Toyota Motor Corp. has been hit by more than 100 complaints in Japan and the U.S. over brake problems with the Prius gas-electric hybrid. This is the latest in a series of quality woes for the world’s top automaker as it grapples with unprecedented global recalls.

Toyota’s sales are seeing record lows in the U.S. following recalls of eight top-selling models to repair an accelerator pedal that can stick in the depressed position. The recall eventually spread to Europe and China, covering almost 4.5 million vehicles. The new Prius hybrid, which hit the market in Japan and the U.S. in May 2009 wasn’t part of the recall. However, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reportedly received some 100 complaints involving the brakes of the new Prius.

The Japanese government said Wednesday it has also received 14 complaints about brake problems with Toyota’s popular Prius hybrid. The car, now on its third generation, was actually Toyota’s best selling model in 2009 and is the world’s best-selling gas-electric hybrid with a total of 1.6 million units sold to date. The 14 complaints received by Japan’s Transport Ministry included an incident wherein a Prius crashed head on with another vehicle at an intersection. According to Masaya Ota, a Transport Ministry official, two people sustained minor injuries in the accident.

The ministry has already ordered Toyota to look into the complaints. The other 13 cases were reported from December to January 2010. Toyota spokeswoman Ririko Takeuchi stated that the company has acknowledged reports about the Prius complaints in the U.S and  Japan and was now investigating the matter.

Concurrently, the South Korean government announced that Toyota’s local unit was recalling 444 vehicles over glitches in floor mats and gas pedals. The Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs issued a statement saying that the vehicles were manufactured in North America, and the 19,000 Toyota vehicles imported from Japan were not part of the recall.

Toyota takes pride in its sterling vehicle quality and assembly line system that enabled its workforce to guarantee impeccable production. The January 21 recall over sticky gas pedals involved roughly 2.3 million vehicles in the U.S. alone. Any further issues with the Prius is almost certain to further vitiate Toyota’s reputation.

Auto makers are rolling out new models for 2010 so you have a lot of options available if you’re planning to get yourself a new ride. However, many 2010 models are not up to par as they suffer from the same woes as their predecessors, but there are a few worth noting. Buying a new car is no easy task unless you have a pretty fat bank account. It is therefore imperative to conduct a research and compare vehicles in a given class to help you make an informed decision. To make things easier, here are five of the best cars on offer for 2010.

Hyundai Genesis Coupe

The Genesis coupe is quite a revelation, no pun intended. It’s a newbie to the class of affordable sports cars that provides excellent rear-wheel-drive sports performance at an attractively priced package.  Hyundai definitely made a huge kink in the law dictating that rear-drive hoots ought to cost big bucks. The Genesis Coupe is available in two engine variants, you can choose between a 3.8 liter, 306-horsepower V6 and a 210-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. There’s very little wrong with the Genesis Coupe from a style or design perspective. It features a sleek and sporty exterior design, an impressive four-passenger cabin boasting an enveloping cockpit-like environment, as well as decent scores in federal crash tests. Calling the coupe the best-looking Hyundai ever may be reasonable statement and it’s not surprising that it debuts near the top of its class.

MSRP: $22,000 – $31,000

Ford Transit Connect

This workman’s van is like nothing available today in the American market. It is a new breed of compact work van that would surely catch the attention of small business owners who don’t need a full-size, V8-powered van. It provides a palatial 135 cubic feet of cargo space, an excellent city/highway fuel economy of 22/25 mpg, and tons of business-friendly features and high-tech Work Solution options. These include an in-dash computer system that utilizes 2G and 3G networks to access records, print bills and/or receipts from the job site, and track fleet activity. The Transit Connect has been a boon for business owners and is so well-liked that it was recently voted North American Truck of the Year.

MSRP: $20,780 – $22,350

Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Entirely redesigned for 2010, the E-Class marks the ninth generation of this venerable German sedan and boasts of a long list of new safety technologies and luxury features. The 2010 E-Class charts as radical a departure from its predecessor as it now  provides sportier handling dynamics, a sleek exterior design, a plush cabin and a better balance of luxury, style and performance that only a few large luxury sedan can match. It also features a new bag of safety tricks that no competitor can rival, including the Attention Assist, which utilizes behavioral detection technology to help drowsy drivers stay alert. Best of all, the new E-Class is less expensive than the old one but it’s not cheaply made. It is a must-see for every luxury large car shopper.

