The automaker is betting that its cars will appeal to younger Japanese buyers who are also more open to trying South Korean imports, thanks to the local success of electronics brands and hip Korean culture.

The Toyota Land Cruiser is so big in Japan that Toyota Motor Corp. is telling customers the wait for delivery has stretched to four years.

Subaru of America said it will start taking $250 refundable reservations for its first EV, the 2023 Subaru Solterra, beginning at noon Tuesday.

The automaker issued an emergency stop-sale on the 2023 bZ4X and told consumers to stop driving it immediately for fear the wheels may fall off. It is offering a series of make-goods to approximately 260 owners and lessees, who still can't drive the BEV, including an offer to buy back the compact crossover.

Rebounding Mitsubishi Motors Corp. stepped up its recovery in the latest quarter, bouncing back to profitability on better sales and beneficial foreign exchange rates.

Honda's all-electric Prologue will leverage GM's Ultium platform and batteries and feature Honda's exterior and interior design.

"We're not trying to catch up" with domestic competitors, says Mike Sweers, the executive chief engineer for the automaker's trucks.

Interest in the U.S. rose from 5 percent to 19 percent over the two-year period. And in California, where the market for EVs is well-established, interest jumped from 9 percent to 34 percent.

The region offers a glimpse of the trends — more expensive oil, cheaper power and falling EV ownership costs — that someday could drive widespread adoption of electric models throughout the country and beyond.

Global executives foresee a major shift to online auto sales by 2030, with a steep rise in automaker direct-to-consumer sales.

The luxury brand has been cast in a starring role in Toyota Motor's $70 billion investment. As part of the plan for Lexus dealers to serve customers and alleviate any range anxiety, gasoline-electric and plug-in hybrids will have a key role.

U.S. light-vehicle sales, hampered by lean stockpiles and chronic parts shortages, declined by double-digits in June, capping a weaker second quarter and first half. The SAAR tallied 13.22 million last month, the second lowest pace of the year. Lights trucks drove Ford to a 1.8 percent gain in the second quarter and a 32 percent June surge, ending a streak of monthly declines at the Ford brand and Lincoln.