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Momentum Accelerates Toyota Motor Corp. posted its  third consecutive monthly sales record  in May, clocking in  955,532 vehicles sold globally , an 8% jump from a year ago. Production also held strong at  906,984 units . The surge was driven by  robust hybrid vehicle demand  across key markets: North America: +11% Japan: +4% China: +7% A Price Hike Ahead Toyota plans to raise  US vehicle prices by over $200  starting next month, aligning with competitors like Mitsubishi Motors — a move that reflects both rising costs and the looming tariff impact from the U.S.-China trade war. The Tariff Shock While sales remain strong, Japanese automakers are bracing for a significant blow: Toyota expects a  ¥180 billion ($1.2B) loss from tariffs  just for April-May. Nissan and Honda are forecasting  $3B hits . Mazda and Subaru have  withheld profit guidance  amid uncertainty. Investor Insight: Can Toyota Maintain Its Lead? Despite geopo...

  Toyota Motor has announced it will postpone the start of electric vehicle (EV) production in North America to the first half of 2026 due to design adjustments and slowing EV sales , according to a report from the Nikkei business daily. Initially slated for late 2025, the production of Toyota's first battery EV model—a three-row SUV at its Kentucky factory—has been delayed by several months, confirmed Toyota spokesperson Scott Vazin. The new production timeline is expected to begin in early 2026 . Vazin mentioned that Toyota plans to introduce five to seven battery electric vehicle models in the US within the next two years, despite the delay in production. Supply chain disruptions and internal governance issues had contributed to this six-month delay , pushing the start date to around June 2026 , sources told Reuters. Toyota had previously aimed to produce electric SUVs under its Lexus brand in North America by 2030, but the company has since abandoned that plan, opting in...

  Toyota Motor Corp has increased its share buyback program to ¥1.2 trillion (US$8.3 billion), capitalizing on robust demand across its key markets in Japan, Europe, and North America . The world’s largest carmaker added ¥200 billion to its previously announced ¥1 trillion stock repurchase plan, according to a Tuesday filing. This move could result in Toyota buying back up to 3.93% of its shares , citing recent share price levels as a key factor in the decision. While the announcement wasn’t entirely unexpected, Bloomberg Intelligence senior auto analyst Tatsuo Yoshida commented that reducing strategic shareholdings will continue to be a priority for Toyota, much like its ongoing efforts to electrify its fleet . However, the pace of the buyback will depend on how it affects the market. Despite Toyota’s stock performance being relatively flat for the year, with just a 1% increase compared to the Nikkei 225’s 13.4% rise , the company has posted strong financial results. For the qu...

  Last week, Honda Motor Co and Nissan Motor Co announced their collaboration to develop in-vehicle software. However, Professor Hiroaki Takada from Nagoya University believes Toyota Motor Corp should also join the alliance to better compete against global rivals. Key Points: Software-Defined Vehicles: Japan aims for its companies to capture 30% of the global software-defined vehicle market by 2030. The operating systems that power smarter and more autonomous cars will be as important as engines and batteries in the future of passenger transport. Current Leaders: Currently, Chinese automakers and Tesla Inc are leading in the field of automotive operating systems. Takada suggests that the car industry will likely be dominated by only two or three major operating system makers, similar to how Google's Android and Apple's iOS dominate smartphones. Potential Collaboration: If Toyota were to join Honda, Nissan, and possibly Mitsubishi Motors Corp in developing a car operating sys...

Toyota Motor Corp reported a 17% increase in quarterly profit, driven by a weaker yen and strong sales in North America. The Japanese automaker's performance is offsetting sluggish demand in Japan and China. Key Financials: Operating Profit: Toyota's operating profit for the April-June period was ¥1.31 trillion (US$8.7 billion or RM39.98 billion), up 17% from a year earlier. This was close to the ¥1.32 trillion projected by analysts. Revenue: Revenue for the quarter rose 12% to ¥11.8 trillion. Fiscal Year Forecast: Toyota maintained its operating profit forecast for the fiscal year at ¥4.3 trillion, with revenue expected to be ¥46 trillion. Projected Record Profit: Analysts expect Toyota to post a record profit of ¥5.3 trillion this year. Market Performance: North America: Hybrids are performing well, contributing to robust sales in the region. Japan and China: Demand is sluggish, partly due to recalls of the Prius and other models, as well as competition from electric ve...

Toyota Motor Corp. plans to construct a battery plant for electric vehicles (EVs) in Fukuoka, Japan, with the intention of supplying batteries to a factory that manufactures Lexus brand luxury cars, according to the Nikkei business daily. Key Points: Location and Strategy: The plant will be situated in the southwestern prefecture of Fukuoka, making Kyushu a central part of Toyota’s supply chain for battery-powered vehicles and an export base for Asia. Toyota’s Response: A Toyota spokesperson acknowledged awareness of the report but stated that no official announcement had been made. The company is actively working to enhance its EV battery production capacity. Production Plans: Toyota manufactures Lexus vehicles at the Miyata plant, operated by its subsidiary, Toyota Motor Kyushu. The new battery plant will be run by Primearth EV Energy, another Toyota subsidiary specializing in batteries for hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and purely battery-powered vehicles. Future Goals: Toyota aims t...

MALAYSIA WILL ONLY SIGN TPPA IF BENEFICIAL Malaysia will only sign TPPA if beneficial Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Abdul Wahid Omar said Malaysia will only agree to the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) if the terms are beneficial to the country. "Malaysia will only enter into the TPPA if it is mutually beneficial, on terms that we can agree to," said Wahid. He said that the agreement touches various issues, such as the Bumiputera policy, government procurement and state-owned enterprises. "The text will be finalised over the next 30 days or so. After that, it will be made public and it will go for tabling in parliament," he said. AGC SAY NO TO BANK NEGARA's REQUEST AGC: No offence by 1MDB The Attorney General's Chambers (AGC) has decided that no offence was committed by 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) based on an investigation paper (IP) by Bank Negara and no further action sh...