Friday, January 30, 2015

Toyota selects Cincinnati architect to design new facilities

Offices Will Use Renewable Energy, Recycle Water and Build Biodiversity

Toyota selected Cincinnati-based BHDP Architecture to design the automakers new facilities in Georgetown, Ky. and York Township, Michigan.


For promoting future product growth, Toyota declared last spring that it will expand its Technical Center in Michigan to accommodate the relocation of 250 direct procurement and supplier engineering development positions from Erlanger to its campus in York Township near Ann Arbor. In addition, nearly 300 Erlanger-based production engineering positions will relocate to a new facility at Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky in Georgetown. Both moves will occur by early 2017.

Victor Vanov, a spokesman with Toyota, said BHDP Architecture stood out because of the firm's experience with sustainable building.
"That's a key reason they won the business," Vanov said.

Groundbreaking for both facilities will take place in spring 2015.

Toyota identified key themes for these two new facilities,” says senior architect Tom Arends. “A work environment that’s sustainable, promotes collaboration, embraces diversity and builds a sense of excitement and accomplishment for team members with the ultimate vision of building always better cars. We are honored to work with Toyota to design a workplace that helps team members achieve desired results.”
 “We welcome BHDP Architecture and recognize their experience as an innovative leader focused on creating a workplace environment that aligns with our sustainability goals,” said Robin Haugen, general manager, Production Engineering at Toyota. “These new facilities will be regional role models using renewable energy, recycling water, building biodiversity, and increasing the amount of low volatile organic compounds and recycled material within the construction.”


While Toyota is relocating its North American headquarters for manufacturing, sales and marketing to a single North American operations headquarters in Plano, Texas in 2017, the automaker will still have more than 7,000 employees in Kentucky. These operations are a part of series of moves designed to better serve customers and position the company for continual, long-term growth. Later this year, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky will start production of the Lexus ES in Georgetown, which is Toyota's largest U.S. manufacturing plant.

Sunday, January 25, 2015

Toyota invites industry to the hydrogen future

Japanese automotive giant, Toyota, is making more than 5600 hydrogen fuel cell patents available royalty-free to accelerate the global development and introduction of innovative fuel cell technologies. The patents include critical technologies developed for the newly launched Toyota Mirai fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV).
Announced at the 2015 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, this Toyota initiative will stimulate the development and introduction of innovative fuel cell technologies around the world.

Toyota has a long history of opening its intellectual properties through collaboration and was instrumental in facilitating the widespread adoption of hybrid vehicles by licensing related patents. 


This announcement represents the first time that Toyota has made its patents available free of charge and reflects the company's aggressive support for developing a hydrogen-based society.
The announcement covers only fuel cell-related patents owned entirely by Toyota. Patents related to fuel cell vehicles will be available for royalty-free licenses until the end of 2020. Patents for hydrogen production and supply will remain open for an unlimited duration.
As part of licensing agreements, Toyota will request, but will not require, that other companies share their fuel cell-related patents with Toyota for similar royalty-free use. Toyota will negotiate individual contracts with companies interested in Toyota's fuel cell-related patents.

“The first-generation hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, launched between 2015 and 2020, will be critical, requiring a concerted effort and unconventional collaboration between automakers, government regulators, academia and energy providers,” says Bob Carter, Senior Vice President of Automotive Operations at Toyota Motor Sales USA Inc.
“By eliminating traditional corporate boundaries, we can speed the development of new technologies and move into the future of mobility more quickly, effectively, and economically,” he continues. “At Toyota, we believe that when good ideas are shared, great things can happen.”


 www.youtube.com/watch?v=EU8PMd-pwkg#t=12

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Toyota reveals All New 2016 Tacoma at Detroit Auto Show

The Toyota exhibit at North American International Auto Show ( NAIAS) at Detroit's Cobo Center. More than 40 vehicles are expected to be unveiled at the 2015 NAIAS. The show runs Jan. 12-25 in Detroit. The new Tacoma will be shown in competitive midsize pickups segment.


