Welcome to today's edition of the Daily 5.
Toyota Motor Corp. Chairman Akio Toyoda said some compelling things today in Japan about his family's legacy at the world's largest automaker. Hans Greimel's story tells us more.
"I don't think that we should 100 percent try to eliminate Toyoda family members," Toyoda said at a tribute to his father, the late Shoichiro Toyoda, who earlier chaired the carmaker. "If there is someone from the family, there is a particular role that the family member can play."
Akio Toyoda relinquished his role last year as CEO to Koji Sato, but he remains the chairman of the company's board.
Curiously, Toyoda's only son, Daisuke, now in his mid-30s, is working his way up the company's ranks. As Greimel tells us, Daisuke's pedigree is much like his father's. He also speaks flawless English and loves driving.
Meanwhile, the nonstop crush of news about the challenges for Stellantis and CEO Carlos Tavares has reached the point where the average observer can't keep up with it all.
Automotive News can help. Today's story by Vince Bond Jr. brings it all together for you.
And for a full accounting of Tesla CEO Elon Musk's unfilled promises for self-driving technology, you can read this story, which Laurence Iliff wrote in advance of tonight's glitzy Hollywood unveiling of Tesla's long-anticipated robotaxi.
Keep in mind that even if self-driving cars become mainstream reality, there will still be a need for the old-fashioned safety product known as seat belts. If you don't like those annoying beeps when you're late buckling up, you probably need to check out this story by Georgia Hall explaining the latest views on seat belt notifications in newer marques.
Volkswagen Group is bringing its Cupra brand to the U.S. by the end of the decade, so you can expect it to start building brand awareness in the next few years. Cupra said today it will join the International Motor Sports Association's Michelin Pilot Challenge starting with the 2025 season.
Looking ahead to tonight, we'll be announcing winners of the Automotive News 2024 Best Dealerships To Work For from Nashville.
That's it for today. Have a great rest of your afternoon.
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— Philip Nussel, online editor
