Autoblog

Toyota CEO lists favorite cars from other automakers

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 21 May 2012 17:35:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Honda, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Toyota

During a meeting of the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, Toyota president Akio Toyoda offered a "Chapeau!" to his fellow CEOs by listing his favorite cars from other makers. He listed just one vehicle from five makers represented on the board, in alphabetical order: the Honda NSX, Isuzu Bellett, Mazda Cosmo, Mitsubishi Pajero (our Montero) and Nissan Skyline.

Toyoda didn't give his reasons for choosing these car beyond each being "memorable." Even so, going through the list any car enthusiast knows the Honda (Acura in the States) NSX needs no introduction nor explanation. The Mitsubishi Pajero is probably as well known for it's off-road excellence as it is for its name change in Spanish-speaking lands due to the word "pajero" - all the more intriguing when it's apparently named after an Argentine cat, Leopardus pajeros. And although the "Skyline" moniker was made famous overseas by the GT-R, the Nissan Skyline that Toyoda references has a long history and is our Infiniti G.

The Mazda Cosmo (pictured) was an Italian-esque little coupe produced from 1967 to 1995, the first series production vehicle with a two-rotor rotary engine. The Isuzu Bellett was that firm's in-house replacement for the English Hillmans it was rebranding, the first Japanese car to get GT badging (it would also get a GT-R version), and it would cover just about every segment with sedan, coupe, station wagon and pickup truck variants.

Toyota CEO lists favorite cars from other automakers originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 May 2012 17:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota retools development process with goal of creating more exciting cars

Zach Bowman — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 14:01:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Japan, Plants/Manufacturing, Toyota, Design/Style

These days, most Toyota models are about as likely to get your pulse up as the latest hardware from Frigidaire. But it wasn't always so. There was a time when Toyota counted itself among the world's sports car manufacturers with vehicles like the Supra, Celica All Trac and MR-2. Those two-doors helped forge generations of enthusiasts before the company shuttered its go-fast ambitions, a door that is only now starting to open again thanks to the new GT 86/Scion FR-S codeveloped with Subaru. Now, according to Automotive News, the company has unveiled a new development and manufacturing framework designed to aid in producing more exciting vehicles. According to CEO Akio Toyoda, the revamped system will allow the company to design multiple models at the same time to reduce costs.

It will also cut the number of executives tied to the design review process to streamline decisionmaking. The company says that with too many people involved, vehicles have been built by "eliminating negatives" instead of focusing on their strengths. Added cooperation between the automaker's planning and design units may foster more innovative styling, including models with lower centers of gravity and better aerodynamics. Think NS4 Plug-In Concept.

The Toyota New Global Architecture will first be applied to front-wheel drive models.

Toyota retools development process with goal of creating more exciting cars originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 10 Apr 2012 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Aston Martin, Toyota CEOs swap race cars at Nürburgring

Noah Joseph — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 08:29:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Videos, Aston Martin, Toyota

The chief executives of any two companies will inherently have something in common to share. All the more so for the CEOs of automakers, never mind how big or how small. But Akio Toyoda and Ulrich Bez share more than job descriptions. The heads of Toyota and Aston Martin also share a passion for motorsports and actively race themselves.

It's a relationship helped broker the deal to turn the Toyota iQ into the Aston Martin Cygnet. It's one that has seen not only their teams but they themselves compete against each other in sports car racing. It's also one that only stands to intensify next season in endurance racing when both field LMP1 racers. But before that happens, the two pencil-pushers turned hot shoes swapped cars at the Nürburgring, Toyoda taking to the wheel of the Aston Martin V12 Zagato, and Bez piloting the Lexus LFA. Follow the jump to watch the video footage.

Continue reading Aston Martin, Toyota CEOs swap race cars at Nürburgring

Aston Martin, Toyota CEOs swap race cars at Nürburgring originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Nov 2011 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota NA chairman Inaba calls Hyundai Sonata "honorable contender"

Chris Shunk — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 10:31:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Hyundai, Toyota

When does a mid-size sedan become a top-notch competitor to the Toyota Camry? The answer is apparently whenever said competitor begins stealing market share from America's top-selling sedan.

