Toyota has just made its 200 millionth vehicle, 77 years after its first, a Toyota G1 truck appeared in 1935, followed by its first car, the AA in 1936.
Toyota grew out of the Toyoda Loom Works. The “d” was replaced by a “t” because it was felt to be more auspicious in the Japanese language – and one cannot say they were wrong. Toyoda had started as licensees of British loom manufacturers, but the company developed the world’s most advanced automatic looms – and put a lot of its British competitors out of business.
” Going from a year in a 150 bhp Ford Focus Ecoboost to a 1.0 68 bhp Picanto could have been a culture shock. However, the first journey in the little Kia on a motorway proved to be a relief. Of course, it is noisier than the Focus, mainly because the smaller engine has to rev a lot higher, but it is bearable at any vaguely legal speed. The refinement means you are not reaching for a sixth gear that isn’t there: fifth gear provides decently refined cruising.
Plans to ban smoking in cars when children are present have won support in the House of Lords, but the measure would need support of MPs to become law. The private member’s bill proposed by Lord Ribeiro to make offenders liable for a £60 fine or attendance at a smoke awareness course was approved by peers, reported BBC News. The measure would need government support and David Cameron has questioned whether it is a justified move, suggesting it has severe implications for personal freedoms.
