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Thursday, December 19, 2024

2024 Toyota Year in Review: Celebrating Legacy, Milestones and Innovation

 In 2024, Toyota celebrated several milestones and accomplished success across various sectors.

From moving full speed ahead with making progress on its goal of carbon neutrality by 2050 to presenting new opportunities for others to learn from. Here’s a look back at Toyota’s achievements in 2024 as the company gears up to keep the momentum and legacy going for the year ahead.



Leading the Way 
When it comes to advancing new technologies and innovations, Toyota is committed in making a positive difference.

For the past year, Toyota has forged several partnerships and collaborations with companies that share the same dedication to achieving carbon neutrality.

Guided by its “Empact” vision to address equitable EV charging and Mobility for All, Toyota announced the first communities to receive DC fast chargers (DCFC): Baldwin Park and Sacramento, both in California. High-power 350kW chargers at each location will be installed, owned and operated by EVgo, one of the nation’s largest public fast charging networks, and feature simultaneous charging. The California sites are targeted to be operational in 2025.

In June, Toyota and local energy utility Pepco started working together on vehicle-to-grid (V2G) research for BEVs using a Toyota bZ4X. This collaboration aims to understand the needs of EV owners through their charging habits and vehicle usage, which will be crucial in driving widespread adoption of V2G technology.

The following month, the company joined seven other OEMs as a joint venture, investing in IONNA, an EV charging company, to support the buildout of its high-powered charging network for BEVs across North America. This allows Toyota and Lexus customers access to the public network of DC fast chargers that IONNA started deploying this year. IONNA plans to install at least 30,000 charging ports in North America by 2030, and stations will include both NACS and CCS connectors to support all BEV drivers.

In the fall, Toyota Motor Corporation and Joby Aviation, Inc., a company developing electric air taxis for commercial passenger service, announced that Toyota will invest an additional $500 million, subject to standard regulatory approvals and certain other conditions, to support the certification and commercial production of Joby’s electric air taxi, with the aim of realizing the two companies’ shared vision of air mobility. The investment will bring Toyota’s total investment in Joby to $894 million.

In mid-October, Toyota Motor North America (Toyota) and Revel announced an agreement to provide Toyota and Lexus BEV customers with complimentary access to Revel’s DC fast charging network in New York City for approximately three years through Oct. 14, 2027. Revel currently operates the largest network of public fast charging stations in New York City, with four high-volume stations open 24/7 offering both NACS and CCS plug types.



Environmental Sustainability and Research and Development
It’s no secret that nurturing and preserving the earth benefits every living thing on the planet. That’s why Toyota is working to ensure that its sustainability efforts are reflected throughout its operations. Through collaboration and continuous improvement, Toyota is committed to achieving carbon neutrality in operations, across new vehicle sales and supply chain as part of its 2050 goals.

Over the past 12 months, Toyota made great strides toward accomplishing those goals.

As highlighted in the annual 2024 North American Environmental Sustainability Report, Toyota’s environmental efforts include exciting partnerships such as with the Nature Conservancy to address water conservation. In addition to water stewardship, the report also highlights key progress across three other priority areas – Carbon, Circular Economy (previously “Materials”), and Biodiversity.

The company also worked with iconic environmentalist Dr. Jane Goodall’s international organization which helps build environmental awareness in young people to help them be empowered to understand issues and help come up with constructive solutions.

Advances in Hydrogen Technology
Throughout the year, Toyota also made significant changes and announcements regarding renewable hydrogen electricity. Read about some of the company’s fuel cell initiatives and facilities:

Advances in Research and Development
In addition to environmental and renewable electricity, Toyota also made remarkable advancements in R&D and innovation. Here are a few standouts in 2024:



Product Reveals and MY25 News
In 2024, Toyota showcased new vehicles that complement a variety of lifestyles. One of the biggest reveals was the all-new 2025 4Runner.

This beloved off-road icon has been delivering top performance, rugged style and innovative design for more than four decades and keeps on trucking — boasting capabilities to help tackle the toughest terrains. It’s back with a bold look and adds new technology, premium materials, options, and safety and convenience features.

Another major addition in 2024 was the Direct Automatic Transmission on the 2025 GR Corolla. Thanks to the 8-speed DAT with paddle shifters, now there is an option for both hardcore enthusiasts who enjoy the thrill of a manual transmission and those who’d rather focus on dynamic handling with an automatic transmission.

