Archive for the ‘Automotive’ Category
Toyota Introduces a Breathtaking New Corolla
Mark Clarkson asked:
Toyota Motor Corp. has recently introduced Corolla, the first new version of its best-selling compact van sedan which has been stricken off its lineup since 2001. Since then, the automaker has not produced said car model. However, lately, the automaker has been busy modifying Toyota Corolla parts in order to pave way for a high-performance sedan than can serve as a mighty rival to other vehicles in same category. The latest Corolla will be introduced in the United States in the year 2008 by Toyota’s president, Katsuaki Watanabe.
According to automotive analysts, Toyota is moving closer to overtaking the world’s largest automaker General Motors Corp. In its aim to move a notch higher, Toyota is releasing a thrilling new Corolla that can efficiently compete with Honda Civic and Nissan Tiida Latio. ”The Corolla will obviously put pressure on the Tiida and the Civic,” says Ashvin Chotai, London-based automotive analyst for Global Insight Inc.
“The Corolla is basically Toyota’s bread and butter. The automaker’s success is led by models such as the Corolla,” says Yoshihiro Okumura, general manager at Chiba-gin Asset Management Co. Said company controls assets amounting to about $365 million.
Toyota Corolla, which was launched in 1966, accounted for 19 percent of the automaker’s sales in the previous year. It was also reported by the automaker that the figure was increased by 8 percent to 1.39 million units in 2005. It is quite comparable with Toyota Prius hybrid which yielded a total of 175,000 sales. Nowadays, Toyota expects to sell 12,000 Corollas a month in Japan.
“Toyota’s Corolla has a major impact on its profits and volume,” says Yasuhiro Matsumoto, senior analyst at Shinsei Securities Co. “There’s no way that demand for Japanese fuel- efficient vehicles will deteriorate, especially in North America,” he further added. Matsumoto estimates that automaker’s profit margin is approximately 300,000 yen ($2,540) for the Corolla.
Toyota will sell two versions of Corolla in Japan. The first version is a sedan called Corolla Axio and the second will be a station wagon dubbed as Corolla Fielder.
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Toyota Motor Corp. has recently introduced Corolla, the first new version of its best-selling compact van sedan which has been stricken off its lineup since 2001. Since then, the automaker has not produced said car model. However, lately, the automaker has been busy modifying Toyota Corolla parts in order to pave way for a high-performance sedan than can serve as a mighty rival to other vehicles in same category. The latest Corolla will be introduced in the United States in the year 2008 by Toyota’s president, Katsuaki Watanabe.
According to automotive analysts, Toyota is moving closer to overtaking the world’s largest automaker General Motors Corp. In its aim to move a notch higher, Toyota is releasing a thrilling new Corolla that can efficiently compete with Honda Civic and Nissan Tiida Latio. ”The Corolla will obviously put pressure on the Tiida and the Civic,” says Ashvin Chotai, London-based automotive analyst for Global Insight Inc.
“The Corolla is basically Toyota’s bread and butter. The automaker’s success is led by models such as the Corolla,” says Yoshihiro Okumura, general manager at Chiba-gin Asset Management Co. Said company controls assets amounting to about $365 million.
Toyota Corolla, which was launched in 1966, accounted for 19 percent of the automaker’s sales in the previous year. It was also reported by the automaker that the figure was increased by 8 percent to 1.39 million units in 2005. It is quite comparable with Toyota Prius hybrid which yielded a total of 175,000 sales. Nowadays, Toyota expects to sell 12,000 Corollas a month in Japan.
“Toyota’s Corolla has a major impact on its profits and volume,” says Yasuhiro Matsumoto, senior analyst at Shinsei Securities Co. “There’s no way that demand for Japanese fuel- efficient vehicles will deteriorate, especially in North America,” he further added. Matsumoto estimates that automaker’s profit margin is approximately 300,000 yen ($2,540) for the Corolla.
