We’ve been blogging for some time now and we’ve covered a host of automotive industry and car-related topics – anything from new car models to automaker perks and programs to current events like efforts to prevent distracted driving. We thought it was about time that we step back to ask our readers how we’re doing and find out whether we’re writing about the things that interest you.

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 -The CarLocate Team

It’s been hard to ignore the immense amount of negative media attention directed at Toyota over the past several months. With millions of recalled vehicles due to acceleration issues and braking problems, topped with lawsuits and an abundance of bad publicity, it seemed as though Toyota might never bounce back. But even with its recall woes, the Toyota brand does have at least one thing to smile about these days: its loyal customers.

Not surprisingly, Toyota’s recall crisis has had a negative impact on the automaker’s sales. But, what we’ve found surprising is that Toyota’s loyalty scores – the number of people willing to purchase another Toyota – remain high, despite the crisis. According to a car brand loyalty survey conducted by the Corporate Research International, only 6.5 percent of current Toyota customers said they would not buy another Toyota because of the recalls. In contrast, that number is much larger for owners of other car brands.

Additionally, from that same survey, more than 60 percent of consumers seriously considering purchasing a Toyota in the next five years said that, even with all the recalls, they would still be willing to purchase a Toyota.

In an article in the Detroit News, Jim Lentz, president and chief operating officer of Toyota Motor Sales USA, noted that Toyota’s customers are remaining loyal to the brand. In fact, industry research firm Edmunds.com reported that almost 58 percent of people who traded in their Toyota cars in the first quarter of 2010 turned around and purchased another Toyota vehicle. Lentz said the real challenge now will be trying to gain new customers.

Although customer loyalty does not seem to be a problem for Toyota, the various rebates and incentives they have offered over the past few months likely have helped them hold on to current customers and attract new ones. Whether it is because of the automaker's incentive programs or its approach to solving its recall problems, Toyota remains at the top of the industry in customer loyalty – that’s a pretty good place to be!

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Toyota Recall Information

Recently, CarLocate.com told you about a new group called FocusDriven that is encouraging nationwide legislation that bans people from using cell phones to talk to text while driving. They cite some compelling numbers – including 2,600 deaths – as reasons for enacting such a ban. (If you missed that blog post, read it here: New Group Wants States to Say TTYL to Distracted Driving.)

A few days after we wrote about FocusDriven’s efforts, however, CNNMoney.com reported on study from the Highway Loss Data Institute that showed that state laws that ban drivers from talking on hand-held cell phones seem to have no effect on crash rates.

Researchers noted that even after bans were enacted, the monthly crash rates did not change significantly from month to month. Moreover, when crash rates in a jurisdiction with a ban were compared to a nearby place without a ban, the rates also didn’t change.

In addition, this current study contradicts earlier findings by the Institute.  Click here to read full details on this study.

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