Toyota Indiana holds coming

4 Millionth Vehicle Drives Off Assembly Line

In Toyota plant Indiana with its 4,700 team members blow a new high today. A Blizzard Pearl Highlander Hybrid drove off the final assembly line and team members realized their accomplishment - 4 million vehicles produced. 

According to the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles, 3,981,626 passenger vehicles are registered in the state. The meaning is that Toyota Indiana has produced more vehicles than are registered in its home state.   

Company History

‘’We broke ground here almost 19 years ago to produce Toyota’s first full-size pickup truck, the Tundra,” said Norm Bafunno, Toyota Indiana president.  “Since then, change has been constant.  We added the Sequoia full-size SUV and Sienna minivan, shifted our Tundra production to San Antonio, Texas, and brought in the Highlander and Highlander Hybrid midsize SUVs.  4 million vehicles may seem staggering, but our team rose to the occasion every time an opportunity presented itself.” 
 

Toyota Indiana has become a meaningful exporter. Last year alone, they have exported more than 42,000 vehicles to more than 20 countries.

Bafunno said that team members take pride in being a part of the global marketplace.  This seemed evident today, as team members carried many of the export countries’ flags with the words “thank you” in each country’s native language.

Expansion

Construction plan is decided to begin this month to extend Toyota Indiana’s current footprint of 4 million square feet.  The additional space will allow for up to 30,000 more Highlanders to be produced annually.

This expansion comes in a response to the Highlander’s strong demand. Highlander sales ended 2014 up 14.5 percent over 2013 and posted a best-ever January this year with more than 11,000 units sold.

Teamwork 

Richard Skelton, West Assembly team member, remembers some of the first vehicles that came off the final assembly line.  “It seems like the years have flown by,” Skelton said.  “We’ve been through tough times, such as the economic downturn in 2008.  But great teams always bounce back, and here we are building our 4 millionth vehicle.”
  

That teamwork doesn’t exist only in the plant Toyota, but also in the community and with area suppliers.
 

“The community has shown incredible support since day one,” Bafunno said.  “This 4 millionth vehicle is only possible because of the great team effort of our team members, suppliers and citizens of this wonderful community we all call home.”

Toyota No 1 Brand in Hispanic Market for 10 Years Celebrates Anniversary

For Loyal owners Toyota hosts Show with Worldwide Star Ricky Martin

The private show was held at the Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE on Tuesday, March 17^th, 2015. Grammy Award – winning artist Ricky Martin performed his greatest hits and music from his new album, A Quien Quiera Escuchar.  

“We wanted to thank them for making Toyota their favorite brand for the past 10 years. We couldn’t have found a more fitting partner than Ricky Martin who also understands the power of Latino loyalty,” commented Jack Hollis, group vice president of Toyota Division marketing at Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. 

Over the years, Toyota has understood the significance of the Latino community and created culturally relevant and in-language campaigns that engaged them through everyday life experiences. Particularly, Toyota has launched a recent campaign called “More Than a Car” or “Más Que Un Auto,” a program that recognizes the role vehicles play in the everyday lives of Latino consumers.

Through this campaign driver see their cars as a part of their families, giving them nicknames. For example customers can order customized nameplates through the website www.masqueunauto.com to be mailed to them at no cost. Tens of thousands of people ordered the 3-D-printed nameplates, showing their love and thankfulness to the trustworthy companion of their family.

“In creating the campaign, our challenge was to find an idea that could truly express the love between the Latino consumer and the brand. For them, their Toyotas are almost members of their families. Once the team uncovered this insight, the execution took shape quickly,” said Javier Campopiano, Chief Creative Officer at Conill, Toyota’s Hispanic marketing partner. “Today, engagement continues, owners are sharing their stories through Toyota Latino social channels and this campaign – developed to thank Latino owners for their support – celebrates the long-standing relationship between Toyota and the Latino community.”

Kelley Blue Book’s 15 Best Family cars of 2015 Includes 3 Toyota vehicles

It's very easy to see why Toyota is the best choice for a family. Toyota collects three spots in Kelley Blue Book's 15 Best Family Cars of 2015 plus another spot as a runner-up!

