Thursday, May 1, 2014
Monday, April 28, 2014
Wednesday, April 2, 2014
Toyota and VMI Announce 2nd Annual Star Spangled Salute Contest for Disabled U.S. Veterans
Toyota and VMI Announce 2nd Annual Star Spangled Salute Contest for Disabled U.S. Veterans
PHOENIX, Ariz. (April 02, 2014) – Toyota Motor Sales USA and Vantage Mobility International(VMI) announced today the 2nd Annual Operation Independence Star Spangled Salute contest. The online contest gives America’s disabled military veterans the chance to win a new Toyota Sienna with VMI’s Access 360 In-floor Ramp Conversion system. The online contest will run Wed., April 2 to Sun., Nov. 9, 2014, and is open to all disabled U.S. veterans. The winner will be randomly drawn on Sun., Nov. 9 and announced on Veterans Day Tues., Nov. 11, 2014. TheStar Spangled Salute contest is a part of VMI’s Operation Independence program.
Toyota and VMI teamed up for the inaugural Star Spangled Salute contest in 2013. More than 850 U.S. military veterans from every state in the continental U.S. and Puerto Rico, entered the contest. The winner was Cpl. Charlie Harvey, a retired U.S. Army veteran who served during the Vietnam War in 1969.
“Toyota is excited to work with VMI again on this year’s Operation Independence Star Spangled Salute contest,” said Mark Oldenburg, Toyota’s national fleet marketing, mobility and strategic planning manager. “It was incredible to be a part of the excitement surrounding the delivery of Mr. Harvey’s Sienna earlier this year. Being a part of this online contest gives our team the opportunity to show our appreciation to men and women in the military who have bravely served our country.”
All disabled veterans are eligible to enter the Star Spangled Salute contest. The winner, who will be randomly drawn on Nov. 9, 2014, will win a Toyota Sienna, which has been donated by Toyota Motor Sales USA and features the Access 360 In-floor Ramp Conversion system that is being donated by VMI.
“Words cannot express how grateful Charlie and I are to Toyota and VMI for giving us the chance to win this van through the Star Spangled Salute contest,” said Linda Harvey. “The Sienna with VMI’s ramp has changed Charlie’s life in so many ways we didn’t think were possible. We can go everywhere together again, like the mall, grocery store and out to eat for dinner. Before the Star Spangled Salute contest we’d never won anything before. I really hope our story encourages disabled veterans and their families to enter this contest this year. You never know when you’ll be the lucky winner!”
Operation Independence is a national program developed by VMI and the VMI Select Dealer Network. A portion of the Operation Independence program is to educate veterans about Federal Vehicle Grants, which are available to disabled U.S. veterans.
To enter the Operation Independence Star Spangled Salute contest and for contest rules, terms and conditions, visit www.vans4vets.com or call 1-800-VMI-VANS (1-800-348-8267).
PHOENIX, Ariz. (April 02, 2014) – Toyota Motor Sales USA and Vantage Mobility International(VMI) announced today the 2nd Annual Operation Independence Star Spangled Salute contest. The online contest gives America’s disabled military veterans the chance to win a new Toyota Sienna with VMI’s Access 360 In-floor Ramp Conversion system. The online contest will run Wed., April 2 to Sun., Nov. 9, 2014, and is open to all disabled U.S. veterans. The winner will be randomly drawn on Sun., Nov. 9 and announced on Veterans Day Tues., Nov. 11, 2014. TheStar Spangled Salute contest is a part of VMI’s Operation Independence program.
Toyota and VMI teamed up for the inaugural Star Spangled Salute contest in 2013. More than 850 U.S. military veterans from every state in the continental U.S. and Puerto Rico, entered the contest. The winner was Cpl. Charlie Harvey, a retired U.S. Army veteran who served during the Vietnam War in 1969.
“Toyota is excited to work with VMI again on this year’s Operation Independence Star Spangled Salute contest,” said Mark Oldenburg, Toyota’s national fleet marketing, mobility and strategic planning manager. “It was incredible to be a part of the excitement surrounding the delivery of Mr. Harvey’s Sienna earlier this year. Being a part of this online contest gives our team the opportunity to show our appreciation to men and women in the military who have bravely served our country.”
All disabled veterans are eligible to enter the Star Spangled Salute contest. The winner, who will be randomly drawn on Nov. 9, 2014, will win a Toyota Sienna, which has been donated by Toyota Motor Sales USA and features the Access 360 In-floor Ramp Conversion system that is being donated by VMI.
