Tag: Toyota

Mexican motor city ‘getting desperate’ as GM’s U.S. strike takes heavy toll

SILAO, Mexico, Oct 11 (Reuters) – Half a continent away from the auto plants of Detroit, U.S. strikes at General Motors (GM) have sent shivers through the central Mexican city of Silao, where the local GM factory furloughed 6,000 workers last week when parts from the United States ran out.
Rich or poor, residents are anxiously hoping the labor dispute will end so the company reopens the plant, which has been an anchor of the local economy since GM arrived a generation ago, transforming the landscape forever.
“General Motors is the biggest source of income here. When General Motors stops, everything stops,” said Silao resident Francisco Vazquez. “Before General Motors, there was nothing.”
Once a provincial backwater with a handful of colorful old churches, Silao is now enveloped in a thick cordon of factories and warehouses serving automotive companies from all over the world.
In the years after GM opened the Silao plant in 1995, dozens of other firms followed, such as Volkswagen, Conti..

Hydrogen is still a mystery to drivers, but Toyota plans 10 times more cars – Los Angeles Times

As other automakers plan battery-powered SUVs and trucks, Toyota Motor Corp.’s vision for the future of driving remains a hydrogen-sipping sedan. The Japanese behemoth will begin sales late next year of the second-generation Mirai, its fuel cell-powered four-door, and ramp up annual production by tenfold from the current model. Toyota’s bet that it can position… Continue reading Hydrogen is still a mystery to drivers, but Toyota plans 10 times more cars – Los Angeles Times

Brexit: Toyota warns its UK plants in jeopardy under no-deal – The Irish Times

Toyota has warned a no-deal Brexit, in which a 10 per cent tariff on exports under World Trade Organisation (WTO) terms apply, would put its future UK manufacturing operations in doubt. A senior executive also warned that any prolonged disruption at the ports “would inevitably lead to a production stop, probably within days”. In a… Continue reading Brexit: Toyota warns its UK plants in jeopardy under no-deal – The Irish Times

Dyson done, Mirai remake, RAV4 plug-in hybrid, flying Porsche: Today’s Car News

After several years of promising news from Dyson, the UK company best known for its vacuums is cutting electric cars from its plans. Porsche and Boeing are among the companies working together on a personal aircraft. A Toyota RAV4 plug-in hybrid will bow at LA next month and arrive sometime next year. And Toyota’s radical remake of the Mirai hydrogen fuel-cell car is a stunner. This and more, today at Green Car Reports.

Toyota has revealed the next-generation version of its Mirai hydrogen fuel-cell car, in concept form. And at first glimpse, the 2021 Toyota Mirai couldn’t be a more radical turnaround. What was a gawky green machine is now a sexy sport sedan, flaunting a tech that Toyota still sees as a big part of the future.

The future that looks increasingly likely of including short-distance mobility options that take off and land like drones. But not all of these vehicles might be shared air taxis. Porsche and Boeing are together helping develop what looks a little more alluring: an all-electric VTOL craft geared at premium personal transportation.

There will be a plug-in version of the 2021 Toyota RAV4 hybrid, the carmaker has confirmed—although there are plenty of details yet to be confirmed, like its battery size, electric range, and whether it can match or top the RAV4 Hybrid’s 40-mpg EPA combined rating. And we don’t yet know if it’s officially the RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid or the RAV4 Prime. That’s all to come—likely except for the mileage and range—at this model’s LA auto show reveal in November.

Dyson has completely canceled its electric car, based on a decision coming from the company’s board. Due as soon as 2021, it had been widely anticipated as a potential game-changer with a solid-state battery pack, new motor tech, and a newfound attention to lightweighting. The company says that it will keep working on some of the technology pieces, though.

And if some days it doesn’t seem like every segment of American motorists are on board with electric and electrified powertrains as the future, consider this: Even NASCAR is planning to go hybrid—potentially as soon as 2022.

_______________________________________

Follow Green Car Reports on Facebook and Twitter

Mexican motor city ‘getting desperate’ as GM’s U.S. strike takes heavy toll

SILAO, Mexico (Reuters) – Half a continent away from the auto plants of Detroit, U.S. strikes at General Motors (GM) have sent shivers through the central Mexican city of Silao, where the local GM factory furloughed 6,000 workers last week when parts from the United States ran out. FILE PHOTO: General Motors workers are seen… Continue reading Mexican motor city ‘getting desperate’ as GM’s U.S. strike takes heavy toll

Friday Morning Auto News, Oct 11, 2019

Porsche and Boeing partner on electric flying vehicle – Automotive News: Porsche wants to expand into the “third dimension of travel” by developing a flying vehicle capable of transporting people in congested cities.
Renault CEO ouster marks fresh start from Ghosn era – Automotive News: It took just three days to topple Renault CEO Thierry Bollore, giving the automaker and its estranged partner, Nissan, a clean sheet to ponder how to revive trust in their alliance and redistribute the balance of power.
Renault board wields the CEO axe – the week – Just-Auto: News Renault has dismissed Thierry Bollore as CEO with immediate effect, ending a week of intense speculation concerning the future of the automaker’s top management, is likely to draw a lot of eyeballs to just-auto from about now.
Hydrogen is still a mystery to drivers, but Toyota plans 10 times more cars – LATimes: Hydrogen is still a mystery to drivers, but Toyota plans 10 times more cars Los Angeles Times
Lengthy UAW strike at GM to cost $1.5 billion: Credit Suisse – Reuters: Lengthy UAW strike at GM to cost $1.5 billion: Credit Suisse
Ford’s Q3 China vehicle sales down 30% – Automotive News: Third-quarter sales of the automaker’s mass-market Ford brand fell 38 percent in China, while its luxury division Lincoln saw sales drop by 24 percent.

