Toyota Manufacturing Plants Help Further Realize The Company’s Commitment of Respect for the Planet

 One could say that everyday is Earth Day at Toyota, given how much importance is placed on respect for the planet. In honor of Earth Day 2023, here are a few of the ways Toyota manufacturing locations commemorated the day:

Toyota Kentucky

At Toyota Kentucky, employees and their loved ones participated in a local Adopt-A-Highway cleanup project to help beautify Georgetown roads. The project was led by members of TERRA, one of Toyota’s Business Partnering Groups (BPGs), that works to empower others with the knowledge they need to help reduce their overall impact on the environment.

In addition, Toyota Kentucky’s environmental team hosted a community celebration where participants had the opportunity to explore the recently reopened Toyota Kentucky Biodiversity Trail and learn how the area’s environmental leaders are working to improve the planet. The Urban Forestry Initiative, Bluegrass Greensource, Georgetown College, and Kentucky River Watershed Watch were on hand to offer composting workshops and educational trail tours.

“We are thrilled to host our second Earth Day celebration,” said Lisa Chiffolo, Environmental Engineer at Toyota Kentucky. “Our hope is to bring the community together to learn about and celebrate our planet, and to inspire each other to take action to protect it.”

Throughout the afternoon, there were food trucks, cool prizes, trivia and even an epic disc golf-putting challenge hosted by the onsite Toyota Fitness Center. Guests enjoyed live music as the event wrapped up and no one left empty-handed: Each visitor received a native tree sapling to take home and plant for their own personal contribution to a greener planet.

Toyota Mississippi 

Toyota Mississippi was abuzz for Earth Day, when more than 60 third-graders landed at its Experience Center to celebrate. As part of Toyota’s commitment to setting environmental goals and reaching new benchmarks, Toyota Mississippi is teaching younger generations the importance of protecting the environment.

During the celebration, students toured the Blue Springs plant. Afterwards, the students learned about Toyota’s environmental commitment with the mobility company’s onsite environmental team and participated in some fun, hands-on activities that focused on carbon, water, materials and biodiversity.

“Respect for our planet is a core value of what we do here at Toyota,” said Erik Skaggs, Toyota Mississippi’s vice president of administration. “Our plant supports multiple environmental initiatives, and we hope to share our vision with our local communities.”

Students also spent the day learning about pollinators from Growing Healthy Waves, a local nonprofit focused on encouraging healthy eating for students, and the Lee County Library Bookmobile, whose team fluttered over with Earth-themed books, one of which was read live by the plant’s executive team. 

To end the day, each student received a goodie bag with pollinator seeds and do-it-yourself flowerpots to grow their own pollinator plants at home.

 

Toyota Texas

It was a day of fun, hands-on experiences for more than 75 fifth-graders and their teachers from a local San Antonio elementary school, Hidden Cove, who spent the day with the Toyota Texas environmental team.

The engagement included some of Toyota Texas’ local environmental partners, the San Antonio Zoo, Mitchell Lake Audubon Center, Texas A&M San Antonio, Bracken Cave Preserve, Bexar County Master Gardeners, Alamo Area Master Naturalists, and Texas Parks and Wildlife.

Students learned about pollinators and their importance, how pollinators impact our lives, and what we can do to protect the ecosystem. A special visit from local beekeepers, Adrian and Jeannie Herrera of Circle Beez, gave students an up-close experience of how bees stay busy cleaning and protecting their hives while producing honey.

The Toyota Texas Demonstration Pollinator Garden was established at the plant’s Toyota Experience Center in 2018, which included input from local environmental partners. One of the highlights of the activity was observing the students participate in a scavenger hunt in the Pollinator Garden, focusing on the ecosystem that exists within the garden. Over 25 Toyota Texas employees volunteered to engage with the students and help identify the many bugs and animal species that exist within the garden.

