Toyota Selects Approximately 240 Athletes from 43 Countries/Areas as “Global Team Toyota Athletes” On Road to Tokyo 2020

• Supporting athlete activities toward Tokyo 2020, dedicated webpage launched
• Helping people realize their dreams by supporting Olympic and Paralympic Games hopefuls

Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC), worldwide partner of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, announced today that it has launched a dedicated page on its global website to support and share the stories and activities of approximately 240* athletes from 43 countries and areas around the world, to be called “Global Team Toyota Athletes,” as they embody a spirit of “challenge” and “continuous improvement” to push themselves to qualify for the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020.

*Number of athletes as of August 22, 2019

The dedicated web page for athletes introduces their stories as Global Team Toyota Athletes on their journey to participate in Tokyo 2020. The athlete page will be updated as things move closer to the Games, such as who qualifies to compete in Tokyo 2020, as the athletes look forward to performing their best on the world’s stage.

The new page also conveys Toyota’s “Start Your Impossible” global corporate initiative, a message that encapsulates Toyota’s strong desire to recognize and help with challenges faced by all, including the challenges facing the auto industry during the current unparalleled time of rapid change. Sports and the way that athletes challenge themselves to improve and reach their goals are inspirational and show the way to a better society. By helping to create a more open and inclusive society that allows people challenge their potential, Toyota also wants to contribute to improvement and the advancement of people’s daily lives and overall society.

“Global Team Toyota Athletes” are comprised of not only athletes that are also Toyota employees, but include athletes that have been selected from each country because they share Toyota’s philosophies and values, such as “challenge,” “continuous improvement,” “sincerity,” “teamwork,” “humility and gratitude,” “accountability and honesty,” etc. The athletes put “Start Your Impossible” into practice when they compete in their respective sports, and they demonstrate courage and invigorate all of Toyota’s stakeholders, starting with our employees. Aside from the support Toyota provides for athletes as an employer, the company also offers support in equipment development, as a sponsor, and in a variety of other ways.

The history of Toyota’s involvement with sports goes back to the founding of Toyota Motor Corporation in 1937, when the company’s first sports club, the track and field club, was organized. From that time, Toyota has walked together with sports. The teamwork and personal progress that are gained through sports are not only experienced by the athletes themselves, but also give power to those, including Toyota’s employees, that cheer for and support them.

Akio Toyoda, president of Toyota, commented on the reason the founder Kiichiro Toyoda created the sports division, saying:

“To make things ever better, we need to have a ‘never give up’ mentality. As we fight for something other than ourselves, such as our colleagues, we realize we are doing it ‘for the team’, something that has been apparent in our repeated attempts to make ever better cars.”

In 2011, sports provided Toyota with a feeling of hope and encouragement to “never give up.” During that year, the “Great East Japan Earthquake” struck early in the year, and, later that year, flooding in Thailand caused the supply chain to be cut off, causing a suspension in production. Akio Toyoda went to see the situation, and while there, he received updates on the company’s women’s softball team back in Japan. The team was in the midst of the final match for the season title. The first update was that the team had been tied scoreless at 0-0 and had just given up two runs in overtime. However, the team rallied and was able to pull off a turnaround from behind, ending the game instead with a two-run victory.

Following the updated information about the miraculous win, Toyoda commented, “This came during a time when we as a company were already facing the challenges of the Great East Japan Earthquake and the flooding in Thailand, seeing the softball team’s victory brought much needed encouragement.”

Because of this experience and many others, Toyota aims to spread the wonder of sports to as many people as possible.

The athletes that compete in the Olympic and Paralympic Games are the real stars. To help them shine as brightly as possible, Toyota, as a TOP partner, will support the Games by providing technology and services such as leading-edge mobility vehicles, robots that support mobility, and the use of the Toyota Production System. Toyota hopes to share the passion of sports with all its stakeholders, including its customers.

