LEADIN:

Toyota gave the automotive industry a hydrogen-powered kick at the International CES event in Las Vegas.

The Japanese car manufacturers announced they're set to make available thousands of hydrogen fuel cell patents royalty-free, in a bid to encourage the industry.

Toyota's new sporty-looking hydrogen-powered 'Mirai' is the backdrop for the Japanese auto makers press event at the International CES in Las Vegas.

Bob Carter, who is Senior Vice President of automotive operations at Toyota, explains the mechanics of the vehicle.

"The Toyota Mirai is a mid-sized, four-door sedan - its front wheels are driven by electric motors. The electricity that powers the motors is made on-board, on-demand, as needed by simply combining hydrogen with oxygen, producing zero emissions, other than water vapour."

In the middle of his speech - a moment of drama as the power cut.

"I got you covered," assured Carter, as he connected a wire from the Mirai to re-boot the power in the briefing room and light up a mock-up home on stage.

"This Mirai is capable of supplying enough energy to power your home essentials as well as all of your consumer electronics in an average home for up to a week, in the event of an emergency," explains Carter.

But the high-profile event wasn't about announcing a new vehicle or component, but about giving something away.

In a bid to encourage the hydrogen auto industry to flourish, Carter announced that Toyota is set to invite royalty-free use of approximately 5,680 fuel cell related patents.

That includes critical technologies developed for the new 'Mirai' - which means "the future" in Japanese.

The list includes approximately 1,970 patents related to fuel cell stacks, 290 associated with high-pressure hydrogen tanks, 3,350 related to fuel cell systems' software control and 70 patents related to hydrogen production and supply.

By releasing these patents, Toyota are hoping to encourage the industry to flourish.

"It's obvious that there can be a higher societal value in openly sharing our IP," says Carter.

"By eliminating the traditional corporate boundaries, we can speed the metabolism of everyone's research and development and move into a future of mobility, quicker, more effectively and more economically."

The Toyota executive ended his speech with a quote from former President Abraham Lincoln.

"'The best way to predict the future, is to create it'. And that's what we're doing at Toyota."

Toyota unveiled the 'Mirai' - their first ever hydrogen-powered vehicle - at a press event in Tokyo in November.

The success of the vehicle and other hydrogen cars depends on an infrastructure growing to encourage drivers to buy them.

Other Asian automakers, Honda and Hyundai, are also experimenting with limited sales and leases of fuel cell cars.

Automotive tech is set to be a big talking point at this year's International CES event in Las Vegas.

A variety of self-driving cars and integrated dashboards will demonstrate how seriously the car industry considers putting smart tech into their vehicles.

A record 10 automotive manufacturers are set to exhibit at the event including Toyota, Ford, BMW, Audi and Mercedes.

Automotive exhibits will cover over 165,000 square feet of event space, 17 percent more than last year.

The International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) will run 6-9 January 2015.

The annual technology event is set to showcase over 3,500 exhibitors including big tech companies like Sony, Samsung and LG.

AP Television

Las Vegas, US - 5 January 2015

1. Various of hydrogen-powered Toyota 'Mirai' vehicle

2. SOUNDBITE: (English) Bob Carter, Senior Vice President, Toyota Motor Sales, Automotive Operations:

"'The future' is what the 'Mirai' means in Japanese, and it's arriving in October this year in the US. The Toyota Mirai is a mid-sized, four-door sedan - its front wheels are driven by electric motors. The electricity that powers the motors is made on-board, on-demand, as needed by simply combining hydrogen with oxygen, producing zero emissions, other than water vapour. Unlike other electric cars that rely on large batteries for power, this Mirai can be re-fuelled, as the doctor (Michio Kaku) said, in three to five minutes and travels up about 300 miles on a single fill-up. It will start up in the morning at minus 30 degrees Centigrade, below zero, and as many of you have already heard...(power cuts out) Wait just a moment, this happened in rehearsal - I got you covered (connects vehicle to power 'home' on stage). Now, as I was saying, as many of you already know - this Mirai is capable of supplying enough energy to power your home essentials as well as all of your consumer electronics in an average home for up to a week, in the event of an emergency."

3. SOUNDBITE: (English) Bob Carter, Senior Vice President, Toyota Motor Sales, Automotive Operations:

"Traditionally, intellectual properties are fiercely guarded, because they have great monetary value. But with programmes like the CSRC (Collaborative Safety Research Centre) Steve and our patent announcements today - it's obvious that there can be a higher societal value in openly sharing our IP. By eliminating the traditional corporate boundaries, we can speed the metabolism of everyone's research and development and move into a future of mobility, quicker, more effectively and more economically. Indeed, I believe that today marks a turning point in automotive history. I'm going to close with a quote that captures the idea from President Abraham Lincoln, who said: 'The best way to predict the future, is to create it'. And that's what we're doing at Toyota."

4. Close of screen reading: "Toyota. #ToyotaMirai"

5. Wide of Carter on stage, UPSOUND: (English) "Please accept my thanks for all of you coming and I hope you enjoy CES tomorrow. Good afternoon"; applause

LEADIN:

Toyota unveils a new hybrid-powered crossover coupe at the Paris Motor Show.

The bold styling is turning heads, with clear inspiration from the SUV sector but with the economy of Toyota's proven hybrid motor.

STORYLINE:

Pulling back the covers on the first new launch of the Paris Motor Show in France.

This is Toyota's latest hybrid-powered, the C-HR Concept.

It has been designed with the European markets in mind, and - if it goes into production - would sit in Toyota's range beneath its RAV4 SUV.

Didier Leroy, Toyota Europe's president and CEO sees the hybrid sector as one of the Japanese car sectors key areas of development, but is not ruling out other forms of alternative-fuel power.

"We do not believe there is only one ultimate technology because in the future the best way of powering a car will really depend on customer use," he says.

Globally, Toyota's hybrid production has now reached seven million units - led by its popular Prius model, with over three million sales worldwide.

Karl Schlicht, executive vice president of Toyota Europe says: "Hybrid equals Toyota and Toyota equals hybrid."

13,000 journalists will visit Mondiale de l'Automobile which runs until October 19 and features over 260 brands from 18 different countries.

Lamborghini, Ferrari and Jaguar are all expected to launch new models in Paris.

AP Television

Paris, France - October 2, 2014

1. Wide of Toyota C-HR concept being unveiled

2. SOUNDBITE: (English) Didier Leroy, president and CEO, Toyota Europe

"We do not believe there is only one ultimate technology because in the future the best way of powering a car will really depend on customer use."

3. Wide of Toyota C-HR concept on turnstile

4. Karl Schlicht, executive vice president, Toyota Europe

"Hybrid equals Toyota and Toyota equals hybrid."

5. Cutaway of journalist filming C-HR

6. Wide of Toyota C-HR concept on turnstile

SHOTLIST

1. Toyota President Akio Toyoda (glasses, navy tie with diagonal stripe) meeting Japanese Transport Minister Seiji Maehara

2. Media cutaway

3. Toyoda and Maehara taking seats

4. Close of Maehara pan to Toyoda

5. Media

6. Toyoda approaching media for news conference

7. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) Akio Toyoda, President of Toyota Motor Corporation:

"People think that we were slow to respond. We feel ashamed but now I am taking a lead and ask you to wait for just a little longer."

8. Mid of media

9. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) Akio Toyoda, President of Toyota Motor Corporation:

"I am thinking of going to the US to give an explanation of myself to the involved parties."

10. Maehara walking to podium for his news conference

11. Media

12. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) Seiji Maehara, Japanese Transport Minister:

"It is of course important that companies should call for a product recall with such problems, but because we must take care that it doesn''t turn into a diplomatic problem, various countries have to carefully consider their approach."

13. Wide of news conference

STORYLINE

Toyota said it was recalling about 437-thousand Prius and other hybrid vehicles worldwide to fix brake problems, the latest in a string of embarrassing safety lapses at the world''s largest automaker.

"We feel ashamed but now I am taking a lead and ask you to wait for just a little longer," President Akio Toyoda said at a news conference on Tuesday in Tokyo, after a meeting with Japanese Transport Minister Seiji Maehara.

With the Prius announcement, the number of vehicles recalled globally by Toyota Motor Corporation has ballooned to 8.5 (m) million, for the brake problems, and also for faulty acceleration pedals that are slow to return to the idle position, and for floor mats which can trap acceleration pedals.

The 2010 Prius wasn''t part of the earlier recalls.

There have been about 200 complaints in Japan and the US about a delay when the brakes in the Prius were pressed in cold conditions and on some bumpy roads.

The delay doesn''t indicate a brake failure.

The company says the problem can be fixed in 40 minutes with new software that oversees the controls of the antilock brakes.

