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Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni reacts during a meeting of European heads of state or government in Granada, Spain October 6, 2023. REUTERS/Juan Medina/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsROME, Nov 3 (Reuters) - Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on Friday that her chief diplomatic adviser had resigned, carrying the can for a prank call fiasco that led to the release of unfiltered remarks on Ukraine and migration. "This matter was not handled well, we are all sorry, Ambassador (Francesco) Talo took responsibility for it," Meloni said, announcing that her aide had quit. Meloni's office confirmed on Wednesday that she had a phone conversation with a Russian comedian who successfully posed as a high-ranking African Union official. Reporting by Angelo Amante and Alvise Armellini, editing by Keith WeirOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Giorgia Meloni, Juan Medina, Francesco, Talo, Meloni, Angela Merkel, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Britain's Prince Harry, Angelo Amante, Alvise, Keith Weir Organizations: Italian, REUTERS, Rights, NATO, African Union, Kyiv, Democratic Party, Lexus, Thomson Locations: Granada, Spain, Ukraine, Israel, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Russian, Italy, Russia, Kremlin

TOKYO (AP) — Toyota’s July-September profit jumped nearly threefold from a year ago as vehicle sales grew around the world and a cheap yen boosted the Japanese automaker’s overseas earnings. Toyota Motor Corp. reported Wednesday 1.28 trillion yen ($8.5 billion) in quarterly profit, up from 434 billion yen the previous year. Quarterly sales rose 24% to 11.43 trillion yen ($75.7 billion) from 9.22 trillion yen. Political Cartoons View All 1227 ImagesToyota is expecting its vehicle sales to grow in most major regions, officials said. A shortage of computer chips caused by the social restrictions of the coronavirus pandemic had previously slammed the supply chain and hurt Toyota sales.

Persons: —, Hannah Schoenbaum, Yuri Kageyama Organizations: TOKYO, Toyota Motor Corp, Toyota, U.S, Camry, Lexus, Tesla, Vehicles Locations: U.S, Europe, Japan, Asia, China, North Carolina, Greensboro, North America, Kentucky, Raleigh, N.C

☆ Toyota raises annual profit forecast by 50% because of weak currency
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Tokyo — Toyota Motor reported a more than doubling of second-quarter profit on Wednesday, helped by a weak yen and strong sales, and raised its full-year forecast by 50%. Toyota lifted its full-year profit forecast to 4.5 trillion yen from 3 trillion yen, largely due to favorable effects from foreign exchange rates. It expects the weaker yen to account for 1.18 trillion yen of the revision to the full-year profit. The new projection compared to analysts’ average forecast of 4.0 trillion yen. The quarterly results compared to an average 1.08 trillion yen profit estimate in a poll of 10 analysts by LSEG and a profit of 562.8 billion yen in the same period last year.

Organizations: Toyota, LSEG, Lexus, Nissan Motor, Honda Locations: Tokyo, United States, Asia, Japan, North Carolina, China, Southeast, Thailand

☆ Giorgia Meloni prank call: Italy’s prime minister talks of Ukraine fatigue on phone
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Rome Reuters —Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni spoke of international fatigue with the conflict in Ukraine and a lack of support for Italy in dealing with migration in a phone call with Russian pranksters. Asked about Russia’s war in Ukraine, Meloni, speaking in English, said: “I see that there is a lot of fatigue, I have to say the truth, from all the sides. Addressing Italy’s position as a first port of call for many migrants crossing the Mediterranean, Meloni lamented that international partners were not doing enough to help. He did the talking while Vovan also listened in on the call with Meloni, he explained. Meloni, Italian prime minister for a year, split with her TV presenter partner last month after off-air video excerpts from his program showed him using foul language and appearing to make advances to a female colleague.

