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TOYOTA ANNUAL REPORT 2012

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Risk Factors
Operational and other risks faced by and impact on the Japanese economy are service and financing terms. Increased at a standstill, due to the ongoing sovereign
Toyota that could significantly influence the unclear. In addition, the nuclear power plants competition may lead to lower vehicle unit debt crisis, which has also slowed economic
decisions of investors are set out below. in Fukushima Prefecture are not yet fully under sales, which may result in a further downward development in numerous emerging economies
However, the following does not encompass control and the resolution of the situation at price pressure and adversely affect Toyota s throughout the world. Toyota was adversely
all risks related to the operations of Toyota. these plants, including timing, remains unclear. financial condition and results of operations. affected by changes in the market structures
There are risk factors other than those given Continuing radiation leakage and further Toyota s ability to adequately respond to the of each region with further shifts in consumer
below. Any such risk factors could influence aggravation of the nuclear power plants are recent rapid changes in the automotive market demand to compact and low-priced vehicles.
the decisions of investors. The forward- possible. These various issues in connection and to maintain its competitiveness will be Such weakness in demand for automobiles and
looking statements included below are based with the Great East Japan Earthquake may fundamental to its future success in existing and changes in market structure is continuing, and
on information available as of June 25, 2012, cause significant and unforeseeable adverse new markets and to maintain its market share. it is unclear how this situation will transition
the filing date of Form 20-F. effects on the Japanese economy, Toyota s There can be no assurances that Toyota will be in the future. Toyota s financial condition and
operations, and demand for Toyota s products. able to compete successfully in the future. results of operations may be adversely affected
if the weakness in demand for automobiles
The worldwide automotive industry is and changes in market structure continue or
Risks Relating to the Great East Japan
highly volatile. progress further. Demand may also be affected
Earthquake Industry and Business Risks
Each of the markets in which Toyota competes by factors directly impacting vehicle price or
Toyota may be adversely affected by the The worldwide automotive market is highly has been subject to considerable volatility the cost of purchasing and operating vehicles
continuing effects of the Great East Japan competitive. in demand. Demand for vehicles depends such as sales and financing incentives, prices
Earthquake and ensuing events. The worldwide automotive market is highly to a large extent on social, political and of raw materials and parts and components,
The Japanese economy as a whole suffered competitive. Toyota faces intense competition economic conditions in a given market and the cost of fuel and governmental regulations
significant damage as a result of the Great East from automotive manufacturers in the markets introduction of new vehicles and technologies. (including tariffs, import regulation and other
Japan Earthquake that occurred on March 11, in which it operates. Although the global As Toyota s revenues are derived from sales taxes). Volatility in demand may lead to lower
2011 and the ensuing tsunami and accidents economy is gradually recovering, competition in in markets worldwide, economic conditions vehicle unit sales, which may result in a further
at nuclear power plants in Fukushima the automotive industry has further intensified in such markets are particularly important to downward price pressure and adversely affect
Prefecture (collectively, the Great East Japan amidst difficult overall market conditions. In Toyota. During fiscal 2012, in Japan, despite Toyota s financial condition and results of
Earthquake ). addition, competition is likely to further intensify continuing harsh business conditions due to operations.
The Japanese economy has been negatively in light of further continuing globalization in the impact of the Great East Japan Earthquake,
impacted by damage caused by the Great the worldwide automotive industry, possibly the economic environment is gradually Toyota's future success depends on its
East Japan Earthquake, costs associated to resulting in further industry reorganization. recovering as a result of various government ability to offer new innovative competitively
rebuild the affected areas and interrupted Factors affecting competition include product policies aimed at economic revival following the priced products that meet customer
infrastructure, including energy shortages as quality and features, safety, reliability, fuel disaster. In the United States, there has been demand on a timely basis.
a result of suspended operations at nuclear economy, the amount of time required for a gradual recovery in economic conditions, Meeting customer demand by introducing
power plants throughout Japan. The duration innovation and development, pricing, customer but in Europe, the economic environment is attractive new vehicles and reducing the amount
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Risk Factors
of time required for product development adversely affect Toyota s financial condition safe, high-quality products or as a result of the prices from suppliers. A loss of any single or
are critical to automotive manufacturers. and results of operations. failure to promptly implement safety measures limited source supplier or inability to obtain
In particular, it is critical to meet customer such as recalls when necessary, vehicle unit supplies from suppliers in a timely and
demand with respect to quality, safety and Toyota's ability to market and distribute sales and/or sale prices may decrease, and as a cost-effective manner could lead to increased
reliability. The timely introduction of new vehicle effectively is an integral part of Toyota s result revenues and profits may not increase as costs or delays or suspensions in Toyota s
models, at competitive prices, meeting rapidly successful sales. expected or may decrease, adversely affecting production and deliveries, which could have an
changing customer preferences and demand Toyota s success in the sale of vehicles its financial condition and results of operations. adverse effect on Toyota s financial condition
is more fundamental to Toyota s success depends on its ability to market and distribute and results of operations.
than ever, as the automotive market is rapidly effectively based on distribution networks and Toyota relies on suppliers for the provision
transforming in light of the changing global sales techniques tailored to the needs of its of certain supplies including parts, The worldwide financial services industry
economy. There is no assurance, however, customers. There is no assurance that Toyota components and raw materials. is highly competitive.
that Toyota will adequately and appropriately will be able to develop sales techniques and Toyota purchases supplies including parts, The worldwide financial services industry is
respond to changing customer preferences distribution networks that effectively adapt to components and raw materials from a number highly competitive. Increased competition in
and demand with respect to quality, safety, changing customer preferences or changes of external suppliers located around the world. automobile financing may lead to decreased
reliability, styling and other features in a timely in the regulatory environment in the major For some supplies, Toyota relies on a single margins. A decline in Toyota s vehicle unit
manner. Even if Toyota succeeds in perceiving markets in which it operates. Toyota s inability to supplier or a limited number of suppliers, sales, an increase in residual value risk due
customer preferences and demand, there is maintain well-developed sales techniques and whose replacement with another supplier to lower used vehicle price, an increase in the
