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Worldwide Sales of TMC Hybrids Top 5 Million Units

noreply@blogger.com (Transporter09) — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 17:08:00 +0000

Toyota City, Japan, April 17, 2013—Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) announces that cumulative global sales of its hybrid vehicles topped the 5 million unit mark as of March 31, 2013, reaching 5.125 million units¹.

Positioning response to environmental issues as a management priority and based on its belief that environment-friendly vehicles can only truly have a positive impact if they are used widely, TMC has endeavored to promote the mass-market adoption of hybrid vehicles.

Last year, hybrid vehicles accounted for 14 percent of TMC's global vehicle sales and 40 percent of its vehicle sales in Japan. As of this month, TMC sells 19 hybrid passenger car models and one plug-in hybrid model in approximately 80 countries and regions around the world, and between now and December 2015, TMC will launch a total of 18 new hybrid vehicles worldwide and is committed to augmenting its product lineup even further and increasing the number of countries and regions where it sells hybrid vehicles.

TMC calculates that as of March 31, 2013, TMC hybrid vehicles² have resulted in approximately 34 million fewer tons³ of CO2 emissions—believed to be a cause of global warming—than would have been emitted by gasoline-powered vehicles of similar size and driving performance. TMC also estimates that its hybrid vehicles have saved approximately 12 million kiloliters of gasoline compared to the amount used by gasoline-powered vehicles of similar size.

In 1997 in Japan, TMC launched the "Coaster Hybrid EV" in August and launched the "Prius"—the world's first mass-produced hybrid passenger vehicle—in December. Since then, TMC hybrid vehicles have received tremendous support from consumers around the world.

TMC Vice Chairman Takeshi Uchiyamada, who was responsible for development of the first-generation Prius, said: "We developed the first-generation Prius with the aim of making it a car for the twenty-first century and as an indication of Toyota's response to environmental issues. We had to develop a hybrid system from scratch, making our task extremely difficult. Nevertheless, we took on the challenge. The launch of the first-generation Prius had effects beyond our expectations, with the vehicle increasing consumer environmental awareness and raising hybrid vehicle expectations. The understanding of consumers at launch time laid the foundation for the widespread adoption, and, since then, consumers have continued to support TMC hybrid vehicles. For this, I am extremely grateful."

Having positioned hybrid technologies that enable the use of different fuel combinations—including the component technologies necessary for development of various environment-friendly cars—as core environmental technologies for the twenty-first century, TMC plans to continue working to further raise performance, reduce costs, and expand its product lineup—including that of non-hybrid environment-friendly vehicles—to create vehicles that are popular with consumers.

Link to dedicated web content including a video message from Vice Chairman Uchiyamada: http://www.toyota-global.com/hv5m/

¹Including plug-in hybrid vehicles; TMC data
²Excluding the Coaster Hybrid EV and Quick Delivery 200
³Number of registered vehicles × distance traveled × fuel efficiency (actual fuel efficiency in each country) × CO2 conversion factor

Toyota Hybrid Vehicle Sales^*

(Unit = 1,000 vehicles)

	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006
Japan	0.3	17.6	15.2	12.5	18.4	19.9	27.1	68.7	58.5	72.4
Outside Japan				6.4	18.4	21.3	26.1	65.9	176.4	240.0
Total	0.3	17.6	15.2	19.0	36.9	41.3	53.2	134.6	234.9	312.5
Cumulative total	0.3	17.9	33.2	52.2	89.1	130.5	183.8	318.5	553.4	865.9

	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	Jan-Mar 2013
Japan	81.9	104.4	251.1	392.2	316.3	678.0	187.8
Outside Japan	347.4	325.3	278.9	297.9	312.6	541.0	144.3
Total	429.4	429.7	530.1	690.1	628.9	1,219.0	332.1
Cumulative total	1,295.3	1,725.1	2,255.2	2,945.4	3,574.4	4,793.5	5,125.6
^*Based on TMC data

Cumulative Sales of TMC Hybrid Passenger Vehicles (as of March 31, 2013)^*1

(Unit = 1,000 vehicles)

Vehicle name	Prius	Prius α (Prius v Prius +)	Aqua (Prius c)	Camry HV	Alphard Hybrid^*2	Auris Hybrid	Yaris Hybrid	Avalon Hybrid
Japan	1304.0	215.5	347.6	27.9	38.2	—	—	—
Outside Japan	1630.7	79.4	61.9	329.1	0.8	85.6	36.6	4.7
Total	2,934.8	294.9	409.5	357.1	39.0	85.6	36.6	4.7

Vehicle name	Kluger Hybrid^*3 (Highlander Hybrid)	Vellfire Hybrid	Sai	Estima Hybrid	Crown Hybrid	Harrier Hybrid^*4	Crown Mild Hybrid^*5
Japan	3.4	12.9	59.9	99.3	40.9	23.7	6.4
Outside Japan	130.3	—	—	—	—	—	—
Total	133.7	12.9	59.9	99.3	40.9	23.7	6.4

Vehicle name	LS 600h LS 600hL	GS 450h	RX 400h RX 450h	HS 250h	CT 200h	ES 300h	Prius PHV
Japan	20.9	11.7	23.7	35.4	34.1	—	12.6
Outside Japan	11.1	22.3	244.5	22.3	103.2	19.2	20.1
Total	32.0	34.1	268.2	57.8	137.3	19.2	32.7

Vehicle name	Hybrid Passenger Vehicle Cumulative Total		Hybrid Commercial Vehicle Cumulative Total^*6
Japan	2,318.7		4.2
Outside Japan	2,802.6		—
Total	5,121.4		4.2
^1TMC data; ^2Production ceased in 2008 and production of a new model started in 2011; ^3Kluger Hybrid (for the Japanese market) production ceased in 2007; ^4Harrier hybrid production ceased in 2012; ^5Crown Royal production ceased in 2003, Crown Sedan production ceased in 2008; ^6Accumulated figure for Coaster Hybrid EV (production ceased in 2004), Dyna Hybrid, Toyoace Hybrid and Quick Delivery 200 (hybrid-version production ceased in 2012).

TMC Hybrid Vehicle Chronology

Year	Month	Milestone
1997	Mar.	Toyota Hybrid System (THS) unveiled
	Aug.	Coaster Hybrid EV launched (Japan only)
	Oct.	Prius unveiled (launched in December)
2000	Nov.	Cumulative global Prius sales top 50,000 vehicles
2001	Jun.	Estima Hybrid launched (Japan only)
2001	Aug.	Crown Royal series with Mild Hybrid System launched (Japan only)
2002	Mar.	Cumulative global hybrid vehicle sales top 100,000 mark
	Aug.	Cumulative global Prius sales top 100,000 vehicles
	Oct.	Crown Sedan with Mild Hybrid System launched (Japan only)
2003	Apr.	Toyota Hybrid System II (THS II) unveiled
	Jul.	Alphard Hybrid launched (Japan only)
	Sep.	Completely redesigned second-generation Prius launched
	Sep.	Dyna Hybrid and Toyoace Hybrid unveiled (launched in November; Japan only)
2005	Mar.	Harrier Hybrid (RX 400h) and Kluger Hybrid (Highlander Hybrid) launched
	Oct.	Cumulative global hybrid vehicle sales top 500,000 mark
	Dec.	Second-generation Prius production commenced at SFTM's Changchun plant in China
2006	Mar.	GS 450h launched
	Apr.	Cumulative global Prius sales top 500,000 vehicles
	May	Camry Hybrid launched (for sale outside Japan)
	Jun.	Completely redesigned Estima Hybrid launched (Japan only)
	Oct.	Camry Hybrid production commenced at Kentucky Plant in the U.S.; Quick Delivery 200 launched (Japan only)
2007	May	Cumulative global hybrid vehicle sales top 1 million mark; LS 600h/LS 600hL launched
2008	Feb.	Crown Hybrid unveiled (launched in May; Japan only)
2008	Apr.	Cumulative global Prius sales top 1 million vehicles
2009	Jan.	RX 450h unveiled (launched in April)
	May	Completely redesigned third-generation Prius launched
	Jul.	Camry Hybrid production commenced at TMT's Gateway Plant, Thailand; HS 250h launched
	Aug.	Cumulative global hybrid vehicle sales top 2 million mark
	Oct.	Sai unveiled (launched in December, Japan only)
	Dec.	Camry Hybrid production commenced at TMCA's Altona Plant, Australia
2010	Apr.	Camry Hybrid production commenced at GTMC's plant in China
	Jun.	Auris Hybrid production commenced at TMUK's Burnaston Plant, UK; Auris Hybrid launched (for sale outside Japan)
	Jul.	Cumulative sales in Japan of hybrids top 1 million vehicles
	Sep.	Cumulative global Prius sales top 2 million vehicles
	Nov.	Third-generation Prius production commenced at TMT's Gateway Plant, Thailand
2011	Jan.	Annual Prius sales in Japan of new vehicles in 2010 were 315,669 vehicles, the largest amount of annual sales ever recorded; CT 200h launched
	Feb.	Cumulative global hybrid vehicle sales top 3 million mark
	May	Prius α launched
	Aug.	Prius sales in Japan top 1 million mark
	Sep.	Completely redesigned Camry Hybrid launched in Japan; Hybrid models of the Alphard and Vellfire added (launched in November, Japan only)
	Oct.	TMEC of China conducts cornerstone laying ceremony and announces plan to produce and sell vehicles with hybrid systems produced in China jointly with China FAW Group and GTMC around 2015
	Nov.	Prius PHV unveiled (launched in January 2012 in Japan, in March 2012 in the U.S., in the summer of 2012 in Europe)
	Dec.	Production of third-generation Prius commenced at SFTM's Changchun Plant in China; Aqua launched
2012	Jan.	Completely redesigned GS 450h unveiled (launched in March)
	Feb.	Start of Highlander Hybrid production at Indiana Plant in the U.S. in the second half of 2013 announced
	Feb.	Production and sale of Camry Hybrid in Kuozui's Kuanying Plant, Taiwan commenced
	Apr.	Cumulative global hybrid vehicle sales top 4 million mark
	May	Yaris Hybrid launched (for sale outside Japan)
	Jul.	Start of RX 450h production at TMMC's Cambridge Plant in early 2014 announced; ES 300h launched (for sale outside Japan)
	Oct.	Cumulative hybrid vehicle sales in Japan top 2 million mark
	Oct.	Cumulative global hybrid vehicle sales from January through October 2012 top 1 million mark
	Nov.	Completely redesigned Auris Hybrid launched (for sale outside Japan)
	Dec.	Completely redesigned Crown hybrid unveiled (launched in January 2013, Japan only); Avalon hybrid launched (for sale outside Japan)
2013	Mar.	Cumulative global hybrid vehicle sales top 5 million mark

