Recent news that Dodge would no longer support the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series is strongly suggesting that America’s number three automaker is seriously reconsidering every single one of its marketing and publicity ventures. The NASCAR exit shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone in light of the automakers’ big losses and huge need to raise capital.

But, Dodge’s departure from NASCAR does shine the light on what could be additional changes to the motorsports industry: cash strapped Ford and GM might also be looking at ways to trim nonessential expenses, turning the Dodge void into a gaping hole, one that could threaten NASCAR’s survival or at least its broad appeal.

Dodge’s parent, Chrysler LLC, hasn’t been a big player in the truck series of late, supporting only one team, Bobby Hamilton Racing. The automaker is well represented in both car series, winning several races this year while accumulating numerous top ten finishes. Still, even in auto racing Toyota, GM and Ford dominate, lavishing their teams and cars with cash in a bid to pull down more wins each year.

The Toyota Motor Corp. said last Friday that it plans to build a new factory in Fukuoka in southwestern Japan to produce components for gas-electric hybrid vehicles. Toyota, which leads the market in hybrid sales, said it plans to acquire about 340,000 square meters of land there and put production lines for hybrid parts together from other plants.

Classic Car Parts

Earlier, Toyota Motor Corp.(TMC) celebrated the opening of Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Texas (TMMTX) valued at $1.28 billion. It is the newest plant of the automaker situated in San Antonio. During the opening of the new plant, two Tundras were manufactured. The production of the pickup truck was witnessed by Dr. Shoichiro Toyoda TMC’s honorary chairman, and Katsuaki Watanabe, TMC president. They are joined by Rick Perry, Texas governor, and other local officials. According to the automaker, the new Tundra plant has 21 on-site suppliers that invest nearly $1.6 billion. Toyota also announced that it will employ over 4,000 workers for said plant.

“As Toyota moves forward into a new era, this new plant is a dynamic symbol of our bright future,” said Watanabe. “Here in Texas, we have assembled a great team of people, a great plant, and a great truck. Along with great people, this is one of the most advanced automotive plants on the earth. It has the latest in technology and is using the best production and environmental techniques learned from 60 plants we operate around the world.”