2024 Toyota 4runner Limited on 2040-cars

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Production Toyota C-HR to debut in Geneva, has hybrid engine

Toyota now officially confirms earlier reports that the C-HR crossover concept (above) will debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March. The CUV will also be available a European-made hybrid powertrain, but the company won't yet say whether that will be the only engine option. "We are entering the C-segment crossover market with a fantastic product and with a hybrid powertrain from the start," Johan van Zyl, Toyota Motor Europe president and CEO, said. At least for Europe, the company will build the production C-HR at its factory in Turkey. The automaker originally planned the C-HR for the US as a Scion model and even displayed the concept that way at the 2015 Los Angeles Auto Show. However, the brand's demise means the crossover now gets to be a full Toyota product here. The five-door CUV rides on the Toyota New Global Architecture, but test vehicles keep the production version's styling hidden under heavy camouflage. The final vehicle reportedly looks like the concept, though. On this side of the pond, the C-HR will compete against compact crossovers like the Honda HR-V and Jeep Renegade. View 13 Photos Related Video: Toyota Motor Europe confirms European production for future crossover based on C-HR concept Future crossover to be built at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Turkey alongside Corolla, Verso New generation hybrid engine to be manufactured at Toyota Motor Manufacturing, UK in Deeside, Wales Brussels, Belgium - Ahead of the presentation of the highly anticipated production version of the C-HR concept at the Geneva Motor Show in early March, Toyota Motor Europe (TME) shared today its production plans for the model in Europe. The vehicle will be built at Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Turkey (TMMT) in Sakarya, Turkey, in what marks the first time a hybrid-powered vehicle will be produced in the country. This will be TME's third plant to produce hybrid vehicles in the Europe region, after Toyota Motor Manufacturing UK in Burnaston, Derbyshire (Auris Hybrid and Auris Touring Sport Hybrid) and Toyota Motor Manufacturing France (Yaris Hybrid). TME also announced that the hybrid engine for the crossover is to be produced at Toyota Motor Manufacturing UK's engine plant in Deeside, Wales. The production destination for the vehicles will be greater Europe and regions outside Europe. Individual export countries are being considered at this time.

Toyota TRD Pro lineup coming next week

A mysterious Toyota commercial recently popped up on YouTube teasing a new TRD Pro lineup for the Tundra, Tacoma and 4Runner, and now we're getting our first official word straight from the automaker on the matter. Courtesy of its Facebook page, Toyota is promising that the TRD Pro models will be introduced on February 6th, ready to "conquer the great outdoors."
This date just so happens to mark the first day of the always-truck-friendly Chicago Auto Show, so while Toyota isn't saying as much, we're almost certain the trucks will show up next week in the Windy City. It's not clear what sort of upgrades TRD Pro brings, but it definitely includes black wheels and a tweaked front end featuring a thick, single-bar grille and bold lettering in place of the stylized Toyota logo (shown above on the Tundra).
Scroll down to see the video, and head over to Toyota's Facebook page to see a teaser image of the 4Runner TRD Pro.

Recharge Wrap-up: Tesla and crude oil, Toyota Prius incentives

There is a direct relationship between Tesla stock and the price of US crude oil, according to Business Finance News. According to research, when oil prices rise, so does Tesla's stock value, though not always at the same rate. In some cases though, Tesla stock has performed well despite falling oil prices, or poorly during oil rallies. Business Finance News attributes this to "external forces" such as product launches (like the Powerwall) and strong or weak earnings on the part of the electric automaker. "Apparently," writes the article's author Jason Graul, "the relationship between the energy-innovation company and crude oil is based on basic principles of demand and supply, and substitute goods." Who would have thought? Read more at Business Finance News. Southern California Toyota dealerships are offering increased incentives on the 2015 Prius. As the car ages and gas prices remain low, many dealers are having trouble moving the hybrid. While the car is already eligible for $500 in discounts in the region, customers can now also nab a $2,000 gas card with a 24-month lease of the Prius Liftback (the deal is not available for the Prius C, Prius V or Prius Plug-In Hybrid models). Lease discounts for the Prius Plug-In Hybrid have increased from $2,500 to $4,000, making it about $259 a month to lease. All Prius models offer a $500 loyalty bonus, and Toyota is willing to waive up to the last six months of payments for leases ending between June 2 and September 28. The next-generation Toyota Prius begins production in December, and could arrive in the US as a 2017 model. Read more at Green Car Reports. Ballard has signed a deal to provide the hydrogen power systems for 33 buses in two Chinese cities. The supply agreements with Nantong Zehe New Energy Technology and Guangdong Synergy Hydrogen Power Technology are estimated to be worth $10 million. "We continue to see strong growth opportunities in China's mass transit market where fuel cells are increasingly being discussed as the next generation of clean propulsion," says Ballard President and CEO Randy MacEwen. "This demand is being driven by China's growing need for clean urban mass transit and air quality policies." Fuel cell and electric buses are currently eligible for a $150,000 subsidy, as China is working to promote clean energy and reduce pollution. Read more in the press release below.