Toyota will sell two versions of Corolla in Japan. The first version is a sedan called Corolla Axio and the second will be a station wagon dubbed as Corolla Fielder.
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Senior Citizens Choose Toyota Avalon as Top Car
Mark Clarkson asked:
So you have gone totally car and automobile crazy. You may think that you may be too old for that kind of stuff, but who cares, right? You have bought your car your favorite Toyota Tacoma parts but did you know that senior citizens have chosen yet another Toyota vehicle as the favorite and best car for their group? You may want to buy yet another vehicle, a Toyota Avalon this time, along with some Toyota Avalon parts to match.
According to a reviewer from Edmunds.com, one of the leading sources of information on automobiles and cars, senior citizens have chosen the 2006 Toyota Avalon as their top choice for the best car for seniors for the year 2006. Primarily, this is because the Toyota Avalon model for 2006 is much recognized for being a full sized sedan and for the kind of space and room it can provide to its passengers. Being cramped inside a really looker is not enough for the senior citizens group so they chose the Toyota Avalon. The seniors also do say that with the Toyota Avalon’s keyless ignition, those who suffer from arthritis would really be able to work it out well with the mentioned vehicle.
Toyota seems to be the brand that these senior citizens choose to be the best for 2006. Joining the ranks of the Toyota Avalon is the Toyota Prius. According to Edmunds’ reviewer, the Toyota Prius has been one of the chosen few for being the best when it comes to fuel efficiency. Plus, it can be purchased with the optional voice-control system which could be very much helpful for those aging ones.
Another Toyota vehicle joining the ranks is the Toyota Sienna minivan. This one has the capacity to take in eight people inside. So, as a senior citizen, you can take in all your family members, and even all your grand kids for a ride around the block. This vehicle also offers a rear backup camera so there is no need for you to twist and turn to take a look what’s happening at your vehicle’s back.
toyota
So you have gone totally car and automobile crazy. You may think that you may be too old for that kind of stuff, but who cares, right? You have bought your car your favorite Toyota Tacoma parts but did you know that senior citizens have chosen yet another Toyota vehicle as the favorite and best car for their group? You may want to buy yet another vehicle, a Toyota Avalon this time, along with some Toyota Avalon parts to match.
According to a reviewer from Edmunds.com, one of the leading sources of information on automobiles and cars, senior citizens have chosen the 2006 Toyota Avalon as their top choice for the best car for seniors for the year 2006. Primarily, this is because the Toyota Avalon model for 2006 is much recognized for being a full sized sedan and for the kind of space and room it can provide to its passengers. Being cramped inside a really looker is not enough for the senior citizens group so they chose the Toyota Avalon. The seniors also do say that with the Toyota Avalon’s keyless ignition, those who suffer from arthritis would really be able to work it out well with the mentioned vehicle.
Toyota seems to be the brand that these senior citizens choose to be the best for 2006. Joining the ranks of the Toyota Avalon is the Toyota Prius. According to Edmunds’ reviewer, the Toyota Prius has been one of the chosen few for being the best when it comes to fuel efficiency. Plus, it can be purchased with the optional voice-control system which could be very much helpful for those aging ones.
Another Toyota vehicle joining the ranks is the Toyota Sienna minivan. This one has the capacity to take in eight people inside. So, as a senior citizen, you can take in all your family members, and even all your grand kids for a ride around the block. This vehicle also offers a rear backup camera so there is no need for you to twist and turn to take a look what’s happening at your vehicle’s back.
toyota
Toyota to Work on Large Fuel Efficient Cars
KatieJones asked:
The United States auto market is known for the demand for larger vehicles like sport utility vehicles and even full-size sedans. In fact, American motorists are still looking for larger cars to drive even with the increasing price of gasoline. This makes the auto market even more competitive. Since consumers are also looking for fuel efficient cars, they still want bigger sized cars and vehicles.
Car manufacturers need to focus their attention to developing and producing large vehicles with good fuel efficiency. This is already addressed by different car manufacturers. In fact, a top official for the surging Toyota Motor Corporation said that the pressure will be on automotive engineers to come up with a vehicle that will both address the size of the vehicle and the fuel economy issue.
