- Reducing total energy use by 13 percent per vehicle produced since FY2002 while expanding and adding new facilities;
- Reducing water usage by 18 percent per vehicle produced since FY2001 through no-cost and low-cost improvements;
- Lifetime Pennsylvania State Safety Inspections
- 2 Convenient Locations
- Timely Transactions
- Toyota Certified Pre-Owned Protection
- We'll Buy Your Car Even if You Don't Buy Ours
- Financing at Competitive Rates
- Live Market Pricing
- Community Focused Since 1968
Toyota Fast Facts | Central City Toyota
Toyota Fast Facts is an update on Toyota and industry news. Please feel free to share this information with family and friends. For more news, visit www.toyotanewsroom.com.
April 12th, 2011
The Environmental Protection Agency Recognizes Toyota for its Commitment Environmental Excellence
ERLANGER, Ky. (April 12, 2011) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. (TEMA), with its 2011 ENERGY STAR Sustained Excellence Award in recognition of its continued leadership in protecting the environment through energy efficiency and management. TEMA received the award at a special ceremony in Washington, D.C. today.
"TEMA has earned EPA’s highest ENERGY STAR award - the 2011 Sustained Excellence Award,” said Elizabeth Craig, acting director of EPA’s Office of Atmospheric Programs. “TEMA’s long term leadership and commitment to energy efficiency demonstrates the types of accomplishments that we can all achieve in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and protecting our global environment. We look forward to their continued partnership and leadership.”
Today’s recognition marks TEMA’s seventh consecutive award. In addition, TEMA has partnered with the EPA to fulfill its commitment of environmental excellence across its manufacturing facilities in the United States.
“Our objective is to manufacture vehicles in harmony with the environment which takes a great level of responsibility and commitment,” said Robin Haugen, TEMA’s production engineering general manager. “It is thanks to our team members’ daily efforts that we are able to reduce our carbon footprint with every vehicle that rolls off our manufacturing lines year after year.”
Examples of energy improvements at TEMA’s manufacturing facilities include:
Energy improvements at Toyota manufacturing facilities have saved more than $20 million annually and reduced CO2 emission by almost 150,000 metric tons, equal to 19,000 homes.
Since 2006, Toyota’s U.S. manufacturing operations have received 18 Energy Star Plant Awards from the U.S. EPA, recognizing each plant’s energy performance over the past year and scoring in the top 25 percent of its industry.
The 2011 Sustained Excellence Awards are given to a select group of organizations that have exhibited outstanding leadership year after year. These winners have reduced greenhouse gas emissions by setting and achieving aggressive goals, employing innovative approaches, and showing others what can be achieved through energy efficiency. These awards recognize ongoing leadership across the ENERGY STAR program including energy-efficient products, services, new homes and buildings in the commercial, industrial and public sectors. Award winners are selected from more than 12,000 organizations that participate in the ENERGY STAR program.
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April 12th, 2011
Scion tC Receives Five Star Overall Rating for Crash Tests
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April 6th, 2011
REDMOND, Wash., and TOYOTA CITY, Japan — April 6, 2011 — Microsoft Corp. and Toyota Motor Corp. (TMC) today announced they have forged a strategic partnership and plan to build a global platform for TMC’s next-generation telematics services using the Windows Azure platform. Telematics is the fusing of telecommunications and information technologies in vehicles; it can encompass GPS systems, energy management and other multimedia technologies.
As part of the partnership, the two companies plan to participate in a 1 billion yen (approximately $12 million) investment in Toyota Media Service Co., a TMC subsidiary that offers digital information services to Toyota automotive customers. The two companies aim to help develop and deploy telematics applications on the Windows Azure platform, which includes Windows Azure and Microsoft SQL Azure, starting with TMC’s electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles in 2012. TMC’s goal is to establish a complete global cloud platform by 2015 that will provide affordable and advanced telematics services to Toyota automotive customers around the world.
As part of its smart-grid activities, aimed at achieving a low-carbon society through efficient energy use, TMC is conducting trials in Japan of its Toyota Smart Center pilot program, which plans to link people, automobiles and homes for integrated control of energy consumption. TMC believes that, as electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles become more popular, such systems will rely more on telematics services for achieving efficient energy management.
