World's Oldest Running Car Fetches a Record $4.62 Million

An 1884 De Dion Bouton et Trepardoux Dos-a-Dos Steam Runabout, the world's oldest running motorcar, sold for $4.62 million at RM Auctions' Hershey sale, more than doubling its original pre-sale estimate. It represents a world record for an early motorcar sold at auction.
http://www.insideline.com:80/car-news/worlds-oldest-running-car-fetches-a-record-462-million.html

Thailand flooding halts Honda and Toyota auto production

Filed under: Japan, Plants/Manufacturing, Honda, Toyota

Japanese automakers are having a rough year coping with Mother Nature. First it was earthquakes in Japan, and now flooding in Thailand. Since late July, typhoons in Southeast Asia have caused billions of dollars of damage, and now production at three Toyota plants and one Honda facility has been halted, according to the Associated Press.

While Toyota's plants in eastern Thailand haven't been directly affected by the weather, the inability of suppliers to deliver parts has caused the shutdowns there. Honda's plant in Ayutthaya, north of Bangkok, isn't so lucky. Offline since October 4, and flooded since October 8, Honda officials can't even assess the damage because the plant remains inaccessible.

The four factories produced over 800,000 vehicles last year. This included 630,000 Toyotas and 170,000 Hondas, representing roughly eight and five percent of each automaker's respective global volume. Among the vehicles produced in Thailand are the Toyota Corolla and Camry and the Honda Civic and Accord, but none of the Thai plants produce vehicles for the North American market.

Thailand flooding halts Honda and Toyota auto production originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 13 Oct 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/13/thailand-flooding-halts-honda-and-toyota-auto-production/

Toyota Launches 2012 Tacoma TRD T|X Baja Series

The updated 2012 Toyota Tacoma compact truck adds a new TRD T|X Baja Series next spring.
http://www.insideline.com:80/toyota/tacoma/2012/toyota-launches-2012-tacoma-trd-tx-baja-series.html

Toyota urges suppliers to slash prices or be left behind

Filed under: Government/Legal, Japan, Honda, Nissan, Toyota, Earnings/Financials

For years, Detroit automakers would argue that the Japanese yen was artificially devalued, and that the value of the currency was a big competitive advantage to the likes of Toyota and Honda. To erase this gap, The Detroit Three pressured suppliers to lower costs in any way possible, which caused ill-will within their supply bases. In fact, Japanese automakers routinely scored higher in supplier relation studies, while General Motors, Ford and Chrysler hovered at the bottom of the list.

One massive global recession and a fast-rising yen later, it appears that the shoe is on the other foot. Automotive News reports that Toyota has made it clear to its 219 largest domestic suppliers that costs must be cut or business will be lost to countries with cheaper labor.

Toyota reportedly loses $343 million in profit for every one yen the currency rises against the dollar. Given that the Japanese currency has risen by 13 versus the dollar over the past year, Toyota could be looking at a staggering $4.5 billion in losses. For perspective, that's more than half of Toyota's total research and development spending for any given year. Ouch.

And Toyota isn't alone in looking for ways to combat the rising yen. Honda recently announced that it was going to build more vehicles outside of Japan. Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn recently asked the Japanese government to adjust the issue of the rising yen, or risk losing a great deal of the country's industrial base.

Given its currency conundrum, we can't blame Toyota for looking for more cost-effective ways to build vehicles. But when GM, Ford and Chrysler were in the same predicament, corners were cut and many vehicles were less competitive than they could and should have been. As a result, The Detroit Three had to add heavy incentives just to move product and their reputations suffered. Here's hoping history doesn't repeat itself.

Toyota urges suppliers to slash prices or be left behind originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 Oct 2011 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/10/toyota-urges-suppliers-to-slash-prices-or-be-left-behind/

Hudson Toyota Oct New Owner Event

Hudson Toyota Oct New Owner Event - Tuesday, Oct.11 at 5:30 pm in the service drive area. Free refreshments, door prizes & FUN!  Calling all New Toyota Owners.  You are invited to Hudson Toyota to meet our award winning parts & service staff to review maintenance schedules, learn gas saving tips & more.

You are Invited to our…

NEW OWNER

CELEBRATION EVENT

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

5:30 - 6:30 PM

At Hudson Toyota Chrysler Dodge Jeep

Service Drive Area

Complimentary Refreshments and Door Prizes!

 

Welcome to the Hudson Automotive Family… It’s Time to Celebrate!

 

You are invited to join us for a very special event created just for new Toyota, Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep owners.  Our award winning Service Manager, Chris Townsend will review your vehicle’s features, maintenance needs and warranty coverage, while you enjoy refreshments, prizes, and answers to all your questions about your vehicle.  Rumor has it we may even have a live demonstration back in our shop area!  But I don’t want to give away too many secrets just yet.  This may all sound like fun, but we take maintaining your vehicle for safety and performance very seriously.

We are committed to providing you the best ownership experience possible. 

At this event you will learn how to:

• Optimize your fuel economy
• Protect your investment through proper maintenance
• Make the most of your vehicles technology and safety features
• Maximize the dependability of your new vehicle with the assistance of factory-trained technicians

 

Special Offer for Event Attendees - 15% Accessory Discount

Toyota to move production of Korean-market Camry to America?

Filed under: Sedan, Japan, Plants/Manufacturing, Toyota, South Korea

Toyota is considering moving production of the company's Korean-market Camry to the United States, according to Reuters. The move would take advantage of the free trade agreement between the U.S. and South Korea and put Toyota in a better position financially as the yen continues to strengthen.

The Korean-market Camry would be built alongside the U.S.-spec Camry in the automaker's Georgetown, Kentucky facility. Even with word that Toyota is mulling sending production outside of Japan, the company has said that it is still committed to keeping some manufacturing at home.

The Toyota Camry has enjoyed substantial success in South Korea, where it remains one of the most popular foreign-built vehicles in the country. Last year, Toyota sold around 4,200 Camry models in the South Korea. That represents a small figure compared to the 203,688 units produced at the Georgetown plant last year, but shifting production to the States could still pay large dividends for Toyota.

Toyota to move production of Korean-market Camry to America? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 Oct 2011 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/04/toyota-to-move-production-of-korean-market-camry-to-america/

Great experience!

Great experience considering my previous vehicles purchases I felt like I was being preyed on by vultures. Will do business with Hudson in the future.
http://www.dealerrater.com/dealer/Hudson-Toyota-review-35145/##r459821