Toyota In The News.....

March 11, 2003

Steve,

Could we have a new section for articles about Toyota "In the news..."

It would be a good opportunity for people to post Toyota related articles found. Would have to make sure people understood that it would be important to affix information as to where the information comes from though to avoid risk of being accused of plagerism....

Another thought....

March 11, 2003

Toyota Agrees to $34 Million Settlement Over Air Violations

WASHINGTON, DC, March 10, 2003 (ENS) - Toyota Motor Corporation will spend some $34 million to settle a federal lawsuit that charged the automobile manufacturer with Clean Air violations involving 2.2 million vehicles manufactured between 1996 and 1998.

The U.S. government alleged that the 2.2 million vehicles manufactured and sold by the Japanese automaker did not meet Clean Air Act emissions standards. Toyota, according to the government, failed to inform it of limitations in the operation of the system that checks for leaks in vehicles' evaporative emission control systems.

Due to this limitation, the onboard diagnostic system would not promptly signal drivers of a problem with the vehicle's emission controls.

"Vehicle manufacturers must make all required disclosures so that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) can carry out its responsibilities to ensure clean air," said Thomas Sansonetti, the Department of Justice's Assistant Attorney General for the Environment and Natural Resources Division. "This settlement makes clear that we will enforce these requirements vigorously."

To settle the suit, Toyota agreed to pay a $500,000 civil penalty and to spend about $3 million to extend the emission control system warranty on the affected vehicles.

The automaker will spend $11 million under the terms of the settlement to accelerate, by one year, its compliance with EPA's new "near zero" evaporative emissions regulation. Some 1.4 million new Toyota vehicles manufactured from 2004 to 2006 will comply the new standard, which they otherwise would not be mandated to meet.

Toyota will spend an additional $20 million on a supplemental environmental project to retrofit up to 3,000 public diesel fleet vehicles.

This project will include upgrades for older, high polluting school and municipal buses and will help eliminate some 220 tons of particulate matter emissions, 1,200 tons of hydrocarbon emissions, and 15,000 tons of carbon monoxide emissions.

"This settlement is another milestone by this administration in our work to produce cleaner air for the American people. With this bus retrofit action, our nation's school children will be breathing less of the small particles that can cause lung and respiratory damage," said EPA's Administrator Christine Whitman.

"This action is a reminder to all drivers that their vehicle's engine light plays an important part in keeping vehicles running clean and protecting the environment."

The proposed settlement will be published in the Federal Register for 30 days for public comment, and must be approved by the court.

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Article copied from: http://ens-news.com (11/03/03)

Article URL: http://ens-news.com/ens/mar2003/2003-03-10-09.asp

March 11, 2003

UK workers 'lazier than French'

PARIS (BNA) - British workers are lazier than their French counterparts, a senior executive at Japanese carmaker Toyota has been reported as saying.

Kosuke Shiramizu, the company''s board member in charge of global production, told the Financial Times newspaper that Toyota workers in France were 20% more productive than those in the UK.

Toyota UK said the views expressed were personal and did not reflect Toyota''s policy or practices.

Derek Simpson, joint general secretary of the UK''s Amicus union, said the comments were "deeply offensive" and that the union would be asking Toyota to either elaborate or apologise.

"This is an insult to workers who have been extraordinarily co-operative," Mr Simpson said.

"The company has made no complaints to the union or any request for any extra flexibility.

"It makes you wonder what Toyota wants from its workforce."

According to the World Markets Automotive productivity index, Toyota''s Burnaston factory near Derby is the third most productive car assembly plant in Europe.

The company''s Valenciennes, France unit does not appear in the top 40.

Mr Shiramizu also reportedly said that British workers were picky, less willing to adapt to different jobs and tended to "job hop".

He attributed what he said was greater productivity at Valenciennes to the relatively high level of unemployment.

"In France there are many unemployed people and so [those with jobs] tend to work harder," he was quoted as saying.

Mr Shiramizu also criticised Japanese workers.

"[in Japan] you tend to find people are not so willing to work, they like to goof around and take on European attitudes," he said.

Toyota stressed that it does not normally like to compare the productivity of its factories.

"Comparisons between plants are always difficult. There are huge differences caused by differing models, technologies and locations," the company said.

"Nonetheless, Toyota Motor UK is often quoted as one of the most efficient plants in Europe."

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Source:http://news.awse.com/ (11/03/03)

Article URL: http://news.awse.com/05-Mar-2003/Business/18070.htm

March 11, 2003

Toyota success in German J.D. Power and Associates Customer Satisfaction Index Study SM

Toyota tops the rankings in an outstanding 5 out of 7 award segments in the J.D. Power and Associates 2002 Germany Customer Satisfaction Index Study (CSI). The study was based on a total of 15,009 responses from owners of 2-to 3-year-old vehicles, who rated their experiences with the vehicle, the dealer, and the cost of vehicle ownership.

The Germany CSI Study is the first industry-wide automotive study conducted in Germany by J.D. Power and Associates *, who also conduct CSI studies in seven countries around the world. The study is designed to provide the automotive industry with global benchmarks for measuring and tracking customer satisfaction.

A Seal of Approval

This is the first time such a detailed report on the satisfaction of German car owners has been made available to the public. The Germans are known to be highly discerning consumers, and their satisfaction with Toyota vehicles is the highest commendation.

German car magazine 'MOT', who publish the survey exclusively in their current issue, also commented on this phenomenal response, stating that the outcome of the survey was an 'overwhelming result, which ther car manufacturers can only dream of'. Needless to say, Toyota are delighted with this feedback from both consumers and 'MOT', who provide essential reference and comment on the German car market.

Toyota ranks highest in most important segment

The Customer Satisfaction Index score measures how well customer expectations are met by owning a particular brand of car. The factors in order of importance are:

Vehicle quality/reliability. This accounts for 30% of the total score Vehicle appeal. How much the owner likes the vehicle's performance, design, comfort and features. This accounts for 25% of the total score

Satisfaction with dealership service. This accounts for 23% of the total score Vehicle ownership costs. This accounts for 22% of the total score

Highest in customer satisfaction

The study covers 32 vehicle brands and 132 different models divided into seven award segments, with Toyota ranking highest in customer satisfaction in 5 out of the 7 sectors:

Toyota Yaris Highest in customer satisfaction in the Small Car sector

Toyota CorollaHighest in customer satisfaction in the Lower Medium Car sector

Toyota Celica Highest in customer satisfaction in the Sports Car sector

Toyota RAV4 Highest in customer satisfaction in the SUV sector

Toyota Picnic Highest in customer satisfaction in the MPV (Compact Van) sector

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Source: http://motorshow.toyota-europe.com

Article URL: http://motorshow.toyota-europe.com/about/n...ut_jdpower.html