WIRE REPORTS

Toyota Q3 jumps, sees "tough race" in N. America Reuters Toyota, which has a market value of $135 billion -- more than rivals Honda Motor Co Ltd, Nissan Motor Co Ltd and Suzuki Motor Corp combined -- now sees annual net profit, which includes earnings made in China, of 200 billion yen , up from the 180 ... and more » Toyota Q3 jumps, sees "tough race" in North America Reuters Toyota, which has a market value of $135 billion -- more than rivals Honda Motor Co Ltd, Nissan Motor Co Ltd and Suzuki Motor Corp combined -- now sees annual net profit, which includes earnings made in China, of 200 billion yen , up from the 180 ... and more » Toyota Q3 jumps, raises full-year outlook ABS CBN News The company, which has a market value of $135 billion -- more than rivals Honda Motor Co Ltd, Nissan Motor Co Ltd and Suzuki Motor Corp combined -- now sees annual net profit, which includes earnings made in China, of 200 billion yen , up from the 180 ... and more » Toyota Q3 jumps, raises full-year outlook Reuters UK The company, which has a market value of $135 billion (85 billion pounds) -- more than rivals Honda Motor Co Ltd, Nissan Motor Co Ltd and Suzuki Motor Corp combined -- now sees annual net profit, which includes earnings made in China, of 200 billion ... and more » Renault-Nissan to Pay for AvtoVAZ Holding in Stages, Troika Says BusinessWeek 6 (Bloomberg) -- Renault SA and Japanese affiliate Nissan Motor Co. may pay for their planned 50 percent stake in OAO AvtoVAZ over two years as goals are met, according to an executive at the Russian carmaker's second-biggest local owner. and more » Globe and Mail As small-car sales expand, Ontario's importance shrinks Globe and Mail In January alone, three companies announced plans for new assembly plants or expansions in warmer climes, notably a factory that Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. will build in Mexico to make 175000 subcompact vehicles a year. During the next three years, ... and more » Honda's credit outlook cut to negative by Moody's on competition The Detroit News Moody's has a negative credit rating outlook on Toyota Motor Corp. and a positive outlook on Nissan Motor Co. Honda rose 2.9 percent to 2766 yen at the 3 pm close of Tokyo trading, before the release of the report. The benchmark Nikkei 225 Stock ... and more » Suzuki's Net Falls 4.7% on Yen, India Crunch Wall Street Journal Toyota Motor Corp. and Nissan Motor Co. are scheduled to report earnings on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively. Suzuki's sales declined 6.7% to ¥1.798 trillion for its first three fiscal quarters, while operating profit fell 5.1% to ¥87.71. and more » Nikkei in Tokyo Gains 1.1%; Nikon, Toyota, Panasonic Rise Ticker Magazine Toyota Motor increased 87 yen to 2986 yen and Honda Motor Co. rose 78 yen to 2766 yen and Nissan Motor Co Ltd increased 24 yen to 755 yen. Toyota Motor estimated sales in the year to rise 21%. Sony Corp increased 57 yen to 1492 yen, Panasonic Corp rose ... and more » The week ahead in business Post-Bulletin Quarterly financial results reported by Cisco Systems Inc., CVS Caremark Corp., Groupon Inc., News Corp., Sprint Nextel Corp., Time Warner Inc., Visa Inc. and Japanese automaker Nissan Motor Co. BERLIN ? Germany releases export and import data for ... and more »

DAILY REPORTS

Jan 25 Japan posts first annual trade deficit since 1980 Japan reported its first annual trade deficit since 1980 as it imported expensive energy to offset shortfalls caused by the devastating tsunami and manufacturers shifted production overseas to avoid the damage inflicted by the strong yen. The 2.49 trillion yen ($32 billion) deficit for 2011 reflected a 2.7 percent decline in the value of Japan's exports to 65.55 trillion yen ($843 billion). In December, the trade balance was a deficit of 205.1 billion yen, according to the Ministry of Finance figures released Wednesday. The yen's surge to record levels against the dollar and euro has made Japanese exports more expensive and also erodes the value of foreign earned income when brought home. Recently, Nissan Motor Co. and Panasonic Corp. have shifted some of their output to factories overseas. At the same time, Japan is facing intense competition from South Korea, Taiwan and Singapore, where labor and production costs are