Lexington Toyota Press Release
Toyota Reports February Sales
TORRANCE, Calif. (Mar. 1, 2011) – Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., today reported February sales results of 141,846 units. With 24 selling days in February 2010 and 2011, sales were up 41.8 percent over the year-ago month on a daily selling rate (DSR) and unadjusted raw volume basis. The Toyota Division posted February total sales of 128,032 units, an increase of 48.5 percent over the same period last year. The Lexus Division reported total sales of 13,814 units, flat from last February. Toyota Division
Toyota Division passenger cars recorded combined sales of 74,527 units, up 50.8 over last February. Passenger car sales were led by Camry and Camry Hybrid with combined sales of 27,212 units for the month, up 64.4 percent over last February. Corolla posted combined February sales of 25,860 units, an increase of 52.2 percent year-over-year. The Prius mid-size gas-electric hybrid posted February sales of 13,539 units, up 69.9 percent over the year-ago month. Toyota Division light trucks posted February sales of 53,505 units, an increase of 45.3 percent year-over-year. Light truck sales were led by the RAV4 compact SUV, which recorded monthly sales of 12,562, an increase of 84.8 percent over last February. Highlander and Highlander Hybrid posted combined sales of 8,622 units for the month, up 138.5 percent year-over-year. The 4Runner mid-size SUV reported sales of 3,760 units, an increase of 26.5 percent over the year-ago month. The Tacoma mid-size pickup posted sales of 7,879 units for the month, while the Tundra full-size pickup posted sales of 7,012 units, an increase of 28.2 percent over last February. "After two months of improving sales, we feel good about the way 2011 has started," said Bob Carter, Toyota Division group vice president and general manager, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. "The launch of our ‘#1 for a Reason’ campaign last week contributed to an especially strong close, with a big increase in customer traffic and improved sales across the car and light truck segments. We plan to keep the momentum going in March." Scion posted February sales of 3,944 units, an increase of 30.2 percent year-over-year. The The tC sports coupe led the way with sales of 1,662 units, up 93.3 percent over last February. The xB urban utility vehicle posted February sales of 1,475 units, and the xD reported sales of 807 units for the month. Lexus DivisionLexus reported passenger car sales of 5,923 units, down 7.0 percent from last February. The entry luxury sedan ES led Lexus passenger car sales with sales of 2,598 units. The IS lineup reported combined sales of 2,081 units, an increase of 4.5 percent over the year-ago month. Lexus light trucks recorded sales of 7,891 units, up 6.3 percent from last February. Lexus light truck sales were led by the RX, which posted combined February sales of 6,567 units, up 15.3 percent over the year-ago month. The GX mid-size luxury utility vehicle reported sales of 1,051 units. TMS Hybrids
TMS posted February sales of 16,461 hybrid vehicles, up 50.2 percent over the year-ago-month. Toyota Division posted sales of 15,239 hybrids for the month, up 63.5 percent over last February. Lexus Division reported sales 1,222 hybrids in February.
Toyota may show surprise sales turnaround this month
Toyota Division passenger cars recorded combined sales of 74,527 units, up 50.8 over last February. Passenger car sales were led by Camry and Camry Hybrid with combined sales of 27,212 units for the month, up 64.4 percent over last February. Corolla posted combined February sales of 25,860 units, an increase of 52.2 percent year-over-year. The Prius mid-size gas-electric hybrid posted February sales of 13,539 units, up 69.9 percent over the year-ago month.
TMS posted February sales of 16,461 hybrid vehicles, up 50.2 percent over the year-ago-month. Toyota Division posted sales of 15,239 hybrids for the month, up 63.5 percent over last February. Lexus Division reported sales 1,222 hybrids in February.
"Capitalizing on its big inducements to get cars selling again, Toyota could emerge as a big sales winners in auto sales this month could be Toyota, Edmunds.com predicts.
"What a difference a month makes for Toyota, whose sales climbed 80 percent since February thanks to generous incentives and more balanced headlines," says Jessica Caldwell, director of industry analysis for the auto buying research website. "At this point, Toyota seems to be making large strides in reinstating its good name and appealing to car-shoppers."
Edmunds.com predicts Toyota sales will soar 37.1% from March of last year and up 82% from last month, when eight models were taken off sale until they could be repaired as part of the unintended acceleration scandal. Toyota's market share is expected to be 16.3%, up from 15.5% a year ago.
The combined monthly U.S. market share for Chrysler, Ford and General Motors is estimated to be 44% in March 2010, down from 45.1% in March, 2009, and down from 47.1% last month.
