Feb
24
Toyota’s First Operating Loss Since 1938 Spells Trouble for Japanese Economy
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Money Morning asked:
Joining a chorus of ailing U.S. automakers, Toyota Motor Co. (TM) yesterday (Monday) forecast its first operating loss in 71 years on plummeting demand and sharp appreciation of the Japanese yen. The announcement prompted Moody’s Investors Service to consider downgrading the company’s top-rated credit.
But the news may have bigger implications for Japan’s entire economy, as the country’s exports continue to take a beating from sagging worldwide demand for its products.
Japanese exports plunged 26.7% in November from a year ago. Shipments to the U.S. slid an unprecedented 34%, Japan’s Finance Ministry said. A strong yen, which makes Japanese goods more expensive, combined with deflated consumer spending, is hammering Japanese exporters.
Toyota will post a $1.7 billion (150 billion yen) loss in the year through March, it said in a statement, scrapping a previous forecast of a $6.6 billion. The last time Toyota posted an operating loss was in the year ended March 1938, spokesman Hideaki Homma told Bloomberg News.
The environment we’re in is extremely tough,” President Katsuaki Watanabe told reporters in Nagoya. “We’re facing an unprecedented emergency situation. Unfortunately, we can’t see the bottom.”
U.S. auto sales are down 16% this year, led by declines of 28% for Chrysler LLC, 22% for General Motors Corp. (GM) and 19% for Ford Motor Co. (F), Bloomberg News reported. The three U.S. automakers will close about 59 factories over the next month as they struggle to avoid bankruptcy.
It is difficult to envision any swift recovery from the present damage in the U.S., Toyota’s core market, and we anticipate increasing cuts in overseas local production,” wrote Barclays Capital (BCS) analyst Tsuyoshi Mochimaru in a research note on Dec. 19, according to MarketWatch.
Compounding the demand problem is a surging yen, which erodes overseas profits for Japanese exporters. The yen has gained 25% against the dollar this year.
But Toyota’s problems may just be the tip of the iceberg for Japan’s economy. The November export plunge was the biggest drop on record, as global demand for cars and electronics collapsed.
Earlier this month, Sony Corp. (ADR: SNE) announced it was cutting 8,000 jobs, or about 4% of its worldwide workforce. Sony recently blamed a 72% profit plunge in the third quarter partially on a resurgent yen. Electronics company Sanyo Electric Co. (OTC: SANYY), facing tough market conditions around the globe, agreed Friday to sell itself to rival Panasonic Corp. (PC).
“Japan’s economy has never weaned itself off of the overbearing reliance on exports, and especially to the U.S.,” said Kirby Daley, senior strategist and head of capital introductions at Newedge Group. “Japan did nothing to prepare itself” for the collapse in demand from abroad, he told Bloomberg News.
Like the U.S. Federal Reserve, The Bank of Japan has been hacking away at interest rates in an attempt to stanch the economic bleeding. Japan’s central bank lowered rates to 0.1% on Friday. But the rate cuts haven’t been enough to kickstart the Japanese economy, as the yen has remained stubbornly strong.
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Investment News
Mildred
Joining a chorus of ailing U.S. automakers, Toyota Motor Co. (TM) yesterday (Monday) forecast its first operating loss in 71 years on plummeting demand and sharp appreciation of the Japanese yen. The announcement prompted Moody’s Investors Service to consider downgrading the company’s top-rated credit.
But the news may have bigger implications for Japan’s entire economy, as the country’s exports continue to take a beating from sagging worldwide demand for its products.
Japanese exports plunged 26.7% in November from a year ago. Shipments to the U.S. slid an unprecedented 34%, Japan’s Finance Ministry said. A strong yen, which makes Japanese goods more expensive, combined with deflated consumer spending, is hammering Japanese exporters.
Toyota will post a $1.7 billion (150 billion yen) loss in the year through March, it said in a statement, scrapping a previous forecast of a $6.6 billion. The last time Toyota posted an operating loss was in the year ended March 1938, spokesman Hideaki Homma told Bloomberg News.
The environment we’re in is extremely tough,” President Katsuaki Watanabe told reporters in Nagoya. “We’re facing an unprecedented emergency situation. Unfortunately, we can’t see the bottom.”
U.S. auto sales are down 16% this year, led by declines of 28% for Chrysler LLC, 22% for General Motors Corp. (GM) and 19% for Ford Motor Co. (F), Bloomberg News reported. The three U.S. automakers will close about 59 factories over the next month as they struggle to avoid bankruptcy.