Persons: Rome, Giorgia Meloni, Vovan, Meloni’s, “, ”, Meloni, Lexus, Alexei Stolyarov Organizations: Rome Reuters, Italian, Russian, Lexus, African Union Commission, United Nations General Assembly Locations: Ukraine, Italy

☆ Italy PM Meloni talks of Ukraine fatigue, migration in prank call
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni reacts during a meeting of European heads of state or government in Granada, Spain October 6, 2023. REUTERS/Juan Medina/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsROME, Nov 1 (Reuters) - Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni spoke of international fatigue with the conflict in Ukraine and a lack of support for Italy in dealing with migration in a phone call with Russian pranksters. Asked about Russia's war in Ukraine, Meloni, speaking in English, said: "I see that there is a lot of fatigue, I have to say the truth, from all the sides. Prankster Lexus, or Alexei Stolyarov, said Meloni was at least someone who was willing to share her real opinions. Meloni, Italian prime minister for a year, split with her TV presenter partner last month after off-air video excerpts from his programme showed him using foul language and appearing to make advances to a female colleague.

Persons: Giorgia Meloni, Juan Medina, Vovan, Meloni's, Meloni, Lexus, Alexei Stolyarov, Alex Marrow, Federico Maccioni, Keith Weir, Mark Heinrich Our Organizations: Italian, REUTERS, Rights, Russian, Lexus, African Union Commission, United Nations General Assembly, Thomson Locations: Granada, Spain, Ukraine, Italy

☆ Toyota September production jumps on stronger Japan output
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Attendees listen as President, CEO and Member of the Board of Directors at Toyota Motor Corporation Koji Sato holds a press briefing during a press day of the Japan Mobility Show 2023 at Tokyo Big Sight in Tokyo, Japan October 25, 2023. REUTERS/Issei Kato Acquire Licensing RightsTOKYO, Oct 30 (Reuters) - Toyota Motor (7203.T) said on Monday that worldwide production rose 1.5% in September from the same period a year earlier to 900,919 vehicles, boosted by stronger demand in Japan, the United States and in Europe. The world's biggest automaker by sales reported an 11.6% jump in global sales in September to 921,308 vehicles. Domestic sales surged 20.5% in September, while those in the United States rose 14% and sales in Europe were up 18.1%. In China, the world's biggest auto market, Toyota reported a nearly 7% decline in production even as it reported slightly higher year-on-year sales.

Persons: Toyota Motor Corporation Koji Sato, Issei Kato, Daniel Leussink, Jamie Freed Organizations: Toyota Motor Corporation, Japan, REUTERS, Rights, Toyota, Lexus, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, United States, Europe, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, China

☆ Toyota aims to put 1,000 km-range Lexus EV on the road by 2026
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Issei Kato/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsTOKYO, Oct 25 (Reuters) - Toyota unveiled a Lexus concept car with a roughly 1,000 kilometre range on Wednesday that it aims to roll out by 2026, part of the Japanese automaker's strategic pivot to EVs reliant on advanced battery technology. The LF-ZC concept car, which debuted at the Japan Mobility Show, uses "prismatic, high-performance" batteries that achieve around twice the range of conventional EVs - or around 1,000 kilometres (620 miles). The low-sitting LF-ZC sports an expansive cockpit and uses advanced AI technology that Toyota has dubbed "Butler". The AI system is able to identify preferences that drivers may not be aware of themselves, Toyota said. Toyota has committed to having battery EVs account for 100% of global sales of the luxury Lexus brand by 2035.

Persons: BEV, Toyota Takero Kato, Simon Humphries, Issei Kato, Butler, Maki Shiraki, Daniel Leussink, David Dolan, David Holmes Organizations: Toyota, Lexus, Japan, REUTERS, Rights, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan

It’s a message ringing clear at the Tokyo Mobility Show, which will run through Nov. 5 at Tokyo Big Sight hall and where battery-powered electric vehicles are the star at practically every booth. Toyota Motor Corp.’s lean angular Lexus concept, set to go on sale in 2026, is an electric vehicle running on lithium-ion batteries. That is partly because of Toyota’s past success in hybrids, exemplified in the Prius, which have a gasoline engine in addition to an electric motor. In China, a third of vehicles sold are EVs. Nissan, an early EV maker among the Japanese with its Leaf going on sale in 2010, is showcasing four EV concept cars.