“Words cannot express how grateful Charlie and I are to Toyota and VMI for giving us the chance to win this van through the Star Spangled Salute contest,” said Linda Harvey. “The Sienna with VMI’s ramp has changed Charlie’s life in so many ways we didn’t think were possible. We can go everywhere together again, like the mall, grocery store and out to eat for dinner. Before the Star Spangled Salute contest we’d never won anything before. I really hope our story encourages disabled veterans and their families to enter this contest this year. You never know when you’ll be the lucky winner!”
Operation Independence is a national program developed by VMI and the VMI Select Dealer Network. A portion of the Operation Independence program is to educate veterans about Federal Vehicle Grants, which are available to disabled U.S. veterans.
To enter the Operation Independence Star Spangled Salute contest and for contest rules, terms and conditions, visit www.vans4vets.com or call 1-800-VMI-VANS (1-800-348-8267).
Monday, March 24, 2014
Landfill Gas to Build Cars and a Greener Community
Landfill Gas to Build Cars and a Greener Community
March 24, 2014
GEORGETOWN, Ky. (MARCH, 24 2014) – Can a car company be a vehicle for change? Toyota thinks so. The Kentucky plant that manufactures some of the greenest cars on the road, including two hybrid models, will soon be powered in part by green electricity.
Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, Inc. has teamed up with Waste Services of the Bluegrass to generate power from local landfill waste, marking the region’s first business to business landfill gas to energy initiative. Toyota estimates the locally-generated landfill gas will supply enough power each year for the production of 10,000 vehicles.
How it Works
As solid waste naturally breaks down in a landfill, it creates gas. A network of wells at the landfill will collect and prepare this gas, which will be used to fuel generators for electricity. Underground transmission lines will then carry the electricity to Toyota’s manufacturing plant, located a few miles south of the landfill.
What’s Next
Construction begins in April, and is expected to be complete by early 2015. Once up and running, the system will generate one megawatt of electricity per hour, or about what it takes to power 800 homes, based on average consumption in the U.S. Additionally, landfill greenhouse gas emissions will be cut by as much as 90 percent, which adds up to better air quality for the local community.
“As a corporate citizen of central Kentucky, we are committed to smarter and better ways of doing business to enhance our community and environment,” said Todd Skaggs, CEO of Waste Services of the Bluegrass. “We look forward to being a partner in Toyota’s sustainability efforts.”
Big Picture Thinking
This isn’t Toyota’s first non-traditional approach to environmental stewardship. Since 2006, the Kentucky plant has been a “zero-landfill” facility, which means waste generated at the plant gets repurposed instead of getting rejected.
Some of the waste goes into a composter, located on the plant’s 1300-acre campus. The compost generated is used to fertilize an on-site garden, which has supplied more than 11,000 pounds of produce, or the weight equivalent of 3.5 Camrys, to a local food bank.
And, that’s not all. Toyota is investing in a number of sustainable initiatives, locally and globally. “At Toyota, we believe earth-friendly cars are just the beginning,” said Jeff Klocke, facilities and environmental manager. “Together with our community, we think we can contribute to a greener world.” Learn more about Toyota’s environmental initiatives in the company’s latest environmental report: http://www.toyota.com/about/environmentreport2013/index.html.
Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, Inc. has teamed up with Waste Services of the Bluegrass to generate power from local landfill waste, marking the region’s first business to business landfill gas to energy initiative. Toyota estimates the locally-generated landfill gas will supply enough power each year for the production of 10,000 vehicles.
How it Works
As solid waste naturally breaks down in a landfill, it creates gas. A network of wells at the landfill will collect and prepare this gas, which will be used to fuel generators for electricity. Underground transmission lines will then carry the electricity to Toyota’s manufacturing plant, located a few miles south of the landfill.
What’s Next
Construction begins in April, and is expected to be complete by early 2015. Once up and running, the system will generate one megawatt of electricity per hour, or about what it takes to power 800 homes, based on average consumption in the U.S. Additionally, landfill greenhouse gas emissions will be cut by as much as 90 percent, which adds up to better air quality for the local community.
“As a corporate citizen of central Kentucky, we are committed to smarter and better ways of doing business to enhance our community and environment,” said Todd Skaggs, CEO of Waste Services of the Bluegrass. “We look forward to being a partner in Toyota’s sustainability efforts.”
Big Picture Thinking
This isn’t Toyota’s first non-traditional approach to environmental stewardship. Since 2006, the Kentucky plant has been a “zero-landfill” facility, which means waste generated at the plant gets repurposed instead of getting rejected.
