The United States Patent and Trademark Office awarded Toyota more patents than any other automaker in 2020, according to an annual ranking by the Intellectual Property Owners Association (IPO). Toyota’s engineers and scientists were granted a total of 2,819 patents in 2020, up 4 percent from 2019 and far outpacing any other automaker in the United States.
“We are pleased to have expanded our patents across a wide range of advanced technology fields over the last year and especially proud of the incredible accomplishments of our team members,” said Frederick Mau, Intellectual Property Counsel and Director of Patent Licensing for Toyota Motor North America. “Innovation across Toyota is driving our transition to a mobility company, and Toyota’s leading patent portfolio is one important measure of that progress along with our investments in research, collaboration and partnerships.”
Toyota continues to invest heavily in its robust research and development pipeline and has received more than 1,400 patents related to autonomous vehicle technology since 2003. Every hour, Toyota invests over $1 million in emerging technology globally, and has invested over $1 billion in R&D related to automated vehicles and robotics since 2017.
Provides Tacoma V6 4×4 models with 2-inch front lift and 1-inch rear lift
Only lift validated by TRD engineers to be compatible with Toyota Safety Sense
TRD-tuned Bilstein monotube shocks optimized for body control and ride comfort
Dealer-installed option only, available for most 2020+ Tacoma V6 4×4 models
There’s no denying the popularity of Toyota Tacoma among truck enthusiasts – just look at its track record as the best-selling midsize truck for the past 16 years! Now, 2020-and-newer Tacoma owners have a suspension lift option available from Toyota Racing Development (TRD). The new Tacoma TRD Lift Kit is now available nationwide as a dealer-installed option, providing up to a 2-inch front and 1-inch rear lift on most V6-powered 4×4 Tacomas. Best of all, this kit was designed and tested by TRD engineers and is the only one validated to be compatible with the Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) system.
Tacoma owners are already very accustomed to getting off the beaten path and exploring the great outdoors, and the Tacoma TRD Lift Kit is designed to complement and enhance that lifestyle thanks to the added ground clearance and improved approach, departure and breakover angles it provides.
At the heart of the kit are new monotube Bilstein shocks that adopt digressive valving to provide improved on- and off-road vehicle dynamics. Specifically designed to complement the additional lift, each Bilstein shock is fitted with new TRD red dust boots and “Tuned by TRD” graphics. Offering more than good looks, the front shocks provide an additional 2 inches of lift thanks to the adjustment of the coil spring position on the shock tube. The front shocks also improve off-road performance thanks to extended rebound stroke that makes use of the additional suspension travel.
The rear Bilstein shocks employed in the kit also enhance off-road performance thanks to their larger shock body compared to the standard Tacoma shock (2 inches vs. 1.5 inches). The larger shock body houses additional oil volume to help dissipate heat and improve damping response on demanding off-road terrain. The larger rear shock bodies also accommodate larger pistons compared to stock and they employ a piston rod that is 4mm larger for increased strength. Cast-iron spacers are included in the kit to lift the Tacoma 1 inch in the rear.
The additional lift provided by the Tacoma TRD Lift Kit gives the truck a taller stance, but the kit offers more than just looks thanks to the improvement to off-road capability it provides. With the kit installed, frame ground clearance increases by 1.7 inches. The kit also improves the approach angle (+3.1 to 32 degrees), breakover angle (+1.6 to 23 degrees), and departure angle (+0.5 to 24 degrees).
The icing on this ruggedly tasty cake clearly must be the TRD Pro-style front grille, which is highlighted by heritage-inspired TOYOTA lettering across the front. The kit includes a new Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) system millimeter-wave sensor (and new camera support bracket) that is designed to precisely fit within the grille to retain the functionality of the TSS system once the kit is installed. This is the only lift kit validated to be completely TSS-compatible. Also included are two matching black bezels that fill in the deleted fog lamps and complement the TRD Pro-style grille.
The Tacoma TRD Lift Kit comes with all the necessary hardware for installation and is only offered as a dealer-installed option. Manufacturer suggested retail pricing for the kit is $1,350 (not including labor, which is estimated at 4-5 hours). The Tacoma TRD Lift Kit is available for all V6-powered 4×4 models, with the exception of Double Cab Long Bed Tacomas and TRD Pro (2WD and 4-cylinder models are also excluded).
The Tacoma TRD Lift Kit comes backed by the same warranty as all TRD accessories, which includes a 3-year, 36,000-mile warranty on parts if it is installed prior to or at the time of the sale, or a 1-year, 12,000-mile warranty on parts if installed afterward.
For more information, contact your local Toyota dealer, visit TRDusa.com or find the dealer nearest you on Toyota.com.
Last year was historic in part because of widespread protests after the murder of George Floyd, a black man, at the knee of a white police officer. Floyd's death became a catalyst for people all over the country to learn more about the past and current experiences, events, literature, art, etc. of the African American community in the United States.
February is Black History Month and an opportunity for us to refocus our efforts. Right here in Seattle we are fortunate to have the Northwest African American Museum that tells the story of the journey and establishment of a vibrant community.
While the museum is physically closed because of Covid-19, the NAAM website offers many great opportunities to learn and enjoy, not just during February, but continually. Through the NAAM website you can learn about iconic black women, Juneteenth, and participate in virtual events, including A Night at the Opera: Celebrating Black Voices and various book readings.