Bloomberg reports that Toyota North America Chairman Yoshimi Inaba called the Hyundai Sonata "a very honorable contender in the market" during an interview earlier this week. Inaba adds that Toyota has great respect for the strong-selling Hyundai, and we're guessing they're not the only automaker keeping an ever closer eye on Camp Hyundai. Sales of the Sonata soared by 35 percent in 2010 to 196,623 units. Meanwhile, 2010 Camry sales dropped by 31 percent to 327,804 units. To make matters worse for Toyota and the Camry, supply disruptions stemming from the March 11 earthquake and tsunami have further hurt Camry sales while the Sonata continues to attract new buyers. In fact, the Sonata outsold the Camry in May, in part because of Toyota's production issues.

But while the Sonata has been gaining on the Camry, that trend could reverse itself with an all-new Camry set to arrive later this year. Toyota President Akio Toyoda already told U.S. dealers in June that the new model will feature a more contemporary design, and we're hearing rumblings of a hugely improved interior, as well.

Toyota NA chairman Inaba calls Hyundai Sonata "honorable contender" originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 15 Jul 2011 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyoda: Scion will soldier on

Jeff Glucker — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 11:31:00 EST

Filed under: Scion, Toyota

2011 Scion tC - Click above for high-res image gallery

Scion came out swinging when it launched in 2003 and sales hit a peak of 173,024 units in 2006. Since that time, however, things have been spiraling downward. In 2010, Scion sold just 45,678 vehicles. That represents a 21 percent decline compared to 2009 sales. Despite this lull, Toyota President Akio Toyoda says the youth-oriented brand isn't going anywhere.

According to Automotive News, Scion represents a way for Toyota to reach a young demographic, and it doesn't plan to lose that gateway anytime soon. One of the problems has been that folks under 30 have been hit by the economic recession just like everyone else. Another is that recent models have failed to capture the imagination - and sales - that models like the original box-like xB did. Analysts are predicting a sales rise in 2011 but will that rise include Scion's demographic? Toyota recently redesigned the brand's most-popular model, tC, trying to make sure it does.

Gallery: 2011 Scion tC: First Drive

Photos copyright (C)2011 Jeremy Korzeniewski / AOL

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req.]

Toyoda: Scion will soldier on originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 12 Jan 2011 11:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Japanese automakers revise earnings estimates on strength of Yen

Jeff Glucker — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 07:59:00 EST

Filed under: Japan, Nissan, Toyota, Earnings/Financials

Akio Toyoda, president of Toyota, has stated that the Japanese automaker is planning to revise its earnings forecast due to the fact that the Yen has reached a 15-year high. The full-year profit forecast was based on a rate of 90 Yen to the US Dollar. It will be reduced to around 80 Yen to USD. The Yen has risen 15 percent against the USD and 13 percent against the Euro, which is not good for a company that has to repatriate earnings from its overseas sales.

Earlier this year, the rising Yen created concerns that Akio Toyoda would be forced to shutter some assembly plants. Toyoda assured the public that plants would not be closing, however more vehicle assembly is being shipped to overseas factories.

Toyota is not alone in making this move. Nissan has stated that it is looking at doing a revision of earnings as well as finding more locally sourced parts to aid overseas production.

[Source: Bloomberg]

Japanese automakers revise earnings estimates on strength of Yen originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 28 Oct 2010 07:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Toyota president assuages fears that he's closing all Japanese factories

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 18:01:00 EST

Filed under: Japan, Plants/Manufacturing, Toyota, Earnings/Financials

Toyota President Akio Toyoda caused something of an uproar in the automaker's home market of Japan when he suggested that "logically, it doesn't make sense to manufacture in Japan." Why? The surging value of the Yen, currently at a 15-year high, compared to the U.S. Dollar.

Considering that the vast majority of vehicles Toyota builds in Japan are intended for export and that the American market is still the automaker's most important, the value of the Yen is a major stumbling block standing in the way of profits. Still, Toyoda has confirmed that his eponymous company has no intention of entirely halting production in Japan.