cheaper. (AP) Jan 17 Tokyo Shares End Higher As Weaker Yen, China Data Spur Rally Tokyo stocks rose Tuesday, as a weaker yen and stronger-than-expected Chinese economic data pushed Fanuc, Mori Seiki, and other China-exposed shares higher, while exporters such as Nissan Motor and Tokyo Electron also posted solid gains. The Nikkei Stock Average added 88.04 points, or 1.1%, to 8466.40 following Monday's 1.4% fall. The Topix index of all the Tokyo Stock Exchange First Section issues gained 6.29 points, or 0.9%, to 731.53, with 31 of 33 subindexes ending in positive territory. TSE 1st section trading volume reached a year-to-date high of 1.76 billion shares. (Wall Street Journal) Jan 12 Renault-Nissan likely placed third in sales in 2011: Ghosn The Renault-Nissan Alliance may have placed third in 2011 global new car sales with about 8.03 million vehicles, a figure including those sold by the Renault-financed AvtoVAZ of Russia, according to Nissan Motor Co. President Carlos Ghosn. Ghosn unveiled the data in a speech at the annual North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Together with alliance partner Renault SA, Nissan appears to have passed Toyota Motor Corp., which sold an estimated 7.9 million vehicles last year. Volkswagen AG said Monday that new car sales for its group firms, excluding sales of some commercial vehicles, grew 14.3 percent in 2011 from the previous year to a record 8.16 million units. (Japan Times) Jan 4 Nikkei climbs 1.2 percent, eyes 75-day moving average Japan's leading share average rose to a three-week closing high on Wednesday after better-than-expected economic data from the United States and China, although strategists said the rally could stall if the euro holds below 100 yen. The data eased concerns over the health of the global economy, boosting Japanese automakers and financials. Toyota Motor Corp (7203.T) advanced 3.1 percent and Nissan Motor Co (7201.T) gained 1 percent, while battered Nomura Holdings (8604.T) topped the blue-chip Topix Core 30 .TOPXC list as the biggest percentage gainer, adding 6.9 percent. (Reuters) Dec 28 Deflation's grip returns as production, retail sales slide The rebound from the March earthquake and tsunami sputtered in November as production and retail sales tumbled, deepening the return to deflation that first took hold a decade ago. Industrial output slumped 2.6 percent from October, a government report showed Wednesday. Retail sales slid 2.1 percent. Consumer prices excluding fresh food fell 0.2 percent from a year earlier after a 0.1 percent decline the previous month. The weakening economy, hurt by Europe's debt crisis and plans by companies from Panasonic Corp. to Nissan Motor Co. to shift production abroad, may undermine Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda's plan to raise taxes and cut the world's largest debt burden. (Japan Times) Dec 12 Soccer: Barcelona wary of jet lag after touching down in Japan Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola has urged his players to fight through jet lag and become world champions for a second time at the Club World Cup in Japan this week. The Spanish glamour side arrived in Yokohama late Sunday night having boarded a flight immediately after beating archrival Real Madrid 3-1 in the Spanish League on Saturday, with little time to acclimatize before Thursday's semifinal against Al Sadd of Qatar at Nissan Stadium. (Japan Times) Dec 3 Nissan Leaf electric wins Japan car of the year Japanese motor giant Nissan won Car of the Year Japan at the Tokyo Motor Show on Saturday for its Leaf electric model, its makers said, the first time an electric vehicle has picked up the award. Electric cars with cutting-edge green technology and vehicles remote-controlled by smartphones have been a star feature at this year's show, which runs till December 11 and features 179 exhibitors from a dozen countries. "Nissan is proud to announce that its 100 percent electric Leaf car has won the Japanese Car of the Year prize," Japan's second-largest automaker said in a statement. The Nissan Leaf electric is a zero-emission vehicle fitted with rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. Since its launch on the market at the end of last year, some 20,000 models have been sold, notably in Japan and in the US. (AFP) Nov 30 Highlights of the Tokyo