Auto News 5

If evidence was required that conditions are tough in the auto industry even for stellar performers, ratings agency Fitch has just provided some. Full story...

Driving excitement is seldom a priority of Toyota buyers. They're more interested in reliability, resale value, build quality and what can be described as understated styling. It's almost as if they where allergic to adrenalin. The same logic applies to the 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid. True, this car has a certain charisma while also being fuel-efficient and flawlessly constructed. But in terms of thrills behind the wheel, the only thing that will send a shiver down your spine is if the interior temperature is too cold. Full story...

Driving excitement is seldom a priority of Toyota buyers. They're more interested in reliability, resale value, build quality and what can be described as understated styling. It's almost as if they where allergic to adrenalin. The same logic applies to the 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid. True, this car has a certain charisma while also being fuel-efficient and flawlessly constructed. But in terms of thrills behind the wheel, the only thing that will send a shiver down your spine is if the interior temperature is too cold. Full story...

New United Motor Manufacturing Inc. (NUMMI), a JV between Toyota and GM, is planning to cut one shift of pickup truck production in January at its Freemont, California, plant. It's another sign of the impact of slowing vehicle demand in the US. Full story...

Toyota is expected to cut its global sales plan for 2009 to below 9m vehicles, down at least 7% from its previous forecast, according to a Japanese newspaper. Full story...

Toyota will offer zero interest loans on its new cars across Europe to revive sagging sales, the Nikkei business daily has reported. Full story...

NASCAR driver Kyle Busch has expressed disappointment that he will no longer be able to make his formula one test debut this winter behind the wheel of a Toyota. Full story...

NASCAR driver Kyle Busch has expressed disappointment that he will no longer be able to make his formula one test debut this winter behind the wheel of a Toyota. Full story...

Toyota has insisted it still plans to open its latest US plant in Mississippi in 2010 despite Japanese media reports that it is considering a delay of a year or more. Full story...

One of the first models to come from increased cooperation between Toyota, its minicar specialist arm Daihatsu and Subaru maker Fuji Heavy Industries has been launched in Japan. Full story...

The head of Toyota's German finance unit has called for the government to extend its financial institution rescue package to include those that lease vehicles. Full story...

For the first time in modern grand prix history, all the top teams will have the same driver line-ups in 2009 as they did this year.Ferrari, McLaren, BMW-Sauber and Toyota had already confirmed that they would be keeping their current names. Full story...

Toyota has begun production of its new five-passenger Versa exclusively for North America. The new crossover is made by Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky (TMMK). Full Story...

Toyota's return to the 24 Hours of Le Mans with a hybrid-powered prototype appears to be closer. Toyota, which last raced at Le Mans in 1999, admitted that it continues to develop its hybrid technology for racing. Full story...

Veteran Toyota sales executive Don Esmond will speak at the 33rd Automotive News World Congress in January in Detroit. Esmond, 64, is senior vice president for automotive operations at Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. Inc. Full Story...

The Toyota profit machine tumbled to a rare loss in North America. Toyota Motor Corp. now expects global operating profit to plunge 73.6 percent to ¥600.0 billion, or $5.83 billion in the fiscal year ending March 31. Full Story...

Toyota will restart Tundra production today, even though dealers aren't exactly clamoring to stock up on the full-sized pickup. With sales slumping, Toyota on Aug. 8 stopped building Tundras at San Antonio for three months. Full Story...

Toyota will launch its updated version of three models produced with PSA in the Czech Republic at the Bologna motor show on 4 December.

Indonesia's vehicle sales in October rose by 74% year-on-year according to data issued by Toyota Astra Motor.

More evidence that even the mighty Toyota is feeling the ill-effects of the global economic downturn has emerged with the news that it is trimming employment at its wholly-owned Kyushu operation that makes Lexus vehicles.