Microsoft has a long history of delivering platforms and services to the automotive market, including in-car infotainment systems built on the Windows Embedded Automotive platform, in-car mapping services with Bing and the Microsoft Tellme voice application, and many other consumer solutions.
“Today’s announcement of our partnership with TMC is a great example of how we continue to invest in the automotive industry and of our commitment to power the services that are important to consumers,” said Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer. “It further validates the power of the cloud, as the Windows Azure platform will provide the enterprise-grade, scalable platform that TMC needs to deliver telematics in its automobiles worldwide.”
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March 30th, 2011
The Latest on Japan Relief and Recovery Efforts
This weekend Toyota launched “Hope for Japan,” a website where visitors can contribute to the American Red Cross relief efforts and share a personal message of hope. We encourage you to visit the site and show your support at www.toyota.com/supportforjapan.
Below is a short update on some of the additional steps Toyota is taking in North America and Japan to help support the relief efforts.
Fundraising – More than $5 Million So Far
- Toyota-Dedicated Red Cross Fundraising Websites Have Raised Nearly $1.5 Million in North America – As of March 25th, special fundraising websites set up with the Red Cross have raised nearly $1.5 million from Toyota’s employees, dealers, suppliers, business partners and friends across North America.
- Dollar-for-Dollar Match – Toyota’s North American affiliates are matching donations made by Toyota employees to the American Red Cross and Canadian Red Cross, dollar-for-dollar. (The employee match is not included in the figure above.)
- Donation in Japan – In addition, Toyota in Japan has donated 300 million yen (about $3.75 million) to support the relief efforts.
- Other Major Fundraising – Walk-a-thons last weekend in San Antonio, TX and Lexington, KY brought out hundreds of Toyota team members and other local citizens, raising nearly $60,000 for the relief efforts in Japan.
- Relief Convoys in Japan Continue – Toyota companies in Japan began sending truckloads of medical and emergency supplies – including food, drinking water, blankets, portable toilets and disposable diapers – to victims in affected regions on March 12, the day after the earthquake and tsunami. As of March 30th, more than 60 trucks have made deliveries and six tankers have been sent to provide water.
- Emergency Housing – Toyota is moving to provide nearly 500 apartments in Aichi Prefecture for people evacuated from affected areas.
- Vehicles for Relief Efforts – Toyota is providing about 100 cars for local government authorities to use in four of the areas hardest hit by the disaster.
- Distribution of Emergency Supplies – Toyota dealerships in affected areas of Japan are using their sites as temporary distribution centers for drinking water, food, cold-weather gear and towels to victims of the disaster.
Akio Toyoda Statement: To All Those Affected by the Tohoku Earthquake
To All Those Affected by the Tohoku Earthquake
I offer my prayers to all those who lost their lives in the March 11 Tohoku earthquake and its ensuing aftermath, as well as my sympathy to the survivors and their families.
Not only is the struck region one of our production bases, those directly hit and vastly affected include our dealers, suppliers and numerous other partners.
I went to Miyagi Prefecture on March 27. Seeing the devastation with my own eyes brought home to me the depth of destruction and the atmosphere of sadness caused by the disaster. Seeing the situation for myself made me more determined to continue to provide useful support.
I visited government offices in Ohira Village and in Taiwa Town, which have supported our business activities in their locales. I also went to Sendai Port, to our dealerships and to our factories that produce vehicles and parts.
Although time was limited, through visiting the affected area and seeing people there trying step-by-step to get over the agony of their losses, I became strongly determined to return smiles to the faces of the people in the Tohoku region by reviving manufacturing there as soon as possible.
We believe that returning as quickly as possible to daily life can play an important part in bringing the hope of a better tomorrow at our plants, our team members once again working together, supporting each other and creating a positive atmosphere and, at our dealerships, warm and friendly staff once again welcoming customers.
We at Toyota will continue doing all we can to be of assistance to the people affected.
Akio Toyoda, President
Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. Comments on J.D. Power and Associates 2011 Vehicle Dependability Study
- Toyota and Lexus received seven highest ranking awards – more than any other brand.
- The Tundra full-size pickup topped its segment for the sixth year in a row, while the Prius mid-size gas-electric hybrid sedan, 4Runner midsize Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV), Sienna midsize van, and Tacoma pickup truck each topped their respective segments.
- The Lexus RX luxury sport utility vehicle (Total) ranked highest in its segment; midsize premium crossover/SUV.