Toyota also launched its new Advanced Rear Seat Reminder, debuting on the 2025 Sienna.

Building on decades of intuitive technologies designed to benefit customers, the vehicle added standard Advanced Rear Seat Reminder in models sold in the U.S., utilizing a millimeter-wave radar that is designed to detect movement in the vehicle and send alerts to notify the driver or Toyota app user (Toyota app notifications require an active Safety Connect trial or subscription and 4G network availability) through a series of escalating warnings.

Toyota also scored other significant recognitions over the course of the year including: Toyota Prius/Prius Prime winning the 2024 North American Car of the Year AwardWorld Car Design of the Year and the GUINNESS WORLD RECORD™ for Highest MPG for a Coast-to-Coast Drive.

Toyota also made waves at the 2024 Specialty Equipment Marketing Association (SEMA) Show in Las Vegas where new builds, concepts and more were featured.

Looking for more information on vehicle updates for the 2025 model year? Check out the Toyota What’s New for 2025 landing page. For even more information about these exciting new additions, be sure to test your knowledge with these fun and informative quizzes:



Celebrating CALTY’s 50th Anniversary
CALTY Design Research (Calty) is where a lot of Toyota’s magic happens. The talented design team has been conceptualizing innovative designs for 50 years. To recognize and honor that milestone, Toyota newsroom featured several stories that provided a celebratory overview of some of the team’s most prominent and historic designs over the years.

Take a look at some of the pioneering and creative work to come out of Newport Beach, Calif., and Ann Arbor, Mich.:



Making It Work
Toyota’s manufacturing plants are always buzzing with new and exciting happenings. For starters, there were some major investment announcements including the Kentucky plant bringing BEV assembly to its facilities, as well as a $1.4 billion investment in the Indiana plant for a similar assembly line.

What’s more, in June, Toyota also decided to grow its Huntsville plant capabilities with a $282 million investment and added more than 350 new, high-quality jobs with long-term stability, affirming its commitment to reinvesting profits in its U.S. operations. That same month, Toyota Texas expanded its footprint with a $531 million investment bringing more than 400 new, high-quality jobs to San Antonio.

Several other notable events that took place in the company’s manufacturing sector:

Toyota creates and develops programs that help set up employees for success. One way the company does that is through its workforce readiness initiatives in the communities in which it operates. These programs equip students and young adults with the training and skills they need to excel in the manufacturing field.

In 2024, some of those programs took place in West VirginiaKentuckyTexas, and Missouri.

This year for Manufacturing Month, Toyota newsroom readers learned 10 interesting facts about Toyota’s U.S. plants, in addition to insight into the employees who work behind the scenes in manufacturing and what fuels their careers.

To learn more about the U.S. manufacturing locations, click here.



Toyota’s Dedicated Employees
Earlier this year, Toyota published its 2024 Diversity + Inclusion Annual report, showcasing the company’s ongoing commitment towards fostering Limitless Possibilities for All throughout the United States (including Puerto Rico), Canada and Mexico. This year’s D+I Annual Report theme, “+ = Us | The Journey Continues,” follows the holistic approach introduced in the 2023 report, which was made by underscoring the multiple facets that make the company unique.

Over the course of the year, Toyota featured several stories highlighting its employees. Here are a few examples:



Building Stronger Communities
Children are the future leaders of tomorrow. In 2024, Toyota USA Foundation’s Driving Possibilities initiative, funded in part by Toyota Motor North America and Toyota Financial Services (TFS), expanded to support a total of eight communities with plans to expand to other locations where Toyota has operations. In each community, the initiative supports students and families across the PreK-12 continuum, going deep to understand where the opportunity is greatest to increase student achievement and close gaps for underserved communities.

In addition to funding, communities benefit from Toyota’s operational know-how, volunteer efforts, mentorship and other supports.

In addition to Toyota USA Foundation’s Driving Possibilities initiative, this year Toyota Motor North America announced Toyota’s Way Forward Fund’s third and fourth round of  grant and scholarship awardees in support of pediatric research and injury recovery.

For more on Toyota’s community engagement initiatives, be sure to read the following stories from the past year:



Team Toyota: Winning Streak

On and off the field of play, Toyota was all game for taking home several wins in 2024. From motorsports to Paris 2024, there were many monumental moments with Team Toyota over the past 12 months.