Persons: —, ” Takero Kato, China's BYD, Kato, Tesla, EVs, Joe Biden, BYD, ” Kato, Joshua Cobb, ”, Cobb, Alfonoso Albaisa, ” Albaisa, De Souza, “, John de Souza, ___ Yuri Kageyama Organizations: TOKYO, Toyota, Tokyo Mobility, Mazda Motor Corp, Honda Motor, Toyota Motor Corp, Journalists, General Motors Co, Ford Motor Co, Benz, Subaru, Lexus, International Energy Agency, BMI, SAIC, GM, EV, Nissan, “, Manufacturers, Mitsubishi Fuso, Daimler, Mitsubishi Locations: Tokyo, Japan, U.S, China, San Francisco

☆ Toyota’s electric cars will adopt Tesla’s charging standard
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-20 | by ( Peter Valdes-Dapena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Toyota has joined the growing list of automakers that have decided to switch to using Tesla’s charging standard. Beginning in 2025 all Toyota electric vehicles sold in the US will have charging ports designed to work with Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (NACS), rather than the Combined Charging System plugs automakers in the US now use. Toyota’s announcement means that all of America’s best-selling automakers — Toyota ranks second only to General Motors in US sales — have agreed to switch to Tesla’s standard in the next few years. Tesla chief executive Elon Musk announced in November of last year that he was inviting other automakers and charging companies to adopt Tesla’s NACS. Major charging companies have announced they will offer both types of cables to service electric vehicles with either type of charging port.

Persons: Toyota's, NATHAN LEACH, Elon Musk, Ford, Tesla, doesn’t Organizations: CNN, Toyota, — Toyota, General Motors, GM, Benz, Nissan, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Lexus, EV, CCS, Ford, Chrysler, Fiat, Volkswagen, Mazda, Subaru Locations: EVs, America

DETROIT (AP) — Owners of Toyota and Lexus electric vehicles in North America will be able to charge on Tesla's network starting in 2025, and the Japanese automaker also will start using Tesla's EV connector. In a statement Thursday, Toyota says it will adopt Tesla's North American Charging Standard plug in a little over a year. The announcement comes just after Hyundai, Kia and BMW made similar announcements for their electric vehicles. In June SAE International, formerly the Society of Automotive Engineers, said that it would set performance standards for Tesla’s electric vehicle charging cords. Volvo Cars has also signed a deal with Tesla to join its charging network.

Persons: Rivian, Tesla Organizations: DETROIT, Toyota, Lexus, Tesla, EV, Hyundai, Kia, BMW, SAE International, Society of Automotive Engineers, U.S, Ford, General Motors, Volvo Locations: North America, U.S

Vasser Sullivan started the IMSA sports car season strong enough that it was quickly apparent a championship was finally in reach for the Lexus factory program. Team owners Jimmy Vasser and James “Sulli” Sullivan think it might have saved the season. However, Jimmy and I are really glad that it did happen because it was a wakeup call, to the two of us and to the team,” Sullivan said. Vasser Sullivan ran Busch in the Rolex 24 at Daytona in 2020. And, if the opportunity presented itself, Vasser Sullivan would like to compete in IMSA's top class.

