Latino unity - Toyota welcomes the 85th National LULAC 2014 Convention in New York

This month, The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) hosted its national convention from July 8 through July 12, 2014 at the New York Hilton hotel in Midtown Manhattan.

There were approximately 20,000 people who were attending LULAC’s 85th Annual National Convention in the city that opened its arms to immigrants, saying, “Give me your tired, your poor”. Immigration reform will be one of the key focus areas, along with civil rights for all. Toyota has appreciated a powerful, longstanding relationship with LULAC. 

This League, The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), is the nation’s largest and oldest civil rights volunteer-based organization that empowers Hispanic Americans and builds strong Latino communities. Headquartered in Washington, DC, with 1,000 councils around the United States and Puerto Rico, LULAC’s programs, services and advocacy address the most important issues for Latinos, meeting critical needs of today and the future.

“We are especially excited to partner with LULAC on this year’s conference, which promises to be as vibrant and active as the event’s host city,” says Bill Fay, group vice president and general manager of the Toyota division at Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc. “New ideas, important policy discussions and interesting opportunities are hallmarks of this Convention and it’s these kinds of dialogues that help us make better cars for our customers and be good citizens within the Hispanic community.”

Toyota will present LULAC at the Convention with a hybrid Prius that will serve as an official vehicle of this year's event. LULAC will have use of the car for one year as it works with Toyota to raise environmental knowledge among the Hispanic community and encourage greener and more tenable lifestyles.

"LULAC values our partnership with Toyota, and we are grateful for their sponsorship at this year's 85th LULAC Annual Convention in New York City," said Brent A. Wilkes, LULAC national executive director. "By working together, we can provide greater resources for the Latino community."

There is also an invitation from Toyota for those in New York City area to see the Toyota Sienna, Prius V and Corolla and participate in “Buckle Up for Life” or “Abrochate a la Vida” car seat and safety demonstrations.

Toyota has lasting assurance to the Hispanic community and is proud to be the number one automobile brand for U.S. Latinos since 2004. Toyota has nearly tripled its number of Hispanic-owned Toyota and Lexus dealers since 2000, and the company’s Hispanic Business Strategy Group was formed to ensure that the Hispanic attitude is an integral part of Toyota’s growth strategies.

“Toyota never rests on our laurels when it comes to our commitment to the nation’s Hispanic community,” says Luis Rosero, Director of Hispanic Business Strategy Group, Toyota Motor North America. “We are extremely grateful for all of those in the Hispanic community who continually make Toyota vehicles their number one choice. We look forward to seeing many of you at this year’s National Convention.”

Toyota Motor Collaborates with FirstElement and Linde, hydrogen provider

Toyota said in a press release that it will collaborate with hydrogen provider Linde, which will build a public hydrogen refueling facility at the Toyota San Francisco Regional Office.

"The issue of hydrogen refueling infrastructure is not so much about how many stations; but rather, location, location, location," said Bob Carter, senior vice president, Automotive Operations, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. (TMS), just four months ago at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas where he unveiled a hydrogen fuel cell sedan due to launch in 2015.

"Solutions are being found through collaboration between government, academia, carmakers and energy providers. Stay tuned, because this infrastructure thing is going to happen."

TMS and its affiliate Totota Motor Credit Corp. (TMCC) announced that they have entered into a group of financial agreements with FirstElement to support the long – term operation and maintenance expenses of new hydrogen refueling stations in California.

The assistance and the actual quantity will be based on analysis of the grant award to FirstElement by the California Energy Commission's (CEC) Notice of Proposed Awards (NOPA) announced on 1 May and final authorization of the NOPA, expected in June.

In accordance with the terms of the agreement with Toyota, FirstElement will work to establish an integrated and reliable network of fueling stations across California in target market locations that are certified by Toyota and regular with the California Fuel Cell Partnership Road Map.

"The first few years here in California will be a critical period for hydrogen fuel cell technology," said Carter. "California has stepped up with the offer to invest 200 million dollars to build 100 stations, and through this financial arrangement with FirstElement, Toyota is showing its full commitment to deploy zero emission fuel cell vehicles here in California. Perhaps most importantly, we are showing the future owners of this amazing technology that Toyota is helping to ensure that hydrogen refueling will be available, no matter what car brand is on the hood."

Toyota announced that Linde plans to build a hydrogen fueling station on TMS owned property located in San Ramon. Calif., adjoining Toyota's San Francisco Regional Office and Parts Distribution Center. This location will serve local and regional customers, as well as act as an important connector site between the Sacramento and San Joaquin, and the San Francisco Bay Area.

"This is just a start, but it's the first step in getting to the point in the near future where this technology will move into the mainstream," said Carter.

Toyota presently operates 14 manufacturing plants. There are more than 1,800 Toyota, Lexus and Scion dealerships in North America which sold over 2.3 million vehicles in 2012.