Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) announces details of its 2012 Toyota Community Concerts, a classical music concert program TMC holds annually throughout Japan in collaboration with its domestic sales companies as part of its social contribution activities. This year 44 concerts will be held in 22 prefectures throughout Japan.

The Toyota Community Concerts program showcases amateur orchestras and aims to contribute to the promotion of regional culture through music. As of the end of March 2012, 1,371 concerts have been held in 167 municipalities in 45 prefectures nationwide, with a cumulative audience figure exceeding 1,104,000.

In 2012, the program will feature three types of concerts—citizen’s concerts, visiting concerts and invitation concerts—to match the needs of target communities.

Source: http://www2.toyota.co.jp/en/news/12/05/0516.html

Toyota will open voting for the second year of 100 Cars for Good, a national philanthropic program that will award 100 cars to 100 nonprofits over the course of 100 consecutive days.

At Toyota, we appreciate what a big difference a new car or truck can make for organizations working to improve lives and strengthen communities across America,” said Jim Lentz, President and Chief Executive Officer of Toyota Motor Sales. Over the past 20 years, Toyota has contributed more than half a billion dollars to nonprofits throughout the U.S. 100 Cars for Good allows us to build on that commitment in new ways, putting the public in the ‘driver’s seat’ as we work to help community organizations make an even bigger impact. We wish all of this year’s finalists the best of luck.

The 500 finalists for 100 Cars for Good represent all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Profiles of all of this year’s finalists can be found at www.100carsforgood.com.

Winning nonprofits will be able to choose from one of six Toyota models: Camry Hybrid, Highlander SUV, Prius v hybrid, Sienna minivan, Sienna Mobility or Tundra full-sized pickup. A six-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty will also be provided for each vehicle, compliments of Toyota Financial Services.

To help participating nonprofits with their 100 Cars for Good campaigns – and to help them develop lasting digital marketing and social media skills that are critical to nonprofits – Toyota has provided each finalist with a toolkit that includes a digital video camera, training materials and free online advertising credits. The company is providing social media training support online to the finalists as well.

Source: http://pressroom.toyota.com/releases/voting+toyota+100+cars+good+opens+this+morning+10+am+et+7+am+pt.htm

When the first DTM race of the year gets underway at the legendary Hockenheimring on Sunday, the co-operation between Hankook as the exclusive tyre partner and the most popular international touring car series is entering its second season. After the successful premiere in 2011, Hankook’s engineers have constructed a largely new tyre that will prove itself for the first time in competition after many miles of testing. For the 2012-spec tyres that are significantly bigger and wider, the high-speed circuit near Hockenheim will be the litmus test.

An The Hockenheimring Baden-Wurttemberg is particularly notorious because of its high kerbstones. As the drivers are nearly always running over them at top speed, they put an enormous load on the tyre construction. However, Hankook’s engineers are confident that the tyres will again master the challenges at Hockenheim. After all, the experience and the know-how from the past season have been considered in the development of the new tyre generation. The current tyres are particularly bigger and wider than those used last year. With the sizes 300/680/R18 for the front and 320/710/R18 for the rear axle- meaning that even the 2012 front tyres are bigger than the rear tyres used in 2011- the new Ventus Race provide even more mechanical grip and performance, both as a slick and as a rain tyre. These are excellent conditions for ultra-fast laps at the Hockenheimring with its top-speed straights and the slower, yet very demanding cornering sections.

With the new development, the tyre manufacturer also succeeded in the difficult task of combining high performance and maximum safety. For drivers and teams, we are providing top performance at a constant high level of consistency and safety, like we had last year”, says James Kim, head of development and Team Manager Motorsport at Hankook Tire Europe, who from the German based headquarters is leading a team of more than ten development engineers.

Hankook BMW’s return into the DTM was an additional challenge for Hankook. Next to Audi and Mercedes-Benz, the individual requirements of a third premium car manufacturer now also have to be considered and taken into account. This made the development of the 2012-spec tyres to an even more delicate affair. However, co-operation was seamless, and was very effective with all three car manufacturers, James Kim emphasised. Norbert Haug, Mercedes-Benz’s head of motorsport immediately returned the compliment and already applauded during the press conference at the official DTM test days at the same venue: “Hankook is a reliable partner for the DTM, the tyres are suited for the challenges they have to deal with.< /P>

Source:http://global.hankooktire.com/compmed/News_View.aspx?pageNum=4&subNum=5&ChildNum=1&Seq=733&PageNo=

The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., announced that its sales and earnings increased solidly in the first quarter of the present fiscal year. Net sales in the three months from January 1 to March 31 increased 7.4% over the same period of the previous year, to 135.3 billion yen; operating income increased 403.3%, to 9.3 billion yen; and net income increased 389.7%, to 8.8 billion yen. Yokohama shifted its fiscal accounting to a calendar-year basis in 2011, from the previous April-to-March basis. The first-quarter sales growth reflected strong gains in sales of tires to automakers in Japan and progress in raising prices for tires and other products in Japan and overseas.