Motor Show 2011 It's been a tough year for Japanese automakers. The March earthquake and tsunami crippled production of cars and parts for months. And the soaring value of the yen is taking a bite out of profits on exports. But Japan's automakers were determined to not let those factors overshadow its biennial auto show. Honda rolls out an electric roadster and maps out its powertrain plans for the future, Toyota and Subaru show their new sports coupes, Nissan gives the Juke a Nismo makeover, Mazda previews its next-generation sedan and Volkswagen launches a new design theme for its SUVs. (AutoWeek) Nov 18 Japan Inc steps up shift overseas as yen stays high Japan's big manufacturers led by Panasonic Corp and Nissan Motor Co Ltd are speeding up their shift overseas, in a sign corporate Japan sees the strong yen as a long-term handicap rather than a temporary blip. A sluggish home market and energy shortages following the widespread nuclear power shutdown sparked by the March 11 earthquake and ensuing atomic crisis are also tipping the balance toward investment abroad. Panasonic is planning its first solar factory outside Japan, sources said on Friday, while Suzuki Motor Corp said it was seeking to double auto production at its joint venture in China by 2015. Rival automakers Toyota Motor Corp and Nissan also said on Thursday that exchange rates were forcing them to consider changes in their own production plans. (Reuters) Nov 16 'Made in Japan' brand at crossroads The "Made in Japan" brand is at a crossroads as more firms face a tough choice over whether or not to move production overseas to escape the impact of the relentless rise of the yen, say analysts. According to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, some 46 percent of large manufacturers it surveyed in August said they would move production bases abroad if the yen stays around 76 yen against the dollar for half a year. Currently near 77 yen to the greenback, the unit's strength risks causing the "collapse" of the Japanese auto industry, Toyota executive vice president Satoshi Ozawa said last week. Toyota's first half net profit dived 72 percent partially due to the impact of the strong currency. For the maker of the Prius hybrid, every one yen rise against the dollar can wipe tens of billions of yen from annual operating profit. In the year ended March, Toyota made around half of its cars in Japan, more than rival Nissan. (AFP) Nov 12 Suzuki goes wild and wacky at Tokyo show For a brief moment, following Japan's March 11 earthquake and tsunami, there were fears this year's Tokyo Motor Show might not happen. It didn't help that even before the disaster most foreign manufacturers said they'd pull out of the event citing routinely weak import car sales. The biennial even is back on the calendar, it turns out, and when it opens its doors, early next month, the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show will do what it is often best known for: showcase some of the wildest and wacky concept vehicles ever put on wheels - such as the new Suzuki Regina concept. Though it clearly adopts some modern aerodynamic detailing, the compact Suzuki show car strikes the sort of retro-futuristic theme that has often fascinated designers preparing for the Tokyo Motor Show - and led to such distinctive designs as the old Nissan Figaro and snail-like S-Cargo. (MSNBC) Nov 8 Nissan shows off latest concept electric car for big-city commuters Nissan Motor Co. on Tuesday unveiled its latest concept electric car, the PIVO3, ahead of its display at the Tokyo Motor Show next month. The automaker said the vehicle best suits commuters who drive on crowded roads in big cities. The 2.8-meter-long compact car can make a U-turn in a very small space. With an in-wheel motor on each wheel, the three-seater can almost turn on a dime, the automaker said. (Japan Times) Nov 3 Nissan Leaf lights up Yokohama Tower The Yokohama Marine Tower was lit up Wednesday night courtesy of electricity from the batteries in a Nissan Leaf. Nissan is lending some battery power to the local 106-meter-tall Japanese landmark in Yokohama, the capital city of the Kanagawa Prefecture of Japan, which is located about 27 miles south of Tokyo. In fact, the tower's night twinkle will be powered by a Nissan Leaf channeling electricity to the