Autoblog

You know you've arrived when your competitors not only begin acknowledging that you exist, but actually see you as a threat. Hyundai got to enjoy this distinct pleasure today when Toyota's chairman Fujio Cho told a group of Korean journalists that it was a "strong enemy". Not only has Hyundai completely transformed its image in North America from a slinger of bargain basement econo-boxes to a respected purveyor of reasonably priced, well built automobiles, but it's also going after emerging markets like China, Africa and the Middle East as hard as anyone else. Plus, Toyota has directly felt the sting of Hyundai's success, having been forced to rub elbows with the brand at the top of many recent J.D. Power and Associates reports. Still, calling Hyundai a 'strong enemy' is a bit harsh, no? How about "worthy adversary" or "respected competitor"? Toyota really drives home the point that the business of selling cars is like war and that no 'enemy' should be underestimated.

Thanks for the tip, catgirlshyla!

[Source: TradingMarkets.com]

Ford President and CEO Alan Mullaly was in Japan again, this time speaking to the media. During his time abroad, he talked about the desire to partner with Toyota even more closely on the development of new technologies. Ford has been licensing Toyota hybrid technology patents for years, currently employed in the Escape and Mariner hybrids.

The costs involved in developing these alternative technologies is huge. Ford, thusly, is doing the prudent thing, seeking a partner for this expenditure. And Toyota is definitely a company to reckon with on the subject. Future projects would likely include additional hybrids and fuel cells, which have, to this point, been out of the picture. We reported about Mullaly meeting with Toyota Chairman Fujio Cho as soon as he landed the top job in Dearborn back in December 2006. So that's why he was in Japan, duh!

Mulally also made it clear that snuggling up to Toyota shouldn't be taken as a statement about their relationship with Mazda. It had been rumored that Ford might sell its share of Mazda to raise some cash, but Mulally confirmed that Ford is committed to its role as the top shareholder of Mazda, as announced last month.

[Source: TheAutoChannel via AutoblogGreen]