Toyota’s Giving Away Nintendo Switch Consoles To Grand Highlander Buyers Because Toyota Gets Its Customers

My daughter is a diligent saver and rarely dips into her allowance. For a while, she was talking about spending her money on a Nintendo Switch. This excited me. Now she’s thinking of donating it to a wildlife charity. I’m proud, of course, but a Switch would have been cool for me—I mean, for her. Thankfully, Toyota’s handing out Nintendo Switches with Grand Highlanders so maybe I’ll just buy one of those.

In less fun news, Republican senators want to roll back heavy-duty truck emissions rules and Volvo had a mixed 2022. In more fun news, Skoda and dogs!

The First Toyota Grand Highlander Customers Get A Switch And Mario Kart 8

I linked above to our writeup on the new Grand Highlander, which is a longer Highlander with a third row. This isn’t an exciting development if your house isn’t densely populated with little ones, but it’s a big segment and more competition is good for consumers. Toyota understands its customers and those customers want a third row.

They also want mushroom thumpin’, Rainbow Road’n, Yoshi-flippin’ Mario Kart and Nintendo Switch Consoles. And they’re going to get it, according to this excellent press release I just read:

With the Nintendo Switch – OLED Model, 500 Grand Highlander customers will also receive a Mario Kart 8 Deluxe game, which allows them to hit the road anytime, anywhere. Plus those with a paid Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership can also pick up the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass, downloadable content which adds an additional 48 courses in six waves through the end of 2023.

To celebrate the collaboration, a 2024 Grand Highlander was customized and outfitted with a Nintendo Switch – OLED Model system + Mario Kart™ 8 Deluxe themed wrap and will be on display at the Chicago Auto Show starting February 9-19, 2023. To take the party a step further, large screens, speakers and a Nintendo gaming console were installed in the vehicle for Chicago Auto Show attendees to experience the spaciousness of Grand Highlander and games like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe while at the Toyota booth.

When I started my career in automotive journalism I felt like the vibe was: Toyota doesn’t get it. Akio Toyoda has done a ton to improve Toyota’s reputation among enthusiasts, even if he didn’t prep the brand for an EV-centric future. There’s a new CEO and, while he probably had nothing to do with this,  I think it’s a good sign that Toyota manages to both reach enthusiasts like me (Hello GR Corolla!) and also its bread-and-butter customers.

Plus, I like Mario Kart! You know what, if my daughter does give her money to charity maybe I’ll just buy her a Switch, anyway. That way everyone wins!

Republican Senators Want EPA To Reverse Trucking Rules

It’s been more than two decades since there were any serious new clear air standards applied to heavy-duty trucks in the United States, but the Environmental Protection Agency took a big step at the end of last year to fix that. The newer emissions standards are summarized by the EPA in this release. Compared to current standards, the new standards are 80% stronger.

Republican senators, led by Nebraska’s Deb Fischer, want to challenge the rule. They argue that it’s too strict and may force some operators either to quit trucking or keep older, more polluting trucks running. Some members of the trucking industry are also worried these regulations could force shipping costs to increase, which might cause the cost of goods to increase.

What can the senators actually do about this? David Shepardson explains in his Reuters write-up on the issue:

Under the Congressional Review Act, a simple majority vote in both chambers of Congress can reverse recently finalized rules. Democrats hold a 51-49 majority in the Senate, while Republicans narrowly control the House.

Republicans currently have less than 40 members on board, so it’s probably a steep climb. What are the benefits of this rule change? According to the EPA:

Up to 2,900 fewer premature deaths
6,700 fewer hospital admissions and emergency department visits
18,000 fewer cases of childhood asthma
3.1 million fewer cases of asthma symptoms and allergic rhinitis symptoms
78,000 fewer lost days of work
1.1 million fewer lost school days for children
$29 billion in annual net benefits

As with all projections, take this with a grain of salt. Since this period is over the next 22 years, maybe take it with a handful of salt. Still, as a parent of a kid with asthma, it sucks how often our lives are disrupted by it. You can guess where my bias is here.

Volvo Didn’t Have The Best (Or Worst) 2022

Volvo made money last year. That’s good. They sold fewer cars. That’s bad. The cost of building cars was higher in 2022. That’s also bad. They expect an increase in sales next year and an improvement in supply costs. That’s good.

Despite being a part of the larger Geely Extended Universe, Volvo isn’t a Toyota-sized automaker and therefore the costs of doing things can run higher and it can’t lean on suppliers quite as hard. The company, for instance, pointed out in its year-end report that the cost of lithium is way higher than the company expected. Tight supplies meant Volvo only managed to sell 615,000 cars, a decrease of about 12% from last year. Revenues were up 17% to about $32 billion, but operating income dropped to $1.7 billion. (Some of the increase in revenue can be assigned to contract production for its sister company Polestar, which is a little left pocket/right pocket).

Where’s all this going? Volvo’s CEO Jim Rowan sees more sales and better margins:

So, if 2022 marked the acceleration of our strategic journey in the face of unprecedented global disruption, 2023 will be a pivotal year as we further accelerate on that transformation path. We will launch our new small fully-electric SUV during the year, which will take us to a new demographic, and start production of the Volvo EX90.

This year, we will also transform UK from a traditional wholesale business to become direct consumer facing with seamless consumer experience and national pricing. NOVO Energy, our JV company with Northvolt, will take a crucial step towards developing sustainable battery technology with the start of construction of one of Europe’s largest battery cell plants in Gothenburg. We expect a solid double-digit growth in retail sales during this year, provided there are no unexpected supply chain disruptions. We intend to continue increasing our volumes for fully electric cars in 2023, taking the full year share higher than last year’s share of 11 per cent.

There’s some hedging there, which is both CYA and the admission that no one really knows what’s going to happen this year with the War in Ukraine, China, the Mets bullpen…. so much uncertainty.

Skoda’s Gone To The Dogs

Exemplary Czech VW-subsidiary Skoda is nosing its way into the British market and what better way to do that then by becoming the Official Automotive Partner of Crufts, which is the UK’s “biggest and most prestigious” dog event. Hell yeah. I assume it’s like their Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. I don’t really know, I’m just always looking for a reason to write about Skoda.

Škoda will be at Crufts with its charity partner, Dogs for Good. Škoda has been working with the charitable organisation since 2022, to help raise awareness of the amazing cause, which brings people and dogs together to help make life possible for people with a range of disabilities. Dogs for Good staff are always out and about, whether it’s driving dogs in training to and from their Temporary Boarders, visiting and supporting Puppy Socialisers or taking Community Dogs to the different organisations they work with. The two Škoda Kamiq compact SUVs that starred in the brand’s recent TV advert, were donated to the organisation to support their invaluable work.

Ok, here’s some pics of very good dogs and very good Skodas:

The Inside Straight

What’s the goofiest thing that would get you to buy a car? Clearly, the value of a Switch is way below the value of a car. It’s a rounding error, but… it is enticing.

Photos: Skoda, Toyota, Volvo, Freightliner