All Entries in the "Auto News" Category
Is Japan’s Auto Market Protectionist, Or Are U.S. Automakers Playing Politics?
Stephen Biegun, Ford Motor Company’s V.P. of international governmental affairs (and, interestingly enough, former executive secretary of the National Security Counsel during the G.W. Bush administration), has made the national news by accusing the Japanese government of protectionism.
Is Japan's Cash For Clunkers program protectionist?
In a nut shell, Biegun and the American Automotive Policy Council (a lobbying group funded by GM, Chrysler, and Ford) are accusing the Japanese government of unfair trade practices because cars built in America don’t qualify for a rebate under Japan’s “Cash for Clunkers” program. Unfortunately, this is an oversimplification.
3 Reasons Why Toyota Is Ramping Up Production
Automotive News is reporting that almost all of Toyota’s North American manufacturing plants are running at full tilt, with most of Toyota’s American and Canadian workers earning hefty overtime pay. While this is definitely evidence that the market for new vehicles is recovering, there are a few other factors at work to explain Toyota’s increased production.
Toyota is ramping up production in North America.
First and foremost, many Toyota dealerships are still running low on product. We all know that Cash For Clunkers (C.A.R.S.) generated a lot of sales for Toyota and depleted their inventory (the CARS program was practically a gift
LA Times Slander of Toyota Continues
LA Times journalists V&B are at it again – we criticized them a few weeks ago for using inflammatory images and unsubstantiated opinions to stoke consumer fears of Toyotas and unintended acceleration, and now we find them accusing Toyota’s electronic throttle system of being defective (link)…with only manipulated and incomplete data to support their claims.
The LA Times and Consumer Reports use incomplete, manipulated data to accuse Toyota of faulty electronic throttles.
To be clear, we have no business criticizing others for journalistic integrity…but we feel obligated to evaluate these accusations critically considering how many Toyota owners are driving in fear. Here’s why this reporting (link) from the L.A. Times is slanderous:
The Connection Between Currency Exchange Rates And Cars
When most Americans evaluate the global aspects of the auto industry, the issue of currency exchange is rarely discussed. However, currency exchange rates are of pivotal importance to all automakers. What follows is a simplified illustration of currency exchange and how it can impact profits.
See how currency exchange rates impact the auto industry
Hopefully, it will be more interesting than it sounds!
Toyota Tells NHTSA All First Generation Tundras Have Frame Rust Issues
UPDATE: As of May 2010, Toyota has extended the warranty on 2000-2003 Tundra frames. Please see Toyota Tundra Frame Replacement Program for more details.
We’ve obtained a copy of the defect information report from Toyota to NHTSA, which contains information about Toyota’s frame rust recall that, as far as we know, has not yet been disclosed to the mainstream media. What follows are snippets from this letter.
First and foremost, Toyota has acknowledged that ALL first generation Tundras may be subject to the same rust problems that are found on 00-03 Toyota Tundras currently under recall. Therefore, Toyota will be offering rustproofing to 2004-2006 Tundra owners in the near future.
…while Toyota has not determined a defect exists in 2004 through 2006 model year Tundras, Toyota plans on initiating a field action in the near future to prevent future corrosion on those vehicles…at no cost to the owner
Obviously, Toyota would not be offering to rust-proof 04-06 Tundras unless they believed these vehicles also have this issue.