Persons: Vasser Sullivan, Ben Barnicoat, Jimmy Vasser, James “ Sulli ” Sullivan, “, Ben, Jimmy, ” Sullivan, Jack Hawksworth, It's, Chip Ganassi, Sullivan, —, they'd, Tony Kanaan, ”, Jeff Bal, Hawksworth, ” Hawksworth, Sulli, Vasser, Kyle Busch, we've Organizations: IMSA, Lexus, Watkins Glen, Team, IndyCar, Daytona, Chip Ganassi Racing, RC, GTD PRO, Lexus Motorsports, Ganassi —, Toyota, Indianapolis, NASCAR, Busch Locations: Canada, Atlanta, GTD, Charlotte

☆ Tesla keeps chopping prices, making its cars cheaper than even gas competitors
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-12 | by ( Alexa St. John | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Tesla is offering cars well below September's new car average transaction price of $47,899. Tesla's base Model 3 and Model Y are both less than that. Last month, new cars saw an average transaction price (ATP) of $47,899, according to Kelley Blue Book. New car prices have slowly but surely been improving as of late, but are still pretty costly. AdvertisementAdvertisementTo be sure, new car pricing is relatively flat year-over-year (down just $360 from September last year), while used car pricing is more nuanced.

Persons: Tesla, —, Kelley, Elon Musk's, there's Organizations: Service, Cox Automotive, Acura, Lexus, Infiniti, Volvo, stoke

☆ Toyota, LG Energy Solution sign $3 billion battery supply deal in U.S. EV push
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-05 | by ( Sheila Chiang | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The deal will support Toyota's expanding battery EV line-up, which includes a new model that will be assembled at a manufacturing plant in Kentucky — its largest globally — starting in 2025. LG Energy Solution also supplies other automotive giants such as America's General Motors , South Korea's Hyundai, and Japan's Honda . Less than five months ago, LG Energy Solution said it will build a $4.3 billion EV battery plant in the U.S. with Hyundai, in a bid to leverage tax credits. LG Energy Solution will invest about 4 trillion Korean won ($3 billion) "to establish new production lines for battery cells and modules exclusively for Toyota, with completion slated for 2025." Chinese competitionLG Energy Solution is currently the world's third-largest EV battery producer after Chinese EV player BYD, according to data from South Korean energy market research firm SNE Research.

Persons: Youngsoo Kwon, Kwon, Toyota's, Japan's Organizations: Korea's LG Energy, Toyota, LG Energy, CNBC, America's, Motors, Hyundai, Japan's Honda, U.S, Lexus, LG, EV, BYD, SNE Research Locations: U.S, Kentucky, Toyota's Tokyo

☆ US car sales climb despite strike and rising interest rates
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-03 | by ( Chris Isidore | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

New York CNN —US new car sales soared in the third quarter, despite the combination of a strike at General Motors, Ford and Stellantis, high prices and rising interest rates. “New-vehicle sales have remained somewhat consistent as pent-up demand keeps sales afloat despite economic challenges,” said Jessica Caldwell, Edmunds’ head of insights. “However, the landscape can change dramatically, and quickly, if the strike continues.”Rising ratesAnother factor that could slow sales at all automakers is rising interest rates, which is raising the average car payment to record levels. It’s the highest average interest rates for both types of loans since the start of the Great Recession and financial crisis of 2007. “Spiked interest rates remain the biggest impediment to affordability in both the new and used car markets today,” said Caldwell.

Persons: that’s, ”, Ivan Drury, Edmunds, “, ” Ford, Jessica Caldwell, Ford Bronco, Caldwell Organizations: New, New York CNN, General Motors, Ford, GM, Jeep, Dodge, Chrysler, Edmunds ., Toyota, Lexus, United Auto Workers, UAW, Ford Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, Traverse, Buick Enclave, Federal Reserve Locations: New York, Edmunds, Ford Chicago

☆ Toyota to speed up EV production, aims for over 600,000 vehicles in 2025, Nikkei reports
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] A Toyota EV car is seen at the Bangkok International Motor Show in Bangkok, Thailand, March 30, 2022. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun Acquire Licensing RightsCompanies Toyota Motor Corp FollowTOKYO, Sept 22 (Reuters) - Toyota Motor (7203.T) will speed up production of electric vehicles of its Toyota and luxury Lexus brands, the Nikkei newspaper reported on Friday. The Nikkei report said the Japanese automaker was likely to step up production of battery-powered vehicles over the coming years to reach annual output of more than 600,000 vehicles in 2025. The company has previously said it targets sales of 1.5 million EVs annually by 2026 and 3.5 million, or about one-third of current global volume, by 2030. It sought to raise EV production to about 150,000 vehicles in 2023 and gradually increase it further to the 190,000-vehicle range next year, Nikkei said.