Renault ousts CEO in post Ghosn-era reset – Reuters: Renault ousts CEO in post Ghosn-era reset Reuters Canada
They Say He Lost $320 Million on Bad Oil Trades. He Says Documents Show Otherwise – Bloomberg: The Chinese oil trader fired by Mitsubishi Corp. for allegedly losing $320 million in unauthorized trading said company documents that detail how the …
China’s Trade Chief Returns to Trump’s Oval Stage With Eyes on Deal – Bloomberg: Car warning | Nissan issued its starkest warning yet against a no-deal Brexit, saying any tariffs on auto exports to the European Union are likely to render its U.K. … Trade war fallout | Japan’s economy is losing momentum as 2020 … balance for September; Oct. 15: U.S. to raise tariffs on Chinese imports …
Business Is Thrilling Again. Enjoy the Spectacle, From a Distance. – New York Times: “Super Pumped,” the new book about Uber, the ride hailing giant, written by my colleague Mike Isaac, has become one of my favorites. He described …
Uber faces UK tax challenge – Reuters: Uber Technologies Inc says the UK is seeking to classify the company as a transportation provider, potentially opening it up to new tax charges that could weigh heavily on its business, according to UK accounts filings in recent days.
Nissan’s new CEO is no Ghosn, but that’s the point – Automotive News: Nissan’s new CEO is no Ghosn, but that’s the point
Uber launches boat service in Nigeria’s megacity Lagos – Reuters: Global ride-hailing firm Uber Technologies Inc [UBER.UL] on Friday launched a pilot test of a boat service in Nigeria’s commercial capital Lagos to attract commuters seeking to avoid the megacity’s notoriously congested roads.
SpaceX needs to put people into space. NASA’s deadline is looming – LATimes: Two weeks ago, the head of NASA seemed sick of waiting for SpaceX and Boeing Co. to finish developing the capsules that are supposed to carry …
Porsche and Boeing to develop flying car concept – Autocar: Porsche and Boeing have released this image of a flying car Two firms will explore the viabilit…
Future cars: Toyota doubles down, Dyson gives up – Reuters: Different visions of future mobility: Toyota doubles down on hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, but James Dyson pulls the plug on plans for an electric car.
Factbox: Renault’s new top executive committee – Reuters: Below are some facts on some of the new top executives appointed at Renault on Friday.
Hyundai invests in US road mapping company Netradyne – Just-Auto: Hyundai Cradle, which Hyundai Motor Group describes as its corporate venturing and open innovation business, in early October said it was investing in US fleet safety management software company Netradyne to gain access to the firm’s more than 350m miles of detailed road mapping data.
Hyundai, Kia earmark $760 million to settle U.S. lawsuits over engine fires – Reuters: Hyundai Motor Co and affiliate Kia Motors Corp have earmarked a total of 900 billion won ($757.86 million) to settle U.S. class action litigation and address engine-related issues in the United States and South Korea.
Geely’s September sales show a silver lining to some – Nikkei: Among Geely’s rivals, Guangzhou Automobile Group has reported a 3% fall in sales for the first eight months of 2019 while those for Dongfeng Motor …
Renault names Delbos as interim CEO to replace Bollore – Reuters: French carmaker Renault on Friday named Clotilde Delbos at interim chief executive after ending the tenure of Thierry Bollore following a boardroom vote.
Toyota LQ concept is self-driving electric hatchback – Autocar: Toyota LQ concept is self-driving electric hatchback
Hyundai Motor, Kia Motors agree to settle U.S. engine defect lawsuits – Reuters: South Korea’s Hyundai Motor Co and affiliate Kia Motors Corp on Friday said they have agreed to resolve class action litigation with U.S. owners of certain vehicles over engine fire risks.
Toyota RAV4 Plug-in hybrid set for LA show debut – Autocar: New version of fifth-generation SUV will offer expanded battery size, range and power Toyota will…

Related

Toyota’s LQ concept car will make friends with you via its onboard AI

Toyota is doubling down on its prediction that the key to building a compelling car of the future will be creating a true connection between car and driver (or passenger, depending on whether or now you’re using autonomous mode). The car maker’s new LQ concept is an evolution fo the Concept-i vehicle it unveiled at… Continue reading Toyota’s LQ concept car will make friends with you via its onboard AI

Panasonic Develops a Driverless Automated Valet Parking System and a Large Screen AR-HUD

Osaka, Tokyo – Society is increasingly seeking to build a safer, more comfortable automotive society through advancing automated driving and reducing traffic accidents. To achieve this goal, Panasonic has developed a driverless automated valet parking system and an AR-HUD (Augmented Reality Head-Up Display). The driverless automated valet parking system achieves fully automated driving (SAE Level… Continue reading Panasonic Develops a Driverless Automated Valet Parking System and a Large Screen AR-HUD