Scion Showcases Fashion and Passion

Specialty Cars to Shine at SEMA

Creative visions of the Scion iM 5-door hatchback and Scion iA sedan are ready for Las Vegas lights. The cars were previewed in the downtown Los Angeles’ Arts District ahead of their debut at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show in Las Vegas, Nov. 3-6.

For the 11th Annual Scion Tuner Challenge, remixed versions of the all-new sporty 2016 iM 5-door hatchback were created by prominent streetwear brands illest and Crooks & Castles. Each received a Scion iM and a $15,000 build budget to put a unique spin on the car.

Mark Arcenal, creative director of illest, drew inspiration for his iM concept from the Japanese VIP world, a clear departure from the race-inspired tC he built at the 2008 Scion Tuner Challenge.

“With a background in motorsports, I went with familiarity for my previous Scion Tuner Challenge experience. I wanted to push the boundaries even further this time,” Arcenal said. “The iM has a sporty look I thought would mesh well with the aggressive VIP style, making for the perfect combo to win the competition.”

Rob Panlilio, co-founder of Crooks & Castles, stuck to his Japanese car roots with a wide body kit and AccuAir suspension. In true Crooks & Castles’ fashion, Panlilio and his team featured a black and white scheme, with an all-white leather wrapped rollcage and black rewrapped race seats for the interior. The car was finished off with his signature trademark, custom white mesh wheels, mirroring the theme of his existing fleet of customized cars.

Beyond the Tuner Challenge entries, Scion lifestyle partners Eddie Huang and Skybound unveiled two eye-popping 2016 iA project cars that capture the passion of their fans.

Eddie Huang, well-known for his book and TV adaptation, “Fresh Off The Boat,” is embracing L.A. culture with a modern take on the classic lowrider, outfitting a Scion iA with a chain-link steering wheel and custom swivel front seats and more. A dual-stage air bag system with independent wheel control allows for side to side, front to back and 3-wheel motion. Meanwhile, the exterior features metallic yellow paint with root beer accents. A mural of a “human panda,” which is how Huang refers to himself, is on the hood. Huang has also added wire wheels dipped in gold, along with a one-of-a-kind gold-plated front grille, truly capturing the essence of the era, but with a modern twist.

Fans of The Walking Dead will appreciate Skybound Entertainment’s execution of Robert Kirkman’s latest comic book, Outcast. With the theme of demonic possession, the car will move and operate on its own via pneumatic movements of multiple components and an automated sequence of light and audio effects. The orange, black and green-toned car has a demonic spirit graphic directly inspired from the comic book on the roof and will gyrate, smoke, change colors, and emit eerie sounds that encompass everything fans love about the possession genre.

"This year has been a big one for Skybound,” said Kirkman. “We celebrated our fifth anniversary and the release of our first feature film, AIR, with Scion at San Diego Comic Con, and we're excited to continue the partnership with the creation of the Outcast car.”

In partnership with Toyo Tires, Scion will bring all four customized vehicles to the SEMA Show, where fans can get their first up-close look at each modified edition. Both Scion Tuner Challenge vehicle entries will be judged by a panel consisting of the previous year’s participants, Super Street magazine, GT Channel and Speedhunters. Scion will announce the grand prize winner of $10,000 at the L.A. Auto Show on Nov. 28, hosted by Eddie Huang.  

Fans of the Scion Tuner Challenge can follow along by visiting www.ScionRacing.com for blog entries, photos and video content. Fans can also tune in to the Scion Racing Twitter and Instagram for an additional looks at the builds by using the hashtags #ScionTunerChallenge and #Scion.

Toyota Reimagines Marty McFly's Dream Truck with 2016 Tacoma

Toyota Celebrates Iconic Date With Multi-City Reveal of Tricked Out Tacoma

The futuristic date first introduced in Back to the Future Part II – with a re-creation of Marty McFly’s dream truck. Using the all-new 2016 Toyota Tacoma that went on sale in September, fans in Los Angeles, New York and Dallas can see the truck in major tourist destinations for today only.
 
