The Tacoma Makes History … Again!

 Toyota Tacoma Named Truck of Texas for the second year in a row at the Texas Auto Writers Association Annual Truck Rodeo

The fourth-generation Toyota Tacoma made history last year when it was the first midsize pickup truck to win the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) Truck of Texas. It topped itself in 2026, becoming a back-to-back winner when awarded the title Truck of Texas by TAWA at its 32nd annual Texas Truck Rodeo event. This marks the fourth time in five years a Toyota pickup has taken the top award at the Truck Rodeo, with the full-size Toyota Tundra earning honors in 2022 and 2024.

“It’s great to see Tacoma win the Truck of Texas again for the second year in a row. It caps a great 2025 with its best-selling year ever, continuing a run as the most popular midsize pickup in the U.S. the last 21 years in a row,” said Brock Cartlidge, senior manager of Toyota Vehicle Marketing and Communities. “We appreciate TAWA’s members recognizing the Tacoma as the first Truck of Texas from a segment other than full-size pickup.”

The fourth-generation Tacoma debuted in the spring of 2023 with two new powertrains, including the i-FORCE MAX hybrid powertrain, with a total system output of up to 326 horsepower and a whopping 465 lb.-ft. of torque, a 75 percent increase in torque compared to the previous generation V-6 powered truck. Designed by Calty Design Research in California, engineered by TMNA R&D in Ann Arbor, and assembled for North America, Tacoma offers 11 unique grades to fit various lifestyles and customer needs. The Trailhunter grade builds upon Toyota’s legendary off-road and overlanding credibility with purpose-built engineering and robust components.

The Baja-inspired TRD Pro debuted the segment-first IsoDynamic Performance Seat for enhanced off-road driving control and comfort, while the Trailhunter grade is a factory-developed overlanding rig built from the ground up with the latest integrated off-road equipment from ARB, Old Man Emu, and RIGID.

TAWA’s annual Texas Truck Rodeo brings together journalists to evaluate automakers’ latest trucks and SUVs on an off-road course and a street drive. The fall event was held at Eagles Canyon Raceway in Decatur, Texas. Vehicles from the world’s top manufacturers were evaluated on interior, exterior, value, performance, and personal appeal.

“Earning Truck of Texas honors for the second consecutive year underscores how the Toyota Tacoma continues to set the benchmark for durability, capability, and real-world performance as judged by the Texas Auto Writers Association,” said TAWA President Cory Fourniquet.

TAWA is a Texas-based nonprofit association for automotive journalists promoting professionalism and quality in journalism for more than two decades. TAWA has grown to become one of the most influential and recognized automotive-journalist associates in the U.S. The group produces two annual events – Texas Auto Roundup and Texas Truck Rodeo – that allow members to experience vehicles from various manufacturers in one place, at one time.

For more information on the Toyota Tacoma, visit the Toyota Newsroom.

Creating Pathways to Skilled Trade Careers in Advanced Manufacturing

As technology continues to expand into every part of our lives, the advancements in manufacturing need both innovation and a skilled workforce to make it possible.

The manufacturing sector will need to fill 3.8 million skilled workers over the next decade, according to a Deloitte study commissioned by The Manufacturing Institute. Current U.S. community colleges and apprenticeship programs are only expected to meet about half the number of workers needed to fill those jobs. That leaves a gap of about 1.9 million skilled manufacturing employees.

Toyota is working to address this shortage through manufacturing-oriented programs that teach students about the possibilities of fun, interesting careers they might not have considered. These programs also provide practical skills that will provide participants with well-paid jobs with growth opportunities.

Growing FAME Advanced Manufacturing Technicians
In 2010, Toyota began a collaboration with the Bluegrass Community & Technical College, a school near the Toyota Motor Manufacturing plant in Georgetown, Ky. It has since expanded to a total of 10 Toyota manufacturing locations and a total of nearly 50 chapters nationwide.

This program became the Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (FAME). Students learn valuable skills from robotics to basic electricity, hydraulics, mechanics, and industrial troubleshooting. They also teach soft skills like teamwork, leadership, and time management.

“There’s an image that people have in their mind that manufacturing is dark, dirty, and dangerous, but it’s not,” said Stacy Droddy, talent acquisition analyst at Toyota West Virginia. “We try to share with our potential students that manufacturing is clean and safe. It’s highly technical. These aren’t just jobs. They are career pathways.”

Students receive paid training while attending school. Graduates earn associate degrees and can be certified as Advanced Manufacturing Technicians (AMTs). While they study, they work part-time in manufacturing facilities — being paid enough to cover tuition and living expenses.

When they graduate, their job is ready. About 85 percent of AMTs in the FAME program go on to work for their sponsoring employer. Graduates that are sponsored by Toyota have been working for the manufacturer for two years, and they already possess knowledge of Toyota’s systems and practices.  When they come in, they are ready to hit the floor running,” Droddy said.  “They don’t have to be taught about the equipment they’ll be working on.”

Graduate With No Debt and Skills to Excel
That’s how it worked out for Conner Bush. Bush, 20, started out with AMT at the recommendation of his father Mike, a longtime Toyota employee and manager at the Buffalo plant. Bush had a habit of fixing the family’s garbage disposal or lawn mower when he was growing up. His dad suggested Bush might as well get paid to do something similar at Toyota. The idea started to make more sense to Bush when he took pre-engineering classes at the college and wasn’t enjoying them.

Bush’s aptitude was refined in AMT training, which also included learning about Toyota culture. His days are filled with unique and interesting challenges. He uses cutting-edge software and diagnostic tools to understand why equipment, such as high-speed spindles (tools that bore holes into engine blocks) aren’t functioning properly.

“I have no debt whatsoever, and I’ve got a job that a lot of people my age would fight for,” Bush said. “I just wish more people would do it, because it’s a really good opportunity, especially for someone coming straight out of high school like I did.”

Series Note:
This article is part of a series of feature articles about the various workforce development programs across Toyota Motor North America. These programs span STEM education programs from Pre-K to 12, high-school and post-secondary industry programs, scholarships, internships and on-the-job training. To learn more about AMT, 4T Academy, T-TEN, Driving Possibilities, scholarship and internship programs, visit Community Engagement in the Toyota Newsroom.