2016 Lexus Ls 460l - $16,400 Executive Class Seating Package - Msrp $109,144 on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Toyota projecting record profits, thanks in part to weak yen

Toyota retained its global sales crown in 2014 by selling 10.23 million cars in the calendar year. As the positive number might suggest, the Japanese automaker is doing extremely well financially, too. Although, some tougher times might be on the horizon. Toyota recently released its financial figures for the three fiscal quarters running from April 1 through the end of December 2014. Net profit jumped an impressive 13.2 percent to 1.727 trillion yen ($14.7 billion) for that period. It could be the Japanese automaker's most profitable time ever when the fiscal year ends in March, if things keep going this way, according to The New York Times. Toyota's own profit forecast for the 12-month period is also up by 130 billion yen ($1.1 billion) to 2.13 trillion yen ($18.1 billion). One key to the company's success is the low value of the Japanese yen, because it allows Toyota to make more money on each vehicle the company sells abroad. The currency is now worth relatively less than any time since the early '70s, according to The New York Times. Despite the rosy financial numbers, actual sales have started to fall, albeit a very slight amount. Through the three fiscal quarters, the company sold 6.73 million cars, a drop of just 45,365 vehicles. Toyota also reduced its forecast for the fiscal year to 9 million units, rather than the original estimate of 9.05 million. According to The New York Times, the shrinking Japanese auto market and difficulty in China might mean losing the global sales lead next year. For the US, sales jumped 145,411 units from April through December to a total 2.1 million vehicles. Operating income reached $4.27 billion, nearly 50 percent more than last year, according to The New York Times. Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) Announces April – December 2014 Financial Results February 04, 2015 Toyota's global net income jumped 13.2 percent during the nine-month period (April 1– December 31, 2014) of the 2015 fiscal year. Global Financial Highlights: Global sales decreased by 45,365 vehicles to 6.73 million, with strong sales in North America and gains in Europe, offsetting decreases in Japan and other regions.

Editors' Picks May 2022 | Nissan Z, Subaru WRX and Mazda's latest

This month of Editors' Picks sees us recognize a strong pair of Japanese cars designed for the driving enthusiast. Both having just been totally redesigned, we found their latest versions to be even more satisfying than the last. In addition to the Nissan Z and Subaru WRX getting the nod, Mazda gets similar recognition for its new crossover. The CX-5 is still highly recommended, but we prefer the CX-50 over it at this point. In case you missed our previous Editors' Picks posts, here’s a quick refresher on whatÂ’s going on here. We rate all the new cars we drive with a 1-10 score. Cars that are exemplary in their respective segments get EditorsÂ’ Pick status. Those are the ones weÂ’d recommend to our friends, family and anybody whoÂ’s curious and asks the question. The list that youÂ’ll find below consists of every car we rated in May that earned an EditorsÂ’ Pick. 2023 Nissan Z Quick take: Tons of power, excellent handling, a gorgeous design and a supremely affordable price make the Nissan Z a killer sports car proposition. Score: 8.0 What it competes with: Toyota GR Supra, Subaru BRZ, Mazda MX-5 Miata, Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro Pros: Powerful twin-turbo V6, excellent handling, pretty design, agreeable pricing Cons: Cramped interior, automatic option is subpar, base trim is sparsely equipped From the editors Road Test Editor Zac Palmer — "I fell for the Z quickly. A new sports car with a dynamite engine, solid manual transmission, very good handling and stunning looks is an instant winner today. We're living in a golden age of Japanese sports cars/sport compacts, and the Z is one of the best options of them all. It should make everyone looking to buy a Toyota GR Supra take pause to consider the Nissan." Associate Editor Byron Hurd — "I was a believer in the Z even when others weren't, so I'm happy that Nissan left most of the formula well enough alone. The new engine makes the Z feel punchier and more alive without giving up all of the high-revving character that made the 3.7-liter V6 an outlier in a space now overrun with turbocharged four-cylinders. Just stick to the manual." In-depth analysis: 2023 Nissan Z First Drive Review: The Z is back again!   2022 Subaru WRX Quick take: The WRX gets big upgrades where it counts, making it better to drive than before. We're not fully sold on the styling, but it's tough to beat if AWD performance is king.

Lexus comes to SEMA with a wine-dispensing crossover

While some manufacturers are going neck-deep into the tuner car world for SEMA this year, Lexus is keeping it classy with a restrained lineup of cars with lighter modifications. It made sure to hit all of them though, even the tiny UX subcompact crossover. Here's the rundown: 2019 Lexus RC 350 F Sport Cross Country Custom The idea on this one was to pick up a few different modifications from different shops as it's driven across the country. Along the route it's picked up some RS-R USA springs, Vossen forged wheels with Nitto performance tires, Apexi N1-X muffler, a satin wrap and blue underglow. There's not a whole lot to it now, but Lexus says there are still more modifications to come before it hits Los Angeles. 2019 Lexus UX 250h It's still a funky-looking crossover, but Lexus tried hard to make it stand out from the rest of the bland boxes on the road. The light blue wrap combined with an Apexi N1 suspension does the trick. These subcompact crossovers tend to look even more like hatchbacks once manufacturers lower them a couple inches — all that's left is to get rid of the unsightly black plastic cladding. This one has an Apexi N1 catback exhaust too. We can't imagine that sounds too hot with the CVT transmission in the UX though. 2019 Lexus ES 350 F Sport Wine lovers, here is the car for you. Lexus used the trunk area of this ES 350 to put a wine refrigerator, wine rack and glass holder. It did that, then made the flooring of the trunk out of oak barrel wood. To keep it upscale-feeling Lexus added a subtle Artisan Spirit aero kit and Rays Engineering 20-inch wheels. The Rolls-Royce Cullinan better watch out. 2018 Lexus LS F Sport The long Lexus looks a lot racier in this gray paint and 22-inch Work wheels. An aero kit brings it all closer to the ground without actually lowering it. Gigantic six-piston Brembo brakes in front and four-piston rears are painted in yellow, and look menacing within the big wheels. Related video: