Business
Toyota delays US electric car production plans as EV sales slow
Toyota is pushing back the start date for electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing in the US, as global demand for battery-powered cars continues to soften.
The Japanese motor industry giant was aiming to start production in late 2025 or early 2026.
Toyota now expects to launch its US EV operation at an unspecified time in 2026, a company spokesperson told BBC News.
Several other major car makers, including Volvo and Ford, have recently scaled back their EV plans.
“We’re still focused on our global [battery electric vehicle] target of 1.5M vehicles by 2026,” said Toyota spokesperson Scott Vazin, adding that in the next two years it plans to introduce “5 to 7 [battery electric vehicles] in the US market.”
Earlier this year, the firm announced it was investing $1.3bn (£980m) in its Kentucky factory as part of plans to build a three-row, electric sport utility vehicle (SUV) there.
The company has also announced plans to build another electric model at a plant in Indiana.
To support these goals Toyota is ramping up its lithium-ion battery production with a factory in North Carolina, which it expects will come online next year.
Toyota’s announcement came as the global car industry continues to struggle with weakening demand for electric vehicles in some major markets.
On Wednesday, Tesla’s quarterly figures missed Wall Street expectations, putting leading EV maker at risk of its first-ever decline in annual deliveries.
Last month, Volvo abandoned its target to produce only fully electric cars by 2030, saying it now expected to be selling some hybrid vehicles by that date.
The company blamed changing market conditions for its decision to give up a target it had announced only three years ago.
In August, Ford announced that it is shaking up its strategy for electric vehicles, scrapping plans for a large, three-row, all-electric SUV and postponing the launch of its next electric pickup truck.
Chief financial officer John Lawler said the firm was adjusting its plans in response to “pricing and margin compression”.
Business
Water companies ‘failing to address customers’ concerns’
A body representing the customers of water companies says complaints have risen by almost a third because concerns are not being addressed.
The Consumer Council for Water (CCW) says it has handled 7,977 complaints in the last year from people who had “exhausted” their company’s complaint process.
It found Thames Water to be the worst performer, with Yorkshire Water and Cambridge Water also poor.
Thames Water and Yorkshire Water say they are working with CCW to make changes. Cambridge Water has been contacted for comment.
According to CCW, there has been a 29% rise in complaints compared to the previous year, with households making 222,956 complaints to water companies in England and Wales during 2023-24.
Billing disputes made up more than half of complaints, though concerns about environmental performance, such as spills from storm overflows and pollution, increased by 217%. Complaints relating to water meters also rose.
Chief executive Dr Mike Keil said: “Households are having to waste far too much time and energy resolving complaints, which water companies should be getting right first time.
“Trust in the water sector is already badly fractured and the poor handling of complaints will only compound people’s frustration.
“We’re particularly concerned to see a significant rise in complaints from customers with water meters who are questioning the accuracy of their bill.
“More companies are planning to roll out smart meters over the next few years, so they must listen and act on people’s concerns now or risk further damaging customer trust.”
CCW compared the performance of water companies on the number of complaints received per 10,000 household connections, and also assessed how well they were handled. Thames Water, Yorkshire Water and Cambridge Water rated as poor on both counts.
However, Wessex Water and Portsmouth Water received top marks on the same metrics.
David Bird, retail director at Thames Water, said: “CCW have recognised the collaborative approach we have taken and that the improvements we are making are showing promise. However, we recognise we have more to do.
“Our turnaround plan is focused on resolving customer complaints and improving the quality of their interaction with our business, from first contact through to resolution.”
He said the company had an “ambitious business plan” based on customer feedback and insight.
“Our customers told us to focus on delivering safe and resilient water supplies, address concerns over our overall performance including on customer service, and deal more effectively with wastewater,” he said.
“Our aim is to always deliver excellent customer service, and we’re determined to do better.”
Imran Patel, group customer experience director at Yorkshire Water, said: “We work really hard to make sure we do the right thing for our customers and we’re continuing to invest in new systems, training for our customer experience teams and our reporting to ensure we improve the service our customers receive.
