Toyota Tacoma helps stand up to your girlfriend, mimes, magicians and the Grim Reaper

It takes a lot to get a product noticed in today's fast-paced world, but one avenue that's always seemed to grab the eyeballs of consumers has been humor. Toyota knows this rule well, and has put together a quartet of spots called "Tacoma Wins," in which the midsize pickup's features and specifications best a number of seemingly worthy competitors.

Whether it be sobbing girlfriends, a circus magician, a grim reaper or the scariest thing of all, a mime, the Tacoma looks well equipped to deal with it. Take a look below for all four of Toyota's newest spots.

View the original article here

Toyota Tacoma helps stand up to your girlfriend, mimes, magicians and the Grim Reaper

It takes a lot to get a product noticed in today's fast-paced world, but one avenue that's always seemed to grab the eyeballs of consumers has been humor. Toyota knows this rule well, and has put together a quartet of spots called "Tacoma Wins," in which the midsize pickup's features and specifications best a number of seemingly worthy competitors.

Whether it be sobbing girlfriends, a circus magician, a grim reaper or the scariest thing of all, a mime, the Tacoma looks well equipped to deal with it. Take a look below for all four of Toyota's newest spots.

View the original article here

Judge: Massive Toyota Settlement Needs to Cook Longer

Home > Judge: Massive Toyota Settlement Needs to Cook Longer

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By Amanda BronstadContactAll Articles

The National Law Journal

June 17, 2013

Concerns about the allocation of possible excess cash appear to have held up for now the proposed $1.6 billion settlement between Toyota and consumers asserting economic damages tied to sudden acceleration defects.

This article requires free registration to Law.com. Please sign in or register to read the full text.

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Toyota Corolla Furia Concept First Look

Your browser, , is out of date and not supported by www.motortrend.com. It may not display all features of our site properly and could have potential security flaws. Please update your browser to the most upated version. Update Now SHOW FLOOR UPDATE: With a name like the Furia, even Toyota could resist from including a few playful puns during the press conference at the 2013 Detroit auto show. Toyota USA’s vice president and general manager, Bill Fay, described the Corolla Furia concept car as a “fury of energetic design elements.” This time around, however, this is purely an exterior design study. In fact, a peek inside the heavily tinted windows revealed an interior pulled from the current-gen model. Fay did mention that the Corolla will likely be developed and engineered by the folks in Japan since the compact is a global car. The Avalon, for example, was a completely American effort, from its design to production. View the original article here

Radical New Toyota Prius in the Pipeline

Your browser, , is out of date and not supported by www.motortrend.com. It may not display all features of our site properly and could have potential security flaws. Please update your browser to the most upated version. Update Now By Peter Lyon | Illustrations By Holiday Auto Magazine | November 05, 2012  |   It's been some 15 years since Toyota launched the first Prius with the tag line "Just in time for the 21st century." While it's commonplace now, back then, the Prius was at the cutting edge of the hybrid revolution. Toyota followed up with a parade of hybrids, expanding the use of its fuel-efficient tech to its luxury Lexus lineup as well as building a brand around the Prius. Q: Are you saying that the image of the Prius that Toyota originally wanted to build, and the one that is selling so well today, has lost direction?
A: I wouldn't say that. If the truth be known, Prius sales only really took off after we launched the second generation. If we check out the buyer breakdown back then, we saw lots of forward thinkers in the mix, like scholarly types, wealthy businessmen, and those with a strong creative edge. Today, however, the vast majority of customers [in Japan] for the current Prius are senior citizens looking for a reasonably priced car with class-leading fuel economy. Our job with the next Prius is to try to regain the interest of customers from our second-generation car. Q: So by employing an all-new THS system, you hope to bring those customers back to the showroom? Will you aim for huge sales again with the new Prius?
A: THS will be important, but big sales are not our main aim. We plan to focus buyer attention on the slightly smaller and cheaper Aqua, the model below the Prius [in Japan], while overseas, the next Prius will be crucial. In fact, our sales target is roughly the same as the current model. But like the first two Priuses, the next Prius will employ the most advanced technology we have, and while delivering class-leading economy, it will redefine the "hybrid" as we know it. Q: Tell us more.
A: The design will change significantly, the most radical of which will be the lowering of the hood and waistline. The hood height will drop in height by at least 90 mm [3.5 inches] and it will lose its characteristic wedge shape. The A-pillar will retreat backwards while the roof line will be pushed forward by around 500 mm [19.5 inches] with two aims: 1) to improve aerodynamics and 2) to improve the overall look. Q: And to achieve that effect, the THS unit must be downsized considerably.
A: Yes, that's right. But these significant revisions were made possible thanks to an all-new platform as well.

