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#76
17-08-2010, 03:10 PM
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Toyota cuts 600 contract workers in Japan as production slows
Filed under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Japan, Plants/Manufacturing, Toyota  A recent report out of Japan had Toyota preparing to cut domestic vehicle production by up to 20 percent in the fourth quarter of 2010. Why? Sales of hybrids and other fuel efficient vehicles are expected to drop following the expiration of tax incentives on those vehicles. Now comes word that Toyota has eliminated 600 jobs at its Japanese plants in preparation for the production slow down. Toyota has not veered from its traditional policy of not laying off regular employees. The latest cuts are coming from the ranks of the temporary contract workers that it employs for terms of less than three years. At the end of its last fiscal year, Toyota had 2,400 contract workers in Japan. Contract employees are occasionally promoted to full-time status, but that seems rather unlikely in this case given the production cuts. [Source: Japan Today] Toyota cuts 600 contract workers in Japan as production slows originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 17 Aug 2010 07:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Commentsأكثر... 
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#77
25-08-2010, 06:00 PM
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Honda Jazz Hybrid officially unveiled, not fit for U.S.
Filed under: Hybrid, Europe, Japan, Hatchback, Honda  European Honda Jazz Hybrid - Click above for high-res image gallery The Japanese and European market Jazz Hybrid has been officially unveiled by Honda. The visual alterations from the standard model are slight, apparently down to tweaked bumpers and headlight glass and a unique Lime Green metallic color. The price premium, however, isn't. We're hearing a $4,700 premium over the standard Jazz. Still, that would be the low price baseline in the segment as far as hybrids are concerned in Japan. The Jazz Hybrid features the same IMA hybrid drivetrain as the CR-Z and Insight, so don't expect Prius-slaying fuel economy numbers, though Honda claims they will be comparable to the smaller CR-Z. Earlier this month Honda reiterated the fact that there were no U.S. plans for a Fit Hybrid. However, with the Insight and Civic Hybrid in obvious trouble, Honda devoted to hybrid powertrains and the Fit still a popular option on our shores, we wouldn't be surprised if that changed. After all, in December 2006 Honda said there wouldn't be a Fit Hybrid at all. The Fit Hybrid will make its formal debut at the Paris Motor Show next month, but you can have a look at it and the European Jazz Hybrid in the gallery of photos below. [Source: Honda, Carscoop] Continue reading Honda Jazz Hybrid officially unveiled, not fit for U.S. Honda Jazz Hybrid officially unveiled, not fit for U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 25 Aug 2010 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Commentsأكثر...
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#78
01-09-2010, 11:40 PM
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Report: Next-gen boxer engine coming from Subaru this year
Filed under: Japan, Technology, Crossover, Subaru  According to Automotive News, Subaru is set to release a new, more fuel-efficient version of its boxer four-cylinder engine. The powerplant should be available in both 2.0-liter and 2.5-liter configurations and will be able to offer up a 10-percent boost in fuel economy over its predecessors. The report doesn't detail exactly how the engine goes about gaining its new found efficiency, but it does say the changes are the first significant revision of the company's boxer architecture in two decades. A Fuji Heavy Industries spokesperson confirmed that the new powerplant is coming, but wouldn't go so far as to say which models would benefit from the new tech. Automotive News reports that other sources claim that the thrifty four-pot will first show up in the Forester both in the U.S. and Japan, paired with a CVT gearbox. The new engine will then begin to crop up in models like the Legacy and Impreza here in the States and the Exiga minivan on Subaru's home turf. [Source: Automotive News - sub. req.] Report: Next-gen boxer engine coming from Subaru this year originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Sep 2010 16:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Commentsأكثر...
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#79
02-09-2010, 06:40 PM
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Next-gen 'smart' headlamps to automatically adjust beams around oncoming traffic?
Filed under: Europe, Japan, Technology  A French company may have come with the next big thing in vehicle lighting. Valeo SA has developed a system called Beamatic Premium that allows drivers to keep their high-beams on at all times while still protecting other drivers from being blinded while driving. The tech uses onboard cameras to track the location of vehicles on the road and automated dousers to shield other drivers from glare. Think of it as the ultimate evolution of adaptive headlamps. The tech was good enough to win top honors at Equip Auto - an international automotive trade show - in 2009. Now Japan's Ichikoh Industries is looking to manufacture and sell the system to the world's vehicle manufacturers. The company plans to sell two versions, one with HID lamps and another with full LED lighting. With most luxury vehicles these days packing more cameras than a paparazzi party, it probably wouldn't take too much to integrate the Valeo SA system into existing platforms. The question is, how much is Ichikoh going to charge for all of the extra complicated software and hardware? Thanks for the tip, Kevin. [Source: Tech On] Next-gen 'smart' headlamps to automatically adjust beams around oncoming traffic? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 11:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Commentsأكثر...
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#80
03-09-2010, 01:30 AM
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Report: Toyota's Daihatsu recalls over 500,000 minicars over... fading taillamps?
Filed under: Budget, Japan, Recalls, Hatchback, Toyota, Daihatsu  Daihatsu has announced plans to recalling over 500,000 vehicles in Japan due to taillight lenses that can fade over time. The lenses, originally orange, will bleach white with exposure to the sun, leading to a potential safety risk. As a result, Daihatsu is recalling a total of 435,423 Move hatchbacks built between 1995 and 2000, as well as 145,769 Mira models manufactured from 1998 to 2000. Both vehicles fall into Japans micro-car category and are powered by fuel-thrifty .66-liter engines. The company plans to fix the issue by installing orange bulbs in the vehicles instead of the white ones that came from the factory. Daihatsu is owned by Toyota, and the company produces a number of small vehicles for the manufacturing giant. While not as crippling as some of the other issues Toyota has had this year, the Daihatsu does add to the 11 million recalled Toyota and Lexus vehicles recalled since fall of last year. [Source: Automotive News] Report: Toyota's Daihatsu recalls over 500,000 minicars over... fading taillamps? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 18:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Commentsأكثر...
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