“We have worked closely with CCW to audit our complaints process and have received positive feedback for our customer-focused culture and the speed and effectiveness of complaints resolution.”
He said the company had a series of investments lined up to improve the customer experience, and that it was committed to “improving Yorkshire’s environment and ensuring no household or business should be without reliable, safe, clean water”.
Water UK, the trade association for the water industry, said companies were working hard to “provide the drinking water that is independently rated the joint-highest standard in the world”.
It said a rise in customer complaints should be examined, but “not all complaints are necessarily evidence of poor service”.
It added: “A better measure is the number of complaints sent by the CCW to adjudication, which fell 37%, from 153 late last year to 57 for the equivalent period this year.”
It said firms were also being affected by funding cuts from water regulator Ofwat, which needed to “enable companies to provide [customers] with the service they rightly expect”.
Water companies have put forward plans for bill increases, although Ofwat has made proposals to cap them. It is due to make a final decision in December.
Money
UK’s cheapest supermarket for a weekly shop in September revealed – can you save cash?
THE UK’s cheapest supermarket for a weekly shop in September has been revealed – and it’s not Lidl or Asda.
Which? found German discounter Aldi to be the most affordable out of a list of eight major chains last month.
The UK’s consumer champion looked at how the retailers’ prices compared on a shopping list of 59 products, to represent doing a weekly shop.
The list of 59 included both branded and non-branded items including Birds Eye Peas, Hovis bread, milk and butter.
Which?’s analysis also included special offer prices and loyalty prices where possible, but not multi-buys such as buy one get one free.
The consumer champion found Aldi came out cheapest ahead of Lidl, Asda, Tesco and Sainsbury’s with the basket costing £102.68.
The supermarket also pipped Morrisons, Ocado and Waitrose to first spot.
Asda’s basket of 59 goods came in just a fraction more expensive than Aldi, costing £103.86.
Asda was next, with its shopping list costing £112.19.
Tesco’s basket, with Clubcard, was £112.96, and without loyalty pricing it was £113.35.
Sainsbury’s shopping basket, for Nectar Card customers, was £113.79, then Morrisons was next, coming in at £119.18.
Sainsbury’s without a Nectar Card was £119.19, then Ocado and Waitrose came in bottom of the pack, with their baskets costing £125.16 and £130.37 respectively.
Ele Clark, Which? retail editor, said: “Our latest monthly analysis once again sees Aldi crowned as the UK’s cheapest supermarket.
“Given the ongoing strain of high food prices on household budgets, it’s understandable that many people are choosing discounters to cut costs.
“By switching supermarkets, consumers could save 21%, highlighting the advantages of shopping around.”
It’s worth bearing in mind, the research carried out by Which? was based on prices for the list of 59 products across just September.
That means they are just a snapshot of what you might pay for them at different times of the year.
How to save money on your supermarket shop
THERE are plenty of ways to save on your grocery shop.
You can look out for yellow or red stickers on products, which show when they’ve been reduced.
If the food is fresh, you’ll have to eat it quickly or freeze it for another time.
Making a list should also save you money, as you’ll be less likely to make any rash purchases when you get to the supermarket.
Going own brand can be one easy way to save hundreds of pounds a year on your food bills too.
This means ditching “finest” or “luxury” products and instead going for “own” or value” type of lines.
Plenty of supermarkets run wonky veg and fruit schemes where you can get cheap prices if they’re misshapen or imperfect.
For example, Lidl runs its Waste Not scheme, offering boxes of 5kg of fruit and vegetables for just £1.50.
If you’re on a low income and a parent, you may be able to get up to £442 a year in Healthy Start vouchers to use at the supermarket too.
Plus, many councils offer supermarket vouchers as part of the Household Support Fund.
Prices at supermarkets change frequently, sometimes daily, and you will find items on offer in one chain one week then in another the following week.
However, in Which?’s survey of a larger basket of goods it was Asda that came out top of the survey.
The comparison looks at 164 items – but it doesn’t include Aldi and Lidl as they don’t offer large enough ranges in shops.