Toyota officials went to Japan''s Transport Ministry earlier on Tuesday to formally notify officials that the company was recalling the 2010 Prius gas-electric hybrid - the world''s top-selling hybrid car.

Toyoda, the president, has been criticised for being largely invisible during the two weeks after the company announced on January 21 the acceleration pedal recall in the US, Europe and China.

He apologised at his first public press conference last Friday, and again on Tuesday, but was criticised by the Japanese media for failing to outline concrete steps to tackle the safety crisis and to reassure customers around the world.

He said he planned to go to the US soon to talk with American Toyota workers and dealers.

Analysts said fears of an even bigger consumer backlash had prodded Toyota into recalling the Prius.

The Japanese Transport Minister Seiji Maehara criticised Toyota for reacting too slowly, and said he was meeting US Ambassador to Japan, John Roos, on Wednesday to exchange views about Toyota''s recalls and make sure US-Japan relations remained on good terms.

"We must take care that it doesn''t turn into a diplomatic problem," Seiji Maehara told reporters after his meeting with Toyoda.

"Various countries have to carefully consider their approach," he said.

The automaker is also recalling two other hybrid models in Japan, the Lexus HS250h sedan, sold in the US and Japan, and the Sai, which is sold only in Japan.

The 223-thousand cars being recalled in Japan include nearly 200-thousand Priuses sold from April last year until Monday, according to papers the automaker filed with the ministry. The Prius is Japan''s top-selling car.

In the US, Toyota will recall 133-thousand Prius cars and 14,500 Lexus HS250h vehicles.

Nearly 53-thousand Priuses are also being recalled in Europe.

Toyota is suspending production of the Sai and Lexus HS250h in Japan until the updated software for those models is ready.

If drivers experience a delayed reaction when depressing the brakes in any of these models, they should keep pressing, according to Toyota and the transport ministry.

The Prius repairs will start in Japan on Wednesday.

US owners will start receiving letters about the recall next week.

US safety officials have launched an investigation into problems with the brakes.

Toyota''s plug-in hybrid is also being recalled in Japan, Europe and the US, but in small numbers because it is a largely experimental model for rental and government use.

The Prius holds a cherished spot in Toyota''s vehicle lineup and is symbolic of its leadership in the "green" car market.

Toyota was one of the first companies to mass-market a hybrid that combines an electric motor with a petrol engine, introducing the Prius in Japan in 1997.

Its high petrol mileage made it popular among environmentally conscious drivers, especially when petrol prices spiked two years ago.

But the complexity of the Prius, a highly computerised car, has led to problems in the past.

In 2005, the company repaired 75-thousand of them to fix software glitches that caused the engine to stall.

It has also had trouble with headlights going out.

Shares in Toyota rose 2.9 percent on Tuesday to 3,375 yen, but are still down about 20 percent since Jan. 21, when it announced the acceleration pedal recall.

FOR CLEAN VERSION SEE STORY NUMBER: 4081168

LEAD IN:

Toyota has revamped its plug-in hybrid with a longer cruising range and quicker charging.

The new Prius PHV also comes with solar panels and can be charged by plugging into a regular home electricity socket.

STORY-LINE:

This is Toyota's new Prius plug-in hybrid (PHV) which goes on sale in Japan today (Wednesday 15 Feb 2017).

The auto maker is hoping it will sell better than the first model from five years ago that officials acknowledged had flopped.

Sales in the U.S., where it's called Prius Prime, started late last year. It is set to launch in Europe and other countries in March.

Chairman of the Board of Directors at Toyota Motor Corporation, Takeshi Uchiyamada calls the PHV the future of eco cars.

"This is the key and core of the eco car and this is the car which should become the mainstream of the eco car from now on. What comes after the hybrid car? That will be PHV (plug in hybrid). This is Toyota's answer."

A hybrid switches between a gas engine and an electric motor that is powered by that gas engine.

A plug-in hybrid can travel further as a pure electric vehicle, which is zero-emission, but needs recharging when its battery is spent.

The cruising range of the new plug-in as an electric vehicle is 68.2 kilometres (42.4 miles), about five times the earlier model's 26.4 kilometres (16.4 miles).

Deputy Chief Engineer of Toyota Motor Corporation, Shoichi Kaneko says the Prius PHV can also be charged using solar panels on the roof.

"Finally, we converted solar energy to driving energy. We have made the option of a solar energy charging system available which will become a first for the mass production car."

Toyota says the car can drive up to 6.1 kilometres per day on solar power generated power.

The car can be fully charged in two hours and 20 minutes, from a 200-volt outlet and in 14 hours at a 100-volt outlet. At a special charging machine, it reaches an 80 percent charge in just 20 minutes.

Toyota hopes to sell 2,500 PHV cars in Japan a month. It gave no overseas targets. It sold only 22,000 of the earlier PHVs.

The lacklustre sales contrast with Toyota's leadership in hybrid vehicles; it has sold 10 million globally since the first Prius went on sale in 1997.

Nearly half of the vehicles Toyota sells in Japan are hybrid models.

Tokyo – 15 February 2017

1. Close of the new Prius PHV being unveiled

2. Wide of Takeshi Uchiyamada, Chairman of the Board of directors, Toyota Motor Corporation, on the stage

3. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) Takeshi Uchiyamada, Chairman of the Board of directors, Toyota Motor Corporation:

"This is the key and core of the eco car and this is the car which should become the mainstream of the eco car from now on. What comes after the hybrid car? That will be PHV (plug in hybrid). This is Toyota's answer."

4. Close of new Prius PHV

5. Wide of Shoichi Kaneko, Deputy Chief Engineer, Toyota Motor Corporation, on stage

6. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) Shoichi Kaneko, Deputy Chief Engineer, Toyota Motor Corporation:

"Finally, we converted solar energy to driving energy. We have made the option of a solar energy charging system available which will become a first for the mass production car."

7. Various of solar panel on the roof part of Prius PHV

8. Close of PHV sign

9. Various of plug in part on the side of the car

10. Close of Prius PHV sign

11. Various of Toyota managers and Japanese actresss who will front the TV ad for the Prius PHV

LEAD IN:

Toyota has revamped its plug-in hybrid with a longer cruising range and quicker charging.

The new Prius PHV also comes with solar panels and can be charged by plugging into a regular home electricity socket.

STORY-LINE:

This is Toyota's new Prius plug-in hybrid (PHV) which goes on sale in Japan today (Wednesday 15 Feb 2017).

The auto maker is hoping it will sell better than the first model from five years ago that officials acknowledged had flopped.

Sales in the U.S., where it's called Prius Prime, started late last year. It is set to launch in Europe and other countries in March.

Chairman of the Board of Directors at Toyota Motor Corporation, Takeshi Uchiyamada calls the PHV the future of eco cars.

"This is the key and core of the eco car and this is the car which should become the mainstream of the eco car from now on. What comes after the hybrid car? That will be PHV (plug in hybrid). This is Toyota's answer."

A hybrid switches between a gas engine and an electric motor that is powered by that gas engine.

A plug-in hybrid can travel further as a pure electric vehicle, which is zero-emission, but needs recharging when its battery is spent.

The cruising range of the new plug-in as an electric vehicle is 68.2 kilometres (42.4 miles), about five times the earlier model's 26.4 kilometres (16.4 miles).

Deputy Chief Engineer of Toyota Motor Corporation, Shoichi Kaneko says the Prius PHV can also be charged using solar panels on the roof.

"Finally, we converted solar energy to driving energy. We have made the option of a solar energy charging system available which will become a first for the mass production car."

Toyota says the car can drive up to 6.1 kilometres per day on solar power generated power.

The car can be fully charged in two hours and 20 minutes, from a 200-volt outlet and in 14 hours at a 100-volt outlet. At a special charging machine, it reaches an 80 percent charge in just 20 minutes.

Toyota hopes to sell 2,500 PHV cars in Japan a month. It gave no overseas targets. It sold only 22,000 of the earlier PHVs.

The lacklustre sales contrast with Toyota's leadership in hybrid vehicles; it has sold 10 million globally since the first Prius went on sale in 1997.

Nearly half of the vehicles Toyota sells in Japan are hybrid models.

Tokyo – 15 February 2017

1. Close of the new Prius PHV being unveiled

2. Wide of Takeshi Uchiyamada, Chairman of the Board of directors, Toyota Motor Corporation, on the stage

3. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) Takeshi Uchiyamada, Chairman of the Board of directors, Toyota Motor Corporation:

"This is the key and core of the eco car and this is the car which should become the mainstream of the eco car from now on. What comes after the hybrid car? That will be PHV (plug in hybrid). This is Toyota's answer."

