Japanese Automaker | featured news

The latest recall covers Honda Pilot models produced during the 2009 through 2013 model-years and Odyssey minivans from 2011 through 2013. Customers are being asked to take the vehicles to their dealers for inspection of the driver’s-side airbags and, if necessary, for repairs.It’s the latest in a series of problems Honda has had with airbags that have now resulted in the recall of several million vehicles in recent years. That includes one problem in which airbags could inflate over-aggressively, causing shrapnel to fire into the passenger compartment.

In a remarkable turnaround, Toyota is likely to set a record for auto sales this year. It has focused much effort on the U.S., refreshing its lineup and expanding its manufacturing in the country.

Japan’s two largest automakers appear to be locked in a race to achieve the dubious distinction of having recalled more vehicles than any other automaker during 2012 for an array of safety-related problems.

Toyota has surged back from a downturn following the natural disasters in Japan last year and is expecting to sell 23 percent more vehicles than it did in 2011.

Toyota Motor Co. wrapped up one of the worst fiscal year’s in the company’s history with an unexpectedly strong final quarter in which it saw earnings more than quadruple.

Toyota Motor Corp said on Wednesday it is recalling more than 681,000 cars and trucks in the U.S. market to address potential problems.

Toyota over the weekend broke ground for a technical center near Shanghai that will prepare for shifting production to China of tightly guarded technology used in its hybrids and other alternative-energy vehicles—but not its latest technology.

Two weeks after Japan’s March 11 earthquake knocked out more than 650 of Toyota Motor Corp.’s suppliers, halting worldwide production, the automaker had to decide where to focus its resources. It picked the Prius.

Honda Motor Co. said Monday it was set to voluntarily recall 936,000 cars globally to repair problems with power windows and computer equipment. Honda said no serious injuries or fatal accidents were reported due to the problems, and the repair bill would be limited to about $17 million in Japan.

Toyota Motor Corp and Ford Motor Co will work together to develop gasoline-electric trucks and SUVs that will be ready for market by the end of the decade, the two companies said on Monday.