Some of the waste goes into a composter, located on the plant’s 1300-acre campus. The compost generated is used to fertilize an on-site garden, which has supplied more than 11,000 pounds of produce, or the weight equivalent of 3.5 Camrys, to a local food bank.
And, that’s not all. Toyota is investing in a number of sustainable initiatives, locally and globally. “At Toyota, we believe earth-friendly cars are just the beginning,” said Jeff Klocke, facilities and environmental manager. “Together with our community, we think we can contribute to a greener world.” Learn more about Toyota’s environmental initiatives in the company’s latest environmental report: http://www.toyota.com/about/environmentreport2013/index.html.
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Toyota Enters Agreement with U.S. Attorney's Office Related to 2009-2010 Recalls
Toyota Enters Agreement with U.S. Attorney's Office Related to 2009-2010 Recalls
March 19, 2014
NEW YORK, NY, March 19, 2014 – Today, Toyota announced that it reached an agreement with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York to resolve its investigation initiated in February 2010 into the communications and decision-making processes related to the company’s 2009-2010 recalls to address potential “sticking” accelerator pedals and floor mat entrapment. As part of the agreement, Toyota will make a payment totaling $1.2 billion.
“At the time of these recalls, we took full responsibility for any concerns our actions may have caused customers, and we rededicated ourselves to earning their trust,” said Christopher P. Reynolds, chief legal officer, Toyota Motor North America. “In the more than four years since these recalls, we have gone back to basics at Toyota to put our customers first.”
Reynolds continued: “We have made fundamental changes across our global operations to become a more responsive company – listening better to our customers’ needs and proactively taking action to serve them.
“Specifically, we have taken a number of steps that have enabled us to enhance quality control, respond more quickly to customer concerns, strengthen regional autonomy and speed decision-making. And, we’re committed to continued improvement in everything we do to keep building trust in our company, our people and our products. Importantly, Toyota addressed the sticky pedal and floor mat entrapment issues with effective and durable solutions, and we stand behind the safety and quality of our vehicles.
“Entering this agreement, while difficult, is a major step toward putting this unfortunate chapter behind us. We remain extremely grateful to our customers who have continued to stand by Toyota. Moving forward, they can be confident that we continue to take our responsibilities to them seriously,” Reynolds concluded.
Among the substantive actions the company has voluntarily taken since the recalls are:
• Launching rapid-response teams to investigate customer concerns quickly;
• Committing $50 million in 2011 to launch Toyota’s Collaborative Safety Research Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan to partner with more than 16 universities and institutions across North America on safety advances that will be shared to benefit the entire auto industry and society;
• Expanding its network of field quality offices to improve customer responsiveness;
• Enhancing regional autonomy, including naming the first American CEO of Toyota’s North American Region as well as Chief Quality Officers for North America and other principal regions – all of whom have direct lines to President Akio Toyoda;
• Improving its quality control process; and
• Extending the new vehicle development cycle by four weeks to help ensure reliability and safety.
Under the agreement, the Government agrees to defer prosecution and then dismiss its case, as long as Toyota makes the required monetary payment, abides by the terms of the agreement and continues to cooperate with the Government. The agreement also provides for an independent monitor to review policies and procedures relating to Toyota’s safety communications process, its process for internally sharing vehicle accident information and its process for preparing and sharing certain technical reports.
Toyota will record $1.2 billion in after-tax charges against earnings in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2014 for costs relating to the above agreement.
“At the time of these recalls, we took full responsibility for any concerns our actions may have caused customers, and we rededicated ourselves to earning their trust,” said Christopher P. Reynolds, chief legal officer, Toyota Motor North America. “In the more than four years since these recalls, we have gone back to basics at Toyota to put our customers first.”
Reynolds continued: “We have made fundamental changes across our global operations to become a more responsive company – listening better to our customers’ needs and proactively taking action to serve them.
“Specifically, we have taken a number of steps that have enabled us to enhance quality control, respond more quickly to customer concerns, strengthen regional autonomy and speed decision-making. And, we’re committed to continued improvement in everything we do to keep building trust in our company, our people and our products. Importantly, Toyota addressed the sticky pedal and floor mat entrapment issues with effective and durable solutions, and we stand behind the safety and quality of our vehicles.
“Entering this agreement, while difficult, is a major step toward putting this unfortunate chapter behind us. We remain extremely grateful to our customers who have continued to stand by Toyota. Moving forward, they can be confident that we continue to take our responsibilities to them seriously,” Reynolds concluded.