David Baxter, a Senior Executive Administrator of the Toyota Technical Center located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, said and emphasized on the demand of the auto market particularly in the North America. He said that consumers are looking for bigger sized vehicles and it would be the job of automotive engineers to come up with a vehicle that will satisfy their needs while meeting stricter emission regulations and support the United State’s energy independence goal.
During the Society of Automotive Engineers annual convention, Baxter said: “Especially in North America, people like the size of their vehicles, and there’s going to be a lot of pressure to maintain the size for safety and improve fuel economy.”
Aside from the size, Baxter also pointed out that consumers will also be looking for vehicles loaded with safety features to go along with size and fuel economy. But he stressed that that does not mean that the vehicles of the near future will not be all hybrids or small cars.
Baxter is of course part of Toyota which is known for their vehicles’ fuel efficiency. The company is currently enjoying much success in the U.S. auto market. The Japanese company’s success is mainly due to strong sales of their efficient cars like the Toyota Corolla and the Toyota Camry. Add to that the fast selling fuel miser that is the Prius. These vehicles are seen as more fuel efficient that the sedans manufactured by General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler, the U.S.’ Big Three.
The current challenge for them is to develop a large vehicle with an incredibly high gas mileage rating for its class. The Toyota Avalon, Toyota’s entry to the full-size sedan market, is also considered as one of the most fuel efficient vehicles in its class. The Toyota Avalon was designed at Toyota’s technical center where Baxter is currently the administrator.
While Toyota recently release a hybrid version of the mid-size Camry sedan, Baxter did not divulge at the convention whether Toyota will be offering a hybrid version of the Avalon. Instead, Baxter has this to say about the issue: “It’s likely there will be more hybrid vehicles or more hybrid powertrains available in our models in the future.”
In connection with the challenge posed on automotive engineers, Toyota will be expanding their technical center at Ann Arbor. This is to help the company design more fuel efficient and bigger sized cars, which according to Baxter, are what the public is looking for. Baxter also furthermore reported that the technical center has already hired 780 persons and Toyota is planning to add 500 more engineers to assist in the whole development process.
The planned new technical center will be tasked to design vehicles that will meet the demand of North American consumers meaning larger cars with good fuel economy and a Toyota logo just above the Toyota bumper. He said that the new plant is expected to help the company as their U.S. business expands more in the next several years.
Although Baxter maintained that Toyota will be putting in effort on the development of larger and fuel efficient vehicles, he also pointed out that in the near future, even a company as large as theirs or maybe even General Motors will be joining forces with other car manufacturers. He said that the development of safety features, fuel efficient technologies, and other issues will be more cost efficient if a partnership with other automakers is made.
toyota
The United States auto market is known for the demand for larger vehicles like sport utility vehicles and even full-size sedans. In fact, American motorists are still looking for larger cars to drive even with the increasing price of gasoline. This makes the auto market even more competitive. Since consumers are also looking for fuel efficient cars, they still want bigger sized cars and vehicles.
Car manufacturers need to focus their attention to developing and producing large vehicles with good fuel efficiency. This is already addressed by different car manufacturers. In fact, a top official for the surging Toyota Motor Corporation said that the pressure will be on automotive engineers to come up with a vehicle that will both address the size of the vehicle and the fuel economy issue.
David Baxter, a Senior Executive Administrator of the Toyota Technical Center located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, said and emphasized on the demand of the auto market particularly in the North America. He said that consumers are looking for bigger sized vehicles and it would be the job of automotive engineers to come up with a vehicle that will satisfy their needs while meeting stricter emission regulations and support the United State’s energy independence goal.
During the Society of Automotive Engineers annual convention, Baxter said: “Especially in North America, people like the size of their vehicles, and there’s going to be a lot of pressure to maintain the size for safety and improve fuel economy.”