4. Close of new Prius PHV

5. Wide of Shoichi Kaneko, Deputy Chief Engineer, Toyota Motor Corporation, on stage

6. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) Shoichi Kaneko, Deputy Chief Engineer, Toyota Motor Corporation:

"Finally, we converted solar energy to driving energy. We have made the option of a solar energy charging system available which will become a first for the mass production car."

7. Various of solar panel on the roof part of Prius PHV

8. Close of PHV sign

9. Various of plug in part on the side of the car

10. Close of Prius PHV sign

11. Various of Toyota managers and Japanese actresss who will front the TV ad for the Prius PHV

LEAD IN:

Toyota has revamped its plug-in hybrid with a longer cruising range and quicker charging.

The new Prius PHV also comes with solar panels and can be charged by plugging into a regular home electricity socket.

STORY-LINE:

This is Toyota's new Prius plug-in hybrid (PHV) which goes on sale in Japan today (Wednesday 15 Feb 2017).

The auto maker is hoping it will sell better than the first model from five years ago that officials acknowledged had flopped.

Sales in the U.S., where it's called Prius Prime, started late last year. It is set to launch in Europe and other countries in March.

Chairman of the Board of Directors at Toyota Motor Corporation, Takeshi Uchiyamada calls the PHV the future of eco cars.

"This is the key and core of the eco car and this is the car which should become the mainstream of the eco car from now on. What comes after the hybrid car? That will be PHV (plug in hybrid). This is Toyota's answer."

A hybrid switches between a gas engine and an electric motor that is powered by that gas engine.

A plug-in hybrid can travel further as a pure electric vehicle, which is zero-emission, but needs recharging when its battery is spent.

The cruising range of the new plug-in as an electric vehicle is 68.2 kilometres (42.4 miles), about five times the earlier model's 26.4 kilometres (16.4 miles).

Deputy Chief Engineer of Toyota Motor Corporation, Shoichi Kaneko says the Prius PHV can also be charged using solar panels on the roof.

"Finally, we converted solar energy to driving energy. We have made the option of a solar energy charging system available which will become a first for the mass production car."

Toyota says the car can drive up to 6.1 kilometres per day on solar power generated power.

The car can be fully charged in two hours and 20 minutes, from a 200-volt outlet and in 14 hours at a 100-volt outlet. At a special charging machine, it reaches an 80 percent charge in just 20 minutes.

Toyota hopes to sell 2,500 PHV cars in Japan a month. It gave no overseas targets. It sold only 22,000 of the earlier PHVs.

The lacklustre sales contrast with Toyota's leadership in hybrid vehicles; it has sold 10 million globally since the first Prius went on sale in 1997.

Nearly half of the vehicles Toyota sells in Japan are hybrid models.

Tokyo – 15 February 2017

1. Close of the new Prius PHV being unveiled

2. Wide of Takeshi Uchiyamada, Chairman of the Board of directors, Toyota Motor Corporation, on the stage

3. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) Takeshi Uchiyamada, Chairman of the Board of directors, Toyota Motor Corporation:

"This is the key and core of the eco car and this is the car which should become the mainstream of the eco car from now on. What comes after the hybrid car? That will be PHV (plug in hybrid). This is Toyota's answer."

4. Close of new Prius PHV

5. Wide of Shoichi Kaneko, Deputy Chief Engineer, Toyota Motor Corporation, on stage

6. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) Shoichi Kaneko, Deputy Chief Engineer, Toyota Motor Corporation:

"Finally, we converted solar energy to driving energy. We have made the option of a solar energy charging system available which will become a first for the mass production car."

7. Various of solar panel on the roof part of Prius PHV

8. Close of PHV sign

9. Various of plug in part on the side of the car

10. Close of Prius PHV sign

11. Various of Toyota managers and Japanese actresss who will front the TV ad for the Prius PHV

SHOTLIST:

635733

Toyota gets 77 complaints in Japan about brake problems with Prius hybrid

AP TELEVISION

FILE: October 2009

1. Various of Toyota Prius hybrid on display at the Tokyo Motor Show

635736

Prius brake problems

AP TELEVISION

Tokyo - February 04 2010

2. Various exteriors of Toyota Tokyo headquarters

636509

World Toyota

Toyota seeks damage control

AP TELEVISION

Tokyo, Japan - 10 February 2010

3. Various of engineers working on the car

4. Prius being driven out of dealership

STORYLINE:

In February 2010 Toyota dealers across the globe were preparing for the fallout from the company's latest recall of about 440-thousand Prius and other hybrid vehicles worldwide.

The recall is to fix a problem with brakes, which some drivers have reported as being momentarily unresponsive in certain driving conditions.

The announcement is the latest in a series of safety faults.

Toyota began its recall of 223-thousand cars in Japan with a trickle of owners turning up at dealerships for the requisite repairs.

The Prius is Japan's top-selling car and the world's top-selling hybrid car.

The automaker is also recalling two other hybrid models in Japan, the Lexus HS250h sedan and the Sai.

In Australia, Toyota announced it was recalling 2378 Prius cars that have been sold in the country since July 2009.

Owners of models built between April 2009 and January this year will be contacted by post to arrange no-cost repairs - which Toyota says will take one hour.

Spokesman Glenn Campbell said the Toyota Australia had acted "as quickly and as soon as we need to act", after receiving the recall notice from the company .

Toyota is running apologetic TV ads and vowing to win back customers' trust as part of an all-out drive by the world's biggest auto manufacturer to redeem its once unassailable brand.

The company was hit anew as its global recall ballooned to 8.5 (m) million cars and trucks.

In the United States, Toyota is facing congressional inquiries and government investigations, and the company is trying to salvage its reputation with the help of its lawyers and lobbyists.

There have been about 200 complaints in Japan and the US about a delay when the brakes in the Prius were pressed in cold conditions and on some bumpy roads.

The delay doesn't indicate a brake failure.

"It's kind of scary if you didn't ever experience it before, so my first time experiencing it did scare me," said one Toyota owner in New Jersey who had experienced the fault.

The company says the problem can be fixed in 40 minutes with new software that oversees the controls of the antilock brakes.

Toyota will recall 133-thousand Prius cars and 14-thousand Lexus HS250h vehicles in the US.

US owners will start receiving letters about the recall next week.

Nearly 53-thousand Prius vehicles are also being recalled in Europe.

Other car faults include floor mats, which can trap gas pedals and faulty gas pedals that are slow to return to the idle position.

SHOTLIST

1. Wide of news conference

2. Cutaway of media

3. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Daniel Chang, President of Toyota Taiwan:

"Japan Toyota has announced that they will recall Prius cars today, and here we plan to put all our efforts to accomplish repairs within three days."

4. Mid of reporters

5. Wide of news conference

6. Pan of Toyota Prius at repair garage

7. Close of Prius engine

8. Close of logo on engine reading (English) "Hybrid Synergy Drive"

9. Various of technician upgrading software on Prius''s break system

10. Close of computer screen showing data on ABS system

STORYLINE

The President of Toyota Taiwan said on Tuesday the company there will try to make repairs to fix brake problems within three days, following the corporation''s announcement it is recalling about 437-thousand Prius and other hybrid vehicles worldwide.

Following the announcement, Toyota''s Taiwan office said it will recall all 629 Prius cars on the island.

The recall is the latest blow to the automaker, which is in the midst of recalling more than 7 (m) million vehicles worldwide because of problems with floor mats, which can trap gas pedals, and faulty gas pedals that are slow to return to the idle position.

The 2010 Prius wasn''t part of those recalls.

There have been about 200 complaints in Japan and the US about a delay when the brakes in the Prius were pressed in cold conditions and on some bumpy roads.

The delay doesn''t indicate a brake failure.

The company says the problem can be fixed in 40 minutes with new software that oversees the controls of the antilock brakes.

"We plan to put all our efforts to accomplish repairs within three days," Daniel Chang, President of Toyota in Taiwan said at a news conference on Tuesday.

Toyota officials went to Japan''s Transport Ministry earlier on Tuesday to formally notify officials the company is recalling the 2010 Prius gas-electric hybrid - the world''s top-selling hybrid car.

The automaker is also recalling two other hybrid models in Japan, the Lexus HS250h sedan, sold in the US and Japan, and the Sai, which is sold only in Japan.

The 223-thousand cars being recalled in Japan include nearly 200-thousand Priuses sold from April last year through Monday, according to papers the automaker filed with the ministry.

The Prius is Japan''s top-selling car.

In the US, Toyota will recall 133-thousand Prius cars and 14,500 Lexus Hs250h vehicles.

Nearly 53-thousand Priuses are also being recalled in Europe.

The problem is suspected in four crashes resulting in two minor injuries, according to data gathered by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which is investigating the matter.

Toyota says it''s cooperating with NHTSA''s investigation.

