Category Archives: Toyota

Many of Australia’s top car sellers are collecting and sharing driver data, Choice investigation finds

Posted on by

Consumer group analysed carmakers’ privacy policies to determine the extent to which modern, more digital vehicles collect data

A Choice analysis of carmaker privacy policies has found some of the biggest car sellers in Australia collect and share a range of driver data, including in some cases video and biometric data, with third parties.

The consumer group analysed the privacy policies of Toyota, Ford, MG, Mazda, Kia, Hyundai, Tesla, Subaru, Isuzu and Mitsubishi to determine the extent that modern vehicles are collecting data on their customers, as vehicles become more and more digital.

Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email

Continue reading...

Honda and Nissan join forces on electric car technology to chase Chinese rivals

Posted on by

Deal between Japanese carmakers involves components and software amid race to catch up with Chinese EV firms

Honda and Nissan have put aside the “traditional approach” of fierce rivalry to join forces and work together on electric vehicle technology as Japan’s carmakers try to catch up with Chinese competitors.

The Japanese manufacturers will work together on technology for EVs, including components and software, after signing a memorandum of understanding on Friday.

Continue reading...

Toyota asks for Australia’s proposed vehicle emissions standard to be watered down

Posted on by

Australia’s biggest selling brand says it is broadly supportive but has asked for changes including revisiting the stringency and the timeframe

Toyota has asked the Albanese government to water down its proposed new laws aimed at disincentivising the purchase of the worst polluting cars and hastening the importation of cleaner vehicles.

Australia’s biggest selling brand – which makes popular models such as the HiLux and Landcruiser – has voiced concerns the scheme will harm rural and regional drivers.

Continue reading...

UAW launches push to organize at Tesla and other non-union car makers

Posted on by

Union drive will cover nearly 150,000 workers at factories largely in US south

Less than two weeks after ratifying new contracts with Detroit automakers, the United Auto Workers union announced plans on Wednesday to try to organize workers simultaneously at more than a dozen non-union auto factories.

The UAW says the drive will cover nearly 150,000 workers at factories largely in the south, where the union has had little success in recruiting new members.

Continue reading...

Toyota sales chief says EVs ‘impractical’ for Australian drivers as Tesla retaliates against ‘cynical’ attack

Posted on by

Sean Hanley says hybrid vehicles are ‘better fit’ in Australia but Electric Vehicle Council says brand’s comments could undermine lithium industry

Australia’s most popular car brand, Toyota, has launched a stinging attack on electric vehicles claiming they are not ready for our roads, not as green as they seem and remain “impractical for the vast majority of Australian motorists”.

But Australia’s most popular electric car brand and industry groups claim the argument is a “cynical” attack by a company “too slow off the mark” and at risk of losing the future automotive race.

Continue reading...

Toyota blames factory shutdown in Japan on ‘insufficient disk space’

Posted on by

‘Just in time’ production system minimises costs but technical glitch highlights risks

Toyota has blamed a recent shutdown of all of its factories in Japan on a system malfunction caused by “insufficient disk space”.

The Japanese carmaker said the stoppage on 29 August at all 14 of its domestic plants occurred after servers that process orders for vehicle parts broke down following a maintenance procedure carried out the previous day.

Continue reading...

Toyota accused of greenwashing in Greenpeace complaint filed to ACCC

Posted on by

Complaint focuses on claims about performance of vehicles and net zero by 2050 plans while company says it is committed to sustainable future

Greenpeace Australia Pacific has asked the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to investigate whether environmental claims by Toyota are misleading or deceptive.

The greenwashing complaint, filed Friday by the Environmental Defenders Office on behalf of Greenpeace, focuses on claims about the environmental performance of Toyota’s vehicles and its net zero ambitions.

Sign up for Guardian Australia’s free morning and afternoon email newsletters for your daily news roundup

Continue reading...

Toyota pauses Paralympics self-driving buses after one hits visually impaired athlete

Posted on by

Japan’s Aramitsu Kitazono was left with cuts and bruises after being hit by the e-Palette vehicle at the athletes’ village

Toyota has apologised for the “overconfidence” of a self-driving bus after it ran over a Paralympic judoka in the athletes’ village and said it would temporarily suspend the service.

The Japanese athlete, Aramitsu Kitazono, will be unable to compete in his 81kg category this weekend after being left with cuts and bruises following the impact with the “e-Palette” vehicle. His injuries prompted a personal intervention from the president of Toyota, Akio Toyoda.

Continue reading...

Car plant shutdowns may cost auto industry more than $100bn

Posted on by

Figure based on Covid-19 closures in Europe and North America lasting to end of April

The continued closure of car plants across Europe and North America will cost the auto industry more than $100bn (£82bn) in lost revenues if the shutdown lasts until the end of April.

All major European carmakers have suspended production because of disruption caused by the spread of the coronavirus and if this continues as expected until the end of April, this will account for $66bn (£54bn) in lost sales in Europe, or 2.6m cars. In North America this will account for 2m cars, and lost sales of about $52bn (£42bn).

Continue reading...

Theft of catalytic converters from hybrid cars surges

Posted on by

Toyota has seen a 2,000% rise in demand for parts for models that contain precious metals

An explosion in thefts of catalytic converters from hybrid cars has left hundreds of owners of the vehicles unable to drive them because of a shortage of replacement parts, the Guardian has learned.

Criminal gangs are believed to be targeting easily identifiable models such as the Toyota Prius and Lexus 400h, because hybrids contain more precious metals than other vehicles.

Continue reading...

NH Business Newsmakers: Franklin Savings promotes four

Posted on by
Gregory A. Tracy, 63, was pronounced dead after he sideswiped a Toyota Corolla in the southbound lanes, skidding off the road, and struck a dirt embankment around 4:50 p.m. Saturday, New Hampshire... The Manchester Monarchs couldn't sweep their weekend series against the Wheeling Nailers on Sunday afternoon, and fell, 4-2, at WesBanco Arena.

Elon Musk was right: It’s ‘super obvious’ hydrogen…

Posted on by
Tesla CEO Elon Musk speaks at unveiling of the Model 3, March 31, 2016, in Hawthorne, CA. CREDIT: AP/Justin Pritchard Back in 2015, Tesla CEO Elon Musk explained why hydrogen fuel cell vehicles "are extremely silly" and why " hydrogen is an incredibly dumb " alternative fuel compared to electricity .

‘Made in America’ Strategy Isn’t Enough to Shield Toyota From Trump

Posted on by
When Trump administration appointee Wilbur Ross sat for a hearing on his commerce secretary nomination, one name kept coming up: Toyota. A senator from Vice President Mike Pence's home state asked to be reassured trade reforms wouldn't compromise Indiana jobs.