Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Toyota reportedly cutting Prius price to match Honda Insight in Japan... will U.S. follow?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/02/toyota-reportedly-cutting-prius-price-to-match-honda-insight-in/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/02/toyota-reportedly-cutting-prius-price-to-match-honda-insight-in/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/02/toyota-reportedly-cutting-prius-price-to-match-honda-insight-in/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


2010 Toyota Prius - Click above for a hi-res gallery

Toyota may have gotten used to being the leader in the hybrid sedan segment, but the Japanese auto giant didn't get to where it is today by failing to see the writing on the proverbial wall. With arch-rival Honda having priced its new Insight hybrid lower than the current Prius, Toyota is responding in kind by dropping its domestic market sticker price on the upcoming new Prius to match.

According to reports coming out of Japan, Toyota recently notified its JDM dealers that the price for the new Prius would be set at 2.05 million yen, which equates to about $20,750 in U.S. Dollars. On this side of the Pacific, the Honda Insight went on sale last month with a starting price of $20,470, putting the two on equal footing price-wise, while the Prius arguably brings more to the table with more space and better fuel economy. A fully-loaded new Prius can quickly reach above $30k, indicating that Toyota hopes to lure away buyers with the low sticker price in the hope that they go for pricey options. But in a double-pronged attack, Toyota intends to keep the outgoing Prius on the Japanese market at a significantly reduced price of 1.89 million yen ($19,130). Pricing for the United States has yet to be announced, but if Toyota follows the same model here as it reportedly has in its home market, the fight could get very aggressive.

Gallery: Detroit 2009: 2010 Toyota Prius


Gallery: 2010 Toyota Prius


[Source: Automotive News - subs. req'd]

Toyota reportedly cutting Prius price to match Honda Insight in Japan... will U.S. follow? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Apr 2009 14:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>honda insightHondaInsightjapanjapanese domestic marketJapaneseDomesticMarketjdmpricing priusPricingPriusprius pricingPriusPricingtoyota pricingtoyota priusToyotaPricingToyotaPriusyenThu, 02 Apr 2009 14:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Honda could move headquarters outside of Japan]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/22/honda-could-move-headquarters-outside-of-japan/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/22/honda-could-move-headquarters-outside-of-japan/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/22/honda-could-move-headquarters-outside-of-japan/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Corporate posturing or not, Honda's Takeo Fukui made his opinions perfectly clear regarding the Japanese government's recent lack of currency manipulation. Fukui, CEO of Honda Motor Co., suggested that the yen's rise in value relative to the currency in the United States and Europe is causing major damage to the automaker, and he's willing to take drastic measures to stop the hurt, including relocating the automaker's corporate headquarters to another country. Other possible actions include a major reduction in workforce, including the type of permanent lay-offs that the automaker has typically avoided in the past, as well as moving more production out of Japan and into overseas markets.

Fukui might get exactly what he wishes for, as many economists are predicting that the yen will sink in value in relation to the dollar within the next few days. If not, many, like Fukui, are calling on the Japanese government to step in and devalue its currency for the first time in four years. Thanks for the tip, BenS!

[Source: Japan Probe]

Honda could move headquarters outside of Japan originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 22 Dec 2008 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hondajapanjapan yenJapanYenyenMon, 22 Dec 2008 19:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Lexus IS-F sales begin 12/25 with 417 HP underhood]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/04/lexus-isf-sales-begin-12-25-with-417-hp-underhood/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/04/lexus-isf-sales-begin-12-25-with-417-hp-underhood/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/04/lexus-isf-sales-begin-12-25-with-417-hp-underhood/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


click above image to view more high-res photos of the Lexus IS-F

Merry Christmas, says Lexus, which announced today that its hopped up entry-level luxury sedan will go on sale Christmas Day in Japan. Also unknown until now is the exact horsepower rating of the car's 5.0L V8, which has been revealed as 311kW, or 417 horsepower when converted from kilowatts, at 6,600 RPM. Meanwhile, torque is pegged at 372 ft-lb at 5,200 RPM. The 4.968L engine features variable valve timing on the intake side of things, as well as both direct and port fuel injection systems, which is interesting and a little confusing. We'll leave it to an engineer to explain that one. As we already knew, however, the engine's power will be divided up into tiny pieces by an 8-speed automatic sourced from the Lexus LS 460. Pricing starts at ¥7,600,000 or $65,170.00 USD when converted. Perhaps if you've been good this year, Santa will drive an IS-F all the way from Japan and park it under your tree. If not, you'll have to wait for its impending U.S. arrival like the rest of us.