Problems with hybrid braking systems haven''t been limited to Toyota.

Ford Motor Co. said last week it plans to fix 17,600 Mercury Milan and Ford Fusion gas-electric hybrids because of a software problem that can give drivers the impression that the brakes have failed.

The automaker says the problem occurs in transition between two braking systems and at no time are drivers without brakes.

Toyota''s plug-in hybrid is also being recalled in Japan, a largely experimental model for rental and government use, with 159 sold.

The Prius holds a cherished spot in Toyota''s vehicle line-up and is symbolic of its leadership in the "green" car market.

Toyota was one of the first companies to mass-market a hybrid that combines an electric motor with a gas engine, introducing the Prius in Japan in 1997.

Its high gas mileage made it popular among environmentally conscious drivers, especially when gas prices spiked two years ago.

But the complexity of the Prius, a highly computerised car, has led to problems in the past.

In 2005, the company repaired 75-thousand of them to fix software glitches that caused the engine to stall.

It has also had trouble with headlights going out.

SHOTLIST

9 February 2010

1. Toyota President Akio Toyoda walking to news conference and taking seat

2. Cutaway of media

3. SOUNDBITE: (English) Akio Toyoda, Toyota President:

"Earlier today we submitted the recall notifications in regard to four models; the Prius, the Prius plug-in hybrid, the Sai and the HS250h. The notifications are in regard to the braking system employed on those models. Let me assure everyone that we will redouble our commitment to quality as a lifeline of our company. With myself taking the lead and by keeping to the (INAUDIBLE) of principle. All of us at Toyota will tackle the issue in close cooperation with our dealers and with our suppliers, together we will do everything in our power to regain the confidence of our customers. I welcome your questions regarding this issue and other recent quality related concern, thank you very much."

4. Wide of attendants

5. SOUNDBITE: (Japanese) Akio Toyoda, Toyota President:

"I''m not saying that Toyota never makes mistakes. I do not think we are infallible. However, when we do make omissions or mistakes, we always make repairs, correct matters and replace the faulty parts, as we have done in the past and will continue to do with confidence in the future."

6. Mid of media

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Hans Greimel, From Automotive News Asia:

"Well, I think there is going to be of course a kind of an image blow here, this is that the Prius is largely responsible for Toyota''s reputation as a green environmentally friendly car company. So to see that the Prius be lumped into this expanding global recall crisis is going to be a blow to Toyota''s image."

5 February 2010

8. Various of Prius vehicles on display in Toyota''s Tokyo showroom

9. Interior of car, pan down to foot pedals

10. Close of Prius foot pedals

11. Wide of Lexus showroom in Tokyo

12. Close of Lexus lettering

13. Various of Lexus HS250h on display in showroom

STORYLINE

Toyota said it was recalling about 437-thousand Prius and other hybrid vehicles worldwide to fix brake problems, the latest in a string of embarrassing safety lapses at the world''s largest automaker.

Toyota President Akio Toyoda said on Tuesday at a news conference in Tokyo that the company decided to recall four models.

"Let me assure everyone that we will redouble our commitment to quality as a lifeline of our company," Toyoda said.

Toyota officials went to Japan''s Transport Ministry earlier on Tuesday to formally notify officials the company was recalling the 2010 Prius gas-electric hybrid - the world''s top-selling hybrid car, and two other hybrid models in Japan, the Lexus HS250h sedan, sold in the US and Japan, and the Sai, which is sold only in Japan.

The recall was the latest blow to Toyota Motor Corp., which is in the midst of recalling more than 7 (m) million vehicles worldwide because of problems with floor mats, which can trap gas pedals, and faulty gas pedals that are slow to return to the idle position.

The Prius wasn''t part of those recalls.

There have been about 200 complaints in Japan and the US about a delay when the brakes in the Prius were pressed in cold conditions and on some bumpy roads.

The delay doesn''t indicate a brake failure.

The company said the problem can be fixed by reprogramming the software that controls the braking system.

The 223-thousand cars being recalled in Japan include nearly 200-thousand Priuses sold from April last year through Monday, according to papers the automaker filed with the ministry.

The Prius is Japan''s top-selling car.

In the US, Toyota will recall 133-thousand Prius cars and 14,500 Lexus HS250h vehicles.

The Prius is also being recalled in Europe.

Toyoda has been criticised for being largely invisible during the two weeks after the company announced on January 21 the gas pedal recall in the US, Europe and China.

He apologised at his first public news conference last Friday, but was criticised by the Japanese media for failing to outline concrete steps to tackle the safety crisis and reassure customers around the world.

In contrast to his halting English in response to questions from foreign reporters at last week''s news conference, Toyoda seemed much better prepared on Tuesday, reading from an English statement after doing so in Japanese.

"We will do everything in our power to regain the confidence of our customers," he said.

US safety officials have launched an investigation into problems with the brakes.

The problem is suspected in four crashes resulting in two minor injuries, according to data gathered by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which is investigating the matter.

Toyota says it''s cooperating with NHTSA''s investigation.

Problems with hybrid braking systems haven''t been limited to Toyota.

Ford Motor Co. said last week it plans to fix 17,600 Mercury Milan and Ford Fusion gas-electric hybrids because of a software problem that can give drivers the impression that the brakes have failed.

The automaker says the problem occurs in transition between two braking systems and at no time are drivers without brakes.

Toyota''s plug-in hybrid is also being recalled in Japan, a largely experimental model for rental and government use, with 159 sold.

The Prius holds a cherished spot in Toyota''s vehicle line-up and is symbolic of its leadership in the "green" car market.

Toyota was one of the first companies to mass-market a hybrid that combines an electric motor with a gas engine, introducing the Prius in Japan in 1997.

Its high gas mileage made it popular among environmentally conscious drivers, especially when gas prices spiked two years ago.

But the complexity of the Prius, a highly computerised car, has led to problems in the past. In 2005, the company repaired 75-thousand of them to fix software glitches that caused the engine to stall.

It has also had trouble with headlights going out.

SHOTLIST:

Tokyo, Japan - 9 May 2007

1. Wide of Katsuaki Watanabe, President of Toyota, walking into news conference

2. Cutaway of media

3. SOUNDBITE: (Japanese) Katsuaki Watanabe, President of Toyota:

"Rather than think about other companies, I feel that we must do our utmost to satisfy customers around the world. I believe that it is an important factor to put the utmost effort in trying to sell 8.89 (m) million cars. Different divisions within the company such as the development sector to marketing sector need to improve in quality. This would be our focus and something that cannot be missed. There is plenty left for us to do."

4. Various cutaways of news briefing

5. SOUNDBITE: (Japanese) Katsuaki Watanabe, President of Toyota:

"It concerns the internal issues of our company, but as you may see, we need to seek to resolve issues in development and marketing. We see them as opportunities even in difficult times, and we will strive to continue to achieve growth."

6. Various of Lexus cars displayed at Toyota showroom

7. Various of Prius, Toyota's hybrid car

FILE:

Tokyo, Japan - 19 October 2005

8. Zoom into model at General Motors auto show

9. Various of General Motors cars display at the motor show

FILE:

Lansing, Michigan - 15 February 2001

10. Various of General Motors assembly plant

STORYLINE:

Toyota's profit in the January-March quarter climbed nine-percent as the automaker marked its seventh straight fiscal year of record sales amid robust demand for its Corolla, Camry and Lexus models.

Toyota Motor Corporation, which beat General Motors (GM) in worldwide vehicle production and sales in the first quarter for the first time ever, reported a quarterly group profit of 440.1 (b) billion yen (3.67 (b) billion US dollars) from 404 (b) billion yen the same period the previous year.

Toyota's sales are surging as soaring gas prices boost the appeal of its models, which are reputed worldwide for fuel-efficiency, including gas-and-electric hybrids like the Prius.

Analysts say Toyota is growing so quickly it's just a matter of time before it overtakes problem-laden General Motors Corp. of the US to become the world's number-one automaker, a title that technically hinges on annual worldwide vehicle production.

Toyota's sales in the fiscal fourth quarter rose ten-percent to 6.3 (t) trillion yen (52.5 (b) billion US dollars) from 5.75 (t) trillion yen the previous year.

Detroit-based GM, the world's largest automaker the last 76 years, is seeing its US market share shrink, and has announced a restructuring plan to stem billions in losses.

Toyota President Katsuaki Watanabe was typically understated when asked about the prospects of beating GM.

"Rather than think about other companies, I feel that we must do our utmost to satisfy customers around the world," he said.

"There is plenty left for us to do," he added.

He said his company aims to boost sales in "every region" around the world, while acknowledging the auto industry remains tough, with many obstacles.