MSRP: $48,600 – $58,800

GMC Terrain

The newly-introduced GMC Terrain is an eye-catching and capable crossover SUV, adding one heck of a value package to the class of affordable compact SUVs. It is a 4-door, 5-passenger sport utility, available in 8 trims, ranging from the SLE1 FWD to the SLT2 AWD. The 2010 Terrain shares the same updates as this year’s redesigned Equinox, but provides a bolder exterior design, a remarkably stylish cabin, and loads of sophisticated yet practical interior features. Among them is a standard rear vision camera, touch screen navigation
system with 40GB hard drive, an iPod interface and a MultiFlex sliding rear seat. But perhaps the best feature of the Terrain is its class-leading fuel economy rating of 32 mpg.

MSRP: $24,250 – $31,000     

Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon

The 2010 CTS Sport Wagon was specifically engineered by Cadillac  to offer all the perks of the CTS sedan, including sporty driving dynamics , a handsome cabin loaded with user-friendly luxury features and a far more generous cargo hold. The CTS Sport Wagon leaves critics of stateside wagons mum with its remarkable performance abilities and rakish good looks, inside and out. The CTS Sport Wagon is available with either all-wheel or rear-wheel drivetrains. It also boasts of a five-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, which is by far the longest in its class. In all, the CTS Sport Wagon will have a strong appeal among casual driving aficionados who want a modern Cadillac wagon that is not subtle yet not so extravagant

MSRP: $39,830 – $53,620

The most expensive car ever is the 1931 Bugatti Royale Kellner Coupe which sold for $8,700,000 in 1987. However, it won’t be included in the list since it is no longer available in  the market today. It is also quite impractical for anyone to shell out 8 million dollars on a car instead of using it for a more productive venture. However, if you have an overflowingbank account, you’re likely to spend a fraction of it to park a few supercars in your garage.

Below is the 10 most expensive production cars in the market today.

Bugatti Veyron - Its price tag of $1,700,000 makes it to the top of the list. This baby that carries on the name of racing driver Pierre Veyron is currently the world’s most expensive street legal car. With its unprecedented price, it’s just fitting that it is likewise the fastest accelerating car sprinting from 0-60 in just 2.6 seconds. It was once the fastest car with a top speed of 253 mph+. However, the SSC Ultimate Aero stole that distinction when it exceeded 253 mph, relegating this car to 2nd place.

Lamborghini Reventon – Priced at $1,600,000, one can’t help but imagine why Lamborgini didn’t go for the top stop. The Reventon boasts as the most expensive and most powerful Lamborghini ever built. With a top speed of 211 mph., it needs 3.3 seconds to hit 60 mph. Its rarity, with only 20 units built, coupled with its sleek design are the primary reasons why it is so expensive and costly to own.

McLaren F1 – Barely a million dollar ride ($970,000), it was the most expensive car back in 1994 – and also the fastest. Although it was engineered 15 years ago, it has a staggering top speed of 240 mph and moves from 0 to 60 mph in 3.2 seconds. To date, the McLaren F1 remains top on the list and has actually outperformed many other supercars.

Ferrari Enzo - At fourth spot and priced at $670,000, the Enzo is perhaps the most popular supercar ever built. It has a top speed of 217 mph and tops 60 mph in 3.4 seconds. Ferrari only rolled out 400 units and each one commands up to $1,000,000 at auctions.

Pagani Zonda C12 F – Virtually unknown to many, this car priced at $667,321 is manufactured by an independent company in Italy. It currently clings to the number five spot in the list of the fastest cars in the world with a top speed of 215 mph+ and it can reach 0-60 in 3.5 seconds.

SSC Ultimate Aero – At $654,400, the price is quite deceiving because this car is actually the fastest street legal car in the world with a top speed of 257 mph+ and goes ballistic from 0-60 in just 2.7 seconds. It may cost nearly half as much as the Bugatti Veyron, but it has enough power to top the most expensive car in a speed race.

Saleen S7 Twin Turbo – At $555,000, this is the first true American production certified supercar. It also holds the distinction as the third fastest car in the world with its top speed of 248 mph+ and it can reach 0-60 in 3.2 seconds. It is a high performance race car which features the Twin-Turbo V8 engine.

