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Toyota Tacoma X-Runner dead

A report from last week indicated that Toyota will begin trimming models from its Tacoma lineup starting with the Regular Cab in 2015, but the popular pickup will lose its first variant even sooner than that. For 2014, the Tacoma X-Runner has been dropped, though the company's SR Package could fill the need of those looking for a sporty pickup.
The X-Runner has been around since 2005 with its lowered stance, aftermarket-look body kit and bright paint colors, all of which are offered available only on V6-powered, two-wheel-drive Access Cab Tacomas. The new SR Package sounds like it will offer a somewhat similar appearance, though, with a monotone exterior paint scheme in limited colors accented with smoked headlights, but it will only be offered on Pre-Runner and 4x4 models. Other changes being made to the 2014 Tacoma include a new wheel option with black finish, a wider variety of Entune multimedia features, and the option to have the backup camera display moved from the rearview mirror to the audio system head unit.

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

This classic Firebird restomod swallowed a Prius

It takes an unusual eye to look at a 1967 Pontiac Firebird and see the Toyota Prius hidden inside. But that's just the kind of eye that a creative mechanic known online as "Bill the Engineer" has. Bill is updating his old Firebird into a true classic for the 21st century and has documenting the changes over at Priuschat and EcoModder. The TL,DR version of the story: he's replacing the worn-out powertrain with the gas-electric hybrid one from a Prius V, because it turns out the two vehicles have almost exactly the same wheelbase. Bill, who's from Columbus, Ohio and doesn't want his full name used, said in his posts on the conversion project that he's made many memories with this vehicle since buying it back in 1979. Since then, a few moves, a few decades, and some time in storage meant that the car would no longer function as he wanted it to. As he wrote, "when it comes to mice in the vehicles IT IS WAR." His solution is to make new memories and making a greener vehicle, and so we wanted to ask him how things have been going. Bill's been traveling a bit recently, but told AutoblogGreen that he's now figuring out the next steps for this amazing and complicated project. "I always plan things out before I do them," he said. That's the only way something like this can work. ABG: I think we have to start with what gave you the inspiration for this project. Was it simply that you had the two cars and wanted to see them merged into one cool mashup, or was it something else? "One day my wife wondered out loud if the car could be converted into a hybrid... The rest is history." Bill: I have been the owner of my 1967 Firebird convertible since 1979 when I bought it for $750.00. I drove it for years and made many memories. Afterward it was in storage for many years during which time mice at their way into the car and trashed the interior and wiring. I started working on a conventional restoration but always ran into major problems with hidden corrosion, electrical issues and an engine on its last legs. The car was never going to be as nice as I wanted going the conventional route. One day my wife wondered out loud if the car could be converted into a hybrid like our two daily driver Prii. That got me thinking about how it could be done. The rest is history... ABG: It looks like you started in late 2014. Have things gone well since then, or has it been one hassle after another? What has been the biggest setback, and what were the biggest victories?