Sales in Yokohama’s tire operations increased 10.5%, to 107.2 billion yen, and operating income increased more than 20-fold, to 7.9 billion yen. Vehicle production in Japan increased sharply as automakers recovered from the effect of the Great East Japan Earthquake of March 2011, and that occasioned strong growth in sales of tires for factory fitment. In replacement tires, sales in Japan declined despite stronger-than-expected growth in sales of winter tires. Price increases enabled Yokohama to post sales growth in replacement tires overseas despite weakening demand in North America and in European nations other than Russia.

Yokohama posted sales growth of 1.3% in industrial products, to 22.7 billion yen, and operating income increased 18.5%, to 1.2 billion yen. Those products center on high-pressure hoses, sealants and adhesives, conveyor belts, antiseismic products, marine hoses, and pneumatic marine fenders. Sales were strong in Japan and overseas in high-pressure hoses for automobiles and in automotive sealants. Yokohama also posted sales growth in marine hoses, reflecting the worldwide boom in resources development.

Sales in other products, which include aircraft fixtures and components and golf equipment, declined 17.2%, to 5.4 billion yen, and operating income declined 58.2%, to 185 million yen. The sales decline reflected general weakness in the aircraft market and poor sales of Yokohama’s principal products in golf equipment.

Yokohama has revised upward the fiscal projections that it announced in February 2012 for the first half of the present fiscal year. Its revised projections call for interim net sales of 278.0 billion yen, compared with the earlier projection of 268.0 billion yen; for interim operating income of 18.0 billion yen, compared with the earlier projection of 12.8 billion yen; and for interim net income of 14.0 billion yen, compared with the earlier projection of 9.0 billion yen. Yokohama will announced revised full-year fiscal projections when it announces its interim fiscal results. The full-year fiscal projections that it announced in February 2012 call for net sales of 575.0 billion yen, for operating income of 40.0 billion yen, and for net income of 25.0 billion yen.

Source: http://www.yrc-pressroom.jp/english/html/201251113mg002.html

With sales up 140 percent in April and 70 percent for the year, the 2012 subcompact Toyota Yaris proves to be an outstanding choice for performance, comfort, fuel efficiency and safety. The all-new Yaris comes in three-door and five-door liftback models, with available five-speed manual or four-speed electronic automatic transmissions. Powered by an efficient 106-hp four-cylinder engine with Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i), it’s EPA-rated to achieve 30 mpg city and 38 mpg highway with the manual and 30 city/35 highway with the automatic.

Yaris helps protect its occupants with a reinforced cabin that integrates front and rear crumple zones and energy-absorbing materials in the roof and doors. All-five seating positions are equipped with height-adjustable head rests and three-point seatbelts. Also standard are driver and front passenger advanced dual-stage front airbags, front-seat-mounted side airbags, driver knee airbag, driver- and front-passenger seat-cushion airbags and first and second row side-curtain airbags.

Toyota’s Star Safety System is standard on all models. It includes Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRAC), Anti-lock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA) and Smart Stop Technology (SST). Toyota is the first full-line manufacturer to make these features standard on all vehicles.

The comfortable cabin provides rear seating for three with headrests in all positions. The interior also features easy-to-reach controls, high center-mounted instrument cluster for excellent on-road visibility, and an array of storage spaces and cup holders. Standard equipment includes air conditioning, tilt steering wheel, rear-window defogger and intermittent wipers.

For an added measure of utility and luggage space, the rear seatback folds down to expand cargo capacity from 9.3 cubic feet to 25.7 cubic feet. A 60/40 split rear seatback is standard on LE and SE grades. Exterior styling is crisp and contemporary. The grill is accented by sharp character lines that flow into the sleek hood and windshield. To improve aerodynamics and reduce wind noise, outer moldings on the windshield and door glass have been eliminated. In the rear, the tail lamps frame a wide trunk opening.

For those seeking a sportier look and driving experience, Yaris offers an SE model with five-speed manual transmission or four-speed automatic, 16-inch alloy wheels and tires, sport-tuned suspension, quicker-ratio steering and integrated fog lamps. All Yaris models come with complimentary Toyota Care, which covers normal factory maintenance for two years or 25,000 miles, whichever comes first. Yaris is available at Toyota dealers nationwide with manufacturer’s suggested retail prices starting at $14,115.