“Environmental stewardship is embedded in everything we do at Toyota, we are thrilled to have hosted this educational initiative,” said Carla Wright, Toyota Texas’ vice president of administration.  “Sharing examples of how each of these students can make a difference within our backyard community is just one way we can work together for a better tomorrow.”

These are just a few of the many local efforts that Toyota, its facilities and employees are committed to in order to help meet the biodiversity goals for the Toyota 2050 Environmental Challenge.

The New 2023 Toyota Corolla Hybrid: Efficient, Exciting and Enjoyable to Drive

When drivers get behind the wheel of the 2023 Toyota Corolla Hybrid, they will notice it’s an efficient and fun drive.

Whether it’s dropping kids off at school, taking a road trip to reunite with old friends or simply running errands around the neighborhood, the Toyota Corolla Hybrid sedan helps customers effortlessly reach their destinations in style. Thanks to its powerful hybrid engine with a re-engineered drive motor and lithium-ion battery, updated safety features and enhanced handling, this Toyota sedan has outstanding performance at every turn.

Plus, there are five grade options to choose from – LE FWD, LE AWD, sporty SE, SE AWD, and a premium-focused XLE – giving drivers additional selections of features that complement their lifestyle and individual needs.

“The 2023 Toyota Corolla offers a stylish yet efficient entry to the Toyota brand that not only carries the trusted reliability of the badge, but it does so at a relatively affordable cost,” says Blake Williams, vehicle marketing at Toyota Motor North America.

More Control, More Confidence 

The Toyota Corolla brings handling that makes a statement. For starters, it offers an Electronic On-Demand All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) system. Why is this special? Well, it employs a separate rear-mounted electric motor to power the rear wheels when needed. Plus, with enhanced brake controls, drivers can take on corners with confidence. What’s more, the vehicle’s handling is a direct response to the harmonious synchronicity between the engine, steering, suspension, braking, and transmission, which customers can feel when they get behind the wheel.

“When driving the 2023 Toyota Corolla Hybrid, drivers will notice the vast improvements that were made with the system to not only make it smoother to drive, but to have better acceleration feel,” says Williams.

Simply put, drivers can hit the road calling the shots creating an effortless and dynamic overall driving experience.

AWD that Comes Out Ahead

“With the addition of four grades to Corolla Hybrid, we’ve added our Electronic On-Demand All-Wheel Drive system to Corolla,” says Williams. “Offered on both LE and SE Hybrid trims, this system is not only efficient, but it has some major wins when it comes to winter-weather testing.” 

The 2023 Corolla Hybrid’s AWD system dominates. In fact, it recently outperformed the 2023 Subaru Impreza Premium Sedan and the 2023 Mazda3 Hatchback Premium in a series of winter-driving tests conducted in January 2023 by AMCI Testing — an independent automotive research firm specializing in unbiased, exclusive, comparative evaluations of automotive products.

AMCI measured each of the vehicles’ AWD traction and acceleration on snow, ice, and a combination of the two on a split surface. Each of the surfaces was also tested at four different speed intervals (0-20MPH, 0-30MPH, 0-50MPH and 0-100MPH). For example, each vehicle was accelerated at full throttle from a standing start on a groomed snow, smooth ice, or combination surface. If available, ice/snow mode was used.

Additionally, each vehicle’s AWD active-safety performance was put to the test. An AWD emergency evasive-maneuver performance on snow was measured, which means each vehicle was driven at its maximum-possible speed around a two-lane displaced obstacle, then back to the original lane of travel on a groomed-snow surface. If available, ice/snow mode was used, and all electronic-driving aids were active.

After testing was complete, the Toyota Corolla Hybrid scored higher overall than Subaru Impreza and Mazda 3 in the snow. Earning it a coveted spot in AWD performance.

Safety  

The ability for the 2023 Corolla Hybrid to outperform other vehicles on wintry roads is a testament to Toyota’s commitment to providing customers with quality vehicles designed to help get them to their destinations safely.

