Toyota Is Sole Automaker To Be Named One Of DiversityInc's Top 50 Companies For Diversity

Toyota climbs 10 spots over last year

DiversityInc named Toyota one of its Top 50 Companies for Diversity(R) in 2014, marking Toyota's eighth appearance on the list since 2006. Toyota is the only automaker in the Top 50, placing at no. 38 of 1,215 companies vying for inclusion. Toyota moved up 10 spots over 2013, reflecting strong corporate diversity and inclusion initiatives as well as promotion among its associates, business partners, dealers and customers.

"We are honored to once again be included as a Top 50 Company for Diversity by DiversityInc," said Jim Lentz, Chief Executive Officer, Toyota North America. "There is a simple truth behind our approach to diversity and inclusion: If we want to build great cars and trucks for the way our customers live, Toyota will strive to be a reflection of the America in which we live."

"Earning a spot on the DITop50 proves that management is paying close attention to the needs of their primary constituents--employees, customers and other key stakeholders," said DiversityInc founder and CEO, Luke Visconti.

The DiversityInc list recognizes businesses for their ongoing commitments to diversity in four primary areas: Talent Pipeline, Equitable Talent Development, CEO/Leadership Commitment and Supplier Diversity. Highlights of Toyota's recent corporate diversity and inclusion improvements include:

-- The percentage of total employees participating in mentoring programs has
nearly doubled since 2013

-- A commitment, equaling more than 40 percent of all philanthropic
endeavors, to supporting ethnic, LGBT, veterans and disability nonprofit
groups

-- A 99.99 percent diverse supplier retention rate

-- More than $100 million in contracts with minority business enterprises
generated since 2009 through the Toyota-hosted Opportunity Exchange for
Minority Owned Businesses, which is in its 24th year

Previously, Toyota was honored as the "Top Company for Employee Engagement" by DiversityInc in October 2013. It also received recognition as a Top 10 Company for LGBT Employees. Additionally, Toyota is a member of The Billion Dollar Roundtable, which recognizes businesses with more than $1 billion in annual spending with certified ethnic and women-owned suppliers.