“This year’s exhibit shows the breadth and depth of Toyota’s achievements in the global automotive industry with a look toward the future,” said Don Johnson, Auto Show Engagement Manager at Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. “Visitors to the NAIAS will see how Toyota has exemplary vehicles in every segment with a balanced portfolio and sustainability leadership through hybrid and fuel cell technologies.”

«For the past 50 years adventure-seeking Americans have relied on Toyota trucks to take them places, on and off-road," said Bill Fay, group vice president & general manager, Toyota Division.  "The all-new homegrown Tacoma is a tough truck designed, developed and built for lifestyles of the young and young-at-heart. The Tacoma has not been redesigned in 10 years. 



Both engines will be available with a 6-speed, automatic transmission; the V6 engine will be available with a six-speed manual transmission.
The 2016 Tacoma was developed and engineered at the Toyota Technical Center in Ann Arbor and designed in Ann Arbor and in Newport Beach, California.

Beside all of this Toyota will be showing several vehicle concepts which advise the possibilities of future mobility. The FV2, which appeared at last year’s NAIAS, is operated by the driver shifting his or her body to intuitively move the vehicle in any direction. The Toyota i-ROAD is also on display. It is an innovative, fun-to-drive three-wheel personal electric vehicle equipped with revolutionary Active Lean technology that emulates the movements of a skier. This vehicle is on the roads of Grenoble, France in a car-sharing pilot program.


Toyota will launch on Jan. 14, its new TeenDrive365 distracted driving simulator, which uses Oculus Rift to bring the dangers of distracted driving to life. For the first time the next generation virtual reality technology is being used to educate people – teens and parents alike – about the dangers of distracted driving.  The new simulator with Oculus Rift will be available free of charge to the public at the NAIAS and other auto shows across the country.
The safety exhibit also includes active safety education using a Camry to feature tutorial videos on the functions of several technologies including Blind Spot Monitor and Lane Departure Alert.

«This year’s North American International Auto Show is going to feel very retro, because it’s going to feature a series of big, brash, unapologetic concept cars and production models," Karl Brauer, senior analyst at Kelley Blue Book, said in an email. 

Westboro TOYOTA Tacoma Inventory



Thursday, January 15, 2015

Toyota to Sponsor National Archives Museum’s “Featured Documents”

Millions of people who visit Washington each year go to see its famous monuments or view historic records, which chronicle significant events in the nation's history.


Toyota announced a $100,000 donation to the Foundation for the National Archives to support the public display of rarely exhibited records, including the House passage of the Bill of Rights, the Tonkin Gulf Resolution, and 200-year-old documents from the War of 1812, at the National Archives Museum.

The donation to the Foundation – the National Archives’ private partner – was given in honor of businessman and philanthropist David M. Rubenstein, a generous supporter of the Archives who has loaned his own copies of the Declaration of Independence and Magna Carta to the museum and recently helped fund a major expansion and the creation of the new permanent exhibition, «Records of Rights»

Toyota’s gift was announced at an event at the National Archives in which Toyota hosted executives, assembly line workers, and other guests at a reception and dinner featuring Rubenstein.

“It is with a deep sense of honor that Toyota makes this donation to the Foundation for the National Archives in recognition of our nation’s rich history,” said Jim Lentz, CEO of Toyota’s North American Region. “We are proud to help preserve treasured documents marking major milestones in American history.”

Lentz noted that Toyota has enjoyed an almost 60-year history in the U.S. as a business deeply ingrained in communities nationwide. “Giving back to our society reflects who we are as a company,” he said.

“Toyota’s generosity is a stirring gesture to David Rubenstein’s philanthropy while recognizing the vital importance of the National Archives,” said the Foundation’s Executive Director Patrick M. Madden. “These are one-of-a-kind historic documents that range from light-hearted to monumental acts. Each one still resonates in our country’s consciousness today.”