Koenigsegg CCX - Swedish made with a price tag of $545,568, the Koenigsegg is currently the fourth fastest car in the world with a top speed of 245 mph+. Its maker is fighting hard to make this one the fastest ever. The “CCX” stands for “Competition Coupe X” and the CCX was launched to highlight the 10th anniversary of Koenigsegg.

Mercedes Benz SLR McLaren Roadster - A GT supercar at $495,000, the SLR McLaren is the fastest automatic (5 speed) transmission car in the world with a top speed of 206 mph+ and hits 60 mph in 3.8 seconds. This roadster is a unique super sports car with high performance and stylish looks.

Porsche Carrera GT – Rounding up this prestigious list at $440,000, this is a supercar with dynamic stability control and a top speed of 205 mph+ and reaches 60 in 3.9 seconds. It was developed in 1999 and manufactured by Porsche in Germany. It is well worth its price if you consider the 5.7 litre V10 engine rated at 450 kW and generates 612 DIN (605 SAE) horsepower.

The mystery has been solved. A new V8 model is to roll out soon with a hideaway hardtop. A lot of rumors have been laid to rest as an “entry-level” Ferrari is inching closer to reality. The auto giant’s new prancing horse, dubbed as “California” made its much anticipated debut at the Paris Auto Salon as the legendary Italian sports-car maker’s first retractable hardtop convertible.

The California boasts a lot of firsts: it’s Ferrari’s first-ever front-mounted V-8 engine, it’s Ferrari’s first use of direct injection, and it’s Ferrari’s first dual-clutch automated manual transmission. In addition, it’s also the first Ferrari constructed on a modular architecture, and likewise the first built on a brand new production facility that is absolutely eerie in terms of modernity and sophistication.

Styling for the 2010 Ferrari California is by Pininfarina, the renowned design house that has engineered most road-going Ferraris in the past six decades. The California is a blend of Ferrari’s 612 Scaglietti 2+2 coupes and the V12 two-seat F599 Fiorano. The roof features a power-folding mechanism conceptualized yet again by Pininfarina.

The 2010 Ferrari California will use a high-revving 4.3-liter twin-overhead-cam V8 but in highly modified form. The updated V8, with an internal designation of F136Y, brags of redesigned cylinder heads, intake system, valve train, and the aforementioned application of efficiency-enhancing direct fuel injection. Sources said that all these combustion-management hardware can generate 460 hp and 360 lb-ft of torque, not to mention an improved fuel economy of five to eight percent above the current V8.

The 2010 California will utilize Ferrari’s 7-speed automated manual transmission that will be rear-mounted in unit with the differential. This configuration will provide for a more even front/rear weight distribution which is an absolute must for sports-car handling.

It may be one of the most affordable Ferraris ever but the California shows minimal signs of cost-cutting anywhere. For instance, the suspension components are unique, done in the usual pound-paring aluminum. The rear suspension is said to feature a new multi-link design, and just like its siblings, the 2010 Ferrari California will definitely include “drive-by-wire” throttle, stability control, and Brembo carbon-ceramic disc brakes. Standard perks include Ferrari’s F1-Trac traction-control system and Ferrari’s Manettino steering-wheel control dial for customizing all the electronic functions to adapt to any driving condition. Ferrari also claims that it will integrate a Launch Control button to assist with standing-start acceleration. As for footwear, expect high-performance tires mounted on 19-inch lightweight alloys with 20-inch rims as a possible option.

The entire list of standard features is likely to be completely confirmed when American-market sales start, however, the 2010 Ferrari California was specifically designed and engineered as a long-distance cruiser and not a spartan track-oriented sports car. This ought to suggest a plush leather-trimmed interior with carbon-fiber and/or aluminum accents, automatic two-zone climate control, multi-adjustable sports seats and premium audio with Bluetooth phone integration, aux-in jacks, a hard drive for music storage, and full iPod integration. The California’s navigation system is similar to the Harman/Becker unit employed by Chrysler, with a pretty decent touch-screen unit with great functionality.

            In toto, the 2010 Ferrari California appears ready to take on the challenge of writing another intriguing chapter in the long history of one of the world’s most popular and esteemed automakers. With the California’s versatile coupe-convertible body style, it could be one of the most appealing Maranello masterpieces of all time.