What that assurance doesn't mean, however, is that Toyota won't continue to shift production overseas in an effort to retain profitability. While none of the Japanese plants will be completely closed, they may see a good portion of their output transferred to facilities in other markets... notably North America.

[Source: Just-Auto]

Report: Toyota president assuages fears that he's closing all Japanese factories originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Oct 2010 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lotus gifts Toyota an Elise with last 2ZZ engine

Dan Roth — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 16:01:00 EST

Filed under: Japan, Lotus, Toyota

Lotus CEO Dany Bahar presents Akio Toyoda with a Lotus Elise R - Click for high-res gallery

The last Toyota 2ZZ-GE VVTLi four cylinder engine has been built, and Lotus got it. Lotus CEO Dany Bahar and Toyota Motor Corporation president Akio Toyoda came together at the British Embassy in Tokyo for a celebration where Toyota was presented with an Elise R carrying the engine by Bahar. The shindig marks a new chapter in the two companies' partnership, one that will allow Lotus to create powertrains that are more exclusively its own in future cars with the continued cooperation of Toyota.

Designed for Toyota by Yamaha, the 2ZZ-GE engine owed a lot to motorcycle engine practice, and the wide-angled valves and variable valve timing and lift system enabled the high-revving engine to develop 100 horsepower per liter, and even more when supercharged. Power levels floated between 160-180 hp naturally aspirated and as much as 250 when supercharged and intercooled.

The question now is what engine Lotus and Toyota will cook up to take the place of the 2ZZ-GE, now that its veteran power unit has been retired. We should find out more on that front at the upcoming Paris Motor Show. Follow the jump to see the press release.

Gallery: Lotus gets the last Toyota 2ZZ-GE engine

[Source: Lotus]

Continue reading Lotus gifts Toyota an Elise with last 2ZZ engine

Lotus gifts Toyota an Elise with last 2ZZ engine originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 Sep 2010 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Toyota getting a unified look

Zach Bowman — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 19:27:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Europe, Japan, Design/Style

Toyota Venza - Click above for high-res image gallery

Word has it that Toyota is looking to put its new reputation for shaky quality and safety behind it by moving to a new corporate face. Evidently, head honcho Akio Toyoda has called for his company's products to have a more emotional appeal as part of a new global product philosophy, and as such, we can expect all of the automaker's models to wear a similar look across the board. According to Inside Line, the new language will be aimed squarely at making the company's smaller offerings appear larger. So far, there's no word as to whether or not this plan will spread to Lexus.

Evidently, Toyota is going to be spending the biggest hunk redesign efforts on tailoring both its vehicles exteriors and interiors to European tastes. The logic being that what flies in the old country will perform similarly well elsewhere around the globe. If that means the company is going to step up its materials game, we're all for it. In the mean time, we'll brace ourselves for an onslaught of carbon-copy models. You gotta love progress.

Gallery: 2009 Toyota Venza Press Shots

[Source: Inside Line]

Report: Toyota getting a unified look originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Jul 2010 19:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Tesla CTO confirms building two mules for Toyota

Sam Abuelsamid — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 15:35:00 EST

Filed under: Toyota, Tesla, Electric

AutoblogGreen had the rare opportunity on Friday to chat with Toyota CEO and president Akio Toyoda. During the conversation, he revealed that a prototype vehicle with a Tesla electric drive unit was under construction. Tesla's Chief Technology Officer, J.B. Straubel, has confirmed this to CNN Money, saying that the Silicon Valley company is indeed preparing two mule vehicles for Toyota. Tesla battery packs, power electronics and motors are being installed into Toyota bodies.

Straubel expects to deliver the vehicles to Toyota by the end of of this month. Toyota officials told ABG that the initial plan is to just test the performance and durability of the Tesla packs to determine whether they meet Toyota standards. If Toyota proceeds with a production program using a Tesla-style battery (employing small laptop-type cells) it will be for a new vehicle, not the iQ-based EV arriving in 2012.

[Source: CNN Money]

Report: Tesla CTO confirms building two mules for Toyota originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 11 Jul 2010 15:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Akio Toyoda would love to do a new Supra, probably won't happen

Sam Abuelsamid — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 19:01:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Toyota

Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda "wants to see the next Supra tested in the near future." But the reality of his company's current circumstances means it's unlikely to happen.

