Tag Archives: Japan

Toyota’s Akio Toyota Chosen 2021 World Car Person of the Year

Toyoda

Selected 2021 World Car Awards Person of the Year was Akio Toyoda, Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) president and CEO.

Toyoda

“Akio Toyoda is the charismatic President and CEO of Toyota Motor Corporation. He has spent years successfully remaking his company. In 2020 despite COVID-19, under his leadership Toyota remained profitable, protecting jobs worldwide. He has maintained Toyota’s steady pace of development in the connected, autonomous, shared and electric (CASE) era. He has also initiated construction of the Woven City, an exciting, real-life prototype city of the future. All while actively participating in motorsports himself, as a driver,” said the World Car Awards in a statement.

Toyoda said, “At Toyota, we are very fortunate that we were able to protect the employment of our team members during COVID-19 and continue our work to meet the future challenge of our industry. Creating new ways to support the well-being of our planet and people everywhere is our commitment. This has been a difficult period in the history of the world. But it has also reminded us that people are what matters most. And if we at Toyota can contribute some measure of happiness to their lives, it will be my never-ending goal to do just that.”

Toyoda

Toyota joined the company in 1984, after graduating with a law degree from Keio University. He also received a masters in business administration from Wellesley, Massachusetts’ Babson College. Toyoda served in different areas of the business in Japan and overseas, before becoming a member of the TMC board of directors in 2000. He held other senior and executive vice-presidential roles until becoming TMC president in 2009.

Toyoda The World Car Person of the Year award was established in 2018 to acknowledge the contributions made by an individual in the auto industry during the previous year. The World Car Awards program hands out six awards annually, which they started doing in 2003. A group of more than 90 journalists, none of whom are a part of TheTruthAboutCars.com, made the selection.

[Images: Toyota, Babson College]

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Ford Bagged Again by NHTSA

airbag

In a fight with NHTSA regulators, Ford came out on the short end again, as more Takata airbags were at issue. This time, it will cost the automaker $610 million, of which they will have to carry the cost in its entirety.

air bag

Takata, the Japanese company whose name is now synonymous with airbag failures and bankruptcy, was at the center of the largest recall in automotive history. That a single supplier was able to put their airbag on so many different vehicles around the world says volumes for globalization and the cost-cutting measures that would lead OEMs to Takata. According to a CNN.com story, Takata airbag recalls began in 2014, and prior to this week’s announcement, had reached 67 million airbags in more than 40 million vehicles in the U.S. alone.

Previously in Japan, leaders of companies like Takata would publicly declare their guilt, ask all who were affected for their forgiveness, and to clear the names of their families, would commit seppuku. If that term is unfamiliar, it’s also known as hari-kiri, to publicly disembowel yourself to rid yourself and your family of shame. Sadly, to the best of my knowledge, none of the corporate heads of Takata had the decency to observe this tradition, and it should continue to hang over the heads of not only Takata’s directors but their families, too (Ed. note — this is a joke and meant to be taken as such). Three Takata executives, Shinichi Tanaka, Hideo Nakajima, and Tsuneo Chikaraishi, were indicted by a grand jury in Japan. All three had worked for Takata in the U.S. and Japan until around 2015 when it was first noted that there were problems with their airbags.

Ford argued unsuccessfully that the Takata airbags used in the models and years affected by this recall are different than those involved in the previous recalls. NHTSA safety regulators said they still pose a risk and rejected Ford’s assertion. Models covered by the recall include the 2007-11 Ford Ranger, the 2006-12 Fusion, the 2007-10 Edge, the 2006-12 Lincoln Zephyr, and the 2007-10 MKX. You will receive a notification if your vehicle is included in the recall, you can enter the VIN number on Ford’s website, or check with your local Ford dealer. Ford will repair the airbags free of charge, and your local dealer may provide a loaner car if you ask nicely.

[Images: Ford]

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Toyota’s 2021 GR Supra Sport Top Unveiled

GR Supra

Toyota’s 2021 GR Supra Sport Top unveiling, a part of their SEMA custom vehicle builds, ensures that Toyota’s performance concepts continue to catch the attention of fans of the brand, along with the automotive aftermarket.

