People Mover

The Carnival is coming to town – to New York City, specifically. The Korean Car Blog reports the next generation of Kia’s people mover will debut in April at this year’s New York motor show. The redesigned Carnival will move to the platform underpinning the upcoming 2020 Hyundai Sonata and Kia Optima. That means it will also pick up a hybrid option, at least for the US market.

Lexus looks set to go head-to-head with Mercedes-Benz in the luxury van space, teasing the LM – its "fifth flagship product" – ahead of its debut in Shanghai next week. Based on its silhouette, the LM appears to be based on the Toyota Alphard minivan offered overseas. Lexus says it's a "new style of MPV that is connected to the minds of drivers and passengers".

Toyota has initiated its recall of the 2001-2007 Corolla (ZZE121,122,123 generations) and the 2001-03 Avensis Verso (ACM20) as part of the ongoing Takata campaign. Initially scheduled for July or December 2019, this notice affects older-generation Corolla and Avensis Verso models produced between October 2001 and January 2007, and relates to 'like for like' passenger airbags installed as part of a previous recall.