To make the 2016 Tacoma look like a modern-day version of the classic from the movie, a number of modifications were made:

• Custom 1985 Toyota Truck Exterior Paint 
• Off-road Suspension
• Toyota Racing Development (TRD) Wheels
• BFGoodrich Tires
• Custom front and rear Tubular Bumpers
• Custom Light Bar
• KC HiLites Gravity LED G46
• KC HiLites Daylighter Gravity LED
• Custom “D-4S” Fuel Injection Badging 
• Custom Tailgate with Iconic “TOYOTA” Logo
• Custom Vintage Headlight and Taillight Design
• Mud Flaps 1985 Toyota Truck

ABOUT THE BACK TO THE FUTURE 30TH ANNIVERSARY TRILOGY
Experience the future all over again with the Back to the Future 30th Anniversary Trilogy on Blu-ray & DVD! Join Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox), Doc Brown (Christopher Lloyd) and a time traveling DeLorean for the adventure of a lifetime as they travel to the past, present and future, setting off a time-shattering chain reaction that disrupts the space-time continuum! From filmmakers Steven Spielberg, Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale, this timeless collection includes a new bonus disc with over two hours of extra features such as “Doc Brown Saves the World!”, an all-new original short starring Christopher Lloyd.  Hashtag: #BTTF2015 Facebook: https:www.facebook.com/BTTF     Website: www.BackToTheFuture.com

Toyota and Lexus Celebrate 15 Years of Hybrids and Hollywood

Fifteen years ago, Toyota launched a hybrid no one had heard of…the Prius. Shortly after launch, the Environmental Media Association (EMA) and Toyota connected to help bring the hybrid to Hollywood. It was the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
 
On Saturday, October 24, Toyota and Lexus will celebrate 15 years of partnership with EMA, and the 15th anniversary of the Prius, at the 25rd annual Environmental Media Awards at Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, Calif.  The all-new 2016 Prius will make its Hollywood debut at the green carpet event. 
 
The award ceremony honors film and television productions that communicate environmental messages in creative and influential ways. This year’s honorees include Don Henley, Gwyneth Paltrow, Kristin Davis, Van Jones, Zem and James Joaquin, and a special tribute to 25 years the Simpson’s series excellence in environmental messaging.  
 
“The entertainment industry elevated Prius to a cultural icon and made hybrids cool,” said Bob Carter, senior vice president, automotive operations, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. “Toyota and Lexus are proud to support and celebrate Hollywood’s positive influence and impact on the planet.” 
 
The completely redesigned 2016 Prius boasts striking design, smarter technology, and impressive MPG in a vehicle that is more fun to drive than ever. Lexus will be showcasing two vehicles for the evening. The NX 300h AWD, a luxury hybrid with class-leading MPG efficiency and innovative design  and the CT F SPORT Special Edition, with sport-tuned suspension, exclusive F SPORT styling and impressive fuel efficiency.
 
The hydrogen powered Mirai fuel cell vehicle, which hit the streets of California this week, is also attending the party. The Mirai combines two elements – hydrogen and oxygen – to produce electricity that can power the car for an estimated 312 miles on a single fill-up. The best part is what leaves the tailpipe: only water vapor.
 
The Environmental Media Association (EMA), organizer and host of the awards, is a non-profit founded by Cindy and Alan Horn and Lyn and Norman Lear in 1989. EMA’s mission is to mobilize the entertainment industry in educating people about environmental issues. Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. is a member of the EMA Corporate Board. 
 
For more information on Toyota and Lexus environmental initiatives, please visit www.toyota.com/about/environment. Tune in to the awards live green carpet coverage on E! Online, www.eonline.com. The complete Environmental Media Awards ceremony will be broadcast on Fusion Network at a later date. 

espnW and Toyota Announce 'Everyday Heroes' at 2015 The espnW: Women + Sports Summit

Last night at the sixth annual The espnW: Women + Sports Summit presented by Toyota, espnW and Toyota announced the third class of “Everyday Heroes,” an award that celebrates individuals making a difference for women and girls in their local communities through sports. Grants in the amount of $10,000 are provided to the organizations honored.