While the AWD is laudable, it’s not the only feature when it comes to safety. All new Toyota vehicles come standard with the Star Safety System, a suite of six safety features designed to help keep drivers and passengers out of harm’s way.

The system includes Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control, Traction Control, Electronic Brake-Force Distribution, Brake Assist, Anti-Lock Braking System and Smart Stop Technology.

These features help give drivers peace of mind when on the road.  For instance, if a driver finds themself in a sudden braking situation, Brake Assist will help them stop the vehicle by adding additional brake pressure if it detects that the driver is braking too lightly.

Fueling Peace of Mind 

The 2023 Corolla Hybrid comes standard with next-generation Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 with new Proactive Driving Assist (PDA), including Obstacle Anticipation Assist and Deceleration Assist. Using the vehicle’s camera and radar, and when system operating conditions are met, PDA provides gentle braking into curves or gentle braking and/or steering to help supporting driving tasks such as distance between the vehicle and a preceding vehicle, pedestrian, or bicyclist.

TSS 3.0 also offers standard enhanced Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection (PCS w/PD), Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist (LDA w/SA), Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC), Lane Tracing Assist (LTA), Road Sign Assist (RSA) and Automatic High Beams (AHB).

The system helps provide customers with a smooth ride and is designed to help protect drivers and passengers. For example, if a driver is cruising on the highway, DRCC is designed to help keep them at a safe range using vehicle-to-vehicle distance control by maintaining a preset distance from the vehicle ahead.

Toyota’s Safety Connect trial or subscription, links drivers to 24/7 Enhanced Roadside Assistance, Automatic Collision Notification, Stolen Vehicle Locator, Collision Assistance, and an Emergency Assistance Button (SOS). These features are designed to assist drivers when in a bind.

For example, if a driver finds themself on the side of the road in need of a spare tire, with the press of a button, they can access the Enhanced Roadside Assistance and know that help is on the way.

Multimedia Matters

In addition to safety features and Connected Services trials, the 2023 Corolla Hybrid comes equipped with a tech-driven multimedia system.

“Along with Corolla’s comfortable ride, we added the new Toyota Audio Multimedia System standard on all grades. Equipped with wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto compatibility, the Toyota Audio Multimedia System offers a cleaner, more user-friendly infotainment experience at passengers’ fingertips,” says Williams.

Drivers can use the system’s cutting-edge, intuitive features with the ease of their voice or slight of their touch. Thanks to the Intelligent Assistant feature that is included in a Drive Connect trail or subscription, users can simply say, “Hey Toyota,” to awaken the system for voice-activated commands to ask for directions, find points of interest (POI), adjust audio controls, change the cabin temperature and more.

Being hands-free allows drivers to keep their eyes on the road while taking full advantage of the amenities the vehicle offers.

And the offerings don’t end there. With available Drive Connect, Corolla customers also have access to Cloud Navigation and Destination Assist with their Drive Connect trial or subscription. The navigation gets directions from the latest available map, sends traffic updates, and provides routing information. The assist function gives drivers access to 24/7 live agent assistance to locate their next destination.

For those looking for a booming audio system and enhanced audio experience, the Corolla SE, XSE and XLE grades offer an available JBL® Premium Audio system with nine speakers, including an 800-watt amplifier and a 10-in. subwoofer.

This way, drivers and passengers can listen to their favorite playlists and podcasts with a superior sound that turns the cabin into a venue-worthy space.

And as Williams reiterates, “With Corolla, the opportunities are endless.”

Toyota ‘Empact’ Vision Addresses Sustainability, EV Charging Equity in Underserved Communities

 

• Vision to address equity includes considerations for charging access, affordability, and carbon emission reduction
• Part of Toyota’s broader “Mobility for All” efforts, which aim to leave no one behind in transition to a future of electrified vehicles
• Plans to announce first projects later this year

Following its guiding principles of “Mobility for All” and leaving no one behind, Toyota Motor North America, Inc. (Toyota) today announced “Empact,” a new vision to aid the transition of underserved communities to a future of electrified mobility. Empact is based on the combination of “environmental impact,” focusing on the company’s movements towards carbon neutrality, and “empowering action,” which represents the efforts Toyota is making to design a more equitable and inclusive deployment strategy within underserved communities. The strategy centers on three fundamental areas: access to charging, providing affordable mobility solutions, and reducing carbon emissions.