In addition to the newly added page for the athletes, Toyota already has a robust set of sites dedicated to sports, athletes and mobility:

• Toyota Olympic, Paralympic and Sports website
  • Shares information about Toyota and Sports, including Olympics and Paralympics

• Athlete pages – Newly announced at this time
  • Site introducing each of the approx. 240 “Global Team Toyota Athletes” (as of Aug. 22, 2019)

• Athlete stories
  • Blog articles from select athlete interviews that focus on their spirit of challenge

• Mobility for All
  • Site sharing Start Your Impossible campaign’s philosophies and stories with comprehensive contents, including the newly released film “Para Tech,” a feature story on eight-time Paralympic gold medalist Andrea Eskau and Toyota engineers pushing the limits of what’s possible in the sport of Para cycling while utilizing Toyota’s experience in motor sports

Toyota Provides Diverse Mobility for Tokyo 2020, Including a Full Line-up of Electrified Vehicles

• 90 percent of Toyota’s vehicles will be electrified at the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020, aiming to achieve the lowest emissions target level of any official vehicle fleet used at the Olympic and Paralympic Games and reduce the burden on the environment
• Toyota to develop a unique version of certain vehicles and vehicles primarily for use during Tokyo 2020, offering a wide-range of diverse mobility

Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC), worldwide partner of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, today announced that it will provide a full line-up of electrified vehicles, including unique versions of certain vehicles as well as vehicles developed specifically to support the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 (Tokyo 2020). With its electrified line-up, Toyota, together with the Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, aims to achieve the lowest emissions target level of any official fleet used at the Olympic and Paralympic Games, and thereby also helping to reduce the environmental burden of the Games.

Toyota will provide a total of around 3,700 mobility products and/or vehicles for Tokyo 2020. The majority, or nearly 90 percent, of the official vehicle fleet will be electrified. Electrified vehicles include Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV), Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEV), such as the hydrogen-powered Mirai, Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV), the Prius PHV (known as Prius Prime in some markets), and Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV), including the “APM” (Accessible People Mover) and Tokyo 2020 the e-Palette as well as TOYOTA Concept-i, which will provide a unique and wide-range of diverse mobility during Tokyo 2020. Among the electrified vehicles provided, Toyota will include approximately 500 FCEVs and approximately 850 BEVs, the largest of any fleet for a Games to date.

Out of the approx. 3,700 mobility products and/or vehicles for Tokyo 2020, 2,700 vehicles will be part of the official fleet providing transportation support between venues during the Olympic Games. These will be commercially-available vehicles, such as Mirai, etc. Preliminary calculations suggest that the CO2 emitted by the commercially-available fleet for Tokyo 2020 will average less than 80 g/km*1, resulting in a reduction by approx. half of the typical amount when compared to a similar sized fleet of mostly conventional gasoline and diesel models. Additionally, further reductions are anticipated during the Games when combined with Toyota’s other advanced mobility products and/or electrified vehicles, including the unique versions of vehicles or vehicles specifically designed for use at the Games. As such, Toyota aims to achieve the lowest emissions target level of any official fleet used at the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Furthermore, to help avoid collisions and reduce/mitigate potential damage or injury, all of the commercially-available vehicles for staff transportation support will come equipped with Toyota’s preventative safety technologies, including “Toyota Safety Sense” and “Lexus Safety System +”. Additionally, nearly all the commercially-available vehicles will also be equipped with Intelligent Clearance Sonar (ICS), designed to assist with braking in the event of unintended misapplication of the acceleration pedal.

Aside from the official fleet, Toyota will also support Games operations with other vehicles, including the mass-transit Fuel Cell Bus “Sora”, assistive vehicles that help lift passengers into their seats or are equipped with an attached slope to allow passengers with wheelchairs access to enter the vehicle via the back door, and other vehicles such as Fuel Cell Forklifts made and sold by Toyota Industries Corporation.

Toyota’s Pillars for Tokyo 2020

Toyota’s three main pillars for Tokyo 2020 center on (1) Mobility for All, or allowing all people the freedom to move, (2) Sustainability, centering on the realization of a hydrogen society (environment/safety), and (3) Transportation support for the Games using the Toyota Production System (TPS). With these three pillars, Toyota aims to provide mobility solutions that go beyond the traditional provision of vehicles.

Through its full line-up of electrified vehicles to reduce environmental impact and mobility solutions that combine TPS with diverse mobility, Toyota will support smooth operations for Tokyo 2020, while also supporting the transport of those attending the Games, including staff, athletes, and visitors. Furthermore, through its robots, Toyota will provide support of event operations and unique experiences, exceeding the general notion of what mobility means for the Games. These activities will be pursued while Toyota continues to challenge itself to provide “Mobility for All” by offering various mobility solutions to make Tokyo 2020 a one-of-a-kind event.