“As presenting sponsor of the espnW Summit, Toyota has a special opportunity to celebrate individuals who help blaze the trail for girls and women in sports,” said Dionne Colvin-Lovely, Director, Traditional and New Media, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. “The activities of the Every Day Heroes are an inspiration, and a great reminder of how anyone with passion and a vision can make a colossal impact in their community and the world around them.”

The 2015 Toyota “Everyday Heroes” are:

Chrissy Lewis-Summers (Founder, Beyond Sticks)
Founded in 2010, Beyond Sticks seeks to empower young women through sport.  The organization focuses on an integrative approach to leadership and confidence alongside technical game instruction.  While many sports organizations focus only on the technical aspects needed to achieve success on the field, Beyond Sticks systematically empowers student-athletes to become leaders through sport. 

Heidi Boynton (Founder, Mini Mermaid Running Club)
The Mini Mermaid Running Club is a unique running club for girls ranging from 5-15 years old. Their goal is to help build self-esteem, teach healthy eating and living skills, while giving girls a chance to fall in love with running, move their bodies and experience the satisfaction of crossing a finish line.  They want to provide all girls with strategies to combat feelings of insecurity and tools to build self-esteem.  Thus, they are empowering girls to make better choices in the future. They are changing the lives of girls and young women by shifting their internal experience and the way they interact with the world around them. The program operates in 13 states and 9 countries, and in just over six years, more than 5,200 girls have participated in the program.

“We’re amazed and inspired by each of the honorees in this year’s class,” said espnW vice president Laura Gentile. “espnW is proud to again team with Toyota to recognize the achievements of these heroes, who have displayed remarkable leadership and selflessness.”

To qualify for an Everyday Heroes grant, a person and/or organization must:

• Have been in the sports industry for at least three years;
• Be currently making a meaningful impact on the women’s sports landscape in her local community with quantifiable results, including creating more sports opportunities for girls and women, inspiring them with a meaningful message and encouraging girls and women to take action in their communities;
• Not yet have gained notoriety in the national media landscape.

Last year’s Toyota Everyday Heroes were Dr. Kimberley S. Clay, co-founder of Play Like a Girl!; Monica Gonzalez, founder of Gonzo Soccer; and Claire Smallwood, co-founder and executive director of SheJumps.

2016 Toyota Avalon: Hushed and Plush, it's the Premium Midsized With a Sporty Attitude and Plenty of Power

• New front end styling and other design enhancements; unique front fascia for Touring grade
• New XLE Plus grade for gas and Hybrid versions
• Two suspension tuning levels: sporty for Touring, comfort for others
• Available Toyota Safety Sense-P system
• Avalon Hybrid with EPA-estimated 40-MPG combined fuel economy

The Toyota Avalon has for 20 years set the benchmark for the premium midsize sedan category, an area that has seen additional competitors appear in the last several years. For 2016, the Avalon continues to set the pace by introducing a new choice for customers: two unique suspensions, one that centers around a dynamic and responsive driving experience (Touring grade), the other a high quality and comfortable ride (non-Touring grades). This change accompanies new frontal styling, an additional model grade (XLE Plus) and added equipment for all grades.

If the Avalon looks like a luxury model, well, that’s the idea. Its sleek coupe-like profile, accented by tasteful chrome trim, packages a cabin with ample room for five and a spacious 16-cu. ft. trunk. The design looks even more alluring for 2016, thanks to a new front grille and turn signals. The Touring grade, now offered only in the gas model, gets its own sporty look with a new grille, LED headlights and LED daytime running lights. The Touring grade’s most distinctive attribute, however, is its on-road personality. New, sporty suspension tuning and 18-in. dark gray painted alloy wheels turn the Avalon Touring into a sport sedan – albeit a quite luxurious one.

