Though it’s now been six years since one of the deadliest hurricanes we’ve ever seen hit New Orleans, the relief efforts are still ongoing. Toyota has been a strong influence over the years and in June it was announced they would be doing even more! They will now help more by donating their Toyota Production System expertise to help schools, hospitals and other community organizations improve their operations, extend their reach and increase their impact. The results of their work was recently released and your friends at the local Staten Island new Toyota dealership are excited to share this news with you!

When Toyota announced they would be sharing their Toyota Production System expertise, it was also revealed that it would be with the St. Bernard Project. This is one of the major housing recovery organizations in New Orleans and Toyota was proud to team with them! The results of the project have now been announced and they are very promising!

In just under three months, the St. Bernard Project has realized significant improvements through their use of the techniques which were established on Toyota’s assembly lines. Some of the results can be seen below:

• Where the project once needed 12 – 18 weeks to rebuild a house, they were able to finish two test houses in just six weeks! That’s an improvement of more than 50%!
• In addition to quicker build times, the time needed for re-work (or work not done right the first time) is down more than 50%! This goes a long way and helps them to reduce waste, increase efficiency and lower costs.

These are very significant improvements that everyone should be proud of!

Jamie Bonini, who is the general manager of the Toyota Production System Support Center (TSSC), had this to say about the news:

“At Toyota, we judge our success not just on the cars we make, but also on the positive impact we are able to have in local communities nationwide. … With so many nonprofits being asked to do more with less, the need to operate with greater efficiency has become even more important.  While there is still much more to accomplish in our joint work with SBP, we are pleased that the techniques of the Toyota Production System are beginning to show early results.”

Here at Hudson Toyota, we are incredibly proud of the efforts our company has made and even more proud of all the work being done in New Orleans. To learn more about Toyota’s contributions, stop in and see us. While you’re here, check out our selection of new and used vehicles!  For a used or 2012 Toyota, NJ drivers can count on us! We hope you’ll stop in soon!

Thanks to vehicles like the Toyota Prius, Toyota has always been well ahead of the competition when it comes to fuel efficient vehicles. Soon more auto manufacturers will have to follow suit as new government regulations were recently put into effect. Toyota has joined other automakers around the world to endorse these changes and your favorite used Toyota dealer is here with the details.

The Obama Administration’s New Fuel Economy Standards will raise fuel economy standards to 54.5 mpg by 2025 while reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 163 grams per mile. Here’s a look at what else the administration has to say about the standards.

In the year 2025:

• The fleet-wide average will be 54.5 miles per gallon
• Consumers will have saved $1.7 trillion at the pump over the life of the program
• A family that purchases a new vehicle in 2025 will save $8,200 in fuel costs when compared to a similar vehicle in 2010

Over the life of the program, the standards will:

• Save 12 billion barrels of oil
• Eliminate 6 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide pollution

Here’s what President and COO of Toyota Motor Sales, USA Jim Lentz has to say:

“I am pleased to be in Washington today to demonstrate Toyota’s unyielding commitment to this important process.  The long-term objectives of this program are very ambitious, and we intend to meet the challenge.”

He went on to say:

“We share the Administration’s goal of achieving major advances in clean, fuel efficient vehicles.  Obviously, there is still a great deal of uncertainty as to how the market will respond and what vehicle technologies consumers will embrace, which is why we are rolling out and testing a range of alternative fuel options.  As the rule-making process moves forward, we look forward to working closely and constructively with the Administration and other stakeholders to ensure that we realize our shared environmental goals in the most economically-effective and consumer-friendly ways possible.”

Here at Hudson Toyota, we are also very excited for what the future holds. Stop in to learn more about Toyota’s plans to increase our fleet-wide fuel economy! While you’re here, ask our sales team how you can take advantage of our specials on Staten Island Toyota parts. We are dedicated to our customers and will go above and beyond to make sure you leave happy. Stop in and see us soon!