Below is an outline of the main vehicles that Toyota will provide:

1) Vehicles developed specifically for Tokyo 2020

APM

• 200 units to help attendees with special mobility needs travel within Tokyo 2020 event venues such as the Olympic Stadium and Ariake Tennis Park for “last one mile” transportation and relief activities
• Details of the APM were released on July 18 (full release here)

2) Unique vehicle versions for Tokyo 2020

e-Palette (Tokyo 2020 version)

• Toyota’s first BEV developed specifically for Autono-MaaS*2, the Tokyo 2020 e-Palette will support transportation needs of staff and athletes, with a dozen or more running on a continuous loop within the Olympic and Paralympic Village.
• With a low-floor, electric slope and by stopping precisely at each stop, leaving little to no gap or opening between the curb and the bus, the e-Palette will make travel easier for wheelchair passengers and support smooth transport over short distances.
• The vehicle is anticipated to feature automated driving (up to SAE Level 4*3). In addition to having an operator aboard every vehicle to monitor the automated driving operation, Toyota will also provide a digital control system to monitor the general operating conditions of the vehicle.

Vehicle SpecificationsToyota Concept-i (Tokyo 2020 version)

• With a characteristic “high-tech one-motion silhouette” exterior design, the Concept-i hopes to bring further excitement and attention to the Games through its activities as the operating vehicle at the Olympic torch relay and lead vehicle in the marathon.
• Also, in addition to the vehicles provided for the Games, the public roads surrounding the Toyota City Showcase “MEGAWEB” in the Tokyo Odaiba/Toyosu area are expected to be used for test rides/drives of vehicles with advanced driving technology. This includes the Toyota Concept-i, which will demonstrate automated driving (SAE Level 4*3) and its functions, including “Agent conversation”, that uses artificial intelligence to understand people, helping people experience new ways to move as well as the future of “beloved cars”.

Vehicle Specifications

3) Other vehicles

Mirai

• 500 will be provided for the transport of Games’ staff around Tokyo 2020 official venues.
• For further details on MIRAI, please see the press release here

Walking area BEVs

• Toyota will provide approximately 300 units of its standing-type personal mobility devices for use by security/medical staff centering around and within Tokyo 2020 venues, such as the Olympic Stadium and Ariake Tennis Park
• Furthermore, Toyota is exploring the use of its sitting-type and wheelchair-link personal mobility devices for those in wheelchairs and with difficulty walking

Main Specifications

Lights Turned Down on 2020 Corolla Family with Nightshade Editions

The sleek new Toyota Corolla and sporty Corolla Hatchback are getting the Nightshade treatment, as the special editions have been added to the grade lineup for model year 2020. Toyota now offers the Nightshade Edition package on six vehicles, with 4Runner, Camry, Highlander and Sienna already on sale.

The Sedan Goes Dark

The all-new 2020 Corolla sedan was introduced earlier this year with a new grade strategy, bold exterior styling and a sleek, driver-focused interior. Six months later, Corolla is getting a Nightshade Edition based on the SE grade with a CVT, with production starting this fall.

The Corolla Nightshade will feature blacked-out Toyota, Corolla and SE badging. The front will include a black grille surround and black-painted rocker panels, while black heated power outside mirrors with turn signal indicators, black window trim and black outside door handles will adorn the side. The rear will feature a black spoiler and lower diffuser area.

Blacked-out 18-inch alloy wheels and a black roof-mounted shark fin antenna complete the Nightshade package. Available colors include Super White, Classic Silver Metallic and Black Sand Pearl.

The Corolla sedan Nightshade Edition will have an MSRP of $22,750.

An Even Sleeker Corolla Hatchback

The Corolla Hatchback has been turning heads ever since its launch last year with its aggressive stance, 18” machined alloy wheels and the available Blue Flame exterior. Now the 2020 Corolla Hatchback will continue to attract attention with the sleek Nightshade Edition, which like its Corolla sedan sibling, is based on the SE grade with a CVT.

The Corolla Hatchback Nightshade will feature the same blacked-out 18-inch alloy wheels found on the Corolla Nightshade. It will have a black lower front rocker, black door handles, black mirrors caps, black side rockers, a black shark fin antenna, a black factory spoiler, a black rear lower spoiler and black rear exhaust diffusers. The headlamps with have a black headlamp inner frame and the Toyota and SE grade badging will be blacked out. Available exterior colors include Super White, Classic Silver Metallic and Midnight Black Metallic, while the interior will feature black fabric.

The Corolla Hatchback Nightshade Edition will have an MSRP of $22,290.

