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Toyota asking NHTSA for fuel cell car safety exemption regarding electric shocks

Toyota is requesting an exemption from federal safety regulations that govern electric cars as it prepares to launch a small-scale hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle fleet.
The Japanese automaker is targeting Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 305, which covers the packaging of high-voltage parts in electric cars. According to Uncle Sam, these systems need to be isolated so that passengers and first responders aren't electrocuted in the event of a crash. That seems pretty smart, but it's become a problem for Toyota's upcoming production fuel cell vehicle, as the mechanism that prevents electric shocks in low-speed crashes will apparently simply keep Toyota's car from even functioning.
Instead of the federally approved system, Bloomberg reports that Toyota plans to insulate the high-voltage wires and cables in the car, along with shielding electrical components like the fuel cells, electric motor and batteries with (presumably non-conductive) metal barriers.

Toyota enters Rally America with modified RAV4

Rally cars are typically based on production hatchbacks, but Toyota is hitting the Rally America series this year with the RAV4 you see here. Entering the 2WD-Open Class (yes, it's front-wheel drive), this specially prepared RAV4 rally machine is being revealed at the Monster Energy Supercross Championship finale this weekend in Las Vegas. It retains the stock powertrain, including a 2.5-liter inline-four with the same 176 horsepower and 172 pound-feet of torque as the small crossover you can pick up at your local Toyota dealership. Only it's been unburdened of more than 500 pounds of excess weight and fitted with a roll cage, BFGoodrich all-terrain tires and an upgraded TEIN suspension at both ends. The resulting machine will be driven by Ryan Millen, son of the legendary Rod Millen and brother the Rhys. This isn't the first time Ryan is driving off-road for Toyota either, having won the Baja 1000 last year in a Toyota Tundra TRD Pro. Toyota Flexes RAV4 Muscle with New Rally America Series Entry Renowned Off-Road Driver Ryan Millen to Drive RAV4 Rally Car in 2015 Rally America 2WD-Open Class TORRANCE, Calif. (May 6, 2015) – Toyota unveiled its RAV4 rally car at the Monster Energy Supercross Championship finale this weekend at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas. Ryan Millen, who won the 2014 Baja 1000 in a Toyota Tundra TRD Pro, will drive the RAV4 rally vehicle at various rally races including some of the 2015 Rally America 2WD-Open Class season. The muscled-up RAV4 was unveiled live between races to all in attendance and was on display in the pits throughout the event. A RAV4 competing within a professional racing series is rare. It is even rarer to see the unibody-construction, Small-Sport Utility Vehicle (SSUV) go head-to-head with Rally America's modified street cars. Toyota's entry into Rally America is a modified 2015 Toyota RAV4 LE. The vehicle sports a stock transmission and a stock 2.5-liter, four-cylinder, double-overhead cam engine that pushes 176-horsepower and 172-pounds of torque. Millen and his crew removed more than 500 pounds of stock weight, while adding a roll cage, BFGoodrich all-terrain DOT 215/75R15 tires, and upgrading to a front and rear TEIN suspension. "I've driven just about everything Toyota has to offer," said Millen. "And I've been very impressed with the RAV4's tight, compact body and smooth handling.

Toyota outpaces Detroit rivals in profitability per vehicle

As the world's highest volume automaker in 2014, you would probably expect Toyota to project a healthy financial outlook for the end of its fiscal year on March 31. But thanks in large part to the weak value of the yen and a large number of export vehicles, the automaker could make about four times more than General Motors, despite selling just a few hundred thousand more cars than its Detroit competitor last year. Toyota forecasts the equivalent of $24.5 billion in earnings for the fiscal year, compared to $6.5 billion from GM in 2014. According to an analysis by The Detroit News, the Japanese automaker is expecting average earnings of $2,726 on each vehicle it sells, versus $994 from Ford and $654 from GM. The key to this massive success has less to do with Toyota's products and much more in the company's location. The yen's value to the dollar is at its lowest point in decades. Also, according to The News, the automaker exports about 45 percent of its Japan-assembled vehicles, meaning bigger profits in the conversion to foreign currencies. Coupled with strong demand in the US, and the business looks even better. Automakers in the US are peeved by Toyota's currency-based boost. According to The News, there are allegations of manipulation of the yen's value, and Ford president of the Americas Joe Hinrichs calls the problem the "major trade barrier of the 21st century." He thinks the Japanese companies are making about $2,000 per exported vehicle due to the conversion. Intriguingly, it wasn't that long ago when Japanese automakers were moving operations from the country due to the strong value of the yen to the dollar curtailing profits. Infiniti shifted production, and there were fears that Toyota might close some of its factories, as well. Related Video: News Source: The Detroit NewsImage Credit: Shizuo Kambayashim / AP Photo Earnings/Financials Plants/Manufacturing Toyota toyota earnings toyota profit