VW beats Toyota as largest automaker
Volkswagen has replaced Toyota as the world’s largest automaker by selling 5.04 million cars in the first half of 2015. Volkswagen:
We do not comment on the figures of other automakers. The goal of the Volkswagen Group is to focus on qualitative growth and not being No. 1 in sales.
Introduces hydrogen-powered Mirai
Toyota introduces Mirai, an affordable, eco-friendly “future car,” that runs on hydrogen fuel cells, converting compressed hydrogen gas to electricity. The car’s range is 300 miles and it charges in about three minutes. The Mirai will be produced in small batches, with only 700 being split between the U.S., Europe and Japan this year, with a selling price of $45,000. Next year, approximately 2,000 will be built for distribution. With incentives of 3 million yen ($25,000) and investments in self-service hydrogen stations, Toyota reports there are already 1,500 orders for the car in Japan. The car will be available in fall 2015. The company says the car is:
an automotive history turning point.