"We see them as opportunities, and we will strive to continue to achieve growth," he told reporters at a Tokyo hotel.

Toyota sold 2.35 (m) million vehicles worldwide in the January-March period, surpassing the 2.266 (m) million vehicles GM sold in the quarter.

Earlier this month, GM reported a 62 (m) million US dollars profit in the first three months of the year for a second consecutive quarter of black ink.

It lost 10.4 (b) billion US dollars in 2005 but underwent massive restructuring and trimmed its losses to two (b) billion US dollars in 2006.

There will only be a few hundred, and they won't be cheap, but Toyota is about to take its first small step into the unproven market for emissions-free, hydrogen-powered vehicles.

The world's largest automaker announced Tuesday that it will begin selling fuel cell cars in Japan on December 15, and in the US and Europe in mid-2015.

The sporty-looking, four-door Toyota Mirai will retail for 6,700,000 yen (57,600 US dollars) before taxes.

Toyota Motor Corp hopes to sell 400 in Japan and 300 in the rest of the world in the first year.

Fuel cell vehicles run on compressed hydrogen gas, which in the Mirai's case is stored in two tanks mounted underneath the vehicle.

They emit no exhaust, though fossil fuels are used in the production of hydrogen and to pressurise it. Both Honda and Hyundai have or are also experimenting with limited sales and leases of fuel cell cars.

Besides the relatively high cost, buyers will have to contend with finding fuel.

Only a few dozen hydrogen filling stations have been built worldwide, though governments are subsidising the construction of more.

It's an uncertain future that depends both on whether makers can bring down the price, and a wide-enough network of filling stations is built.

Sales will be limited to the primarily urban areas that have stations.

In Japan, with about 30 stations, that means the regions around Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya cities in central and western Japan and the northern part of Kyushu island in the south.

A few stations have opened in California in the United States, and there are plans to build some in the Northeast. Germany and the United Kingdom are among European countries that have or plan to build them.

The first buyers are expected to be affluent people who are environmental aware, and governments and companies that want to go green.

The Mirai can travel 650 to 700 kilometers (400-435 miles) on its two tanks of hydrogen.

Hydrogen may be more expensive than gas initially, because there are so few customers but, over time, Toyota expects it will be cheaper to run a car on hydrogen than with gas.vehicles a year.

The company's Executive Vice President Mitsuhisa Kato said he was confident "its innovation will surpass the Prius."

Both Honda and Hyundai have or are also experimenting with limited sales and leases of fuel cell cars.

AP TELEVISION

Tokyo - 18 November 2014

1. Toyota's hydrogen-powered car - "Mirai" appearing on stage

2. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) Yoshikazu Tanaka, Toyota Motor Deputy Chief Engineer:

"It is a car of the next century, a car that leads to making a society use hydrogen energy. To realise this concept, we have put in all our advanced technology into the development. As a result, we believe we developed a car that is not only good for the environment, but it is also a vehicle that is fun, quiet, pleasurable and comfortable to drive."

3. Various of Toyota Mirai driving along streets

4. Toyota Motor Executive Vice President Mitsuhisa Kato on stage

5. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) Mitsuhisa Kato, Toyota Motor Executive Vice President:

"The FCV (fuel cell vehicle) - if hydrogen energy is once accepted, it will make a great difference in the society. I believe its innovation will surpass the Prius."

6. Logo on car reading (English): "Fuel Cell"

7. Various set up shots of Hans Greimel, auto analyst at Toyota's press conference venue

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Hans Greimel, Asia Editor of Automotive News:

"Well, they often say that the hydrogen fuel cell car is is kind of like the car of the future. But now we finally see the future gradually creeping closer. There hasn't been a lot of effort yet to really make a marketable retail-ready fuel cell car. But here we see Toyota taking a step in that direction where putting of a retail price on a car, which is something that's a little bit new. We're also putting volumes on a car, sales volumes on a car, that's also kind of a new direction. So we're seeing that the fuel cell, hydrogen-powered cars are becoming more of a... creeping closer to reality."

9. Various of exhibited Mirai with open bonnet

10. Fuel Cell logo

The new car on the market.

The world's largest automaker says it aims to sell up to 400-thousand units globally a year of the new-look Prius.

Akio Toyoda, the grandson of the company's founder, and the incoming president of Toyota Motor Corporation, drove the new model onto a stage at a packed Tokyo showroom.

He said the car was eco-friendly and that driving it had a similar impact on emission cuts as planting trees "across land 10 times the size of Tokyo".

Toyoda, 53, was tapped in January to take the helm at the world's biggest automaker, the first time in 14 years it has turned to the charisma of its founding roots for top leadership, mainly to bring employees and affiliates together and steer the automaker through deep troubles.

Both Toyoda's presence and new Prius are symbolic of Toyota Motor Corporation's pursuit of a turnaround from its worst annual loss since its 1937 founding.

The Prius, now in its third generation since its 1997 introduction, is the best-selling hybrid in the world, racking up a cumulative 1.256 (m) million units sold in more than 40 nations and regions.

But now Toyota faces a challenge from Honda Motor Co., whose more cheaply priced Insight has sold briskly since it was introduced in Japan in February.

In April, the Insight ranked as the top-selling vehicle in Japan, the first time a hybrid clinched that spot.

Toyota said its Japan prices for the Prius would start at 2.05 (m) million yen, or about 21,600 US dollars at current exchange rates, less than its predecessor model.

But in an unusual move aimed at competing against the Insight, Toyota also said it will continue to sell the current Prius in Japan, and cut its price.

It targets rental and corporate customers, and will sell for 1.89 (m) million yen, the same price as the Insight.

Toyota had already given the US prices for the 2010 Prius, starting at 22,000 US dollars, unchanged from the base price for the 2009 model.

It is also promising a more basic US model as well for later this year starting at 21,000 US dollars.

The new Prius gets a combined 50 miles per gallon (mpg), compared with 46 mpg for the 2009 model, according to Toyota.

Toyota is promising 38 kilometres per litre, which converts to 90 miles per gallon, in Japan, for the latest Prius.

Toshio Aritake, an auto analyst at the showroom in Tokyo called the Prius "very competitive."

SHOTLIST

Tokyo, May 18th

1. Zoom out from Prius logo to hybrid car, incoming president of Toyota Motor Corporation getting out of it and walking out on podium

2. Photographers

3. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) Akio Toyoda, Incoming president of Toyota Motor Corporation:

"We contribute to ecology as it (Prius) has the same impact on emission cuts as planting trees would across land 10 times the size of Tokyo."

4. Auto analyst Toshio Aritake standing by car

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Toshio Aritake, Auto analyst:

"I think it's going to be very, very competitive in terms of pricing and whatever it has to offer. I haven't seen the inside yet. But it looks extremely competitive, and that's something no other manufacturers at this time can match in terms of quality and pricing."

6. Close of hybrid logo

7. Wide of new Prius car

8. Close up of new Prius car's bonnet

9. Close of Toyota logo with hybrid synergy drive panel

10. Engine

LEADIN

Toyota has rolled out the revamped Prius in Tokyo.

The company's in confident mood, saying it already has 80-thousand advance orders in Japan for the remodelled hybrid, amid intensifying competition with Honda's rival offering the Insight.

SHOTLIST

1. Zoom out from Prius logo to hybrid car, incoming president of Toyota Motor Corporation getting out of it and walking out on podium

2. Photographers

3. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) Akio Toyoda, Incoming president of Toyota Motor Corporation:

"We contribute to ecology as it (Prius) has the same impact on emission cuts as planting trees would across land 10 times the size of Tokyo."

4. Auto analyst Toshio Aritake standing by car

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Toshio Aritake, Auto analyst:

"I think it's going to be very, very competitive in terms of pricing and whatever it has to offer. I haven't seen the inside yet. But it looks extremely competitive, and that's something no other manufacturers at this time can match in terms of quality and pricing."

6. Close of hybrid logo

7. Wide of new Prius car

8. Close up of new Prius car's bonnet

9. Close of Toyota logo with hybrid synergy drive panel

10. Engine

STORYLINE:

Toyota rolled out the revamped Prius in Tokyo on Monday, and said it already had 80-thousand advance orders in Japan for the remodelled hybrid amid intensifying competition with Honda's rival offering, the Insight.

The world's largest automaker said it aims to sell up to 400-thousand units globally a year of the car.

Akio Toyoda, the grandson of the company's founder, and the incoming president of Toyota Motor Corporation, drove the new model onto a stage at a packed Tokyo showroom.

He said the car was eco-friendly and that driving it had a similar impact on emission cuts as planting trees "across land 10 times the size of Tokyo".

Toyoda, 53, was tapped in January to take the helm at the world's biggest automaker, the first time in 14 years it has turned to the charisma of its founding roots for top leadership, mainly to bring employees and affiliates together and steer the automaker through deep troubles.

