Tag: Ford

Toyota debuts new Tacoma to protect its crown as No. 1 midsize pickup from encroaching US rivals

Source: Toyota
2020 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road

The pickup wars are spreading.

Toyota refreshed its best-selling Tacoma mid-size pickup trucks with Apple Car Play, larger touch screens and other features drivers have come to expect in today's utility vehicles, the company said Thursday. The Japanese automaker's move comes as American automakers — not content to rule the full-size segment —release smaller trucks that threaten the one category where Toyota has managed to hold its own with the Big 3 in Detroit.

Source: Toyota
2020 Toyota Tacoma Limited

The Tacoma has led the mid-size pickup segment in sales in the U.S. for the last 14 years, and the company is anxious to hold onto that crown. Ford just brought back the Ranger mid-size pickup truck, and Chevrolet has been successful with its Colorado.

Even Jeep is getting into action. Fiat Chrysler's brand known mostly for sport utility vehicles launched the Gladiator pickup at the Los Angeles Auto Show late last year. As the historical leader in the segment, Toyota has the most to lose.

The good news is this segment is growing overall, as the broader market turns toward utility vehicles. Mid-size pickup sales are expected to grow from about 3 percent of the total market in 2018 to 4 percent by 2021, according to data from LMC Automotive, a firm that tracks the auto industry.

Source: Toyota
2020 Toyota Tacoma Limited

The number of models is also expected to grow, reversing a multi-year pullback in the segment. In 2010, there were 11 mid-size pickup trucks to choose from, according to LMC. But there were only five models from 2014 to 2018. But again, by 2021, that is expected to more than double again back to a total of 11.

Source: Toyota
2020 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off Road

Toyota's refresh is not a dramatic redesign, said IHS Markit analyst Stephanie Brinley. But it's adding some key upgrades, such as an improved infotainment systems with Apple Car Play, and a few other features that customers have come to expect in new vehicles. A larger touchscreen in the truck's console will come standard on every model. Each trim level will come with upgrades specific to that variant, such as new grille designs and new headlights and taillights.

Source: Toyota
2020 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro

In addition to overhauling the Tacoma, Toyota is beefing up its TRD Pro off-road racing lineup, adding a TRD Pro version of its three-row Sequoia sport utility vehicle. Toyota already makes TRD Pro versions of its Tacoma and Tundra pickups and its 4Runner SUV.

Source: Toyota
2020 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro

Off-road and sporty on-road variants of pickup trucks and SUVs have been around for a long time, but automakers seem to be beefing up their selection of packages and options. Automakers are looking to leverage the shift to trucks and SUVS as an opportunity to find new ways to package features and capabilities to net a few more customers wherever they can.

“Every type of vehicle, every capability, every price point is looking to be exploited,” Schuster said. “It is a fight for customers and a fight for market share.”

Freudenberg Acquires Lithium Battery Maker XALT Energy

German company Freudenberg Sealing Technologies has increased its stake in Midland, Mich.-based XALT Energy from 31% in March 2018 to more than 50%, becoming a majority stakeholder of the company. Within a few years, Freudenberg intends to acquire the remaining shares. XALT Energy is a small lithium-ion battery developer and manufacturer, which supplies batteries, for example, for New… Continue reading Freudenberg Acquires Lithium Battery Maker XALT Energy

Ford Motor Company Issues Recall for Select 2019 Ranger Vehicles to Verify Shifter Interlock Functionality

DEARBORN, Mich., Feb. 6, 2019 – Ford is issuing a safety compliance recall on certain 2019 Ford Ranger vehicles to verify shifter interlock functionality. In the affected vehicles, the PRNDL bezel wiring may interfere with the shifter interlock override, preventing the shifter from locking in the park position and allowing the driver to shift the… Continue reading Ford Motor Company Issues Recall for Select 2019 Ranger Vehicles to Verify Shifter Interlock Functionality

GM is going ‘all-electric,’ but it doesn’t expect to make money off EVs until early next decade

Bill Pugliano | Getty Images
Mary Barra, Chairman and CEO of General Motors, and Mark Reuss, Executive Vice President of GM Global Product Development, reveal the Chevrolet Bolt EV to the news media at the 2016 North American International Auto Show January 11th, 2016 in Detroit, Michigan.