http://www2.toyota.co.jp/en/news/13/04/0417.html

Worldwide Sales of TMC Hybrids Top 5 Million Units

noreply@blogger.com (Transporter09) — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 17:07:00 +0000

Toyota Hybrid Vehicle Sales^*

(Unit = 1,000 vehicles)

	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006
Japan	0.3	17.6	15.2	12.5	18.4	19.9	27.1	68.7	58.5	72.4
Outside Japan				6.4	18.4	21.3	26.1	65.9	176.4	240.0
Total	0.3	17.6	15.2	19.0	36.9	41.3	53.2	134.6	234.9	312.5
Cumulative total	0.3	17.9	33.2	52.2	89.1	130.5	183.8	318.5	553.4	865.9

	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	Jan-Mar 2013
Japan	81.9	104.4	251.1	392.2	316.3	678.0	187.8
Outside Japan	347.4	325.3	278.9	297.9	312.6	541.0	144.3
Total	429.4	429.7	530.1	690.1	628.9	1,219.0	332.1
Cumulative total	1,295.3	1,725.1	2,255.2	2,945.4	3,574.4	4,793.5	5,125.6
^*Based on TMC data

Cumulative Sales of TMC Hybrid Passenger Vehicles (as of March 31, 2013)^*1

(Unit = 1,000 vehicles)

Vehicle name	Prius	Prius α (Prius v Prius +)	Aqua (Prius c)	Camry HV	Alphard Hybrid^*2	Auris Hybrid	Yaris Hybrid	Avalon Hybrid
Japan	1304.0	215.5	347.6	27.9	38.2	—	—	—
Outside Japan	1630.7	79.4	61.9	329.1	0.8	85.6	36.6	4.7
Total	2,934.8	294.9	409.5	357.1	39.0	85.6	36.6	4.7

Vehicle name	Kluger Hybrid^*3 (Highlander Hybrid)	Vellfire Hybrid	Sai	Estima Hybrid	Crown Hybrid	Harrier Hybrid^*4	Crown Mild Hybrid^*5
Japan	3.4	12.9	59.9	99.3	40.9	23.7	6.4
Outside Japan	130.3	—	—	—	—	—	—
Total	133.7	12.9	59.9	99.3	40.9	23.7	6.4

Vehicle name	LS 600h LS 600hL	GS 450h	RX 400h RX 450h	HS 250h	CT 200h	ES 300h	Prius PHV
Japan	20.9	11.7	23.7	35.4	34.1	—	12.6
Outside Japan	11.1	22.3	244.5	22.3	103.2	19.2	20.1
Total	32.0	34.1	268.2	57.8	137.3	19.2	32.7

Vehicle name	Hybrid Passenger Vehicle Cumulative Total		Hybrid Commercial Vehicle Cumulative Total^*6
Japan	2,318.7		4.2
Outside Japan	2,802.6		—
Total	5,121.4		4.2
^1TMC data; ^2Production ceased in 2008 and production of a new model started in 2011; ^3Kluger Hybrid (for the Japanese market) production ceased in 2007; ^4Harrier hybrid production ceased in 2012; ^5Crown Royal production ceased in 2003, Crown Sedan production ceased in 2008; ^6Accumulated figure for Coaster Hybrid EV (production ceased in 2004), Dyna Hybrid, Toyoace Hybrid and Quick Delivery 200 (hybrid-version production ceased in 2012).

TMC Hybrid Vehicle Chronology

Year	Month	Milestone
1997	Mar.	Toyota Hybrid System (THS) unveiled
	Aug.	Coaster Hybrid EV launched (Japan only)
	Oct.	Prius unveiled (launched in December)
2000	Nov.	Cumulative global Prius sales top 50,000 vehicles
2001	Jun.	Estima Hybrid launched (Japan only)
2001	Aug.	Crown Royal series with Mild Hybrid System launched (Japan only)
2002	Mar.	Cumulative global hybrid vehicle sales top 100,000 mark
	Aug.	Cumulative global Prius sales top 100,000 vehicles
	Oct.	Crown Sedan with Mild Hybrid System launched (Japan only)
2003	Apr.	Toyota Hybrid System II (THS II) unveiled
	Jul.	Alphard Hybrid launched (Japan only)
	Sep.	Completely redesigned second-generation Prius launched
	Sep.	Dyna Hybrid and Toyoace Hybrid unveiled (launched in November; Japan only)
2005	Mar.	Harrier Hybrid (RX 400h) and Kluger Hybrid (Highlander Hybrid) launched
	Oct.	Cumulative global hybrid vehicle sales top 500,000 mark
	Dec.	Second-generation Prius production commenced at SFTM's Changchun plant in China
2006	Mar.	GS 450h launched
	Apr.	Cumulative global Prius sales top 500,000 vehicles
	May	Camry Hybrid launched (for sale outside Japan)
	Jun.	Completely redesigned Estima Hybrid launched (Japan only)
	Oct.	Camry Hybrid production commenced at Kentucky Plant in the U.S.; Quick Delivery 200 launched (Japan only)
2007	May	Cumulative global hybrid vehicle sales top 1 million mark; LS 600h/LS 600hL launched
2008	Feb.	Crown Hybrid unveiled (launched in May; Japan only)
2008	Apr.	Cumulative global Prius sales top 1 million vehicles
2009	Jan.	RX 450h unveiled (launched in April)
	May	Completely redesigned third-generation Prius launched
	Jul.	Camry Hybrid production commenced at TMT's Gateway Plant, Thailand; HS 250h launched
	Aug.	Cumulative global hybrid vehicle sales top 2 million mark
	Oct.	Sai unveiled (launched in December, Japan only)
	Dec.	Camry Hybrid production commenced at TMCA's Altona Plant, Australia
2010	Apr.	Camry Hybrid production commenced at GTMC's plant in China
	Jun.	Auris Hybrid production commenced at TMUK's Burnaston Plant, UK; Auris Hybrid launched (for sale outside Japan)
	Jul.	Cumulative sales in Japan of hybrids top 1 million vehicles
	Sep.	Cumulative global Prius sales top 2 million vehicles
	Nov.	Third-generation Prius production commenced at TMT's Gateway Plant, Thailand
2011	Jan.	Annual Prius sales in Japan of new vehicles in 2010 were 315,669 vehicles, the largest amount of annual sales ever recorded; CT 200h launched
	Feb.	Cumulative global hybrid vehicle sales top 3 million mark
	May	Prius α launched
	Aug.	Prius sales in Japan top 1 million mark
	Sep.	Completely redesigned Camry Hybrid launched in Japan; Hybrid models of the Alphard and Vellfire added (launched in November, Japan only)
	Oct.	TMEC of China conducts cornerstone laying ceremony and announces plan to produce and sell vehicles with hybrid systems produced in China jointly with China FAW Group and GTMC around 2015
	Nov.	Prius PHV unveiled (launched in January 2012 in Japan, in March 2012 in the U.S., in the summer of 2012 in Europe)
	Dec.	Production of third-generation Prius commenced at SFTM's Changchun Plant in China; Aqua launched
2012	Jan.	Completely redesigned GS 450h unveiled (launched in March)
	Feb.	Start of Highlander Hybrid production at Indiana Plant in the U.S. in the second half of 2013 announced
	Feb.	Production and sale of Camry Hybrid in Kuozui's Kuanying Plant, Taiwan commenced
	Apr.	Cumulative global hybrid vehicle sales top 4 million mark
	May	Yaris Hybrid launched (for sale outside Japan)
	Jul.	Start of RX 450h production at TMMC's Cambridge Plant in early 2014 announced; ES 300h launched (for sale outside Japan)
	Oct.	Cumulative hybrid vehicle sales in Japan top 2 million mark
	Oct.	Cumulative global hybrid vehicle sales from January through October 2012 top 1 million mark
	Nov.	Completely redesigned Auris Hybrid launched (for sale outside Japan)
	Dec.	Completely redesigned Crown hybrid unveiled (launched in January 2013, Japan only); Avalon hybrid launched (for sale outside Japan)
2013	Mar.	Cumulative global hybrid vehicle sales top 5 million mark