View the original article here

Toyota Corolla Furia Concept First Look

Your browser, , is out of date and not supported by www.motortrend.com. It may not display all features of our site properly and could have potential security flaws. Please update your browser to the most upated version. Update Now SHOW FLOOR UPDATE: With a name like the Furia, even Toyota could resist from including a few playful puns during the press conference at the 2013 Detroit auto show. Toyota USA’s vice president and general manager, Bill Fay, described the Corolla Furia concept car as a “fury of energetic design elements.” This time around, however, this is purely an exterior design study. In fact, a peek inside the heavily tinted windows revealed an interior pulled from the current-gen model. Fay did mention that the Corolla will likely be developed and engineered by the folks in Japan since the compact is a global car. The Avalon, for example, was a completely American effort, from its design to production. View the original article here

Radical New Toyota Prius in the Pipeline

Your browser, , is out of date and not supported by www.motortrend.com. It may not display all features of our site properly and could have potential security flaws. Please update your browser to the most upated version. Update Now By Peter Lyon | Illustrations By Holiday Auto Magazine | November 05, 2012  |   It's been some 15 years since Toyota launched the first Prius with the tag line "Just in time for the 21st century." While it's commonplace now, back then, the Prius was at the cutting edge of the hybrid revolution. Toyota followed up with a parade of hybrids, expanding the use of its fuel-efficient tech to its luxury Lexus lineup as well as building a brand around the Prius. Q: Are you saying that the image of the Prius that Toyota originally wanted to build, and the one that is selling so well today, has lost direction?
A: I wouldn't say that. If the truth be known, Prius sales only really took off after we launched the second generation. If we check out the buyer breakdown back then, we saw lots of forward thinkers in the mix, like scholarly types, wealthy businessmen, and those with a strong creative edge. Today, however, the vast majority of customers [in Japan] for the current Prius are senior citizens looking for a reasonably priced car with class-leading fuel economy. Our job with the next Prius is to try to regain the interest of customers from our second-generation car. Q: So by employing an all-new THS system, you hope to bring those customers back to the showroom? Will you aim for huge sales again with the new Prius?
A: THS will be important, but big sales are not our main aim. We plan to focus buyer attention on the slightly smaller and cheaper Aqua, the model below the Prius [in Japan], while overseas, the next Prius will be crucial. In fact, our sales target is roughly the same as the current model. But like the first two Priuses, the next Prius will employ the most advanced technology we have, and while delivering class-leading economy, it will redefine the "hybrid" as we know it. Q: Tell us more.
A: The design will change significantly, the most radical of which will be the lowering of the hood and waistline. The hood height will drop in height by at least 90 mm [3.5 inches] and it will lose its characteristic wedge shape. The A-pillar will retreat backwards while the roof line will be pushed forward by around 500 mm [19.5 inches] with two aims: 1) to improve aerodynamics and 2) to improve the overall look. Q: And to achieve that effect, the THS unit must be downsized considerably.
A: Yes, that's right. But these significant revisions were made possible thanks to an all-new platform as well.

View the original article here

Will Ford Fall? Toyota Surge? Protect Your Portfolio With This Tool

Do you own these stocks? Protect your Portfolio

Trade Idea: Long US Dollar/Japanese Yen (USD/JPY) with http://www.fxcm.com/

Why is Ford Motor Company falling, and why is Toyota Motor Corporation surging? We take a look at a key factor that may continue to haunt Ford’s stock price in 2013.

Ford’s stock price has fallen by as much as 10+ percent from recent multi-year peaks, but Toyota’s stock price has moved exactly in the opposite direction and trades over 20 percent higher through the same stretch.

Ford (F) Stock Has Declined While Toyota (TM) has Surged

The key disconnect doesn’t seem to be mere coincidence: it coincides with a substantial move in the US Dollar exchange rate versus the Japanese Yen.

The link between the US Dollar/Japanese Yen exchange rate and Ford stock has gone through several stages in recent years, and understanding the difference helps explain why the Yen is now relevant to Ford.

Stage One:The Financial Crisis was the Top Mover for Ford and the Yen

From the beginning of 2007 to the end of 2008, Ford stock’s price dropped by 64.2 percent and the US Dollar depreciated by 19.8 percent against its Japanese counterpart. The financial crisis has a particularly negative effect on any industries linked to the highly-indebted US consumer, and Ford stock fell sharply as a result. The Japanese Yen similarly benefited against the Greenback for comparable reasons.