Toyota is proud to be able to boast being diverse in a wide variety of ways, whether it be within the workplace or with regards to its vehicles. Your friends at the local Staten Island new Toyota dealer are here today to share with you the many ways our company strives to remain diverse. 

DIVERSITY IN THE WORKPLACE

Toyota strives to maintain a diverse and inclusive workplace and has been recognized accordingly. In fact, our company was recently named among the “40 Best Companies for Diversity” by Black Enterprise. (Black Enterprise is a premier business, investing, and wealth-building resource for African Americans.)

Here’s what Toyota has to say about diversity and inclusion in the workplace, as well as about the recognition we’ve received:

“At Toyota, diversity and inclusion have always been among our top priorities, and we are honored to be recognized by Black Enterprise. … We believe constant growth towards a more inclusive environment is imperative not only in developing and retaining a talented workforce, but in fostering a corporate environment that mirrors the communities in which we do business. As we remain committed to continuously improving, we will work closely with our senior managers and Diversity Advisory Board to enhance our efforts even further.”

- Dian Ogilvie, senior vice president and chief diversity officer at Toyota Motor North America.

Other recognition Toyota has received includes the following:

• Inclusion among DiversityInc.’s Top 50 Companies for Diversity for five years
• Inclusion in the Human Rights Campaign “Best Places to Work Corporate Equality Index” for the past four years
• Induction into the Billion Dollar Roundtable, in recognition of over $1 billion in annual spending with certified ethnic and women-owned suppliers
• “Corporation of the Year” award from the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC)
• “Distinguished Supplier Diversity Award” from the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA)

DIVERSE VEHICLES

We also have a diverse selection of vehicles, including a large selection of both new and used cars. NJ drivers can choose from two- or four-door vehicles; SUVs, vans or trucks; gas- or hybrid-powered.

Here are just a few examples from our diverse selection:

• Toyota Prius
• Toyota Camry
• Toyota Highlander
• Toyota Sienna
• Toyota Tacoma

To learn more about these or any other models available at Hudson Toyota, stop in and talk to our friendly sales associates. We will assist you throughout the process of selecting your next vehicles and look forward to serving you soon!

Alternative energy sources for vehicles are all the rage these days. While many companies are focusing their energy solely on hybrid technology, Toyota refuses to limit itself in this manner. In fact, in 2012 Toyota has plans to release three plug-in vehicles! Your favorite Toyota dealers in NJ are incredibly excited and are here with all of the details!

WHAT PLUG-IN VEHICLES ARE COMING SOON?

The following is a list of the plug-in vehicles to look forward to from Toyota:

• Prius PHEV
• RAV4 EV
• Scion iQ EV

HOW DOES THE PRIUS PHEV COMPARE TO THE REGULAR PRIUS?

The plug-in hybrid Prius will be capable of 12 miles of all-electric driving! After that point, the Prius PHEV will convert to standard hybrid driving so there is no need to worry about driving out of range. It can be charged in 1.5 hours using a 240V AC or 3 hours using a 120V AC. As for price, it will only be slightly more than the regular Prius, so it remains a conventional and realistic option for drivers.

WHAT SHOULD YOU KNOW ABOUT THE RAV4 EV?

This battery powered vehicle, which was co-developed with Tesla, first made its debut at last year’s LA Auto Show. Though it doesn’t run on the traditional gasoline, it can still accelerate as if it does! It also boasts the same full 74 cubic feet of cargo room as the standard model, even though it must accommodate a battery. The RAV4 EV has a 100-mile range and is a great option!

HOW ABOUT THE SCION iQ EV?

This full-electric model provides an estimated driving range of 50-65 miles travel on its lithium ion battery alone. One especially positive note is that the iQ EV’s center of gravity is actually greatly improved thanks to the under-floor battery pack. These batteries don’t even interfere with the Scion iQ’s 3+1 passenger layout!

For more information on the upcoming plug-in models from Toyota, be sure to stop into Hudson Toyota! While you’re here, ask about our specials on Staten Island Toyota auto parts so you can accessorize your Toyota! Customer satisfaction is our number one goal and we will do whatever we can to make sure you leave happy. Come see us soon!