With plenty of space for everything, groceries, kids’ sports equipment, child seat in the back, the Toyota Camry is one of Kelley Blue Book's 15 Best Family cars of 2015.  The high resale value of the Camry and its legendary reliability have made it the best-selling care in the US for twelve consecutive years. And it will continue this way with its new contemporary and bold re-design. According to KBB, the Camry is still certified as one of the most comfortable, easy-to-drive midsize sedans you can buy.

Here are the words which Kelley Blue Book said about the Toyota Highlander: "Add in stylish looks, high resale value and a history of reliability, and it's easy to see why the Toyota Highlander is such a recommendable family car."  The Highlander collected praise for being "easy to maneuver in tight spots yet spacious enough inside to offer comfortable seating", and it also got high marks for its utility and storage capacity. KBB said that the Toyota Highlander rises above the rest!

The second in Kelley Blue Book's is the Toyota Sienna. This vehicle has plenty space for legs, headroom, excellent cargo space behind the third row seats, and it is the only minivan you can buy that offers all-wheel drive! The Toyota Sienna models definitely have space and flexibility.

Between the eight runners-up, Toyota RAV4 is still solid choice for any family. Here is what Kelley Blue Book said about this car: "With excellent cargo space, a tidy and maneuverable package, and plenty of interior space, the 2015 Toyota RAV4 has a lot to offer family car shoppers."

Toyota and Scion will be present at Hispanicize 2015

The world largest auto maker returns as Official Automotive Sponsor of the largest assemblage of Latino trendsetters in digital and entertainment media

When the company returns as the official automotive and transportation sponsor of the annual conference, March 16th to 20th in Miami, Toyota and Scion will be present at Hispanicize 2015. This will be in the second year in sequence  at Hispanicize for the world’s leading automotive manufacturer, whose powerful brand presence at the 2014 conference was highlighted by vehicle displays, iPad giveaways, social media contests, ride-and-drive experiences and an autograph session with Toyota NASCAR drivers.  

Patricia Salas Pineda, the group vice president of the Hispanic Business Strategy Group of Toyota North America, affirmed the success of last year’s participation and the affinity of Hispanicize attendees with the Toyota brand.  “Toyota and Scion’s engagement with Latino bloggers, journalists, marketers, filmmakers and entertainment professionals is an extension of our decades-long relationship with the Hispanic market overall,” Pineda said.  “It is brand loyalty we value greatly and look to strengthen it with new generations of consumers and influencers at the cutting edge of digital communication.”

Pinead is assigned  to continue Toyota’s leadership position among Latinos and ensure that the Hispanic perspective is fully integrated into growth strategies for all of its brands: Toyota, Lexus and Scion. 

“Participating in marquee events such as this provides our company access to Latino influencers who are shaping the digital landscape, and we’re proud to be a partner again.
Toyota has been marketing to and engaging with the Latino community for more than 20 years, and Hispanicize offers a unique opportunity to draw from that multi-decade commitment,” Pineda added.

Doug Murtha, Scion group vice president, stated ” Hispanicize is a great opportunity for Scion to reach the opinion shapers of a key market for us. We look forward to sharing our Scion products and Scion experience in this creative environment. ”

This sixth year is iconic and the largest annual happening for Latino trendsetters and newsmakers in journalism, blogging, marketing, entertainment and tech entrepreneurship. Hispanicize 2015 is expected to gather more than 2,100 of the nation’s most influential Latino professionals and is a launch pad for creative endeavors, new products, technologies, marketing campaigns, films, books and more, targeting Latinos in the U.S. and Puerto Rico.

“Toyota is the frontrunner and market leader in the Hispanic community and it is reflected in the fact that Latinos trust and support Toyota by making it their preferred brand,” said Manny Ruiz, founder and creative director of Hispanicize.  “Having the eighth largest company in the world partner with Hispanicize again makes us proud that we have arrived at the right mix of engagement for brands, influencers and consumers.”
 

Toyota Tops List of World's Most Admired Companies by Fortune Study

Automaker No. 24 in World’s Most Admired Company List

The annual list of the World’s Most Admired Companies from Fortune Magazine has named Toyota Motor Company to the top slot for the Motor Vehicle category. The automaker also points well in a larger pool of peers, No. 24 overall, one spot up from last year in both regards.