Asda came top of the list with this basket costing £418.88 – but Tesco (with Clubard prices) was just 1p more expensive.
An Asda spokesperson said: “Asda is consistently recognised as the best-value supermarket for the big shop in independent price comparison surveys, including the Grocer 33 basket comparison and the Which? monthly big shop trolley comparison.
“This is despite these surveys including other retailers’ loyalty schemes but not Asda Rewards.”
It’s also worth factoring in that Which? looked at loyalty pricing for Lidl, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons and Waitrose, but only Tesco and Sainsbury’s had items on its chosen shopping list with a loyalty price in September.
Meanwhile, Asda doesn’t have two-tier loyalty pricing. Its loyalty scheme is based on points and personalised rewards, not lower prices for every scheme member which meant Which? didn’t include the retailer’s loyalty scheme prices.
It’s not the first time in recent months Aldi has come out on top of Which?’s cheapest supermarket survey.
The German discounter, which is looking to massively expand its physical store presence across the UK, was crowned the cheapest supermarket in August, July and June.
It was also crowned the cheapest supermarket of 2023, pipping the other major chains including Lidl, Asda and Sainsbury’s to the top spot.
The Sun asked Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Ocado and Waitrose to comment.
A Morrisons spokesperson said it was “working hard to keep prices down and competitive for our customers”.
They added: “Our More Card members can also earn points on selected purchases, including fuel, and redeem those points for fivers off their shopping.
“They also benefit from market-leading discounts on over 2,000 branded and essential items across fridge, freezer and cupboard fillers as well as personalised offers and surprises.”
A Waitrose spokesperson said: “We’re committed to keeping prices low for customers and remain focused on giving our customers great value for money.
“We have invested in prices without compromising on quality or our industry-leading animal welfare standards.
“Which’s price comparison also excludes multibuy offers, which are extremely popular amongst our customers for both our branded and own-branded products.”
The retailer added that it had reduced prices on its No.1 range which was recently relaunched.
What is loyalty pricing?
Loyalty schemes are all the rage, but what is loyalty pricing? Here is everything you need to know…
Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Morrisons are three of the major supermarkets that offer customers loyalty pricing – where you can get discounts on certain products.
They’re all free to sign up to as well, so the obvious advantage is that you can save money without spending a penny.
Different supermarkets will offer exclusive discounts on different products, so it’s worth seeing which suits your weekly shop the best.
Either way, be wary of supermarkets artificially inflating the price of their goods to make it seem like you’re getting a better deal than you are.
Consumer group Which? has previously found Sainsbury’s and Tesco to have increased the price of everyday goods then slapped loyalty prices on them thinking customers wouldn’t notice.
In any case, it’s worth shopping around even if you’re getting your weekly basket from a supermarket that offers loyalty pricing.
Supermarkets change their prices all the time, sometimes multiple times daily, so it’s worth checking you’re getting the best price on an item.
You can use websites like Trolley to see how the major supermarket’s compare in terms of price on any number of goods.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.
Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories
CryptoCurrency
Tesla stock drops 3% after Q3 deliveries fall short of estimates
Tesla (TSLA) announced third quarter deliveries on Wednesday that slightly missed expectations, sending the stock down about 3%.
The EV maker delivered 462,890 vehicles in the three months ending Sept. 30, up 6.4% quarter over quarter to mark the first quarter of delivery growth this year. The numbers also came in ahead of the 435,059 EVs the company delivered in the year-ago period.
Wall Street had expected Tesla to deliver closer to 463,897, according to Bloomberg.
The Model 3 and Model Y represented the bulk of Tesla’s overall total, with those two vehicles combining for 439,975 deliveries.
Prior to the delivery numbers’ release, Tesla stock had been up around 20% in the past month, fueled by optimism about its upcoming robotaxi event on Oct. 10 and good news coming out of China indicating rising sales there.
But investors have also debated a “notably lower” annual vehicle growth rate, which Tesla warned about after the first quarter.