Stage Two: Ford Stock Tumbles and US Dollar Falls Sharply versus Japanese Yen from 2007-2012

We then saw a significant reversal in Ford stock as the S&P 500 rebounded and the US economy recovered. All the while, controversial Quantitative Easing policies by the Federal Reserve meant that the US Dollar weakened against the highly interest rate-sensitive Japanese Yen.

Stage Three: US Dollar Strengthens versus Japanese Yen, and Ford’s Stock Price Falls

Ford stock moved higher alongside a resurgent S&P 500 as record-low interest rates fueled investments and boosted consumer spending. All the while, a resurgent US currency moved to fresh multi-year peaks against the Japanese Yen. Both Ford and the USDJPY moved consistently higher until the Yen broke the key ¥90 mark against the US Dollar.

Why was the break above ¥90 in the USDJPY significant?

Ford competes with auto manufacturers across the world, and impressive US Dollar strength against the Japanese Yen makes its cars more expensive in Japan. A cheaper Yen means that Japanese cars become less expensive in the US. The double-whammy is enough to boost the stock price of the Toyota Motor Corporation and simultaneously sink Ford stock.

According to Ford’s financial reporting for Q4, 2012, the pre-tax profit of Ford Motor in the Asia-Pacific segment fell to a paltry $39 million—its North American profits were nearly 50 times that amount.

But recent price action emphasizes that investors fear that further Japanese Yen depreciation (USDJPY gains) could cut into Ford’s profits as Japanese auto manufacturers gain traction.

Toyota’s stock is up over 20 percent year-to-date, while Ford is only up 2 percent.

How do we Protect Against the Key Risk to Ford Stock?

The way to protect against the exchange rate risk to Ford stock seems relatively simple: sell the Japanese Yen against the resurgent US Dollar. Using a currency trading platform, this is as simple as going long the USDJPY currency pair.

Past performance is not indicative of future results, but Ford stock saw an 11.4 percent decline in the same time that the USDJPY strengthened by 4.5 percent—implying that a 1 percent gain in the USDJPY could affect Ford by as much as 2.5 percent.

Ford’s stock may not follow the USDJPY on a tick-for-tick basis, but we do believe the Japanese Yen can have a significant impact on Ford and Toyota stock through the foreseeable future.

--- Written by David Rodriguez, Quantitative Strategist and Renee Mu, DailyFX Research Team

To receive the Speculative Sentiment Index and other reports from this author via e-mail, sign up to David’s e-mail distribution list via this link.

Contact David via

Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/DRodriguezFXFacebook at http://www.Facebook.com/DRodriguezFX

New to forex? Sign up for our DailyFX Forex Education Series

View the original article here

Will Ford Fall? Toyota Surge? Protect Your Portfolio With This Tool

Do you own these stocks? Protect your Portfolio

Trade Idea: Long US Dollar/Japanese Yen (USD/JPY) with http://www.fxcm.com/

Why is Ford Motor Company falling, and why is Toyota Motor Corporation surging? We take a look at a key factor that may continue to haunt Ford’s stock price in 2013.

Ford’s stock price has fallen by as much as 10+ percent from recent multi-year peaks, but Toyota’s stock price has moved exactly in the opposite direction and trades over 20 percent higher through the same stretch.

Ford (F) Stock Has Declined While Toyota (TM) has Surged

The key disconnect doesn’t seem to be mere coincidence: it coincides with a substantial move in the US Dollar exchange rate versus the Japanese Yen.

The link between the US Dollar/Japanese Yen exchange rate and Ford stock has gone through several stages in recent years, and understanding the difference helps explain why the Yen is now relevant to Ford.

Stage One:The Financial Crisis was the Top Mover for Ford and the Yen

From the beginning of 2007 to the end of 2008, Ford stock’s price dropped by 64.2 percent and the US Dollar depreciated by 19.8 percent against its Japanese counterpart. The financial crisis has a particularly negative effect on any industries linked to the highly-indebted US consumer, and Ford stock fell sharply as a result. The Japanese Yen similarly benefited against the Greenback for comparable reasons.

Stage Two: Ford Stock Tumbles and US Dollar Falls Sharply versus Japanese Yen from 2007-2012

We then saw a significant reversal in Ford stock as the S&P 500 rebounded and the US economy recovered. All the while, controversial Quantitative Easing policies by the Federal Reserve meant that the US Dollar weakened against the highly interest rate-sensitive Japanese Yen.