More Options for the 2020 Corolla Hatchback

The Corolla Hatchback was one of the first vehicles in the Toyota lineup to feature Apple CarPlay® compatibility, and for model year 2020 it will add Android Auto® compatibility as a standard feature to all grades. Additionally, SiriusXM® All Access Trial, previously an available option, will now be standard on both the SE and XSE grades.

A black roof, which has been available on the current generation Camry, now makes its way as an available feature to the Corolla Hatchback. It will be available with the following exterior colors: Blizzard Pearl, Oxide Bronze, Classic Silver Metallic, Smoked Paprika and Blue Flame.

The SE grade is also getting an enhanced cargo space option, which removes the spare tire and lowers the cargo floor, adding six cubic feet of cargo capacity. This available package will include a Tire Repair Kit (TRK) in lieu of a spare tire. This option will be available on both the CVT and 6MT SE grades.

10 THINGS ABOUT TFS

Our Guide to the World of Toyota Financial Services

1. Its official name is Toyota Motor Credit Corporation.

A lot of people don’t go by their real names. Marilyn Monroe was really Norma Jean Mortensen. Samuel Langhorne Clemens wrote as Mark Twain.

In that vein, Toyota Financial Services (TFS) is a service mark and an umbrella brand used in the U.S. to market the auto financing and leasing products of Toyota Motor Credit Corporation (TMCC) and the insurance products of Toyota Motor Insurance Services (TMIS).

1988 Toyota Camry LE All-Trac.

2. TFS has been around since the early ‘80s.

A lot of good things happened in the ‘80s: Big hair. Shoulder pads. Sally Ride became the first American woman in space. The Berlin Wall came down. And TFS was officially opened for business.

Toyota Motor Credit Corporation was incorporated in California in October 1982 and began operations the following May. That’s right, in 1983, the first TFS team members were gettin’ that bread from 9 to 5 (which also debuted in the ‘80s).

Fun fact: TFS’ first finance contract was for a used Corolla in Denver, Colorado.

(07/17/17)–Toyota TFS move in day and 120 person group shot

3. TFS employs over 3,200 team members nationwide. 

TFS opened with only eight full time, but now it provides jobs for over 3,300 hard-working team members. Much of the full-time work force is dedicated to its dealer and customer service operations.

4. They have three customer service centers.

Approximately 1,500 of TFS team members are spread out across the country working important jobs in customer service centers (CSCs) in Chandler, Arizona; Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and Owing Mills, Maryland.

5. TFS is almost always open for business.

In an effort to be available to customers as much as possible, TFS locations are strategically placed to cover multiple time zones. TFS is open from 8 a.m. Eastern to 8 p.m. Pacific – a total of 15 hours a day to serve our customers.

6. TFS competes for business just like other lenders.

Just because TFS is a Toyota company, doesn’t mean a customer has to finance their Toyota or Lexus vehicle with TFS.

In order to earn the business of customers and dealers, TFS has to make it an easy and smooth process for dealers to recommend and provide TFS financing and insurance products.  Just as importantly, TFS must deliver excellent customer service to appeal to discerning consumers.  Which is why TFS is super proud that…

7. It is the largest auto lender in the nation.

For seven years in a row, TFS earned the mostnew vehicle financing contracts out of all finance companies. It has 4 million active finance accounts. Not to mention more than 8 million insurance agreements in force. Because let’s be honest, when you have rowdy kids wearing soccer cleats in the backseat, that Excess Wear and Use Protection plan is going to come in handy.

8. It’s part of a global network.

TFS is part of a larger global network of financial service operations under Toyota Financial Services Corporation (TFSC), a wholly owned subsidiary of Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) in Japan. This network services more than 22 million customers in 30 countries.

9. TFS has a bank.

We know what you’re thinking, but no, Toyota Financial Savings Bank (TFSB) team members aren’t swimming in coins in a bank vault after hours. But TFS does have a bank!

TFSB opened in 2004 in Henderson, Nevada as another way for TFS to deliver more products and services to our dealers and customers.

Its main business is lending and deposit products for our dealer principals and their families, general managers and corporate officers of TFS National Accounts. For customers, TFSB also launched the Lexus Pursuits Visa and Toyota Rewards Visa so customers could earn points redeemable at the dealership.

10. TFS cares about people.

TFS team members are super involved in their communities. It has local and national partnerships with Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) and the Girl Scouts and team members are encouraged to participate in volunteer events throughout the year. In fiscal year 2019, TFS reached a record-breaking 20,000 plus recorded volunteer hours.