On January 21, 2010 Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. announced that it would recall approximately 2.3 million vehicles, broadening its largest such action ever, to fix sticking accelerator pedals on a number of Toyota Division models. This action from the world’s top auto-maker is separate from the on-going recall of 4.2 million Toyota and Lexus vehicles to minimize the risk of pedal entrapment due to incorrect or out of place accessory floor mats.

 Toyota’s accelerator pedal recall is confined to the following Toyota Division vehicles:  

•  Certain 2009-2010 RAV4,
• Certain 2009-2010 Corolla,
• 2009-2010 Matrix,
• 2005-2010 Avalon,
• Certain 2007-2010 Camry,
• Certain 2010 Highlander,
• 2007-2010 Tundra,
• 2008-2010 Sequoia   

 The recall does not affect any Lexus Division or Scion vehicles.  Also not affected are other Toyota models such as the Toyota Yaris, Tacoma, Prius, Sienna, Solara, Venza, FJ Cruiser, 4Runner, Land Cruiser, Camry hybrids and Highlander hybrids. In addition, the Camry, Corolla, RAV4 and Highlander vehicles with VINs that start with “J” are not affected by the sticky accelerator pedal recall.   

The condition is quite rare, but can take place once the pedal mechanism becomes worn and, in some instances, the accelerator pedal can become harder to depress, return slowly to the idle position, or in the worst case scenario, stuck in a partially depressed position. In case such problems occur, the driver can control the vehicle with firm and steady application of the brakes. Drivers should not repeatedly pump the brakes because it could deplete vacuum assist, resulting into stronger brake pedal pressure.

Toyota has put the blame on the condensation in the pedal assembly, which includes the pedal, a curved arm that goes into the engine compartment, and springs that push the pedal back to its idle position when the driver eases up on the gas. The condensation generates friction that results into the aforementioned problems.

On January 26, Toyota announced that it is instructing Toyota dealers to temporarily halt sales of eight models involved in the recall for sticking accelerator pedals. Due to the sales suspension, Toyota is expected to stop manufacturing vehicles on the following production facilities for the week of February 1 to analyze and coordinate activities.  The affected production facilities in North America are:

• Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Canada (Corolla, Matrix, and RAV4)
• Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana (Sequoia and Highlander)
• Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky – Line 1 (Camry and Avalon)
• Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc. (Camry)
• Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Texas (Tundra)

Two days later, Toyota extended its safety recall to Europe and China in what was perceived as another huge blow to the company’s reputation. The company said it had not yet determined the number of vehicles in Europe that would be recalled, or when, but analysts believe the figure could be 2 million on top of the 6 million in North America.

In China, the world’s biggest auto market in 2009, Toyota said it had submitted an application to recall some 75,000 RAV4 vehicles. All the vehicles subject to the recall in North America, Europe and China have gas pedals produced by supplier CTS Corp. of Elkhart, Indiana.

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Back in the 90’s, my childhood dreams of flying car fell flat when the year 2000 came along and there were no flying cars in the sky and nothing working in the blueprint. After watching the high velocity stunt of Michael Schumacher driving the new SLS AMG supercar with its gull wing doors in this latest Mercedes-Benz commercial, I got goosebumps all over again of the possibilities that the future holds yet again. First we’re driving on the road, now we’re driving on walls and soon maybe we’ll be flying alongside pelicans in the sky. Just make sure avoid them or this could happen to you. Watch as the drama unfolds in this wall crawling stunt that would even make Spiderman happy.

Ken Block’s latest switch has finally turned into reality in the form of his newest weapon of mass destruction, the Ford Fiesta. Although the name doesn’t have the same intimidation factor as his former car the Subaru Impreza WRX STI, Ford has  made some aggressive modifications to Block’s car while incorporating his flare which has made him such an iconic internet sensation. The Monster Energy Drink and DC shoe decals flash images of his prior brilliance while seeing the blue oval Ford badge smeared with black, green, and white provide us with optimism for a successful upcoming future in the Rally America Championship as well as the 2010 X-Games. Check for the season-opener Sno* Drift Rally on January 29-30 in Atlanta, Michigan.