Both Toyoda's presence and new Prius are symbolic of Toyota Motor Corporation's pursuit of a turnaround from its worst annual loss since its 1937 founding.

The Prius, now in its third generation since its 1997 introduction, is the best-selling hybrid in the world, racking up a cumulative 1.256 (m) million units sold in more than 40 nations and regions.

But now Toyota faces a challenge from Honda Motor Co., whose more cheaply priced Insight has sold briskly since it was introduced in Japan in February.

In April, the Insight ranked as the top-selling vehicle in Japan, the first time a hybrid clinched that spot.

Toyota said its Japan prices for the Prius would start at 2.05 (m) million yen, or about 21,600 US dollars at current exchange rates, less than its predecessor model.

But in an unusual move aimed at competing against the Insight, Toyota also said it will continue to sell the current Prius in Japan, and cut its price.

It targets rental and corporate customers, and will sell for 1.89 (m) million yen, the same price as the Insight.

Toyota had already given the US prices for the 2010 Prius, starting at 22,000 US dollars, unchanged from the base price for the 2009 model.

It is also promising a more basic US model as well for later this year starting at 21,000 US dollars.

The new Prius gets a combined 50 miles per gallon (mpg), compared with 46 mpg for the 2009 model, according to Toyota.

Toyota is promising 38 kilometres per litre, which converts to 90 miles per gallon, in Japan, for the latest Prius.

Toshio Aritake, an auto analyst at the showroom in Tokyo called the Prius "very competitive."

Toyota said Wednesday it is recalling 1.9 (m) million hybrid Prius cars globally for a software glitch that could cause the vehicle to stall.

Toyota Motor Corp. said that 997,000 Prius cars in Japan, some 713,000 in North America, another 130,000 in Europe and the rest in other regions are being recalled for a problem in the software to control the hybrid system.

Analysts say the move has sent ripples through stock markets, as the Japanese automaker has suffered similar massive recalls in the past.

"Toyota is the forerunner in terms of taking the same products into different cars. And therefore, if they have a problem, it always affects a lot of cars. Every car manufacturer has recalls from time to time, but Toyota tends to have big recalls and big recalls are big problems," said Tim Schuld, auto industry analyst and Managing Director of Equinet Bank.

Schuld added the development could affect Toyota's standing in the auto industry.

Toyota earlier this year claimed the top-selling spot for a second year in a row, beating US rival General Motors by some 270,000 vehicles in 2013, and had set an ambitious target to sell more than 10 (m) million vehicles this year.

"It's a tight race, Volkswagen wants to be the number one as well, GM (General Motors) wants to get the number one again, this recall will definitely not help," said Schuld.

No accidents or injuries have been reported related to the problem.

The software could cause transistors to become damaged, causing warnings lights to go off, driving power to be reduced or the car to stop.

The recalled vehicles were manufactured between March 2009 and February 2014.

The manufacturer suffered huge recalls starting in 2009, affecting more than 14 (m) million vehicles for problems including floor mats, gas pedals and brakes.

"The number of recalls Toyota had was not so large. It was just few recalls, but every time they had a recall it was a massive recall. So it might be just bad luck, but nobody in this industry is completely immune to such things," said Schuld.

AP TELEVISION

++AUDIO QUALITY AS INCOMING++

1. Set up of auto industry analyst Tim Schuld

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Tim Schuld, Managing Director, Equinet Bank:

"It depends a lot on how much the recall will cost and if there's any bigger problems, but obviously the market is pretty excited about it, because they had such large problems in the past."

3. Cutaway of Equinet Bank logo on glass wall

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Tim Schuld, Managing Director, Equinet Bank:

"Toyota is a forerunner in terms of taking the same products into different cars. And therefore, if they have a problem, it always affects a lot of cars. Every car manufacturer has recalls from time to time, but Toyota tends to have big recalls and big recalls are big problems."

5. Mid of Schuld being interviewed

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Tim Schuld, Managing Director, Equinet Bank:

"It's a tight race, Volkswagen wants to be the number one as well, GM (General Motors) wants to get the number one again, this recall will definitely not help."

7. Wide of Schuld being interviewed

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Tim Schuld, Managing Director, Equinet Bank:

"It's difficult to say, because the number of recalls Toyota had was not so large. It was just few recalls, but every time they had a recall it was a massive recall. So it might be just bad luck, but nobody in this industry is completely immune to such things."

9. Close of Equinet Bank logo

LEAD IN:

Audi, Honda and Toyota are strutting their stuff at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit with a fleet of new concept vehicles and family SUVs.

Facing up to the SUV craze, Toyota is revamping its much loved Camry and introducing a new gas-electric hybrid.

STORY-LINE:

Unveiling the new 2018 Odyssey at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Honda say this is the ultimate family car.

Calling its flexible second-row advancements "Magic Slide," the company is promising seats that can easily reconfigure, whether moving forward, together or apart from other seats and rows.

There's also a host of driver-assist technologies that are new to the Odyssey, including those that help keep motorists in their lanes and on the road, avoid collisions and automatically adjust cruise control.

John Mendel, Executive Vice President of American Honda Motor Company says: "Well as you can see the fifth generation of America's best selling minivan takes Odyssey styling to a new level of sophistication and premium design. Low, wide, improved aerodynamics, a more sharply sculptured body side and a fresh new take on the signature lightning bolt beltline."

The new Odyssey also comes with noise reducing features with a claim from Mendel that is has the "quietest cabin in the class, bar none".

Audi is unveiling two new additions in its line-up at the autoshow.

The A5 Cabriolet is a sporty convertible with a drop top and an aggressive turbo-charged V6 engine, pushing 354 horsepower.

Scott Keogh, President, Audi of America says: "The acoustic roof, of course, folds down in just fifteen seconds at speeds up to 31 mph. Faster still is the 354 horsepower turbo-charged engine and of course we'll be bringing the A5 Cab with a 252 horsepower and a 2-litre engine."

The SQ5 is a being marketed as a premium SUV, sporting the same high performance specs as the A5.

Audi is also unveiling a concept version of the Q8 SUV hybrid, which it says will roll out in 2018.

The Q8 is sleek, features a downward sloping front end and has as sporty yet elegant look. The concept was created under the direction of Audi Chief Designer Marc Lichte. Audi officials hope it will attracted a new set of customers to the Audi brand.

America's favourite car, meanwhile is under attack.

If pickup trucks are excluded, the Toyota Camry has been the nation's top-selling vehicle for 15 years.

Now it's in danger of losing its crown - a potential victim of the SUV craze.

And even this much-anticipated revamp may not be enough to keep the competition at bay.

Aiko Toyoda, President of Toyota Motor Company says: "We view this as an opportunity to reignite the midsize sedan market. I mean, why should SUVs get all the glory? After all this segment is still one of the largest in the industry."

The revamped Camry gets two all-new engines, a 3.5-litre V6 and a 2.5-litre four, both paired with a new eight-speed automatic transmission. There's also a gas-electric hybrid version.

All 2018 Camrys come standard with a suite of safety systems that include automatic emergency braking.

Horsepower, gas mileage and price have not been released. The new Kentucky-built Camry will be available late in the summer.

Chinese automaker GAC is unveiling three new concept vehicles. The GS7 - a five seater SUV, the sporty Enspirit and an electric model, the GE3.

The North American International Auto Show runs from January 8-22, 2017.

Detroit, January 9, 2017

++FLASHING LIGHTS++

1. Honda Odyssey reveal

2. SOUNDBITE (English) John Mendel, Executive Vice President, American Honda Motor Company:

"Well as you can see the fifth generation of America's best selling minivan takes Odyssey styling to a new level of sophistication and premium design. Low, wide, improved aerodynamics, a more sharply sculptured body side and a fresh new take on the signature lightning bolt beltline."

3. Various of Odyssey

4. Audi banner

5. Various of A5S5 Cabriolet

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Scott Keogh, President, Audi of America:

"The acoustic roof, of course, folds down in just fifteen seconds at speeds up to 31 mph. Faster still is the 354 horsepower turbo-charged engine and of course we'll be bringing the A5 Cab with a 252 horsepower and a 2-litre engine."

7. Reveal of SQ5 SUV

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Scott Keogh, President, Audi of America:

"As you can see the SQ5 is a premium SUV that is the perfect blend of performance and functionality. A turbo-charged V6 engine, 354 horsepower, the same engine that's in that stunning S5."

9. Reveal of Audi Q8 concept

10. Various views of Q8 concept

11. Ford F150 presentation on screen

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Joe Hinrichs, Ford President, The Americas:

"Ladies and gentlemen the new F-150. Even smarter, even tougher and even more capable. With all-new automatic emergency braking, class-exclusive adaptive cruise with stop and go technology. More powerful engines, an all-new diesel and F150s best towing ever."