Edmunds.com predicts Chrysler see sales fall 6.5% compared to March, 2009, but show an increase of 11.7% from February. Ford will be up 55.5% compared to the same month a year ago. GM won't gain as much, up 27% from a year ago"
Article from U.S.A Today
EPA Recognizes Toyota With Energy Star® Award For Commitment To Environmental Excellence
Toyota’s York Township, Mich., campus earns top environmental honor from the U.S. Green Building Council
March 25, 2010 - ERLANGER, Ky. – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. (TEMA), with a 2010 ENERGY STAR Sustained Excellence Award in recognition of its continued leadership in protecting the environment through energy efficiency and management. TEMA’s accomplishments were recognized at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. on March 18, 2010.
Separately, the Toyota Technical Center’s (TTC) York Township, Mich., campus has been recognized by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) with a Gold Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Certification for its commitment to environmental stewardship.
Energy Star Sustained Excellence Award TEMA, an ENERGY STAR partner since 2003, was honored with its sixth ENERGY STAR Sustained Excellence Award for its long-term commitment to the environment across its ten manufacturing operations in the U.S. Across the nation, top companies and organizations are leading the way toward a more energy-efficient future through participation in ENERGY STAR.
“Toyota’s commitment to sustainability reaches beyond just manufacturing vehicles,” said Kevin Butt, Chief Environmental Officer of TEMA. “Our research and development efforts focus on developing the cars and manufacturing technologies for the future. And our best resource to achieve this vision is our team members, who have paved the way to a sustainable future.”
Examples of energy improvements at TEMA’s manufacturing facilities include:
- Reducing total energy use by 19 percent per vehicle produced since FY2000 while expanding and adding new facilities
- Reducing water usage by 20 percent per vehicle produced since FY1999 through no- and low-cost improvements
- The installation of solar panels at the Huntsville, Alabama engine plant – the first Toyota plant in the U.S. to have one. The new five kilowatt solar panel generates enough energy to light four bays of floor space, or over 16,000 square feet; the equivalent of 80 60-watt light bulbs
- At the Georgetown, Kentucky plant, the plastics shop reduced their shut down energy use by 83 percent from the previous year.
- Energy improvements at Toyota manufacturing facilities have saved more than $30 million annually and reduced CO2 emission by almost 150,000 metric tons, equal to 19,000 homes.
The 2010 Sustained Excellence Awards are given to a select group of organizations that have exhibited outstanding leadership year after year. These winners have reduced greenhouse gas emissions by setting and achieving aggressive goals, employing innovative approaches, and showing others what can be achieved through energy efficiency. These awards recognize ongoing leadership across the ENERGY STAR program including energy-efficient products, services, new homes and buildings in the commercial, industrial and public sectors. Award winners are selected from more than 12,000 organizations that participate in the ENERGY STAR program.
Gold LEED Certification
When it opened in October 2008, TTC’s York Township campus represented a $187 million investment in the state of Michigan and was constructed with the environment in mind.
“From the planning and design stage, our top priority was to maximize the building’s energy efficiency,” said Robin Haugen, General Manager of Production Engineering at TEMA. “Reducing energy use and improving efficiency is major priority for Toyota across North America.”
LEED points are awarded on a 69-point scale and credits are weighted to reflect their potential environmental impacts. The York Township building scored 40 points, earning Gold recognition.
Examples of environmental & energy efficiency efforts at TTC’s York Township campus include:
- Brownfield redevelopment site (use of an existing property which was idled or underused due to environmental hazards)
- Installation and use of an under-floor HVAC supply system, reducing energy use by nearly ten percent
- Use of construction waste and installation of low volatile organic compounds, such as paints and carpeting
- Nearly 40 percent of the installed recycled materials in the building were from within a 500 mile radius
- Reduced water use through planting low maintenance landscape and reduced/waterless fixtures.
Developed by the USGBC, LEED provides building owners and operators a concise framework for identifying and implementing practical and measurable green building design, construction, operations and maintenance solutions.
About Toyota
Toyota (NYSE:TM) established operations in North America in 1957 and currently operates 14 manufacturing plants. There are more than 1,800 Toyota, Lexus and Scion dealerships in North America which sold more than 2.05 million vehicles in 2009. Toyota directly employs more than 40,000 in North America and its investment here is currently valued at more than $23 billion, including sales and manufacturing operations, research and development, financial services and design. Toyota's annual purchasing of parts, materials, goods and services from North American suppliers totals more than $25 billion.
Toyota currently produces 12 vehicles in North America, including the Avalon, Camry, Corolla, Highlander, Matrix, RAV4, Sienna, Sequoia, Tacoma, Tundra, Venza and the Lexus RX 350.
Toyota Prius Vehicle Throttle and Brake Systems: Myth VS. Fact
Myth: The start/stop button on the dash will not turn off my Prius while it’s running.
Fact: On early to 2010 models with a push-button smart key system, pushing and holding the button on the dash for about three seconds will shut off the ignition system on the vehicle – even if it’s in gear and moving along the roadway. Newer models may have different control logic – you only have to press the button briefly to shut down the vehicle. Check your Owner’s Manual for details on your vehicle’s system.