Toyota’s donation will support the Foundation’s exhibition fund and will help the Archives prepare and display more than 10 records in the “Featured Document” exhibit in the museum’s East Rotunda Gallery over the next six months. The rotating exhibit, located near displays of the original Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the Bill of Rights, is seen by more than 1 million visitors each year. As each record is displayed, more information about its history and free access to high-resolution images of the document will be available through the Foundation’s website.

The documents include:

Smith-Lever Act of 1914, signed by President Woodrow Wilson 100 years ago, creating the national Cooperative Extension System to expand programs at land-grant universities. (April 17 – May 8)

Mother’s Letter to the Children’s Bureau, one of hundreds of letters written by mothers and soon-to-be mothers seeking advice and support in the care of children. This 1916 letter from Mrs. Neil Williams to Julia Lathrop is displayed in honor of Mother’s Day. (May 9 – 21)

125th establishment of the Shiloh National Cemetery by the War Department in 1889, displayed in honor of Memorial Day. The cemetery holds 3,584 Civil War dead, 2,359 of whom are unknown. (May 22 –June 5)

G.I. Bill of Rights of 1944, passed by Congress 70 years ago, providing benefits to World War II veterans, including grants for school and college tuition, low-interest mortgages, and unemployment benefits. (June 6– July 14)

Tonkin Gulf Resolution of 1964, commemorating the 50th anniversary of Congress giving President Lyndon Johnson the authority to increase U.S. involvement in the war between North and South Vietnam. (July 15 – August 7)

President Richard Nixon’s resignation letter to Secretary of State Henry Kissinger (August 9, 1974) and
President Gerald Ford’s full and unconditional pardon of Nixon (September 8, 1974). (August 8 –11)

House Passage of the Bill of Rights, celebrating its 225th anniversary. The First Congress proposed to the state legislatures 12 amendments to the Constitution, 10 of which were ratified and are now collectively known as the Bill of Rights. (August 12 – September 10)

Documents and an artifact commemorating the 1814 attack on Baltimore and Fort McHenry and the burning of Washington. During the War of 1812, Fort McHenry was responsible for defending Baltimore and raising the flag that inspired Francis Scott Key to write the words to “The Star Spangled Banner” 200 years ago. (September 11 – October 30)

Rubenstein said he was moved by Toyota’s decision to donate to the National Archives. “Toyota’s generous and timely gift will help ensure that documents central to the struggle for freedom and equality will be seen by millions of people,” he said.


Saturday, January 10, 2015

Toyota Decks the Halls with IIHS 2015 'Top Safety Pick' Awards

Eight Toyota and Lexus models collect   Institute’s Highest Top Safety Pick+
Four Toyota and Scion Vehicles Named Top Safety Picks
On the 12th day of Christmas, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave to Toyota, 12 awards awarding. In fact, the automaker won more awards than any other automaker, including the most of the Institute’s highest honor. 


In all, eight Toyota and Lexus vehicles earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating. IIHS in particular recognized the Prius V for its significantly enhanced performance all-around in the small overlap crash test – naming it a Top Safety Pick+. The Toyota Sienna was also the only minivan awarded the 2015 Top Safety Pick + designation.  IIHS also acknowledged four additional Toyota and Scion vehicles as 2015 Top Safety Picks.
 
Toyota’s twelve awards were the most in the industry for 2015.

“At Toyota, our focus remains on the safety and peace of mind of our customers,” said Dino Triantafyllos, Toyota’s North American Chief Quality Officer. “We’re pleased the IIHS has recognized the strong and improved safety performance of our vehicles in a range of crash tests.”
 
2015 Toyota / Lexus Top Safety Pick+ winners are: Lexus CT (built after Sept. 2014), Toyota Prius, Toyota Camry, Toyota Prius v, Lexus RC, Toyota Highlander, Lexus NX and Toyota Sienna.
 
2015 Toyota / Scion Top Safety Pick Winners are:  Toyota/Scion:  Scion FR-S, Scion tC, Toyota Avalon and, Toyota RAV4 (built after Nov. 2014).
 


Monday, January 5, 2015

2015 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro Wins Baja 1000 Commonplace Full Class

The 2015 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro team claimed victory at the recent 47th Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 race in the full stock class. While the truck performed flawlessly mechanically, the exterior took a beating.


