VW Expected To Take Top Spot

Volkswagen is expected to become the world’s biggest carmaker this year.

Toyota Profits Plunge

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Toyota announced that its quarterly profits tumbled 77 percent following Japan’s massive earthquake and tsunami. The World’s Jason Margolis looks at how the automaker can get back on track and what Toyota’s troubles could mean for American car makers. Download MP3

Further shutdowns at Toyota plants

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Toyota is to stop production at five plants in Europe for several days in April and May because component supplies remain limited after the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. The car maker had already announced similar shutdowns for North America. The World’s Clark Boyd reports. Download MP3

Global Political Cartoons: Feb 20-26, 2010

The World’s Carol Hills reviews the week’s news through political cartoons. This week pop culture icons in trouble: Google goes to jail, Abbey Road studios are up for sale, Toyota’s image is in tatters, and it turns out the shape of a hot dog actually matters.

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Toyota boss faces tough questions

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Some Japanese initially criticized the U.S. media coverage of Toyota as “Japan bashing.” But reporter Akiko Fujita reports from Tokyo that now those attitudes are beginning to change. Download MP3 (Photo courtesy of Kaustav Bhattacharya)

• BBC coverage
• FAQ Toyota recall
• What the recall means to Japan

Global Political Cartoons: Feb 6-12, 2010

The World’s Carol Hills reviews the week’s news through international political cartoons. This week: the winter-less 2010 Winter Olympics begin! Ancient Greek heroes make Herculean efforts to rescue the country’s ruined economy; Toyota’s image is in tatters; and like many Americans, the Statue of Liberty has put on a few pounds.

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Global Political Cartoons: Jan 30-Feb 5, 2010

The World’s Carol Hills reviews the week’s news through political cartoons. This week: Toyota’s faulty gas pedals, Haiti’s vulnerable children, Jacob Zuma’s 20 children, and the groundhog sees the long shadow… of a deficit.

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The Costs of the Winter Olympics and Toyota

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It took seven years of planning, construction, hassle and heartache. Finally, the party is about to begin. Starting February 12th, British Columbia will host the Winter Olympics for 17 days. (And the Paralympics to follow.) Canadian taxpayers are on hook for CDN $6 billion, by some estimates. What did British Columbia get for all that money? Was it all worth it?

Also on this edition of the podcast, news about Toyota and Moscow McDonald’s turns 20. (Photo credit: © VANOC/COVAN)

What the Toyota recall means to Japan

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Toyota hasn’t stopped selling cars in Japan but the company’s problems in the US and now Europe have made headlines back home. Toyota’s global success is a source of national pride in Japan. In today’s show Akiko Fujita will tells us how the Toyota recall has been playing out in Japan. Download MP3 (AP Photo: Shizuo Kambayashi)

• BBC coverage
• Toyota press statement
• On The World: Toyota in trouble (Jan 27)

Trouble at Toyota

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Toyota stocks took a big hit today, after the company announced it’s suspending US sales and production of eight popular models. Millions of Toyota vehicles already out there have also been recalled. The cars are being sent back to the shop to repair potentially defective gas pedals. Marco Werman talks with Leo Lewis, the Asia business correspondent for the Times of London. Download MP3

• BBC coverage
• Info on the recall from Toyota
• Carmakers in crisis