2008 Ford Taurus Limited on 2040-cars

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Toyota fears supplier pressure in Australia with GM pull out

With Ford and General Motors both announcing an end to production in Australia, the country's auto industry is in a bad way. With the exit of two big players, there's increased concern that a third Australian manufacturer, Toyota, will be forced out, as well.
"We are saddened to learn of GM Holden's decision. This will place unprecedented pressure on the local supplier network and our ability to build cars in Australia," Toyota Australia said in a statement. The GM closure of Holden production will be the direct end to 2,900 jobs, but will also force a dramatic reduction in the size of the country's supplier network, as there will simply be fewer cars to build.
In the same statement, Toyota Australia said it would work with suppliers and local government to figure out whether continuing production Down Under was even feasible. According to Automotive News, a representative for the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union told reporters it was "highly likely" that Toyota would also close up shop within the next few years.

Forza Horizon 3 car list keeps on truckin'

We've covered three weeks of car reveals for Forza Horizon 3, and this time we get a better look at the trucks, SUVs and other off-roaders you'll be able to use to explore Australia. This week's list kicks things off with two of the most legendary off-roaders in the world, the Toyota FJ40 Land Cruiser and the Meyers Manx. They have different purposes; the FJ40 is for tough trail work and the Manx is for some light-hearted beach fun. But no one could deny the cultural importance of either. And both should be a blast in Horizon 3. In addition to this pair of classics, players will have a chance to get behind the wheel of both a race version of the Ford F-150 Raptor and its closest rival, the Ram Runner. And when traditional vehicles start to get boring, why not take out a full-blown Baja racer such as the Penhall Cholla or the Rockstar energy drink version of the little Polaris RZR XP 1000 side-by-side? Forza Horizon 3 is shaping up to have one of the most diverse car lists in a racing game in a long time. There are still cars left to be revealed, so stay tuned for further installments and see this week's full list below. 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air 2002 Ferrari 575M Maranello 1992 Ford Escort RS Cosworth 2013 Ford Focus ST 1973 Ford Escort RS1600 1971 Ford Falcon XY GTHO Phase III 2014 Ford Fiesta ST 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor Race Truck 1954 Jaguar XK120 SE 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT 2012 Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 1986 Lancia Delta S4 2009 Lexus IS F 1957 Maserati 300 S 1994 Mazda MX-5 Miata 1967 Mercedes-Benz 280 SL 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL 65 AMG Black Series 1971 Meyers Manx 2012 Mini John Cooper Works GP 1998 Nissan R390 1979 Opel Kadett C GT/E 2011 Penhall The Cholla 1971 Plymouth Cuda 426 Hemi 2015 Polaris RZR XP 1000 EPS Rockstar Edition 2013 Ram Runner 1993 Renault Clio Williams 1990 Subaru SVX 1979 Toyota FJ40 2005 TVR Sagaris 1990 Vauxhall Lotus Carlton Related Video: News Source: Playground Games / MicrosoftImage Credit: Playground Games / Microsoft Auto News Toys/Games Ford RAM Toyota forza exclusive ford f-150 raptor forza horizon forza horizon 3 toyota fj40 meyers manx

Preserving automotive history costs big bucks

$1.8 million is spent each year to maintain GM's fleet of 600 production and concept cars.
When at least two of the Detroit Three were on the verge of death a few years back, one of the tough questions that was asked of Ford, General Motors and Chrysler execs - outside of why execs were still taking private planes to meetings - was why each company maintained huge archives of old production and concept vehicles. GM, for example, had an 1,100-vehicle collection when talk of a federal bailout began.