tower from its batteries via a connected power control system until November 6. (CNET) Oct 24 Nissan aims to be world No. 1 in green vehicles Nissan Motor Co. is aiming to be the world's No. 1 in green cars, targeting cumulative sales of 1.5 million zero-emission vehicles by 2017 with alliance partner Renault SA of France. The Japanese maker of the Leaf electric car announced Monday its six-year strategy, planning a plug-in hybrid by the fiscal year ending March 2017 and reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 20 percent per vehicle compared with 2005 levels. Nissan, based in Yokohama, also aims to improve fuel efficiency of its vehicles by 35 percent compared with 2005. Nissan President and Chief Executive Carlos Ghosn said being ecological can deliver a competitive edge by allowing the automaker to stand out as good corporate citizen. (AP) Oct 16 Nissan developing a 10-minute battery charger for electric vehicles With the fear of losing power during a trip holding back many consumers from purchasing an electric vehicle, Nissan has discovered a new charging method that could get drivers back on the road in minutes. Announced earlier this week, Nissan has designed new battery technology for electric vehicles that cuts charging time from eight hours down to just ten minutes to fully recharge the battery. Assuming electric vehicle charging stations become more widespread across the United States, a driver could potentially take a long-distance trip from New York City to Los Angeles only having to stop for ten minutes at a time to recharge the vehicle. Researchers at at Kansai University in Japan claim that the breakthrough in this charging method comes from swapping out the electrode utilizing carbon inside a capacitor to an electrode using tungsten oxide and vanadium oxide. (Digital Trends) Oct 14 Japanese stocks drop as Spain downgrade stokes Europe concern Japanese stocks fell, paring a weekly advance, after Standard & Poor's cut Spain's credit rating, fueling concern that a deterioration of Europe's debt crisis will weigh on Asian economies and corporate earnings. Nissan Motor Co., a carmaker that gets about 15 percent of its revenue from Europe, dropped 1.7 percent. Canon Inc. slipped 2.6 percent after the camera maker said it's preparing to move production from two factories affected by flooding in Thailand. Olympus Corp. plunged 18 percent after the optical equipment maker's board ousted Michael Woodford as president. (Bloomberg) Oct 10 Toyota looks at carmaking abroad as yen causes 'difficult time' Toyota Motor Corp., Asia's biggest carmaker, may expand production outside Japan as the yen's gains on currency markets reduce earnings. "We are struggling," Chief Financial Officer Satoshi Ozawa said today in an interview at the automaker's factory in Ovar, Portugal. "We are facing a difficult time. We have to reduce our production costs to compensate for the currency situation," and that may involve shifting manufacturing from the home market of Japan "to some extent." The euro's decline since April to a decade low against the yen this month is reducing export earnings at the Toyota City, Japan-based carmaker and competitors. Carlos Ghosn, chief executive officer of Nissan Motor Co., said on Oct. 6 that Japan may endure a "hollowing out" of its industrial base should the government fail to take steps to counter its currency's gains. (BusinessWeek) Oct 7 Ghosn decries lack of yen action Carlos Ghosn, chief executive officer of Nissan Motor Co., said Japan faces a "hollowing out" of its industrial base should the government fail to take steps to counter the yen's rise. "I have spoken to the prime minister about this directly," Ghosn said in an interview from Rio de Janeiro on Thursday after Nissan announced a new $1.4 billion auto plant in Brazil. "If Japan wants employment, you're going to have to do something about establishing a normal exchange rate." Nissan, Toyota Motor Corp. and Honda Motor Co. are shifting production overseas as the yen's surge erodes the profitability of building cars in their home market. The yen has risen 5.7 percent this year against the dollar and touched a postwar high of 75.95. (Japan Times) Oct 4 Toyota, Honda lose market share in September U.S. sales rebound Toyota Motor Corp. and Honda Motor Co., still struggling