http://www2.toyota.co.jp

Daihatsu to trim output of Toyota-brand cars in Japan

noreply@blogger.com (Transporter09) — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 12:09:00 +0000

TOKYO, Oct 28 (Reuters) - Daihatsu Motor Co said on Friday it would reduce work to produce Toyota-badged cars at two Japanese factories next week due to a shortage of parts from Thailand, where floods have cut off supply.
Daihatsu, the minivehicles unit of Toyota Motor Corp , said it expects no impact from the Thai floods on its own minicar production in Japan and in Indonesia and Malaysia at least for November.

Toyota cutting back on overtime due to Thailand flooding

noreply@blogger.com (Transporter09) — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 19:22:00 +0000

Flooding in Thailand means a cutback in overtime for Toyota.
That flooding caused a shortage in vehicle parts for Toyota plants nationwide.
This week, production and overtime went on as usual in Gibson County.
Toyota tells 14 News they've cancelled their "Production Saturday" and won't have any overtime next week.
They say his means a slight decrease in vehicle production.

Toyota, Honda Plants Among Hundreds Closed by Thai Floods

noreply@blogger.com (Transporter09) — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 11:04:00 +0000

Honda and Toyota have stopped all production in Thailand as that nation’s floods continue to rip through industrial parks, and now threaten Bangkok.
Thailand is a major production base for the two Japanese car-makers, according to CBS.
At least five major industrial parks have been flooded (earlier coverage here) and hundreds of factories shut down, putting over 100,000 out of work. Thailand’s Central Bank said the floods’ total cost could rise to 100 billion baht ($3 billion). Since late July, the floods have killed at least 307 people, Reuters reports.
Over 200,000 people were evacuated yesterday from Thailand’s oldest industrial park, Nava Nakorn in Pathum Thani, according to Bangkok-based The Nation. About 10 percent of the estate was flooded, CBS reported.
Companies with operations there include Nestle, Toshiba, Casio, Seiko and hard drive manufacturer Western Digital, which already had to shut down production at another factory park.
The flooding is likely to affect other companies operating in other countries, as they face a shortage of key components.
And last night Bangkok’s governor said the city needs 1.2 million sandbags within 48 hours to keep the capital from flooding. The national government had said earlier on Monday that the flood threat to Bangkok appeared to be subsiding.
Because of the floods, industry has called on the government to ditch plans for a 40 percent rise in the minimum wage, Reuters reports. Thai authorities instead pushed back the start date for the increase, from January 1 to April 1.
The change will set the minimum wage at 300 baht a day for Bangkok and six other provinces, with lower wages for the rest of Thailand’s 77 provinces.

To Our Shareholders and Other Investors

noreply@blogger.com (Transporter09) — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 04:34:00 +0000

We would like to take this opportunity to express our deepest appreciation to our shareholders and other investors for your support of Toyota Industries Corporation and the Toyota Industries Group.

First of all, we would like to extend our most heartfelt condolences and prayers to the people and their families who are suffering or have lost their lives due to the Great East Japan Earthquake that struck the country on March 11, 2011. We sincerely hope for the early recovery of the disaster-stricken areas.

As the economies in and outside Japan move toward recoveries, the Toyota Industries Group undertook efforts to ensure customer trust through its dedication to quality as well as responding quickly and flexibly to the global economic recovery trend for our sales expansion. However, the Great East Japan Earthquake had a significant impact on the Japanese economy. Toyota Industries was also forced to suspend production partially due to the problem of parts supply from suppliers.

As a result, despite the earthquake aftermath effects, we were able to achieve increases in both sales and profit. Including the interim cash dividend of 25 yen per share, which was paid in November 2010, Toyota Industries will pay a year-end cash dividend of 25 yen per share, with total cash dividends for fiscal 2011 amounting to 50 yen per share.

For the foreseeable future, although the global economy is projected to gradually recover, uncertainties remain with regards to credit contraction, further deterioration in the employment situation and fluctuations in raw material prices such as crude oil, as well as concerns about exchange rate fluctuations. The operating environment in Japan is expected to remain severe, as the impacts of the earthquake on the economy could become more serious or prolonged.

Amid this environment, Toyota Industries has been striving for early normalization of production activities, which have been adversely affected by the disaster, through flexible operations and supplier support. We will also proceed with business structure and cost structure reforms to realize a solid business structure so that we can weather any changes in the business climate. As we aim to strengthen business activities in existing markets, primarily in developed countries, and accelerate business development in fast-growing emerging country markets, we will carry out meticulous market surveys in respective regions and release products closely tailored to each market's characteristics and needs.

In the medium to long term, we remain firmly entrenched in the concept of quality first. Upon the recognition that responding to the environment and safety as well as improving our international competitiveness are key issues to tackle, we will continue to engage in customer-oriented development of products and advanced technologies based on 3Es (energy, environmental protection and ecological thinking).

In closing, we ask our shareholders and other investors for your continued understanding and support.

Auto safety bill prompted by Toyota incidents is in doubt

noreply@blogger.com (Transporter09) — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 13:08:00 +0000

Senate legislation that would create major new safety standards and increase fines for automakers in violation of federal rules is running into Republican opposition and may never be put to a vote. The most comprehensive overhaul of motor vehicle safety laws in a decade, which once seemed certain in the wake of Toyota’s sudden-acceleration problems, may never reach a vote in Congress.

Read more on Chicago Tribune

Ford Gains On Toyota In ‘Consumer Reports’ Survey

noreply@blogger.com (Transporter09) — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 13:07:00 +0000

Ford Motor Company has risen almost to the top of an annual brand perception survey by Consumer Reports . The Detroit automaker is now just behind Toyota, after its years-long effort to improve quality coincided with devastating recalls by Toyota.
Read more on NPR

Ford Gains Ground On Toyota For Consumers
Ford Gains Ground On Toyota For Consumers Ford Motor Co. has gained ground on rival Toyota Moto...
Despite recalls, Toyota continues to rank high in quality survey
Despite recalls, Toyota continues to rank high in quality survey Associated Press Wednesday, Oc...