The company is currently dealing with stiff competition in China from Chinese automakers like BYD and Xpeng. Recent price cuts have also squeezed profit margins as competition intensifies.
Analysts have said next week’s robotaxi event will serve as a pivotal moment for the company’s future and its plans to further utilize artificial intelligence.
“We believe Robotaxi Day will be seminal and historical day for Musk and Tesla and marks a new chapter of growth around autonomous, FSD, and AI future at Tesla,” Wedbush analyst Dan Ives wrote in a note to clients on Tuesday.
Tesla will report third quarter earnings on Oct. 23.
Alexandra is a Senior Reporter at Yahoo Finance. Follow her on X @alliecanal8193 and email her at alexandra.canal@yahoofinance.com
Pras Subramanian is a reporter for Yahoo Finance. You can follow him on Twitter and on Instagram.
Click here for the latest stock market news and in-depth analysis, including events that move stocks
Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance
CryptoCurrency
FTX bankruptcy estate auctioning Worldcoin tokens this week
According to CoinGecko, Worldcoin currently has a market capitalization of approximately $792 million and a 494 million circulating supply.
CryptoCurrency
SEC files appeal in Ripple lawsuit
The Securities and Exchange Commission first filed the lawsuit against Ripple Labs and both its founders in December 2020.
CryptoCurrency
Fantom price gains 70% in 30 days — What’s driving FTM?
Fantom price defies the crypto market downtrend as traders anticipate a new token launch and mainnet upgrade.
-
Womens Workouts1 week ago
3 Day Full Body Women’s Dumbbell Only Workout
-
Technology2 weeks ago
Would-be reality TV contestants ‘not looking real’
-
Science & Environment2 weeks ago
How to unsnarl a tangle of threads, according to physics
-
Science & Environment2 weeks ago
Maxwell’s demon charges quantum batteries inside of a quantum computer
-
Science & Environment2 weeks ago
Hyperelastic gel is one of the stretchiest materials known to science
-
Science & Environment2 weeks ago
‘Running of the bulls’ festival crowds move like charged particles
-
News2 weeks ago
Our millionaire neighbour blocks us from using public footpath & screams at us in street.. it’s like living in a WARZONE – WordupNews
-
Science & Environment2 weeks ago
How to wrap your mind around the real multiverse
-
Science & Environment2 weeks ago
Liquid crystals could improve quantum communication devices
-
Science & Environment2 weeks ago
Sunlight-trapping device can generate temperatures over 1000°C
-
Science & Environment2 weeks ago
ITER: Is the world’s biggest fusion experiment dead after new delay to 2035?
-
Science & Environment2 weeks ago
Physicists are grappling with their own reproducibility crisis
-
Science & Environment2 weeks ago
Quantum ‘supersolid’ matter stirred using magnets
-
News2 weeks ago
You’re a Hypocrite, And So Am I
-
Science & Environment2 weeks ago
Why this is a golden age for life to thrive across the universe
-
Science & Environment2 weeks ago
Quantum forces used to automatically assemble tiny device
-
Sport2 weeks ago
Joshua vs Dubois: Chris Eubank Jr says ‘AJ’ could beat Tyson Fury and any other heavyweight in the world
-
Science & Environment2 weeks ago
Caroline Ellison aims to duck prison sentence for role in FTX collapse
-
Science & Environment2 weeks ago
Nuclear fusion experiment overcomes two key operating hurdles
-
Science & Environment2 weeks ago
Nerve fibres in the brain could generate quantum entanglement
-
Science & Environment2 weeks ago
Time travel sci-fi novel is a rip-roaringly good thought experiment
-
Science & Environment2 weeks ago
Laser helps turn an electron into a coil of mass and charge
-
News2 weeks ago
the pick of new debut fiction
-
News2 weeks ago
Israel strikes Lebanese targets as Hizbollah chief warns of ‘red lines’ crossed
-
CryptoCurrency2 weeks ago
Cardano founder to meet Argentina president Javier Milei
-
Science & Environment2 weeks ago
Meet the world's first female male model | 7.30
-
Womens Workouts2 weeks ago
Best Exercises if You Want to Build a Great Physique
-
News2 weeks ago
Why Is Everyone Excited About These Smart Insoles?