It is difficult to envision any swift recovery from the present damage in the U.S., Toyota’s core market, and we anticipate increasing cuts in overseas local production,” wrote Barclays Capital (BCS) analyst Tsuyoshi Mochimaru in a research note on Dec. 19, according to MarketWatch.
Compounding the demand problem is a surging yen, which erodes overseas profits for Japanese exporters. The yen has gained 25% against the dollar this year.
But Toyota’s problems may just be the tip of the iceberg for Japan’s economy. The November export plunge was the biggest drop on record, as global demand for cars and electronics collapsed.
Earlier this month, Sony Corp. (ADR: SNE) announced it was cutting 8,000 jobs, or about 4% of its worldwide workforce. Sony recently blamed a 72% profit plunge in the third quarter partially on a resurgent yen. Electronics company Sanyo Electric Co. (OTC: SANYY), facing tough market conditions around the globe, agreed Friday to sell itself to rival Panasonic Corp. (PC).
“Japan’s economy has never weaned itself off of the overbearing reliance on exports, and especially to the U.S.,” said Kirby Daley, senior strategist and head of capital introductions at Newedge Group. “Japan did nothing to prepare itself” for the collapse in demand from abroad, he told Bloomberg News.
Like the U.S. Federal Reserve, The Bank of Japan has been hacking away at interest rates in an attempt to stanch the economic bleeding. Japan’s central bank lowered rates to 0.1% on Friday. But the rate cuts haven’t been enough to kickstart the Japanese economy, as the yen has remained stubbornly strong.
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Investment News
Mildred
Feb
22
What engines will fit a 1995 Toyota 4runner to give me more horse power?
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surfsk8tedude asked:
I have a 1995 toyota 4runner. I blew the head gasket and for the price to replace the head gasket I found for a little more money I can put in a new engine. I know I’m going to need a new transmission to suit a different engine as well as a new rearend. What 3 liter engines are out there that would make a suitable swap and give me more horse power?
Brandon
I have a 1995 toyota 4runner. I blew the head gasket and for the price to replace the head gasket I found for a little more money I can put in a new engine. I know I’m going to need a new transmission to suit a different engine as well as a new rearend. What 3 liter engines are out there that would make a suitable swap and give me more horse power?
Brandon
Feb
21
Toyota Introduces All-new Tundra in Texas
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Mark Clarkson asked:
Toyota Motor Co. rolled out two prototypes of its latest Tundra pickup truck at the State Fair of Texas. Said Tundra models will be assembled in Toyota’s billion-dollar San Antonio plant.
“The State Fair is a true icon of Texas, which just happens to be the epicenter of the U.S. light truck market. It’s easy to illustrate just how important Texas is to us,” says Ernest Bastien, vice president of vehicle operations for Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. “If you need more proof of how important Texas is to Toyota, all you have to do is take a look in San Antonio at our new truck plant there.”
“We think both of these trucks will have special appeal with true truckers, including a variety of hard-working commercial and ranch users,” Bastien added. “We decided the new Tundra needed to be a truck built exclusively for the customer, not a truck that simply benchmarked the full-size competition. When you add in the investments being made by Gulf States Toyota and our dealers, we are bringing nearly $2 billion worth of new facilities into the economy of Texas.”
Tundra, a full-size pickup truck which replaced the T100, is made larger than its predecessors. This is done to respond better to the truckers needs. 2007 Tundra was introduced at the recently concluded Chicago Auto Show. Power Toyota Tundra body parts include the eight-foot bed and a 165-inch wheelbase. Engine options include a 4.0 L V6, 4.7 L V8, and 5.7 L V8.
Toyota constructed its new plant in San Antonio in order to significant Tundra pickup trucks. It was said that the construction of said plant amounted to an investment worth $850 million. Said plant will also generate a total of 2,000 new jobs. Fortunately, the investment flourishes up to more than $1 billion. It has also accommodated a total of 4,100 new jobs.
“The plant is impressive. Huge coils of steel roll into one end of the plant, and finished pickup trucks roll out the other. Inside, there are some of the largest pieces of manufacturing equipment in the state,” says Toby Hynes, president of Gulf States Toyota.
Dorothy
Toyota Motor Co. rolled out two prototypes of its latest Tundra pickup truck at the State Fair of Texas. Said Tundra models will be assembled in Toyota’s billion-dollar San Antonio plant.