General Motors does not expect its electric vehicles to turn a profit for at least a few more years, CEO Mary Barra told investors on Wednesday.

The largest U.S. automaker repeated its commitment Wednesday to make its entire vehicle lineup “all-electric,” but provided investors with few details of those plans on a conference call after GM reported fourth quarter earnings that beat expectations.

However, GM is clear that its electric vehicles won't make money until “early next decade,” Barra said.

Making money off electric vehicles has long been considered a major challenge for automakers, which are pouring money into electric vehicle, EV, technology in the face of fluctuating oil prices, government initiatives to reduce carbon pollution and excitement over Tesla.

America is falling back in love with trucks and SUVs, and that's causing big changes at big car companies
10:38 AM ET Tue, 5 Feb 2019 | 04:45

The California-based electric car maker has recently pulled off two profitable quarters in a row after losing money for years. Tesla CEO Elon Musk has said in the past he expected Tesla to start turning regular profits beginning in the third quarter of 2018. So far the company has made good on that promise, but some investors are still cautious, if not skeptical the company can maintain that momentum.

Barra also demurred when asked when customers can expect to see an electric pickup truck from GM, saying simply that GM is “committed to an all-electric future” and to “stay tuned” for more news.

Meanwhile, other automakers have announced their intentions to move further into electric vehicles. For example, Ford is planning an all-electric version of its best-selling F-150 full-size pickup. Its first foray into EV's will be a new crossover inspired by the Mustang that executives say will be built for driving enthusiasts.

GM recently said it plans to make its luxury brand Cadillac the lead brand for its electrification efforts.

Ford Tests Light-Based Visual Language that Could Help Autonomous Vehicles Communicate with Pedestrians

COLOGNE, Germany, Feb. 6, 2019 – Hand gestures, head nods and thumbs-up signals all help to ensure drivers, pedestrians and cyclists know what each other is doing. But how will self driving vehicles, with no human driver, communicate with those around them? Ford has been testing one approach that uses lights to indicate what the vehicle… Continue reading Ford Tests Light-Based Visual Language that Could Help Autonomous Vehicles Communicate with Pedestrians

Press Release No. 04/2019 – The number 1 segment in January 2019

Date 06.02.2019 Flensburg, 6 February 2019. In the month of January 2019, there were five management changes. in the segment the minis is now the VW Up, im segment Upper middle class of the Audi A6, S6, RS6 and in the luxury class of the Audi A7, S7, RS7 in the first place. In the… Continue reading Press Release No. 04/2019 – The number 1 segment in January 2019

China sales buoy Toyota’s profit, but U.S. weakness persists

TOKYO (Reuters) – Toyota Motor Corp’s quarterly profit edged up as demand for its bread-and-butter car models from cost-conscious Chinese buyers helped offset bleak North American sales, although the firm’s shares slipped as it cut its annual net income outlook. FILE PHOTO: The Toyota logo is seen on the bonnet of a newly launched Camry… Continue reading China sales buoy Toyota’s profit, but U.S. weakness persists

Toyota’s third-quarter operating profit edges up as Asia sales rise

TOKYO (Reuters) – Toyota Motor Corp’s quarterly operating profit edged up as continued increase in sales in Asia, including China, offset lower sales in North America, its biggest market. FILE PHOTO: The Toyota logo is seen on the bonnet of a newly launched Camry Hybrid electric vehicle at a hotel in New Delhi, India, January… Continue reading Toyota’s third-quarter operating profit edges up as Asia sales rise

Lucid Motors in talks about sharing its technology with other automakers – Autoblog – Autoblog

Electric vehicle upstart Lucid Motors is in talks with other automakers about sharing its technology and plans to go public in a few years, but the company isn’t considering a potential sale. Bloomberg caught up with Chief Technology Officer Peter Rawlinson, who said the company remains on track to build the Air EV sedan in… Continue reading Lucid Motors in talks about sharing its technology with other automakers – Autoblog – Autoblog

SF also denies JUMP’s electric scooter appeal

A neutral hearing officer in the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency has denied Uber-owned JUMP’s appeal regarding the SFMTA’s decision to not provide JUMP a permit to operate shared electric scooters in the city. “We are pleased the hearing officer validated our permitting process, which above all, prioritized the public interest,” SFMTA Communications Manager Ben… Continue reading SF also denies JUMP’s electric scooter appeal