Toyota Motor Stock Price, News & Analysis

Chevron and Toyota have entered a memorandum of understanding to explore a strategic alliance aimed at developing a large-scale hydrogen economy. The partnership focuses on three strategic priorities: advocating for hydrogen-related public policies, assessing market demand for fuel cell electric vehicles, and pursuing joint research and development in hydrogen transportation and storage. Both companies view this collaboration as a significant step towards carbon neutrality, leveraging their combined resources and expertise to create sustainable transportation options.

Toyota unveiled the bZ4X Concept on April 18, 2021, marking a significant step in its commitment to carbon neutrality through alternative-fuel technologies. The bZ4X is the first in a global series of battery-electric vehicles under the 'bZ' brand, part of Toyota's plan to introduce around 70 electrified models by 2025, including 15 dedicated BEVs. This concept vehicle, developed with Subaru, showcases Toyota's renowned quality and an engaging driving experience. Production will begin in Japan and China, with a global sales launch expected by mid-2022.

Toyota Motor North America (TMNA) announced key executive changes aimed at enhancing its mobility strategy. Effective April 12, Doug Murtha transitioned to group vice president, chief business information officer within the IT Division, while Tim Ingle was promoted to group vice president, Enterprise Strategy. Ingle will oversee areas related to mobility, including connected, autonomous, shared, and electrified initiatives. These changes are designed to drive critical business needs and improve competitiveness in TMNA's future product plans.

Toyota Motor North America has partnered with AT&T to enhance in-vehicle entertainment for families. This collaboration introduces the WarnerMedia RIDE™ app, allowing Toyota and Lexus owners to connect up to five devices for browsing and streaming content via AT&T in-car Wi-Fi. Eligible owners of select 2020 and newer models can access a complimentary 90-day Wi-Fi trial. The app offers a wide range of shows and movies from popular channels. This initiative aims to improve customer experience on road trips, aligning with Toyota's focus on next-generation mobility.

Toyota Motor North America (TM) reported impressive U.S. sales for March 2021, with 253,783 vehicles sold, marking an 87% increase year-over-year. For Q1 2021, TMNA's sales reached 603,066 vehicles, a 21.6% rise. The Toyota division sold 220,597 vehicles in March (up 83.6%), while Lexus sales were at 33,186 (up 112.9%). Alternative Power Vehicles (APV) saw a notable increase, with March sales climbing 290.7% to 60,133 units. TMNA plans to introduce 25 new or refreshed vehicles over the next 16 months, aiming to enhance its hybrid and electric offerings.

Toyota announced the winners of the annual Toyota Dream Car USA Art Contest, showcasing artwork that envisions the future of mobility. Nine young artists were selected, with Jiawei (Jery) Chen from Florida receiving the inaugural Petersen Prestige Award for her innovative design titled 'Fly Higher with Toyota'. The contest aims to inspire creativity and engage youth in discussions about sustainable transportation. Over the years, nearly 90 countries have participated in similar contests, emphasizing Toyota's commitment to fostering future mobility.

On March 23, 2021, Toyota launched the Toyota for Families digital toolkit aimed at simplifying child car seat installations. This initiative stemmed from a discussion between engineers Jennifer Pelky and Lindsay Babian, both mothers, who recognized the confusion surrounding car seat setups. The toolkit provides step-by-step video instructions tailored to specific Toyota vehicles, enhancing child safety in cars. Despite significant advances in car seat technology, over half are still installed incorrectly, prompting Toyota's commitment to reduce these errors through accessible resources.

The program "Powering the Nation - Hydrogen Fuel Cells - the Clean Transportation Alternative" will air on March 26 at 7 p.m. EDT on Science Channel and MotorTrend TV, and again on March 27 at 8 a.m. EDT on Discovery. Featuring insights into hydrogen fuel technology and its potential applications in zero-emission vehicles and beyond, the program emphasizes collaboration among states, manufacturers, and energy companies. Toyota advocates for hydrogen fuel cells as part of its broader sustainability efforts, which also include hybrid and battery electric vehicles.

Toyota's Georgetown, Kentucky plant celebrates a significant milestone with the assembly of its 13 millionth vehicle, a RAV4 Hybrid, highlighting ongoing investments of over $1.5 billion in production since 2017. The plant, which employs over 10,000 workers, is part of Toyota's broader $13 billion investment plan in North America. As the leading alternative fuel vehicle manufacturer in the U.S., Toyota aims for 40% of its new vehicle sales to be electrified by 2025. Additionally, a $1.3 million commitment to STEM education reflects its community engagement.