Check out Toyota's full press release after the jump.

[Source: Lexus via MT forums]

Gallery: Lexus IS-F

Continue reading Lexus IS-F sales begin 12/25 with 417 HP underhood

Lexus IS-F sales begin 12/25 with 417 HP underhood originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 04 Oct 2007 09:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2008 Lexus IS-F2008LexusIs-fJapanLexus IS-FLexus IS-F horsepowerLexusIs-fLexusIs-fHorsepoweryenThu, 04 Oct 2007 09:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Yen vs. Dollar/Euro: Both US and European automakers feeling the pinch]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/26/yen-vs-dollar-euro-both-us-and-european-automakers-feeling-the/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/26/yen-vs-dollar-euro-both-us-and-european-automakers-feeling-the/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/26/yen-vs-dollar-euro-both-us-and-european-automakers-feeling-the/#commentsFiled under: ,

Most people looking to purchase a Toyota or Nissan just don't care about the value of the Yen vs. the Dollar. It just isn't relevant. For automakers here and in Europe, however, it's a very big deal. The Auto Trade Policy Council estimates a Japanese auto manufacturer advantage of $9,000 on luxury vehicles imported from Japan and $2,000 on lower-end imports. Japanese manufacturers have smartly used the imbalance to add content to their products while maintaining the price of their competition. Customers are getting more for their money and Toyota, Honda and company are getting lauded for high quality materials.

The Yen is worth less than the Dollar because the current national interest rate in Japan is .5 percent, close to what the rate was in the US only a couple years ago. Right now, however, the US interest rate is at 5.25 percent. In Europe, the rate is 3.5%. Investors borrow Yen at low rates then sell the currency and put the money into higher interest accounts like US treasury bonds. As a result, the yen is devalued by up to 25% and Japanese goods are cheaper for Americans.

[Source: Detroit Free Press]

Continue reading Yen vs. Dollar/Euro: Both US and European automakers feeling the pinch

Yen vs. Dollar/Euro: Both US and European automakers feeling the pinch originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 26 Feb 2007 09:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>big 3Big3dollarFordGMhondajapannissantoyotaVWyenMon, 26 Feb 2007 09:24:00 EST<![CDATA[Toyota posts higher than expected quarterly profits]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/04/toyota-posts-better-than-expected-quarterly-profits/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/04/toyota-posts-better-than-expected-quarterly-profits/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/04/toyota-posts-better-than-expected-quarterly-profits/#commentsFiled under: ,

Toyota has just released its earnings report for the quarter spanning April through June and the Japanese automaker has posted an operating profit of $4.45 billion. Toyota's profits even beat the optimistic projections of most analysts. Its North American outfit accounted for a little over $1.2 billion of the company's quarterly profit.

These numbers will no doubt be heavily compared to General Motors' unadjusted loss of $3.2 billion last quarter and Ford's $254 million loss. Though GM's loss appears to be horrific, the one-time cost of buying out 30,000 employees and other special items account for most of the red ink. Minus those items, GM actually posted a profit of $1.2 billion that also beat analysts expectations and sent its stock surging. Ford, however, whose Way Forward Plan was expected to produce a modest profit last quarter, is being forced to redouble its turnaround efforts after the unexpected loss.