Persons: Soe Zeya, Daniel Leussink, Himani Sarkar, Jane Merriman Organizations: Toyota, REUTERS, Rights, Toyota Motor Corp, Lexus, Nikkei, Thomson Locations: Bangkok, Thailand

☆ North Korea's Kim Jong Un checks out Putin's ride at Russia summit
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( Jack Kim | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Russian President Vladimir Putin's Aurus limousine is seen on Red Square during a flower-laying ceremony at the Monument to Minin and Pozharsky on the National Unity Day in central Moscow, Russia November 4, 2019. Sputnik/Sergei Guneev/Kremlin via REUTERS/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSEOUL, Sept 14 (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin invited North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to check out his Russian-made limousine on Wednesday ahead of their summit, ceding the spacious back seat to his guest. As they strolled to the main complex engaged in casual conversation, they came to Putin's presidential Aurus limousine parked in the driveway, and the Russian president gestured to the vehicle as Kim stood seemingly curious. Putin invited Kim to climb into the back seat and walked around to slide in next to the North Korean leader, who sat beaming. North Korea's KCNA news agency said on Thursday "Putin showed his private car to Kim Jong Un before having a warm talk".

Persons: Vladimir Putin's Aurus, Sergei Guneev, Vladimir Putin, Kim Jong, Putin, Kim, gestured, Kim Jong Un, NAMI, Royce Phantom, Donald Trump, Jack Kim, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Unity, Sputnik, REUTERS, Rights, North, Wednesday, North Korean, Maybach, Lexus, Daimler, Pyeonghwa Motors, South Korean, Thomson Locations: Moscow, Russia, Kremlin, Rights SEOUL, Cosmodrome, Russian, Pyongyang, North Korea, Singapore

A Toyota logo is seen during the New York International Auto Show, in Manhattan, New York City, U.S., April 5, 2023. Toyota, which restarted operations at its Japanese assembly plants on Wednesday, has seen production recovering this year. The company said its global sales had risen 8% in July from the same month a year earlier to a record 859,506 vehicles. It also reported a 15% increase in global production in that month. Toyota's global production is likely to reach around 10.2 million vehicles this year, topping 10 million for the first time, Nikkei reported late on Wednesday.

Persons: David, Dee, Delgado, Maki Shiraki, Daniel Leussink, David Dolan, Christopher Cushing, David Holmes Organizations: New York, REUTERS, Rights, Toyota Motor Corp, Toyota, Lexus, Nikkei, Thomson Locations: Manhattan , New York City, U.S, Japan, China, United States, Europe

☆ What happened to shut down Toyota's production in Japan?
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

WHAT HAPPENED TO SHUT DOWN TOYOTA'S PRODUCTION IN JAPAN? Toyota's production has been recovering this year, so the outage could be potentially more costly than the 2022 shutdown. Toyota's production in Japan - about a third of its global output - averaged about 13,500 vehicles a day in the first half of the year, Reuters calculations showed. WHAT IS TOYOTA'S PRODUCTION AND SUPPLIER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM? Toyota's system of lean production and just-in-time parts delivery has been adopted across the auto industry and widely studied.

