Motorcars Toyota

Toyota and Microsoft are partnering to create an in-car electronics system designed to aid the efficiency of the Japanese automaker's battery-powered vehicles. In accordance with the agreement, both market leviathans will invest one-billion yen (~$12 million) into a Toyota subsidiary that will provide data services for drivers.

Toyota and Microsoft indicate the forthcoming system will incorporate a suite of telematics services, including: data, navigation, in-car entertainment, and multimedia. Powered by Window's Azure cloud…

A better way to power electric cars? a quest for automakers and seemingly elusive wish of consumers. However, Toyota Motor Co., the world's largest seller of hybrid autos is on it. Their most current initiative is developing a magnesium battery that holds twice the energy of lithium-ion cells. And according to the engineer managing the U.S. project, Jeffrey Makarewiez, the work in Ann Arbor complements other future electric-power chemistries at Toyota labs in…

Is Toyota considering a Prius hybrid pickup truck to add to a new line-up of vehicles? Inquiring minds want to know, and all signs point to maybe.

Toyota has been planning an onslaught of Prius models for the next several years, including a "MPV" (the foreign equivalent of a minivan), a sporty coupe and now, apparently, a pickup truck. The Japanese auto maker hopes to combine their most aerodynamic vehicle with one of history's…