no assurance that Toyota will be capable of distribution networks may result in decreased may be difficult. Inability to obtain supplies ratio of credit losses and increased funding
developing and manufacturing new, price sales and market share and may adversely affect from a single or limited source supplier may costs are factors which may impact Toyota s
competitive products in a timely manner its financial condition and results of operations. result in difficulty obtaining supplies and may financial services operations. If Toyota is unable
with its available technology, intellectual restrict Toyota s ability to produce vehicles. to adequately respond to the changes and
property, sources of raw materials and parts Toyota's success is significantly impacted by Furthermore, even if Toyota were to rely on a competition in automobile financing, Toyota s
and components, and production capacity, its ability to maintain and develop its brand large number of suppliers, first-tier suppliers financial services operations may adversely
including cost reduction capacity. Further, image. with whom Toyota directly transacts may in affect its financial condition and results of
there is no assurance that Toyota will be able In the highly competitive automotive industry, turn rely on a single second-tier supplier or operations.
to implement capital expenditures at the level it is critical to maintain and develop a brand limited second-tier suppliers. Toyota s ability to
and times planned by management. Toyota s image. In order to maintain and develop a continue to obtain supplies from its suppliers Toyota s operations and vehicles rely
inability to develop and offer products that brand image, it is necessary to further increase in a timely and cost-effective manner is subject on various digital and information
meet customers preferences and demand customers confidence by providing safe, to a number of factors, some of which are not technologies.
with respect to quality, safety, reliability, high-quality products that meet customer within Toyota s control. These factors include Toyota depends on various information
styling and other features in a timely manner preferences and demand. If Toyota is unable the ability of Toyota s suppliers to provide a technology networks and systems, some of
could result in a lower market share and to effectively maintain and develop its brand continued source of supply, and Toyota s ability which are managed by third parties, to process,
reduced sales volumes and margins, and may image as a result of its inability to provide to effectively compete and obtain competitive transmit and store electronic information,
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Risk Factors
including sensitive data, and to manage or fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates Toyota s financial condition and results of
Financial Market and Economic Risks
support a variety of business processes and and changes in interest rates may adversely operations may be adversely affected.
activities, including manufacturing, research Toyota's operations are subject to currency affect Toyota s financial condition and results of
and development, supply chain management, and interest rate fluctuations. operations.
Political, Regulatory,
sales and accounting. In addition, Toyota s Toyota is sensitive to fluctuations in foreign Legal and Other Risks
vehicles may rely on various digital and currency exchange rates and is principally High prices of raw materials and strong
information technologies, including information exposed to fluctuations in the value of the pressure on Toyota's suppliers could The automotive industry is subject to
service and driving assistance functions. Japanese yen, the U.S. dollar and the euro and, negatively impact Toyota s profitability. various governmental regulations.
Despite security measures, Toyota s digital and to a lesser extent, the Australian dollar, the Increases in prices for raw materials that Toyota The worldwide automotive industry is subject
information technology networks and systems Canadian dollar and the British pound. Toyota s and Toyota s suppliers use in manufacturing to various laws and governmental regulations
may be vulnerable to damage, disruptions or consolidated financial statements, which are their products or parts and components such including those related to vehicle safety and
shutdowns due to attacks by hackers, computer presented in Japanese yen, are affected by as steel, precious metals, non-ferrous alloys environmental matters such as emission levels,
viruses, breaches due to unauthorized use, foreign currency exchange fluctuations through including aluminum, and plastic parts, may fuel economy, noise and pollution. In particular,
errors or malfeasance by employees and others both translation risk and transaction risk. lead to higher production costs for parts and automotive manufacturers such as Toyota are
who have or gain access to the networks and Changes in foreign currency exchange rates components. This could, in turn, negatively required to implement safety measures such
systems Toyota depends on, service failures or may affect Toyota s pricing of products sold and impact Toyota s future profitability because as recalls for vehicles that do not or may not
bankruptcy of third parties such as software materials purchased in foreign currencies. In Toyota may not be able to pass all those costs comply with the safety standards of laws and
development or cloud computing vendors, particular, strengthening of the Japanese yen on to its customers or require its suppliers to governmental regulations. In addition, Toyota
power shortages and outages, and utility against the U.S. dollar can have an adverse absorb such costs. may, in order to reassure its customers of the
failures or other catastrophic events like natural effect on Toyota s operating results. The safety of Toyota s vehicles, decide to voluntarily
disasters. Such incidents could materially Japanese yen has been appreciating against The downturn in the financial markets could implement recalls or other safety measures
disrupt critical operations, disclose sensitive major currencies including the U.S. dollar in adversely affect Toyota s ability to raise even if the vehicle complies with the safety
data, interfere with information services and the past year. If the Japanese yen continues to capital. standards of relevant laws and governmental
driving assistance functions in Toyota s vehicles, appreciate against major currencies, including Should the world economy suddenly deteriorate, regulations. Many governments also impose
and/or give rise to legal claims or proceedings, the U.S. dollar, Toyota s financial condition and a number of financial institutions and investors tariffs and other trade barriers, taxes and
liability or regulatory penalties under applicable results of operations may be adversely affected. will face difficulties in providing capital to the levies, or enact price or exchange controls.
laws, which could have an adverse effect on Toyota believes that its use of certain financial markets at levels corresponding to Toyota has incurred, and expects to incur in
Toyota s brand image and its financial condition derivative financial instruments including their own financial capacity, and, as a result, the future, significant costs in complying with
and results of operations. interest rate swaps and increased localized there is a risk that companies may not be able these regulations. If Toyota launches products
production of its products have reduced, but to raise capital under terms that they would that result in safety measures such as recalls,
not eliminated, the effects of interest rate and expect to receive with their creditworthiness. If Toyota may incur various costs including
foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. Toyota is unable to raise the necessary capital significant costs for free repairs. Furthermore,
Nonetheless, a negative impact resulting from under appropriate conditions on a timely basis, new legislation or changes in existing legislation
TOYOTA ANNUAL REPORT 2012