“The State Fair is a true icon of Texas, which just happens to be the epicenter of the U.S. light truck market. It’s easy to illustrate just how important Texas is to us,” says Ernest Bastien, vice president of vehicle operations for Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. “If you need more proof of how important Texas is to Toyota, all you have to do is take a look in San Antonio at our new truck plant there.”
“We think both of these trucks will have special appeal with true truckers, including a variety of hard-working commercial and ranch users,” Bastien added. “We decided the new Tundra needed to be a truck built exclusively for the customer, not a truck that simply benchmarked the full-size competition. When you add in the investments being made by Gulf States Toyota and our dealers, we are bringing nearly $2 billion worth of new facilities into the economy of Texas.”
Tundra, a full-size pickup truck which replaced the T100, is made larger than its predecessors. This is done to respond better to the truckers needs. 2007 Tundra was introduced at the recently concluded Chicago Auto Show. Power Toyota Tundra body parts include the eight-foot bed and a 165-inch wheelbase. Engine options include a 4.0 L V6, 4.7 L V8, and 5.7 L V8.
Toyota constructed its new plant in San Antonio in order to significant Tundra pickup trucks. It was said that the construction of said plant amounted to an investment worth $850 million. Said plant will also generate a total of 2,000 new jobs. Fortunately, the investment flourishes up to more than $1 billion. It has also accommodated a total of 4,100 new jobs.
“The plant is impressive. Huge coils of steel roll into one end of the plant, and finished pickup trucks roll out the other. Inside, there are some of the largest pieces of manufacturing equipment in the state,” says Toby Hynes, president of Gulf States Toyota.
Dorothy
Feb
14
Cooling Things Down With the Toyota Radiator
Filed Under toyota | Comments Off
Kimberly Baker asked:
Tagging Toyota as a reliable car manufacturer would be an understatement. A total performer would be an apt moniker. It has been tried and proven through generations of cars, SUV’s, mini-vans and trucks of various lines and models that have stood as strong testaments of Toyota’s unwavering passion of providing nothing but utmost driver and passenger satisfaction.
Toyota Motor Corporation started out as a division of the market-leading weaving machinery manufacturer Toyoda Automatic Loom in 1933. It achieved its sole operations in 1937 after successfully introducing two passenger car models and a truck model. However, Toyota only began producing cars commercially after the 2nd World War. Improvements followed afterwards as the Toyota Production System was established. As soon as the pillars had been established, innovations followed suit and a truly unique Toyota craftsmanship has been mastered. In result, top-of-the-class, high-quality vehicles were precision-engineered ever since. As there was a clamor for more vehicles, Toyota started localing their production. The move built an amicable relationship with the dealership and the employees, as well. To give back to the public, the auto giant started to conduct community activities form educational sponsorship to cultural programs.
Credit these accomplishments to the rousing performance of its parts and accessories that are are tough built, precision-engineered and scientifically-tested to meet and exceed the demands of the industry. The ignition system, brake assembly, clutch kit, drive train plus the equally important lighting system perform their respective function, upping the vehicle’s specs performance. While another component that plays a pivotal role is the cooling system, which maintains engine temperature while burning the power-inducing air-fuel mixture during combustion. This is done so by transferring heat to the air.
Comprising the cooling system are the water pump, automotive fan, thermostat, transmission cooling lines and the radiator hose. While the catalyst of them all is the Toyota Radiator. Tucked behind the grill of the Toyota, the car radiator does away hot water circulating along the veins of the cooling system. It enters through the premises of the top tank in the radiator and it is then filtered down and cooled through the Toyota Radiator fins. And then it goes back to the engine courtesy of the hose and the water pump. It also has the ability to hold large quantities of water through the radiator’s tubes or passages, which is designed to provide a large area in contact with the atmosphere. As the water is mixed with anti-freeze or coolant, it then goes through the engine. Outside the vehicle is the cool air passing through the grill, and it then cools the water returning to the engine.
With the Toyota Radiators running through rugged terrains and treading to long miles, it is inevitable that it may be worn out, or worse, deteriorate. Overheating caused by coolant may be prevented by tracing the source of leak. Better inspect the hoses, heater core, water pump, thermostat, plugs, gaskets or even the Toyota Radiator itself. Regular check-ups and maintenance is highly advisable to prevent such a scenario. If worse comes to worst, replacement is opted as auto parts dealerships and online auto parts sites are available to cater to these kinds of needs. What’s more is that there is an available Toyota Radiator for every year or model coupled with corresponding details and other specifications to thoroughly guide buyers regarding the product. Transacting through cyberspace would be more convenient, as secure and fast purchase is ensured in a jiffy.