Toyota‘s two-wave release plan began with four builds revealed in its SEMA360 Showcase in November. SEMA360 was the Specialty Equipment Market Association’s (SEMA) online virtual trade show, a means of connecting the automotive aftermarket industry during the pandemic, which made the traditional SEMA trade show held each year in Las Vegas impossible.

“Wave one whetted Toyota fans’ appetite with four creations – a bold, hand-painted GR Supra, two GR Supra drift cars, and an overland-ready Tacoma pickup,” said Ed Laukes, group vice president – Toyota Division Marketing. “But we saved the best for last, and we’re proud to show off our latest creation, the 2021 GR Supra Sport Top, with some additional content.”

GR Supra

The new 2021 GR Supra Sport Top concept is a follow up to the 2020 GR Supra Heritage Edition that debuted at Toyota’s 2019 SEMA Show display, exciting Supra fans with its visual and performance upgrades that harkened back to the Mark IV Supra of the late ‘90s.

GR SupraInspired by the response to last year’s GR Supra Heritage Edition, Toyota decided to build a companion. Removing part of the GR Supra’s structure and the roof to create a tribute to removable-top Supras of the past, the team had to reinforce the frame’s structural rigidity. The now-removable roof is comprised of two composite panels that can be stored in the trunk. However, unlike a T-top car, there’s no center bar. As a sibling to the GR Supra Heritage Edition, the Sport Top delivers styling cues like the Mark IV-inspired wing and round taillights.  At the same time, it has a profile all its own.

GR Supra

Making an encore appearance as an inspiration for this year’s GR Supra Sport Top, the 2020 GR Supra Heritage Edition returns in time for the second wave of content. The 500-plus horsepower sports car is painted in Re-Entry Red, with retro-inspired custom headlights, taillights, and a Mark IV-style rear wing. Upgrades such as bigger brakes, tuned engine, turbocharger, and ECU, and its custom front and rear suspension ensure its performance equals that of its appearance.

It’s good to see that at Toyota going places fast still counts.

[Images: Toyota]

Jeep Easing Electrification Into Japanese Market, World to Follow

<img data-attachment-id=”1739330″ data-permalink=”https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2020/10/jeep-easing-electrification-into-japanese-market-world-to-follow/2019_11_14_6028_wallbox_new4-1/” data-orig-file=”https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/2019_11_14_6028_Wallbox_new4-1.jpg” data-orig-size=”1920,1280″ data-comments-opened=”1″ data-image-meta=”{“aperture”:”14″,”credit”:””,”camera”:”Canon EOS 5DS R”,”caption”:””,”created_timestamp”:”1573744368″,”copyright”:””,”focal_length”:”115″,”iso”:”100″,”shutter_speed”:”1.3″,”title”:””,”orientation”:”1″}” data-image-title=”Jeep Renegade 4xe” data-image-description=”

Jeep/FCA

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One of the main reasons Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is partnering with PSA Group is to help soften the financial blows of battery development, we literally just talked about it. But the French automaker has its own reasons for wanting to get into bed with the FCA, namely its rather diverse list of subsidiaries — with Jeep occupying spot número uno.

Despite being offensively American to some, Jeep is the sixth most-popular nameplate in the United States. It also happens to be world-renowned as an off-road brand and had made strong inroads in places you’d never expect. This has forced the brand to rethink its global appeal, requiring Fiat Chrysler to issue some market-specific models like China’s Jeep Commander PHEV and the Renegade 4xe — the latter of which is already sold in Europe and slated to launch this November in Japan. But these models are only the tip of the iceberg as FCA intends on meeting ever-tightening emissions regulations in major markets that aren’t the United States.

Purists will undoubtedly cry foul here. For many, if it isn’t powered entirely by combustible fuels and body-on-frame then it’s an abomination unworthy of the Jeep name. But these people are increasingly finding themselves edged out of the conversation as aggressive mandates in China and Europe leave the company with fewer options. As a positive, these changes are assumed to help improve the brand’s global volume — especially in Japan where Jeep is already the best-selling American brand.