[Source: Reuters]

Toyota posts higher than expected quarterly profits originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 04 Aug 2006 06:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>earningsprofitQ1quarterly earningsQuarterlyEarningsyenFri, 04 Aug 2006 06:57:00 EST<![CDATA[GM's Wagoner joins chorus blaming weak yen]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/08/gms-wagoner-joins-chorus-blaming-weak-yen/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/08/gms-wagoner-joins-chorus-blaming-weak-yen/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/08/gms-wagoner-joins-chorus-blaming-weak-yen/#commentsFiled under: , ,

General Motors CEO used the bully pulpit at GM's annual shareholders' meeting to repeat a complaint that has been made several times in the past few decades (and will likely will be heard many times again) - the Japanese government is artificially holding the value of the yen low relative to the dollar to help its exporters. The same complaint was recently issued by Chrysler's Tom LaSorda as well. A lower value for the yen makes it easier to stick a lower price tag on an auto that's imported from Japan; or, alternatively, it makes the sale of that vehicle more profitable at the same price.

The yen has experienced two significant slides in value relative to the dollar twice in the past ten years, but at this time it is close to trading near its strongest position over the same time period. While the Big Three do not enjoy the same relationship with their government as the Japanese automakers, it's unclear whether the Hill's financial policy of large federal and trade deficits would allow any significant manipulation of the dollar's value, even if the feds wanted to help the automakers.

[Source: Forbes]

GM's Wagoner joins chorus blaming weak yen originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 08 Jun 2006 08:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Big ThreeBigThreeChryslercurrencydollarFordGMHondaJapanmanipulationNissanToyotayenThu, 08 Jun 2006 08:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Yen rate gives Japanese automakers unfair advantage, Chrysler's LaSorda says]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/03/yen-rate-gives-japanese-automakers-unfair-advantage-chryslers/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/03/yen-rate-gives-japanese-automakers-unfair-advantage-chryslers/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/03/yen-rate-gives-japanese-automakers-unfair-advantage-chryslers/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

At the Mackinac Policy Conference in Michigan on Thursday, Chrysler president and CEO Tom LaSorda said he plans to call on George W. Bush to confront Japan about an artificially low yen rate that he maintains unfairly allows Japanese automakers up to a $3,000 advantage per vehicle over their American counterparts. LaSorda said that he, Rick Wagoner and Bill Ford plan to raise this topic, along with health care and energy policy, with President Bush in a meeting scheduled for later this month.

LaSorda drew attention to the 1.8 million Japanese vehicles that are still being imported into the United States, and although this number has decreased since years past, parts imported from Japan continue to exacerbate the issue.

[Source: Reuters]

Yen rate gives Japanese automakers unfair advantage, Chrysler's LaSorda says originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 03 Jun 2006 15:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>currencydollarfinancejapanweak yenWeakYenyenSat, 03 Jun 2006 15:04:00 EST<![CDATA[Japanese automakers fuelling record profits with new models]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/22/japanese-automakers-fuelling-record-profits-with-new-models/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/22/japanese-automakers-fuelling-record-profits-with-new-models/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/22/japanese-automakers-fuelling-record-profits-with-new-models/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

According to a Reuters report, Japan's five major automakers are set to post record profits as they prepare to close out their 2005/2006 fiscal year. While the depressed value of the yen has played a role in boosting profits for Japanese companies, there remains a strong link between new product launches and automaker profits, with Nissan posting the weakest Q4 results among Japanese automakers, with no new models in the all-important U.S. market.

The report forecasts continued growth for Toyota, Nissan and Honda for at least two years, with the biggest gains in the U.S. Key products in the Japanese new model pipeline:
  • Toyota's new Camry, America's best-selling car has just launched, and its new Tundra pickup is due in early 2007 .
  • Honda will launch three new crossovers (the CRV and Acura's RDX and MDX) this year.
  • Nissan has fresh versions of the Sentra and Altima sedans, along with the Versa and Infiniti's G35

Expect political pressure on the Japanese government to raise the value of the yen, but don't look for that to have a big impact on sales of their cars Stateside as long as Toyota et al can continue to surf a wave of successful product launches.

[Source: Reuters]

Japanese automakers fuelling record profits with new models originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 22 Apr 2006 16:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AltimaCamryG35MDXRDXSentraVersaYenSat, 22 Apr 2006 16:07:00 EST