Toyota Signals Shift on Plants

noreply@blogger.com (Transporter09) — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 13:01:00 +0000

TOKYO—Toyota Motor Corp. has signaled it may relocate unprofitable manufacturing capacity overseas, a possible turning point for its longtime commitment to maintaining its production base in Japan.
Toyota President Akio Toyoda said his company will strive to keep its current manufacturing mix, but may move production capacity due to unfavorable foreign-exchange rates and other factors. "If we are simply unable to make a profit...we may be forced to move our production elsewhere," he said in a statement posted on the company's website on Friday.
Mr. Toyoda also said his company plans to begin implementing a more decentralized management structure globally. That effort to delegate more decisions to regional managers is part of a new corporate strategy to "not use the logic that Toyota has developed for Japan" for its overseas operations.
Mr. Toyoda said this was one of several measures planned as part of an effort that he dubbed "Toyota restart," an initiative by the company to cope with the fallout from a massive recall of a year ago. He designated the date of the "restart" as Feb. 24, a reference to the date that Mr. Toyoda appeared before a U.S. Congressional committee last year to testify about the recall of the company's cars.
The statement came in the form of a New Year's message ahead of the release of a long-term strategic plan in April called "20/20 Vision." It didn't provide details on any locations or specific factories.
Toyota typically has used exports from its factories in Japan to adjust to short-term changes in demand and supply abroad. That has become a more critical function for more of these facilities as the Japanese vehicle market has shrunk year-on-year for the past several years.
Mr. Toyoda's statement indicates this role may no longer be tenable as a result of the yen's rise close to all-time highs.
Japan's leading auto maker also produces all but one of its Lexus luxury vehicle models at its factories in Japan, which has crimped profit growth as the yen has appreciated rapidly over the past year.

More In Auto Industry News

Routine Toyota Service in MA Available at Woburn Toyota

noreply@blogger.com (Transporter09) — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 02:01:00 +0000

Car owners know that car maintenance is vital to keep a safe and reliable car. While no one looks forward to it, Toyota owners turn to Woburn Toyota to help them with routine maintenance. Toyota service in MA helps car owners keep up with scheduled maintenance, which can be prevent future breakdowns and accidents.

The service center at Woburn Toyota is proud to serve Boston Toyota service customers with quality car maintenance and repairs and will help car owners keep up with routine maintenance.

General car maintenance, such as routine oil changes, tire rotations, fluid flushes and filter replacements, are all affordable procedures that will keep all vehicles in their best shape and in ideal driving conditions.

Some of these procedures can be done by car owners, such as filter replacements. Car owners can purchase the correct filter for their vehicle at the part’s department at Woburn Toyota or have them replaced at the dealership during their next car service. Filters that should be checked at a future visit include air filters, fuel filters and cabin filters.

Routine oil changes are among the easiest and most important things to keep up with.

Be sure to make an appointment at the service center at the dealership serving Boston Toyota service shoppers or stop by the dealership for an oil change. Oil changes are recommended every 3,000 miles. Routine oil changes ensure that the car and engine are running efficiently.

Car owners who do not keep up with oil changes will run into problems when their vehicle has old oil or not enough oil. Problems such as an engine overheating or other major problems can occur and result in high repair bills.

Fluid flushes should also be kept up with. Coolant/antifreeze flushes, brake system flushes and transmission fluid services also help to keep all vehicles in top shape. The technicians at the Toyota service center in MA will let drivers know when their vehicle is in need of one.

Tire rotations are also important to lengthen the lifespan of tires. Tires should be rotated about every 5,000 miles or about every other oil change. Tire rotations are important because they prevent tires from wearing unevenly, which can cause a car to lean and lead to safety problems. Tire pressure should also be monitored, especially in the winter. Car owners should make sure that they have the correct about of pressure in their tires for safety and optimum fuel efficiency. Too low pressure wears down tires and tire treat and overfilling tires can cause tire blowouts.

Important inspections, such as inspections on brakes, front end, under-carriage, belts, hoses and battery, should be done routinely to ensure that everything is in best shape.

Toyota owners near Boston can keep up with these routine maintenances by having regular tune ups and checkups at Woburn Toyota. Car owners will find that their vehicle will perform better and be in a much better driving condition.

For more information or to schedule an appointment at the Toyota service center in MA, contact Woburn Toyota at 800-649-0400 or visit http://www.woburntoyota.com/.

About Woburn Toyota:
Woburn Toyota has served Toyota shoppers since 1967. The dealership carries a large inventory of new Toyota vehicles as well as used and certified used vehicles from top brands.

Contact Woburn Toyota:
394 Washington Street
Woburn MA 01801
Sales- 877-275-1907
Service- 800-649-0400

New Toyota Prius Line Up Coming Monday

noreply@blogger.com (Transporter09) — Sun, 09 Jan 2011 17:44:00 +0000

Word began to leak out more than a year ago that Toyota would grow its line of hybrids under the Prius name, transforming it from a mere model into a brand itself. It then teased an image out of a new Prius in October. And now the company says it will unveil an unspecified new Prius vehicle on Jan. 10, at the 2011 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

Toyota was quite coy in making the announcement, saying simply, “In addition to the current third-generation Prius and Prius Plug-in vehicle (PHV), the first all-new addition to the Prius Family will debut along with a Prius concept vehicle.”

Of course, such behavior only invites intrepid auto hounds to ferret out the information, and various news organizations, blogs and chat rooms have apparently known for a while that what Toyota will show off is a hybrid Prius MPV. Car and Driver, which reported this news back in October, said the minivan was chosen to lead off the new Priuses in part because “the MPV was the vehicle most requested by current Prius owners.”

image via Toyota

To get folks ready for the new Prius, Toyota roped X Games champion skateboarder Bob Burnquist to do a sneak peak video. You can see it below, though frankly there isn’t much to see yet.

Like what you are reading? Follow us on RSS, Twitter and Facebook to learn more and join the green technology discussion. Have a story idea or correction for this story? Drop us a line through our contact form.

Insurers take on Toyota in acceleration lawsuits

noreply@blogger.com (Transporter09) — Sun, 09 Jan 2011 17:41:00 +0000

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Hundreds of disgruntled drivers have sued Toyota Motor Corp. over its sudden acceleration issues, hoping to get paid for their safety concerns with Toyota vehicles. The Japanese automaker now faces a more formidable opponent that legal experts say has plenty of time, money and resources to challenge it in court: insurance companies.

Seven insurers filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles last week, looking to recoup more than $230,000 to cover crashes blamed on sudden acceleration. Allstate Corp. also sued Toyota late last year.

While Toyota brushed off the latest litigation and said disputes between automakers and insurance companies are common, legal experts say the world's No. 1 automaker can't be pleased that it's squaring off against an industry that knows its way around a courtroom.

"This isn't David vs. Goliath," said Tom Baker, a professor at the University of Pennsylvania Law School. "This has to be the worst news that the general counsel of Toyota has gotten in a while. If I'm Toyota and I see name–brand insurance companies suing me, I am definitely paying attention."

Working in favor of the insurance companies is an industry database that can give insurers information about accidents nationwide. That potentially damaging evidence could make its way into other lawsuits alleging Toyota is responsible for injuries, deaths, and falling resale values on the more than 10 million vehicles Toyota has recalled since late 2009.

"Presumably they are going to bring in experts and resources on the questions that haven't been answered," said attorney Christine Spagnoli, who has won several multimillion–dollar verdicts against automakers over safety defects. "They made the decision to put in the investment to prove their case, so they must be convinced there is a viable claim."

Insurance companies have played pivotal roles before. State Farm Mutual Insurance Co. said in 2000 that it tipped the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration two years earlier about crashes involving Firestone ATX tires that were later recalled for safety concerns.

NHTSA has said it has received about 3,000 reports of sudden acceleration from Toyota drivers in the past decade, including 93 deaths. The government, however, has confirmed only five deaths from two crashes.

In the insurers' lawsuit filed Dec. 30, the companies cite data compiled by an automative safety research group that sudden acceleration incidents have accounted for at least 725 crashes. The lawsuit accuses Toyota of failing to disclose known defects and not equipping its vehicles with a fail–safe measure that would cause a car to idle if the brake and gas pedals are pressed at the same time.

Among those that sued are Fireman's Fund Insurance, National Surety Corp., Motorists Mutual Insurance and American Hardware Mutual Insurance. Allstate's similar lawsuit filed in October seeks $3 million in compensation.

Toyota has blamed driver error, faulty floor mats and sticky accelerator pedals for the unintended acceleration and denies there is a design defect, as is alleged in some lawsuits that have been consolidated before a federal judge inOrange (News - Alert) County.

The U.S. government fined Toyota $48.8 million for its handling of three recalls dating back to 2004, and it was recently disclosed that the automaker paid $10 million to the family of four people killed in an August 2009 crash involving a runaway Lexus.

Insurers likely revel in suing another major entity because often times they find themselves as defendants, said Los Angeles–based lawyer Brian Kabateck, who has sued major banks for discriminatory lending practices. Although a potential payout will be a drop in their financial bucket, insurance companies are aware their involvement in a major lawsuit can have a significant impact.

"It's like giving a kid the keys to a candy store," Kabateck said. "If I was Toyota I would just groan."

