On top of Toyota's large-scale recall involving a potential fire hazard, the company is suffering from steep declines in one of its most important markets because of a political dispute. But things may not be as grim as they seem for the carmaker.
Somebody forgot to tell the automakers that the economy is going downhill: Auto sales in September were up 10% over last year's numbers, with all of Detroit's Big Three posting solid gains. Imports, however, did not fare as well. Can Toyota, once unstoppable, win back its former primacy, post-tsunami and accelerator debacle?
Detroit's revival is nearly complete: Chrysler recently made its first profit in five years, Ford has posted its best results since 1998, and GM is poised to retake the crown as the world's biggest automaker. But to hold onto that position, GM will have to adjust to a rapidly shifting auto market.
Toyota is recalling another 22,000 trucks and sport-utility vehicles, this time so that it can repair faulty tire pressure monitoring systems. Vehicles affected by the recall include the Toyota FJ Cruiser, Land Cruiser, Sequoia, Tacoma and Tundra from the 2008 through 2011 model years.
Shares were mixed in Asia Wednesday. In Japan the Nikkei 225 Index sank 0.6% as Toyota announced yet another vehicle recall. In China, however, the Shanghai Composite Index gained 1.2% and Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index inched up 0.2%.
After a series of recalls last year, it appears Toyota's quality-control troubles haven't come to an end yet. The Japanese automaker on Wednesday announced it's recalling a wide range of Lexus models, mainly in Japan -- but also in North America and Europe.
Last year's massive recalls -- and the resulting legal fallout -- have given Toyota's reputation a beating, cutting into its sales. But the company can't blame all of its problems on the recalls. Analysts also point to another issue: A lack of compelling new models.
With U.S. automotive dominance waning, a new moniker has emerged: the "Detroit Three." Still, don't count out Ford, GM or Chrysler. Their post-recession future looks strong, thanks to some agonizing restructuring. Now, they can be profitable selling fewer cars.
Automakers recalled more vehicles last year than in any of the last six years. And while Toyota Motors accounted for much of the growth, with problems including unintended acceleration and glitchy brakes, many other car manufacturers also saw their recalls increase.
Seven insurance companies have filed lawsuits against Toyota, alleging that sudden unintended acceleration was to blame for crashes that resulted in insurance payouts.
Toyota plans to rev up its vehicle production in the U.S., despite November's 7.3% drop in U.S. sales. The automaker has hired the first of an expected 2,000 workers for a new Mississippi Corolla plant, and says it expects to boost overall capacity utilization significantly from last year's weak levels.
Toyota has agreed to pay the U.S. government a record $32.5 million fine to settle an investigation into its handling of two recalls -- the runaway car recall, which involved accelerator pedals that got stuck; and a recall over steering rods that could cause drivers to lose control.
