Toyota Celebrates 35 Years of Research and Development in the United States

Toyota Technical Center (TTC), a division of Toyota Motor Engineering and Manufacturing North America, Inc., will celebrate its 35th Anniversary with team members and executives this week at locations in Michigan, Arizona and California.

Toyota Technical Center (TTC) has been the driving force behind Toyota's North American engineering and research & development (R&D) activities since 1977. Headquartered in Michigan, TTC has R&D facilities in Ann Arbor, Saline, Plymouth and Livonia. In California,
TTC has R&D facilities in Gardena and Torrance and operates the Toyota Arizona Proving Ground near Phoenix.

Toyota Powers-Up First of its Kind Stationary Fuel Cell

Furthering its commitment to alternative energy and the environment, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. (TMS) activated today a new 1.1-megawatt hydrogen fuel cell generator on the Torrance headquarters campus. The fuel cell will supply approximately half of the electricity for six headquarters buildings during peak demand, while producing zero emissions. Designed and built by Ballard Power Systems, the proprietary Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) stationary fuel cell is the largest PEM fuel cell of its kind. The fuel cell is powered by hydrogen gas fed directly from a pre-existing industrial hydrogen pipeline, also a first for this technology. This direct power source allows Toyota to reduce utility grid electricity usage during peak power demand. The same hydrogen pipeline also supplies a hydrogen filling station adjacent to the TMS campus used to fuel Toyota’s and other manufacturers fuel cell hybrid vehicle fleets.

Toyota Brings Hybrids to the Living Room as First Automaker on HSN

Toyota introduced its all-new Avalon Hybrid and its hybrid vehicle lineup into millions of living rooms across America on Sunday, Oct. 7, with a “Discover Toyota” showcase that aired on multichannel retailer HSN at 12 noon, 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. EDT.

Toyota Sponsors LATISM Twitter Party on Education, Featuring National Center for Family Literacy

Toyota and Latinos in Tech Innovation and Social Media (LATISM) will team up to host a candid education discussion on Oct. 4, leveraging the inclusiveness of Twitter and the expertise of the National Center for Family Literacy (NCFL), a longtime partner of Toyota. The hour-long open discussion will begin at 9 p.m. EDT using the hashtags #ToyotaLatino and #LATISM.

Scion’s ‘What Moves You’ Campaign Highlights Unique ‘Scion Story’ in New Chapter of Brand’s Evolution

“The recent introductions of the FR-S sports car and the premium micro-subcompact iQ have expanded Scion’s target audience. While these new products have successfully increased awareness of the lineup, many people have only a vague understanding of Scion’s uncommon brand attributes,” said Doug Murtha, Scion vice president. “With this in mind, the ‘What Moves You’ campaign is the first of several important initiatives designed to better familiarize consumers with the brand.

Charitable Endeavors Stand to Benefit from Toyota Racing Dream Build Challenge

The four contenders, who are racing against the clock to complete their vehicle in just a few short weeks, are: NASCAR Chase for the Championship contender Clint Bowyer, who is building an ultra-high-tech Prius in hopes of benefitting the Emporia Community Foundation; NHRA Top Fuel points leader Antron Brown and his drag-race-inspired Sequoia, whose victory could assist Racers for Christ; NASCAR superstar Kyle Busch, who hopes his stylish road-race Camry will secure a donation to the Kyle Busch Foundation; and NHRA Nitro Funny Car phenom Alexis DeJoria, who is transforming a Tundra into an all-out desert racer on behalf of Safety Harbor Kids.

Toyota and the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute Launch Teen Driver Distraction Study

Washington, DC, September 13, 2012 – At a Safety Research Forum here yesterday, Toyota announced that it has teamed up with the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI) to conduct a major new study of 5,600 teens and adults. Results of the Teen Driver Distraction Study commissioned by the Toyota Collaborative Safety Research Center (CSRC) in July 2012 will be released incrementally as data is analyzed.