STEVE INSKEEP, host:
Toyota said its profits dropped 77 percent in the most recent quarter, because of the earthquake in Japan and also because of the strong yen. But the carmaker is pressing ahead with innovative marketing.
And our last word in business, today, is about a Japanese celebrity Toyota is bringing to the United States to promote its cause. Her name is Hatsune Miku, and she is a pop star.
(Soundbite of music)
Ms. HATSUNE MIKU (Pop star): (Singing in foreign language)
INSKEEP: Somebody for the tween market there. She dances on stage in a racy miniskirt and black stockings, and she has aqua colored hair that stretches to her ankles. But the most incredible thing about her is this: she's not real. The guitarist who accompanies her is human, but the singer is a 3-D projection with a digital voice. She is now appearing in America to promote the Toyota Corolla. But the ads are airing only in Asian-American media so far.
Thats the business news on MORNING EDITION from NPR News. I'm Steve Inskeep.
RENEE MONTAGNE, host:
And I'm Renee Montagne.
(Soundbite of music) Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