-
Business2 weeks ago
JPMorgan in talks to take over Apple credit card from Goldman Sachs
-
Science & Environment2 weeks ago
A slight curve helps rocks make the biggest splash
-
News2 weeks ago
▶️ Media Bias: How They Spin Attack on Hezbollah and Ignore the Reality
-
Science & Environment2 weeks ago
Quantum time travel: The experiment to ‘send a particle into the past’
-
Science & Environment2 weeks ago
Why we need to invoke philosophy to judge bizarre concepts in science
-
CryptoCurrency2 weeks ago
Bitcoin miners steamrolled after electricity thefts, exchange ‘closure’ scam: Asia Express
-
CryptoCurrency2 weeks ago
Dorsey’s ‘marketplace of algorithms’ could fix social media… so why hasn’t it?
-
CryptoCurrency2 weeks ago
DZ Bank partners with Boerse Stuttgart for crypto trading
-
CryptoCurrency2 weeks ago
Bitcoin bulls target $64K BTC price hurdle as US stocks eye new record
-
CryptoCurrency2 weeks ago
Low users, sex predators kill Korean metaverses, 3AC sues Terra: Asia Express
-
CryptoCurrency2 weeks ago
Ethereum is a 'contrarian bet' into 2025, says Bitwise exec
-
Womens Workouts2 weeks ago
Everything a Beginner Needs to Know About Squatting
-
News2 weeks ago
Four dead & 18 injured in horror mass shooting with victims ‘caught in crossfire’ as cops hunt multiple gunmen
-
Womens Workouts1 week ago
3 Day Full Body Toning Workout for Women
-
Travel1 week ago
Delta signs codeshare agreement with SAS
-
Politics1 week ago
Hope, finally? Keir Starmer’s first conference in power – podcast | News
-
Health & fitness2 weeks ago
The maps that could hold the secret to curing cancer
-
Science & Environment2 weeks ago
A new kind of experiment at the Large Hadron Collider could unravel quantum reality
-
Science & Environment2 weeks ago
Future of fusion: How the UK’s JET reactor paved the way for ITER
-
CryptoCurrency2 weeks ago
RedStone integrates first oracle price feeds on TON blockchain
-
Sport2 weeks ago
UFC Edmonton fight card revealed, including Brandon Moreno vs. Amir Albazi headliner
-
CryptoCurrency2 weeks ago
Blockdaemon mulls 2026 IPO: Report
-
Technology2 weeks ago
iPhone 15 Pro Max Camera Review: Depth and Reach
-
News2 weeks ago
Brian Tyree Henry on voicing young Megatron, his love for villain roles
-
CryptoCurrency2 weeks ago
Coinbase’s cbBTC surges to third-largest wrapped BTC token in just one week
-
Servers computers1 week ago
What are the benefits of Blade servers compared to rack servers?