View All Associated Press Articles

Japanese Stocks Advance, Boosting Topix to Its Best First Week in 15 Years

noreply@blogger.com (Transporter09) — Sun, 09 Jan 2011 17:34:00 +0000

Japanese stocks climbed, boosting the Topix index to its best first week in 15 years, as carmakers rose on speculation U.S. demand will expand and employment will improve in the world’s largest economy.

Toyota Motor Corp., the world’s No. 1 carmaker, rose 2.2 percent and Bridgestone Corp., the world’s largest tiremaker, jumped 2.6 percent after PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP said car assembly in North America may increase 5 percent this year. Inpex Corp., Japan’s largest oil and gas explorer, sank 1.7 percent and Mitsubishi Corp., the country’s biggest commodities trader, lost 1 percent after crude and metal prices fell. Resona Holdings Inc., Japan’s fourth-largest bank by market value, slumped 4 percent after a report of a share sale.

“Investors can’t find convincing factors either to buy or sell stocks,” said Ayako Sera, a strategist in Tokyo at Sumitomo Trust & Banking Co., which manages about $310 billion. “Investors need a push to buy shares and that might be the coming U.S. jobs data.”

The Nikkei 225 Stock Average climbed 0.1 percent to 10,541.04 at the close in Tokyo, after falling as much as 0.3 percent. The broader Topix advanced 0.2 percent to 926.42. The Topix gained 3.1 percent this week, its best yearly start since 1996. The Nikkei also rose 3.1 percent.

Economists expect a U.S. Labor Department report today to show employment improved in December in the world’s largest economy.

Carmakers Gain

Carmakers were the biggest support to the Topix. Toyota gained 2.2 percent to 3,455 yen, contributing the most to the Topix’s gain. Nissan Motor Co., Japan’s third-largest automaker, jumped 4.4 percent to 861 yen.

Bridgestone, a tiremaker that gets more than 40 percent revenue from the Americas, gained 2.6 percent to 1,643 yen and its smaller rival Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd. climbed 0.9 percent to 867 yen. Rubber-products makers had the largest advance among the Topix’s 33 industry groups.

Automobile assembly in North America may increase 5 percent this year to 12.6 million vehicles, Anthony Pratt, automotive senior analyst of PricewaterhouseCoopers’s Autofacts team, yesterday said in a presentation in Detroit.

Inpex and Japan Petroleum Exploration Co., the nation’s second-largest oil explorer, both slumped 1.7 percent. Oil companies had the biggest drop in the Topix’s 33 industry groups.

Commodity Prices Drop

Mitsubishi, which gets about 40 percent of its sales from metals and energy, lost 1 percent to 2,349 yen. Mitsui & Co., a trading house that counts commodities as its biggest source of profit, fell 0.7 percent to 1,417 yen.

Crude oil for February delivery declined 2.1 percent to $88.38 a barrel in New York yesterday. The London Metal Exchange Index of six metals including copper and aluminum dropped 0.2 percent yesterday, falling for a second day. Gold futures for February delivery declined for the third straight day yesterday.

The Topix and Nikkei 225 yesterday both closed at their highest levels since May, with gains of about 15 percent in a rally that began Nov. 1. Stocks in the Topix were valued at 15.9 times estimated earnings on average at yesterday’s close, compared with 13.5 times for the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index and 11.1 times for the Stoxx Europe 600 Index.

The 25-day Toraku index, a measure of daily stock winners and losers in Tokyo, reached 141 yesterday, the highest reading since Dec. 22. A level of more than 120 suggests to some investors the market is overheating.

“Investors are getting concerned about overheating in the short-term,” said Juichi Wako, a senior strategist at Tokyo- based Nomura Holdings Inc. “Investors will likely be in a wait- and-see stance ahead of the jobs data.”

Resona dropped 4 percent to 523 yen. The lender confirmed, after trading closed, report that it will raise as much as 575 billion yen ($6.9 billion) selling shares in a global public offering this month to repay government bailout funds.

To contact the reporter on this story: Norie Kuboyama in Tokyo at nkuboyama@bloomberg.net.

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Nick Gentle at ngentle2@bloomberg.net.

Japanese Stocks Advance, Boosting Topix to Its Best First Week in 15 Years

noreply@blogger.com (Transporter09) — Sun, 09 Jan 2011 17:34:00 +0000

Economists expect a U.S. Labor Department report today to show employment improved in December in the world’s largest economy.

Carmakers Gain

Inpex and Japan Petroleum Exploration Co., the nation’s second-largest oil explorer, both slumped 1.7 percent. Oil companies had the biggest drop in the Topix’s 33 industry groups.

Commodity Prices Drop

To contact the reporter on this story: Norie Kuboyama in Tokyo at nkuboyama@bloomberg.net.

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Nick Gentle at ngentle2@bloomberg.net.

Report: Toyota tips Prius family to take #1 slot by decade's end

noreply@blogger.com (Transporter09) — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 18:11:00 +0000

With the first year of this decade only a few days behind us, Toyota is already making sales predictions for the coming nine years. And according to a new report from Bloomberg, the Japanese auto giant believes that the Prius will become its top-selling model in the United States by the end of the decade.

The sales forecasts take into account the expansion of the Prius line from the current hybrid sedan to incorporate new bodystyles, including the MPV version set to be unveiled shortly at the Detroit Auto Show.

The Camry stands as the company's top-selling model currently, but with sales of the Camry lagging and the Prius expanding, the dedicated hybrid – though facing increased competition from the likes of the Nissan Leaf and Chevrolet Volt – is tipped to take the top spot in the Toyota lineup.

Insurers Sue Toyota Over Acceleration Claims Costs

noreply@blogger.com (Transporter09) — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 18:05:00 +0000

DETROIT–Seven insurance companies have filed lawsuits against Toyota Motor Corp. seeking a minimum of $230,000 to cover the cost of claims paid for accidents related to the unintended acceleration problems identified in Toyota vehicles in the past several years

The insurers filed separate but identical complaints Dec. 30 in Los Angeles County Superior Court, claiming that defects in Toyota vehicles were the cause of the crashes. "Certain of Toyota's cars and trucks have a defect that causes sudden, uncontrolled acceleration to speeds of up to 100 miles per hour or more," the complaints allege. "This defect is combined with the operator's inability to stop the vehicle during such an incidence due to defective electronics and the absence of a fail-safe, such as a brake-override system."

The lawsuits are similar to one filed by Allstate Corp. three months ago in the same court seeking $3 million in damages. The litigants are American Hardware Mutual Insurance Co., Fireman's Fund Insurance Co., National Surety Corp., American Automobile Insurance Co., Ameriprise Insurance Co., Motorists Mutual Insurance Co. and IDS Property Casualty Insurance Co.

These types of claims "are common between insurers and auto makers. However, Toyota believes that any allegation that a vehicle-based defect is the cause of unintended acceleration in this or any other complaint is completely unfounded and has no basis," said Celeste Migliore, a Toyota spokeswoman.

A message left with Edward Ordonez, one of the attorneys listed on the complaints, was not immediately returned.

In addition to the lawsuits from the insurance companies, Toyota faces more than a hundred complaints in federal court related to unintended acceleration. Most complaints contend that Toyota's electronic throttle control system malfunctioned, causing cars to speed out of control.

Toyota has steadfastly denied problems with its electronics. It has admitted it had sticky throttles and floormats that could slip and entrap the pedal. These problems led to more than eight million recalls globally and a temporary halt to sales of eight Toyota models in the U.S. The company also began installing brake-override systems in all of its models and retroactively installing the system on some high-volume models during the recall. The system cuts power to the engine when both the brake and accelerator pedal are depressed.

The U.S. Department of Transportation has been investigating Toyota vehicles for more than six months and has enlisted the aid of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to run tests of vehicles. So far, no evidence of electronic problems has surfaced, but a final report hasn't been released.

Indeed, analysis of crashes that have occurred in the past year where unintended acceleration was blamed shows that drivers were accidentally hitting the accelerator pedal instead of the brake in most cases.

The Los Angeles Times first reported the lawsuits.

Write to Mike Ramsey at michael.ramsey@wsj.com

Volkswagen Plans to Expand SUV Offerings to Gain Ground in U.S.

noreply@blogger.com (Transporter09) — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 02:26:00 +0000

Volkswagen AG plans to expand its portfolio of sport-utility vehicles to gain ground in the U.S. on Toyota Motor Corp. and General Motors Co.

“We will be looking to really grow, particularly in the compact SUV segment,” VW’s U.S. chief Jonathan Browning said in a phone interview yesterday from the unit’s headquarters in Herndon, Virginia. “Over time, I think there’s also scope for growth in terms of a larger SUV within the portfolio.”

