Motoring Matters

Tragic events in Japan impact car production

Japan is counting the cost to the motor industry after the recent earthquake and subsequent tsunami.

The countries largest car manufacturer Toyota has confirmed that it has suspended it’s Japanese vehicle production until at least 22 March.  Nissan is still in the process of repairing plants throughout Japan and the firm’s lwaki engine plant in Fukushima is still suffering from aftershocks.

Nissan have also announced they plan to donate 400,000,000 yen (£3million) to the relief effort, along with 50 vehicles to help support rescue.

Honda has suspended activity at all their plants until 20 March and have also pledged 300,000,000 yen (£2.3million) to relief and also provided 1000 generators. 

Motor sport in the country has also been affected with the Japanese MotoGP postponed until further notice.

Read more: Auto Express

Hybrid for Toyota

Toyota will focus on hybrid vehicles in order to push for Global sales of 10 million by 2015 as part of a new “global vision”.

The company dropped to a first ever loss in 2008 and was afterwards plagued with technical issues which caused over seven million cars to be recalled worldwide.

Toyota wants ten more hybrid vehicles by 2015.

Read more: The Independent

Image courtesy of  toyotapriuspic.com

Hyundai-Kia overtake Toyota as biggest Asian automaker in Europe

European car buyers seem to be changing their allegiance as 2010 figures show Hyundai-Kia have now overtaken Toyota as the largest Asian exporter of vehicles to Europe.

Toyota have had a pretty tough year with numerous vehicle recalls affecting both their parent and Lexus brands. Sales have fallen by 17% meaning Hyundai sold 521,369 vehicles compared to 511,754 by Toyota in the same time period.

Hyundai have now set their sights on capturing a stronger American market share with sales rising in the states by 21% recently. They are certainly a brand to watch. 

Full Story: Autoblog

Toyota recall another 1.5 million cars over brake worries

Toyota have announced a voluntary product recall on a number of different products amid fears that brakes could leak fluid reducing their effectiveness. The potential product fault affects 17,000 cars in the UK including the IS, GS and RX models built between 2003 and 2005. 

The blow comes just months after the wave of media attention the brand received for the Prius recall in March.

Full Story: Pistonheads