Monday, June 29, 2015

Cars.com Names Toyota Camry as Most American-Made, Again! | Corporate

Cars.com Names Toyota Camry as Most American-Made, Again!



Cars.com Names Toyota Camry as Most American-Made, Again!

Sienna Takes Number Two Spot in Annual American-Made Index
 
June 29, 2015
ERLANGER, Ky., June 29, 2015 – The results are in, and Cars.com has named two Toyota models as most American-Made.
 
The Toyota Camry and the Toyota Sienna have claimed the top two spots, respectively, in the annual Cars.com American-Made Index. This marks Toyota’s return to the American-Made pinnacle for the first time in three years and the fifth time overall that Camry has been ranked number one on the index.
 
According to Cars.com, the “American-Made Index rates vehicles built and bought in the United States. Factors include the percentage of parts considered “domestic” under federal regulations, whether the car is assembled in the U.S. and U.S. sales. Models with domestic-parts content ratings below 75 percent are disqualified, as well as models built exclusively outside the U.S. or models soon to be discontinued without a U.S.-built successor.”
 
“These results are a testament to Toyota’s continued investment and growth in the United States,” said Toyota North America CEO Jim Lentz, who also serves as President of Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing, North America, Inc. “We are strengthening our commitments to American manufacturing so we can better satisfy the needs of our customers for decades to come.”
 
The Toyota Camry, America’s best-selling car for 13 consecutive years, comes out of Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, Inc. (TMMK) in Georgetown, Ky. alongside the Camry Hybrid, Avalon and Avalon Hybrid. TMMK is Toyota’s largest manufacturing facility in North America, which also builds engines and employs more than 7,500. The plant built its 10-millionth vehicle in 2014 and will begin adding the Lexus ES to its lines this fall, the first Lexus to be manufactured in the United States. The addition of Lexus is the hallmark of a $360 million investment in the plant that also adds 750 new jobs.
 
The Sienna is assembled in Princeton, Ind. at Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana, Inc. (TMMI) by a team of 5,000. The plant also produces the Sequoia and Highlander/Highlander Hybrid. Toyota is investing $100 million in TMMI to boost Highlander production, adding 30,000 units per year and 300 jobs by summer 2016.
 
Much of the design and engineering of both Camry and Sienna took place in the United States at Calty Design Research, Inc. and Toyota Technical Center (TTC), respectively. Calty is headquartered in Newport Beach, Calif., with a production design studio in Ann Arbor, Mich., and TTC is based in York Township, Mich. Camry and Sienna both have American chief engineers.
 
Toyota has 10 manufacturing facilities in the United States.

Thursday, June 18, 2015

Toyota Captures Top Non-Luxury Brand Award in Edmunds.com 'Best Retained Value Awards'

Toyota Captures Top Non-Luxury Brand Award in Edmunds.com 'Best Retained Value Awards'



Toyota Captures Top Non-Luxury Brand Award in Edmunds.com 'Best Retained Value Awards'

Four Toyota Models Top Their Segments for Best Resale Value
June 18, 2015
TORRANCE, Calif., (June 18, 2015) - Toyota was named the top non-luxury brand in the fifth annual Edmunds.com’s Best Retained Value® Awards.  The awards “recognize the brands and 2015 models that have the highest projected residual values after five years based on their average Edmunds.com True Market Value® (TMV®) price when sold new.”

“Earning the Edmunds.com ‘Best Retained Value®’ award is a great honor and a testament to Toyota’s commitment to quality, durability and reliability, all key ingredients for great value,” said Bill Fay, group vice president and general manager, Toyota Division.

