Toyota, Honda Motor, Ford Motor, Pinnacle West Capital and NRG Energy

CHICAGO--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--Zacks.com Analyst Blog features: Toyota Motor Corp. (NYSE:[ TM ]), Honda Motor Co. (NYSE: [ HMC ]), Ford Motor Co. (NYSE: [ F ]), Pinnacle West Capital Corporation (NYSE: [ PNW ]) and NRG Energy Inc. (NYSE: [ NRG ]).

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Here are highlights from Fridaya�s Analyst Blog:

Toyota Skids in Customer Loyalty

Based on a telephone survey of 1,704 U.S. adult vehicle owners in April, Consumer Reports has indicated that 57% of Toyota owners would amost likelya agree to buy another new vehicle from Toyota Motor Corp. (NYSE:[ TM ]). This was down from 70% in a December survey, indicating a downfall in the automakera�s reputation.

Honda Motor Co. (NYSE: [ HMC ]) attained the top position in the survey, with 68% of its owners agreeing to return to its vehicles, up from 67% in December. Ford Motor Co. (NYSE: [ F ]) followed Honda in the survey, with 61% of its vehicle owners most likely returning to its vehicles, compared with 58% in December.

The fall in Toyotaa�s reputation can be clearly linked to its string of automotive safety recalls in the past few months. So far, the automaker has recalled more than 8.5 million vehicles from around the world related to problems such as faulty accelerator gas pedals, slipping floor mats and defective braking systems. The recall included popular models such as the 2010 Prius hybrid and Toyota Camry.

Toyota has been slapped with dozens of private lawsuits due to the recall. The value of claims under the lawsuits is estimated to reach about $4 billion, reflecting an average loss of $600 per vehicle.

To make matters worse, the U.S. government has imposed the highest-ever fine of $16.4 million on Toyota, accusing it of a deliberate delay in recalling the vehicles by hiding its defects even though manufacturers are legally obligated to notify the U.S. safety regulators within 5 business days if they come to know of a safety defect.

Pinnacle West Exits Cooling Biz

APS Energy Services Company Inc., a subsidiary of Pinnacle West Capital Corporation (NYSE: [ PNW ]), has reached an agreement with NRG Thermal LLC, a subsidiary of NRG Energy Inc. (NYSE: [ NRG ]) to sell its district cooling business.

District cooling systems distribute chilled water to multiple buildings for air conditioning, usually provided from a dedicated cooling plant. APS Energy Services owns and operates two cooling districts, Northwind Phoenix and Tucson District Energy.

APS Energya�s Northwind cooling system cools 33 buildings in downtown Phoenix, including Chase Field and the Phoenix Convention Center. Northwind also operates combined heat and power plants that provide chilled water, steam and electricity to portions of Arizona State Universitya�s campuses in Tempe and Mesa. APSa� Tucson business serves a police and fire station in midtown and the Tucson Convention Center.

APS Energya�s decision to sell its district cooling system business is guided by its plan to focus on its core business of energy conservation and renewable energy contracting services going forward.

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Toyota, Honda Motor, Ford Motor, Pinnacle West Capital and NRG Energy