Aside from the size, Baxter also pointed out that consumers will also be looking for vehicles loaded with safety features to go along with size and fuel economy. But he stressed that that does not mean that the vehicles of the near future will not be all hybrids or small cars.
Baxter is of course part of Toyota which is known for their vehicles’ fuel efficiency. The company is currently enjoying much success in the U.S. auto market. The Japanese company’s success is mainly due to strong sales of their efficient cars like the Toyota Corolla and the Toyota Camry. Add to that the fast selling fuel miser that is the Prius. These vehicles are seen as more fuel efficient that the sedans manufactured by General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler, the U.S.’ Big Three.
The current challenge for them is to develop a large vehicle with an incredibly high gas mileage rating for its class. The Toyota Avalon, Toyota’s entry to the full-size sedan market, is also considered as one of the most fuel efficient vehicles in its class. The Toyota Avalon was designed at Toyota’s technical center where Baxter is currently the administrator.
While Toyota recently release a hybrid version of the mid-size Camry sedan, Baxter did not divulge at the convention whether Toyota will be offering a hybrid version of the Avalon. Instead, Baxter has this to say about the issue: “It’s likely there will be more hybrid vehicles or more hybrid powertrains available in our models in the future.”
In connection with the challenge posed on automotive engineers, Toyota will be expanding their technical center at Ann Arbor. This is to help the company design more fuel efficient and bigger sized cars, which according to Baxter, are what the public is looking for. Baxter also furthermore reported that the technical center has already hired 780 persons and Toyota is planning to add 500 more engineers to assist in the whole development process.
The planned new technical center will be tasked to design vehicles that will meet the demand of North American consumers meaning larger cars with good fuel economy and a Toyota logo just above the Toyota bumper. He said that the new plant is expected to help the company as their U.S. business expands more in the next several years.
Although Baxter maintained that Toyota will be putting in effort on the development of larger and fuel efficient vehicles, he also pointed out that in the near future, even a company as large as theirs or maybe even General Motors will be joining forces with other car manufacturers. He said that the development of safety features, fuel efficient technologies, and other issues will be more cost efficient if a partnership with other automakers is made.
toyota
Toyota Grabs Its First Pole Position in Nascar
Kaye Leery asked:
For the first time this season, Toyota has earned its NASCAR Nextel Cup pole position, thanks to Dave Blaney, who drove his No. 22 Caterpillar Toyota Camry and set the fastest lap time in the recent practice test that took place at the New Hampshire International Speedway in Loudon.
Blaney pushed his Toyota “Car of Tomorrow” Camry equipped with Toyota Sway Bar Link to reach a maximum speed of 129.437 mph, and clocked in at 29.426 leaving other drivers behind. Blaney’s achievement is a milestone for Toyota Racing team as this is the first time that a Toyota car obtained a pole finish. Dave Blaney will put his Toyota Camry in the number 1 starting position at the upcoming Lenox Industrial Tools 300 race this coming July.
Check out what Dave Blaney said after the qualifying race.
“It feels good to get the first pole for Toyota and hopefully this is the first step in many successful days of poles and wins. We’ve been good all day and been getting a lot of speed out of the car. All of the Toyotas have been real good lately and Brian Vickers has had some good runs lately too. The Toyota side is definitely working hard and I just can’t thank everyone at Bill Davis Racing enough. Especially Tommy Baldwin, Bill Davis, Mike Brown and everybody. We’ve had a trying year with problems and DNFs. It’s been tough being out of the top-35 because it’s hard to concentrate on the races when you have to concentrate on getting into them. This is a big confidence booster for the whole team and any day where you can build confidence in your entire team and driver makes for a good day.”
The press asked Blaney if he already had the feeling that he would grab the pole, and he said:
“I watched everybody early and I saw that some of their speeds were falling off some from practice. I wasn’t sure what we could run and I knew we didn’t really change anything from practice. But in my situation I have to focus on getting into the race more than going for the pole. I can’t make a mistake and risk not getting into the race. I was a little conservative on my first lap, but when I found out that it was fast enough to get into the show — I gave that second lap a little more and I was able to put it on top of the board. It’s a tough position to be in because you have to be cautious enough to get it, but aggressive enough to get in the race. But yeah – I thought we could get the pole.”