The XLE Plus becomes the step-up for the gas model and the base grade for the Avalon Hybrid. New to the XLE and XLE Plus are the standard Entune® Audio Plus system with 7-inch screen and Connected Navigation Scout® GPS Link. The latter uses the customer’s smartphone to provide navigation functionality through the head unit. The XLE Premium gets Entune Premium Audio with In-Vehicle Navigation and App Suite. The XLE Premium gains Qi wireless charging for compatible smartphones, which had debuted on the Limited models.
 
The Limited amps up the premium look with new super chrome alloy wheels – 17-in. on the Hybrid and 18-in. for the gas model. But the Limited’s biggest news for 2016 is the debut of the optional Toyota Safety Sense-P system that includes an array of driver-assist technologies: Automatic High Beam headlights, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection and Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist.

All Avalon grades offer a choice of paint colors that could make an exotic Italian sports car blush, including Ooh La La Rouge Mica, Sizzling Crimson Mica and Parisian Night Pearl.

The Avalon’s luxuriously spacious cabin makes it a standout in the segment, and in fact is among the roomiest in the entire midsize category. Three interior color themes offered include almond, light gray and black, with the light gray gaining gray accent stitching for 2016.
 
Premium, Quiet
A plush, hushed cabin has been an Avalon calling card since the model debuted more than 20 years ago. That tradition is assured in the current generation design by a combination of strategically placed sound-absorbing and sound-insulating materials, acoustic-type glass used for the windshield and side glass and, foam injected into the A-, B- and C-pillars and rocker panels.

Premium amenities and design touches define the Avalon interior, with no detail too small to contribute to the luxury feel. The power windows, for example, slow down as they approach the top of the window frames, and the coin box features a damper for smooth opening and closing. The steering column tilts and telescopes. Elegant smoke chrome trim surrounds the center panel, while glossy trim frames the shifter.

The standard equipment level starts out generous and graduates to lavish. The Avalon XLE grade includes as standard, medium-grain leather seating, an 8-way power driver’s seat and 4-way power front passenger seat, both with multi-stage heating standard. The Smart Key System operates on the driver door and trunk and includes push-button starting. (Higher grades have Smart Key on the passenger door, as well.) The rich-looking instrument panel uses Optitron-type gauges and a 3.5-inch thin-film transistor (TFT) color multi-information display. In the Avalon Hybrid, the display features a Hybrid System Indicator, which shows power output and regeneration.
 
The leather-wrapped steering wheel conveniently puts numerous controls at the driver’s fingertips, including Entune Audio, cruise control, information display and hands-free phone function. The steering wheel also includes buttons for voice recognition and a vehicle-to-vehicle distance switch for Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, when so equipped.

The Limited trim moves up to premium perforated leather, along with a 10-way power driver’s seat and 8-way power front passenger seat. Both are heated and ventilated, and the rear seats are heated. The Limited’s automatic climate control system operates in three zones, including the rear seat area. (Other grades have a dual-zone system.) Intelligent Touch controls respond to a light touch, and can even be operated by hands with gloves or longer fingernails.

The rear window power shade in the Avalon Limited blocks the sun’s rays for the rear passengers. Shift into reverse, and the shade lowers, then rises again with the shift into Drive.
A backup camera is standard for all models. In the Limited, dynamic guidelines superimposed on the display are a real boon to parking maneuvers by showing approximate distances from objects in the camera’s field of view. 

Powerful V6
The Avalon’s standard 3.5-liter, DOHC V6 with Dual VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing with intelligence) produces 268 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 248 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,700 rpm. Teamed with a 6-speed automatic transmission, the V6 can move the Avalon from zero to 60 mph in less than seven seconds. No less impressive for the V6 is its EPA-rated 24 MPG combined (21 city/31 highway) fuel economy.

