It’s not every day a company gets named to Fortune magazine’s Change the World List, but Toyota has managed to do it twice in three years. In 2015, Toyota had extreme success with hybrid vehicles and earned the number three spot on that year’s list.
And for its most recent honor? The Japanese automaker was ranked number eight out of 50 competing companies for its work with hydrogen strategy and for introducing its new hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, the Toyota Mirai.
Why Toyota Was Named an Agent of Change
Fortune and its partners, FSG, the Shared Value Initiative, and Professor Michael E. Porter of Harvard Business School, rank the chosen companies using the following three factors:
- Measurable social impact
- Business results
- Degree of innovation
Finally, Fortune editors choose finalists using other reporting and analysis metrics.
The Change the World List recognizes global leaders who are “doing well by doing good,” and Toyota is proud to be recognized for upholding these standards.
Toyota Motor North America chief executive officer Jim Lentz stated that “the Mirai hydrogen fuel cell vehicle is leading the way toward positive change and a more sustainable tomorrow.”
The key? Using hydrogen as fuel.
Hydrogen fuel cells produce zero carbon-emissions. What’s more, hydrogen is one of the most abundant resources on the planet and can be found in water, plants, and manure. Toyota decided to harness the power of this clean energy for its latest innovation, the Toyota Mirai.
Although currently available in California, the Mirai is helping to make great strides toward the clean transportation drivers crave.
Learn More at Central City Toyota in Philadelphia, PA
Do you have questions about how Toyota is working toward greener, more efficient transportation? Contact the experts at our dealership or stay tuned to our blog for updates on the Mirai and other Toyota advancements.
Follow this link to see the complete list of companies working to change the world according to Fortune magazine.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) gives awards for fourteen Toyota and Lexus vehicles, with twelve receiving the highest possible award, the TOP SAFETY PICK+ (TSP+). Out of all manufacturers, Toyota sweeps the competition with the most possible rewards from the IIHS.
Qualifications for TSP+ include:
- A vehicle earning good ratings in five IIHS crash-worthiness tests: small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraints
- An advanced or superior rating for front crash prevention
- An acceptable or good headlight rating
Toyota’s premium midsize sedan, the Toyota Avalon, was recognized previously by the IIHS as a TOP SAFETY PICK winner, but now is considered a TSP+ winner. The promotion for the Avalon is due to an improvement made after March 2017 in the aim of the headlights on the vehicles.
“At Toyota, we’re committed to developing safe and reliable vehicles,” said Jeff Makarewicz, Toyota’s North American Vehicle, Quality & Safety Engineering group vice president. “The Toyota Avalon’s latest achievement is a great example of how we continually evaluate new criteria and find ways to enhance our customers’ driving experience.” Read the rest of this entry »
Toyota Motor North America, Inc. (TMNA) is now calling Plano, Texas home after the opening of its new North American Headquarters earlier this month. The company announced its “One Toyota” initiative three years ago, stating that Toyota intended to create a more efficient operation in North America.
The new corporate campus is on 100 acres with over seven buildings and costs about $1 billion to build. Toyota has moved thousands of employees and their families to North Texas from places like California and Kentucky, with hundreds moving to the area every week.
“The opening of our new headquarters in Plano is an extraordinary next step in Toyota’s 60-year journey in the United States,” said Jim Lentz, CEO of Toyota in North America. “With team members from four different companies together in one campus location, we believe this will inspire great collaboration, innovation, and faster decision making as we turn to and lead the futures of mobility, all with an eye on our customers.” Read the rest of this entry »
When you live in an expensive city like Philadelphia, it can seem like there is never enough money to go around. If it always feels like money is tight and you’re having trouble sticking to a budget, the most important thing that you can do is follow a few simple money saving tips.
Although you might not realize it, saving money is actually easy when you have the right strategy in place. Learn how you can save money and stick to a budget in Philadelphia so that your finances will be more secure in the future.
Track Everything
The biggest mistake that people make when trying to save money is failing to track their purchases. In a world of electronic purchases and online banking, it can be easy to spend money without knowing it, making it extremely hard for you to save your money.
Whenever you make a purchase in Philly, it’s a good idea to keep a physical record of it. Writing down all of your transactions instead of relying on digital records will make it easier for you to keep track of your finances and will make it less likely that you spend frivolously.
Similarly, if you’re having trouble sticking to your budget, try reducing its length. Instead of writing a monthly budget, do a weekly version. This will make it much easier for you to stick your financial plan. Read the rest of this entry »
Biggest Shows Coming to Philadelphia This Summer
The biggest benefit of living in a large city like Philadelphia is having access to some of the most exciting performance in existence. This is especially true in the summer months when popular acts from all over the world make their way to the City of Brotherly Love.
If you want to make sure that your summer in Philly is filled with fun and entertainment, then it’s important that you learn about some of the can’t-miss events the city will offer over the next few months.