During a discussion with U.S. journalists on Friday in Japan, Toyoda was asked about the possibility of building a car like a Supra that would appeal to enthusiasts. As such a huge company, Toyoda said, "even if one president says that we want to have a Supra again, the whole company is not going to be responding to that request."

Toyoda explained that he did much of his development as a driver behind the wheel of a Supra and has fond memories of flinging that model around the Nürburgring. Speaking through an interpreter, Toyoda told the group that "would like to create a car that is better than the Supra, and just for your information, I am not against this idea."

However, this discussion came against the backdrop of a week where Toyota officials acknowledged that the company had grown too quickly in the past decade and would need slow down and re-prioritize. Between ensuring that upcoming models are trouble free, meeting new fuel and emissions requirement and delivering the FT-86 by 2013, a new Supra is likely to remain just a dream for the foreseeable future.

Akio Toyoda would love to do a new Supra, probably won't happen originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 09 Jul 2010 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Deep-Dive: Behind the scenes at Toyota's R&D center, Part Two

Sam Abuelsamid — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 14:57:00 EST

Filed under: Safety, Technology, Lexus, Toyota

Behind the Scenes at Toyota's R&D Center - Click above for high-res image gallery

It's impossible to overlook the negative impact the recalls have had on Toyota's reputation for safety and reliability. Seemingly overnight, the automaker that could do no wrong has been brought back down to earth.

Sales of most of Toyota's lineup have been hit hard, with only fleet sales and big incentives keeping the retail side from looking worse. As we first told you yesterday in Part One of our series, in a move unprecedented in its history, Toyota has opened its doors and invited a small group of journalists into its product development facilities in Toyota City near Nagoya, Japan.

The goal is to show the lengths Toyota goes to test and evaluate its products both before and after they go on sale to the public, as well as to detail how those testing regimes have been altered in wake of their recent troubles. Given the sudden intended acceleration scandal, Toyota has chosen to focus on the work it does to verify the performance and reliability of its electronic throttle control systems. Make the jump for a primer on Toyota's engineering and manufacturing processes and how it's attempting to ensure that sudden acceleration will be snuffed out for good.

Gallery: Behind the scenes at Toyota's R&D center

Continue reading Deep-Dive: Behind the scenes at Toyota's R&D center, Part Two

Deep-Dive: Behind the scenes at Toyota's R&D center, Part Two originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 09 Jul 2010 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota already building EV prototype with Tesla battery pack?

Sam Abuelsamid — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 10:29:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Japan, Technology, Toyota, Tesla, Electric

During a interview with a group of American media this afternoon in Nagoya, Japan, Toyota president Akio Toyoda revealed that his company is already in the process of building a prototype electric vehicle with a Tesla battery pack. The statement came in response to questions about the relationship between Toyota and Tesla. As time ran out, we did not have an opportunity for further follow-up or clarification.

However, both Toyoda and executive vice president Shinichi Sasaki both indicated that Toyota was interested in comparing Tesla's battery configuration against their own internally developed battery. Toyota has a joint-venture with Panasonic that is building larger format automotive batteries that are similar to those used by most other manufacturers. By comparison, Tesla uses commodity 18650-format cells that are typically found in laptop computers. The Roadster's pack contains 6,831 such cells.

The long-term durability of the Tesla approach is still very much in question as few Roadsters have accumulated high mileage especially in harsh conditions that more mainstream cars would experience. We may or may not ever see a Toyota car with a Tesla battery pack publicly, as it all depends on the results of this study.

Toyota already building EV prototype with Tesla battery pack? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 09 Jul 2010 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Akio Toyoda apologizes to shareholders, shareholder tells him to stop crying

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 14:26:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Recalls, Safety, Toyota, Earnings/Financials

Now there's some sad things known to man, but ain't too much sadder than the tears of a... CEO? Apparently, at least one Toyota shareholder has seen enough tears and weeping from the company's not-so-fearless leader.