Fortune puts this list together based on the Hay Group examination of each of the finalist companies’ conduct each year. This is done with the assistance of more than 4,000 security analysts, executives and directors that choose their top ten companies that they admire from a pre made list.  Each company is measured through the survey, which is based on nine specific attributes that are considered crucial to the global success of a company. A few of these attributes include people management, quality of management, global competitiveness and social responsibility.

“We’d like to thank Toyota team members, associates and partners worldwide for helping us achieve this honor,” said Jim Lentz, Toyota Motor North America chief executive officer. “We are dedicated to our customers, communities, and to leading the future of mobility. We’re proud to be recognized as one of Fortune’s World’s Most Admired Companies and a leader in our industry.”

Toyota Mississippi celebrates building of 500,000th Corolla

The Toyota Motor manufacturing Mississippi plant in Blue Springs built its 500,000^th Corolla Sedan.

It can be seen that the workers have decorated it a bit. A red Toyota is headed to Mexico.

It’s been the fastest that a Toyota plant in the U.S. has reached a half-million cars, all in a little more than three years (production began in October 2011). TMMMS beat the old record by about a month. In 2014 alone, Toyota Mississippi produced almost 180,000 Corolla Sedans, and it managed to keep its title as the world’s best-selling nameplate. The production accomplishment was achieved faster than any other Toyota plant in the U.S. - a testament to the 2,000 hardworking team members who have answered increasing consumer demand since the plant opened in 2011.

When the plant was first opened, a Corolla was rolling of the line every 86 seconds. Today, a Corolla lines off about every 73 seconds. In Mississippi, Toyota has created close to 3,700 jobs both at the facility itself and through its suppliers. 

Always the giver, Toyota has donated over $700 million to non-profits across the state, including Habitat for Humanity, NAACP, Catch Kids, Inc., and many more.

As 2015 continues, we expect to see at least 180,000 Corollas made in Mississippi, and perhaps even more.

“The 500,000^th Corolla vehicle is a milestone we’re excited to be celebrating,” commented Fred Volf, Toyota Mississippi’s vice president of manufacturing. “We are proud to produce the Corolla, and it wouldn’t have been accomplished without the 2,000 dedicated team members who support this operation.”


Westboro TOYOTA Corolla Inventory

The Toyota Mirai Makes East Coast Debut at DC Auto Show

The Mirai is the first-generation hydrogen fuel cell vehicle. The all brand-new Mirai 2016 has a range of up to 300 miles, takes about 5 minutes to refuel and discharges only water vapor. It will go on sale in the US later this year.  Moving ahead, Toyota has called for a greater effort from the government and industry to make these vehicles available to more customers.

“Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles launched between 2015 and 2020 will require a concerted effort and collaboration between automakers, government regulators, academia and energy providers,” said Nihar Patel, Toyota's Vice President of North American Business Strategy.

At the DC Auto Show, Nihar Patel, Toyota’s Vice President of North American Business Strategy, noted that consumers who purchase plug-in electric vehicles receive a $7,500 tax credit, while buyers of fuel cell electric vehicles do not. This is due to the expiration of the federal fuel cell credit, and Patel worries that this may cripple the potential of the hydrogen fuel cell market.

Also, Toyota announced that by the end of 2017, it will boost global capacity of the Mirai to more than 5,700. Most of the refueling stations are currently located in California. The automaker has partnered with Air Liquid to expand stations in New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island. 

These states and locations have been strategically selected to support the greater New York and Boston areas as well as provide the backbone of a hydrogen highway for the Northeast corridor. The company has plans concerning hydrogen infrastructure, adding to this, Patel said the company planned to talk with Maryland’s new governor and the new mayor of Washington about the hydrogen infrastructure in the mid-Atlantic region. 

“Hopefully, by sharing our patents with other vehicle and parts manufacturers, components and systems can be refined and improved to increase performance, reduce cost and attract a much broader mainstream market of buyers.” 

“Consumers and the investment community need a clear signal that government is not choosing winners or losers in the zero emission vehicle race.  These vehicles should be treated equally to allow the market to decide,” he said.