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For the second straight year, Toyota is the No. 1-ranked manufacturer on the annual CarMD® Vehicle Health Index™.  The Toyota and Lexus brands accounted for three of the top 10 and 18 of the top 100 vehicles (16 Toyota and two Lexus vehicles). The 2010 Toyota Corolla was the top ranked vehicle in the index, with the lowest combined repair incidents and lowest average repair costs per number of registered vehicles.  Others in the top 25 were the 2008 Toyota Yaris (2 nd), 2007 Lexus ES 350 (7 th), 2009 Toyota Camry (13 th), 2007 Toyota 4Runner (18 th) and 2009 Toyota Matrix (25 th). The data for the 2012 index’s Manufacturer & Vehicle Reliability Rankings was procured from CarMD’s network of thousands of certified automotive technicians and database of more than 3 million verified repairs. The November 2012 Index statistically analyzes repairs that apply to roughly 136 million model year 2002 to 2012 vehicles, taking place in the U.S. from Sept. 1, 2011 through Sept. 1, 2012. In determining the top 10 manufacturers, CarMD included those whose makes and models account for at least 1 percent of the U.S. vehicle population according to R.L. Polk data, and 1 percent of CarMD’s data. To read CarMD’s press release, please click here

Toyota today announced a $1 million contribution to the American Red Cross and other nonprofit organizations to support relief efforts for victims of Hurricane Sandy in the regions worst-hit by the storm. In addition, Toyota will match employee contributions to the American Red Cross and other non-profits doing relief and recovery work in affected communities. Beginning Nov. 1, Toyota Financial Services (TFS) and Lexus Financial Services (LFS) will launch a “Customer Outreach” calling campaign to lease and retail customers who are delinquent, or become delinquent, due to circumstances related to the storm and who reside in the 13 states directly impacted by the hurricane (CT, DC, DE, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VA, VT and WV) and in the District of Columbia. Click Here for the Full Story

The Scion FR-S earned industry recognition on October 30th, 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada with the Hottest Sport Compact award on the first day of the 2012 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show in Las Vegas. “Scion is honored the FR-S earned the SEMA Hottest Sport Compact award, which adds the judges’ esteemed endorsement to the thousands of enthusiastic owners who have already taken this sports car to the next level in a few short months,” said Scion Corporate Manager Jaycie Dane. “Personalization is a core component of the Scion brand, making the SEMA show a perfect spot to showcase the vast possibilities of the FR-S.” Click here for the full story

Toyota celebrated the 25 millionth vehicle manufactured in North America today at a ceremony at its Georgetown, Ky., plant coinciding with the start of production for the all-new 2013 Avalon.  The milestone vehicle – a Classic Silver Hybrid Avalon – represents 26 years of manufacturing, a direct investment of nearly $24 billion in North American operations and 365,000 jobs created in the United States. Speaking at a line-off ceremony in Georgetown today, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky President Wil James said, “This is a pivotal time in Toyota’s history.  What better way to cap off 26 years of manufacturing excellence than with the all-new Kentucky-assembled Avalon, a shining example of what our customers have to look forward to in the future.”

A Toyota Tundra half-ton pickup truck without any special modifications successfully towed the 150,000 pound space shuttle Endeavour across a bridge spanning the nation’s busiest freeway on Friday night, Oct. 12. The tow was a result of a 20-year partnership between Toyota and the California Science Center to raise awareness of the space program and continue public education through exhibits and events. The Tundra was piloted by longtime Toyota professional driver Matt McBride. Riding along was Garrett Reisman, one of the astronauts aboard the orbiter when it traveled to the International Space Station in 2008. Click here for the full story [gallery]

On Wednesday September 12th, 2912 in Washington, DC at a Safety Research Forum , Toyota announced that it has teamed up with the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI) to conduct a major new study of 5,600 teens and adults. Results of the Teen Driver Distraction Study commissioned by the Toyota Collaborative Safety Research Center (CSRC) in July 2012 will be released incrementally as data is analyzed. The study will examine teen attitudes toward frequently discussed risks, such as texting and driving, to help identify effective recommendations to keep teen drivers safe. Click Here for the Full Story

Building upon the eight-year success of its behind-the-wheel safety workshops, Toyota announces the expansion of its national advanced teen driving skills program, Toyota Driving Expectations, through partnerships with high schools and local dealerships as well as continuing its popular online safety program. Click Here for the Full Story: Click Here to learn about Toyota Driving Expectations

Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. (TMS) announced today that the Toyota Tundra full-size pickup truck is slated to tow the space shuttle Endeavour during its final journey to the California Science Center on October 13, 2012, where it will go on permanent display. The Endeavour will travel a total of 12 miles from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on city streets to the Science Center, with the Tundra towing the last quarter mile. There is no larger or more recognizable icon of the U.S. space program’s success than the shuttle, and to have it towed by the Toyota Tundra is not only an incredible example of the capabilities of the truck, but an honor to be part of history,” said Ed Laukes, TMS vice president of marketing communications. “The entire journey is something the world will be watching, and gives us a chance to prove that the ‘overbuilt’ Tundra is built to do any job – even tow the space shuttle.” Click Here for the Full Story

Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A., Inc. announced today a partnership with Medal of Honor recipient Sgt. Dakota Meyer and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s National Chamber Foundation as part of an ongoing initiative to support returning troops and veterans making the transition from military to civilian jobs. Sgt. Meyer, the first living Marine in three decades to receive the Medal of Honor, will be appearing at various Hiring Our Heroes job fairs around the country to meet with veterans and help them understand the importance of personal branding and how to translate military skills to future employers. Click here to read the entire story

Toyota has branded its zippy new sport coupe with the abbreviation “FR-S.” It stands for “front-engine, rear-drive, sport.” Cars in Toyota’s Scion brand are given abbreviated names, but the FR-S is truly a revival of Toyota’s once-popular Celica sport coupe. The FR-S is the most fun new car I've driven in my recent memory. It is exactly the kind of car that the doomsayers insist is dead because they say kids are forsaking driving in favor of going online to interact with their friends.  Nonsense, I say.  Sporty little coupes still attract young drivers. These vehicles just need to be designed for today’s young drivers and not those of decades past. Click here to read the entire story.

On August 2 nd, 2012, Toyota and the National Audubon Society awarded over $1 million in TogetherGreen Innovation Grants funding to 41 innovative environmental projects nationwide. This year’s winning projects involve more than 150 conservation, environmental justice and community organizations working collaboratively on habitat, water and energy conservation. Many of the projects focus on engaging audiences that have traditionally been underrepresented in the conservation movement, from landowners to religious communities to inner-city students. Click here to read the entire story Click here to learn more about Together Green

Driving the SE proved comfortable enough, although ergonomics would be improved by providing the telescoping steering wheel found in most competitors. Instruments and controls were readily accessible, and the seats were supportive. Click Here for the full Story.