Toyota Sunnyvale

Toyota has already brought us many hybrid variants of Toyota Prius available at Toyota Sunnyvale. But they are only starting with electric - they want to be remembered for more advancements in fuel consumption.

The auto maker is looking into a better ethanol. New yeast being developed that will more efficiently ferments xylose, sugar produced when plant fibers break down, basically creating a super fuel.

This newly developed yeast produces the highest ethanol fermentation level known…

Prius and performance...two words you would previously never see or likely say in the same sentence...except maybe to complain of a lack there of...are now becoming more compatible.

Don't get us wrong, we love the Toyota Prius and are big advocates of its signature style, fuel economy, low emissions, smooth ride and extremely comfortable interior. These are, after all, some of the many reasons it's the best-selling hybrid in the…

People were starting to get a little worried over Toyota's four-month silence, following the March 11^th earthquake and tsunami. Happily, the Japanese automaker is approaching the return to full production levels, and they've started talking "new" again... a sure sign that things are looking up.

What do we mean by "talking 'new'"? "New" both in regards to models and technologies...When an automaker is launching a lot of newness, and keeping discussions…

After receiving the go-ahead from the local authority, Toyota is set to advance its ambitious 17,000 solar panel project in Derbyshire, England. The Japanese automaker has, in fact, already begun to make room for the impressive £ 10m (~$16,450,785) solar panel farm on a 90,000-square-meter (~986,751 square feet) plot of industrial land.

"Generating solar power on-site to supply electricity to the plant underlines our commitment to do even more to further…

Toyota is partnering with Microsoft to create an in-car electronics system designed to aid the efficiency of their battery-powered vehicles. Both companies will invest one-billion yen (~$12 million) in a Toyota subsidiary that will provide data services for drivers.

Toyota and Microsoft indicate the forthcoming system will incorporate a suite of telematics services, including data, navigation, in-car entertainment and multimedia. Powered by Window's Azure cloud computing platform, it may also be employed to manage…

April 5, 2011 marks a momentous day for the Toyota Prius, on two important accounts. Not only does it mark the date when U.S. sales of the Prius hit one million. It also represents the hybrids' third significant sales milestone in six months.

The Toyota Prius hit its first major sales milestone back in October 2010, when worldwide sales topped two-million. It hit its second just last month, when global sales hit three million…

A better way to power electric cars? a quest for automakers and seemingly elusive wish of consumers. However, Toyota Motor Co., the world's largest seller of hybrid autos is on it. Their most current initiative is developing a magnesium battery that holds twice the energy of lithium-ion cells. And according to the engineer managing the U.S. project, Jeffrey Makarewiez, the work in Ann Arbor complements other future electric-power chemistries at Toyota labs in…

Toyota introduced its 2011 Sienna minivan earlier this year, with a smaller 4-cylinder engine, which produces decent horsepower and amazing gas mileage.

The four-cylinder Sienna promised an EPA rating of 19 mpg city and 24 mpg highway. Anyone who cares about fuel economy knows how to work greater mileage out with a "four-banger."

The base model Sienna LE lists from $24,260, undercutting the current model by $340. Buyers wanting the sportier SE model with…

For years, Tesla did everything it could to be profitable while making drive trains that will help save the world. Now, with the help of Toyota, they may just do it.

Yes, Tesla has big investments of its own, but when you're losing $50 Million per year to stay in business, that cash goes quickly. But Tesla is here to stay - and Toyota knows this, which is why they've joined with Tesla to…

Toyota is revving up more electric vehicle news, with the release of the RAV4 and Plug-in Prius. There's also a new, small Toyota iQ headed to the US in 2012.

Details are yet to be revealed, since the concept is still in project form. But more information is likely to emerge in the following months. Toyota will probably show a preview at the 2011 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.