Myth: The brake system on my Toyota Prius is not able to stop the car at speed with a wide-open throttle condition.
Fact: The brake system on each Toyota model is capable of overpowering the driveline to stop the vehicle – even with the throttle in a wide-open condition. See Car and Driver's article at: http://www.caranddriver.com/features/09q4/how_to_deal_with_unintended_acceleration-tech_dept for more information. Apply firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal – use two feet if needed, to bring the vehicle to a halt. Do not pump the brakes in these conditions, as this may overheat the system, causing a reduction in brake performance. Prius is equipped with a combination of hydraulic and electric regenerative brake systems. All Prius vehicles have a brake system program that reduces gasoline engine power if both the throttle and brake pedals are depressed at the same time. This feature helps reduce the chance of damage to the hybrid system transmission in the event of simultaneous brake and throttle pedal application by the driver, and also helps to slow the vehicle under these circumstances. The regenerative braking via the main electric motor will continue to function to help slow the vehicle.
Myth: In the event you encounter a runaway vehicle, the first thing you should do is to turn off the ignition.
Fact: Although turning off the ignition is a possible course of action, the first thing a driver should do is to put the transmission in Neutral. This separates the driveline from the wheels, and gives the driver instant speed control over the vehicle, and allows the driver time to assess what is happening. This also allows continued use of the power steering and brake systems for an easier stopping operation. Pressing the start/stop button to turn off the ignition can be done as a next step. This will shut down power assist to the brakes and steering system – reducing their performance, but the driver can still brake and steer the vehicle manually in this condition. The steering column on Prius will not lock up when the ignition is turned off while the vehicle is moving – allowing the driver steering control. Traditional key type ignitions systems can be turned off while the vehicle is moving without locking the steering column – as long as the key is left in the ignition. Removal of the key may result in a locked steering column, and hamper driver steering control. After placing the transmission in Neutral, and the vehicle is brought to a stop at the side of the road, the final step should be to turn off the ignition.
Myth: The parking brake is effective in stopping a vehicle at speed.
Fact: The parking brake may be helpful in that it can provide some additional brakeforce. However, the amount of brakeforce the parking brake applies will be negligible in a vehicle that is running at anything over parking lot speeds. Placing the transmission in Neutral and using firm steady pressure on the brake pedal will be the best way to bring the vehicle to a stop.
Myth: The transmission would not go into Neutral when an attempt was made to put it in Neutral.
Fact: Prius does have an electronic link between the shift lever and the transmission. The driver should place the Prius in Neutral by moving the shift lever to the “N” position – to the left side of the shift gate, and hold it there for a second – this will put the Prius transmission in Neutral. Firm application of the brakes will slow the vehicle down. Pressing and holding the start/stop button can be used as a final action to stop the vehicle if needed.
Myth: The harder I pressed on the brake pedal, the more the vehicle accelerated.
Fact: In a situation where it appears to the driver that the brake pedal has been depressed, but acceleration results, the driver should stay calm and take immediate action by moving the transmission shift lever to Neutral, use a firm and steady application of the brakes, then get to the side of the road and assess the situation. Neutral allows the driver to gain immediate control, and provides the driver with time to evaluate what is happening to the vehicle.
Myth: Prius has an electronically controlled brake system, and I don’t believe it is as reliable as regular hydraulic brakes.
Fact: Prius does have an electronically controlled brake system which is as reliable as hydraulic brakes. This system utilizes both electric motor regenerative braking and hydraulic braking to stop the vehicle. The Prius system is able to recognize a fault in the regenerative braking system, and will send the driver’s brake input to the hydraulic brakes to stop the vehicle. Prius can also detect a fault in the hydraulic brake system booster, and allow all of the driver’s brake force to be directly sent to the two front brake calipers for maximum stopping power under a “no-boost” condition.
Myth: If I have a throttle stuck in the wide open position, and I put the vehicle in Neutral to help gain control of the vehicle, the engine will over rev, and be damaged.
Fact: If you place your vehicle in Neutral with a wide open throttle, you will hear a lot of engine noise, but don’t be overly concerned by this. All Toyota gasoline engines have a rev limiter function as a part of the engine control program that will prevent over revving of the engine by cutting the fuel supply at a predetermined RPM. This RPM limit varies – depending on the engine type.
Myth: The Brake Override System will make it difficult to start my vehicle on a hill.
Fact: The Brake Override System is designed to stop your vehicle when the brake pedal is firmly pressed in cases where there is acceleration caused by mechanical interference with the throttle pedal. For practical reasons – the Brake Override System will not operate when the brake pedal is depressed first – to allow for uphill starts, while limiting the vehicle’s tendency to roll backwards. When engaged, the Brake Override System will disengage when the brake pedal is released. It will also not function at vehicle speeds of less than 5 mph, as at this point, the vehicle can be stopped safely.
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