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Toyota opens a new plant in Japan: According to Autoblog, Toyota has opened its first new auto manufacturing plant in Japan in almost 20 years. The Miyagi factory is about 160 miles north of Tokyo. It is only building the Yaris right now, but should add two other models by next month. The plant was designed to make production faster, and the decrease the demand for energy–which saves money for Toyota for now–and if the U.S. dollar can increase its value against the Japanese Yen, then Toyota will also have lower operating costs here in the U.S. As it stands right now, however, the Yen is much stronger than the Dollar.
Source: Autoblog (http://www.autoblog.com/2011/02/18/toyota-opens-first-new-plant-in-japan-in-almost-20-years/) 2/18/11
Watch out, Ford “Sync”–here comes the General: Automotive News is reporting that General Motors will give Ford’s “Sync” information and entertainment system some competition later this year when it debuts its own new system called “MyLink.” MyLink will function very much like the Sync system in Fords–it will respond to spoken commands, and will offer various other functions as well. MyLink will debut in Chevrolets first (the Equinox and the Volt) in the fall of this year, and debut in GM’s other brands later on. GM will still offer its “OnStar” system with the MyLink system.
Source: Automotive News (http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110217/OEM06/110219882/1182) 2/17/11
P. Scott
The Car Exam 