In October, it was announced that Toyota Racing will formally become TOYOTA GAZOO Racing prior to the start of the 2025 season with all of its motorsports efforts competing under the global TOYOTA GAZOO Racing (TGR) banner. Later that month, Toyota clinched its ninth Formula DRIFT Auto Cup title after the season finale at California’s Irwindale Speedway.

Several motorsports drivers were featured over the year including Corey HeimTyler ReddickMartin Truex, Jr., Denny Hamlin and John Hunter Nemechek.

While motorsports was a hot topic, the Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024 were just as enthralling. Toyota Team USA made it to the podium thanks to these top-performing athletes:

1/7

Team Toyota is showing no signs of slowing down. In fact, in August, it was announced that the first female anglers are set to join Team Toyota, marking a monumental step in empowering women in competitive fishing. If that sports news wasn’t enough, here’s an even bigger one: Toyota is the “Official Automotive Partner of the NFL” and of course, that major partnership comes with an entertaining NFL-themed campaign to keep fans engaged all season long.

To stay ahead of the game, be sure to check out the latest additions to its roster of league partners.

Overall, Toyota had a year filled with tremendous milestones, innovative products and outstanding partnerships. If 2025 is anything like 2024, the company is in for an exhilarating ride.

Saturday, December 14, 2024

Toyota Celebrates 8 Millionth Certified Used Vehicle Sale

Sheehy Toyota of Laurel celebrates achievement as first-ever Certified Pre-Owned brand to surpass milestone


Toyota Certified Used Vehicles (TCUV), the number one certified pre-owned vehicle program in the nation, achieved its 8 millionth sale when Sheehy Toyota of Laurel sold a 2024 Toyota Camry with a Supersonic Red exterior.

By becoming the first-ever certified pre-owned vehicle program to hit the sales milestone, representatives from Toyota Motor North America (TMNA) joined the team at Sheehy Toyota of Laurel to present the lucky customer with a check for the Camry’s total purchase price, as well as a $10,000 donation in their name to the Active Minds, on behalf of Toyota and Carfax. Active Minds is the nation’s leading nonprofit organization promoting mental health awareness and education for young adults.

“It’s an honor to be part of the TCUV’s 8 millionth sale with our first-time TCUV customer, outstanding sales team, and TMNA to celebrate this historic milestone here in Laurel,” said Chris Prender, general manager at Sheehy Toyota. “Customers know they can trust Toyota vehicles for their high-quality, safety and durability, and our commitment to delivering reliable mobility for their purpose and lifestyle.”

Additionally, the customer was gifted a one-year subscription to Sirius XM, a leading audio entertainment service.

Launched in 1996, TCUV is the nation’s number one certified pre-owned used vehicle program for 16 consecutive years. For a used Toyota vehicle to be Gold Certified, it must pass a quality assurance inspection including interior and exterior condition and appearance; engine performance; transmission and transaxle operation; braking, tire and suspension system wear; and electronic system operation. This also includes added hybrid, electric and fuel cell component coverage. 

Vehicles sold with the TCUV Gold Certified designation come with a 12-month/12,000-mile limited comprehensive warranty, seven-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty and seven years/100,000 miles of Roadside Assistance.

TCUV launched Silver Certification earlier this year, giving customers further peace of mind on eligible vehicles up to 10 model years old and between 60,000-125,000 miles on the odometer.  More information can be found at www.ToyotaCertified.com.

A celebration was held at Sheehy Toyota on Monday, December 9. Representatives from Toyota presented the customer with a check and hosted a celebration with dealership personnel.

Saturday, November 30, 2024

Making An Impact From Day One: Intern/Co-op to Full-Time Toyota Employee


The purpose of Toyota’s intern and co-op programs is to create a pipeline for future full-time employment opportunities for new college graduates. Interns/co-ops are encouraged to hit the ground running and make an impact from day one to help contribute to Toyota’s commitment to deliver world-class products and services that provide joy through mobility. They’re empowered to take ownership of real-world projects, collaborate to solve complex challenges and share innovative ideas at the company’s North American headquarters, R&D facilities, manufacturing plants, sales and field offices, and beyond.