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Risk Factors
may also subject Toyota to additional expenses energy supply, transportation systems, gas,
in the future. If Toyota incurs significant costs water, or communication systems resulting
related to implementing safety measures or from natural hazards or technological
meeting laws and governmental regulations, hazards; wars; terrorism; labor strikes and
Toyota s financial condition and results of work stoppages. Should the major markets in
operations may be adversely affected. which Toyota purchases materials, parts and
components and supplies for the manufacture
Toyota may become subject to various legal of Toyota products or in which Toyota s
proceedings. products are produced, distributed or sold be
As an automotive manufacturer, Toyota may affected by any of these events, it may result
become subject to legal proceedings in respect in disruptions and delays in the operations
of various issues, including product liability and of Toyota s business. Should significant or
infringement of intellectual property. Toyota prolonged disruptions or delays related to
may also be subject to legal proceedings Toyota s business operations occur, it may
brought by its shareholders and governmental adversely affect Toyota s financial condition and
proceedings and investigations. Toyota is in fact results of operations.
currently subject to a number of pending legal
proceedings and government investigations.
A negative outcome in one or more of these
pending legal proceedings could adversely
affect Toyota s financial condition and results
of operations.

Toyota may be adversely affected by


natural calamities, political and economic
instability, fuel shortages or interruptions
in social infrastructure, wars, terrorism
and labor strikes.
Toyota is subject to various risks associated
with conducting business worldwide. These
risks include natural calamities; political
and economic instability; fuel shortages;
interruption in social infrastructure including

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