Toyota Significantly Expands Number of Event Data Recorder Readout Devices in North America

TORRANCE, California – Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., today announced that it has expanded the number of Event Data Recorder (EDR) readout devices in North America and the U.S. territories to 150 and is actively training internal and field staff on their use.

EDR records specific vehicle information in the event of air bag deployment or sufficient impact, and this data is intended to help understand how a vehicle’s various systems functioned in a crash. The new readout units, along with other vehicle diagnostic tools, will be used to assist in accident investigations and, where appropriate, the evaluations of reports of unintended acceleration where there was impact or vehicle damage.

“By increasing the number of Event Data Recorder readout devices and training more staff across the country , Toyota is better prepared to respond to customer concerns quickly and address  their needs more effectively”. 

All-New Hyundai Elantra/Avante Sedan Unveiled at Busan Motor Show

Only days after the unveiling of the new Accent small sedan (Verna for South Korea) in Beijing, Hyundai rolled out the next generation of its Elantra saloon – badged as the Avantre in its home market-at the 2010 Busan International Motor Shows started last Saturday.

Boasting a much sportier look than its rather dull predecessor, the new Elantra continues Hyundai’s fluidic sculpture’ design philosophy in a package that most automakers would describe today as a “four-door coupe”.

Hyundai has kept most technical details to itself, but the South Korean maker did reveal that the front-wheel drive Elantra/Avante will be offered with a new 1.6-liter Gamma Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) engine and a 6-speed automatic transmission.

The four-cylinder unit is rated at 140-horsepower and 166Nm or 122 lb-ft of peak torque, and according to Hyundai, “it’s about 10 percent more fuel efficient than its closest competitors.”

Tech goodies will include HID (High Intensity Discharge) headlamps, LED combination lamps in the rear, heated rear seats, puddle lamps and a color TFT LCD information display nestled in the gauge cluster.

2011 Hyundai Elantra/Avante Sedan gets Animated

Hyundai pulled the wraps off the all-new 2011 Avante, or as we will come to know it, the next generation of the Elantra sedan. Along with the first details and photos, the South Korean automaker also released an animated film on the new Elantra that you can check out right after the jump.

The news of the 2011 Elantra comes only days after the unveiling of its smaller brethren, the new Accent saloon. Both cars pick up styling cues from their bigger brother, the Sonata, which is already on sale in the U.S. For more details on the latest generation of the Elantra, click here to read out previous post.