Stage Three: US Dollar Strengthens versus Japanese Yen, and Ford’s Stock Price Falls

Ford stock moved higher alongside a resurgent S&P 500 as record-low interest rates fueled investments and boosted consumer spending. All the while, a resurgent US currency moved to fresh multi-year peaks against the Japanese Yen. Both Ford and the USDJPY moved consistently higher until the Yen broke the key ¥90 mark against the US Dollar.

Why was the break above ¥90 in the USDJPY significant?

Ford competes with auto manufacturers across the world, and impressive US Dollar strength against the Japanese Yen makes its cars more expensive in Japan. A cheaper Yen means that Japanese cars become less expensive in the US. The double-whammy is enough to boost the stock price of the Toyota Motor Corporation and simultaneously sink Ford stock.

According to Ford’s financial reporting for Q4, 2012, the pre-tax profit of Ford Motor in the Asia-Pacific segment fell to a paltry $39 million—its North American profits were nearly 50 times that amount.

But recent price action emphasizes that investors fear that further Japanese Yen depreciation (USDJPY gains) could cut into Ford’s profits as Japanese auto manufacturers gain traction.

Toyota’s stock is up over 20 percent year-to-date, while Ford is only up 2 percent.

How do we Protect Against the Key Risk to Ford Stock?

The way to protect against the exchange rate risk to Ford stock seems relatively simple: sell the Japanese Yen against the resurgent US Dollar. Using a currency trading platform, this is as simple as going long the USDJPY currency pair.

Past performance is not indicative of future results, but Ford stock saw an 11.4 percent decline in the same time that the USDJPY strengthened by 4.5 percent—implying that a 1 percent gain in the USDJPY could affect Ford by as much as 2.5 percent.

Ford’s stock may not follow the USDJPY on a tick-for-tick basis, but we do believe the Japanese Yen can have a significant impact on Ford and Toyota stock through the foreseeable future.

--- Written by David Rodriguez, Quantitative Strategist and Renee Mu, DailyFX Research Team

To receive the Speculative Sentiment Index and other reports from this author via e-mail, sign up to David’s e-mail distribution list via this link.

Contact David via

Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/DRodriguezFXFacebook at http://www.Facebook.com/DRodriguezFX

New to forex? Sign up for our DailyFX Forex Education Series

View the original article here

Video: Toyota mini doc chronicles Tundra towing Space Shuttle Endeavor

Toyota has worked up a quick video detailing the brand's involvement in the transportation of the Space Shuttle Endeavour last year. As you may recollect, the California Science Center ran into a hitch when it came to moving Endeavour from LAX to its new home. While most of the route would be covered by a robotically controlled transporter, one portion of the route directed the shuttle over an interstate. Unfortunately, the bridge across wasn't designed to stand up to the weight of the shuttle and its motorized sled.

The Science Center would have to remove Endeavour from its transporter and place it on a lighter, non-motorized sled. That's where longtime Science Center sponsor Toyota came in. As it turns out, the automaker had to prove to the California Science Center that a Tundra could actually tow the massive shuttle, so engineers put on a little demonstration with a stock truck pulling the equivalent weight over flat ground for the same distance. Once the Science Center was satisfied that the Tundra could pull it off, the move was green lit and the rest is history. Check out the short documentary below for yourself.

View the original article here

Jesse Pinkman's 1984 Toyota Tercel from Breaking Bad for sale

The TV show Breaking Bad has broken out to become one of the small screen's best offerings in years. Don't worry if you haven't watched it yet; I'm only up to season 3 on Netflix, so the chances of me spoiling much for you are low.

What I do know from watching the show is that crappy cars play a key role, from Walter's jalopy of an Aztek to the car you see above, Jesse Pinkman's 1984 Toyota Tercel. Both cars are as run down as their owners and do nothing to hide the brutal weathering of some very bad years. Indeed, they deserve supporting actor credits, and soon you'll have the chance to park one of these four-wheeled thespians in your own driveway.

TMZ has learned that Jesse's Tercel will be sold by Mike Faris Auto Wholesale in Albuquerue, New Mexico. The car was reportedly leased from Faris by the show's production, and with production on the show now complete, it's been returned. Faris does tell TMZ, though, that he can't guarantee the car was ever onscreen, since producers apparently had more than one on-hand to work with. Also, part of the deal he made with Sony Pictures Television was that the car couldn't be sold until the last episode airs, which will happen sometime this summer.

For now, the Tercel is sitting on Faris' lot with the words "Jesse's Car As Seen On 'Breaking Bad' – Make Offer" written on its windshield. We'd bet our last bag of Blue Sky that it'll fetch a few more than its book value.

View the original article here