Microsoft allies Ford and Toyota to collaborate on technology standards

A new partnership announced between Ford and Toyota this morning is attracting lots of attention, primarily focused on the companies’ plans to collaborate on a new hybrid-electric system for light trucks and SUVs. But also notable is the news that they plan to “collaborate on development of next-generation standards for in-car telematics and Internet-based services.”

That’s a reference to the information, communication and entertainment services that are becoming common in new cars — better known as infotainment systems.

Both companies are partners of Microsoft. The Redmond company provides the underlying technology for Ford’s Sync system and announced plans in April to collaborate with Toyota on new technology for its cars, based on Microsoft’s Windows Azure cloud computing platform.

In their news release, Ford and Toyota say they will “collaborate on standards and technologies needed to enable a safer, more secure and more convenient in-car experience for next-generation telematics systems.” They note that the collaboration “relates only to standards and technologies, and each company will continue to separately develop their own in-vehicle products and features.”

Still, the effort to develop common standards could be a boost to Microsoft, possibly making it easier to translate some of the fundamental work it’s doing on its automotive platform to the projects it’s pursuing with both companies.

Toyota USA reveals new 2013 Lexus GS 350 at Pebble Beach

PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. /California Newswire/ — OPINION: Well, for the many long-time Lexus fans and owners (I am one) who stared aghast at the recent show car preview of the “future of Lexus design” and lost our cookies, I’m very happy to say the actual car revealed today at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance looks pretty darn snazzy. While the new design has the outline of the grille shown to stunned media at recent car shows and teasers, there is in fact a normal cross bar in the middle providing horizontal visual identity for the semblance of a bumper.

While the overall design still has “looks like a …” aspects to it, meaning you can sense visual cues from German cars, prior Lexus models, and the LFA Supercar, it does give a good answer to making the style of Lexus less bland and frankly boring, while keeping the crisp “business suit in metal” styling so well perfected by BMW, Audi and Mercedes. I think the design speaks more to a response to Audi’s growing popularity in the U.S. than any other brand. BMW has shifted back to being more refined, and less edgy, while Mercedes continues to go off on some odd choices for the look of their new premium models.

From the official news release: In addition to the GS 350, other 2013 GS models that will be launched in early 2012 include hybrid and F Sport versions, with further details to be announced later this year.

“Today, buyers in the mid-size luxury segment want a more engaging driving experience, styling that makes a statement, and a roomier interior package,” said Mark Templin, Lexus group vice president and general manager. “With the all-new GS, we’re giving them what they asked for, and more.”

Along with a new Lexus signature spindle grille, the GS is a car that conveys a tangible sense of driver confidence, with a redesigned chassis and a wide, strong stance that inspires and rewards driver participation with crisp and precise handling.

GS engineers challenged themselves to develop a more spacious interior environment. While leaving exterior dimensions virtually unchanged, they dramatically increased cabin and trunk space to create an interior that can easily transport passengers and their luggage in luxury and style regardless of distance.

From certain angles it looks very classy, although from some angles it looks a little too much like their “sporty hybrid” model. Overall, it will give car buyers an additional choice if wanting a reliable, “sporty” luxury car. In depth details can be found on the Lexus website, and all the car pubs will be agog very soon about it, but I thought I’d share my initial impression of not throwing up upon the unveil, and being very happy to see something that didn’t look like a Transformer movie reject.

Toyota pursues alternative fuel-saving technology

DETROIT — Toyota Motor, known for gasoline-electric hybrids such as its Prius, says it's branching into other alternative power plants to stay ahead of rivals.

It will offer low-pollution diesel engines on the Tundra pickup and Sequoia SUV, while doing more research on ethanol, President Katsuaki Watanabe said.

At the same time, it will introduce Toyota (TM) and Lexus hybrids next year as part of its plan to push U.S. hybrid sales to 1 million annually in the next decade.

By 2010, Toyota plans to build about 400 demonstration plug-in hybrids, which also can charge the batteries from wall sockets, to further cut gasoline use.

The announcements at the North American International Auto Show here underscore Toyota's dilemma: Competitors are rapidly seizing on alternative technologies that can deliver fuel savings similar to hybrids and at lower costs. That's forcing Toyota to broaden its focus beyond hybrids, even where it may harbor doubts about practicality.

"We are covering our bets in all alternative energy areas," said Jim Lentz, president of the U.S. sales operation.

It's easy to see why.

Hybrids are expected to grow to 6.5% of new vehicle sales in the USA in 2014. Passenger-vehicle diesels will take 10% of sales over the same period, predicts J.D. Power and Associates. (MHP)

"They are acknowledging there is a new ballgame opening up … and there is not one right answer," said Jack Nerad of Kelley Blue Book.

Watanabe told reporters Monday that Toyota remains devoted to hybrids. "We have not changed our strategy," he said through a translator. The company is seeking to halve the size and cost of the hybrid power plants.

Toyota now hopes to have hybrid options available on all models by 2020, some 10 years later than it forecast a few years ago. When it comes to plug-in hybrids, the next step is to see if lithium-ion batteries can be built on a large scale, Watanabe says. Those are lighter and more efficient than the nickel metal hydride batteries used today.

Even Toyota's hybrid leadership, unchallenged since it sold the first Priuses in American in 2000, is under fire.

General Motors, (GM) for instance, said here it expects to make a plug-in hybrid version of its Saturn Vue SUV as soon as 2010 that will be among "the world's most-efficient production vehicles."

"Toyota's going to be late to the party," warns Chelsea Sexton of advocacy group Plug In America. "They got too complacent."

Now that alternatives to hybrids are gaining too much momentum to ignore, Toyota "needs to be there," Nerad says.