Toyota Motor posted strong results in its latest quarter with the fifth consecutive year of offshore production increases – a record high – with an ongoing and growing manufacturing presence in North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia and Oceania.
All told, in the Japanese Q4 ending 31 March 2014, Toyota produced 2,634,195 Vehicles, a 4.7% increase. Exports from Japan decreased, with exports to North America, Latin America, Europe, Oceania, the Middle East and Africa dropping as the company moves production offshore as a hedge against the strong Yen, as well as political considerations designed to ameliorate trade tensions.
Nevertheless, production in Japan for the Toyota brand is up slightly, and it was the third consecutive year of increases for Daihatsu and Hino.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
