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Craig Trudell
For Craig Trudell's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Japan Times
BUSINESS
May 22, 2023
Toyota wants to make more than just EVs — and has plenty of company
The harmony of Japan’s car lobby stands in stark contrast to its European counterpart, which lost several members last year that didn’t see eye to eye.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Tech
Apr 19, 2022
Tesla autopilot stirs U.S. alarm as ‘disaster waiting to happen’
Regulators are applying greater scrutiny to Tesla's driver-assistance system than ever before, which could tarnish the company's reputation with consumers and spook investors.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Feb 23, 2022
Porsche car carrier fire drags on days after crew left ship
Thousands of Porsches, Lamborghinis and other Volkswagen vehicles were being transported by the vessel, with their worth estimated to be roughly $155 million.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jan 6, 2022
Titans of carmaking are plotting the overthrow of Elon Musk
The masters of mass production laid out plans to splurge $170 billion over the coming years to preserve their claim on the industry.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Dec 3, 2021
Toyota gets ready to sell only zero-emission cars in Europe
For all Toyotau2019s success with hybrids, itu2019s become difficult for the firm to contend that consumers in Europe arenu2019t yet ready to make the jump to cars powered entirely by battery.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Aug 23, 2021
GM and LG’s too-big-to-fail ties tested by $1 billion recall
The long-distance relationship between GM and its battery partner, LG Energy Solution, is being tested like never before.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Aug 20, 2021
Toyota cuts show how COVID-19 is ravaging even the best supply planners
Toyotau2019s efforts to stockpile enough chips to ride out supply disruptions only protected the firm for so long before it too succumbed to the shortages eviscerating automakers.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Dec 29, 2020
For Japan's automakers, Brexit deal may be too little, too late
Automakers including Nissan Motor might struggle to qualify some U.K.-assembled models for tariff-free export to the EU as they evaluate their local sourcing.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Mar 9, 2019
Carlos Ghosn case could spur Japan justice reform, Suntory CEO says
The arrest and lengthy detention of former auto titan Carlos Ghosn has drawn the eyes of the world to Tokyo and may finally bring reform to the nation's criminal justice system, according to Takeshi Niinami, chief executive officer of Suntory Holdings Ltd.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Mar 2, 2018
Mitsubishi Motors clings to Ghosn-led alliance as closer integration fuels revival
After helping Mitsubishi Motors Corp. get back on its feet, Carlos Ghosn is aiming to keep the automaker on stable ground — and benefit the two other carmakers he leads along the way.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Feb 21, 2017
Shell to build California fueling stations to remain in step with Toyota's hydrogen program
Royal Dutch Shell will build seven fueling stations for hydrogen cars in California through a partnership with Toyota Motor, as the state eyes 100 retail sites by 2024.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Dec 29, 2016
Toyota hybrid bet pays off as emissions scandal ignites demand in Europe
For years, Toyota Motor Corp. focused on pushing its hybrid models in Europe, avoiding a diesel-for-diesel competition with market leaders including Volkswagen AG. The carmaker's strategy is finally paying off.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Sep 27, 2016
Takata lifelines scrutinized by carmakers stuck in cost bind
Takata Corp. and some of the world's biggest carmakers face an extensive, expensive to-do list as they try to resolve the worst safety crisis in the auto industry's history.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Aug 5, 2016
Automakers urge Abe to act after taking ¥500 billion hit from strong yen
The automaker association asks the new Cabinet to take action in response to seesawing foreign exchange markets and the Brexit.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Jul 4, 2016
Nissan's 'Le Cost Killer' stirs fear in Okayama factory town
Investors cheered when Nissan Motor Co. Chief Executive Carlos Ghosn announced in May that his company would acquire a 34 percent stake of scandal-tainted Mitsubishi Motors Corp. as part of an expanded strategic partnership.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Tech
Jun 20, 2016
Researcher says Toyota production capabilities optimal for producing helper robots
The researcher hired by Toyota Motor Corp. to spearhead its robotics and artificial intelligence efforts says the automaker's production principles can be applied to build affordable helper robots for rapidly aging societies.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
May 1, 2016
Scandal-plagued Mitsubishi Motors reliant on ASEAN as redress claims brew
Mitsubishi Motors Corp., embroiled in a car-rigging scandal in Japan, may find that its future increasingly hinges on its performance in Thailand — the automaker's biggest overseas production base.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Apr 27, 2016
Deepening tests scandal could throttle Mitsubishi Motors
Mitsubishi Motors opts not to release a projection of its fiscal 2016 earnings amid a scandal involving falsified fuel efficiency figures.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies / ANALYSIS
Apr 21, 2016
Mitsubishi scandal could push firm to brink again, requiring rescue by group
Mitsubishi Motors Corp.'s disclosure that it manipulated fuel economy tests risks putting it in the position of needing help from group companies to stay in business.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Mar 28, 2016
Activist investor Loeb warns Seven & I on nepotism deciding CEO
Third Point LLC's billionaire founder Daniel Loeb has targeted Seven & I Holdings Co. for management succession planning criticism, warning the grocery and retail group against letting nepotism determine its next chief executive officer.

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A statue of "Dragon Ball" character Goku stands outside the offices of Bandai Namco in Tokyo. The figure is now as recognizable as such characters as Mickey Mouse and Spider-Man.
Akira Toriyama's gift to the world