Toyota Celebrates Top Latinos in Social Media

Toyota will again reinforce its commitment to the Latino community by sponsoring the Latinos in Tech Innovation and Social Media, (LATISM) 2014 Awards Gala for the fourth consecutive year. This was Annual Conference in Anaheim, California, held from November 13-15.

 

“Toyota has spent the past few years boosting our connection to the Hispanic community through social media,” said Patricia Salas Pineda, group vice president of the Hispanic Business Strategy Group at Toyota Motor North America. “These initiatives have allowed us to strengthen our ties with Hispanic media and community and business leaders and establish a dialog on topics of mutual interest, such as safety and the environment.”

As the exclusive automotive sponsor, Toyota will engage participants in activities aimed to showcase key conservation, education and safety missions aligning with LATISM priorities that span more than 150,000 members.

“We appreciate Toyota’s steady commitment to LATISM which shows how dedicated the company is to the Latino social media sphere and beyond,” said Ana Roca Castro, chair and founder of LATISM.

Once again, Toyota served as a lead sponsor for the LATISM Awards Gala, November 14, identifying the best performers in social media across several categories, including best bloggers in Parenting, Tech and Food, Best Multicultural Campaign, Best Latin Vlogger, and many more.

The @ToyotaLatino Twitter handle, launched to share, listen and learn with the Latino community through social media at LATISM in 2012, and has reached almost 10,500 followers and published more than 2,300 tweets. This channel became a powerful platform for Toyota to connect with this growing community.

Since 2004, Toyota has been the leading automotive brand among U.S. Hispanics. According to data from automotive research firm Polk, Toyota garners more than 16 percent of the U.S. Latino car-buying market, with success driven largely by Toyota’s dedicated efforts to authentically engage with the community.

Toyota is the Global Leader in Hybrid Sales with Sales of 7 Million units

We all know that Toyota is the leader when it comes to hybrid cars and by the end of 2015, the Japanese manufacturer will introduce a total of 15 new hybrids globally. Additionally, the company announced that its global hybrid sales hit the 7 millionth unit milestone in September and that the latest million-unit hybrid target was achieved in just nine months.

Now, Toyota offers 27 different hybrid passenger cars and one plug-in model in more than 90 countries and regions. In the United States, Toyota and Lexus offer 12 hybrid models as well as one plug-in hybrid model, which account for 70 percent of industry hybrid sales.

For this year Toyota announced three new hybrid models: the Voxy Hybrid and Noah Hybrid in Japan only as well as the new Lexus NX 300h. The fourth hybrid model arrived in October as Toyota will introduce the Lexus RC 300h.

“Hitting the 7 million mark represents our customers’ recognition of the benefits of Toyota and Lexus hybrid vehicles,” said Bob Carter, Toyota senior vice president of automotive operations. “The appeal of excellent fuel economy, driving dynamics and the quality of our vehicles combined with our dealers’ dedication to customer service makes Toyota the undeniable leader in hybrid technology.”

Toyota's aim is not just to expand its hybrid lineup, but also to increase the number of countries and regions where it sells hybrid models.

’’The appeal of excellent fuel economy, driving dynamics and the quality of our vehicles combined with our dealers' dedication to customer service makes Toyota the undeniable leader in hybrid technology," said Carter.

Toyota hybrids have created an important positive impact on gasoline consumption and emissions generated by driving. To date, Toyota hybrid vehicles have resulted in approximately 49 million fewer tons* of CO2 emissions and saved 4.75B gallons of gasoline than would have been emitted or used by gasoline-powered vehicles of similar size and driving performance.

Toyota's further manufacturing plan is to continue working on enhancing performance, reducing costs and expanding its product lineup to create vehicles popular with consumers. Although Toyota provides consumers a portfolio of options, including pure electrics and a fuel cell that will go on sale in summer 2015, hybrids will remain its core technology.
 
