Tag Archives: toyota

Toyota Moves East out of Euro Zone to Build Next Corolla

Posted on 29 November 2011 by Ken Zino

Neither country uses the Euro, which is crumbling in value as Eurozone crisis continues to increase, while EU leaders bicker over what steps to take about unsustainable, Greek, Italian and Spanish debt. So far the Greek and Italian governments have fallen, and serious questions are being raised about the political stability of the Spanish and French Governments. Continue reading →

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Toyota Recall Active on 420,000 Lexus and Toyota V6 Models

Posted on 9 November 2011 by Ken Zino

Toyota Motor Sales today announced that it will conduct a safety recall involving approximately 283,200 Toyota and 137,000 Lexus vehicles to replace the crankshaft pulley on the V6 engine. No other Toyota or Lexus vehicles or these Toyota models with 4 cylinder engines are involved. Continue reading →

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Honda Cuts Production at All North American Plants from Thailand Flooding! CRV Delayed in Latest Setback for Japanese Makers after March Earthquake

Posted on 31 October 2011 by Ken Zino

Honda will decrease automobile production by 50% at all six Honda automobile plants in the U.S. and Canada starting this Wednesday as a result of shortages of electrical parts caused by the ongoing floods in Thailand. A statement will be issued later today. Initially Honda maintained that North America would not be negatively affected by the natural disaster.

Insiders at Honda say it is anticipated that this interruption continue for the next several weeks. The proposed December on-sale date of the all-new 2012 Honda CR-V could potentially be delayed by several weeks. Continue reading →

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Honda Closed, Toyota Cuts Japan Production from Thailand Floods. After Effects Continue to Worsen for Japanese Makers

Posted on 25 October 2011 by Ken Zino

Honda Automobile Thailand – HATC – continues to be shut down since October 4th because of the Thailand floods. “Due to the inability to access its facility in, Ayutthaya , HATC does not currently have a clear outlook for when production will resume.

Toyota Motor Corporation has also “adjusted” production in Japan this week due to Thailand parts shortages at least through Friday, as the after affects of the Thailand Floods – responsible for at least 300 deaths – continue to grow. Continue reading →

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Thailand Floods – Worst in 50 Years – latest Tragedy to Hurt Auto Industry as Honda, Toyota and Ford Production Disrupted

Posted on 20 October 2011 by Ken Zino

Thailand has been inundated by floods, the worst it’s estimated in at least 50 years. Aside from the real human tragedy, once again the auto industry is negatively affected since Thailand has an annual vehicle production capacity of almost 2 million units, extensive exports, as well as numerous component parts manufacturing operations. The disruptions will also have some unknown effects on production in other countries, which will become clearer during the next few weeks. Continue reading →

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Four-Cylinder Engines Now Made at Toyota Alabama Plant

Posted on 29 September 2011 by Ken Zino

Total annual engine capacity of four-cylinder, V6 and V8 engines is now more than 500,000. TMMAL is the only Toyota plant in the world making four-cylinder, V6 and V8 engines. Continue reading →

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Toyota Production Now at 100% in North America and Japan

Posted on 14 September 2011 by Ken Zino

Toyota’s North American production has now returned to 100%. The resumption of all car and truck manufacturing – months ahead of initial projections – is welcome news at Japan’s largest automaker, whose U.S. sales through August have declined 16% year-over-year, relegating it to fourth place, while the market grew 10.5%. Continue reading →

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Toyota Yaris Now $14,875! Tundra and Sienna also Increase

Posted on 9 August 2011 by Ken Zino

The strong Japanese Yen is making itself felt on this side of the Pacific Ocean as Japanese automakers continue to raise prices. Japanese automakers are facing an unprecedented change in their competitiveness – they no longer have a price advantage over the Detroit Three or Korean automakers. In fact, companies that are heavily dependent on Japanese production of components and vehicles have a price disadvantage amounting to thousands of dollars per vehicle.
Continue reading →

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Toyota Posts FY Q1 Loss from Earthquake and Strong Yen

Posted on 2 August 2011 by Ken Zino

Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) in Japan today said that operating income decreased from ¥211.6 billion to a loss of ¥108.0 billion, while income before income taxes was a loss of ¥80.5 billion yen. This was Toyota’s first quarterly loss in two years as Net income decreased from ¥190.4 billion yen to ¥1.1 billion. Operating income decreased by ¥319.6 billion yen. Continue reading →

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Passenger Car Sales Down in EU Again as Economy Struggles

Posted on 15 July 2011 by Ken Zino

However some winners are emerging. Volkswagen Group remains the powerhouse in Europe with 23% share year-to-date of the EU and European Free Trade Areas. BMW group also posted strong double digit gains, as did Nissan, although both are on relatively small basis. The same could be said for Hyundai and Kia, which now have combines sales of more than 345,000 units year-to-date, compared to Volvo’s 138,000. Continue reading →

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Toyota Opens a European Proving Ground in Belgium

Posted on 8 July 2011 by Ken Zino

The new Zaventem Proving Ground will play an important role for Toyota’s European vehicle development as part of the company’s plan to become Toyota’s global development center for the small and compact vehicle segments, the Japanese company said in a release. It’s hard to believe Toyota will move those jobs out of Japan where generations of Corolla and other small models have been developed. Continue reading →

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Driving the 2012 Toyota Prius V – Another Hybrid Benchmark

Posted on 28 June 2011 by Ken Zino

Toyota has done it again. A day of test driving the newly enlarged Prius V – for versatile – model affirmed the claim that this hybrid station wagon can indeed return the expected EPA ratings of 44 mpg in the city, 40 highway and 42 mpg combined. On the road Prius V is comfortable, reasonably quick, and mostly quiet except for some pleasant hybrid drive whine and the inevitable tire noise on expansion joints and rough pavement that comes from the low rolling resistance rubber. Alas the electric steering is still vague and without usable feedback. Nonetheless Prius V is a delightful family car. Continue reading →

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Toyota Outlines Legal Woes in SEC Filing and Says Amounts Accrued for Defense, Thus Far, Will Not Have a Material Effect

Posted on 27 June 2011 by Ken Zino

However, Toyota also said that it cannot currently estimate its potential liability, damages or range of potential loss, if any, beyond the amounts accrued. This means that the resolution of the lawsuits could have an adverse effect on Toyota’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

Ford Motor Company’s attempt to improve its credit rating was recently impeded when a class action suit previously considered by Ford as not material resulted in a $2 billion judgement against it. Continue reading →

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Honda Increases Global CO2 Emissions Reduction Targets

Posted on 21 June 2011 by Ken Zino

The Honda, Toyota and other similar announcements actually track the needed improvements in fuel efficiency as required by new European and U.S. fuel economy regulations. Continue reading →

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Toyota North American Production Back to 100% in September

Posted on 17 June 2011 by Ken Zino

All of the Detroit Three automakers – GM, Ford and Chrysler – clearly outsold the Japanese Big Three – Toyota, Nissan and Honda – in May as a result of the marketplace chaos. The largest Japanese automaker Toyota – also the most dependent on imports to the U.S. – saw decreases of 33% across its brands to 108,387 vehicles compared to a year ago. Continue reading →

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