Read on as five Toyota employees share stories about their journeys from co-op students to joining the company full time

Confidence Booster 

When Brad McMahon first started as a full-time Toyota Motor North America (TMNA) employee, he felt a bit out of sorts. Even though the 2021 Michigan State University graduate had completed four co-ops with the company between spring 2019 and summer 2021 in Chassis Design, Cost Planning, Body Kino and Crash Safety, he still didn’t feel fully confident in his newfound role.

“I faced a big challenge when I transitioned from co-op to full-time work,” he says. “I was hired as a body design engineer, but I hadn’t worked in body design during my four co-op rotations. At first, it was intimidating. I gained a lot of experience during my co-op years, but this was a whole new ballgame.”

Once he became more confident in his new position, his outlook changed.

“I expanded my knowledge of how to find the who, what, when, where, why and how. I became much more confident,” says McMahon. “One of the most important things I learned the first year I worked at Toyota is the process of solving problems. You will never be an expert on every part, but if you have an engineering mindset and the tools to research problems, then you’re capable of solving them.”


Use Your Voice 

Another key to solving problems in the workplace? Speaking up and letting your voice be heard. Lesly Salazar, an analyst with Toyota’s Project Planning and Management (PPM) department, started as a Toyota co-op during the pandemic and knows this firsthand.

A graduate of the University of Texas in Arlington, she joined TMNA full time in 2023. Salazar recalls what it was like in those early days.

“Being new, it can be intimidating to speak up and ask questions to individuals who have over 20 years of experience in their role, but questions are so important because they help us evaluate information, synthesize data and make better decisions,” she says.

One year later, she’s the project lead for the Lexus NX vehicle at Toyota PPM. And though Salazar is still finding her footing, she believes she’s overcoming some of her trepidations.

“I have worked on, and am still working on, speaking up and asking questions in a team setting,” says Salazar. “I’m enjoying my experience in PPM and working at a company that emphasizes continuously getting better and better and never stop asking questions.”

Taking the Initiative
Being inquisitive is a surefire way to learn. Another way to build on that knowledge is by taking initiative. At least that’s what Deborah Velazquez, a customer services field manager with Lexus Southern Area, did when she began her career over a decade ago as a TMNA management trainee.

“During the management trainee experience, we were given the opportunity to practice our skills on the phones, taking calls from guests regarding their experiences with [our] product,” she says. “I learned valuable problem-solving skills, the ability to navigate conflict and how to utilize resources to provide answers and assistance. I’ve continued to use these skills throughout my career.”

Her journey has been enlightening with myriad opportunities for growth and professional development.

“My career has allowed me to learn directly from our dealers and guests in the field. It has even taken me down south to work with the Toyota Mexico team to help launch the Lexus brand for an international assignment role.”

Embrace Your Network

Being ready to take on what comes your way is a positive quality to have in the workplace. It’s also important to turn to your colleagues for guidance and reassurance.

For Ethan Taylor, an engineer at Toyota Mississippi with the Internal Logistics Engineering department, tapping into his pool of peers and colleagues helped steer him in the right direction. Prior to his transition from co-op to full-time employee, Taylor struggled with bringing his theoretical and engineering education to reality.

“Once I settled into my co-op role at Toyota, I realized that many issues could be solved faster by reaching out to stakeholders and experienced employees,” he says. “Learning to communicate and ask concise questions when needed during my co-op carried over into the day-to-day of my current role, increasing my ability to gain knowledge quickly and keep everyone on the same page.”

Through his experience, Taylor gained key insights to help him develop and progress in his career while also embracing the culture of continuous improvement.

“My advice to others is to constantly look to learn and become better at your craft daily,” he says. “There is unlimited knowledge in the Toyota community gained from decades of experience. I feel as though everyone should be constantly looking to tap into the experience gained by others to make themselves better. Never forget to build relationships with your coworkers and others throughout the facility.”

Soak Up All the Skills 
Working as a co-op provides a wealth of opportunities to cultivate personal and professional relationships. Additionally, it gives those who are just starting out a springboard to gain valuable experience that can help them down the road.

Iran Rodriguez, a digital auditor engineer at TMNA who served three co-op rotations with Toyota Production Engineering (PE) beginning in 2022, quickly realized that once he joined Toyota full time, he had acquired countless skills that have come in handy.

