– Toyota joined its domestic rivals in extending zero-percent financing into January. Toyota’s program, which covers 2001 and 2002 versions of the Corolla, Tundra and 4Runner, was to end Dec. 3 but now runs until Jan. 7. The no-interest offer applies only to 36-month loans. On longer loans, interest rates vary by model and length of term.
– Volkswagen has organized its worldwide lineup of automotive brands into two groups, to be known as Audi and Volkswagen. VW put Audi, Lamborghini and Seat, a Spanish brand, into the Audi group, intended to be the sportier of the two. The Volkswagen group comprises Volkswagen, Bentley, Bugatti and Skoda, a Czech manufacturer. Analysts said grouping the brands could help VW share more parts to cut costs.
– New Line Cinema will auction off the Triumph Speed Triple used in the movie Mission Impossible 2. The bike’s 955-cc, 3-cylinder engine produces 110 horsepower. The auction begins Tuesday at www.auction.newline.com.
– Four of Japan’s top five automakers posted higher exports for October, despite lackluster production. Nissan Motor Co. led the way with an 11.3 percent increase in exports compared with October 2000, to 54,091. Toyota Motor Co., Mazda Motor Corp. and Honda Motor Co. also posted gains. Only Nissan and Honda actually increased production; Mazda’s output fell 4.7 percent and Toyota’s dropped 4.2 percent. Mitsubishi Motors Corp. saw exports fall 18.2 percent, to 32,020 units, while production dropped 0.7 percent, to 78,083. Toyota had the highest numbers of exports, 168,921, and production, 315,403, for the month.