The victorious 2015 Tundra TRD Pro Series was modified specifically to compete in the Baja 1000, a race renowned for showing no mercy to man or machine. When Toyota's race team set out to push the limits of the new Tundra in the harsh terrain of the Mexican desert, they understood that winning the race would require careful consideration of component partners.


According to Zack Zwillinger, senior design engineer at TRD USA, "We pre-ran the 2014 Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 with TRD Pro vehicles equipped with production TRD tuned BILSTEIN shocks. The TRD PRO Tundra prepped for the race won the Stock Class equipped with TRD-tuned BILSTEIN racing shocks."


Doug Cimins with BILSTEIN's Off-Road and Motorsports department said, "We have a lot of respect for what Baja racing represents. Our products, backed by more than 40 years of off-road victories, are designed to deliver the most ideal ride when you need control, durability and performance.  Congratulations to the Toyota Tundra TRD Pro Desert Race Team for an amazing win!"

"Not only did the Toyota Tundra TRD Pro win the Baja 1000 Full Size Stock Class, the Tundra and BILSTIEN shocks were in such remarkable condition they drove the truck home from La Paz, Mexico to California. This is an incredible feat, considering most teams are just satisfied with finishing the event. Toyota and BILSTEIN engineering did a remarkable job designing and testing the parts used on this vehicle. We are proud of our strong partnership with Toyota, both on their production and race vehicles," said Regis Finn, BILSTEIN marketing manager.

BILSTEIN's racing history in the United States dates back to the beginning of off-road racing in the 1960's, when they revolutionized and transformed the racing world with the technology of their monotube shock absorbers. They continue their legacy of cutting edge development, with BILSTEIN's brand new 9200 Series 3.0 (70mm). The Baja-winning 2015 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro Series was equipped with the new 9200 Series bypass in the front and the Black Hawk Radial Bypass shocks in the rear.


The TRD Pro Desert Race Team was coached by legendary off-road racer Ivan "Ironman" Stewart, and included drivers Andy Bell, Jamie Bestwick, Ryan Millen and Ted Moncure.

"The Baja 1000 is another test to ensure that Toyota trucks continue to exceed the expectations of our customers," said Toyota Pickup Trucks Chief Engineer Mike Sweers. "The combination of excellent teamwork and Toyota's quality, dependability and reliability not only got us to the finish line, but it got us there first."

Toyota has a famous off-road racing heritage dating back to the 1980s, straining up 304 off- road wins. For more than three decades, TRD has been a necessary component of Toyota's success in motorsports victories as well as in designing high-quality performance parts and accessories.

TRD Pro Desert Race Team

Team Coach:
Ivan "Ironman" Stewart: Legendary Toyota Off-Road Racer, Off-Road Hall of Fame Member/22-time SCORE Baja 500 and 1000 Champion/San Diego, CA

Navigators:
Mike Sweers: Chief Engineer of Toyota Trucks/Ann Arbor, MI

Samantha Stone: Toyota Production Engineer

Drivers:
Ted Moncure: Toyota Racing Development Design Engineer/SCORE Baja 1000 and 500 class-champion/Long Beach, CA

Andy Bell: Toyota Athlete/SCORE Baja 500 Champion/Guinness World Record holder/Long Beach, CA

Jamie Bestwick: Toyota Athlete/Professional BMX Vert Rider/9-time X-Games winner/Port Matilda, PA

Ryan Millen: SCORE Baja 1000 and 500 Competitor/Son of off-road and rally legend    Rod Millen/San Juan Capistrano, CA

Riding Mechanics:
Zach Zwillinger: TRD Design Engineer
Matt Weal: TRD Design Engineer

Mike Jarboe: Toyota Quality Engineer

Mark Sasaki:
Toyota Quality Engineer

"Winning the Full Size Stock class helps  us demonstrate just how robust the new 2015 TRD Pro Series trucks are," said Andrew Franceschini, Toyota truck marketing and communications national manager.