NASCAR fans will surely watch out for the upcoming race in Loudon and see if Dave Blaney can give his Toyota team its first NASCAR victory.
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For the first time this season, Toyota has earned its NASCAR Nextel Cup pole position, thanks to Dave Blaney, who drove his No. 22 Caterpillar Toyota Camry and set the fastest lap time in the recent practice test that took place at the New Hampshire International Speedway in Loudon.
Blaney pushed his Toyota “Car of Tomorrow” Camry equipped with Toyota Sway Bar Link to reach a maximum speed of 129.437 mph, and clocked in at 29.426 leaving other drivers behind. Blaney’s achievement is a milestone for Toyota Racing team as this is the first time that a Toyota car obtained a pole finish. Dave Blaney will put his Toyota Camry in the number 1 starting position at the upcoming Lenox Industrial Tools 300 race this coming July.
Check out what Dave Blaney said after the qualifying race.
“It feels good to get the first pole for Toyota and hopefully this is the first step in many successful days of poles and wins. We’ve been good all day and been getting a lot of speed out of the car. All of the Toyotas have been real good lately and Brian Vickers has had some good runs lately too. The Toyota side is definitely working hard and I just can’t thank everyone at Bill Davis Racing enough. Especially Tommy Baldwin, Bill Davis, Mike Brown and everybody. We’ve had a trying year with problems and DNFs. It’s been tough being out of the top-35 because it’s hard to concentrate on the races when you have to concentrate on getting into them. This is a big confidence booster for the whole team and any day where you can build confidence in your entire team and driver makes for a good day.”
The press asked Blaney if he already had the feeling that he would grab the pole, and he said:
“I watched everybody early and I saw that some of their speeds were falling off some from practice. I wasn’t sure what we could run and I knew we didn’t really change anything from practice. But in my situation I have to focus on getting into the race more than going for the pole. I can’t make a mistake and risk not getting into the race. I was a little conservative on my first lap, but when I found out that it was fast enough to get into the show — I gave that second lap a little more and I was able to put it on top of the board. It’s a tough position to be in because you have to be cautious enough to get it, but aggressive enough to get in the race. But yeah – I thought we could get the pole.”
NASCAR fans will surely watch out for the upcoming race in Loudon and see if Dave Blaney can give his Toyota team its first NASCAR victory.
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Over 50 Fire Service Staff Now Uses Toyota Avensis Diesel Cars
Kaye Leery asked:
Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service’s Fleet Manager John Millett said that more than 50 fire service staff has switched from being user-choosers to driving a range of Toyota Avensis diesel cars and the switching has been a smooth one.
Manufactured at Toyota’s plant in Burnaston (Derbyshire), the Avensis 2.2-liter D-4D diesels, all equipped with top of the line Toyota auto parts, are used by fire officers as well as by senior and middle managers for operational purposes. They are being ordered in saloon, hatchback and Tourer form and in T3-x, T4, T-Spirit and T180 grades.
One Avensis is designated to be used in teaching new fire officers road craft skills when driving under blue-light conditions. Meanwhile, three Yaris 1.3-liter T3-x diesels have been assigned to the brigade’s “Red Fleet” to be used on general and community liaison duties. Officers and managers also have the choice of specifying Yaris for their own use if they prefer to drive a smaller one.
Over the past year, the Toyotas have been introduced into the rush on a rolling programme. Mr. Millet said that the feedback has been very good because everyone seems very happy. He added that some comments were expected when the staff has to move from a user-chooser scheme to another, but nobody has had any complaints and most have reacted that the Avensis is a good car. Furthermore, he said that from his point of view, the cars are working out well.