With automakers continually struggling to win and maintain consumer loyalty, Toyota has proven that a dedication to quality and constantly improving its product. This leaves us with a basic and essential question: how do they do it? The Toyota Production System has long been acclaimed for effectively engaging front-line workers in improving their work. Toyota is emphatic about creating an atmosphere where front line workers’ opinions and suggestions are respectfully listened to by management and given serious consideration. By creating an atmosphere of mutual respect where front line workers feel like contributing members of the organization rather than hired hands, Toyota management hears detailed ideas from proud workers who are very familiar with the design and intricacies of each vehicle. Toyota workers’ dedication to providing the highest quality of Staten Island auto parts for each line of vehicles.

When front-line workers spot a work problem, they have a clear way to suggest improvements. Each idea goes through a quality circle of pier workers, which must then be approved by the manager. The benefit of this system is that managers hear the most relevant and well formed suggestions because each idea is discussed and critiqued among peers so that weak ideas are weeded out and the company doesn’t waste its time. While these aspects of the corporate strategy are of great assistance, the foundation of the company’s success relies on its direct management of front line workers and of the thorough implementation of standard procedures. The supervisors check and confirm that the standard procedures have been put in place and that workers are following them exactly. To experience the Toyota difference firsthand, visit one of the many Toyota dealers NY.

Many drivers will likely be surprised to here the rankings of cars.com’s “Most American” cars. The Cars.com American-Made Index is an annual ranking of vehicles deemed most American based on American production, percentage of domestic parts and American sales volume. The Toyota Camry, which is assembled in Georgetown, Kentucky and Lafayette, Indiana, tops this year’s list as the “Most American” car on the market. With the globalization of world tremendously changing the conditions of manufacturing, assembling, and selling cars, drivers are having a tougher time distinguishing which brands and models actually support domestic production.

 Because Toyota is an automaker founded in Japan and led by Japanese automakers, it is considered a foreign product by most consumers. With the new dynamic of economic exchange, however, Toyota actually contributes to more domestic jobs than many domestically owned and operated automakers. Many American automakers have opened plants in Canada and Mexico for assembling cars while foreign companies have added plants on U.S. soil. For those who follow the car manufacturing industry closely, the Camry’s number one ranking will come as little surprise. After all, the car has been earned the study’s top ranking the previous two years as well. Toyota dealers NY are very proud of being able to not only offer the most dependable quality vehicles in the world, but also the most American car on the market.

 “Despite the disaster in Japan, and General Motors usurping Toyota as the world’s largest automaker, we’re not surprised to see the Camry in the number one position again,” said Patrick Olsen, Cars.com editor in chief.  ”The Camry remains an incredibly popular vehicle, and higher total sales require a higher number of U.S. factory workers and a larger number of U.S. suppliers – all of which contribute to Toyota’s ranking.” The reputation of used Toyota Camry’s has also helped with the car’s continued success because drivers have become so loyal to the reliability Toyota offers.

Toyota made yet another charitable contribution to a worthy cause with their recent grants to nurture science in education. The company awarded $500,000 in 2011 TAPESTRY grants to 50 U.S. science teachers, furthering a 21-year-old program that to date has given out more than $10 million to almost 1,200 teachers in America. While announcing the grants, Toyota officials said that the program recognizes and provides support to teachers who make a difference by demonstrating excellence and creativity in science education. Excellence and creativity are essential components of all Toyota dealers. NY tied California for the highest number of grant recipients with 5 winners each.

 As a company whose success largely relies on creativity, innovation, and scientific breakthroughs, Toyota’s generous contribution to science education seems appropriate. The grants were awarded to teachers or teams of teachers based primarily on risk-taking, creativity, and originality. Each recipient of the grant will receive $10,000 with which to finance their research and experiments. Projects range from creating bio-fuel to further America’s go-green effort to increasing food production on farms in urban environments. Winners teach at the elementary, middle school and high school level. Many teachers have capitalized on the rare opportunity presented by the Toyota TAPESTRY program by using their research to win prestigious awards such as the Einstein Fellowship Award. In addition to the high level of excellence reached by teachers through the program, tens of thousands of students have benefited from the additional funding provided through the program.

