
Toyota Motor AGM Expected to Be Dominated by Group Buyout Talk
There isn't much doubt Toyota Motor Corp. Chairman Akio Toyoda will keep his seat on the board at the automaker's annual meeting, but signs of any rebound in shareholder support could be overshadowed by concern over his role in a contentious takeover of a group company.
Although major proxy advisers have backed his reelection — reversing their stance after voting against him in 2024 — investors will get a chance later Thursday to air their grievances when Toyoda faces them publicly for the first time since the Toyota group launched a ¥4.7 trillion ($32.4 billion) bid to privatize Toyota Industries Corp.
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Crypto Gets a Friend in Seoul With New President's Policy Chief
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Entrepreneur
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How to Build a Tech-Forward Company That Lasts
If you want to build a business that lasts, technological solutions must be inscribed into the very fabric of your company's being. Here's why. Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. At the advent of the Covid-19 pandemic, many companies across the globe were shaken to the core due to the unprecedented disruption the event posed to their existing business models. However, there was a silver lining in the form of many innovative ways companies adapted to survive and continue, from implementing working from home strategies to organizing socially distanced solutions to enable the public to be catered to safely. Many of these aspects of the post-Covid business models relied heavily on technology, and many of these continue even today — an indication of how many useful solutions were actually developed in the face of intense pressures from a global black swan event. But I would argue that being tech-forward is a virtue that many companies should aspire to, not just as a response to crisis situations. In fact, my business, the Kowloon Motor Bus Company, is an example of a company that is more than 100 years old and has endured several challenges in the past, from the Japanese occupation during World War II to the 1997 Asian financial crisis. It is mainly thriving today due to its tech-forward nature, which results in an appetite for constant innovation. This trait will be even more valuable as we now live in an age of AI, climate change and geopolitical uncertainty, where there is a huge demand for rapid adaptation and change to suit consumer needs using advanced technology. A McKinsey report analyzed the positive effects of tech-enabled business transformation in the 2020s, calling it "the trillion-dollar opportunity," especially in the automotive and manufacturing industries. 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In order to do this, companies need to invest in in-house talents who are specialists in aspects of tech transformation, whether that's hiring software engineers or cybersecurity experts. Having all the tech talents in-house, rather than them being contractors who are outsourced, means that meaningful changes can be made within the company with fewer risks or misalignment of values. But this also requires a delicate strategy, as tech talents have unique needs — especially since the talent pool is also small for more specialized roles where individuals will have higher negotiating powers as they will be in demand. This is when a delicate HR strategy is required to ensure a seamless hiring process and retention of tech talent, according to a McKinsey analysis. The report goes on to say that tech talent "should be a CEO's top priority." 2. Celebrate tech successes across the company Successful implementation of new technologies will show positive results that should be shared with the rest of the company and celebrated across the board, not just among those within the tech team. Creating a positive culture around new technology and creative ways of thinking will encourage more people within the company to embrace new ways of working, instead of having anxiety around any proposed changes. Remember that a tech-forward company is all about being more collaborative and efficient within a business, instead of the futuristic vision only remaining within the confines of senior management. By sharing good news around successful projects that were supported by new technologies, a greater sense of belonging to the company can be cultivated among employees, which will ensure its longevity, too. 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Miami Herald
an hour ago
- Miami Herald
Tesla's sales are stalling as demand for EVs soars. Is Musk the problem?