Among the substantive actions the company has voluntarily taken since the recalls are:
• Launching rapid-response teams to investigate customer concerns quickly;
• Committing $50 million in 2011 to launch Toyota’s Collaborative Safety Research Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan to partner with more than 16 universities and institutions across North America on safety advances that will be shared to benefit the entire auto industry and society;
• Expanding its network of field quality offices to improve customer responsiveness;
• Enhancing regional autonomy, including naming the first American CEO of Toyota’s North American Region as well as Chief Quality Officers for North America and other principal regions – all of whom have direct lines to President Akio Toyoda;
• Improving its quality control process; and
• Extending the new vehicle development cycle by four weeks to help ensure reliability and safety.
Under the agreement, the Government agrees to defer prosecution and then dismiss its case, as long as Toyota makes the required monetary payment, abides by the terms of the agreement and continues to cooperate with the Government. The agreement also provides for an independent monitor to review policies and procedures relating to Toyota’s safety communications process, its process for internally sharing vehicle accident information and its process for preparing and sharing certain technical reports.
Toyota will record $1.2 billion in after-tax charges against earnings in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2014 for costs relating to the above agreement.
About Toyota
Monday, March 17, 2014
Scion Seven Days of Upgrades
Scion Seven Days of Upgrades
Scion Social Media Contest Offers Fans Seven Days of Upgrades
March 17, 2014
TORRANCE, Calif., (March 17, 2014) – Harness your originality for upgrades. Scion fans have a chance to upgrade their lifestyles – just like the Scion Monogram Series – beginning today with a seven-day online contest of creativity.
The Seven Days of Upgrades contest involves lifestyle brands that tie street wear/fashion, home décor, electronics, car accessories and music together paralleling the various elements woven into the Scion FR-S and tC Monogram Series Models. The contest will run today through March 25, excluding Saturday, March 22, and Sunday, March 23. Scion will post a question, request, or other call to action related to one of the participating brands through its Twitter and Instagramaccounts. To enter, fans must respond with a tweet or a photo on Instagram using the hashtags #ScionMonogram and #Upgrade.
Winners will be announced the following business day. Prizes range from $500 gift certificates to aSchecter Guitars Blackjack SLS Solo-6 guitar with gig bag. Other participating brands includeIllest, Undefeated, Inno Advanced Car Racks, Diamond Supply Co., Poketo and Pioneer.
Introduced into dealerships earlier this year, the limited edition Monogram Series models bring together high-end features like Alcantara® inserts in the FR-S and navigation technology in the FR-S and tC. The models’ prices represent an upgraded value for consumers over purchasing the features or technology separately.
“Scion fans have responded enthusiastically to the Monogram Series premium message, and the Seven Days of Upgrades contests invites them to bring their own creative approach to an upgraded lifestyle,” said Scion Vice President Doug Murtha. “The prizes from popular brands like Illest and Diamond Supply Co. add just another way to customize your experience with Scion and walk away excited.”
The contest will run each day 7 a.m.- 7 p.m. PST. Follow the contest entries using the hashtags #scionmonogram and #upgrade. For the full contest rules, visit http://www.scion.com/blog/scion-monogram-official-rules/.
The Seven Days of Upgrades contest involves lifestyle brands that tie street wear/fashion, home décor, electronics, car accessories and music together paralleling the various elements woven into the Scion FR-S and tC Monogram Series Models. The contest will run today through March 25, excluding Saturday, March 22, and Sunday, March 23. Scion will post a question, request, or other call to action related to one of the participating brands through its Twitter and Instagramaccounts. To enter, fans must respond with a tweet or a photo on Instagram using the hashtags #ScionMonogram and #Upgrade.
Winners will be announced the following business day. Prizes range from $500 gift certificates to aSchecter Guitars Blackjack SLS Solo-6 guitar with gig bag. Other participating brands includeIllest, Undefeated, Inno Advanced Car Racks, Diamond Supply Co., Poketo and Pioneer.
Introduced into dealerships earlier this year, the limited edition Monogram Series models bring together high-end features like Alcantara® inserts in the FR-S and navigation technology in the FR-S and tC. The models’ prices represent an upgraded value for consumers over purchasing the features or technology separately.
“Scion fans have responded enthusiastically to the Monogram Series premium message, and the Seven Days of Upgrades contests invites them to bring their own creative approach to an upgraded lifestyle,” said Scion Vice President Doug Murtha. “The prizes from popular brands like Illest and Diamond Supply Co. add just another way to customize your experience with Scion and walk away excited.”
The contest will run each day 7 a.m.- 7 p.m. PST. Follow the contest entries using the hashtags #scionmonogram and #upgrade. For the full contest rules, visit http://www.scion.com/blog/scion-monogram-official-rules/.
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