Japan's Business Confidence Rises Despite Iran War Uncertainty, BOJ Rate Hike Expected 
WTO Ministerial Collapse Leaves Global Digital Trade Rules in Limbo 
South Korea's $17.3 Billion Emergency Budget Targets Oil Price Surge 
U.S. Stock Futures Surge After WSJ Report on Trump's Iran War Exit Strategy 
Bank of Korea Nominee Shin Hyun-song Calls for Flexible Monetary Policy Amid Iran War Risks 
Aluminum Prices Surge Toward Four-Year Highs After Gulf Smelter Strikes 
Goldman Sachs Sees Value in European Real Estate Stocks Despite Sharp Selloff 
Oil Prices Climb as Middle East Conflict Keeps Supply Risks Elevated 
Gold Prices Rebound in Asia Amid Iran War Ceasefire Hopes 
Oil Prices Dip as Trump Eyes Iran De-escalation, Hormuz Closure Persists 
Oil Prices Surge to Record Monthly Highs as Middle East War Rattles Global Markets 
South Korea Manufacturing PMI Hits 4-Year High in March 2025 Driven by Semiconductor Demand 
Australia Bans Card Payment Surcharges Starting October 2025 
Dollar Surges to Monthly High as Middle East Conflict Rattles Global Markets 
U.S. Dollar Posts Strong Monthly Gain Amid Middle East Conflict Despite Late Dip 
Bessent: Global Oil Market Well Supplied as U.S. Eyes Hormuz Navigation Control 
Dollar Surges to Nine-Month High as Middle East Tensions Drive Safe-Haven Demand 
Toyota’s Global Production and Sales Decline in September 2024
Toyota Motor Corporation reported an ongoing decline in global production and sales for September 2024, marking the eighth consecutive month of decreased output. The automaker’s total production fell by 8% year-on-year, reaching 826,556 vehicles. Notably, production in the United States dropped by 14%, while output in China declined by 19%.
The downturn in U.S. production was influenced by a temporary halt in manufacturing and delivery of the Grand Highlander and Lexus TX sport utility vehicles due to an airbag safety issue. Fortunately, production of these models resumed on October 21.
In China, the largest automotive market globally, Toyota faced intensified competition from local brands specializing in electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrids. This shift towards electrification has put significant pressure on traditional automakers like Toyota.
Additionally, Toyota’s global sales for September decreased by 7%, totaling 853,149 vehicles. The decline was even steeper in the U.S., where sales fell by 20%, while sales in China dropped by 9% and domestic sales in Japan decreased by 6%.
For the first nine months of 2024, Toyota has sold 7.4 million vehicles, reflecting a 2% decrease compared to the same period last year. These production and sales figures include vehicles from Toyota's luxury brand, Lexus.
