Episode #1414: Toyota raises its outlook and launches a massive share buyback, GM appears to reconsider its CarPlay and Android Auto phaseout, and consumer sentiment improves even as high prices continue to squeeze household confidence. wsj.com/business/autos/toyota-net-profit-surges-76-boosts-earnings-outlook-db362399?mod=autos_news_article_pos1 Toyota is raising its full-year outlook after a strong first quarter powered by a weaker yen, improved financial income and a smaller-than-expected hit from Middle East disruptions. The automaker is also flexing its balance sheet with a massive share buyback and deeper U.S. production plans. - First-quarter net profit jumped 76% to ¥1.48 trillion, while revenue rose 10% to ¥13.53 trillion. - Toyota now expects a ¥510 billion operating-profit hit from war-related disruptions, down from its previous ¥670 billion estimate. - The company raised its full-year revenue forecast to ¥54 trillion and net profit guidance to ¥3.25 trillion, w...