The decision of the Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service to shift to a single-badged fleet was influenced by the occurring again of the problem of meeting the needs of new staff who might find their predecessor’s choice of ride not suitable.
John Millet continued that they decided to have one car for all so they looked around for a 2.2-litre diesel with a good specification, one that would be large and durable enough to stand up to attending incidents, and with all the necessary safety features. They made naturally cost-effectiveness as a prime consideration in choosing.
Based at Littleover, Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service gets its cars on contract hire through Lloyds TSB, Appleyards and Automotive Leasing. The Avensis cars average 15,000 miles a year and the driving-school vehicle 25,000 miles, with drivers paying a contribution for personal use. At three years, replacement cycles take place.
For more than a quarter of a century, Toyota has relied on the talents of American designers and engineers to help ensure that their vehicles meet local preferences and standards.
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Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service’s Fleet Manager John Millett said that more than 50 fire service staff has switched from being user-choosers to driving a range of Toyota Avensis diesel cars and the switching has been a smooth one.
Manufactured at Toyota’s plant in Burnaston (Derbyshire), the Avensis 2.2-liter D-4D diesels, all equipped with top of the line Toyota auto parts, are used by fire officers as well as by senior and middle managers for operational purposes. They are being ordered in saloon, hatchback and Tourer form and in T3-x, T4, T-Spirit and T180 grades.
One Avensis is designated to be used in teaching new fire officers road craft skills when driving under blue-light conditions. Meanwhile, three Yaris 1.3-liter T3-x diesels have been assigned to the brigade’s “Red Fleet” to be used on general and community liaison duties. Officers and managers also have the choice of specifying Yaris for their own use if they prefer to drive a smaller one.
Over the past year, the Toyotas have been introduced into the rush on a rolling programme. Mr. Millet said that the feedback has been very good because everyone seems very happy. He added that some comments were expected when the staff has to move from a user-chooser scheme to another, but nobody has had any complaints and most have reacted that the Avensis is a good car. Furthermore, he said that from his point of view, the cars are working out well.
The decision of the Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service to shift to a single-badged fleet was influenced by the occurring again of the problem of meeting the needs of new staff who might find their predecessor’s choice of ride not suitable.
John Millet continued that they decided to have one car for all so they looked around for a 2.2-litre diesel with a good specification, one that would be large and durable enough to stand up to attending incidents, and with all the necessary safety features. They made naturally cost-effectiveness as a prime consideration in choosing.
Based at Littleover, Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service gets its cars on contract hire through Lloyds TSB, Appleyards and Automotive Leasing. The Avensis cars average 15,000 miles a year and the driving-school vehicle 25,000 miles, with drivers paying a contribution for personal use. At three years, replacement cycles take place.
For more than a quarter of a century, Toyota has relied on the talents of American designers and engineers to help ensure that their vehicles meet local preferences and standards.
Create a video blog…instantly.
What Transpires Behind the Toyota Story?
Kaye Leery asked:
Toyota Motor has obtained great public relations last week since three of Korea’s major dallies namely the Chosun IIbo, the Dong-A IIbo, and the JoongAng IIbo has released headline stories about the Japanese automaker’s Lexus plant in Japan. But Media Onul or Media Today which is a KBS TV show that examines issues in the media, has refuted the stories saying that it’s being too similar.
As a matter of fact, a headline story like that carried in a major newspaper is much more efficient in reaching consumers as compared to dozens of ads amounting to millions of won each. Last June 8, the current largest automaker in the world and producer of top-of-the-line Toyota coil springs, Toyota Motors has invited 53 journalists from 44 Japanese and foreign companies for a publicity event for its Lexus . All the journalists were based in Tokyo. They were requested to gather near the exit of Toyohashi Station in Aichi Prefecture where the plant is located. The one-way trip took an hour and 24 minutes from Tokyo by bullet train and the round trip fare was 17,000 yen or W127,000.
The journalists themselves shouldered the fare, Toyota for its part provided a bus from the station to the plant, the bus trip took about 30 minutes for which Toyota paid for the fuel.