Tesla's sales are stalling as demand for EVs soars. Is Musk the problem? While electric vehicle (EV) sales in the U.S. are reaching record highs, Tesla is charting a different course. That is one of the key findings from a new analysis by Motointegrator, conducted in collaboration with the research experts at DataPulse Research. Tesla's market share is falling, and investor confidence is also waning-but it is not because drivers are anti-electric. On the contrary, EV sales overall are rising, with electric vehicle sales in the U.S. up 11% for the same period. Tesla's technology has always led the pack. So, could the problem be less about motoring and more to do with CEO Elon Musk's high-profile political career? Tesla's outlier status has coincided with Musk's increasingly visible role in U.S. politics, suggesting that declining sales and loss of ground to competitors could be part of a deeper brand backlash. EV Sales Are Accelerating-Just Not at Tesla New data shows that Tesla's decline is specific to its brand. In Q1 2025, Tesla's U.S. sales dropped by 9% year-over-year, while competitors experienced substantial growth. Porsche (+249%), Toyota (+196%), GMC (+183%), and Volvo (+173%) led with triple-digit increases. Legacy automakers like Chevrolet (+114%), Ford (+12%), and Volkswagen (+55%), also outpaced Tesla. Among the top five EV brands, which together accounted for two-thirds of all EV sales this year, Tesla's performance stands out as the exception. Tesla's Market Share and Financial Standing Tesla's grip on the U.S. EV market is loosening. In Q1 2025, its market share fell to 43.2%, down from 52.7% the previous year-a 9.5-point decline. No other automaker came close to this level of loss. While Tesla lost ground, Chevrolet gained 3.1 points, Toyota and Porsche each climbed by more than 1 point, and other brands like GMC, VW, and Subaru made notable gains. Investors, expressing concerns about Musk's divided focus, are taking notice. Tesla's stock has experienced a significant decline, dropping approximately 46% from its peak of $479.86 on Dec. 17, 2024, to $284.82 by May 9, 2025. In the first quarter of 2025, Tesla reported a 71% decrease in net income, falling to $409 million, and a 9% drop in revenue to $19.3 billion. This downturn reflects growing reputational challenges. In the U.S., protests and boycotts have emerged, with movements like "Tesla Takedown" urging consumers to divest from the these issues, some investors remain optimistic about Tesla's future, citing upcoming product launches like a more affordable EV model. However, the company's ability to navigate political controversies, restore consumer trust, and maintain competitiveness in the rapidly evolving EV market remains to be seen. Global Losses Reflect a Broader Shift Tesla's struggles are not limited to the U.S. The company's European sales have dropped sharply in Q1 2025, despite surging EV demand. Competitors like Volkswagen, Renault, Ford, Citroën, and BYD more than doubled their registrations in February, leading to significant erosion of Tesla's regional market share. What is happening in Europe echoes the message from the U.S.: Tesla may not simply be lagging, it may be losing relevance among the very consumers driving the EV transition. American and European Consumers Have Soured on Musk There are several factors driving Tesla's decline, but consumer sentiment appears to play a key role. Recent U.S. public opinion polls underscore this point: Elon Musk's approval ratings dropped sharply following his endorsement of Donald Trump in mid-2024. By early 2025, disapproval had overtaken approval. A similarly recent YouGov poll showed Musk with near-universal name recognition (98%) but only 30% popularity-a sign that with fame comes not just visibility, but stronger opinions. This backlash mirrors European sentiments, where large majorities in Germany (73%) and the U.K. (69%) have labelled Musk's insertion into politics as "unacceptable." Promise Made, Promises Kept-Musk's Policy, Politics, and Economic Impact Musk's political role extends beyond public statements. As President Trump's appointed head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Musk argued that short-term hardship would lead to long-term prosperity. In practice, however, DOGE policies have led to aggressive austerity measures. In March 2025, Challenger, Gray & Christmas reported 275,240 job cut announcements, with 216,670 directly attributed to DOGE actions-the third-highest monthly total in recorded U.S. history, surpassed only by the first two months of the COVID-19 crisis. Musk's economic agenda is being felt at the household level. According to the University of Michigan's Consumer Sentiment Index, consumer sentiment has cratered to levels not seen since the peak of post-pandemic inflation, reflecting deep anxiety among households about personal finances, business conditions, unemployment, and inflation. Notably, the unease cuts across party lines. Since February, Republicans, Independents, and Democrats alike have reported worsening expectations for their finances, employment prospects, and the broader economy. With each new policy shift, consumers are bracing for more economic hardship. Conclusion: Tesla at a Turning Point In less than a year, Tesla has gone from market leader to cautionary tale, with falling sales, a loss of market share, and declining investor confidence both at home and abroad. What was once a brand synonymous with innovation is now inseparable from Elon Musk's public profile as a powerful far-right political figure. If the first months of 2025 are any indication, Musk's attempt to fuse corporate power with political authority may be backfiring: with consumers, markets, and even longtime fans turning away. The question now is not whether Tesla can regain ground-it is whether Musk can. This story originally appeared on Motointegrator, was produced in collaboration with DataPulse Research, and was reviewed and distributed by Stacker. © Stacker Media, LLC.