 Along with simply enjoying the benefit provided by the grants, many teachers and students have found ways to use the additional funding as a gateway to procuring even more assistance from other sources. The money allows teachers to push their science-based projects beyond classrooms to positively affect their communities. Eventually, many experiments become such a showcase that the teachers and students are able to get additional money from other philanthropic sources because of the outstanding work displayed through the TAPESTRY program. New and used Toyota dealers are proud to be a part of a company committed to philanthropic service and supporting excellence in education.

I think everyone can agree that if there’s one thing the world needs more of, it’s social media outlets. Well, Toyota has answered the call with its newly released plans to develop a social networking service with the help of Salesforce.com (a U.S. internet company) and Microsoft.The service, which is named “Toyota Friend” will be a private social network available to Toyota owners and will allow drivers to interact with their car in a way similar to posting on Facebook or Twitter.

 In a demonstration at a Tokyo showroom, an owner of a plug-in Prius hybrid found out through a cell phone message from his Prius called “Pre-boy” that he should remember to recharge his car overnight. When the owner plugged in his car to recharge it, the car replied, “The charge will be completed by 2:15 a.m. Is that OK? See you tomorrow.”

 The easy communication that the service will offer could make the transition to driving a next-generation rechargeable vehicle more painless than expected. With these simple and clear exchanges between owner’s and their vehicles, many of the worry about how long the battery life will last and various warning lights coming on will be limited and hopefully eliminated in many instances. If your car is up for an inspection, for example, you will be notified through “Toyota Friend,” which will in turn automatically link to a dealer to set up an appointment with local Toyota dealers. NY drivers can look forward to the release of this technology in 2012.

 The three companies will be investing a total of $12.4 million into “Toyota Friend” and believe the service will transform drivers’ relationships with their vehicles. Toyota President Akio Toyoda, a racing fan, said he always “talks” with his car when he is zipping around on the circuit. With the popularity of social networking, cars and their makers should become part of that online interaction, he said. “I hope cars can become friends with their users, and customers will see Toyota as a friend,” he said. With the buzz about this innovative technology, this continues to be an exciting time to visit a new and used Toyota dealer.

After almost a year and a half of sharp criticism from the media and competing brands surrounding the Corolla steering investigation that rocked Toyota’s reputation as the most reliable brand of vehicles in the world, Toyota’s name has been cleared. At the end of the 15 month investigation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) documents show that the agency found no electronic-related steering defects that would compromise safety in model-year 2009 and 2010 Toyota Corollas. New Jersey Toyota dealers are ready to put the investigation behind us.

 From the countless jokes made by late night talk show hosts to the harsh analyses of market experts, Toyota has been on the hot seat in the public eye for the better part of a year and a half. In the face of the pressure and criticism, the company acted boldly and swiftly, recalling over 19 million vehicles in a two year span. This action revealed Toyota’s willingness to take responsibility for any mistakes in production and quickly address drivers’ concerns. As the final results reveal that Toyota was not at fault for the safety concerns surrounding the federal investigation, the company has not just been cleared of blame, it has proven to drivers across the world that Toyota is more concerned with ensuring driver safety and fixing any possible problems than with deflecting blame. At the end of this trying experience for the auto brand, Toyota has shown grace under fire and any criticism has been vindicated.

 Toyota proved its resilience earlier this year by reclaiming its title as the most valuable automotive brand in Millward Brown’s latest Brand Z top 100 annual ranking of the world’s most valuable brands. After the results of the investigation have finally exonerated Toyota of fault in the crisis regarding the runaway vehicles in 2009 and 2010, the company looks to move forward from this ordeal stronger than ever and reestablish the Toyota name as the most reliable and trustworthy brand in the automotive world. For the best selection of new and used Toyota vehicles, stop by Hudson Toyota.