 

Toyota Shocks SEMA WITH 850HP Camry Dragster

Sleeper Camry Shock for Racing Fans Nationwide

Built by Toyota's Motorsports Techical center, the Sleeper Camry came together in just 11 short weeks. On the outside it's an all original 2015 Camry body,but on inside, the funny car has more Tundra DNA than anything else

A 2015 Tundra gave up its 5.7-liter V8 engine, transmission, rear axle and electronics for the build.However, Toyota figured that wasn’t quite enough, so the team slapped on a TRD supercharger, massive 335/30/18 drag racing wheelsand a 300-shot nitrous kit. Sleeper indeed. There’s even a trick exhaust system which can divert gases through the standard pipes or shoot ‘em straight out of the headers.

“This is is the most extreme build we’ve ever unveiled at SEMA,” said Toyota Engagement Marketing and Motorsports National Manager Steve Appelbaum. “The transformation from seemingly stock Camry to full-blown racecar just shocks the senses. Chuck Wade and the team at Motorsports Technical Center did a truly spectacular job executing the vision of this project.”

Toyota claims the boosted Camry will rocket through the quarter-mile in 9.8 seconds.

“This Camry is the ultimate Sleeper — it definitely has the element of surprise on its side and more than enough muscle to drop the hammer on any unsuspecting car that pulls up,” said Wade, Motorsports Technical Center Director.                      

The Sleeper Camry can be seen November 4-7 in the Toyota display booth (#24700) located in the Central Hall at the 2014 SEMA Show, but later after the SEMA Show it will tour the country at select NHRA races.

Small Town Growing Big business for 25 Years

City in Jackson County, Commerce in Georgia set up roots in 1989 with only 15 associates processing 17,000 Toyota’s annually and now employs over 200 people.

“This was just a peach orchard farm before Southeast Toyota moved in,” said Donald Trammell, maintenance and trade coordinator. “When we opened our doors it was just 15 people at this whole plant. We all pitched in and did whatever needed to be done because it was more than just a business. We have a belief system of giving back to where we live and work, and so we have always felt like this was a community-based operation.”

Recently Southeast Toyota celebrated its 25th  anniversary with a donation of a new pavilion at Commerce's Veterans Memorial Park. Mayor Clark Hill, who is also the company’s onsite Health & Wellness Center physician, honored Southeast Toyota with a proclamation from the City of Commerce for its economic and philanthropic contribution to the small but flourishing community.

“After 10 years of working for JM Family and Southeast Toyota, I’ve learned that the best part of getting is giving back, and our associates generously donate their time and talents to this community,” Hill said. “This company recognized the charm and potential of our little town. Call it luck, but I think the City of Commerce hit the jackpot when Southeast Toyota chose us.”
 

Product & General Processing Supervisor Kathy Archer has been there since the facility opened. “When Southeast Toyota started here, I was working at a local factory and looking for something different and better. It is the best thing that has ever happened to me and my family. It has put me in a position where I know that I will be able to retire comfortably. Not to mention, it’s a company that gives back to the community in so many ways. We always get involved in local events, especially when it supports children.”

“Because of Southeast Toyota, I consider Commerce my home and now my daughter who was born in Commerce still lives here,” said Operations Manager Hamp Echols. “Toyota and the city of Commerce have worked hand in hand and continue growing, and that has been nothing but great for the area. That’s what ‘Growing Good’ means to me!”
Jim Morand, one of the automotive legends, founded JM Family and Southeast Toyota in 1968, partnering with Toyota Motor sales to build up  the automaker’s U.S. presence by establishing a processing and distribution facility in Jacksonville, Fla. Later the diversified automotive company expanded its vehicle distribution operations, opening the northern Georgia Inland Processing center in Commerce.

The facility is now a 300 acre complex, producing more than 130,000 vehicles per year, for distribution to Toyota dealers in northern Alabama, the Carolinas and northern Georgia.

