Japan's automakers are stoking R&D investment to meet mounting demand for a staggering array of technologies. Toyota by far outpaces the pack.

Nissan COO Ashwani Gupta says the carmaker is ready to turbocharge its turnaround, possibly build a new U.S. plant and adopt a build-to-order mindset for more efficient retail sales.

Japanese carmaker financials show how the COVID pandemic and the chip shortage continue to challenge them — despite positive fundamentals.