<img data-attachment-id=”1739326″ data-permalink=”https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2020/10/jeep-easing-electrification-into-japanese-market-world-to-follow/jeep__4xe-17/” data-orig-file=”https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Jeep__4xe-17-e1603743965756.jpg” data-orig-size=”3184,2123″ data-comments-opened=”1″ data-image-meta=”{“aperture”:”10″,”credit”:”Ph.Alberto Giorgio Alquati”,”camera”:”Canon EOS-1D X”,”caption”:””,”created_timestamp”:”1593507777″,”copyright”:””,”focal_length”:”95″,”iso”:”200″,”shutter_speed”:”0.016666666666667″,”title”:””,”orientation”:”1″}” data-image-title=”Jeep Renegade 4xe” data-image-description=”

Jeep/FCA

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While positively dwarfed by the sales enjoyed by practically every Japanese brand selling domestically, Jeep still saw 13,360 deliveries in the Land of the Rising Sun in 2019 — placing it right between Volvo and Peugeot. With help from the Renegade 4xe, Fiat Chrysler thinks it can improve those numbers for 2021. According to Automotive News, the automaker expects to sell roughly 4,000 Renegades in Japan next year to that end. Around 10 and 20 percent of those are presumed to be of the hybrid persuasion.

From AN:

That overall volume may not sound overwhelming compared with North American Jeep sales, but the hybrid Jeep’s arrival taps into growing Japanese interest in both the brand and electrified vehicles in general, especially hybrids.

“We understand we need to be present with electrified vehicles,” FCA Japan CEO Pontus Häggström said. “Japanese consumers are keen on technology. This is the latest technology the group has.”

Jeep intends on electrifying every single model in its lineup by 2022, specifically so it can continue doing business around the globe. Barring some regulatory changes in the United States, plenty probably won’t be targeting North American customers. But they’ll be handy in other markets where the average engine size is much lower. Jeep’s even going to hybridize the Wrangler (which will be sold in the U.S.) and promised it wouldn’t lose a single shed of its off-road prowess.

<img data-attachment-id=”1739328″ data-permalink=”https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2020/10/jeep-easing-electrification-into-japanese-market-world-to-follow/jeep-renegade-th_4xe-65/” data-orig-file=”https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Jeep-Renegade-TH_4xe-65-e1603743978526.jpg” data-orig-size=”3184,2123″ data-comments-opened=”1″ data-image-meta=”{“aperture”:”7.1″,”credit”:”Ph.Alberto Giorgio Alquati”,”camera”:”Canon EOS-1D X”,”caption”:””,”created_timestamp”:”1593514797″,”copyright”:””,”focal_length”:”300″,”iso”:”160″,”shutter_speed”:”0.0015625″,”title”:””,”orientation”:”1″}” data-image-title=”Jeep Renegade 4xe” data-image-description=”

Jeep/FCA

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In the case of the Renegade 4xe, Fiat Chrysler ditched the standard powerplant for a 1.3-liter gas burner (front axle) and a 60-horsepower electric motor (rear axle) mated to an 11.4 kWh battery. Jeep even has a Trailhawk version of the hybrid that positively trumps the old 2.4-liter Tigershark’s maximum output with combined (electric/ICE) 238 hp and 199 lb-ft of torque.

That’s not too shabby and will undoubtedly make it an appetizing alternative to something like the Suzuki Jimny, which may soon have the non-electric, mini-SUV off-roading world all to itself. Though it was recently removed from the European market after its positively tiny motor failed to meet emission regulations for 2021. Suzuki has gotten around this by selling the tiny 4×4 as a “light commercial vehicle” while it attempts to figure out a more permanent solution. But if that doesn’t illustrate exactly why Jeep is so sprung on hybridization, nothing does.

<img data-attachment-id=”1739324″ data-permalink=”https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2020/10/jeep-easing-electrification-into-japanese-market-world-to-follow/jee_4xe_01/” data-orig-file=”https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Jee_4xe_01-e1603743944116.jpg” data-orig-size=”3719,2303″ data-comments-opened=”1″ data-image-meta=”{“aperture”:”13″,”credit”:””,”camera”:”Canon EOS 5D Mark III”,”caption”:””,”created_timestamp”:”1595493298″,”copyright”:””,”focal_length”:”35″,”iso”:”160″,”shutter_speed”:”0.008″,”title”:””,”orientation”:”1″}” data-image-title=”Jeep 4xe family” data-image-description=”

Jeep/FCA

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[Images: FCA]