-
Technology5 days ago
‘From a toaster to a server’: UK startup promises 5x ‘speed up without changing a line of code’ as it plans to take on Nvidia, AMD in the generative AI battlefield
-
Health & fitness2 weeks ago
The secret to a six pack – and how to keep your washboard abs in 2022
-
Science & Environment2 weeks ago
Being in two places at once could make a quantum battery charge faster
-
Science & Environment2 weeks ago
How one theory ties together everything we know about the universe
-
Science & Environment2 weeks ago
UK spurns European invitation to join ITER nuclear fusion project
-
Science & Environment2 weeks ago
How do you recycle a nuclear fusion reactor? We’re about to find out
-
Science & Environment2 weeks ago
Tiny magnet could help measure gravity on the quantum scale
-
CryptoCurrency2 weeks ago
Crypto scammers orchestrate massive hack on X but barely made $8K
-
CryptoCurrency2 weeks ago
Telegram bot Banana Gun’s users drained of over $1.9M
-
CryptoCurrency2 weeks ago
VonMises bought 60 CryptoPunks in a month before the price spiked: NFT Collector
-
CryptoCurrency2 weeks ago
‘No matter how bad it gets, there’s a lot going on with NFTs’: 24 Hours of Art, NFT Creator
-
CryptoCurrency2 weeks ago
SEC asks court for four months to produce documents for Coinbase
-
Business2 weeks ago
How Labour donor’s largesse tarnished government’s squeaky clean image
-
News2 weeks ago
Brian Tyree Henry on voicing young Megatron, his love for villain roles
-
Womens Workouts2 weeks ago
How Heat Affects Your Body During Exercise
-
Womens Workouts2 weeks ago
Keep Your Goals on Track This Season
-
Science & Environment2 weeks ago
CNN TÜRK – 🔴 Canlı Yayın ᴴᴰ – Canlı TV izle
-
Technology1 week ago
Robo-tuna reveals how foldable fins help the speedy fish manoeuvre
-
Science & Environment1 week ago
X-rays reveal half-billion-year-old insect ancestor
-
News2 weeks ago
Church same-sex split affecting bishop appointments
-
Technology2 weeks ago
Fivetran targets data security by adding Hybrid Deployment
-
CryptoCurrency2 weeks ago
Louisiana takes first crypto payment over Bitcoin Lightning
-
CryptoCurrency2 weeks ago
$12.1M fraud suspect with ‘new face’ arrested, crypto scam boiler rooms busted: Asia Express
-
CryptoCurrency2 weeks ago
Decentraland X account hacked, phishing scam targets MANA airdrop
-
CryptoCurrency2 weeks ago
Bitcoin price hits $62.6K as Fed 'crisis' move sparks US stocks warning
-
CryptoCurrency2 weeks ago
CertiK Ventures discloses $45M investment plan to boost Web3
-
CryptoCurrency2 weeks ago
Beat crypto airdrop bots, Illuvium’s new features coming, PGA Tour Rise: Web3 Gamer
-
CryptoCurrency2 weeks ago
‘Silly’ to shade Ethereum, the ‘Microsoft of blockchains’ — Bitwise exec
-
CryptoCurrency2 weeks ago
Vitalik tells Ethereum L2s ‘Stage 1 or GTFO’ — Who makes the cut?
-
CryptoCurrency2 weeks ago
Ethereum falls to new 42-month low vs. Bitcoin — Bottom or more pain ahead?
-
Business2 weeks ago
Thames Water seeks extension on debt terms to avoid renationalisation
-
Politics2 weeks ago
‘Appalling’ rows over Sue Gray must stop, senior ministers say | Sue Gray
-
Politics2 weeks ago
Labour MP urges UK government to nationalise Grangemouth refinery
-
News2 weeks ago
Brian Tyree Henry on his love for playing villains ahead of “Transformers One” release
-
Politics2 weeks ago
UK consumer confidence falls sharply amid fears of ‘painful’ budget | Economics
-
Womens Workouts2 weeks ago
Which Squat Load Position is Right For You?
-
TV2 weeks ago
CNN TÜRK – 🔴 Canlı Yayın ᴴᴰ – Canlı TV izle
-
News7 days ago
US Newspapers Diluting Democratic Discourse with Political Bias
-
Politics2 weeks ago
Trump says he will meet with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi next week
-
Technology2 weeks ago
Is carbon capture an efficient way to tackle CO2?
-
Technology2 weeks ago
Can technology fix the ‘broken’ concert ticketing system?
-
Science & Environment2 weeks ago
Single atoms captured morphing into quantum waves in startling image
-
Science & Environment2 weeks ago
How Peter Higgs revealed the forces that hold the universe together
-
Science & Environment2 weeks ago
A tale of two mysteries: ghostly neutrinos and the proton decay puzzle
-
CryptoCurrency2 weeks ago
2 auditors miss $27M Penpie flaw, Pythia’s ‘claim rewards’ bug: Crypto-Sec
-
CryptoCurrency2 weeks ago
Journeys: Robby Yung on Animoca’s Web3 investments, TON and the Mocaverse
You must be logged in to post a comment Login