Lisa
Tagging Toyota as a reliable car manufacturer would be an understatement. A total performer would be an apt moniker. It has been tried and proven through generations of cars, SUV’s, mini-vans and trucks of various lines and models that have stood as strong testaments of Toyota’s unwavering passion of providing nothing but utmost driver and passenger satisfaction.
Toyota Motor Corporation started out as a division of the market-leading weaving machinery manufacturer Toyoda Automatic Loom in 1933. It achieved its sole operations in 1937 after successfully introducing two passenger car models and a truck model. However, Toyota only began producing cars commercially after the 2nd World War. Improvements followed afterwards as the Toyota Production System was established. As soon as the pillars had been established, innovations followed suit and a truly unique Toyota craftsmanship has been mastered. In result, top-of-the-class, high-quality vehicles were precision-engineered ever since. As there was a clamor for more vehicles, Toyota started localing their production. The move built an amicable relationship with the dealership and the employees, as well. To give back to the public, the auto giant started to conduct community activities form educational sponsorship to cultural programs.
Credit these accomplishments to the rousing performance of its parts and accessories that are are tough built, precision-engineered and scientifically-tested to meet and exceed the demands of the industry. The ignition system, brake assembly, clutch kit, drive train plus the equally important lighting system perform their respective function, upping the vehicle’s specs performance. While another component that plays a pivotal role is the cooling system, which maintains engine temperature while burning the power-inducing air-fuel mixture during combustion. This is done so by transferring heat to the air.
Comprising the cooling system are the water pump, automotive fan, thermostat, transmission cooling lines and the radiator hose. While the catalyst of them all is the Toyota Radiator. Tucked behind the grill of the Toyota, the car radiator does away hot water circulating along the veins of the cooling system. It enters through the premises of the top tank in the radiator and it is then filtered down and cooled through the Toyota Radiator fins. And then it goes back to the engine courtesy of the hose and the water pump. It also has the ability to hold large quantities of water through the radiator’s tubes or passages, which is designed to provide a large area in contact with the atmosphere. As the water is mixed with anti-freeze or coolant, it then goes through the engine. Outside the vehicle is the cool air passing through the grill, and it then cools the water returning to the engine.
With the Toyota Radiators running through rugged terrains and treading to long miles, it is inevitable that it may be worn out, or worse, deteriorate. Overheating caused by coolant may be prevented by tracing the source of leak. Better inspect the hoses, heater core, water pump, thermostat, plugs, gaskets or even the Toyota Radiator itself. Regular check-ups and maintenance is highly advisable to prevent such a scenario. If worse comes to worst, replacement is opted as auto parts dealerships and online auto parts sites are available to cater to these kinds of needs. What’s more is that there is an available Toyota Radiator for every year or model coupled with corresponding details and other specifications to thoroughly guide buyers regarding the product. Transacting through cyberspace would be more convenient, as secure and fast purchase is ensured in a jiffy.
Lisa
Feb
13
marcos asked:
I have talked with him over 6 yrs., ago. I would like to talk with him, again, in regards to installing a hand control kit to make some of the Toyota’s and Lexus models accessiblle for handicap drivers.
Nancy
I have talked with him over 6 yrs., ago. I would like to talk with him, again, in regards to installing a hand control kit to make some of the Toyota’s and Lexus models accessiblle for handicap drivers.
Nancy
Feb
7
classy48292 asked:
I need to know how to replace a fuel pump on a 1987 toyota motorhome and where it is located.
Jeffery
I need to know how to replace a fuel pump on a 1987 toyota motorhome and where it is located.
Jeffery
Feb
5
Yahoo! User asked:
I have to choose between these two cars and i dont know which, the toyota 4 runner is a 1997, 4 cylinders and has 4 doors,. The honda civic is a 1999, 4 cylinder, and has 4 doors . Price isnt a factor here.
Melinda
I have to choose between these two cars and i dont know which, the toyota 4 runner is a 1997, 4 cylinders and has 4 doors,. The honda civic is a 1999, 4 cylinder, and has 4 doors . Price isnt a factor here.