At the bus were boxes on each seat containing a sandwich, fruit, and a bottle of mineral water. It was a lunch box from Toyota, the very same kind you get from convenience store for about 500 yen or W3,700. And if its lunch box cost about 600 yen or W4,500 including the mineral water, Toyota must have spent about 31,800 yen or W238,500 for the lunch of the reporters.
At the press conference was a table laden with Lexus caps. Each of these caps cost approximately 2,000 yen or W17,000 and if ever each of the journalists took a cap it would cost Toyota 106,000 yen or W795,000. Totaling all the expenses of Toyota for the said publicity event it will reach W1 million to bring the journalists out to it plant and that doesn’t include yet the additional amount paid by the automaker to present its car and its own employees. But of course, the journalists could have shouldered those expenses but Toyota preferred to take the responsibility of paying for the whole expenses.
And in fairness to Toyota’s officials they didn’t forced any journalists to write stories in favor of the automaker. The Korean journalists were not also seated together and didn’t compare notes just to ensure that their stories would become headliners as assumed by President Roh Moo-hyun.
After the visit at Toyota’s plant the three Korean dallies presented their stories on the same day in a similar way maybe for the same reason. That very same day the union of Hyundai Motor which is always playing catch up with Toyota in the global market went rallying to oppose the Korea-US free trade agreement.
The Media Onul reported that the “conservative media companies” shares the same view which just makes the KBS TV accurately right.
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Toyota Motor has obtained great public relations last week since three of Korea’s major dallies namely the Chosun IIbo, the Dong-A IIbo, and the JoongAng IIbo has released headline stories about the Japanese automaker’s Lexus plant in Japan. But Media Onul or Media Today which is a KBS TV show that examines issues in the media, has refuted the stories saying that it’s being too similar.
As a matter of fact, a headline story like that carried in a major newspaper is much more efficient in reaching consumers as compared to dozens of ads amounting to millions of won each. Last June 8, the current largest automaker in the world and producer of top-of-the-line Toyota coil springs, Toyota Motors has invited 53 journalists from 44 Japanese and foreign companies for a publicity event for its Lexus . All the journalists were based in Tokyo. They were requested to gather near the exit of Toyohashi Station in Aichi Prefecture where the plant is located. The one-way trip took an hour and 24 minutes from Tokyo by bullet train and the round trip fare was 17,000 yen or W127,000.
The journalists themselves shouldered the fare, Toyota for its part provided a bus from the station to the plant, the bus trip took about 30 minutes for which Toyota paid for the fuel.
At the bus were boxes on each seat containing a sandwich, fruit, and a bottle of mineral water. It was a lunch box from Toyota, the very same kind you get from convenience store for about 500 yen or W3,700. And if its lunch box cost about 600 yen or W4,500 including the mineral water, Toyota must have spent about 31,800 yen or W238,500 for the lunch of the reporters.
At the press conference was a table laden with Lexus caps. Each of these caps cost approximately 2,000 yen or W17,000 and if ever each of the journalists took a cap it would cost Toyota 106,000 yen or W795,000. Totaling all the expenses of Toyota for the said publicity event it will reach W1 million to bring the journalists out to it plant and that doesn’t include yet the additional amount paid by the automaker to present its car and its own employees. But of course, the journalists could have shouldered those expenses but Toyota preferred to take the responsibility of paying for the whole expenses.
And in fairness to Toyota’s officials they didn’t forced any journalists to write stories in favor of the automaker. The Korean journalists were not also seated together and didn’t compare notes just to ensure that their stories would become headliners as assumed by President Roh Moo-hyun.
After the visit at Toyota’s plant the three Korean dallies presented their stories on the same day in a similar way maybe for the same reason. That very same day the union of Hyundai Motor which is always playing catch up with Toyota in the global market went rallying to oppose the Korea-US free trade agreement.
The Media Onul reported that the “conservative media companies” shares the same view which just makes the KBS TV accurately right.
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