“We owe the amazing growth of our company to our hard-working and dedicated associates, and to the support of this community which has been a great partner in our success,” said Colin Brown, President and CEO of parent company JM Family Enterprises. “We had no doubt that when we chose Commerce as our home in 1989, we chose the right place.”

Toyota FT-1 concept Car to Make SEMA Show Appearance

When it made its first public appearance at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the FT-1 created a huge whisper in the automotive world. The styling recalled the legendary Mark IV Supra, while the name hearkened back to the FT-HS concept from 2007. The "FT" in both cases stands for Future Toyota. Toyota uses this labeling in their Lexus line of vehicles, the LFs.

In August, Toyota brought out a new version of the FT-1 that featured graphite exterior paint and a saddle-colored leather interior. It made its first appearance at the Gordon McCall's Motorworks Revival event in California. In a press release Toyota writes: "This second concept car raises the bar by infusing an aura of refinement to accompany the FT-1's unbridled performance intent."

“Showing the FT-1 at SEMA makes perfect sense,” said Steve Appelbaum, Toyota’s engagement marketing and motorsports national manager. “SEMA attracts enthusiasts who live, eat and breathe performance.” Labeled the spiritual pace car for the new direction of Toyota Global Design, the FT-1’s muscular exterior builds on Toyota’s rich sports coupe heritage dating back to the 2000GT, Celica, Supra, MR2 and, most recently, the Scion FR-S.

“In the color studio we help create the atmosphere of the vehicle,” said Sellene Lee, creative designer at Calty Design, who was responsible for the color concepts on both FT-1 iterations. Details such as using an all-natural-grain saddle leather on the seats, painted brown edges on the interior and the use of raised metal mesh and accents work together to maintain the same “in the zone” driving intention of the first FT-1 vehicle, “while bringing in a more premium feeling.”

The FT-1 can be seen, along with 14 other custom-built Toyota project vehicles, in Toyota's display booth (#24700), located in the Central Hall at the 2014 SEMA Show. The trade show will run from November 4 -7 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Toyota Unveils the New 2015 Camry NASCAR Race Car

Toyota will have an all-new Camry race car for the 2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup Season. Toyota has released the new 2015 Toyota Camry for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and has become the first manufacturer in the series to update the NASCAR ‘Gen-6’ model, which was introduced in 2012, for competition beginning during the 2013 season.

"The 2015 Camry is something that we actually started working on about 18 months ago," said TRD, U.S.A. President and General Manager David Wilson in an exclusive interview with FOXSports.com. "It really comes back to the philosophy that NASCAR and the OEMs adopted with the introduction of the Gen 6 cars and that is to make sure what we're racing on the track has relevancy to the product that we're selling in the showrooms."

The street version of the 2015 Camry is available at Toyota dealers nationwide. The NASCAR version will be ready to roll at Daytona Speedweeks next February.

"It's a dynamite-looking car," said Wilson. "And the neat thing is, we debut it on the race track and run it in anger at Daytona at the 500 and it just coincides that it's our turn to pace the Daytona 500 as well, so that's going to be kind of a neat way to introduce it to the fans."

“We’re thrilled to finally be able to show off our new 2015 Camry race car - becoming the first manufacturer to update the ‘Gen-6’ model that was introduced before the start of the 2013 season,” said Ed Laukes, TMS vice president of marketing, performance and guest experience.  “We anticipate that fans will appreciate the development behind this bold Camry design -- both on the race track and the showroom floor.  Fans will have the chance to get an up close look at our new 2015 Camry in our NASCAR activation and fan engagement activities.”

The boldest change to the new 2015 NSCS Camry is the aggressive front end and grill area, which looks exactly like its production counterpart.  In addition, the new Camry boasts an all new, sleek hood and nose, along with a new tail of the car.  A distinct change in the quarter windows also adds to the sleeker look.

“A lot of hard work has gone into redesigning the 2015 Camry race car for NASCAR competition,” said David Wilson, TRD’s president and general manager.  “It was a challenging process balancing performance and design, but working closely with Calty Design, NASCAR and our race team partners, we were able to develop a race car that looks similar to its production counterpart - and provide a performance upgrade on the race track.”