The V6 models feature steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters, and Eco, Normal and Sport modes enabling the driver to tailor the Avalon’s responsiveness. Sport mode revs up the driving experience by adjusting throttle response, electric power steering feel and transmission shifting – including adding throttle-blipping downshift control. Eco Mode prioritizes fuel efficiency by balancing driving performance, air conditioning function and fuel efficiency.

Powerful Hybrid
The Avalon Hybrid is the only hybrid in its segment. That’s not a surprise, considering Toyota remains the industry’s hybrid leader with seven models for 2016. The Hybrid Synergy Drive system combines output from a 2.5-liter Atkinson cycle four-cylinder engine and a high-torque electric motor.

The system produces a combined 200 horsepower and varies power between the gas engine and electric motor, or combines both, as needed, channeling torque through a unique planetary gear-type continuously variable transmission. Air conditioning and power steering systems are driven electrically and continue to operate when the car is operating under electric power alone or when the auto start/stop system shuts off the gas engine.

In EV Drive mode, the Avalon Hybrid can drive solely on the electric motor for a short distance at speeds under about 20 mph. Augmenting the conventional brake system, regenerative braking produced by the electric motor/generator in the transaxle captures the kinetic energy of the wheels, storing it in the hybrid battery. The compact nickel-metal-hydride battery, located in the trunk area, allows a generous 14 cu.-ft. of trunk space.
 
In Tune with Entune®
The Avalon’s quietude sets the ideal soundstage for any of the three available audio systems: standard 8-speaker Entune Audio Plus; available 9-speaker Entune Premium Audio with in-car Navigation and App Suite, or the available Entune Premium JBL® Audio with Navigation and App Suite and 11 JBL GreenEdge™ speakers.

The 8-speaker Entune Audio Plus system with 7-inch touch-screen display is equipped with AM/FM CD player, SiriusXM Radio with 3-month complimentary trial, HD Radio and HD Radio traffic and weather in major metro areas. It comes ready to connect with the Entune Multimedia Bundle, auxiliary audio jack, USB 2.0 port with iPod® connectivity and control, advanced voice recognition, plus Bluetooth® for hands-free phone capability, phone book access and music streaming.
 
And that’s just the standard system in the XLE and XLE Plus. The 9-speaker Entune Premium Audio with Navigation in the XLE Premium and Touring uses a 7-inch high-resolution touch screen with split-screen capability. The App Suite adds HD Radio predictive traffic and Doppler weather overlay, Gracenote album cover art and AM/FM cache radio, which lets you pause up to 20 minutes of a broadcast to replay later. Toyota’s Entune App Suite functions through a smartphone interface and brings applications including Destination Search™, iHeartRadio, MovieTickets.com™, OpenTable®, and Pandora® to the vehicle audio display.

The Entune Premium JBL Audio with Navigation system uses a 12-channel external JBL Synthesis amplifier and 11 speakers, including two subwoofers, and features GreenEdge™ technology that reduces power draw on the car’s electrical system. It’s a sonic feast for the ears.

The Avalon caters to a device-centric world. Its eBin™ electronics storage tray in the center console can store two devices and charge them with jacks located below it. A storage box beneath the eBin can store devices out of sight while they recharge. The eBin tray is illuminated by LEDs at night.

Safety In All Directions
The Avalon comes equipped with 10 standard airbags and the Toyota Star Safety System that includes Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRAC), Anti-lock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), and Smart Stop brake-override Technology (SST).

The available Blind Spot Monitor uses radar to detect vehicles in the adjacent lane where drivers may be challenged to see them. The same radar technology provides a Rear Cross Traffic Alert that is designed to detect low-speed cross traffic behind the vehicle when in reverse. Once an object is detected the Blind Spot Monitor indicators are displayed in the appropriate outside mirror, and a signal also appears on the TFT color display.

