A day in the life: Tundra

Interested to see a day in the life of a Toyota Tundra? Check it out here:

http://yokemtoyota.com/Tundra-Made-In-The-USA/

First pay rise for Toyota in 5 years

Japan’s weak yen has translated into record-profits for Toyota, the country's biggest company. Now employees will reap the benefits, and get a pay raise for the first time since 2008.

Toyota, along with Honda and Toshiba, will pass on the profits to workers with a salary bump, as of April 1, company heads told unions on Wednesday. The company estimates workers will get an average 2.9 percent raise.

A Toyota Motor Worker’s Union member will earn on average an extra $26 (2,700 yen) per month in base pay, Bloomberg reported, citing Senior Managing Officer Naoki Miyazaki, who spoke with reporters today.

The Toyota union represents over 50,000 employees, and they will also receive higher average bonuses.
High profits are driven by ‘Abenomics’, the Japanese premier’s set of measures to stoke the economy and spur growth after decades of decline, with a commitment to keep the yen weak.

Japan-based exporters like Toyota, Honda, and Panasonic have benefited greatly from profits spurred by the country's weak currency. Many have left prices abroad unchanged and seen sales climb due to advantageous foreign exchange rates.

Favorable market conditions for Japanese exports has translated into record profits, especially for companies like Toyota, which by the end of March is forecasting a 1.9 trillion yen profit, Bloomberg reported.

The Toyota Camry, one of the best selling cars in America, is priced at $22,500. The Corolla, also a top-10 best seller, goes for $16,500. Offering free bells and whistles- like air conditioning and other add-ons usually cost extra.

Scion FR-S Locks Down 'Cool' with KBB.com

Coolness has a name: the Scion FR-S. For the second year in a row, editors at Kelley Blue Book www.kbb.com named the Scion FR-S to the top of their “10 Coolest New Cars Under $25,000 of 2014.”  The annual consumer resource list highlights affordable vehicles for drivers of all lifestyles, each that bring a subjective “cool factor.”

Kelley Blue Book praised the 2014 FR-S for its rear-wheel drive, lightweight design that allows the driver to feel fully in tune with the car. Even when compared to higher priced vehicles, editors called the FR-S a driver’s car with the style and modern updates to excite those behind the wheel.

“Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com again captures the full experience and affordability of the Scion FR-S with a top spot on its 10 Coolest New Cars Under $25,000 list,” said Scion Vice President Doug Murtha. “Drivers and industry experts continue to tell us the FR-S brings together the style, handling and elusive fun factor that’s needed in this segment and on the roads. We’re happy to deliver.”

The 2014 Scion FR-S is priced at $24,700 MSRP with a six-speed manual transmission or $25,800 MSRP with a six-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters and Dynamic Rev Management® technology. It comes standard with the Scion Display Audio System featuring a 6.1-inch LCD touchscreen, AM/FM/CD/HD Radio™ technology, hands-free phone capability, music streaming via Bluetooth® wireless technology and AUX/USB port with iPod® connectivity.

For more on the 2014 winners, visit www.kbb.com/car-reviews-and-news/top-10/coolest-cars-under-25000-2014.

All prices listed above exclude the delivery, processing and handling (DPH) fee of $755.