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HQ move based on study, not pitch from Gov. Perry, Toyota says

Toyota's surprising announcement on Monday that it will move its North American headquarters from Torrance, CA location to the Dallas suburb of Plano, TX is allegedly not due to any political wrangling from the state's Republican governor, Rick Perry.
Perry (above) has been up front in his aggressive pursuit of businesses and jobs for Texas, traveling to California, Missouri, Illinois and New York to tempt corporations to his state. And it's not just about the promise of much lower taxes, a Perry spokesman reminds Automotive News that the state boasts, "a workforce that is skilled and ready to do any job."
For his part, Jim Lentz, Toyota's North American CEO said Plano was chosen through an internal process, with the location helped by its proximity to the company's massive pickup factory in San Antonio rather than any campaigning from the governor.

Recharge Wrap-up: Tesla and crude oil, Toyota Prius incentives

There is a direct relationship between Tesla stock and the price of US crude oil, according to Business Finance News. According to research, when oil prices rise, so does Tesla's stock value, though not always at the same rate. In some cases though, Tesla stock has performed well despite falling oil prices, or poorly during oil rallies. Business Finance News attributes this to "external forces" such as product launches (like the Powerwall) and strong or weak earnings on the part of the electric automaker. "Apparently," writes the article's author Jason Graul, "the relationship between the energy-innovation company and crude oil is based on basic principles of demand and supply, and substitute goods." Who would have thought? Read more at Business Finance News. Southern California Toyota dealerships are offering increased incentives on the 2015 Prius. As the car ages and gas prices remain low, many dealers are having trouble moving the hybrid. While the car is already eligible for $500 in discounts in the region, customers can now also nab a $2,000 gas card with a 24-month lease of the Prius Liftback (the deal is not available for the Prius C, Prius V or Prius Plug-In Hybrid models). Lease discounts for the Prius Plug-In Hybrid have increased from $2,500 to $4,000, making it about $259 a month to lease. All Prius models offer a $500 loyalty bonus, and Toyota is willing to waive up to the last six months of payments for leases ending between June 2 and September 28. The next-generation Toyota Prius begins production in December, and could arrive in the US as a 2017 model. Read more at Green Car Reports. Ballard has signed a deal to provide the hydrogen power systems for 33 buses in two Chinese cities. The supply agreements with Nantong Zehe New Energy Technology and Guangdong Synergy Hydrogen Power Technology are estimated to be worth $10 million. "We continue to see strong growth opportunities in China's mass transit market where fuel cells are increasingly being discussed as the next generation of clean propulsion," says Ballard President and CEO Randy MacEwen. "This demand is being driven by China's growing need for clean urban mass transit and air quality policies." Fuel cell and electric buses are currently eligible for a $150,000 subsidy, as China is working to promote clean energy and reduce pollution. Read more in the press release below.

Toyota teases 2014 4Runner, will debut on April 27

The 2014 Toyota 4Runner appears to be getting a styling refresh that is as out of the ordinary for Toyota as the venue at which it will be debuting. Launching on April 27 at the 2013 Stagecoach Music Festival in Indio, CA, the 2014 4Runner looks to be getting more of an in-your-face design. Toyota says this marks the first time it has ever revealed a new product at a music festival.
While we only see two images of the updated 2014 4Runner, the new headlights break from the rectangular shape present on the current model for an edgy, scalloped shape. Below the headlights are vertical air inlets - looking quite similar to the 2014 Subaru Forester XT - but it isn't clear if all models will get these or just special trim levels. The other image Toyota released was of the smoked, LED taillight.
As the presenting sponsor of the music festival, Toyota will have legendary off-road driver Ivan "Ironman" Stewart at the show as well as an off-road driving course for people to drive the automaker's trucks and SUVs. Scroll down for a press release giving some additional information about both the 2014 4Runner and the Stagecoach Music Festival.