- Ten other Toyota, Scion and Lexus models ranked in the top three of their segment including Toyota Yaris sub-compact (Total), Toyota Matrix cross-over utility vehicle (CUV), Toyota RAV4 compact SUV, Toyota Solara midsize coupe, Toyota Sequoia full-size SUV, Scion tC sports coupe, Lexus GS luxury sport (Total), LS luxury sedan (Total), GX 470 luxury utility vehicle, and Lexus ES 350 entry luxury sedan.
VEHICLE
|
PP100
|
SEGMENT
|
Toyota Prius
|
97
|
Compact Car
|
Toyota 4Runner
|
103
|
Midsize MAV
|
Toyota Tacoma
|
109
|
Midsize Pickup
|
Toyota Sienna
|
150
|
Midsize Van
|
Toyota Tundra
|
118
|
Large Pickup
|
Lexus RX
|
101
|
Midsize Premium MAV
|
Scion xB
|
142
|
Compact Multi-Purpose Vehicle
|
- Seventeen Toyota, Scion and Lexus vehicles were named “most reliable” of which 12 made the “recommended” list, more in both categories than any other automaker, by a leading national consumer publication.
- Lexus owner loyalty remains the highest among luxury brands, according to internal studies.
- Eight Toyota, Scion and Lexus vehicles (Avalon, Corolla, Venza, Highlander, Sienna, RX, tC, & xB) received the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) 2011 Top Safety Pick Award.
Updated Toyota Statement Regarding Earthquake and Tsunami in Japan
Toyota Statement Regarding Earthquake and Tsunami in Japan
- Toyota Motor Hokkaido Plant
- Toyota Motor Tohoku Plant
- Central Motor Corporation Miyagi Plant, which also produces the Yaris model.
- Kanto Auto Works Iwate Plant, which also produces the Scion xB and Scion xD.
Toyota Takes 10 Vincentric 'Best Value in America' Awards Including Best Overall Passenger Car
• Avalon – Large (six-time winner)
• Camry Hybrid – Mid-Size Hybrid Sedan
• FJ Cruiser – SUV, Compact
• Highlander Hybrid – SUV, Mid-Size Hybrid
• Land Cruiser – SUV, Mid-Size Premium (fourth year in a row)
• Prius – Compact, Advanced Fuel Technology (six-time winner)
• Tacoma – Compact Pickup (seventh year in a row…more than any other vehicle)
• Venza – Crossover, Mid-Size (two-time winner)
March 1st, 2011
Toyota 100 Cars for Good Program Puts the Public in the Driver's Seat of a Corporate Philanthropic Effort
After NASA found no evidence that electronics were to blame for alleged unintended acceleration in Toyota vehicles, some news outlets concluded this week that Toyota received a bum rap from the media, consumer safety advocates and politicians during the past year. To read a sampling of the articles, please click on the following links:
“Toyota: The Media Owe You an Apology,” Bloomberg Businessweek: http://www.businessweek.com/lifestyle/content/feb2011/bw20110210_848076.htm.
“We Were Right. Toyota Vindicated,” Louisville Public Policy Examiner : http://www.examiner.com/public-policy-in-louisville/we-were-right-toyota-vindicated.
“The Safety Police Go After Toyota Again,” Fortune: http://money.cnn.com/2011/02/10/autos/toyota_acceleration_investigation_consumer_advocates.fortune/index.htm.
“Toyota’s Recall Crisis: What Have We Learned?”
//blogs.hbr.org/cs/2011/02/toyotas_recall_crisis_full_of.html.
1. Consumer Reports Reinstates Recommendations on Eight Recalled Toyotas
Consumer Reports announced today that it is reinstating the recommendations for eight Toyota models that were recalled in January. “We believe that Toyota has adequately addressed the problem of unintended acceleration and that its new vehicles on sale now are fundamentally safe,” the consumer organization said in a blog on its web site. The move means the Avalon, Camry, Corolla, Highlander, Matrix, RAV4, Sequoia and Tundra are all now on the Consumer Reports “recommended list”. The move coincides with the strong performance of Toyota, Scion and Lexus products on Consumer Reports Annual Car Survey (see story below).
To read the blog, please visit:
http://blogs.consumerreports.org/cars/2010/10/consumer-reports-reinstates-recommendations-on-eight-toyotas.html.