Available Dynamic Radar Cruise Control uses a radar sensor at the front of the vehicle to help control speed and keep a pre-set distance from the vehicle traveling directly ahead. The available Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection is designed to help mitigate the effects of certain frontal vehicle impacts. The first stage retracts the front seat belts and primes the brake system, and the second stage is designed to compensate for inadequate brake pedal pressure by applying optimal brake system effort.

Warranty Protection and Toyota Care
Toyota’s 36-month/36,000 mile basic new-vehicle warranty applies to all components other than normal wear and maintenance items. Additional 60-month warranties cover the powertrain for 60,000 miles and against corrosion with no mileage limitation. The hybrid-related components, including the HV battery, battery control module, hybrid control module and inverter with converter, are covered for eight years/100,000 miles.

The 2016 Avalon and Avalon Hybrid come standard with Toyota Care, a complimentary plan covering normal factory-scheduled maintenance and 24-hour roadside assistance for two years or 25,000 miles, whichever comes first.

Toyota Takes You 'Back to the Future'

Actors Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd Reunite to Showcase the Toyota Mirai;
The Future Begins October 21

Get ready for 1.21 gigawatts of fun. Just as Back to the Future fans are gearing up to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Marty McFly’s and Doc Brown’s adventures, Toyota teased plans to mark the film’s anniversary with a modern twist. Thanks to Toyota, fans can see actors Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd together and get a glimpse of what the automaker has planned leading up to October 21, 2015 – the futuristic date first introduced in Back to the Future Part II and the official on-sale date of Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel cell vehicle.

In 1985, Universal Pictures’ Back to the Future introduced the world to a time-traveling vehicle and what the future may hold. Thirty years later, Toyota has partnered with the beloved films to celebrate the intersection between the U.S. arrival of the Mirai hydrogen fuel cell vehicle and the innovation predicted in the movie. Today’s video is just the beginning - fans will have to stay tuned to see how the story unfolds.

“Over the years we’ve had a lot of fun predicting which Back to the Future fictional 2015 technology would arrive by the real year,” Michael J. Fox said. “Now that we’re a week away, I think fans are going to have a good time with what Toyota sees as a true possibility for transportation. It’s actually really cool.”

Toyota’s vision for the future is driven by the Mirai’s hydrogen fuel cell technology, which hits the streets of California on October 21.  As Toyota’s ongoing “Fueled by Everything” digital campaign has demonstrated, hydrogen fuel has the potential to be produced from renewable energy sources like solar, wind and biogas.  The vehicle’s only tailpipe emission is water.

“This Back to the Future-inspired milestone has taken 30 years to arrive, and Toyota has been developing hydrogen fuel cell technology almost that long,” said Bill Fay, Toyota division group vice president and general manager.  “There’s no better way to generate excitement for a turning point in automotive history than with a film that celebrated the possibilities of the future.”

While the Mirai represents Toyota’s vision of the future, the automaker couldn’t resist having a bit of fun with the Back to the Future past. Marty McFly’s dream truck was a tricked out Toyota truck true fans will recognize. Listen closely in tomorrow’s video installment for a clue where a Toyota Tacoma re-creation of that famous 4X4 will be headed when the future arrives on October 21. (Hint, there’s more than one place.)

“While there are a lot of  brands and activations that are celebrating the Back to the Futuremilestone, Toyota  stands apart for their nod to the future and the past with the auto technology depicted in the movies,” said Bob Gale, Back to the Future co-creator and producer.  “When Toyota approached us about helping tell a bigger story about the future and innovation with the Mirai, we loved the direction – and who can resist Marty’s retro Toyota truck?”

Toyota’s Back to the Future partnership will crescendo on Oct. 20 as the clock nears midnight toward the futuristic milestone. With a party ready for the fourth dimension, digital activations and physical displays, Toyota will welcome the future to California with the Mirai on-sale launch.    

Toyota’s “Fueled by Everything” campaign was created with creative agency partner Droga5, while the Back to the Future Tacoma elements drew on Saatchi & Saatchi Los Angeles expertise. To stay on top of all of Toyota Back to the Future activities, visit www.toyota.com/outatime.
 

