Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/712794
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 17 JULY 2016 Motoring VII MIT Technology Review has named Toyota one of the world's smartest companies, placing the car maker among respected tech leaders such as Amazon, Alphabet, and Facebook, and ahead of others such as Microsoft, IBM, and In- tel. Ranked No17, Toyota was one of only two car makers to achieve the distinction. "We're very grateful to be recognised by MIT (Massachu- setts Institute of Technology), one of the finest educational institutions in the world," said Jim Lentz, chief executive officer of Toyota Motor North America. MIT Technology Review recognised Toyota for the launch of the Toyota Research Institute, which "will study the future of mobility, artificial intelligence, and robotics." The magazine also highlighted the release of the Toyota Mirai, one of the world's first mass- market hydrogen fuel vehicles, and Toyota's efforts to develop "a network of accessible and reliable hydrogen fuel stations" to support the Mirai and other potential future hydrogen vehi- cles. The Mirai has a range of over 300 miles and emits only water vapour. MIT Technology Review, a global media company backed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, is recognised for its coverage of science, business and technology. To make the list, editors "pick the 50 companies that best com- bine innovative technology with an effective business model." For more information on Toyota and its products visit the Toyota showroom situated in Mdina Road Zeb- bug log on the Toyota Malta Facebook page or call on 2269 4000. Toyota named as one of the world's smartest companies Feds auction off Miami drug kingpin's crazy car collection USING an Internet-based auction held this week, the U.S. govern- ment parted with nine spectacular cars previously owned by Miami drug kingpin Alvaro López Tardón. For the most part, his collection consisted of average rich guy stuff. But hidden amongst the me- diocrity were a few cars that stood out to us at The Drive—in part for their high mileage. For example, his Bugatti Veyron, which report- edly saw over $900,000 in bids (sounds like a bargain to us); a Ferrari Enzo with 13,088 miles on the odometer that received bids of more than $1.9 million; a Maybach 57S; and a Ferrari F430 with an impressive 33,381 miles on the clock. Hey, he may have been a drug lord, but at least he drove his supercars. The cars were sold via an online auction which was run by Apple Auctioneering Co., which, we would like to note, has an employee named Ocean Com- mander. (Yes, we're serious.) López Tardón, 41, was a Span- ish citizen, but he spent most of his time living in Miami. He ran an international drug trafficking ring and made his riches off of intense money laundering. According to the U.S. Marshals Service, López Tardón was responsible for bring- ing more than 7,500 kilograms of cocaine from South America to Spain, a business that allowed him to raise and launder more than $14 million. He then used that money to buy luxurious Florida properties, crazy cars, jewelry... and basically everything and any- thing he could get his hands on. But his ostentatious lifestyle didn't last for long. After indicting López Tardón in 2011, the U.S. government, assisted by local law enforcement, conducted a multi- year, cross-jurisdictional investiga- tion, managed to convict the drunk kingpin on one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering and 13 counts of money laundering. He is currently serving a 150-year sentence at the Miami Federal Detention Center.