It has been over four decades since Toyota Motors started its venture in the American truck market in 1964.It was a very basic Toyota Regular Cab with a compact pick-up bed and square look.The truck,powered by a 1.9L 85Hp 4-cylinder engine,came with basic facilities and very few options.For the next two decades Toyota trucks remained unchanged with some minor tweaks.

In the 1979 model year,the Japanese car maker launched Toyota Pickup,a four-wheel drive option with an enhanced 2.2L 96Hp powertrain.These changes made Toyota trucks a huge hit in the North American market and the success was followed by a series of awards-Toughest Truck of the Year by 4×4 and Off-Road Vehicles, 4WD of the Year by Pickup and 4WD Vehicle of the Year by Off-Road.

From then on,the truck production divided in two separate lines the–4×2 and 4×4 models.By 1981,Toyota truck Xtracab models were introduced in the market with choices of diesel and gasoline engines.Changes and modifications continued to give it a more car like feel.

During the period 1988-1989,the Toyota trucks emerged as more powerful with a 3.0L V6 and the wheelbase extended from 103 inches to 122 inches.In the meantime,Toyota Pickup got a boost with turbo charged engines and Independent Front Suspension (IFS).It was the predecessor of present Toyota Tacoma.    

In 1995,Toyota launched the brand new Tacoma,designed and manufactured on the American soil.The Tacoma came with two main options–the 2WD models with a 2.4L 142Hp four-cylinder powertrain and the $WD model with a 2.7L 150Hp four-cylinder engine.Standard safety features included adjustable seatbelt anchors,driver-side airbags,and improved side view mirrors.

In 2001,The Toyota Tacoma ushers in to a new model year with more sophisticated interior and aggressive exterior styling.The Toyota Double Cab was made available for the first time.The pick up truck combined the passenger comfort and roominess of a SUV with the toughness of a cargo hauler.

The much bigger 2006 Tacoma model standardized some more options with minor facelifts for the 2007 models.Slight mechanical changes were done to ensure better fuel economy and higher performance than its forerunners.

The 2008 model is a carryover from 2007 while the 2009 Toyota Tacoma has received a whole new lot of entertainment and safety features including 6-disc CD player,new steering wheel controls,Vehicle Stability Control (VSC),four-wheel Anti-lock Brakes System and an electronic Brake-Force Distribution System with Brake Assist.The revised interior design offers improved comfort level and added entertainment during drive.

The 2009 Tacoma Access Cab gets standard power windows and door locks along with redesigned rear seats for enhanced passenger comfort and convenience.Higher trim levels offer optional Bluetooth enabled Premium JBL 6-CD audio system with integrated XM satellite radio.

Finally,the 2010 Toyota Tacoma appeals to those who need a mid-size or compact pickup loaded with latest entertainment amenities and topnotch safety features in addition to fuel efficiency and hauling capabilities.The vehicle’s exterior is apparently unchanged from its last year versions.The 2010 Toyota trucks come in three cab styles-2010 Tacoma Regular Cab,Double Cab with four side doors and extended Access Cab with hinged rear doors.Equipped with the most advanced DynamicControl technology and Electronic Throttle Control System with intelligence (ETCS-i) 2010 Toyota Tacoma is a hot seller in the mid-size pickup truck category.

 

Hyundai is the world’s sixth largest car manufacturer. In Ulsan, South Korea, Hyundai operates the world’s largest car manufacturing facility, which is capable of producing 1.6 million vehicles each year. The Hyundai slanted H logo is said to be symbolic of two people (the company and customer) shaking hands – and this philosophy has seen the company come a long way in a very short space of time.

 

Today, Hyundai produces the most segment leaders of any car manufacturer. The current line-up includes the Amica, Getz, Accent, Sonata, Grandeur, Coupé SIII, Matrix, Tucson & Santa.

 

HYUNDAI HISTORY

In 1947, when aged just 32, Chung Ju-Yung bought a piece of confiscated land in the middle of Seoul with some friends, put up a sign saying “Hyundai Motors Co.” and the company was born. After the Korean war, the Hyundai Motor Company was formally established in Seoul.

 

In 1968, Hyundai signed an agreement with Ford to build Cortinas under licence for the South Korean market, then in 1975 Hyundai’s first car (the Pony) debuted at the Turin Motor Show. In 1986, Hyundai entered the US market, launching the Excel, and in 1998 Hyundai bought its Korean rival, Kia.

 

HYUNDAI FACTS



 

Type:  Public

Founded:  1967

Parent:  Hyundai Kia Automotive Group

Location:  Seoul, South Korea

Key People:  Luca Chung Mong-Koo, Chairman and CEO

Industry:  Automotive

Products:  Cars

 



FEATURED MODELS



HYUNDAI COUPÉ – or “Tiburon” – is a compact two door coupé produced by Hyundai since 1996. The model has been released in two generations, the RD and GK.

 

DID YOU KNOW?

 Hyundai means “modern” in Korean.

 Hyundai plans to become the world’s fifth-biggest carmaker by 2010 and is investing €1bn in a new plant in the Czech Republic.

Hyundai is building its own Formula One standard race track in Korea.

 The Hyundai oval logo signifies two people linking their arms together

 

The General Motors Corporation (GMC)-produced Chevrolet boasts of a wide range of quality products from trucks to cars to sport utility vehicles for its customers worldwide. Since 1911, the Chevrolet brand has continuously evolved into the modern vehicles available at present. What made this brand more appealing is that Chevrolet parts, which vary from either replacement parts or special add-ons, are in crisp condition and are readily available. Moreover, this American automaker makes sure that only the quality Chevrolet parts are equipped in its vehicles.

Chevrolet, which is GMC’s largest brand, takes pride in the automotive parts in its famous line of vehicles. Also known as Chevy, this automobile company does not only make compact cars, but most importantly light, medium, and heavy duty trucks. For this fact, the company has to really make the chevrolet parts better in order to suffice the demands of its vehicles.

One of the best selling model of Chevrolet happens to be a medium-size pick-up truck called the Chevrolet Silverado. Since this vehicle has to perform heavy tasks, which can include hauling or towing, powerful Chevrolet parts were manufactured in it. All the Chevrolet trucks are, of course, geared to be tough. Thus, a powerful engine has been equipped. Trucks usually has a 5.3-liter V8 engine that can guarantee up to 300 to 315-horsepower. A vehicle with a beefed up engine has to be geared with an equally powerful suspension, transmission, wheel systems. These systems will make it easier for the operator to control the vehicle. This idea does not only apply to trucks, but to other Chevy vehicles as well. Moreover, a Chevy truck’s spacious cabin makes it suitable for big families. The exterior of Chevrolet vehicles are also geared with safety Chevrolet parts like the headlights and taillights assemblies for better road visibility.

Aside from the basic Chevrolet parts, some models of this brand are manufactured to have that air of luxury. Special features like backing sonar, power adjustable pedals, leather bucket seats, and satellite radio are just some of the innovations of Chevrolet vehicles. Customization of Chevrolet parts can also be done, but owners just have to make sure that the quality of these parts are not taken for granted. The usability of the Chevrolet parts before the sleek and stylish look should be prioritized. A good looking Chevrolet is pretty useless if the vehicle cannot serve its primary purpose.