According to a report from Reuters, one of Toyota's shareholders requested, "Mr. Toyoda, you've been all over the media this year and you've gone teary-eyed on several occasions. For a man of your position, this is unacceptable. Please keep your chin up and try not to weep!"

Certainly, there are reasons for both Toyoda and Toyota's shareholders to smile - despite the recent spate of recalls (more than 10 million vehicles) and safety woes, the Japanese automaker still expects to turn an operating profit of 280 billion yen for the year ending in March 2011. After all that, though, Toyoda found it within himself to issue yet another apology, apparently in this case, sans tears.

[Source: Reuters | Image: Junko Kimura/Getty]

Akio Toyoda apologizes to shareholders, shareholder tells him to stop crying originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 Jun 2010 14:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota CEO wants to add "fun to drive" to eco-friendly vehicles

Eric Loveday — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 15:01:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Hybrid, Toyota

Toyota MR2 Sports Hybrid Concept - Click above for image gallery

It's been far too long since Toyota's products have been imbued with anything short of clinical, appliance-like precision. Handling prowess and communicative steering has taken a back seat to ruthless efficiency, especially true when you turn to the company's eco-friendly vehicles such as the Prius, where the entertainment factor is basically non-existent. Toyota chief executive officer Akio Toyoda doesn't believe this is a viable path to the future, and has ordered company engineers to spice up the brand's products.

Before the Pedalgate debacle, Toyoda gave several speeches where he constantly talks about "seasoning" the company's lineup of bland vehicles and points out that future products will be "fun to drive." Toyoda notes that the company's hybrid sports car concept, a convertible loosely based on the retired MR2, is exactly the type of thing to expect from Toyota in the near future. As Toyoda said of the MR2 hybrid concept, "I wanted a car that shows what we are aiming for, something affordable, fun to drive and good for the environment." Making eco-friendly cars is something that's apparently quite easy for Toyota, but upping the enjoyability quotient from behind a Toyota steering wheel still presents a challenge. Still, we're definitely looking forward to the time when the combination of "fun-to-drive" and "Toyota" are no longer diverging concepts.

Gallery: Toyota MR2 Sports Hybrid

[Source: Autoweek]

Toyota CEO wants to add "fun to drive" to eco-friendly vehicles originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 04 Jun 2010 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Toyota exec calls F1 "elitest," vows not to return

Sam Abuelsamid — Wed, 19 May 2010 08:27:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Toyota

It might seem redundant to call a racing series that bills itself as the pinnacle of motorsports "elitist" but that's precisely what Toyota's Senior Managing Director for motorsports, Tadashi Yamashina, said during this weekend's 24 Hours of Nurburgring. Toyota withdrew from Formula one at the end of the 2009 season and according to Yamashina the automaker isn't likely to ever return.

According to Yamashina, Formula One has become so disconnected from mainstream fans over the past two decades that it makes no sense for the company to be involved in the sport. When Akio Toyoda took over as CEO last year he decided that Toyota's racing activities should be in series where the average fan is more directly involved. That means we'll see Toyotas running in venues like NASCAR and GT racing. Perhaps we'll see Toyota in the American Le Mans Series one day. We know the series would certainly welcome more hybrid racers.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

Report: Toyota exec calls F1 "elitest," vows not to return originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 May 2010 08:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LaHood visits Toyota in Japan, won't discuss likelihood of more fines

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 11 May 2010 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Recalls, Safety, Toyota

Akio Toyoda, still working the shovel to extricate Toyota from the hole it's dug, invited U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood for a factory visit. When he returned, LaHood said that the Toyota CEO didn't realize how much damage the company's reputation was taking until Toyoda actually came to America and saw for himself.

On the matter of further fines, LaHood would only say that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has yet to finish sifting through 500,000 documents concerning the unintended acceleration recall. Until that's done, in "a couple months," he won't know if more fines should be recommended.

