Damon Lavrinc
Sedans/Saloons, Lexus
Lexus has received its fair share of flack for the styling of the new IS-F sports sedan. The gaping gills and misshapen snout – the most radical exterior elements – have done little to distinguish itself from its lesser brethren, and the interior is largely unchanged, save a few badges and trim pieces.
Lexus execs have recognized that more has to be done to separate the performance brand from the run-of-the-mill models, but even so, they maintain that the IS-F will serve as the design template from which other F-badged offerings will be based.
Toyota Motor Corp.’s design chief, Wahei Hirai, admitted that Lexus’ aim of competing with the AMGs and Ms of the world would take a different tact than its Germanic rivals. Hirai is quoted by Wards as saying that “They appreciate consistency, or continuity, very much. We like to make (our vehicles) a different way.” Difference for difference sake is rarely a good thing, and the IS-F may have already proven that fact.
[Source: Wards]
Gallery: Lexus IS-F
Source: Lexus IS-F design to influence F-lineup, even though it ain’t pretty
Calling for higher fuel economy standards will be a hallmark of the 2008 presidential elections, mark our words. Politicians used to shy away from the issue, knowing that while the act of improving fuel economy might be popular with the people, automakers themselves would resist. Each democratic candidate is calling for increased federal fuel economy standards, but Hillary Clinton topped most today during a speech in Iowa when she called for national fleetwide average of 55 MPG by 2030. 
When the Canadian Loonie reached parity with the U.S. dollar a few weeks ago, consumers north of the border began to fully grasp how much more they are paying for automobiles nearly identical to those sold in the U.S. The Loonie has increased in value further since then, and the price disparity is now even more pronounced. Porsche was the first automaker to respond by lowering the retail prices of its entire lineup in Canada, but more mainstream automakers have been hesitant to change the MSRP on their vehicles. The solution appears to be increasing incentives on cars sold in Canada, which Chrysler recently announced it would do for all the cars and trucks it sells in Canada. 
The race for the first car company to use lithium-ion battery is over. Toyota won. Someone owes Don Esmond, the VP the bet Toyota would be first to market with lithium-ion, $100. Why? In Japan, Toyota has been selling