Source: http://pressroom.toyota.com/releases/2012+yaris+great+blend+convenience+mpg+safety.htm

Medium and heavy truck sales were up 18% in April over the same period a year ago and down 13% from last month, according to figures compiled by Wards Communications.

Dealers sold 45,048 trucks with GVW ratings above 10,000 pounds during the month, up from April 2011 (38,116) and down from March 2012 (51,734).

Compared with April 2011, Class 8 trucks were up 39% (16,905, compared to 12,173). Class 7 sales were 4,257, up 29% from the 3,294 sold.

For the year, truck dealers have sold 178,359 trucks with GVW ratings above 10,000 pounds, up 26% from 142,078 in 2010. Class 8 sales have been 63,750, a 44% increase from the same period last year (44,131). Class 7 sales have been up 18% (15,942, compared to 13,544). Total sales of all classes have been up 6%, from 2,185,032 to 2,324,430.

Every class has been up, except for Class 4 (down 15%). The biggest increase has been in Class 5 (26%).

Source: http://trailer-bodybuilders.com/news/medium-heavy-sales-up-18-0511/

The Chevrolet Trax, an all-new small sport utility vehicle, will join the Chevrolet global portfolio and make its debut at the Paris Motor Show in September.

With room for five passengers and class-leading cargo space, Trax will meet the needs of customers in more than 140 markets. Mexico and Canada will be the first markets to launch the crossover in the fourth quarter of this year. Because of the strong position of the Equinox, there are no plans to introduce the Trax in the U.S. market.

Chevrolet has recently introduced a new Malibu mid-sized sedan, Colorado pickup, TrailBlazer mid-sized SUV and Cruze station wagon. When it joins its siblings in the showroom, Trax will possess the same pioneering spirit and expressive design that defines each new Chevrolet.

Trax exhibits its SUV toughness and capability in a small package through a muscular exterior design and wide athletic stance. While its contemporary form evolves the global Chevrolet design aesthetic, Trax’s interior and details will be executed to standards usually found in more expensive vehicles.

Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world’s largest car brands, doing business in more than 140 countries and selling more than 4 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature spirited performance, expressive design and high quality.

Source: http://publish.media.gm.com/media/us/en/gm/news.detail.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2012/May/0514_trax

The National Association of Motor Auctions (NAMA) published its monthly market report for April. The report shows that during April typical seasonal trends emerged resulting in the average values of used cars sold at auction across the board decreasing from £4,648 to £4,550, equivalent to a 2% decrease between March and April.

The manufacturer/rental sector has suffered a significant decrease in price with a fall of 9%. This is largely due to the considerable change in car model mix in a sector that only accounts for 10% of all auction sales.

A notable feature of the fleet sector is that prices have been remarkably consistent since September 2011. The average price of a 2.6 to 4.5 year old vehicle is £25 higher than it was 7 months ago.

Andrew Hulme, NAMA Chairman commented “The April results show that the key indicators of market health are down. There was a 2% overall price reduction for all cars sold in the month, sales reduced by 9%, conversion rates fell and the average number of days that cars were spending on site increased.

However it is important to remember that these changes are typical for this time of year. April saw the usual influx of ex-fleet cars while trade buying activity has slowed. This is due to dealers experiencing a normal slowdown in retail sales therefore the need to replace stocked has tapered.

Mike Pilkington, NAMA committee member commented “The first 10 days of May have witnessed a steady decline in trading conditions as stocks remained high in comparison to trade demand. Also a large proportion of the unsold vehicles are cars that require more than the normal refurbishment to make them fit for sale.

Source:http://www.rmif.co.uk/index.php?op=news&id=235

April 2012 sales figures saw a dip in the overall commercial vehicle market, down 13.7%. While truck registrations continued to rise, up 17.7% in April, van registrations fell by 19.8%. said Sue Robinson, Director of the RMI National Franchised Dealers Association which represents commercial vehicle and franchised car retailers across the UK, commenting on the SMMT’s van and truck registration figures.

Robinson continued All sectors of the van market recorded a decrease in sales in April. Year to date figures show small under 2ton vans and large 2.5 – 3.5ton vehicles have been worst affected, down 28.2% and 12.8% respectively.

The sector that appears least affected by the drop in sales is the mid-size 2.0 – 2.5ton vans, recording a decrease of only 3.2% year to date. A reasonable proportion of these vans are sold as private vehicles or to small businesses and the self employed indicating growth in confidence amongst the ‘user-chooser’ customers.

The truck market continues to go from strength to strength with sales up 27.4% year to date.

The rigid truck market recorded growth in all sectors an overall figure of 32.8% in April and 52.9% year to date indicating continued confidence in the industries that use this type of vehicle, namely the construction and distribution industries.

Source:http://www.rmif.co.uk/index.php?op=news&id=234