Persons: Taichi Ono, Wiggly, Koji Sato, Akio Toyoda, Tesla, Daniel Leussink, Satoshi Sugiyama, Kevin Krolicki, Christopher Cushing Organizations: Toyota, Kyodo, REUTERS Acquire, Kojima Industries, Lexus, Daihatsu, Hino, TOYOTA, ITS, Thomson Locations: Toyota, Aichi Prefecture, Japan, JAPAN, United States

☆ The Tesla Cybertruck might always look a little busted
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-29 | by ( Tim Levin | Nora Naughton | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

AdvertisementAdvertisementThe polarizing polygon known as the Tesla Cybertruck is almost here, and it will probably look far from perfect when it finally hits the road. It all means that Cybertruck buyers who have suffered through years of delays may wind up with trucks that always look a little rough around the edges. Advertisement Advertisement Watch: How Tesla's Cybertruck stacks up against the Amazon-backed Rivian R1T electric truck"This is going to be a measure of the appeal of Tesla," Fiorani said. Anyone who's owned a stainless steel fridge knows they are a magnet for grime and are a nightmare to keep clean. "Musk has learned from his past mistakes – he understands that people will scrutinize this vehicle," Fiorani said.

Persons: Elon Musk, Tesla, it's, Sam Fiorani, Fiorani, Geoff Wardle, S0kCyGUBFD — Elon, Wardle, who's, Musk, – Organizations: Tesla, BMW, Lexus, AutoForecast Solutions, California's ArtCenter College of Design Locations: Texas

"Hybrid is a great alternative to a pure electric vehicle (and) it's an easier sell to a lot of customers." Interest in hybrids is rebounding as consumer demand for pure electrics has not accelerated as quickly as expected. Sales of pure electrics will claim about 37%, leaving combustion vehicles — including so-called “mild” hybrids — with a nearly 40% share. In addition to new pure electric models coming soon, "we are very bullish on hybrids going forward," a spokesperson said. Hyundai and sister brand Kia offer seven hybrid models, with Ford and Lincoln six.

Persons: Mike Blake, Tim Ghriskey, Ingalls, Snyder, ”, Sam Fiorani, Ford, Jim Farley, ” Farley, “, Stellantis, GlobalData, ” Stellantis, Andrew DiFeo, Augustine, Biden, “ I've, I've, Paul Lienert, Ben Klayman, Nick Zieminski Organizations: Toyota, Los Angeles Auto, REUTERS, Rights, Ford, Reuters, AutoForecast Solutions, P Global, General Motors, Chrysler Pacifica, U.S, Lexus, Hyundai, Kia, Lincoln, Chevrolet Corvette, Thomson Locations: Los Angeles , California, U.S, America, New York, St, Jacksonville , FL, Detroit

☆ Acura is late to the EV party — but its first electric SUV looks like a winner
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-17 | by ( Tim Levin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The 2024 Acura ZDX. The 2024 Acura ZDX. The 2024 Acura ZDX. The 2024 Acura ZDX. The 2024 Acura ZDX.

Persons: Mercedes, Tesla, Lexus's Organizations: Acura, Cadillac, BMW, Audi, Mercedes, Morning, Elon, General Motors, Honda, EV, Acura Acura, Google, Tesla Locations: fashionably

Nissan late last month upgraded its full-year operating profit forecast, raising it by 30 billion yen ($208 million) to 550 billion yen. About 20 billion yen of that came from the currency, CFO Stephen Ma told a briefing. At smaller Subaru (7270.T), a move of one yen against the dollar has a 20 billion yen impact on operating profit, CFO Katsuyuki Mizuma said earlier this month. On Wednesday, a Honda official said its April-June operating profit came in tens of billions of yen higher than expected, with the weak yen accounting for about half of that. It is unclear how long the weak yen will last.

