2015 Toyota Education - Asian Pacific Islander Student Scholarship Winners 001

2015 Toyota Education - Asian Pacific Islander Student Scholarship Winners

Toyota Rewards Academic Excellence

22 Asian Pacific Islander (API) Students Granted Scholarships
 

May 18, 2015

TORRANCE, Calif. (May 18, 2015) – Recognizing the many challenges college-bound students face, Toyota awarded tuition support to 22 Asian Pacific Islander American (APIA) students from the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines to help with their cost of higher education.
 
In partnership with the Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund (APIASF), a non-profit organization dedicated to providing college scholarships to APIAs, Toyota granted 22 scholarships at its fourth annual awards dinner and reception at the Toyota Automotive Museum on May 14, 2015.  
 
With majors ranging from aerospace engineering to microbiology, and school selections from the University of California, Irvine to Massachusetts Institute of Technology, scholarship recipients received $5,000 towards a degree in a STEM field for their first two years of college.  The students, whose heritages trace to five countries in the API region (including Vietnam, China, the Philippines, India, and Korea), were also recognized for their achievements by local Los Angeles government officials in attendance.
 
“This scholarship will play such a large part in helping me get one step closer to becoming a successful mechanical engineer,” says scholarship recipient Pamela Nguyen from North Torrance High School.  “I hope to influence my community for the better through my future creations.”  Pamela plans to study mechanical engineering at California State University Long Beach.
 
“The scholarship recipients were selected from a pool of nearly 9,000 applicants,” said Tracey Doi, Toyota group vice president and chief financial officer. “Toyota is proud to recognize and celebrate the outstanding academic achievements of the 22 APIASF scholars.  The commitment to community service and personal excellence of these future leaders is truly inspiring and we are excited to be a part of their journey.”
 
Doi is an advocate of Toyota Asian American Society in Alliance (TAASiA), an employee resource group that continuously leverages the strength of a growing APIA population within Toyota to foster an environment and corporate culture of diversity and inclusion.
 
Toyota executives Karen Ideno, Doug Murtha, Julia Wada, and millennial Toyota team members Shawn Kumar and Kelsey Yu participated in a panel discussion on the topic, “What has inspired you in your personal and professional development?"  As both seasoned Toyota leaders and Generation Y TAASiA members, the panel provided unique insight and guidance on how scholars can successfully transition into the professional work arena.
 
In addition to Toyota’s corporate contribution, the Toyota Giving Circles, a program that allows team members to donate to their chosen charity, TAAP (Toyota Asian American powered by associates) and NFTA (Network of Filipino Toyota Associates) subsidized two of the scholarships in partnership with Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy.

Toyota RAV4 AMCI Testing | Toyota

New Style, Safety, Sounds and Sales Price For 2016 Scion FR-S

New Style, Safety, Sounds and Sales Price For 2016 Scion FR-S

April 30, 2015

TORRANCE, Calif. (April 30, 2015) – Scion’s FR-S performance sports coupe is getting its style on for the 2016 model year. With interior improvements, two new colors, a new standard audio system and a rear-view back up camera, the next FR-S also sports a new price.
           
The Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of the six-speed manual transmission FR-S is $25,305 while the six-speed sequential automatic transmission with paddle shifters and Dynamic Rev Management technology is $26,405. This price excludes the destination, processing and handling (DPH) fee of $770. 
           
The 2016 FR-S has a new premium feel with bright silver interior accents on the steering wheel bezel, shift bezel, door grip, and along the sides of the center console.  Also inside the FR-S is a new standard audio system with a large 7-inch touch-screen display and voice recognition technology.
           
For added safety, comfort and convenience, a rear-view backup camera has been integrated into the FR-S, as well.
           
Adding to the new look, two new colors will be available with a new red called Ablaze and a new blue called Oceanic.
           
The 2016 FR-S will be available in dealerships beginning in June.

Fueled by Bullsh*t | Presented by Toyota Mirai

2015 New York International Auto Show - 2016 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Debut

2015 New York International Auto Show - 2016 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Debut

Scion’s Double-Take at New York International Auto Show

Scion’s Double-Take at New York International Auto Show

World Debuts of Scion iM 5-door hatchback and Scion iA sedan

March 18, 2015

TORRANCE, Calif., March 18, 2015 – One look at Scion won’t be enough for guests attending the New York International Auto Show.  It will take two looks (or more) to see the World Debuts from Scion. Both the Scion iM and the newly named Scion iA will be revealed on the eve of the show, March 31, 2015.

The Scion iM is a 5-door hatchback that combines maximum versatility with a sporty design and a fun-to-drive experience. Meanwhile the Scion iA sedan is designed to appeal to young people who need a little more practicality, but still want engaging styling and outstanding driving dynamics.

The “i” in the models’ names can stand for intriguing, individual, and easy on customers’ income. The “M” reflects the hatchback’s modern style and multi-faceted uses. Meanwhile the “A” for the sedan denotes the accommodating trunk and the aggressive styling.

“We’ve been eagerly waiting for this moment and are excited to introduce our new Scions in New York,” said Scion Group Vice President Doug Murtha. “Both the iM and the iA are tremendous additions to our line-up and will appeal to young people with different perspectives and needs. These cars represent the evolution of Scion and are kicking off a new wave of momentum for the brand.”

Bumper to Bumper...Toyota Indiana Keeps 'Em Comin'

Bumper to Bumper...Toyota Indiana Keeps 'Em Comin'

March 06, 2015

PRINCETON, Ind. – Toyota Indiana and its 4,700 team members hit a new high today.
 
Today, a Blizzard Pearl Highlander Hybrid drove off the final assembly line and team members realized their accomplishment - 4 million vehicles produced. 
 
According to the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles, 3,981,626 passenger vehicles are registered in the state.  This means Toyota Indiana has produced more vehicles than are registered in its home state.  But all of these Toyotas don’t stay in Indiana; they just start here.
 
Company History
“We broke ground here almost 19 years ago to produce Toyota’s first full-size pickup truck, the Tundra,” said Norm Bafunno, Toyota Indiana president.  “Since then, change has been constant.  We added the Sequoia full-size SUV and Sienna minivan, shifted our Tundra production to San Antonio, Texas, and brought in the Highlander and Highlander Hybrid midsize SUVs.  4 million vehicles may seem staggering, but our team rose to the occasion every time an opportunity presented itself.” 
 
Toyota Indiana has become a significant exporter.  Last year, it exported more than 42,000 vehicles to more than 20 countries.
 
Team members take pride in being a part of the global marketplace, Bafunno said.  This seemed evident today, as team members carried many of the export countries’ flags with the words “thank you” in each country’s native language.
 
Expansion
Construction is set to begin this month to expand Toyota Indiana’s current footprint of 4 million square feet.  The additional space will allow for up to 30,000 more Highlanders to be produced annually.
 
This latest expansion comes in response to the Highlander’s strong demand.  Highlander sales ended 2014 up 14.5 percent over 2013 and posted a best-ever January this year with more than 11,000 units sold.
 
Teamwork
Richard Skelton, West Assembly team member, remembers some of the first vehicles that came off the final assembly line.  “It seems like the years have flown by,” Skelton said.  “We’ve been through tough times, such as the economic downturn in 2008.  But great teams always bounce back, and here we are building our 4 millionth vehicle.”
 
That teamwork is present not only inside the manufacturing plant at Toyota, but also in the community and with area suppliers.
 
“The community has shown incredible support since day one,” Bafunno said.  “This 4 millionth vehicle is only possible because of the great team effort of our team members, suppliers and citizens of this wonderful community we all call home.”