On January 21, 2007, the 1966 Shelby Cobra 427 Super Snake made history when it fetched a whopping $5.5 million at the Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction, making it the most expensive American car ever sold. Racing icon Carroll Shelby actually produced only two units of the 800-hp sports car for his personal transportation. Auction organizers said the 427 Cobra fell into the hands of car collector Ron Pratt of Chandler Arizona. Shelby himself was present at the annual auction that was staged in Scottsdale.

Quoting Shelby on the Barrett-Jackson website, he said “When I built this dual supercharged 427 Cobra in 1966, I wanted it to be the fastest, meanest car on the road. Forty years later, it will still kick the tail of just about anything in the world. It’s the fastest street legal Cobra I’ve ever owned.”

The Super Snake stood out amid the other Cobras Shelby produced from 1962 to 1968. Cobras are renowned for combining Ford V-8 engines and the lightweight British AC Ace bodies; the result is some of the most sought-after American cars ever built.

The rarity of the 1966 Shelby Cobra 427 Super Snake -- this is the only original in existence -- helped drive its auction price up to $5.5 million.

Carroll Shelby added two Paxton superchargers to the 427-cubic-inch V-8, giving the Super Snake nearly twice the horsepower of a typical 427 Cobra. Ron Pratt’s $5.5 million ride started as one of 23 Cobra competition roadsters. It was made fit to hit the roads with the installation of bumpers, mufflers, among other necessities.

There are actually two Super Snakes that Shelby built. The other one was purchased by Bill Cosby. Harley Cluxton, the owner of the other Super Snake that was sold in the auction, said that Cosby returned the car after just one harrowing ride. He even used the experience as material for his album “200 M.P.H” Cluxton added that Cosby’s Super Snake was smashed in an accident in which the driver was killed.

According to Cluxton, the only surviving Super Snake retained most of its original parts, including the engine block, oil coolers, and the exhaust system brake calipers. Cluxton wrote, “The car speaks volumes about the genius in Carroll Shelby. His Cobra is the benchmark that defines the American muscle car. His baby does it all, and without the help of ASR, ESP, ABS, engine management ECUs, carbon fiber, titanium, or the United Nations. How cool is that.”

The history of the Cobra dates back to 1961 as Shelby’s ingeniously brokered tandem of Ford’s new 260-cid V-8 and the light British A.C. Ace roadster.  A beefed up 289 immediately followed, endowing race-tuned Cobras with up to 380 horsepower and the overall 1963 crowns in SCCA A-production as well as the U.S. Road Racing Championship.

By 1965, Carroll has produces 655 small-block Cobras. It was then when he unveiled what he called a new “sports car.” However, a few tweaks were made since the A.C.’s transverse-leaf spring suspension wasn’t good enough for the Cobra’s power. Consequently, the steel multi-tube frame was widened and fortified for a new all-coil configuration. And for the Ford V8, it was either the edgy racing 427 or the cheaper 428-cid passenger car unit. In addition, the roadster’s aluminum body was modified, getting flared fenders over gumball tires.

A total of 356 cars were built until 1968, however, replica 427s were soon offered. A.C. cars got a boost and rolled out its own version in the late 1980s. But Carroll Shelby took a shot at his mimics by introducing 43 brand new “1965” Cobras crafted from the surplus in the mid-1990s. In all, the Cobras were the stuff of a living legend who gave the cars the legacy of an immortal performance. The 1966 Shelby Cobra 427 Super Snake, with its price tag of $5.5 million auction price is the penultimate proof of that.

The 2010 Porsche 911 GT3 made its much anticipated debut last year at the Geneva Motor Show and it is currently available with a price tag of $113,150. A few exterior changes set the new GT3 apart from its predecessors. Featured for the first time is the new cooling air outlet which provides a more efficient ducting for the center radiator. It now borders on the front apron and situated between the bi-xenon headlights. The rear end stands out both from the previous model and from the production 911 with the newly designed engine lid and a wider rear wing that extends beyond the support bars and is tilted down at an angle of 7.8 degrees.

The most significant upgrade, however, lies under the hood. The new GT3’s power plant features a 3.8-liter six-cylinder naturally-aspirated engine. It generates a maximum output of   435 hp, a 20-hp increase that Porsche attributes to the addition of variable cam timing and the extra displacement. The engine is mated to a manual six-speed gearbox, and Porsche won’t confirm nor deny speculations of eventually offering the PDK in the car.