Persons: Aly, Satoru Aoyama, Stephen Ma, Katsuyuki Mizuma, Eisuke Sakakibara, Mizuma, Daniel Leussink, David Dolan, Toby Chopra Organizations: Auto, REUTERS, Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Fitch, Japan, U.S . Federal Reserve, Subaru, Lexus, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Auto Shanghai, Shanghai, China, Asia, Europe, CHINA

☆ Drivers Frustrated With Their Cars Door Handles, Screens, Other Tech
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-07 | by ( Alexa St. John | Tim Levin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The auto research firm JD Power assessed dozens of vehicle brands for its latest quality study. The overall quality of new vehicles is deteriorating and nagging problems are on the rise, according to a new study from JD Power. "The basic touch point of door handles is now a percolating problem area as manufacturers attempt to redesign them," JD Power said. JD Power assigned a score to each auto brand based on problems per 100 vehicles, and calculated an industry average of 192 problems per 100 vehicles (PP100), up from 180 in 2022. In terms of vehicles themselves, the Nissan Maxima had the highest initial quality overall, with 106 problems per 100 vehicles, according to the survey.

Persons: Tesla, Dodge, Frank Hanley, Power, JD Power, Ram, Alfa Romeo, Polestar Organizations: JD Power, Fiat Chrysler, French PSA Group, Buick, Chevrolet, Volvo, Chrysler, Volkswagen, Nissan, JD, Dodge, Romeo, GMC, Porsche, Kia, Lexus, Maserati, Hyundai, Honda, BMW, Mitsubishi, Toyota, Ford, Benz, Rover, Mazda, Acura, Lincoln

☆ Toyota revamps iconic Land Cruiser with hybrid version
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Toyota Motor Corp.'s new Land Cruiser is pictured at its unveiling event in Tokyo, Japan August 2, 2023, in this photo taken by Kyodo via REUTERSCompanies Toyota Motor Corp FollowTOKYO, Aug 2 (Reuters) - Toyota (7203.T) on Wednesday unveiled the first hybrid version of its Land Cruiser that it will bring to North America and other key markets as it seeks to put a high-margin and iconic sports utility vehicle back on the map. Land Cruiser models are relatively big cars that come with a higher profitability for Toyota, just as is the case for some other models such as its Alphard van, said Seiji Sugiura, an analyst at Tokai Tokyo Research Institute. The new Land Cruiser will become available in Japan in the first half of 2024, and come to the United States in the spring of that year, Toyota said, adding that suggested retail pricing in the United States will start in the mid-$50,000 range. Toyota said it will offer gasoline and diesel-powered versions of the new Land Cruiser in markets such as Western and Eastern Europe and the Middle East, and also bring a smaller Land Cruiser version to Japan in the winter. The Land Cruiser and the Lexus LX and GX, which are luxury SUVs, have together sold 11.3 million units as of the end of last month, Toyota said.

Persons: Hiroki Nakajima, Seiji Sugiura, Sugiura, Daniel Leussink, Simon Cameron, Moore Organizations: Toyota Motor Corp, Kyodo, REUTERS Companies Toyota Motor Corp, Toyota, Wednesday, Cruiser, North, Cruisers, Tokai Tokyo Research Institute, Lexus, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, North America, United States, Eastern Europe

☆ Hyundai to expand the glove compartment in its EVs, redesigning them to resemble airline overhead bins
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-02 | by ( Peter Valdes-Dapena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Now, Hyundai Motor Group is adding another amenity to that list: a bigger and better glove compartment. The newly designed glovebox is modeled on overhead bins in airliners, Hyundai Motor Group said Wednesday. The dashboard invention was the gold medal winner in an internal contest at Hyundai Mobis, the auto parts division of Hyundai Motor. For example, Toyota eschews a glove box entirely in its electric vehicles, the Toyota BZ4X and Lexus RZ 450e. Why it’s called a glove boxToday’s glove box is the direct descendant of storage bins in early automobiles that were usually in the floor or under the seat.

Persons: It’s, it’s, Dorothy Levitt —, —, Dorothy Levitt, De Dion, Horace W, Nicholls, Levitt, “, ” Organizations: CNN —, Hyundai Motor, Hyundai Motor Group, Hyundai, Kia, Hyundai Mobis, Hyundai Motor . Employees, Toyota, Lexus, McGill University Library, Nationwide Insurance

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