictured – down 51.9 percent), Toyota Yaris (-27.9 percent) and Hyundai Accent (-24.7), though other models including the Kia Rio and Chevrolet Sonic slipped as well. Conversely, the Nissan Versa and Ford Fiesta held their own, registering sales up 11.6 percent and 3.3 percent, respectively.

Part of subcompacts’ sales problem may be due to the fact that those same automakers offer larger compact models whose fuel economy figures are comparable to that of their smaller counterparts. Further, pricing differences may not amount to all that much between the models – particularly in leasing situations where compact cars’ typically command higher residual values.

Subcompact car sales in a funk despite high gas prices originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Apr 2013 09:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Automobiles

Braking News: 2014 Honda Fit to Offer Low-Speed Active Braking System

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By Ron Sessions

The 2013 Honda Fit Sport can’t stop itself.

Honda will introduce an all-new Fit for 2014, and expectations are running high—over two generations, the small hatchback has appeared on our 10Best Cars list every year since 2007. Although the company has yet to release many details about the next-generation version, we do know that production will switch next year from high-cost Japan to low-cost Mexico. And now we also know that Honda will officially introduce its City Brake Active automatic braking system via the redesigned 2014 Fit, although it hasn’t yet confirmed the system for the U.S. market.

But one key to increasing acceptance of subcompacts in America will be the trickle-down of safety technology, so it might be smart to offer it here. Honda’s accident-avoidance system is geared to urban environments, and is active at speeds up to 18 mph. As with similar systems announced by Volvo and Mazda, Honda’s City Brake Active system tracks traffic ahead with a windshield-mounted laser. If the system determines that a collision is imminent, it will flash visual and audible alerts to the driver. If the driver fails to take action to avoid an accident, the system automatically applies the brakes. Honda’s active brake system will also intervene if the driver inadvertently floors the accelerator while stopped or traveling at less than 6 mph if another car ahead is closer than four meters (about 13 feet or slightly less than the length of one Honda Fit), effectively denying the request to accelerate.

Honda brass previously confirmed two future Fit spinoffs, a subcompact crossover to compete with the Nissan Juke, Buick Encore, and Kia Soul—this was previewed by the Honda Urban SUV concept shown at the 2013 Detroit auto show—and a subcompact four-door sedan similar to the current Honda City. The latter car will battle the Ford Fiesta, Chevy Sonic, Toyota Yaris, Nissan Versa, and Hyundai Accent, and will be aimed at Americans who hate hatchbacks and love the gawky styling typical of puny sedans. The new Fit hatchback will go on sale in Japan later this year, and we expect our model to arrive at approximately the same time.

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Source: FULL ARTICLE at Car & Driver

News, Politics, Government

Police arrest man accused of mass stabbing in Guam

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A man accused of killing two Japanese visitors and injuring a dozen others after crashing his car and stabbing people in a major tourist district in Guam has been arrested and faces multiple charges, police said Wednesday.

Chad Ryan DeSoto, 21, of Tamuning is accused of driving a Toyota Yaris onto a sidewalk and striking seven tourists Tuesday night at an upscale shopping area fronting the Outrigger Guam Resort in Tumon Bay, Guam police spokesman A.J. Balajadia said. DeSoto continued driving on the sidewalk, crashing into the wall of a convenience store. He then left his car and started stabbing people, police said.

DeSoto is charged with two counts of murder, 13 counts of attempted murder and 13 counts of aggravated assault, Balajadia said. No motive or other details on the investigation were released.

DeSoto was scheduled due to appear before a magistrate judge the Superior Court of Guam on Wednesday to be formally charged.

Japan Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said 14 Japanese tourists were attacked, including two who died. Two of the injured have been released from the hospital after being treated, Suga said.

Japanese media reported the dead were two women aged 28 and 82 and the survivors included an 8-month-old baby.

An official with Japanese travel operator H.I.S. Co. said eight of its customers were injured in the attack — including some with broken bones — but none were killed.

The wreck and alleged knife attack among high-end boutiques and hotels in Tumon Bay’s Pleasure Island district sent frightened hotel guests and others fleeing for safety.

A woman at a nearby café with friends told the Pacific Daily News she saw the car plow through the driveway and into a convenience store at the resort. Ashley Quichocho, 18, of Dededo said the driver got out, ran up to bystanders and began stabbing them.

“He started stabbing someone, and I started freaking out,” Quichocho said. “He was just running back and forth stabbing people.”

Quichocho said she ran to the second floor of the hotel with other guests to escape.

Guam Gov. Eddie Calvo issued a statement addressed to “the people …read more
Source: FULL ARTICLE at Fox US News

Automobiles

Honda Fit

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Despite its age–the current generation was launched in 2008 as a 2009 model–the Honda Fit remains both known and praised for a design with unrivaled space efficiency and flexibility. The five-door subcompact hatchback competes with the Chevrolet Sonic, Ford Fiesta, Hyundai Accent, Toyota Yaris, and perhaps the sportier but iow-volume Mazda…
Source: FULL ARTICLE at The Car Connection