VW, Europe’s largest carmaker, currently has two SUV models, the full-size Touareg and compact Tiguan. VW sold 20,946 Tiguans in the U.S. in 2010 and 4,713 Touaregs. Carmakers delivered 3.3 million SUVs in the world’s second-largest auto market last year, 29 percent of all vehicles sold in the U.S. Honda’s CR-V model was the most popular, generating sales of 203,714, according to Ivan Drury, an analyst at Edmunds.com.

VW aims to triple U.S. sales to 1 million vehicles by 2018, with the Audi luxury unit making up 20 percent of the total, as part of an effort to overtake Toyota as the world’s largest automaker. VW will open a factory in Chattanooga, Tennessee, by April and start delivering a new mid-sized sedan built at the plant in the third quarter, Browning said.

VW’s preferred shares rose as much as 1.60 euros, or 1.3 percent, to 127.35 euros and were up 0.4 percent as of 3:05 p.m. in Frankfurt. The stock, which has more than doubled since the beginning of 2007, gained 86 percent last year, the best performance in Germany’s benchmark DAX index.

U.S. Laggard

VW needs more offerings to catch the U.S. volume leaders. VW, including Audi’s deliveries, sold 358,500 vehicles in the U.S. last year, lagging GM’s 2.22 million, Ford Motor Co.’s 1.97 million and Toyota’s 1.76 million.

“VW is simply not a player in the American SUV segment,” said Stefan Bratzel, director of the Center of Automotive Management at the University of Applied Sciences in Bergisch- Gladbach, Germany. “Their models aren’t being recognized as sufficiently competitive.”

Browning, a former GM executive, said a new mid-sized sedan, VW’s first car built specifically for the U.S., will account for “approximately the same proportion” of future sales as the Jetta compact, the company’s best-selling U.S. model. Jetta sales contributed half of the VW brand’s 2010 deliveries. VW will unveil the sedan in Detroit on Jan. 9.

“We’ve got plenty of ideas in terms of new product entries,” Browning said. “It’s very important that we build a balance of our product portfolio in the U.S.”

Quality ‘Deficiencies’

Browning, who joined VW last June, took over as president and chief executive officer of Volkswagen Group of America on Oct. 1. Predecessor Stefan Jacoby left to become CEO of Volvo Cars, the Swedish automaker owned by China’s Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co.

Volkswagen’s U.S. division faces “some deficiencies” on vehicle quality and customer satisfaction, Browning said. VW, which ranked below GM and Toyota in the 2010 initial quality study by J.D. Power & Associates, said Dec. 15 it was recalling 377,286 cars in the U.S. for fire risks from fuel-supply lines that may chafe and leak.

“We’ve been putting a lot of work in with the broader organization to address how we manage quality in the customer experience,” Browning said.

The German manufacturer will continue to target outpacing the U.S. auto market’s growth, the executive said. VW brand sales increased 20 percent last year to 256,830 units, beating an 11 percent market gain.

The U.S. has been Volkswagen’s Achilles heel in recent years with the last annual profit dating back to 2002. Chief Financial Officer Hans Dieter Poetsch said July 29 that U.S. operations may not be profitable again until 2013.

To contact the reporter on this story: Andreas Cremer in Berlin at acremer@bloomberg.net.

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Kenneth Wong at kwong11@bloomberg.net

Strong Buy Toyota Motor Corporation (ADR) NYSE:TM

noreply@blogger.com (Transporter09) — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 17:54:00 +0000

Shayne Heffernan has issued a strong buy on Toyota Motor Corporation (ADR) NYSE:TM with a price target of $100 in 2011 based on the latest car sales in Japan.

The number of new cars, trucks and buses excluding mini vehicles sold in the country last year came to 3,229,716 units, up 10.6 per cent from 2,921,085 the previous year, according to the Japanese Automobile Dealers Association.
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Toyota’s Prius petrol-electric hybrid car, low on greenhouse gas emissions, has been Japan’s top-selling car for about one and a half years.

In 2010 the world’s biggest automaker sold more than 315,000 units of the Prius in Japan, making it the best-selling car in the country for a single year, a record set by the company’s Corolla in 1990.

The association said the sector’s gain in 2010 was mainly due to a popular subsidy to encourage motorists to buy eco-friendly cars, which lifted demand and tempered the crippling effects of the financial crisis.

But last month new vehicle sales dropped 28.3 per cent from a year earlier to 179,666, the fourth straight month with a year-on-year drop.

Sales have fallen every month since the end of the subsidies, the association said.

The end of the scheme dealt a blow to automakers, which were already struggling to cope with the yen’s strength against other major currencies, forcing them to scale back production.

A strong yen erodes exporters’ incomes when repatriated while making their products more expensive and less competitive abroad.

But Shigeru Matsumura, auto analyst at SMBC Friend Securities, said the sector should recover from the end of the subsidies as the world emerges from the downturn and overseas demand picks up.

“The negative impact of an end to the incentives is subsiding gradually as Japanese carmakers are trying to stimulate market sentiment by introducing new models from now on,” Mutsumura told AFP.

“We forecast the sales decline will hit bottom in the January-March quarter and then be on course for moderate recovery.

But the pace of recovery fully depends on Japan’s macroeconomic conditions.

“Japanese carmakers are expecting to show strong performance overseas thanks to growing auto demand in emerging economies, notably China, and an expected recovery in North America,” Mutsumura added.

For 2010, Toyota was the market leader in Japan with 1,531,722 units sold, up 13.8 per cent on the previous year, plus 33,365 vehicles of its Lexus brand sold in the country. Next came Nissan with 499,252 vehicles sold, Honda with 486,774 and Mazda with 173,802.

Toyota Leads 10% Increase in Australia's Auto Sales as Hyundai Gains Share

noreply@blogger.com (Transporter09) — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 06:17:00 +0000

Toyota Motor Corp., the world’s biggest automaker, led a 10 percent increase in Australian auto sales last year as government stimulus and demand for commodities bolstered the nation’s economy.

Sales of new vehicles in 2010 rose to 1.036 million from 937,328 the previous year, the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries said today in a statement. Toyota’s deliveries in the nation gained 6.8 percent to 214,718, accounting for 20.7 percent of the market, the largest share.

Industrywide auto sales rose to the second-highest on record as Australia skirted the worst of the global economic slowdown amid stimulus measures and demand from China for commodities such as iron ore and coal. While Toyota remained the nation’s top brand, the Japanese carmaker lost market share to competitors including Hyundai Motor Co. and Nissan Motor Co.

Toyota’s share slipped 0.7 percentage points from 21.4 percent in 2009, while Seoul-based Hyundai boosted its share to 7.7 percent from 6.7 percent, selling 80,038 vehicles. Nissan Motor Co., based in Yokohama, Japan, increased its share to 6.1 percent from 5.6 percent with 62,676 unit sales.

General Motors Co.’s Holden brand remained the second- biggest by sales, delivering 132,923 vehicles. The Detroit-based company’s market share was unchanged at 12.8 percent. Ford Motor Co., the third-largest, sold 95,284 vehicles as its share dropped to 9.2 percent from 10.3 percent.

GM’s Holden Commodore sedan was the best-selling vehicle model for a 15th straight year, followed by Toyota’s Corolla compact and the Toyota Hilux compact pickup truck.

To contact the reporter on this story: Robert Fenner in Melbourne at rfenner@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Neil Denslow at ndenslow@bloomberg.net

Auto Makers Tie Mobile Networks to In-Car Systems

noreply@blogger.com (Transporter09) — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 06:14:00 +0000

DETROIT—Toyota Motor Corp. and Hyundai Motor Co. this year will begin offering new in-car entertainment systems that can work with mobile networks to provide access to radio, navigation and other services normally available over the Internet.

The services include Pandora radio, a Web-based broadcaster that allows users to create "channels" based on music styles or artists, and Google Maps, which provides turn-by-turn navigation.

Toyota's system, called Entune, could also allow drivers free access to hundreds of radio stations by using the phone-based Internet application of Clear Channel Communications Inc.'s iheartradio as well as restaurant-booking site, OpenTable.com and a navigation system through Microsoft Corp.'s Bing.com. For now, the number of applications that are designed to work through Toyota's system is limited.

Hyundai's creation, called Blue Link, offers voice-activated Internet browsing, connection to social-networking sites like Twitter, texting and e-mailing as well as the ability to remotely track someone's driving from a home computer aimed at monitoring younger drivers. It also provides a safety system that notifies emergency responders of crashes—a feature much like General Motors Corp.'s OnStar subscription system.