Toyota dominated the highly respected Consumer Reports Annual Car Reliability Survey with 17 Toyota, Scion and Lexus vehicles being ranked as “most reliable” and 12 making the “recommended” list, more in both categories than any other automaker. Overall, Scion ranked No. 1 in the survey, with the Toyota and Lexus nameplates ranking in the top 9.
The reliability findings are based on responses to a survey this spring of 1.3 million vehicles owned or leased by Consumer Reports magazine or web site subscribers. Its recommendations are based on the reliability survey rankings and vehicle tests conducted by the magazine. Consumer Reports said safety was a main focus of the vehicle tests this year.
The report is one of the most highly anticipated by consumers and is the third most influential factor in choosing a new vehicle after “brand loyalty” and “family/friends,” according to a recent survey.
Five TMS vehicles were ranked most reliable and scored the highest in their category: Yaris, FJ Cruiser, Lexus LX, Sienna (V6 FWD) and the Tundra V6.
To read Consumer Reports news release on the survey, please visit:
http://blogs.consumerreports.org/cars/2010/10/consumer-reports-2010-annual-car-reliability-survey-gm-makes-big-strides-while-honda-toyota-dominate-pr.html.
To read the Bloomberg news story on the survey, visit:
//www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-10-26/toyota-ties-with-honda-to-dominate-consumer-reports-reliability-survey.html.
DEALER REMINDER: We remind you that Consumer Reports strictly prohibits commercial use of its name and often takes legal action against violators of its policy. While you should feel free to share this “news” with customers (you can use the above Consumer Reports news release link), you should NOT use this information in any advertising or other forms that would violate Consumer Reports’ policies. One of the reasons the magazine has so much credibility with consumers is because it doesn’t take any advertising and strictly protects use of its name.
For more details on Consumer Reports “no commercial” policy, please visit:
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/aboutus/adviolation/index.htm.
Toyota is ranked 17th on the list of "The Top 25 Greenest Companies in the World" by Newsweek magazine, the highest of any automaker. The magazine teamed up with three leading environmental research organizations to analyze the 100 biggest companies worldwide based on actual environmental footprints, policies and reputations.
IBM topped the list with a perfect Green Score of 100. Honda, ranked 18th was the only other automaker to make the list.
For complete rankings, see: http://www.newsweek.com/feature/2010/green-rankings.html.
An article on the Christian Science Monitor website points out that despite all the news about recalls this year, car quality is up this year and highway safety is better than ever in many ways. “So what do all these recalls signal? In an odd sort of way, they may be evidence that car companies are becoming more proactive,” the article says. It goes on to note that by moving quickly to address problems, automakers are taking potential hazards off the road before they can lead to accidents. “There are more recalls because cars are more complex,” says Bill Visnic, senior editor for Edmunds.com. “But cars are safer now than they’ve ever been.” The article adds that highway fatalities are at a six-decade low even though there are five times more cars on the road today than in 1950.
To read more, please visit:
//www.csmonitor.com/Business/new-economy/2010/1021/Toyota-recall-October-2010-Lots-of-recalls.-Better-cars.
5. Update on Toyota’s Global Quality Task Force 6-Point Action Plan
Editors Note: This is the second of a series of articles that will provide a progress report on each of the six points on Toyota’s Global Quality Task Force action plan. Today, we feature Point 2:
1. Establish an organizational structure to implement a comprehensive plan
2. Improve the gathering and analysis of customer information
3. Assure our capabilities
4. Utilize outside experts
5. Increase communication with government authorities
6. Improve regional autonomy
Toyota is listening more closely to its customers, and incorporating their feedback into the way it designs, manufactures and sells vehicles.
The company appointed Dino Triantafyllos, who heads the Quality Division at TEMA, as Regional Product Safety Executive. He is responsible for leading information analysis and has already represented the voice of the North American customer in several field action decisions over the last several months.
In addition, Toyota established SMART teams comprised of 200 engineers and field technicians who have conducted more than 4,200 on-site vehicle evaluations for concerned customers. So far, SMART has not found a single case in which the vehicle’s electronic throttle control system would lead to sudden acceleration. Since allegations of sudden acceleration complaints have dropped 80 percent compared to last April, Toyota is broadening the scope of the SMART process to include other customer concerns as they arise. Key information from these evaluations will be shared with Toyota operations worldwide.