Toyota Predicts Record 2012 Sales, Analytics of Same-Day Shipping: Consumer Business Recap

Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE:TM) estimates that it will sell a record 9.7 million vehicles in 2012, rebounding by 22 percent from the disastrous 2011, and it sets an even loftier target of 9.91 million vehicles for 2013. These figures, which were released this week, show the company’s turnaround from the supply disruptions caused by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan during 2011 that had devastated world output and sales.

On Thursday,  R. R. Donnelley & Sons Company (NASDAQ:RRD) said that Daniel L. Knotts has been chosen chief operating officer, replacing John R. Paloian who is stepping down following more than 25 years in the industry and more than five years the firm’s COO. Most recently, Knotts has been the company’s group president, with responsibility over operations, financial services, global sales, information tech, logistics, business process outsourcing operations, strategic sourcing and environmental, health and safety.

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In 2012, same-day shipping replaced free shipping, taking the chance that customers would rather have their purchases quickly even if they must pay more. Wal-Mart Stores (NYSE:WMT) and even the United States Postal Service are jumping on the bandwagon, supposedly out of fear that the online giant Amazon will do the same. To make the situation even more competitive, Macy’s (NYSE:M), Target and others have worked with eBay so as to deliver items the same day.

United Continental Holdings (NYSE:UAL) raises its its yearly fees for membership in its United Club by $25 for individuals and by $100 for member-and-spouse packages for 2013. So, an annual payment for general members and Premium Platinum members would be hiked by $25 to $475 and $400, respectively.

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