If you want to get involved and support the African American community in our area, you can also get more information on donating to NAAM, supporting black-owned businesses, and more.
Toyota Motor North America (TMNA) returns to advertise in the Big Game with a 60-second ad that shares an uplifting message of hope and strength, as well as a five-second “billboard” that encourages people to think about the impact they have on those around them and follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 guidelines.
Fueled by the power of a family’s love, Toyota’s 60-second Big Game ad “Upstream” features Team Toyota athlete Jessica Long’s incredible journey, which began when she was adopted by an American couple from a Russian orphanage. The spot takes viewers on a trip down memory lane of Long’s childhood, which, in turn, would help lead her to become the second most decorated Paralympian in U.S. history.
“’Upstream’ highlights Toyota’s mission to shine a light on athletes like Jessica who work tirelessly every day to pursue their passion and inspire people around the world to reach their full potential,” said Lisa Materazzo, group vice president, Toyota Marketing, Toyota Motor North America. “We are grateful to Jessica and her family for their willingness to allow us to share such a personal part of their story.”
“Upstream” will air in the first position (A) in the commercial break before the 2-minute warning in the second quarter. The spot ends with the uplifting line, “We believe there is hope and strength in all of us” referencing Jessica’s extraordinary journey, Toyota’s belief in Respect for People, and aims to inspire others. Additionally, “Upstream” represents the values Toyota shares with the Olympic and Paralympic Movements, and the athletes who inspire people around the world to reach their full potential.
The 60-second spot features Long swimming through milestone scenes over the course of her life, starting with a depiction of the Russian orphanage from which she was adopted. The camera then cuts to her parents (played by actors) receiving the emotional call that they would be adopting a baby girl, but with the news that her legs would need to be amputated due to a rare condition. The scenes following show a young swimmer depicting Jessica, hands on hips ready to compete, knowing she’s different from other children, yet remaining resilient. The spot continues with Jessica competing in her quest to greatness, overcoming all obstacles as she becomes a Paralympic legend.
“I love that the spot highlights not just the gold medals and accomplishments but the challenging journey to get there,” said Team Toyota athlete and U.S. Paralympian Jessica Long. “Perseverance, grit and overcoming the odds contributed to my success and my hope is that people feel inspired and uplifted by this emotional spot.”
“Upstream” was created by Toyota’s agency of record, Saatchi & Saatchi, in partnership with Dentsu and directed by Tarsem Singh. For credits, please clickHERE.
As a company that is committed to improving the communities in which it operates, Toyota is also taking the platform provided by the Big Game to air a five-second message that encourages people to practice social responsibility by following CDC guidelines such as: wearing masks, practicing social distancing, and, getting the COVID-19 vaccine, when available. This follows aCommunity Service Announcement(CSA) that the company produced last year to bring awareness and credible information to the African American and Hispanic communities around the country, which are among the hardest hit by the virus.
Toyota Motor North America (TMNA) has officially unveiled the next iteration of the SmartPath retail experience, allowing customers flexibility in how they buy their next Toyota. Working hand-in-hand with dealerships across the United States to integrate online and in-store retail, TMNA assumed the responsibility of the research and development of one, comprehensive retail program to offer customers the opportunity to lease, finance or purchase their new vehicle without the need to physically visit the dealership.
Developed in partnership with Toyota Financial Services (TFS) in response to shifting consumer purchase preferences, Toyota began piloting SmartPath in 2019 to expand the retail footprint, offering a flexible shopping experience that is convenient, interactive, connected, transparent, and customized. The COVID-19 virus accelerated consumer demand for digital transactions, with a recent digital shopping survey showing two out of three shoppers are more likely to purchase a vehicle 100% online¹.
Toyota’s SmartPath technology puts the car buying process in the hands of the customer, providing an integrated user experience across Toyota.com, buyatoyota.com, the dealership website and the physical dealership store. Customers can choose the path that works best for them by starting their journey online, saving their progress in the “digital garage” and picking up where they left off at the dealer, or completing their purchase with their SmartPath dealer entirely online.
By utilizing SmartPath, customers have more control over how they purchase their vehicle, increased transparency into current inventory and real-time pricing, and flexibility to shop when and how they want.
For Toyota dealerships, the new technology integrates with current inventory, the customer relationship management system (CRM) and directly with financing through TFS, allowing sales associates the opportunity to better understand customers wants and needs, while accessing time-saving tools, enhanced analytics and advanced lead handling that allows the dealer to pick up right where the customer left off online.
“Our goal is to ensure we create the best experience for our customers and our dealers,” said Jack Hollis, senior vice president, Automotive Operations, TMNA. “As our customers’ expectations evolve, SmartPath provides our dealers the technology to exceed those expectations. Our shared mission is to make the experience of shopping, buying, and owning a Toyota as easy and carefree as driving one.”
SmartPath customers have the option to finalize their purchase by physically visiting the dealerships, or through a digital appointment with the dealer.
SmartPath is currently available to customers in select markets through more than 50 dealerships, with an additional 50 dealerships launching this spring, with plans to aggressively bring more SmartPath dealerships to market through 2021. The all-new SmartPath complete online experience, which expands to allow customers the ability to complete their purchase online, will roll out market by market starting in mid-February 2021.
The new online retail experience will also be available to Lexus customers through Lexus Monogram. You can learn more about Monogram,here.