ABOUT THE BACK TO THE FUTURE 30TH ANNIVERSARY TRILOGY
Experience the future all over again with the Back to the Future 30th Anniversary Trilogy on Blu-ray & DVD! Join Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox), Doc Brown (Christopher Lloyd) and a time traveling DeLorean for the adventure of a lifetime as they travel to the past, present and future, setting off a time-shattering chain reaction that disrupts the space-time continuum! From filmmakers Steven Spielberg, Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale, this timeless collection includes a new bonus disc with over two hours of extra features such as “Doc Brown Saves the World!”, an all-new original short starring Christopher Lloyd.  Hashtag: #BTTF2015 Facebook: https:www.facebook.com/BTTF     Website: www.BackToTheFuture.com

Toyota Gets Down and Dirty in Action-Packed Marketing Campaign for the All-New 2016 Tacoma

Campaign Underscores Tacoma's Extreme Adaptability and Tougher-than-Nails Capabilities, Appealing to the Adventurer's Insatiable Appetite for Defying Limitations

If your heart doesn’t beat a little faster after watching the all-new Toyota Tacoma broadcast spots, you might want to check your pulse.

America’s best-selling, midsize pickup takes off-roading to new heights in the latest multicultural campaign delivered by Toyota and its advertising agencies Saatchi & Saatchi Los Angeles and Conill. Debuting today, the Tacoma creative targets those addicted to authentic, adventurous living without boundaries, where dirt clouds and mud sprays are rites of passage. 

“I’m totally pumped that Toyota is introducing an all-new generation of the Tacoma,” says Jack Hollis, group vice president of Marketing, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. “Tacoma is already the top-selling midsize pickup in America, and the 2016 builds off the off-road heritage of the last generation, while giving guests the opportunity to take it along as they experience things as never before. I’m really excited for the road ahead.”
 
Call of the Wild
Two broadcast spots will be unleashed, beginning today. One of the spots, shot in one take, features a multitude of professional motocross riders and stunt people unapologetically taking aim at the dust-filled landscape alongside the Tacoma. The other spot focuses on a group of thrill-seekers enjoying the dirtier side of life and relishing in the Tacoma spirit.

The fun, fearless and rugged creative approach aligns with Toyota’s “Let’s Go Places” theme and encourages play in the great outdoors.

Complementing the spots, social media elements of the campaign include a series of dynamic videos, which use the latest in visual and targeting technology to showcase the Tacoma in action.  On Facebook and Twitter the videos speak directly to target consumers by focusing on their interests, specifically: BMX racing, dirt bikes, ATV, snowboarding and snowmobiling. 

Instagram activations will deploy snippets of slow motion video, shot in bullet time with 4k technology, that graphically highlight the grittiness of the Tacoma in off-roading action from different angles.   

Additionally on Instagram, a stop-motion video pays tribute to Tacoma owners and trucks at play. Tacoma owners are encouraged to submit their Instagram photos to possibly be featured in the series of videos.

“This has to be one of my favorite campaigns since I arrived here a year ago. It was so much fun to get a little dirty and create authentic content that emulates what the Tacoma is all about,” says Jason Schragger, chief creative officer, Saatchi & Saatchi Los Angeles. “We not only wanted to ignite the passion for exploring the great outdoors, but also show that playing in the mud should never get old, even when you become an adult.”

The Tacoma broadcast spots aim to connect with the liberating, adventure-seeking culture that dreams of dares and fears nothing, the young and young-at-heart who live on the edge. The tougher and more adaptable their truck, the more fun they will have. In fact, while on set at one of the shoots, the featured Tacoma didn’t even make contact with soap and water; the crew kept it down and dirty to maintain the authenticity of the vehicle’s off-roading escapades.
 
The Science of Fun
In addition to the main path of the campaign, Toyota’s Hispanic marketing agency, Conill, has added another online leg to the journey, one that focuses on the Latino market.  
 
