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Report: Japan opens Cash-for-Clunkers to U.S. brands
Filed under: Car Buying, Government/Legal, Japan Japan's Transport Minister Seiji Maehara saying words we put into his mouth Curiously, there was actual outrage in Congress recently over the fact that American cars were left out of Japan's version of a Cash-for-Clunkers program. We say curiously because Congress has been pretty copacetic for decades about Japan's lopsided, unfair import policies. But, when our elected officials learned that the roughly $2,500 given to Japanese consumers for their old beaters could not be put toward the purchase of a new American car, our lawmakers sprang into action. Michigan Democratic Senator Debbie Stabenow put together a bill that would have required near constant pressure on the Japanese until the program was opened up to U.S. cars. After all, during our recent Cash for Clunkers program, Japanese automakers were hugely beneficial, scoring nearly half of all Clunker-related sales (319,342 cars out of 677,000). Ultimately, it appears that Japan has caved to Stabenow's squeezing and they opened their program up. Happy happy, joy joy time for the Detroit Three, right? Not exactly. As it turns out, only certain small-volume cars imported under a special handling program that also meet Japan's 2010 emissions standards are eligible. Translated into English, only 700 new U.S. cars can theoretically be sold to Japanese consumers under this legislation, including the Ford Escape, Cadillac CTS and Chrysler Grand Voyager. But hey, at least Congress is happy. A symbolic victory is still a victory, no? [Source: Automotive News - sub. req. | Image: Yoshikazu Tsuno/AFP/Getty] Report: Japan opens Cash-for-Clunkers to U.S. brands originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Jan 2010 13:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Commentsأكثر... |
#17
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Rumormill: Lexus SC430 to end production in July with special edition "Eternal Jewel"
Filed under: Convertible, Japan, Lexus, Rumormill, Luxury Much unloved by the automotive press and lately by consumers who haven't been buying them, the folding-hardtop Lexus SC430 is possibly ending its production run this July. To celebrate and honor the occasion, Lexus is releasing a special edition. Called "The Eternal Jewel," this special edition SC430 should be at Japanese domestic market Lexus dealers by March. Only 200 are being made and all we know is what we see in the above photograph, i.e. nice looking leather. We doubt any will make it to our shores. If SC430 production does end, that leaves the door open for Lexus to continue in the direction laid down by the IS-F and LF-A and bring out a sporty SC replacement, hopefully along the lines of the original SC300 and SC400, visually at least. We'll keep you posted as we learn more. Tip of the sun-blocking baseball cap to Leopaul! [Source: Lexus] Rumormill: Lexus SC430 to end production in July with special edition "Eternal Jewel" originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 Jan 2010 10:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Commentsأكثر... |
#18
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Refreshed 2011 Mazda Atenza/Mazda6 debuts with new direct-injected 2.0-liter four-cylinder in Japan
Filed under: Sedan, Wagon, Geneva Motor Show, Japan, Mazda 2011 Mazda Atenza/Mazda6 - Click above for high-res image gallery The 2011 Mazda Atenza (Mazda6) is due to make its debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March, and in addition to a slight nip and tuck, the JDM version of Mazda's mid-size sedan is packing an all-new 2.0-liter inline-four with direct injection. Although the styling tweaks are subtle, the new front fascia benefits from a mildly reworked grille, bumper and enlarged side air intakes, along with new 17- and 18-inch wheels and taillight housings. The interior remains largely the same, save new piano black trim on the center console, shift knob and door handles, and surrounding the audio and climate controls. Mazda remains mum on details about the direct-injected four pot, but don't be surprised to find the refreshed 2011 Mazda6 in dealers later this year, with the exception of the wagon, which remains a Japan-only proposition. Full details in the press release after the jump. Refreshed 2011 Mazda Atenza/Mazda6 debuts with new direct-injected 2.0-liter four-cylinder in Japan originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Jan 2010 12:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Commentsأكثر... |
#19
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Cyberdyne Systems Toyota reportedly working on robots to look after the elderly
Filed under: Japan, Technology, Toyota We have an announcement to make: the Robot Apocalypse is not on its way. The Robot Apocalypse has officially begun. Toyota is working on a plethora of robots that will assist in caring for the elderly. Home health care is massively expensive and time consuming, and if the task were pawned off on taken over by robots, the "savings," as they're being called, would be huge. Two of the robots in development can do things like play instruments and fetch things. One of the robots is a machine straight out of Aliens: a seat mounted on robotic legs and controlled by a joystick. It would allow the aged to go anywhere that robots can go... which is, really, anywhere. And once Toyota adds arms and battle axes, plus that dung-beetle-derived full-color night vision system, any elderly person able to move a joystick will immediately be the most powerful human alive. So we really might want to think about this... The robots also have manufacturing uses, aided by Toyota's research into a wire-operation system to replace hydraulics and "adding limberness and speed to the motion." Toyota plans to have them working on the moon by 2020. Yes, the moon (from where they will launch their first attack in 2021). First the elderly. Then babies. Then... you. Human. [Source Toyota via TG Daily]
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Report: UAW, Teamsters plan D.C. rally against Toyota over NUMMI plant closing
Filed under: Japan, Plants/Manufacturing, Recalls, Toyota, UAW/Unions How much Toyota news can you take in one week? Put another way, how much negative press can Toyota absorb? First there was the massive recall, then there was the sales and manufacturing freeze. And now there's This might sound like the plot of a James Ellroy novel to some, but here's the interesting/crazy part. The UAW/Teamsters alliance is not protesting ToMoCo because of the manufacturer's gas pedal woes. The two unions are rallying because Toyota is shutting down the New United Motors Manufacturing (NUMMI) assembly plant in Fremont, CA. Here's what the UAW/Teamsters are saying: What's a little curious to us is the timing. While the planned protest ostensibly has nothing to do with Gas PedalGate, the timing really is suspicious. Sort of a kick 'em while they're down situation. After all, we've all know about NUMMI's fate for many months. Why this week? Anyone else get the feeling that somewhere, somehow Jimmy Hoffa is smiling? [Source: Detroit Free Press | Image: Getty] Report: UAW, Teamsters plan D.C. rally against Toyota over NUMMI plant closing originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 28 Jan 2010 13:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Commentsأكثر... |
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