Despite the absence of direct fuel injection and the PDK dual-clutch transmission, Porsche claims that the new GT3 will accelerate from 0-62 mph in just 4.1 seconds, and will climactically hit a top speed of 194 mph. The GT3 continues to offer Porsche’s active suspension system (PASM) but with stiffer springs and a smaller anti-roll bar in front, while the rear bar has been enlarged. The adjustable shock absorbers have been recalibrated while new hubs utilize lighter, centerlock wheels. The new GT3 also gets huge 15.0-inch front brake rotors with separate aluminum carriers that actually reduce their weight slightly.  And for the first time, the GT3 comes with stability control in the form of a specially calibrated Porsche Stability Management system which enables the driver to deactivate the stability control alone or the stability control and traction control together.

The GT3’s interior offers nothing but exquisite and exclusive style typical of Porsche. Totter behind the three-spoke Alcantara-covered steering wheel and the new GT3 feels familiar. The highly bolstered sport seats are extremely comfortable and offer a superb driving position. Other notable highlights are Porsche’s CDR-30 audio system featuring a monochromatic five-inch screen and an MP3-compatible CD player, a wider range of fine leather upholstery, and thorax airbags. However, the moment you turn the key and kick off the raspy exhaust, you’d realize you’re not in a car fashioned for daily commuting. The new GT3 is highly functional but it was specifically designed and engineered to run!

Overall, the 2010 Porsche 911 GT3 is a high performance car that holds an interesting place in the company’s lineup since it is the fastest naturally-aspired car Porsche produces. The new GT3 offers traditional racing heritage with a chock-full of badging and a sleek design. There’s absolutely no second guessing of the 2010 Porsche 911 GT3. Upon quick recognition, everyone knows it’s a Porsche.

Former Land Rover Jaguar CEO David Smith

The chief executive officer of Jaguar Land Rover, David Smith, leaves the British luxury carmaker. The company said Smith’s departure was not associated with the recent failure of negotiations with unions regarding pay and pensions.  Jaguar Land Rover, part of India’s Tata Motors, is seeking to reduce wages and pension provision for new personnel. Ravi Kant, vice chairman of Tata Motors Ltd., will assist with the handover of Mr Smith’s duties and assume the day to day responsibilities of the chief executive role until a permanent successor is announced.

The company expressed its gratitude to Mr. Smith “for his efforts in the role and for his service to Jaguar and Land Rover over many years”.  Smith took on the job in 2008 after Tata Motors bought Jaguar Land Rover from US group Ford in June 2008 for $2.3 billion or roughly £1.4bn.

Talks between Jaguar Land Rover top executives and unions hit the skids last week after six days of dialogue. The talks focused on the proposed changes to pay and pensions that the company announced in September as part of its strategic review. Jaguar Land Rover has offered to guarantee that 8,000 full-time personnel will be kept on until 2015 in return for cuts to new starters’ salaries and pensions. The company wants to trim the wages of new employees by as much as 20%, and close its final salary pension scheme to new members.

Jaguar Land Rover is pursuing efforts to cut costs after its sales plummet by more than a quarter in 2009 while its Parent company, Tata as a whole swung to profitability. To stop the bleeding, Jaguar Land Rover cut 2,500 jobs, froze pay and cancelled bonuses. Sales across the company’s two brands fell by as much as 26% last year. Those of Land Rover – including Range Rover – were down by 23%, while those at Jaguar declined by 33%. However, sales picked up in December, with Jaguar adding 5% from a year earlier and Land Rover’s rising by 45%. In September, Jaguar Land Rover announced its plan to shut down one of its two manufacturing facilities in the West Midlands – either Solihull or Castle Bromwich in Birmingham – by 2014. The company also has a factory in Halewood on Merseyside.

Jaguar Land Rover’s sales in the United States also dipped, although less than that of the broader auto industry. The company got its much-needed boost when J.D. Power awarded the Jaguar nameplate its top recognition for vehicle dependability last March. However, at the time, company executives stated that Jaguar’s quality reputation had been on the downturn in the U.S., despite the company’s efforts to pour its resources into upgrading vehicle technology and design.

In October, Jaguar Land Rover announced that it had secured a £175m loan from the State Bank of India.  The British government offered assistance, but Tata Motors said the terms were quite onerous.