Hyundai will charge tiered subscription fees, depending on what services the consumer wants. The pricing for the various tiers hasn't been announced.

The announcements, made this week at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, reflect the increased competition among car makers to make in-car entertainment systems operate like or with consumer electronics products such as Apple Inc.'s iPod. Ford Motor Co. has been winning over younger buyers in the past few years with its voice-activated Sync system, which is based on Microsoft technology.

Toyota is using a system that relies on the driver's smartphone for many of its functions. The company is hoping this will overcome a long-standing problem with automotive technology: since it is difficult to upgrade hardware built into cars, drivers often end up with obsolete technology after just a few years.

Toyota said users will register their car and phone on a company website and then download the applications to their phones. It is designed to work with "virtually every" phone where an online data plan is available, such as Android-based phones, iPhones and BlackBerries, said Greg Thome, a spokesman for Toyota.

The user then would create a BlueTooth wireless link between their phone and the car and every time the person got in the car, they could open up Pandora and begin playing music.

"The phone is the best way to get the latest and greatest hardware in the car," said David McNamara, who worked at Ford on its Sync launch before starting a consulting company.

Using a phone to introduce the applications to the car also puts the development work for software and hardware in other companies' hands.

The problem with tying the radio service to the phone is in the strength of the Internet signal. Lapses in coverage could cause the broadcast to suffer, he said.

And there is also the worry that adding new technologies to a vehicle will distract drivers unnecessarily. Consumer Reports this week said it wouldn't recommend Ford's Edge or Lincoln MKX sport utility vehicles because of their new MyTouch system that controls the radio and other cabin functions through touchscreen displays or hand controls was too complex and could distract a driver.

Toyota, cognizant of potential driver distraction, said it won't allow customers to access OpenTable.com unless the car is in "park" to avoid having drivers try to find restaurants nearby while driving.

Hyundai's solution builds a mobile phone directly into the car. It can ensure better reliability of service and less hassle by doing so, said Barry Ratzlaff, director of customer satisfaction and service business development at Hyundai Motor America.

"We are confident that the technology is going to be solidly in place for the life of the vehicle," he said.

Write to Mike Ramsey at michael.ramsey@wsj.com

Toyota wins $2.6-million judgment against former attorney

noreply@blogger.com (Transporter09) — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 06:10:00 +0000

Toyota Motor Corp. has won a $2.6-million arbitration judgment against a former in-house attorney who had accused the company of a conspiracy to hide evidence in product safety litigation.

The Japanese automaker had vigorously denied the allegations of its ex-attorney, Dimitrios Biller, who helped the company manage vehicle rollover lawsuits out of its U.S. offices in Torrance for four years.

Toyota instead contended that the attorney had violated a confidentiality agreement and attorney-client privilege by taking thousands of company documents with him when he left the company in 2007, later releasing and discussing some of them publicly.

In a ruling this week, arbitrator Gary L. Taylor sided decisively with the world's largest automaker.

"Mr. Biller did the professionally unthinkable: He betrayed the confidences of his client," Taylor, a retired federal judge, wrote in his 15-page judgment Tuesday. "He intentionally and repeatedly disclosed confidential information and documents in violation of ethical, statutory and contractual prohibitions."

Biller, who took a $3.7-million severance from Toyota, did not return calls and e-mails seeking comment.

The Pacific Palisades resident had previously defended his actions, asserting that he witnessed criminal wrongdoing including fraud, and that in such cases attorney-client privilege does not apply.

Taylor's decision is a significant legal victory for the embattled automaker, which has been struggling to restore its reputation in the face of waves of quality and safety recalls, as well as lawsuits related to allegations that its vehicles are prone to sudden acceleration.

"We believe that the arbitrator's award clearly vindicates Toyota's position and reaffirms the critical importance of attorney‐client privilege as a cornerstone of our legal system," Toyota's general counsel, Christopher Reynolds, said in a statement Wednesday.

"Mr. Biller has continuously made misleading and inaccurate allegations about Toyota's conduct, and we feel this award is an appropriate consequence of his actions and completely discredits his meritless attacks on our company and our people," the statement said.

According to the ruling, Biller must pay Toyota $2.5 million in damages and $100,000 in punitive damages. He will also be permanently barred from discussing the company's privileged information and must return any of its documents in his possession.

In addition, the decision appears to reduce the automaker's risk that documents held by Biller will be produced in pending lawsuits, including a case in Texas involving a woman paralyzed when her Camry rolled over.

A Texas judge is reviewing that case to determine whether Toyota withheld information in her lawsuit, which was settled out of court. Biller managed Toyota's defense in that case.

The victim's attorney, Jeff Embry, has contended that the case might not have been settled — or would have been settled for a higher amount — if all relevant information were known. Embry had been expected to call Biller as a witness in the matter. He could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

After years handling product safety litigation for a private law firm, Biller joined Toyota in 2003. He led the automaker's defense of vehicle rollover suits, fast gaining a reputation as a skilled and assertive attorney willing to take cases to trial rather than settle.

But Biller fell out with his employer over a disagreement over what evidence the automaker was obligated to produce in litigation, and ultimately left his job in 2007.

After a brief stint with the Los Angeles County district attorney's office, Biller opened an education business, giving classes on legal discovery. Shortly thereafter Toyota sued him in federal court, alleging that he revealed confidential information in the classes.

In 2009 Biller countersued, accusing Toyota of violating racketeering laws in what he termed a "ruthless conspiracy and relentless effort to prevent evidence of its vehicles' structural shortcomings from becoming known."

In addition, he alleged that Toyota had caused him to become clinically depressed.

Judge Taylor's decision includes a summary judgment to drop all of Biller's charges against the company, as well as prevent him from seeking additional damages against Toyota employees named in his suit.

Because it came out of binding arbitration, the ruling cannot be appealed. Although such decisions are typically confidential, Taylor allowed Toyota to decide whether to release the information.

Last month it was disclosed that Toyota agreed to pay $10 million to settle a lawsuit over a Lexus that sped out of control and crashed near San Diego in 2009, killing four people.

The company still faces scores of other sudden acceleration suits in state and federal court, and has been hit with $48.8 million in fines by the federal government for delaying recalls.

Toyota strategy takes major shift

noreply@blogger.com (Transporter09) — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 16:05:00 +0000

NAGOYA, Japan -- The much-vaunted systems used by Toyota Motor Corp. to churn out millions of vehicles are being put to one side as the automaker tries to crack new markets in the United States and India.

In the United States, speed has been at the fore in Toyota's joint development of an electric version of its RAV4 sport-utility vehicle with start-up manufacturer Tesla Motors Inc., while it has tailored a compact car for the Indian market that has been made with even barefoot drivers in mind.

On May 20, Toyota and Tesla made the surprising announcement that they were forming a corporate tie-up. But that was not the only startling development.

"We made the first prototype car in only three weeks," said Shigeki Terashi, president of Toyota Technical Center USA. Despite being on the front line of the joint development, even Terashi was unable to suppress his surprise at Tesla's nimbleness and ability to get things done quickly.

The "second-generation" RAV4 electric vehicle will hit the U.S. market in 2012. In 1997, Toyota rolled out the first-generation electric RAV4, and leased and sold 1,484 units in six years.

Joint development with the seven-year-old start-up Tesla on the new RAV4 has given Toyota a dose of "culture shock."

The two companies used Tesla's technology for basic parts such as the battery system and motor. The performance of the battery, which usually accounts for about half of an electric vehicle's price, generally decides the electric vehicle's performance.

Toyota's decision to adopt a relative newcomer's technology for the core components of a new vehicle marked a seismic shift for an automaker that had prided itself on using its own technology in new cars since its founding.

The development timeline brought up some stark differences between the two companies.

While Toyota usually makes intricately detailed plans before starting development, Tesla tends to proceed with development first and correct any problems as they arise. Respecting schedules may be appropriate when developing many cars, but one should not be afraid to make mistakes when trying to achieve something more quickly, Tesla Chief Technical Officer J.B. Straubel said. That is the basis of Tesla's development philosophy.

More than half a year has passed since the tie-up was announced, and some changes are rubbing off on Toyota: It has started to expand the responsibilities of its U.S. engineers, just as Tesla does, on a trial basis. "We are learning from each other. ... Hopefully we can collaborate to improve our (development) process in the future (by adopting the flexibility of Tesla)," said Greg Bernas, Toyota's chief engineer for the joint vehicle development program.

Toyota and Tesla unveiled a prototype RAV4 electric vehicle at the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show in November. Further tweaks and modifications will be made until the vehicle is released in 2012.