13. Toyota signage

14. Various Toyota Camry unveil

15. SOUNDBITE (English) Aiko Toyoda, President, Toyota Motor Company:

"Between this new XLE and XSE our customers will have two very distinct Camrys to choose from. Sexy and really sexy."

16. Various, Camry XLE

17. SOUNDBITE (English) Aiko Toyoda, President, Toyota Motor Company:

"We view this as an opportunity to reignite the midsize sedan market. I mean, why should SUVs get all the glory? After all this segment is still one of the largest in the industry."

18. Toyota logo on Camry

19. GAC opening

20. GAC GS7 unveil

21. SOUNDBITE (English) Zhang Fan, Vice President of GAC Engineering:

"The GS7 is a five seater entry-premium SUV that's designed with an impressive stance and focused on providing a comfortable driving experience."

22. SOUNDBITE (English) Zhang Fan, Vice President of GAC Engineering:

"The 680 gearbox and the realtime all-wheel drive system ensures the (inaudible) and minimal harshness in all kinds of road conditions."

23. Yu Jun, GAC General Manager on stage

24. SOUNDBITE (English) Yu Jun, GAC General Manager:

"GAC Motors is the first global auto brand in China. We are now building a world-class system for auto manufacturing, ensuring the world class-quality of GAC products."

25. GAC GE3 electric car unveil

26. GAC Enspirit unveil

FRANCE TOYOTA

SOURCE: AP TELEVISION

RESTRICTIONS: HORIZONS CLIENTS AND AP LIFESTYLE, HEALTH AND TECHNOLOGY CLIENTS ONLY

LENGTH: 1:34

SHOTLIST:

AP Television

Paris - 2/3 October 2014

1.Wide of Toyota C-HR concept car

2. SOUNDBITE: (English) Lance Scott, chef designer of C-HR (partly overlaid with video of Toyota C-HR concept car)

"Here we are showing the Toyota C-HR concept which is our design vision for a c-segment crossover vehicle. We really wanted to show something really dynamic and emotional in the segment. So, basically we wanted to show a strong, solid stance to a car. Something very dynamic, something very expressive for the segment. It is for a male consumer but someone who has a really kind of work hard, play hard lifestyle. We coined the phrase Valentino, It is a guy who really has an active lifestyle, he works hard and he wants to enjoy life. He wants a car that is really going to match to his lifestyle. He wants a car that he can drive to work in. Do all the things he has to do during the day, but when he goes out at night he can pull up to a nightclub and people will turn their heads and say 'wow - this guy has a great car."

3. SOUNDBITE: (English), Mark Vaughn, West Coast editor of Autoweek automobile magazine (partly overlaid with video of Toyota C-HR concept car)

"This is a an imagination, an idea of what the future of a c-class hybrid could be. It is very practical, but the exterior is kind of wacky, kind of goofy, kind of 'I wouldn't buy it.' But, that's what you do with concept, you really go, you push the edge you see where it goes and you see if people like it. So while you won't see this exact car you will see something sort of like it. When the production version comes out you will start to see cues that were on this car. And you will think back to 2014 and to this video and you'll say 'yeah - that guy was right."

4. Wide of Toyota C-HR concept car

LEAD IN :

Toyota has unveiled a new hybrid-powered crossover coupe concept at the Paris Motor Show.

STORYLINE:

The Toyota C-HR hybrid C-class is one of the most striking concept cars at the Paris Motor Show.

The Japanese car-maker's bold styling was turning heads and this is precisely what its designer Lance Scott was hoping for.

"We really wanted to show something very dynamic and very emotional in the segment. So basically we wanted to show a strong solid stance to a car, something really dynamic, something very expressive for the segment," he says.

Scott describes the fictional guy the designers were aiming to please.

"It is for a male consumer but someone who has a really kind of work hard, play hard lifestyle. We coined the phrase Valentino, It is a guy who really has an active lifestyle, he works hard and he wants to enjoy life. He wants a car that is really going to match to his lifestyle. He wants a car that he can drive to work in. Do all the things he has to do during the day, but when he goes out at night he can pull up to a nightclub and people will turn their heads and say 'wow - this guy has a great car."

But not every journalist is convinced by the car's looks.

Mark Vaughn, West Coast editor of Autoweek automobile magazine says: "This is an imagination, an idea of what the future of a C-class hybrid could be. It's very practical but the exterior is kind of wacky, kind of goofy, kind of I wouldn't buy it! But that's what you do with concepts, you really go, you push the edge and see where it goes and see how people like it."

Small SUVs, also known as crossovers, are the fastest-growing segment of the market in the U.S. while in Europe sales are expected to grow 40 percent this year after doubling in 2014 according to IHS Automotive.

The cars are built largely on car underpinnings so they manoeuvre like a car while getting gas mileage that's almost as good, and customers like the visibility provided by the high seating position.

====

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SHOTLIST

February 9, 2010

1. Various of Toyota executive, Hiroyuki Yokoyama, handing submission papers for a safety recall to Ryuji Masuno, the director general of the Road Transport Bureau at Japan''s Ministry of Transport

February 5, 2010

2. Various of Prius vehicles on display in Toyota''s Tokyo showroom

3. Interior of car, pan down to foot pedals

4. Various of Prius foot pedals

5. Wide of Lexus showroom in Tokyo

6. Close of Lexus lettering

7. Various of Lexus HS250h on display in showroom

STORYLINE

Toyota on Tuesday announced the company was recalling nearly 200-thousand of its signature Prius green cars in Japan for braking problems, the latest in a string of embarrassing safety lapses at the world''s largest automaker.

Toyota Motor Corporation President Akio Toyoda was set to hold a news conference at the automaker''s Tokyo office later on Tuesday to outline

details of the braking problem, including plans for a possible recall in the United States.

In further developments, a Toyota official told The Associated Press that the Prius gas-electric hybrid would be recalled in Europe in addition to Japan.

The number of Prius gas-electric hybrids involved in the recall would swell to about 300-thousand if there is a recall in the US and other regions.

The braking problem for the third-generation remodelled Prius is the latest safety woe for Toyota, which is already trying to fix problems in (m) millions of vehicles recalled for other defects, including a sticky gas pedal.

On Monday, Toyota officials went to Japan''s Transport Ministry to formally notify officials the company was recalling the 2010 Prius gas-electric hybrid, the world''s top-selling hybrid car, and two other hybrid models.

In total, the recall involves over 223-thousand hybrid cars.

Toyota will recall nearly 200-thousand Prius vehicles sold in Japan from April last year through Monday, according to papers the automaker filed with the ministry.

The two other hybrids being recalled are the Lexus HS250h sedan, sold in the US and Japan, and the Sai, which is sold only in Japan.

There have been nearly 200 complaints in Japan and the US of drivers experiencing a short delay before the brakes kick in.

The delay doesn''t indicate a brake failure.

A fix requires new software that oversees the controls of the antilock brakes, the papers say.

VOICE-OVER SCRIPT:

TOYOTA IS RECALLING NEARLY TWO-MILLION CARS.

THE JAPANESE AUTOMAKER SAYS A SOFTWARE GLITCH COULD CAUSE PRIUS HYBRIDS TO STALL.

THE NOTICE AFFECTS 713-THOUSAND VEHICLES IN NORTH AMERICA.

SOUNDBITE (English) Tim Schuld, Managing Director, Equinet Bank:

"Toyota is a forerunner in terms of taking the same products into different cars. And therefore, if they have a problem, it always affects a lot of cars. Every car manufacturer has recalls from time to time, but Toyota tends to have big recalls and big recalls are big problems."

WHILE THIS RECALL INVOLVES A LARGE NUMBER OF VEHICLES--IT'S DWARFED BY THE MORE THAN 14-MILLION TOYOTAS RECALLED STARTING IN 2009. THOSE PROBLEMS INCLUDED FLOOR MATS, GAS PEDALS AND BRAKES.

SOUNDBITE (English) Tim Schuld, Managing Director, Equinet Bank:

"It's a tight race, Volkswagen wants to be the number one as well, GM (General Motors) wants to get the number one again, this recall will definitely not help."

THE COMPANY SAYS THERE HAVEN'T BEEN ANY ACCIDENTS OR INJURIES DUE TO THE CURRENT GLITCH. THE RECALL COVERS CARS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN MARCH OF 2009 AND THIS MONTH.

MATT FRIEDMAN. ASSOCIATED PRESS.

