Toyota Testifies on Future Surface Transportation, Challenges of Connected Car Technology, Transportation & Roads

Vehicle to vehicle (V2V) and vehicle to infrastructure (V2I) is the idea that sounded like something firmly set in science fiction seems to be a quickly approaching reality.

Toyota is playing a leading role in this revolution and Vice President of the Toyota Technical Center, Kristen Tabar, appeared before the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology’s Subcommittee on Research and Technology in June to discuss the future of surface of transportation.

“We have no doubt that the technology will save lives, improve the environment, create jobs and help the U.S. maintain technical leadership in a field that will be an important contributor to economic growth in the future,” said Kristen Tabar.

Tabar said Toyota is leading the way to ensure the next generation of vehicle communication brings the highest levels of safety, quality, and convenience to consumers. She also spoke about the challenges that lie ahead in making the most of these innovations.   

She called on policymakers to support and protect the major advances of V2V and V2I communication with greater investments in infrastructure and protection of medium – range wireless spectrum from unlicensed devices.

"For the auto industry and those who have been involved in the development of this technology, the use of the spectrum allocated for V2V and V2I communication by unlicensed devices raises significant, and possibly insurmountable, concerns about the potential for harmful interference" Tabar said.

“Congress and U.S. Department of Transportation should be looking at ways to incentivize or facilitate the build out of infrastructure to support V2I communication,” she said, adding that it would be unfortunate if the U.S. had to shut the door on V2I communication technology because of a lack of intelligent infrastructure investment.

She noted Japan's strong assurance to infrastructure investment as one of the major reasons Toyota began commercialization of V2I in that country.

New connected vehicle technology also boosts security and privacy concerns. “The truth is that the success of the technology is in large part dependent on public acceptance, and public acceptance requires that the network be adequately secure and that the privacy of drivers and passengers be preserved,” she said.

Because of all those concerns, as Toyota begins the very early stages of commercial deployment of new V2V and V2I technology, the company does not anticipate full integration of the communication system and electronic control elements of the vehicle in order to limit ramifications of a potential cyber incident. 

“The good news is that the connected vehicle system is being developed to support the security that is required and to minimize the potential for hacking,” she said.

Finishing her speech she advised the  subcommittee to devote more research and development into autonomous driving technologies, including how V2V and V2I communication technology can be leveraged effectively to support automated driving.

Toyota is Exploring Flying cars

Toyota is currently working on some new tech that will raise some of its cars a bit over the ground to increase efficiency 

Japanese automobile manufacturer Toyota is investigating the possibility of flying cars, according to Toyota’s technical administration group managing officer Hiroyoshi Yoshiki in an interview with «The Verge». He said that the company has been studying a similar idea of flying cars at one of its "most advanced" research and development areas, but cautioned that the concept was not like actually flying around in three-dimensional space. Instead, he said, the plan is to get the car "a little bit away'' from the road to reduce friction, similar to a hovercraft.

Research into cars that might be capable of hovering just above the road for improved efficiency is being conducted at one of Toyota’s “most advanced” research and development areas. On the other hand, making a road-going car completely hover above ground would make it too uncontrollable, so don’t imagine the Prius without any wheels just yet. Instead, the company wants to lift the weight of the car a bit more from the wheels.

Yoshiki did not reveal when the research began, its current status or potential for entering the mass market. In the immediate future, the company is focused on turning out automobiles powered by hydrogen fuel cells. 

Yoshiki said that the company is ''now very serious'' about the technology which only emits water vapor. Toyota showed off a prototype with a range of 310 miles at CES in January.

 “We believe not only for gas mileage, but for emissions and global warming, that technology is essential to meeting the big challenge,” he said.

Americans took Home a Brand New Camry Every Minute Last Month

One of the most popular vehicles in America is Toyota Camry. It was evidenced by the Camry’s sales during the month of May that U.S. drivers took home a new Camry every minute!

Nearly 50,000 owners placed their trust in Camry safety, reliability and long-term value.

To put it into perspective, Camry has exceeded monthly sales of 50,000 units only four other times in its history.

“There’s a reason Americans choose Camry, and it shows in sales month after month,” said Bob Carter, vice president of automotive operations for Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. “It’s America’s best-selling car, but more important is the one Camry in the customer’s driveway. The one Camry that gets you and your family to work, school, vacation, the Camry that works in a business enterprise, the one Camry you trust to be reliable and help keep your family safe.”

Camry's quality was confirmed by top honors in the JD Power and Associates IQS and VDS studies. It was also awarded a 5-star safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and was placed on the “Best Midsize Car for the Money” list by US News and also World Report and “Most Popular” list by Edmunds.

The Camry’s popularity isn’t a new thing – in fact, 10.3 million Camry sedans have been sold in the U.S. during the past 31 years. During May of this year, sales of the Camry totaled 49,584, an increase of 26 percent and the most in its segment by nearly 10,000!

Today, every Camry sold in North America comes from plants in Indiana and Kentucky, manufactured by more than 7,000 skilled U.S. workers who take pride in every Camry that rolls off the line.

America’s best-selling car will get even better, as the redesigned 2015 Camry comes to market later this year. It is aimed at satisfying thousands, one customer at a time.

Westboro TOYOTA Camry Inventory

New Toyota trucks Hit the Beach to Help San Diego Lifeguards with the New fleet

Toyota recently provided the San Diego lifeguards with 34 new Toyota trucks all decked out with 4×4 capabilities to better handle the slippery sand on the beach, and the lifeguards love the way the trucks handle!