Wicked
If you’re a fan of Broadway musicals but don’t have the time or money to head to New York for a show, then a must-see event for you in Philadelphia this summer is Wicked. One of the most popular Broadway shows of all time, Wicked is a reimagining of characters from the Wizard of Oz set to one of the most memorable songbooks you’ll ever hear.
The traveling production of Wicked comes to the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts July 26th to August 27th, and tickets are available right now. Read the rest of this entry »
If you’re looking for a vehicle that combines big style and big performance, the only vehicle you should consider is a truck. Out of all the different trucks that you could drive this model year, the two that will provide you with the highest quality are the Toyota Tundra and Toyota Sequoia.
Designed to impress truck enthusiasts everywhere, the Tundra and Sequoia have been refreshed this year to provide even bigger style and more impressive features. If you’re interested in driving either of these excellent trucks in 2018 and beyond, you need to learn about some of their newest features and enticing benefits.
TRD Sport
Before you learn about the individual differences of these new trucks, it’s a good idea to learn about what these vehicles have in common.
One of the biggest changes you’ll find in both the 2018 Toyota Tundra and 2018 Toyota Sequoia is the availability of the TRD Sport trim. The main benefit of this trim level is having access to a 5.7-liter iForce V8 engine that can produce 318 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. Other features of the TRD Pro trim include anti-roll bars, Bilstein performance shocks, and the ability to choose either a Double Cab or CrewMax body style.
Another updated feature possessed by both the Tundra and the Sequoia is the inclusion of standard safety. Both of these trucks come equipped with Toyota Safety Sense-P, a suite of active safety technology that includes lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic braking with pedestrian detection. Read the rest of this entry »
3 Things Critics Love About the 2017 Toyota 86
When you’re looking for a vehicle that provides maximum excitement and big features, there is no better choice than a sports car. Although there are a variety of excellent sports cars on the market today, there is no vehicle that you should consider more strongly than the 2017 Toyota 86.
A sports car that expertly combines the old and the new, the Toyota 86 provides a number of next-level features that have pleased even the toughest car critics. If you’re interested in driving the Toyota 86, you need to learn about a few of these features so that you can see why this model is the right sports car for you.
Handling
For anyone that’s interested in purchasing a sports car, one of the most important features is superior handling, and this is one area where the Toyota 86 is guaranteed to please consumers and critics alike. When you get behind the wheel of the 86, you’ll find one of the most responsive driving experiences in any sports car thanks to several great features.
For example, the Toyota 86 features a Hachi Roku rear-wheel drive, allowing this vehicle to hug turns and rule the road. In addition, this vehicle offers a sport-tuned suspension that provides a more even ride on uneven surfaces and a superior level of handling. Additionally, a Vehicle Stability Track Mode allows you to push your vehicle to the limits so that you can have the full sports car experience. Read the rest of this entry »
When it comes to spring sports in the greater Philadelphia area, there’s no shortage of great options. From traditional sports like baseball and soccer to popular emerging sports like adult kickball, spring is an awesome time to enjoy fitness, fun, and the company of others. If you’re searching for a spring sports league, make sure to check out a few of these options throughout the city.
Kickball
For athletes who love to relive a bit of their youth, there’s no better choice this spring than kickball. Brought to you by Philly Sports Leagues, this adult kickball league has divisions on each day of the week starting in March. Games take place at parks and playgrounds throughout the Philly area including Brewerytown, Fishtown, and Columbus Square. If you get a full team together, costs Read the rest of this entry »
With third-row seating, a roomy interior, and top-notch features, the 2017 Toyota Highlander is one of the best family haulers on the market. It has all the space you’ll need for long road trips or running errands, while also offering the sophistication and specs of a sporty sedan. So whether you’re just starting a family or adding another one to the group, the 2017 Toyota Highlander is the car for you. Here are just a few more of the reasons why the Highlander is the quintessential family car this year.
1. Three Great Engine Choices
Depending on your needs, the 2017 Toyota Highlander offers three powertrain options. If you aren’t concerned about extra power or extended fuel economy, the stock 2.7-liter four-cylinder is more than adequate, offering 185 horsepower and up to 184 pound-feet of torque, as well as 24 miles per gallon (mpg) on the highway and 20 mpg in the city. For drivers that want a bit of extra power, Read the rest of this entry »
If you’re searching for a reliable, affordable, and versatile crossover, look no further than the 2017 Toyota RAV4. With a bevy of interior features, technological gadgets, and an exterior that will turn heads as you cruise down the road, the RAV4 is everything you love about an SUV mixed with the comfort of a sedan. Here’s a look at everything the RAV4 has to offer in 2017.
Powertrain Options
Depending on your needs, the RAV4 comes with two powertrain options. The first is a standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder that’s capable of an impressive 176 horsepower and up to 172 pound-feet of torque. Not only does it provide respectable power, it also offers an amazing 30 miles per gallon (mpg) on the Read the rest of this entry »