AP TELEVISION

FILE: Tokyo, Japan - August 3, 2012

1. Various of Prius models in showroom

12 February 2014

2. Screenshot: Tilt down and zoom in of Toyota's website to check recalled vehicles

Frankfurt - 12 Feb 2014

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Tim Schuld, Managing Director, Equinet Bank:

FILE: Tokyo, Japan - August 3, 2012

4. Medium of Prius in showroom

FILE -- EXACT DATE AND LOCATION UNKNOWN

5. Various of exteriors of Toyota dealership exteriors

6. Technician working gas and brake pedals of vehicle

Frankfurt - 12 Feb 2014

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Tim Schuld, Managing Director, Equinet Bank:

FILE: Nagoya, Japan - February 4, 2009

8. Wide exterior of Toyota headquarters building

9. Close of flags outside Toyota HQ

FILE -- EXACT DATE AND LOCATION UNKNOWN

10. Various of Prius' at dealership

FOR CLEAN VERSION SEE STORY NUMBER: apus005419

VOICE-OVER SCRIPT:

TOYOTA IS RECALLING NEARLY TWO-MILLION CARS.

THE JAPANESE AUTOMAKER SAYS A SOFTWARE GLITCH COULD CAUSE PRIUS HYBRIDS TO STALL.

THE NOTICE AFFECTS 713-THOUSAND VEHICLES IN NORTH AMERICA.

SOUNDBITE (English) Tim Schuld, Managing Director, Equinet Bank:

"Toyota is a forerunner in terms of taking the same products into different cars. And therefore, if they have a problem, it always affects a lot of cars. Every car manufacturer has recalls from time to time, but Toyota tends to have big recalls and big recalls are big problems."

WHILE THIS RECALL INVOLVES A LARGE NUMBER OF VEHICLES--IT'S DWARFED BY THE MORE THAN 14-MILLION TOYOTAS RECALLED STARTING IN 2009. THOSE PROBLEMS INCLUDED FLOOR MATS, GAS PEDALS AND BRAKES.

SOUNDBITE (English) Tim Schuld, Managing Director, Equinet Bank:

"It's a tight race, Volkswagen wants to be the number one as well, GM (General Motors) wants to get the number one again, this recall will definitely not help."

THE COMPANY SAYS THERE HAVEN'T BEEN ANY ACCIDENTS OR INJURIES DUE TO THE CURRENT GLITCH. THE RECALL COVERS CARS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN MARCH OF 2009 AND THIS MONTH.

MATT FRIEDMAN. ASSOCIATED PRESS.

AP TELEVISION

FILE: Tokyo, Japan - August 3, 2012

1. Various of Prius models in showroom

12 February 2014

2. Screenshot: Tilt down and zoom in of Toyota's website to check recalled vehicles

Frankfurt - 12 Feb 2014

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Tim Schuld, Managing Director, Equinet Bank:

FILE: Tokyo, Japan - August 3, 2012

4. Medium of Prius in showroom

FILE -- EXACT DATE AND LOCATION UNKNOWN

5. Various of exteriors of Toyota dealership exteriors

6. Technician working gas and brake pedals of vehicle

Frankfurt - 12 Feb 2014

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Tim Schuld, Managing Director, Equinet Bank:

FILE: Nagoya, Japan - February 4, 2009

8. Wide exterior of Toyota headquarters building

9. Close of flags outside Toyota HQ

FILE -- EXACT DATE AND LOCATION UNKNOWN

10. Various of Prius' at dealership

SHOTLIST

Hong Kong

++NIGHT SHOTS++

1. Toyota service repair centre owned by Crown Motors Limited, sole agent for Toyota in Hong Kong

2. Dark grey third-generation Prius, which Toyota is recalling to fix brake problems

3. Close up of Toyota logo on Prius

4. Side view of Prius with door opened

6. Close up brake pedal

7. Wide of Ted Lau, After Sales Division Director of Crown Motor Limited, watching as technician upgrades Prius braking software

8. Close up of Ted Lau

9. SOUNDBITE: (English) Ted Lau, After Sales Division Director of Crown Motor Limited:

"We received the information from Toyota Motor Corporation today to initiate the recall to the third-generation Prius. There are around 270 units of third-generation Prius delivered up to now. Actually, we expect to finish it, all the recall, within a month."

10. Cutaway of Ted Lau speaking

11. SOUNDBITE: (English) Ted Lau, After Sales Division Director of Crown Motor Limited:

"Actually, we don''t receive any complaints from third-generation Prius in Hong Kong. So, based on the information from Toyota, so in US and Japan there are some customers complain about the ABS performance of the Prius. So we invite customers, Prius customers, back to our service centre. Basically this is a very simple ABS brake system upgrade. So it takes almost an hour to finish it."

12. Technician kneels to attach device to Prius to upgrade braking system software

13. Close up of the device

Paris, France

14. Toyota Prius taxi on Paris street

15. Mid pan of Toyota Prius taxi

16. SOUNDBITE (French) Mr. Bara (no first name given), Toyota Prius taxi driver:

"Me no, I''m not worried about this. It works very well. Someone must have wanted to do something bad against Toyota. Otherwise, Toyota usually works very well. For me, it works very well. No problem with the brakes. It drives well. And it''s an economical car also."

17. Close up of pedals

18. Various shots of dark grey Toyota Prius taxi

Rome, Italy

19. Wide shot of Toyota headquarters in Rome

20. Medium shot of Toyota sign on building

21. Medium shot of Toyota logo on window of dealership in Rome

22. Wide shot of various Toyota models in dealership

23. Pan left of Toyota Prius

24. Close up of plate reading "Nuova Prius" (new Prius)

25. Wide shot of Luca Dal Bello, Commmercial Director of Toyota dealership in Rome, walking out of office

26. SOUNDBITE (Italian) Luca Dal Bello, Commmercial Director of Toyota dealership in Rome:

"We haven''t seen a slowdown in sales. There is some concern among the customers, because they want to be sure the cars work properly and that they have no defects. So, I must say there is just a bit of concern, but we haven''t suffered a slowdown of sales so far."

27. Close Toyota Prius rear view-mirrors

28. SOUNDBITE (Italian) Fernando (no surname given), Toyota customer:

"This is a serious car maker. The recall of approximately 2 millions cars around the world is already positive advertising, because other car makers had the same problems but they didn''t do the same recall."

29. Pan right Toyota headquarters in Rome

STORYLINE

Toyota said on Tuesday it was recalling about 437-thousand Prius and other hybrid vehicles worldwide to fix brake problems - the latest in a string of embarrassing safety lapses at the world''s largest automaker.

But the recall, the latest by the Japanese automaker, seems not to have shaken confidence with drivers or hurt sales at dealerships around the world.

With the Prius announcement, the number of vehicles recalled globally by Toyota Motor Corporation has ballooned to 8.5 million, including for floor mats which can trap acceleration pedals and faulty acceleration pedals that are slow to return to the idle position.

The latest recall regarding the brakes relates to the 2010 Prius gas-electric hybrid - the world''s top-selling hybrid car, which had not been subject to any of the earlier recalls.

There have been about 200 complaints in Japan and the U.S. about a delay when the brakes in the Prius were pressed in cold conditions and on some bumpy roads.

The delay doesn''t indicate a brake failure. The company says the problem can be fixed in 40 minutes with new software that oversees the controls of the antilock brakes.

There have been no complaints about the 2010 Prius, the third-generation model Prius, in Hong Kong, according to Ted Lau, After Sales Division Director of Crown Motor Limited, which is the sole agent for Toyota in the city.

He said the company expected to complete the software upgrade for the braking system by the end of the month on all 270 of the models sold in Hong Kong.

In Paris, a taxi driver behind the wheel of a Prius said he was very happy with his car.

"For me, it works very well. No problem with the brakes. It drives well. And it''s an economical car also," said the man, who gave his name as Mr. Bara.

In Italy, sales at this dealership in the capital Rome haven''t slowed down, although there has been some concern among customers, said Luca Dal Bello, Commmercial Director of the Toyota dealership.

"I must say there is just a bit of concern, but we haven''t suffered a slowdown of sales so far," said Dal Bello.

Toyota officials went to Japan''s Transport Ministry earlier on Tuesday to formally notify officials that the company was recalling the 2010 Prius.

The 223-thousand cars being recalled in Japan include nearly 200-thousand Priuses sold from April last year through Monday, according to papers the automaker filed with the ministry. The Prius is Japan''s top-selling car.

In the U.S., Toyota will recall 133-thousand Prius cars and 14-thousand Lexus HS250h vehicles. Nearly 53-thousand Priuses are also being recalled in Europe.

If drivers experience a delayed reaction when depressing the brakes in any of these models, they should keep pressing, according to Toyota and the transport ministry.

The Prius repairs will start in Japan on Wednesday. U.S. owners will start receiving letters about the recall next week.