Naoto Okamura Naoto Okamura, the Tokyo-based news assistant, supports Automotive News coverage from Japan through a wide array of reporting, interviewing, translation and news gathering. [email protected] +81-3-6434-0640 See All Staff Page Recent Stories Japan Mobility Show tries dance festivals and food trucks amid tepid overseas response Organizers expect about 220 companies, plus 100 startups competing in a business pitch contest. That compares with the 192 companies that attended the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show. Mazda races to feed U.S. demand for CX-90 amid looming shipping shortage A global shipping shortage is causing Mazda to scramble to secure enough sea transport to feed soaring U.S. demand for its vehicles, especially crossovers such as the new CX-90. Subaru plans 4 crossover EVs, 400,000 output in dramatic ramp-up Subaru plans a four EV lineup by the end of 2026 and will add capacity to build 400,000 full-electric cars in Japan starting around 2028. Operating profits nearly tripled in the company’s fiscal year ended March 31. Don't fear failure: Shoichiro Toyoda memorial spotlights Toyota's urgent reboot The memorial of legendary former Toyota Chairman Shoichiro Toyoda serves as a well-timed inspiration for rekindling Toyota's killer instinct. Subaru exec shuffle: New CEO pledges electrification flexibility; Doll to step down as U.S. chief Atsushi Osaki, Subaru's next CEO, says the automaker will respond quickly to market trends such as electrification and will seek to grow in the U.S. and new markets such as Australia. In addition, Subaru of America said Tom Doll will step down as CEO and assume a role as corporate adviser at the company’s U.S. headquarters. 'Captain Sato' plans new player formation for Team Toyota as CEO; quarterly profits rise Toyota's next CEO, Koji Sato, is changing the automaker’s leadership lineup to better compete in a challenging new era. Meanwhile, the automaker said operating profit improved 22 percent in the recent fiscal quarter. Subaru envisions U.S. lineup of ‘several' EVs by 2025; operating profits soar Subaru's upcoming EVs would be in addition to the only full-electric vehicle currently in the lineup, the Solterra crossover co-developed with Toyota. Subaru wants to derive 40 percent of its global sales from battery electrics and hybrids by 2030. After repeated cuts, Toyota now plans a production comeback By wrangling alternative semiconductor sourcing, building direct ties to chip makers and communicating more closely with suppliers, Toyota has gradually bolstered production plans. Tokyo show to be revamped as mobility event Organizers hope the Tokyo auto show will reboot international interest in Asia’s one-time premier auto event and in Japan as a technology leader. Honda, Nissan see brighter days ahead Honda and Nissan are sounding upbeat as they raise full-year earnings forecasts, citing progress in sorting out the semiconductor shortage and improved profitability. Mazda grapples with tight labor at U.S. plant as it struggles to ramp up CX-50 Mazda hopes to add a second shift to its new Alabama plant as it struggles with staffing amid low unemployment in the U.S. state, where it makes the CX-50. Honda U.S. dealers could service Sony-Honda EVs, CFO says The sales and servicing plan for Honda's EV partnership with Sony is still under discussion. But Honda's network of more than 1,000 U.S. dealers are well situated to service the new cars, the automaker's CFO said. Mitsubishi weighs possible stake in Renault EV spinoff Operating profit more than tripled to 53.8 billion yen ($372.3 million) and net income more than doubled to 44.1 billion yen ($240.4 million) in the three-month period. Subaru struggles to compete with McDonald's on wages as automaker shies away from U.S. EV investments Subaru says soaring labor costs are one reason the company is not thinking of new investments to build EVs in the U.S. anytime soon. Subaru said its third-quarter net income nearly doubled to $350.2 million. Toyota finally finds fix to keep wheels on its new bZ4X EV crossover Toyota started recalling the bZ4X in June, just two months after the EV went on sale. The callback also affected the Subaru Solterra, a rebadged version sold by Toyota’s partner. Load More
Naoto Okamura Naoto Okamura, the Tokyo-based news assistant, supports Automotive News coverage from Japan through a wide array of reporting, interviewing, translation and news gathering. [email protected] +81-3-6434-0640 See All Staff Page