For 12 straight years, and 16 of the past 17 years, the Camry has been the best-selling car in America. Built at Toyota manufacturing facilities in Georgetown, Ky. And Lafayette, Ind., the Camry has been named the “Most American car by Car” by Cars.com’s American-Made Index for four consecutive years.

“The redesigned Toyota Camry race car is a byproduct of the vastly improved collaboration that has taken place between NASCAR and its auto manufacturers during the past three years,” said Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR’s executive vice president and chief racing development officer. “Toyota’s dedication to remodel its Gen-6 race car to more closely resemble its street production counterpart has been exemplary, and we look forward to watching it perform on the track each weekend in 2015.”

The new 2015 Toyota Camry will make its NASCAR Sprint Cup Series debut at Daytona International Speedway during February’s ‘Speedweeks.’

Toyota Unveils the New 2015 Camry NASCAR Race Car

Toyota will have an all-new Camry race car for the 2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup Season. Toyota has released the new 2015 Toyota Camry for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and has become the first manufacturer in the series to update the NASCAR ‘Gen-6’ model, which was introduced in 2012, for competition beginning during the 2013 season. 

"The 2015 Camry is something that we actually started working on about 18 months ago," said TRD, U.S.A. President and General Manager David Wilson in an exclusive interview with FOXSports.com. "It really comes back to the philosophy that NASCAR and the OEMs adopted with the introduction of the Gen 6 cars and that is to make sure what we're racing on the track has relevancy to the product that we're selling in the showrooms."

The street version of the 2015 Camry is available at Toyota dealers nationwide. The NASCAR version will be ready to roll at Daytona Speedweeks next February.

"It's a dynamite-looking car," said Wilson. "And the neat thing is, we debut it on the race track and run it in anger at Daytona at the 500 and it just coincides that it's our turn to pace the Daytona 500 as well, so that's going to be kind of a neat way to introduce it to the fans."

“We’re thrilled to finally be able to show off our new 2015 Camry race car - becoming the first manufacturer to update the ‘Gen-6’ model that was introduced before the start of the 2013 season,” said Ed Laukes, TMS vice president of marketing, performance and guest experience.  “We anticipate that fans will appreciate the development behind this bold Camry design -- both on the race track and the showroom floor.  Fans will have the chance to get an up close look at our new 2015 Camry in our NASCAR activation and fan engagement activities.”

The boldest change to the new 2015 NSCS Camry is the aggressive front end and grill area, which looks exactly like its production counterpart.  In addition, the new Camry boasts an all new, sleek hood and nose, along with a new tail of the car.  A distinct change in the quarter windows also adds to the sleeker look.

“A lot of hard work has gone into redesigning the 2015 Camry race car for NASCAR competition,” said David Wilson, TRD’s president and general manager.  “It was a challenging process balancing performance and design, but working closely with Calty Design, NASCAR and our race team partners, we were able to develop a race car that looks similar to its production counterpart - and provide a performance upgrade on the race track.”

For 12 straight years, and 16 of the past 17 years, the Camry has been the best-selling car in America. Built at Toyota manufacturing facilities in Georgetown, Ky. And Lafayette, Ind., the Camry has been named the “Most American car by Car” by Cars.com’s American-Made Index for four consecutive years.

“The redesigned Toyota Camry race car is a byproduct of the vastly improved collaboration that has taken place between NASCAR and its auto manufacturers during the past three years,” said Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR’s executive vice president and chief racing development officer. “Toyota’s dedication to remodel its Gen-6 race car to more closely resemble its street production counterpart has been exemplary, and we look forward to watching it perform on the track each weekend in 2015.”

The new 2015 Toyota Camry will make its NASCAR Sprint Cup Series debut at Daytona International Speedway during February’s ‘Speedweeks.’