Automakers have been on the honor system when stating the tow ratings of their pickups, and that has led to lofty numbers that could only be achieved under a very particular set of ideal conditions. Claiming the biggest number for any truck spec is a big deal, but maximum towing capacity is the crown spec. So it was only natural that these automakers - mainly Ford, General Motors, Dodge (Ram), Toyota, Honda and Nissan - would feel…

We've all heard the rhetoric about how small cars are primed to be big sellers over the next few years, and nobody seems to be responding to that direction sooner than Toyota. The Japanese automaker is getting ready to challenge the diminutive Smart Fortwo here in the United States with the Scion iQ, and we've just been told by Toyota representatives to expect it to hit dealer showrooms around March of next year…

Toyota Europe has confirmed that the automaker's popular Highlander  crossover will go on sale in Russia and the Ukraine for the first time ever. Why should Statesiders care? Because the new-look model above will be unveiled at the Moscow Motor Show on August 25, and it's almost certain to be the refreshed CUV that we will receive in North America.

From the looks of things, the 2011 Highlander will retain its strong body…

Back in August of 1997, Toyota  launched its Coaster Hybrid EV minibus, the company's first hybrid vehicle. Though the Coaster Hybrid is not a common name, it was the vehicle that started the hybrid revolution at Toyota. The Japanese automaker has now announced that cumulative sales of its hybrids have now topped the one-million mark in its home market. In addition, the company's global hybrid sales now stand at 2.68 million and…

Production of the Toyota Tacoma  resumed in July after tooling was moved from its former home at NUMMI in Fremont, California to San Antonio, Texas. The Texas factory is also home to the full-size Tundra which has not lived up to sales expectations, leaving lots of extra capacity.

Adding Tacoma production in Texas cost Toyota $100 million and brought 1,000 new jobs to the facility. Toyota spent about $1.3 billion on the San…

According to 7Tune, Toyota recently held at shindig in Japan for select scribes in order to get some things straight about its Toyota G's performance vehicles. Naturally, talk quickly turned to the FT-86 (or FR-S) Although it was reported two months ago that the much-anticipated sports coupe would be delayed until 2013 for design and powerplant reasons, the Toyota engineers at the event reportedly attested that "the car is on schedule" and still has?

Motor Trend is reporting that Toyota is hard at work on a fully electric supercar. Toyota President Akio Toyoda was so impressed after a spin in Elon Musk's Tesla Roadster that he immediately green-lit a feasibility study into the electric supercar project. Rumors of electric Toyota SUV mules powered by Tesla battery packs have abounded ever since the announcement was made.

Toyota's supposed electric supercar would theoretically go up against the likes of…

Car & Driver magazine recently completed a short-take of the new 2011 Toyota Sienna, calling it the best minivan on the market! We're not allowed to republish it here so click the link to read what they had to say for yourself:

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/car/10q2/2011_toyota_sienna_xle_awd-short_take_road_test

Following the example of the Nissan Titan/Frontier updating scheme, Toyota is preparing its 2011 Tacoma pickup. We've detailed the main change happening under the skin - a bevy of automatic transmissions replacing discontinued manuals. As for the outside, PickupTrucks.com has posted the above photo of a pre-production Taco. Can you spot the difference?

That's right! The two-bar grille is now a one-bar grille! You know what they say about messing with perfection…