“Being a co-op – as co-ops do – you learn different things, which adds value to you,” says the recent University of Kentucky graduate. “Coming in as a co-op and now being full-time, the skills you learn as a co-op help you in your full-time role. I am now able to take the information I learned and can use all the experience I gained to apply to whatever project I’m working on.”

Sunday, November 24, 2024

Toyota Releases 2024 North American Environmental Sustainability Report

 


  • Highlights key progress in four priority areas
  • Reflects on-going commitment to achieving UN SDGs and Challenge 2050

Toyota Motor North America announced the publication of its 2024 North American Environmental Sustainability Report (the Report), an annual report highlighting company initiatives across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. 

“Building on Toyota’s foundational principle of continuous improvement, Toyota aims to achieve our environmental sustainability goals – not just becoming carbon neutral  but also the continued collaboration, cooperation, and data management activities as they become standardized for all team members,” said Kevin Butt, regional environmental sustainability director, Toyota Motor North America. “I’m confident Toyota will be successful, and we look forward to seeing additional growth as we come to further understand the impacts of sustainability.” 

The Report outlines Toyota’s environmental strategy, highlights progress toward contributions to the UN SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) and details the company’s advancements in its four priority areas—Carbon, Water, Circular Economy (previously called “Materials” in prior reports), and Biodiversity. The Report also presents data in an organized environmental metrics table and includes a Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) context index with disclosures aligned with GRI standards.  

Highlights found in this year’s Report include:

Carbon

  • 77% of Toyota and Lexus models available for purchase or lease in North America now have an electrified option, and more are on the way. Explore Toyota’s electrified lineup here.
  • 14% reduction in Scope 1 & 2 (operations-related) greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions vs. FY2019.
  • As of FY2024, 74 dealers were active in our Dealer Environmental Excellence Program (D.E.E.P.), a program to help dealers improve their environmental performance. Participating dealers have reduced their use of electricity from non-renewable sources by 20%.

Water

  • Achieved a 6.8% decrease in the current year for the number of gallons of water withdrawn per vehicle manufactured when compared to FY2021.
  • Focusing on water stewardship as a socially equitable, environmentally sustainable, and economically beneficial method to achieve through site and watershed-based actions.

Circular Economy (previously “Materials”)

  • 93% of all waste was recycled, reused or repurposed in 2023.
  • Achieved an added 9% reduction of single-use packaging materials in FY2024 for a total of 22% reduction when compared to FY2018.
  • See our story, Toyota’s Evolving Approach to Saving Water, for examples of how Toyota reduces, reuses, and recycles.

Biodiversity

  • An added 4,094.5 acres of pollinator habitat were developed in FY2024 through collaboration with Pollinator Partnership (P2) and National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF), bringing the total to 14,432.4 acres (more than halfway to our goal of 26,000 acres). For more information, see our story on Toyota’s Blossoming Commitment: Nurturing Biodiversity through Bees and Butterflies.
  • Conservation programs at 16 of our sites, including nine assembly and engine plants, have achieved Conservation Certification, which is Wildlife Habitat Council’s® (WHC) voluntary certification standard designed for broad-based biodiversity enhancement and conservation education activities on corporate landholdings. For more on our work with WHC, see our story on the Indicator Species Project.

To stay informed about the progress of ongoing projects and for real-time updates or feature stories, visit Toyota’s Environment Sustainability website. The site offers a comprehensive view of agreements, announcements, and initiatives, highlighting the dynamic nature of Toyota’s environmental sustainability journey.

LOOKING AHEAD
Toyota is steadfast in its global commitment to achieving the Toyota Environmental Challenge 2050 through a phased approach that emphasizes collaboration and innovation. Through strategic investments and the cultivation of partnerships across diverse industries, the company in North America is confident in its trajectory toward its four key focus area aspirations. The Report begins with a letter that underscores the significance of united efforts in addressing climate change.

Toyota acknowledges that effectively tackling these challenges requires collaboration with various partners to develop sustainable solutions. By adopting an integrated approach that combines diverse technologies and strategies, Toyota aims to significantly reduce its environmental impact while promoting mobility for all, reinforcing the essential role of collective collaborative action in reaching sustainability targets, and advancing responsible practices.

To view the complete Report, visit Toyota’s Environmental Sustainability Website.

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