to deliver enough vehicles to dealers, lost share of the U.S. market as Nissan Motor Co. grew more than expected and industrywide sales were the best since April. Toyota, held back by tight supplies of Prius hybrids and Tundra pickups, sold 17 percent fewer vehicles, reducing its share to 11.5 percent from 15.3 percent a year earlier, according to researcher Autodata Corp. Honda's 8 percent drop in deliveries cut its share by 1.7 points to 8.5 percent. Inventory at Toyota was about 40 percent less at the beginning of the month than a year earlier, said Bob Carter, group vice president of U.S. sales. (BusinessWeek) Sep 22 Nissan, Mitsubishi strengthen cooperation Japanese automakers Nissan and Mitsubishi are strengthening their cooperation by expanding the number of models they make for each other in Japan. Nissan and its smaller rival Mitsubishi have had what is called an original equipment manufacturer, or OEM, deal since December 2010. They manufacture specific vehicle models for each other and sell them under their own brands. Nissan Motor Co. said Thursday it will provide the Fuga luxury sedan to Mitsubishi Motors Corp., starting from summer next year. (AP) Sep 12 Nissan develops cheaper, smaller charger for EVs Nissan has developed a charger for electric vehicles that's smaller, about half the price, and easier to install. Nissan Motor Co., Japan's No. 2 automaker, said Monday the new charger will go on sale in November in Japan and is planned later for the U.S. and Europe, although dates are not set. The basic model of the revamped charger will cost about half the price of the current model, which is stockier and has more parts, and costs 1.47 million yen ($19,000). The higher-grade model for outdoors will also be cheaper and cost under 1 million yen ($13,000), according to Nissan. (AP) Aug 24 Nissan eyes tieup with Brazil's wealthiest man Nissan Motor Co., the country's second-largest automaker, is in talks with billionaire Eike Batista for a possible partnership in Brazil as it seeks to quadruple its output capacity in the Latin American country. The Yokohama-based carmaker is considering options for a new plant in Brazil, including a deal with Batista, Brazil's richest man, Chief Operating Officer Toshiyuki Shiga told reporters Tuesday in Sao Paulo. Nissan is evaluating alternatives for its new Brazilian plant, he said, declining to provide details of possible partnerships. (Japan Times) Aug 18 Nissan pushes for foreign executive majority by 2016 Nissan Motor Co. plans to fill the majority of its top-ranking posts with non-Japanese by the end of fiscal 2016, according to sources. Non-Japanese officials, such as directors and presidents of overseas units, currently account for 44 people of Nissan's 100 executives. The automaker intends to hire talented local people at its overseas units to accelerate its global advancement strategy, the sources said. Domestic companies seldom allow a majority of executive positions to be occupied by non-Japanese. Industry observers have pointed out that other Japanese companies could follow Nissan's lead. (Yomiuri) Aug 8 Nissan aims to grab 15% of Japan market by 2013 Nissan Motor Co., Japan's second- largest automaker, aims to increase domestic sales to about 600,000 cars in a drive to hold 15% of the nation's vehicle market by 2013 as it recovers from this year's earthquake. Executive Vice President Hiroto Saikawa disclosed the target as part of a sixyear plan today in Yokohama. In the long term, Nissan seeks to boost market share to about 20%, Takao Katagiri, also executive vice president, said at the same roundtable. In 2010, Nissan's domestic market share was 13%. (Economic Times) Jul 4 Toyota plants start weekend operations Toyota Motor Corp. launched weekend factory operations Sunday to save energy after a nuclear power plant was suspended in the Chubu region in May. Other automakers, including Nissan Motor Co. and Honda Motor Co., made similar moves Saturday, a day after the government imposed restrictions on electricity use by large-lot users in the east and northeast to avert power shortages stemming from the March 11 disasters. To reduce electricity use on weekdays, the auto industry has decided to run manufacturing plants on weekends instead of Thursdays and Fridays until September. (Japan Times) [ More... ]