Toyota celebrated the start of the summer beach season by announcing its continued support of the San Diego Lifeguards emphasizing safe practices in the water and on the beach. The partnership includes a donation of 34 brand-new Toyota trucks and SUVs to the city for lifeguard rescue and operations. Toyota began its partnership with the City of San Diego’s lifeguards in 2011.

The new vehicles arriving to the fleet include 15 Tacomas, 12 Tundras, three 4Runners, three Sequoias and a RAV4.

For example, using a Tacoma and 4Runner will enable lifeguards to effectively navigate through soft sand and rocky beach terrains, while the Tundra and Sequoia will add heavy-duty water craft towing capabilities.

In honor of National Water Safety Month, Toyota joined San Diego mayor Kevin L. Faulconer, along with the Council member Ed Harris, San Diego City Lifeguard Chief Rick Wurts and San Diego City Fire Chief Javier Mariner, in Mission Beach to dedicate the new lineup of vehicles.

“San Diego is one of the country’s most popular beach destinations, and Toyota recognizes the critical role the city’s lifeguards play in keeping our beaches safe,” said Doug Eroh, Toyota Motor Sales Los Angeles Region general manager.  “We are committed to ensuring San Diego has the best available resources to do that, along with educating this great community and its visitors on water safety.”  

“San Diego’s lifeguards perform vital services to San Diego residents and visitors every day.  Water Safety Days and our partnership with Toyota are a part of our City’s commitment to creating safer beaches for San Diego families and visitors to enjoy,” Mayor Faulconer said.

The trusty new Toyota vehicles are used in the daily routine to ensure safety both on water and on the beach.

Planting seeds for future Growth, Toyota extents Environmental Milestone

For many years Toyota has been taking initiatives toward establishing a recycling based society, for example by building a value chain for recycling end-of-life vehicles more than 40 years ago, promoting activities to utilize resources efficiently and reduce water consumption at production and non-production bases with the aim of improving material productivity.

Toyota is not only great place to work, but also a place where are produced some of the world class vehicles. Aside from being great place to work, Toyota Indiana strives to be a leader in its environmental efforts.

Toyota received ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year-Sustained Excellence Award from the U.S. EPA for continued leadership in protecting the environment through superior  energy efficiency.

“Our Environmental Affairs team and Production team members have collaborated throughout the years to implement many innovative ways to reduce energy consumption,” said John Stevens, Manager, Plant Engineering & Environmental.  “From wastewater sludge reduction to our focused recycling efforts, teamwork has made it all possible.”

Back in May 2008, Toyota's Environmental Affairs team implemented its Afforestation Area. The afforestation project grew from an idea that began 16 years ago, when the plant president, Seizo Okamoto, had a vision of a nature trail adjacent to the childcare center. With the help of a local landscape architect, 10,000 saplings of 17 native species were planted along a one mile loop.

The program took on new life five years ago, and planting began in earnest. So far, more than 90,000 trees have been planted, the final goal: 125,000 by the end of 2014.

To get the trees in the ground fast, Toyota used mechanical equipment to plant most of the forest, but it also asked associates for help. Team members and their families hand planted 1,000 trees in just a few hours. Their handiwork has created new habitats for native animals, such as white-tailed deer, red-tailed hawks and even bobcats to live, reproduce and prosper.

“I know that our plant will be around for many years to come,” said Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana (TMMI) President Norm Bafunno.  “It is my wish that many of these young children will grow to be our future team members – and as they grow, these trees will be growing with them.”
                                                                                             
“The goal of sustainable growth that is in harmony with the environment is part of our Global   Vision,” says Bafunno. “TMMI is proud to support and enhance the communities where we live and work through environmental stewardship of our land, community service and environmental education programs we offer to our local school children each year.”

The future sustainability is a key component of Toyota's environmental initiatives. The Afforestation Area and the fact that Toyota has been a zero waste to landfill facility since 2005 are a couple of examples of these sustainable actions.  

Toyota is Sole Automaker Named in Top 50 Companies for Diversity

Toyota climbs 10 spots over last year

For the sixth consecutive year, the company has been recognized by DiversityInc and has been named one of DiversityInc’s Top 50 Companies for Diversity(R), finishing 41^st overall in the publication’s 12^th annual survey.

Diversity is one of the key factors to any successful business and Toyota is well aware of it. Culture becomes more of a melting pot with each day. Business leaders recognize the importance of embracing diversity. DiversityInc honored Toyota as one of its Top 50 Companies for Diversity in 2014 at a dinner held in May. This is due to numerous initiatives taken by the Japanese automaker in recent years.

“We are honored to once again be included as a Top 50 Company for Diversity by DiversityInc,” said Jim Lentz, Chief Executive Officer, Toyota North America. “There is a simple truth behind our approach to diversity and inclusion: If we want to build great cars and trucks for the way our customers live, Toyota will strive to be a reflection of the America in which we live.”

This is not the first time Toyota has been recognized by DiversityInc. In October 2013, the Japanese automaker was named the “Top Company for Employee Engagement” by the organization, as well as being recognized as a Top 10 Company for LGBT employees. Toyota also works closely with certified ethnic and women-owned suppliers as part of The Billion Dollar Roundtable.

“Earning a spot on the DITop50 proves that management is paying close attention to the needs of their primary constituents—employees, customers and other key stakeholders,” said DiversityInc founder and CEO, Luke Visconti.