Official: Toyota reports huge quarterly profit increase, raises forecast for the year

Filed under: Toyota, Earnings/Financials

2014 Toyota Tundra Grille

Toyota isn’t just the world’s largest automaker – so far its the biggest winner for quarterly profits. With an enormous $5.5 billion take during Q2, Toyota took advantage of the weak Japanese yen and strong US demand to record a 94-percent improvement in profit over the same period from last year. So far, Toyota brought in larger profits than Ford and General Motors combined.

Toyota is showing no signs of slowing down either, as it has bumped up its forecast for full-year global production, going from 9.94 million to 10.12 million vehicles, on the back of a 13-percent drop in the buying power of the Japanese yen versus the US dollar. That strong exchange rate is largely responsible for Toyota’s big jump in profits, although it also managed to shift 1.3 million vehicles in the US market this year. Strong Camry sales have also helped. But while Toyota is raking in the cash, it actually saw a small drop in market share, down 0.1 percent to 14.3 percent of the US market.

As is the case with most automakers, Toyota seems flummoxed by Europe, where it recorded less than one percent of its revenue. Still, as Automotive News points out, Toyota only maintains a 4.5-percent market share in Europe and is far less dependent on the continent than other manufacturers. Toyota also struggled at home, much like Honda. With 525,777 units sold, JDM sales were down almost 51,000 units, although Toyota still saw its operating profit jump from $3.5 billion to $4.6 billion.

Scroll down for Toyota’s official press release.

Continue reading Toyota reports huge quarterly profit increase, raises forecast for the year

Toyota reports huge quarterly profit increase, raises forecast for the year originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 04 Aug 2013 15:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MTM releases first round of upgrades for RS5, raises top speed to 188 mph

Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Performance, Europe, Audi, Luxury

MTM Audi RS5 – Click above for high-res image gallery

The clever wrenches at the German tuning powerhouse MTM have gotten a hold of the Audi RS5. Always ones to turn fast faster, the group claims to have squeezed the car’s top speed to 188 mph. But instead of focusing on pulling even more horsepower from the already staggering 4.2-liter V8, the company simply upped the factory speed limiter to allow for a more potent v-max. MTM will politely ask for a check for $1,429 (at current conversion rates) for the upgrade, which isn’t exactly pocket change. According to MTM, the car still produces 450 horsepower, though the company will be happy to supply you with a new free-breathing exhaust system that just might turn an extra pony or two loose.

In addition to the lofty top speed, MTM has rolled out a hefty selection of wheels just for the RS5. We’re guessing a new set of tires will probably be in order if you plan on bumping up against that new 188 mph top end, too. Eventually, the company plans to roll out a complete suspension for the car. And here’s hoping they come up with some equally competent brakes in the process.

Gallery: MTM Audi RS5

[Source: MTM]

MTM releases first round of upgrades for RS5, raises top speed to 188 mph originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Jul 2010 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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