“Our vision will be our guide as we work with local and state officials to identify communities where Empact might help address issues related to EV charging access and affordability,” said Christopher Reynolds, executive vice president and chief administrative officer, Corporate Resources, Toyota Motor North America. “Providing EV charging solutions will empower consumers to make decisions that will not only have a positive impact on the environment but accelerate the adoption of electrified vehicles as well.”

To address access to charging, Toyota will work with partners and cities to identify ideal locations for charging station deployment to serve customers more efficiently. Initially, targeted locations will include places without off-street or private parking, including areas of higher population density in multi-family housing.

For affordability, Toyota will explore how to enable more cost-effective public charging to allow for greater adoption of battery electric vehicles. Today, DC fast charging can be up to nearly three times more expensive than home charging, which disproportionately burdens those who rely on public charging. Toyota will also continue providing a portfolio of electrified vehicle options as part of the “Beyond Zero” vision, including four hybrid electric vehicles starting under $31,000, two plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, and the all-electric Toyota bZ4X. Lexus also provides eight electrified vehicle options, including the all-electric RZ 450e. Toyota’s KINTO mobility solution is exploring how to support this endeavor by improving access to zero-emission rental vehicles for business or personal use, allowing more drivers to benefit from battery electric vehicles without the expense of vehicle ownership.

The third area Toyota will focus on is reducing emissions associated with vehicle charging, helping to improve air quality for all citizens but especially those in underserved communities who often face a disproportionate share of the burden. The company has already started working with WattTime, a nonprofit organization that recommends times to charge battery and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles when charging from the grid is forecasted to have lower carbon emissions or is likely to have a lower potential health impact over the long term to people who live near power plants. Additionally, Toyota’s Clean Assist™ opt-in program allows U.S. customers with an active Remote Connect trial or subscription and a Toyota or Lexus BEV, or Toyota or Lexus PHEV in California, to get 100 percent of their charge matched with renewable electricity.

Toyota will advance the implementation of its Empact vision on a per-project basis, with the first programs being announced later this year.

Toyota’s electrification efforts have put more than 22 million electrified models on the road – more than all other automakers combined. Through 2030, Toyota will invest more than $70 billion globally in vehicle electrification including up to $35 billion in battery electric vehicles. In the U.S., Toyota currently offers 14 electrified vehicles, including the battery electric bZ4X, fuel cell electric Mirai, and the plug-in hybrid electric vehicles Prius Prime and RAV4 Prime. The Lexus brand currently offers 8 electrified models, including the all-electric RZ 450e as well as the plug-in hybrid electrics NX and forthcoming RX PHEV.

Five Highlights From Toyota’s Annual North American Environmental Report

 

With the launch of the bZ4X, Toyota delivered to the North American market its first-ever, all-electric vehicle with the intention of driving its sustainability efforts further than ever before.

While this was a substantial accomplishment, it’s just one of many examples of the company’s commitment to setting environmental goals and reaching new benchmarks.

In fact, well underway is Toyota’s Environmental Challenge 2050, which focuses on six core areas that seek to go beyond eliminating environmental impacts to create net positive impacts on society.

Whether Toyota is rolling out a battery-electric vehicle, decreasing its plastic waste, restoring water, or expanding programs that support and protect critical species, the company is revved up to reduce its environmental footprint.

In honor of Earth Month, here are five notable achievements from the Toyota 2022 North American Environmental Report:

First Mass-Market All-Electric Vehicle

Transportation is a key part of life for countless people across the globe. In fact, transportation is responsible for one quarter of the world’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, with carbon dioxide (CO2) being the main GHG linked to climate change. That’s why, as a mobility company, Toyota is committed to doing its part to help the world transition to a low-carbon economy.