2011 Toyota FJ Cruiser to launch in March

noreply@blogger.com (Transporter09) — Sun, 02 Jan 2011 19:16:00 +0000

Toyota Australia has released pictures of its 2011 Toyota FJ Cruiser in right-hand-drive form before its local debut next year.the 2011 Toyota FJ Cruiser would launch here in March of 2011.

Based on the Prado platform, the 2011 Toyota FJ Cruiser receives the same 4.0-litre V6 and four-wheel-drive system, 2011 Toyota FJ Cruiser car price will come in at $45,990, well under the

Given the Australian climate, the FJ will come with air-conditioning as standard, an eight-speaker six-CD sound system with Bluetooth and steering-wheel controls, and reversing camera which shows up in the rear-view mirror. The FJ Cruiser’s interior is designed for roughing it with hose-out rubber flooring and easy clean seats.

The dash fascia and door panels are colour-coded to the exterior, meaning the black FJ is the best looking one inside. The mid-blue and yellow paint colours are said to be dropped shortly after launch.

Some of the interior buttons are awkwardly located at the bottom of the stack, and the low entry price is reflected in the hard plastic finish of the interior. The 2011 Toyota FJ Cruiser is a four door vehicle,the rear suicide doors also make entry and egress difficult, however once in there’s plenty of leg and headroom for average sized adults.

“FJ Cruiser is a modern interpretation of a Toyota classic, providing a versatile, flexible and practical interior that complements its rugged exterior,” said David Buttner, Toyota Australia’s senior executive director sales and marketing. “It keeps faith with tough and functional roots of the original FJ40, yet interprets that for the 21st century to meet the expectations of a new generation of buyers.”

Toyota is Hot in US and Japan

noreply@blogger.com (Transporter09) — Sun, 02 Jan 2011 18:45:00 +0000

Main car or truck manufacturer Toyota has made car or truck models that have consistently ranked high in both the US and Japan marketplace, especially with regard towards the Toyota Camry and the remodeled Toyota Corolla.

Whilst the Toyota Camry have been the best-selling car or truck in the United States for the past four many years (2002-2005), back in Japan where Toyota is centered, it is the Toyota Corolla that has been the most effective offering car. Reviews say there had been 70,675 units from the Toyota Corolla offered from January to June this 12 months. That complete is truly a reduce of 11.7% from their total sales throughout the exact same time period a 12 months ago.

According to figures in the Japan Car Dealers Association, the Toyota Corolla has truly been the best-selling automobile in Japan for that last four six-month periods. Toyota in fact released a completely remodeled Corolla in August 2000 and its impressive revenue efficiency considering that that time attests to its immense popularity.

The overall performance from the Toyota Camry inside United States has been merely amazing. Not only has it been the best-selling automobile for 4 straight many years now, it has also been the country’s finest seller in eight with the last nine many years. It has regularly topped its mid-size competition for example the Honda Accord plus the Chevrolet Impala in that period.

Reports say that plans are at present afoot to launch a hybrid Camry later this 12 months as well a completely redesigned version of the Camry in 2007.
Using a search engine to find toyota rav 4 2010 invoice price is simple and easy. The basic expectation is the fact that Toyota Camry set being unveiled Monday at the North American International Automobile Display in Detroit, the sedan most likely will arranged the bar higher for its competition.

Understandably, Toyota has been mum in regards to the new Camry, hardly releasing any details. However, according to Jim Press, president and chief operating officer of Toyota Motor Revenue USA Inc., it will offer far better fashion, technologies and drivability. And it will build around the reputation the nameplate has established in previous incarnations.

Press stated he expects the firm this year to market in regards to the almost the same since the 432,000 Camrys it marketed in 2005, but may perhaps shed some product sales as it switches from providing the old design. He stated Toyota strives to maintain Camry’s type timeless although retaining in thoughts the goal of the well-balanced vehicle that satisfies drivers’ requirements.

Toyota Sienna proves minivan utility

noreply@blogger.com (Transporter09) — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 07:01:00 +0000

When times are tough, a wise consumer looks for a best purchase value; so it shouldn’t be a surprise that minivan sales are on the rise again.

When fully utilized, it’s a very efficient way of getting people and their stuff from place to place.

A minivan occupies about the same space as mid-sized car, yet it can seat seven or eight people. It fits in the garage, yet fold down all of its rear seats and that spare mattress hogging storage space in the house is history.

There’s also been seen a spate of completely new or rejuvenated minivan action lately by automakers, including the subject of this review, the Toyota Sienna.

While Dodge Grand Caravan is still the No. 1 minivan seller, and has owned the sub-$30,000 sector, it now has some competition.

The new Sienna LE is a more fuel-efficient base four-cylinder engine edition with a lower entry cost. Its $27,900 price now puts it in a market “sweet spot” for minivan sales and back on the radar for budget-minded buyers who may have previously considered the Sienna too expensive.

The Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC) also named Sienna as the Best New Minivan for 2011, at the organization’s annual TestFest evaluation event. In a close race with the new Honda Odyssey, the Sienna was judged to be all-around a better value by the journalist judges and it also achieved some surprisingly good performance test numbers.

Unique or nice features available in the new Sienna include its tip-up second-row seats, tri-zone climate control, a driver’s knee airbag, power one-touch up and down on all windows and available widescreen DVD screen, second-row ottoman seating and an easy-clean cloth fabric.

The new 2.7-litre is one of the biggest four-bangers on the market and it provides 187 hp @ 5,800 rpm, which exceeds some V6 competitors while still delivering great fuel economy. It’s rated at 10.4 L/100 km in the city and 7.5 on the highway.

The V6 Sienna SE sits lower on a sport-tuned suspension and its steering system is quick for better handling. Sienna also offers the only all-wheel-drive option in the minivan segment.

The Looks

New Sienna has a wider stance, a sharper, more contemporary face that has angular projector beam headlights and flared fender shoulders. It’s a sleeker design, especially from a side view, with a reduced (0.306) coefficient of drag.

The tracks for the sliding side doors are cleverly concealed under the rear window frames. While not a completely new idea, it does give the side body a cleaner appearance. At the rear, a roof spoiler hides a wiper for the rear window and it comes with LED tail and stop lights.

The Inside

My test Siena LE didn’t feel like a base edition, other than the absence of switches on the steering wheel, power controls on the seats or centre console storage box. Yet, it had all the basic stuff that you really need, plus the steering wheel came with a tilt and telescope feature and all windows had the auto up/down power feature.

One concession to opulence was a dealer-installed upgrade to the base audio system that’s unique to Canada and called the Bongiovi Acoustics Digital Power Station. This is a new ($280 plus installation) digital upgrade that makes a significant difference to sound clarity and stereo performance, particularly at higher volume levels.

The second-row seats offer improved comfort and are mounted on a longer slider system that allows the interior to be configured for people or cargo.

A walk-through aisle can be made that’s big enough for an adult to help a child or an older passenger.

All the way forward allows even easier access to the third-row seat. Plus, the second-row seats can be removed from the vehicle and the third row folds flat for maximum cargo space.

Safety

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) recently announced that the new Sienna had earned its “Top Safety Pick” rating. To earn this designation, a vehicle must get the top marks in its front, side, rollover, and rear impact tests, plus be equipped with standard electronic stability control.

The Drive

Offering a four-cylinder engine in the Sienna LE is a welcome return to back-to-basics good value and optimal fuel efficiency. Although not quite as silent or as smooth an operator when compared to the V6, if your planned usage is primarily around town, the four is a very good choice and it’s an impressive performer.

A holiday-season airport run with four adults and a load of heavy suitcases turned out to be a good test of the Sienna’s capabilities and it passed with flying colours.

The smaller engine pulls really well in its low rpm range, never labouring and encountering no problem accelerating, even on some fairly steep grades.

The transmission shift lever is located on a console that juts out from the dash, within easy reach of the driver. It also makes floor space available for storage or movement around the cabin.

There’s a manual mode if you want to navigate through the transmission six gears, and in auto the shifts are smooth.

The higher driver seating position allows good all-around vision that’s aided by nice big side view mirrors.

For a vehicle of its stature and girth, the Sienna also handles surprisingly well and easy to manoeuvre in city traffic. A backup camera would be nice addition in tight parking situations.

An ECO-drive light on the instrument panel is a new addition and when lit indicates fuel-efficient driving behaviour.

The Score

The all-new 2011 Sienna is a good looking minivan that raises the bar for its competitors and lowers costs for consumers. The new economical four-cylinder LE trim version is a smart and timely offering by Toyota.