Overall sales numbers for June were disappointing for the U.S. auto market in comparison with the pace of sales in May, as the industry mainly contended with the continuation of tight small-car supplies from Japan.

But just beneath the surface of Toyota’s 21% sales decline for the month compared with June 2010, Toyota executives were smiling — because they say they’re ready to get back into the business of marketing their cars.

In fact, the Toyota brand kicked off a new marketing campaign that is to begin in the U.S. over the Independence Day weekend with a series of new incentive programs on most of their vehicles, including zero-percent financing for terms of three to five years and an extra $500 per vehicle in cash incentives.

Even other automaker executives on Friday acknowledged that many Americans in June were still sitting on their hands waiting for supply-constrained Japanese brands to return their favorite vehicles to market, and finally Toyota is ready to help them out.Continue reading...

Don’t look now, big Automaker, but Toyota is recovering traction in the US much faster than anticipated even a few weeks ago. And once it’s got something resembling normal vehicle inventory levels back in place, expect the once-unassailable Toyota brand to attempt to come back like it’s got something to prove — and market share to re-gain.

Toyota executives are determined to return production to normal levels at their North American operations much more quickly than they had feared and announced. This month, output of eight core North America-built models (the Toyota Avalon, Camry Corolla, Highlander, Matrix, Sequoia, Sienna and Venza) will return to normal, while Toyota just announced that production of a handful of others would normalize by September.Continue reading...

Another video trending on YouTube today takes a (gentle) swipe at Whole Foods (and its "little shopping carts"), their clipboard-carrying, Kombucha-yanking employees and cheese-loving shoppers, not to mention Prius drivers, iPhone users and the west coast Cali lifestyle.Continue reading...

Ally Financial delays $6B IPO.

AT&T brings free Wi-Fi to NYC parks.

Avaya files for $1 billion IPO.

Borders lenders force store closures.

Burger King and Pizza Hut executives put hometown pride on the line with bet on NBA Finals.

Citigroup data theft exposes nagging security issues in the financial-services industry.Continue reading...

Burger King tests menu diversification. 

BMW launches "Don't Txt and Drive" public-service campaign.

Church’s takes on Chik-fil-A in chicken-taste test campaign.

Diageo and Pernot Ricard battle in China.

Exxon fuels chemicals drive in Asia.

Fiat ends four decades of Chrysler sales in Europe.Continue reading...

Nissan's new campaign for the Leaf asks "What if everything ran on gas? Then again, what if everything didn't?" The 60-second spot above will premiere on TV during the June 12th NBA finals, while the 15-second teaser spots below are running this week.

Jalopnik calls the campaign funny, while CopyRanter finds it illogical but notes that Chevy's Volt (not the Toyota Prius) is the car it's aiming for. You?Continue reading...

Allstate and other insurers brace for disaster claims.

Amazon finds a fierce bidder in Liberty Media's John Malone.

Armani bucks trend, vows to stay private.

Boys & Girls Clubs of America embrace social media.

British Airways among European airlines impacted by Iceland volcanic ash.

Camel Snus target smoke-restricted NYC.

Coach finds buyers returning to priciest bags.Continue reading...

The trailer for Jennifer Aniston's latest vehicle — Horrible Bosses — features a Prius, which, of course, means it has a Prius joke!

In our latest annual Product Placement Awards, we recognized Prius' accomplishments as a supporting character, especially a comic foil. From Little Fockers to The Other Guys to The Town to Horrible Bosses, Prius has become the go-to product placement for a quick laugh.

After the jump, the week's product placement updates and a look at this weekend's new releases, including why Will Ferrell's new movie is the perfect vehicle for product placement.Continue reading...