Toyota paid a $16.4 million fine last month and LaHood said that meant the company accepted responsibility. Toyota quickly replied that wasn't the case; rather, it paid the fine to put the issue to bed, which was the company's position from the beginning. Now, while the NHTSA keeps its head down reading memos and emails, Toyota has a couple of months to get consumers' attentions again and begin to deal with the nearly 200 lawsuits being brought against it.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub Req'd]

LaHood visits Toyota in Japan, won't discuss likelihood of more fines originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 11 May 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota earns $1.2B in Q1 amidst recall mess

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 11 May 2010 13:28:00 EST

Filed under: Toyota, Earnings/Financials

Conventional wisdom might tell you that Toyota should have lost loads of money last quarter in the wake of the company's largest-ever global recall and safety scandal. Perhaps it shouldn't surprise us too much to hear that conventional wisdom would be all wrong. In reality, Toyota reported a profit between January and March of this year of $1.2 billion.

This profit comes despite the fact that Toyota reports expenditures related to the recall mess at a little over a billion dollars (or, 100 billion yen) and surely took a monetary hit compared to previous years due to the unprecedented spate of incentives to keep sales rolling. The gurus at Edmunds estimate that Toyota's incentive spending is up by over half (an average of $2,498 per vehicle) compared to the previous year.

According to company head Akio Toyoda, the automaker plans to continue boosting profits by "[offering] high quality, reasonably priced vehicles." That certainly sounds reasonable, no? Executing on that promise, though, is the hard part. Click on past the break for a complete rundown of Toyota's latest financial report.

[Source: The Detroit News, Toyota | Image: David McNew/Getty]

Continue reading Toyota earns $1.2B in Q1 amidst recall mess

Toyota earns $1.2B in Q1 amidst recall mess originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 11 May 2010 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Akio Toyoda sitting out this year's Nürburgring 24

Noah Joseph — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 14:01:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Lexus, Toyota

2010 Lexus LFA racer - Click above for high-res image gallery

Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda has his hands full. In addition to the day-to-day rigors of running the largest automaker in the world, Toyoda is busy combating the negative press and apologizing profusely for the massive amount of recalls customers are enduring. He's also an avid blogger and race driver, and in his most recent entry has announced that he will not, after all, be returning to the wheel of the Lexus LFA for this year's Nürburgring 24.

The embattled auto executive was one of the drivers in last year's event, where Toyota and Gazoo Racing campaigned an LFA prototype to great effect. He was even reported to have brokered the deal with Aston Martin for the iQ-based Cygnet city car at the event last year.

With the announcement that Lexus would be returning with a new LFA racer based on the production model, speculation (fueled by the official announcement) was rampant that Toyoda would return to the cockpit. But Toyoda himself has now dispelled the rumors, leaving the roster of Japanese and German drivers to pilot the car without him this year.

Gallery: 2010 Lexus LFA racer

[Source: Gazoo.com (translated) via The Truth About Cars]

Report: Akio Toyoda sitting out this year's Nürburgring 24 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 19 Mar 2010 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Former U.S. Sec. of Transportation to lead Toyota Quality Advisory Panel

Frank Filipponio — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 09:01:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Recalls, Safety, Toyota

An independent advisory panel has been formed to help Toyota get a handle on its quality issues. With all of the current headlines relating to Toyota recalls and defects, the independent North American Quality Advisory Panel has been convened to study and give the automaker advice on quality and safety issues affecting its North American operations. Besides working closely with the North American leadership team, the panel has been promised direct access to the head honcho, Toyota Motor Corporation President Akio Toyoda. Heading the group will be former U.S. Secretary of Transportation, Rodney E. Slater, who worked under President Bill Clinton to pass safety legislation for the automotive and aviation industries.

Among the many things this group of experts will be looking at will be the electronic throttle control system (ECTS-i) found throughout the Toyota and Lexus lineup. The group has pledged transparency and says they will make their findings public, although it seems they will be relying mainly on an analysis of Toyota's own investigations and those of another independent consulting group, Exponent, of Palo Alto, California. But Toyota has given the panel "an unlimited budget to pursue its mandate" and "will be able to commission any additional outside reviews it deems necessary," according to the press release you'll find after the jump.

[Source: Toyota Motor North America]

Continue reading Former U.S. Sec. of Transportation to lead Toyota Quality Advisory Panel

Former U.S. Sec. of Transportation to lead Toyota Quality Advisory Panel originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 04 Mar 2010 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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