TFS is deeply invested in youth education and through its National Giving program, has awarded $7.4 million in scholarships to more than 1,200 students. It’s no wonder TFS has been named by Points of Light Foundation as one of the 50 most community-minded companies in the nation for five years in a row.

We’ll stop there. Ten is a nice round number. But you can read more about TFS here and recent TFS press releases here.

Toyota Celebrates Workforce Training Pledge at White House

On July 25, 2019, Toyota North American CEO Jim Lentz visited the White House with six Toyota assembly plant team members to attend a ceremony celebrating the one-year anniversary of the “Pledge to America’s Workers” job training initiative.

Back in March, Toyota committed to creating 200,000 Pledge opportunities over the next five years through increased apprenticeships, work-based learning and on-the-job training. Since the announcement, Toyota has trained approximately 18,000 people.

Some team members accompanying Lentz were graduates of Toyota’s Advanced Manufacturing Technician program in partnership with 27 community colleges in 11 states. In the nine years since the program launched, 300 companies have adopted the model. Toyota has also significantly expanded its collaboration with such organizations as Project Lead The Way to create a pathway that stretches from pre-kindergarten all the way to a master’s degree level.

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Getting To Know The All-New 2020 Toyota GR Supra

Performance, capability and style are on full display with today’s launch of the all-new 2020 Toyota GR Supra campaign, “This Is Our Sport.” In a nod to Toyota’s sports car heritage, the campaign reflects the excitement Supra drivers will feel in an iconic car designed with them in mind—a car that pushes the limits.

“The return of the Toyota Supra has been a long time coming, and it’s well worth the wait,” said Ed Laukes, group vice president, Toyota Marketing, Toyota Motor North America. “The new campaign highlights the thrill of getting to know the 2020 GR Supra and a rediscovered appreciation for the simple joy of driving.”

Broadcast & Digital

The 30-second, 15-second and 6-second broadcast and digital spots were directed by Ozan Biron. These unique spots highlight the Supra’s exhilarating blend of power, precision and agility and inspire drivers to own the sports car they always dreamed about.

In “Track Day”, Julie Andrews’ “Getting to Know You” provides the soundtrack as driver and car glide harmoniously around the iconic Road Atlanta track, showcasing the Supra’s undisputable performance and style as they get to know each other.

The :30-second spot “Track Day,” from Toyota’s latest campaign “This Is Our Sport,” features the all-new 2020 GR Supra.

The 6-second spots, appropriately titled “0 to 60”, “Balanced”, “Face Off”, “Joy”, “Ribbon”, “Sport Mode”, and “Walks On Water”, demonstrate the spirit of a new sports car: sleek, stylish, powerful and ready to command any road.

The :06-second spot “Joy,” from Toyota’s new campaign “This Is Our Sport,” highlights the stunning design of the all-new 2020 GR Supra.

The :06-second spot “Face Off,” from Toyota’s latest campaign “This Is Our Sport,” shows off the performance of the all-new 2020 GR Supra.

The campaign creative was led by Saatchi & Saatchi with Zenith Media responsible for TV and Outdoor media buying.

The return of the 2020 GR Supra was announced with a TV spot in February’s “Big Game.”  The high-energy spot, “Wizard”, set the stage for the return of Toyota’s iconic sports car after a 21-year hiatus.

Media Placements

“Track Day”, the 30-second spot from the new campaign, will air across motorsports TV programming; a custom long-form video called “Game Of Horsepower” will feature a unique twist on the classic game of H.O.R.S.E. and will appear on Reddit, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter; additional custom brand integrations include GQ, Twitter’s @Marvel LIVE, as well as exclusive auto partner of Sports Illustrated’s Fashionable 50 event. Print media includes a custom French door cover where Motor Trend and Road & Track subscribers will receive an exclusive pull-out poster tapping into the nostalgia of ’90s car posters. The Road & Track partnership also features a custom augmented reality (AR) integration, which will allow users to virtually see the Supra in their driveway or garage.

Digital partners include Google, Amazon, CBS, IGN and Fast Company with Amobee for programmatic. Social partners include Twitter, Reddit, Facebook and Instagram while audio extensions include Tune In and Gimlet. Out-of-home (OOH) will include high-impact billboards in 17 markets. Additionally, spots will air on national and digital radio as well as within select movie titles in theaters nationwide in conjunction with National CineMedia.

