27 Votes

Toyota Highlander Hybrid Becomes A Joke @ NASCAR Event

IamEvilHomer submitted on 5/27/2009 Official Bell & Ross Timestamp: 10:59:36 AM

22 user comments | Category: Spy News | Source: | SOURCE: jalopnik.com

A Toyota Highlander Hybrid parade vehicle used for driver introductions at Lowe's Speedway this past weekend wouldn't start and had to be towed.

Hopefully we won't see this from next weekend's Camry hybrid pace car.

Here's what our tipster Hank sent along with the picture:

"Check out this Toyota Highlander Hybrid parade vehicle used as part of the driver introductions for the All-Star race this past weekend at Lowe's Speedway. When all the cars started up to drive away, this one wouldn't start, so they had to tow it. Supposedly the crowd was going crazy laughing..."

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Toyota Highlander Hybrid Becomes A Joke @ NASCAR Event

About the Author

ask me
— IamEvilHomer (View Profile)

User Comments

Consumer Reports won't be pleased...
— Willis (View Profile)

Posted on 5/27/2009 11:34:30 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 11

I can't believe this isn't an agent009 thread.
— Badgewhore (View Profile)

Posted on 5/28/2009 1:14:43 AM | | Votes: 2

That dose not look to good for them.
— 1UAW (View Profile)

Posted on 5/27/2009 11:45:00 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

Although it is not a positive piece of news, I doubt it will have any lasting affect.

When Bill Gates introduced his new OS and it blue screened people did not run frightened from it or second-guess their next purchase.
— Agent00R (View Profile)

Posted on 5/27/2009 11:59:45 AM | | Votes: 4

a bunch of cars racing in circles is even more of a joke to me!
— S30GTR (View Profile)

Posted on 5/27/2009 12:26:55 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 11

Opps that blows!
— vwrules (View Profile)

Posted on 5/27/2009 9:56:23 PM | | Votes: 1

someone GOT FIRED
— B7FAN (View Profile)

Posted on 5/27/2009 12:34:40 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3

IamEvilHomer, why did you change your "About the Author" description that not that long ago was saying your job was to promote Audi over the Internet?

Nitpicking and taking potshots at competitors is a brown way of doing marketing. It implies false associations and misleads customers.

So I'll provide the big picture, mostly because you failed to do so.

2009 Dependability Study, Midsize SUVs, premium ones included

AWARD RECIPIENTS:

2006 Toyota Highlander
2006 Lexus GX 470

AMONG THE BEST:

2006 Toyota 4Runner
--
2006 Acura MDX
2006 Lexus RX 330/RX 400h

BETTER THAN MOST:

2006 Buick Rainier
2006 GMC Envoy
--
2006 Cadillac SRX

ABOUT AVERAGE:

2006 Honda Pilot
2006 Buick Rendezvous
2006 Ford Freestyle
2006 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
2006 Hyundai Santa Fe
2006 Nissan Pathfinder
2006 Ford Explorer
2006 Nissan Murano
2006 Chrysler Pacifica
2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca
2006 Mercury Mountaineer
2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee
--
2006 Volvo XC70
2006 BMW X5

THE REST:

2006 HUMMER H3
2006 Kia Sorento
2006 Jeep Commander
2006 Dodge Durango
--
2006 Volvo XC90
2006 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
2006 Mercedes-Benz R-Class
2006 Land Rover LR3
2006 Volkswagen Touareg <--- shares the platform, engines, transmissions and other components with Audi Q7 and Porsche Cayenne, engines are installed in other Audis as well

Sources:
http://www.jdpower.com/autos/ratings/dependability-ratings-by-category/midsize-multi-activity-vehicle/sortcolumn-1/ascending/page-#page-anchor
http://www.jdpower.com/autos/ratings/dependability-ratings-by-category/midsize-premium-multi-activity-vehicle/sortcolumn-1/ascending/page-#page-anchor
— MrBratwurst (View Profile)

Posted on 5/27/2009 1:05:40 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -5

sorry Touareg shares little with the Q7

Electronics from the A6, AWD from quattro engine from other Audi's, I guess there are some frame components shared. Did you hear of any frame issues with the Touareg?

So i post and article and that is taking pot shots? WAAAAAAAH
— IamEvilHomer (View Profile)

Posted on 5/27/2009 3:15:20 PM | | Votes: 0

MrBratwurst,

1. "Nitpicking and taking potshots at competitors is a brown way of doing marketing" - You may be correct but Toyota is not and Audi competitor.

2. The difference between Toyota/Lexus and the industry average in the JD Power VDS is 0.5 problem per vehicle. That's non-consequential when other factors, subjective and objective, are figured into the car buying decision.

3. Using the argument that the Q7 and Touareg share the same platform to conclude that the Q7 is not reliable is quite a stretch. You provide data for 2006 when we all know that the Q7 was not introduced until 2007.
— JustaCar (View Profile)

Posted on 5/27/2009 3:18:09 PM | | Votes: 0

We have a Toyota franchise. I just thought it was funny. You know the NASCAR crowd was having a hoot.
— IamEvilHomer (View Profile)

Posted on 5/27/2009 3:19:03 PM | | Votes: 0

JD Power VDS survey means squat compared to reliability over 5 years later. Give me a car with a couple of small problems at delivery over a car with many 5 years down the road.
— 800over (View Profile)

Posted on 5/27/2009 3:47:18 PM | | Votes: 1

You must admit, it got IMPRESSSSSSIVE gas mileage while being towed though.
— Hantra (View Profile)

Posted on 5/27/2009 1:24:03 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 11

I wouldn't be surprised if Toyota puts this in an ad. and promote how great it is. And then sheeple would buy it.
— M53R (View Profile)

Posted on 5/27/2009 1:44:27 PM | | Votes: -2

What a piece of junk.

Watch the youtube video: Men behind the Sun
— EL34 (View Profile)

Posted on 5/27/2009 1:42:41 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -3

Most of the people who watch or follow NASCAR probably don't own a Toyota. Yes that is a personal opinion and stereotype, nothing more.

As for NASCAR itself. Maybe they could spice things up and go for right turns once in awhile. Now THAT would be CRAZY!!!
— Whelan (View Profile)

Posted on 5/27/2009 3:54:24 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

Must need gas.
— truthpursuit (View Profile)

Posted on 5/27/2009 4:03:59 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

Or a recharge.
— investor27 (View Profile)

Posted on 5/27/2009 4:42:42 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

A flat out embarassment. Wonder if Toyota will release a reason or excuse for the problem, or just let it disappear since most N.Americans suffer from A.D.D.
— huu76 (View Profile)

Posted on 5/27/2009 9:24:00 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

Toyota builds good people movers but Id need a red bull iv to stay awake driving one.
— vwrules (View Profile)

Posted on 5/27/2009 10:02:26 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1

NASCAR with the same demographic as a Jerry Springer show, is the real joke

I call sabotage.

— sector (View Profile)

Posted on 5/28/2009 12:27:11 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

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Toyota Highlander Hybrid Becomes A Joke @ NASCAR Event

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