2000 Toyota Tundra Sr5 Extended Cab Pickup 4-door 4.7l on 2040-cars

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Toyota outpaces Detroit rivals in profitability per vehicle

As the world's highest volume automaker in 2014, you would probably expect Toyota to project a healthy financial outlook for the end of its fiscal year on March 31. But thanks in large part to the weak value of the yen and a large number of export vehicles, the automaker could make about four times more than General Motors, despite selling just a few hundred thousand more cars than its Detroit competitor last year. Toyota forecasts the equivalent of $24.5 billion in earnings for the fiscal year, compared to $6.5 billion from GM in 2014. According to an analysis by The Detroit News, the Japanese automaker is expecting average earnings of $2,726 on each vehicle it sells, versus $994 from Ford and $654 from GM. The key to this massive success has less to do with Toyota's products and much more in the company's location. The yen's value to the dollar is at its lowest point in decades. Also, according to The News, the automaker exports about 45 percent of its Japan-assembled vehicles, meaning bigger profits in the conversion to foreign currencies. Coupled with strong demand in the US, and the business looks even better. Automakers in the US are peeved by Toyota's currency-based boost. According to The News, there are allegations of manipulation of the yen's value, and Ford president of the Americas Joe Hinrichs calls the problem the "major trade barrier of the 21st century." He thinks the Japanese companies are making about $2,000 per exported vehicle due to the conversion. Intriguingly, it wasn't that long ago when Japanese automakers were moving operations from the country due to the strong value of the yen to the dollar curtailing profits. Infiniti shifted production, and there were fears that Toyota might close some of its factories, as well. Related Video: News Source: The Detroit NewsImage Credit: Shizuo Kambayashim / AP Photo Earnings/Financials Plants/Manufacturing Toyota toyota earnings toyota profit

Toyota bringing refreshed Auris to Geneva

Americans got a chance to see the Toyota Auris dressed up as the Scion iM concept at the LA Auto Show a few months ago, but the Japanese automaker isn't about to leave its European customers who call the Auris their own out of the action. Toyota will be showcasing a revised version for the local market at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show. For those unfamiliar, the Auris is essentially a Corolla with a liftgate at the back – or put another way, the European counterpart to what we once knew as the Matrix. It's available in hatchback and Touring Sports wagon body styles, and with gasoline, diesel or hybrid powertrain options. Though the hybrid (which accounted for half of the model line's sales last year) carries over unchanged, the updated Auris will get new gasoline and diesel engines. Along with them, the refreshed Auris also benefits from revised sheetmetal, a remodeled cabin and some upgraded equipment. Full details will be announced closer to its debut alongside the larger new Avensis at the Swiss auto expo. NEW TOYOTA AURIS TO JOIN NEW AVENSIS ON STAGE AT GENEVA Motor show debut for British-built Auris hatchback and wagon Toyota will reveal its new Auris at the Geneva motor show (3 – 15 March), the British-built hatchback and Touring Sports wagon versions making their debut alongside new Avensis. New Auris enjoys a refreshed design that adds presence and prestige, together with an upgraded cabin and new comfort and safety equipment features. The hybrid remains at the heart of the range, having established itself as the leading powertrain in the line-up, accounting for around half of all Auris sales in Europe in 2014. Nonetheless, the new model heralds the arrival of new and improved petrol and diesel engines, developed with a focus on efficiency and performance. The simultaneous reveal of new Auris and Avensis follows on from last year's introduction of Aygo and Yaris to complete a full rejuvenation of Toyota's core European model range. Both Auris and Avensis will continue to be built side by side at Toyota Manufacturing UK's car plant at Burnaston, near Derby. Toyota will host its Geneva motor show press conference on its stand in Hall 4 at Palexpo, at 12.15pm on 3 March. Featured Gallery 2016 Toyota Auris News Source: Toyota Geneva Motor Show Toyota Hatchback Wagon Economy Cars 2015 Geneva Motor Show

Recharge Wrap-up: Honda Grace hybrid goes on sale in Japan, Daimler spends 100M euros on batteries

The Mercedes-Benz S-500 Plug-In Hybrid has earned an Environmental Certificate from the TUV Sud technical inspection authority. The award is based on a lifecycle assessment of the vehicle. This includes the ability to reduce CO2 emissions by 43 percent through charging, and by 56 percent if charged using hydroelectricity. Read more in the press release below. Daimler is expanding its production capacity for lithium-ion batteries. The company is investing around 100 million euros in its subsidiary Deutsche ACCUmotive, who will provide batteries for the electric Smart Fortwo and Forfour, as well as various Mercedes-Benz models. By the end of the construction, Deutsche ACCUmotive will have quadrupled production and logistics space since 2011. Read more in the press release below. Honda has begun sales of its Grace hybrid sedan in Japan. The Grace is based on the Honda Fit and uses the automaker's Sport Hybrid i-DCD system. It comes in front- and four-wheel-drive versions and uses a seven-speed DCT with built-in motor. The Honda Grace starts at the equivalent of about $16,500. Read more in the press release below. Honda has begun operation of its wind farm in Brazil. The farm consists of nine wind turbines, expected to produce about 95,000 MWh of electricity per year, which is on par with Honda's consumption for automobile production in the country. Honda is aiming to cut its CO2 production by 30 percent by 2020 compared to 2000 levels. Read more in the press release below. Toyota has won the 2014 World Endurance Championship's Driver and Manufacturer categories with hybrid technology. Toyota celebrated the win after the final race in Sao Paolo, Brazil. Toyota uses the same hybrid technology in its racing cars as it does in its production vehicles. Read more in the press release below. Controlled Power Technologies and other groups are calling for an international 48-volt electrical standard for vehicles. The groups called for the standard at the International Conference Automotive 48 V Power Supply Systems, saying that the 48V standard for mild hybrids would help make the systems more affordable. This will make it easier for automakers to meet the more stringent CO2 standards anticipated in coming years along with the introduction of the World Light vehicles Test Procedures. Read more at Green Car Congress. The world's first certified three-litre luxury saloon: S 500 PLUG-IN HYBRID receives Environmental Certificate Stuttgart.