Using culturally relevant insights and a little competition, “Sal a Jugar” (Go Out & Play) highlights hard working Latinos who reward themselves by seeking out new adventures.  The objective: to measure the level of fun participants had driving the Tacoma. Special wristbands monitored the electrodermal activity of each person on competing teams during a series of outdoor challenges.
 
“We as Latinos tend to more closely associate this vehicle class with work and business than other groups,” says Javier Campopiano, chief creative officer, Conill. “This led us to a surprising idea to show our guests how much fun the all-new Tacoma can be. Putting some real science behind it adds another dimension to the experience. It’s an interesting twist for the category.”
 
Launching Oct. 5, a 2-minute video will chronicle the experience from start to finish, while snippets are seeded across social media and digital channels. Each “snackable” video will focus on an engaging piece of the experiment, encouraging viewers to watch the full story on YouTube. 

To complete the journey, consumers can check out additional Tacoma content at Toyota.com.

New Toyota Test Vehicle Paves the Way for Commercialization of Automated Highway Driving Technologies

Toyota has been testing a new automated driving test vehicle called Highway Teammate, with the aim of launching related products by around 2020. In addition to demonstrating the capabilities of next-generation safety technologies, the vehicle represents Toyota's view of the evolving driver-car relationship in the age of artificial intelligence.

See an incredible video of the technology HERE.

Toyota believes that interactions between drivers and cars should mirror those between close friends who share a common purpose, sometimes watching over each other and sometimes helping each other out. Toyota refers to this approach as the Mobility Teammate Concept, and Highway Teammate represents an important first effort to give form to this concept.

Highway Teammate has been tested on Tokyo's Shuto Expressway during a series of maneuvering trials covering a variety of automated functions, including merging onto or exiting highways, and maintaining or changing lanes.

Highway Teammate

Highway Teammate, a modified Lexus GS, features equipment that enables automated driving on highways from the on-ramp all the way through to the off-ramp. It uses on-board technology to evaluate traffic conditions, make decisions and take action during highway driving. This includes merging onto or exiting highways, maintaining or changing lanes, and maintaining inter-vehicle distances.

To engage automated operation, the driver switches to automated driving after passing through a toll gate and entering a highway on-ramp. Highway Teammate is able to pinpoint its position using highly accurate road map data. It also uses multiple external sensors to recognize nearby vehicles and hazards, and selects appropriate routes and lanes depending on the destination. Based on these data inputs, Highway Teammate then automatically operates the steering wheel, accelerator, and brakes to achieve the appropriate speed and driving lines in much the same way as a person would drive.

By successfully combining recognition and decision-making processes with the ability to take action, Highway Teammate embodies the kind of safety technology that is expected to play a key role in future products. Toyota believes that mobility should mean safety, efficiency and freedom, and is ramping up its research into and development of automated driving technologies, with the goal of launching products based on Highway Teammate by around 2020.

Mobility Teammate Concept

Toyota has been researching and developing automated driving technologies since the 1990s. Its aim is to contribute to realizing the ultimate goal of a society that values mobility, which is the elimination of traffic casualties, and to provide everyone, including seniors and the disabled, with the means to freedom of mobility. Toyota uses the name Mobility Teammate Concept to refer to its approach to automated driving: building relationships between people and cars that share the same purpose, like close friends who sometimes watch over each other and sometimes help each other out. This approach acknowledges the utility of automated driving technologies while maintaining the fun experience of driving itself.

Toyota believes there are three types of intelligence that are crucial to the success of the Mobility Teammate Concept:

• Driving Intelligence (advanced recognition and predictive decision-making functions);
• Connected Intelligence (vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure communication, as exemplified by the recently announced ITS Connect system)
• Interactive Intelligence (recognition of driver status, transfer of control between driver and car, etc.)

Toyota will enhance its development of these automated driving technologies with the aim of achieving a society where mobility means safety, efficiency and freedom.