As a testament to that commitment is the first mass-market all-electric vehicle, the Toyota bZ4X, and other battery electric vehicles, fuel cell vehicles, hybrid vehicles and plug-in hybrid vehicles.

Support of Water Restoration Efforts

Water is one of the most precious resources on the planet. It is vital to nearly every living thing on earth. For that reason, it’s imperative that people and businesses do everything in their power to ensure its conservation.

Toyota addresses water-related impacts in three ways: promoting water conservation, protecting water resources, and sharing its know-how.

Toyota provides funding to nonprofit organizations like The Nature Conservancy (TNC) to help raise awareness about water conservation. One of TNC’s initiatives to restore water to the Colorado River Delta resulted in 132 million gallons of water returned to the Hardy River over a few weeks in July 2022.

Toyota also supports community efforts to educate individuals and families about water conservation and the importance of protecting water quality. These activities help scale up conservation efforts and make positive outcomes more impactful.

Increased Plastic Weight Reduction 

It’s no secret that to have a thriving economy that improves people’s quality of life, the production of goods is essential. But often the result is that natural resources are depleted, toxic materials are used, and waste and pollutants are generated.

To curb overconsumption and the throw-away mentality that’s pervasive globally, Toyota aims to reduce the amount of packaging material it uses — thus fostering an eco-sensitive, recycle-driven business model. The company strives to use responsible production practices involving environmentally sound management of 1) goods provided by suppliers (such as steel, aluminum, plastic parts and other raw materials) and 2) waste generated by its activities.

One way Toyota reduces its packaging is by using approximately 60,000 returnable packaging modules and racks, instead of wooden pallets and cardboard boxes, for shipping parts between suppliers, distribution centers, plants and dealerships.

Between 2018 and 2022, Toyota experienced a 19% reduction in the weight of plastic packaging procured. Plus, the company recycled, reused or repurposed 93% of all waste in 2021.

Expanded Pollinator Habitat Developments

Protecting all species in their natural habitats is a top priority at Toyota. The company understands and respects that everything on the planet works together for the greater good. When critical species become extinct or are on the brink of extinction, it has a negative effect on those that remain. Simply put, human activity is putting pressure on biodiversity and accelerating biodiversity loss. Plus, biodiversity is inextricably linked to climate change.

That is why, to safeguard these species and their habitats’, protected areas are designated around the world. Toyota partners with nonprofit organizations to help protect critical habitat and threatened species, to certify projects with the Wildlife Habitat Council® (WHC) and to educate employees and communities about the importance of biodiversity.

In recent years, Toyota developed 1,547 acres of pollinator habitat through its collaboration with Pollinator Partnership (P2). Additionally, Toyota has developed 375 acres of pollinator habitat on its own lands, mostly through its partnership with WHC. This brings the total number of acres to 1,922.

Ramped Up Supplier and Dealership Sustainability Efforts

Toyota works closely with its suppliers and dealers to ensure they’re producing and providing the best products for its customers. The company understands that a collective effort across all sectors is needed to drive sustainable efforts forward.

In 2022, the company published an updated Green Supplier Requirements. As part of these updated requirements, suppliers are joining in Toyota’s efforts to reduce CO2 emissions across the vehicle life cycle, and they are expected to commit to an annual 3% CO2 reduction target.

With there being approximately 1,900 Toyota and Lexus dealerships in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico — all independently-owned businesses — it is beneficial for the brands to work with their dealerships to provide guidance on implementing sustainable strategies during construction and renovation projects to achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) certification. The Toyota Image II facility initiative and Lexus Vision USA program provide on-site consulting and resources so dealerships can incorporate features that contribute to CO2 reductions, such as LED lighting, windows that allow for natural light, and solar panels.

For more information on the latest North American Environmental Report, click here.