Toyota Taking Names; Kicking Ass

AP (05.10.05):

"Toyota Motor Corp.'s fourth-quarter profit dipped, but the world's second-largest automaker said Tuesday that it still posted record earnings for the full fiscal year as sales grew across all key regions. The company, whose solid results contrast with the struggles of U.S. rivals General Motors Corp. and Ford Motor Co., recorded 290.7 billion yen ($2.8 billion) profit for the quarter ended March 31, down 17 percent from 351.2 billion yen the same period a year ago. But Toyota forecast strong profits for the current fiscal year and said the quarterly slip came from costs to raise overseas production as it prepares another major push to expand its global operations. Quarterly sales rose 4.2 percent to 4.88 trillion yen ($46 billion) from 4.a68 trillion yen a year earlier." Automaker Toyota Reports Improved Profits on Growing Sales Around World

So they're shelling out for "another major push to expand its global operations". No word as to Detroit's reaction. "Toyota, based in Toyota city, central Japan, has been doing so well in contrast to faltering U.S. automakers that Chairman Hiroshi Okuda has even expressed concerns and said he was considering offers of help." "Okuda has said Toyota is willing to consider raising prices on cars in North America to give the U.S. automakers breathing room as well as possibly sharing its hybrid vehicle technology. Toyota and General Motors deny they are already in talks." Bet this is sticking in a lot of craws in Detroit. Previously knobbed: " Sorry!", "Their Cars Are", "Missed The Boat Again", and "Gonna Save All My Money".