Four Toyota models also took home the top prize in their segments for best resale value, more than any other brand.  They were:
  • Tacoma Pickup – Midsize Truck
  • Tundra Pickup – Large Truck
  • Highlander – Midsize SUV
  • Avalon – Large Car

Thursday, June 4, 2015

Newsweek Names Toyota One of the World’s Greenest Companies

Newsweek Names Toyota One of the World’s Greenest Companies

Newsweek Names Toyota One of the World’s Greenest Companies

Toyota Moves up 57 Spots from Last Year
June 04, 2015
PLANO, Texas (June 4, 2015) – Newsweek has named a car company as one of the world’s greenest companies, ahead of highly-regarded brands like Microsoft, Google, Nike and Coke. Toyota moved up 57 spots in Newsweek’s annual green ranking to #35 in the Global 500 and #2 in autos.   
Newsweek in partnership with Corporate Knights Capital and HIP Investor evaluated the world's largest publicly-traded companies, using eight metrics to measure environmental performance. Companies were scored against their industry peers on each metric, including energy, water and waste levels.
“We are proud to be recognized as one of the world’s greenest companies,” said Jim Lentz, Toyota Motor North America chief executive officer. “Through continuous improvement, our global teams have made great strides in reducing our environmental impact. From hybrids to fuel cells, Toyota is at the forefront of developing energy efficient technologies. We are deeply committed to contributing to the environment, our communities, and to leading the future of sustainable mobility.”
The world’s largest automaker is being recognized for its commitment to sustainable practices and its efforts to develop green vehicles, including the Mirai hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, which emits only water vapor. Toyota’s green initiatives saved over 93 million gallons of water in North America and reduced  energy use by 22% in Toyota’s North American manufacturing plants. And Toyota Financial Services issued the auto industry’s first-ever Asset-Backed Green Bond to finance the purchase of almost 40,000 green vehicles.
The full Newsweek Green Rankings list is available now on Newsweek’s website athttp://www.newsweek.com/green-2015 and on newsstands June 5.

Wednesday, June 3, 2015

2015 Toyota Summer Driving Tips

2015 Toyota Summer Driving Tips

Summer Safety 101: Getting Your Ride Road Trip Ready

June 03, 2015
Whether historic U.S. Route 1 is your main vacation drag or you’re cruising for a day on Pacific Coast Highway or motoring west on the route that’s the best, summer means one thing to many Americans…road trip.  

Before you sally forth, you might want to tackle a few technical “to dos” to ensure your trip is as smooth as your driving style.
 
  1. Total recall.  Similar to getting an annual physical from the doctor, it’s smart to stay in the know about your vehicle.
To find out if a vehicle has been involved in a safety recall or service campaign, Toyota owners can check their vehicle identification number (VIN) – found on the driver’s side dashboard or driver’s side door where it latches – at http://www.toyota.com/recall. They can also use the owner’s app (available through iTunes or Google play) to scan in their VIN.
 
To check out a vehicle from another manufacturer, owners can access thehttps://vinrcl.safercar.gov/vin/
 
If your vehicle is involved in a safety recall, the manufacturer is obligated to provide a free remedy; so contact your local dealer and make an appointment to handle the issue.
 
  1. No tired tires. Before taking those tires on the road, focus on: air, wear and spare.
    • Air – A properly inflated tire can help you avoid a flat. Refer to the owner’s manual or a label inside the doorframe for the correct pressure and check tires when they’re cold (haven’t been driven on for three hours) for most accurate reading.
    • Wear – Take five minutes to inspect for excessive or irregular wear. If tread is worn to 1/16 of an inch, it’s time to replace. Irregular wear patterns indicate tires might need rotation or realignment.
    • Spare – Make sure the back-up has your back and run the spare through the same tests as your other tires.
 
  1. Take care for rubber wear. Inspect belts, hoses and wiper blades for blisters, cracks or cuts. All are susceptible to summer heat, so replace if not in tip-top condition. And make sure hose connections are secure.
 
  1. Get plenty of fluids. Be good to your trusted steed and follow up on fluids: oil, brake, automatic transmission, power steering, windshield washer and coolant.  And if it’s time to have the oil changed or coolant system flushed, just do it.
 
  1. Light it up. Check headlights, brake lights, turn signals, emergency flashers, interior and trailer lights.
 
  1. Be cool.  AC working? Check.  ‘Nuff said.