Toyota Motor Corp. president Akio Toyoda set the world’s largest carmaker on a course seeking sales growth in emerging markets and an improved image in the U.S., in a bid to rebound from record recalls and a recession.Toyoda laid out a “Global Vision” focused as much on boosting emotional ties to customers as on financial targets. His plan also shrinks Toyota’s board to 11 members from 27, the aut

Volkswagen Korea is operating a free checkup campaign for the Phaeton and Passat sedans and the sport utility vehicle Touareg until March 25.During the period, owners of the three models registered before March 2008 can have their vehicles checked free of charge, and receive 10 percent discount on charges arising from any repairs that may be required.For more information, call Volkswagen customer

SK Network launched a black box application for smartphones Wednesday.The application allows smartphones to act as a black box, recording the surroundings of a vehicle. According to the company, the application allows more drivers to benefit from the functions of a black box without the additional cost of buying and installing such equipment.The application also provides the locations of SK gas st

Renault SA will begin selling low- cost cars online to defend its leadership of Europe’s surging budget-vehicle market against rival offerings including a new brand being developed by PSA Peugeot Citroen.Dacia, Renault’s no-frills badge, will experiment with an Internet sales program in Europe to prepare a wider rollout in the region next year, Gerard Detourbet, head of the company’s low-cost Entr

   Foreign vehicle brands in South Korea saw a steady rise in their sales last month from a year earlier, flashing a green light for their goal of selling over 100,000 cars in the local market for the first time, a trade association said Friday.   A total of 6,770 imported vehicles were sold here in February, up 5.2 percent from the same month last year, according to the Korea Automobile Importers