The spots are available for viewing here. For images and credits, please click here.

 About the All-New 2020 GR Supra

The all-new Supra will be available later this month in two grades 3.0 and 3.0 Premium, as well as a Launch Edition, which is based on the 3.0 Premium grade. Enthusiasts can get their 2020 Supra at a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) starting at $49,990, with the Launch Edition models starting at $55,250. Both will be powered by a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine that produces 335 horsepower and 365 lb-ft of torque and is mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters. For more information, visit http://www.toyota.com/supra.

Twenty Years of Tundra

Toyota’s full-size truck turns the big 2-0 this summer. We count down six of Tundra’s most interesting moments yet

The Tundra was the first-ever full-size pickup truck built by a Japanese automaker in North America. Production began in May 1999 at Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana (TMMI), before moving to the Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Texas (TMMTX) plant in San Antonio in 2008. It’s still assembled there today and remains the only full-size pickup truck made in Texas.

Indiana Roots – The Tundra is assembled at Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Texas, but it originated at Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana. In fact, if you visit TMMI, you’ll see the first Tundra to ever roll off the assembly line – it’s parked in the lobby!

Humble Beginnings

When announcing the Tundra to the world in 1998, Toyota stayed true to the truck’s Indiana roots: It was unveiled at the Indiana State Fair. “Today marks the beginning of the launch of one of the most important vehicles ever introduced in the 41 years we’ve sold cars and trucks here in America,” said Don Esmond, who at the time served as Toyota Motor Sales group vice president and general manager, Toyota Division. “It needed to be built in America because it needed to offer better value.”

Head of the Pack –When Toyota introduced Tundra to the market 20 years ago, it challenged what was possible for the segment. Its towing capacity and fuel economy were both market leaders that set Tundra apart from other full-size pickup trucks.

Making History

When production began 20 years ago, Tundra pushed boundaries and raised expectations for what full-size pickup trucks could do. Under the hood, it had the most sophisticated power-plant ever offered in its class, including the first double-overhead cam, 32-valve V8 in the segment. It was also the first V8 engine to achieve an L.E.V (low emission vehicle) emissions classification from the EPA. Its engine provided the strength to haul a maximum payload of nearly one ton, and pull a maximum towing capacity of 7,200 pounds depending on the model and level of equipment.

Oversize Load –  A stock Tundra CrewMax 4×4 towed the Endeavour Space Shuttle through Los Angeles back in 2012, spawning the bumper sticker below.

Out of this World 

Of course, that all came in handy several years later – when the space shuttle Endeavour needed a ride across the nation’s busiest freeway. In 2012, a stock Tundra CrewMax 4×4 with no special modifications towed the Endeavour and a custom-built dolly across a bridge spanning the 405. The setup weighed 292,000 pounds and took about five minutes. The trip was part of the shuttle’s 12-mile journey from Los Angeles International Airport to the California Science Center.

Built to Run –Victor Sheppard stands in front of his 2007 Tundra, built at TMMTX in San Antonio. He logged more than a million miles on the odometer, driving his truck for work. In 2016, Toyota traded his truck in for a new one, so engineers could study its longevity and durability.

A Million Miles and Counting

Tundras are built to last. Just ask Victor Sheppard. His 2007 Tundra was among the first of its kind manufactured at TMMTX, and he averaged about 125,000 miles of driving each year. By 2016, it had more than a million miles on the odometer. When Toyota learned of the milestone, they offered Sheppard a new Tundra in exchange for his old one – so engineers could get a look under the hood and learn how the vehicle had held up after so many miles. Read more about what they found here.

Close Call – Nurse Allyn Pierce poses with his 2018 Toyota Tundra. Pierce was driving the truck when he narrowly escaped the deadly Camp Fire in California. Pierce drove through flames to save several people trapped at a nearby hospital.

Through the Flames

In 2018, a heroic ICU nurse ferried several people to safety through a deadly California wildfire in his Tundra. Allyn Pierce had safely evacuated the Camp Fire – the deadliest wildfire in the state’s history – when he got word that patients and coworkers were trapped at the hospital where he worked. Pierce immediately turned his truck around – eventually making multiple round trips to get as many people out as possible. His Tundra survived too, although it suffered significant body damage. Toyota replaced Pierce’s Tundra as a thank you for his life-saving heroism. Read more about the rescues here.