Melinda
Feb
2
In an Unusual Move, Toyota Offers Big Incentives to New Car Buyers
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Matthew C. Keegan asked:
When it comes to automakers and incentives, names such as Ford, Chrysler, General Motors, Hyundai, Mitsubishi, and Volkswagen are frequently mentioned, car companies who typically need some help moving their many different models. Honda and Toyota are at the opposite side of the spectrum, offering few if any discounts or financing incentives to clear inventory. Until now.
In a break with past practice, Toyota is now offering financing incentives on eleven different models, vehicles which all sport the Toyota badge. Not included in the mix were the company’s Scion and Lexus models, at least for now. Also absent from the offer were a pair of hot sellers: the subcompact Yaris and the hybrid Prius.
The financing incentives being offered by Toyota is for loan terms ranging from 36 to 60 months with zero percent interest. The Toyota models qualifying for this offer are: Matrix, Corolla, Camry, RAV4, Highlander, FJ Cruiser, 4Runner, Sequoia, Sienna, Tacoma and Tundra. Put into place earlier this month, the financing deal runs through November 3rd.
“Not only do we have the inventory of today’s sought after fuel-efficient models, but we have the capacity through Toyota Financial Services to finance or lease them,” said Toyota Division General Manager Bob Carter.
And, it is the financial arm of the automaker that is being tapped to provide the deal to Toyota customers. As other automakers struggle to hold onto market share and provide the funds necessary to hold loans or offer leases, Toyota Financial finds itself sitting on a heap of cash, ready to step in to make this unprecedented offer.
Toyota isn’t alone feeling the frigid breeze of a sales slump. Across the board average sales slumped by 26.6% in September 2008 over the same period a year earlier, with most manufacturers experiencing a double digit sales decline year to date. Just recently, GM ended its “employee pricing” initiative, but has replaced it with cash back and/or zero percent financing on a number of its own models too.
Chrysler recently raised prices for 2009 models, but discounts on most vehicles will cancel out those gains. Ford, Volkswagen, Suzuki, Mazda, Kia, and Nissan have each been offering incentives lately, offers which will only continue to grow as the year comes to a close.
So, although the Toyota move is certainly an unusual one, business certainly isn’t necessitating strong action on the part of the world’s top volume automaker.
David
When it comes to automakers and incentives, names such as Ford, Chrysler, General Motors, Hyundai, Mitsubishi, and Volkswagen are frequently mentioned, car companies who typically need some help moving their many different models. Honda and Toyota are at the opposite side of the spectrum, offering few if any discounts or financing incentives to clear inventory. Until now.
In a break with past practice, Toyota is now offering financing incentives on eleven different models, vehicles which all sport the Toyota badge. Not included in the mix were the company’s Scion and Lexus models, at least for now. Also absent from the offer were a pair of hot sellers: the subcompact Yaris and the hybrid Prius.
The financing incentives being offered by Toyota is for loan terms ranging from 36 to 60 months with zero percent interest. The Toyota models qualifying for this offer are: Matrix, Corolla, Camry, RAV4, Highlander, FJ Cruiser, 4Runner, Sequoia, Sienna, Tacoma and Tundra. Put into place earlier this month, the financing deal runs through November 3rd.
“Not only do we have the inventory of today’s sought after fuel-efficient models, but we have the capacity through Toyota Financial Services to finance or lease them,” said Toyota Division General Manager Bob Carter.
And, it is the financial arm of the automaker that is being tapped to provide the deal to Toyota customers. As other automakers struggle to hold onto market share and provide the funds necessary to hold loans or offer leases, Toyota Financial finds itself sitting on a heap of cash, ready to step in to make this unprecedented offer.
Toyota isn’t alone feeling the frigid breeze of a sales slump. Across the board average sales slumped by 26.6% in September 2008 over the same period a year earlier, with most manufacturers experiencing a double digit sales decline year to date. Just recently, GM ended its “employee pricing” initiative, but has replaced it with cash back and/or zero percent financing on a number of its own models too.
Chrysler recently raised prices for 2009 models, but discounts on most vehicles will cancel out those gains. Ford, Volkswagen, Suzuki, Mazda, Kia, and Nissan have each been offering incentives lately, offers which will only continue to grow as the year comes to a close.
So, although the Toyota move is certainly an unusual one, business certainly isn’t necessitating strong action on the part of the world’s top volume automaker.
David
