Introducing the 2020 Corolla Hybrid - THE MAGAZINE FOR TOYOTA DEALERSHIPS march/april2019 - Toyota Today
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march/april2019 2 Special Delivery When six-year-old Holden Monson decided he 7 Together We Win When Samuel Mireles was diagnosed with cancer, wanted a Toyota birthday party, Steve Landers he knew he faced an uphill battle. He didn’t know Toyota of Northwest Arkansas delivered. But the his Toyota family would be there to support him best surprise arrived months later: a new 2019 every step of the way. RAV4 for Holden’s mother. 9 Making Wishes Come True 3 Dealer Doings Toyota of Lompoc employees help feed the A boy battling terminal lung disease and cancer needed a buddy. He found one in Right Toyota’s homeless; Valley Toyota Dealers Association Marketing Director. partners with a Phoenix nonprofit to help underserved people in the community; Heyward Allen Toyota shares a local athlete’s 11 New Car Alert: 2020 Corolla Hybrid & Prius AWD-e (pictured above) inspiring mobility message and Serra Toyota of Ready for a hybrid Corolla? How about an all- Birmingham employees make a big donation to wheel drive Prius? their local Boys & Girls Club chapter. E D I T O R I A L S T A F F toyotatoday.com Published six times per year for Toyota dealers and dealership personnel Sr. Manager Scott DeYager by the Corporate Communications Division of Toyota Motor North America. Manager Lisa Yamada Copyright ©2019 by Toyota Motor North America. Contents may be reprinted with permission. All rights reserved. Editor Kristen Orsborn Address magazine inquiries to: Kristen Orsborn Writers Dan Miller TEL: 469.344.8427 EMAIL: toyota_today@toyota.com Dan Nied For customer inquiries, please contact the Toyota Customer Experience Center: Design AkinsParker TEL: 800.331.4331 For product and company information: WEB: toyota.com TEL: 800.GO.TOYOTA
SPECIAL DELIVERY After celebrating their son’s sixth birthday at a Toyota dealership, parents receive the ultimate gift by Kristen Orsborn A few months back, we told you the story of Toyota superfan Holden Monson. The little boy was about to turn six and faced an existential question: How did he want to celebrate? Turns out, he wanted to party at a Toyota dealership. Seriously. Steve Landers Toyota of Northwest Arkansas made it happen. Employees kept the showroom open on a Sunday for the party, letting kids climb in the back of a Tacoma and play games like “pin the tire on the Toyota.” HAPPY BIRTHDAY, INDEED Toyota’s marketing team sent boxes of swag — The Monson family (from left, Tierney, Ashley, Holden and Travis) pose in front of their brand-new 2019 RAV4 at shirts, stickers and hats. Steve Landers Toyota of Northwest Arkansas. But the best gift arrived just last week: a brand- new RAV4 for the Monson family. Monson’s mother loves the RAV4. She drove one for years, but traded it in so her husband could buy a new Tacoma for work. When Ed Laukes, group vice president of Toyota Division marketing, heard the story, he decided to give the Monsons a birthday gift they’d never forget: a 2019 RAV4. “This wasn’t just about the birthday party,” Laukes said. “This is about a family’s trust. This is about the fact that we make great cars and trucks, and families trust us. They know we’re going to provide them with something high quality, reliable and safe.” The family received the vehicle alongside family, friends, Toyota executives and dealership employees. “When they told Travis we were getting it, I thought he was joking,” says Ashley Monson, Holden’s mother. “I’ve been in shock ever since then.” Holden turns seven soon. How will the family top the Toyota birthday experience? “No idea,” Travis Monson says. “This party was TOYOTA DRIVER-IN-TRAINING unforgettable, and we’ll always be grateful to Toyota Holden can’t quite reach the pedals yet, but he loves for what they’ve done. We are customers for life.” his family’s new 2019 RAV4. Holden celebrated his sixth birthday at Steve Landers Toyota of Northwest Arkansas, where he spends weekends with his father, Travis, march/april2019 exploring Toyota vehicles.
DEALER DOINGS: Toyota of Lompoc Salesperson’s Initiative Leads to Ongoing Relationship with Local Homeless Shelter by Dan Miller Sometimes, being a force for good in your local community can be as simple as paying attention. Maria Sanguino can certainly attest to that. The salesperson at Toyota of Lompoc was driving to the central California dealership about a year ago when she noticed several homeless people, then wondered if there was something her colleagues could do to help. “She talked to me and that’s when we learned about the Bridge House Emergency Shelter here in town,” says General Manager Nathan Zarate. “We went there and talked with their people. That’s how it started.” “When you operate in a small town like this, giving back is so important,” says Zarate. Out of that meeting, Toyota of Lompoc made a commitment to prepare bagged lunches and deliver them to the shelter. Three times over the past year, the dealership has purchased the ingredients and employees have volunteered their time to prepare more than 100 meals comprised of sandwiches, chips, carrots, fruit, a granola bar and a juice box. This outreach typifies Toyota of Lompoc’s straightforward engagement with the community in which it does business. Here’s another: Over the past two Thanksgivings, the dealership has donated hundreds of turkeys to the Lompoc Food Pantry for people in need. That tradition began when Zarate CATALYSTS OF CARE read in the local newspaper that the pantry had just Sales consultants Maria Sanguino and 19 turkeys in its freezer less than a week before Joaquin Contreras set the wheels in motion that led Toyota of Lompoc to prepare and Thanksgiving in 2017. deliver bagged lunches to the local Bridge “When you operate in a small town like this, House Emergency Shelter. giving back is so important,” says Zarate. “If we see a need, we don’t hesitate to raise our hands. And people are so grateful. That’s what this organization is all about. It really doesn’t have to be any more complicated than that.” 3 toyotatoday
DEALER DOINGS: Valley Toyota Dealers Association Phoenix Group Donates Three Vehicles to Nonprofit That Helps Homeless by Kerry Curry ELAINE’S WHEELS Valley Toyota Dealers Association donated two vans and a Prius to the nonprofit, Elaine, which provides health services transportation to homeless people. Brian McCafferty met Vivienne Gellert, founder of to the nonprofit. Later, a Prius was also added. the nonprofit Elaine, last year through homeless The Valley TDA represents 10 dealers in the advocate Mike McQuaid. Greater Phoenix area: AutoNation Toyota Tempe, McCafferty, dealer principal of Avondale Toyota, Avondale, Bell Road, Big Two, Camelback, Earnhardt, was impressed by Gellert’s plans for a nonprofit Larry H. Miller, Right, Riverview and Toyota of Surprise. focusing on health navigation and transportation Gellert said she became aware of the need for for Phoenix’s homeless population. The nonprofit is healthcare navigation and transportation serving named in memory of Elaine Herzberg, a homeless those experiencing homelessness while working in woman killed after being struck by a vehicle in Tempe, an inner-city hospital emergency room as a pre-med Arizona, last year. student. She graduated in 2017 with a bachelor’s in “Vivienne had a solution for improving the pre-medicine from Arizona State University. continuity of healthcare for individuals experiencing Elaine launched on Feb. 4, with seed funding homelessness,” McCafferty said. “She is a delightful from the Herzberg family. In its first 2.5 weeks, the young woman who is articulate and motivated.” nonprofit has made 32 transports involving 14 patients, McCafferty said Gellert’s age — she’s just 23 — including six hospital pickups and six prescription didn’t surprise him. pickups. Elaine also arranged five shelter beds for “What I love about young people is that a lot of their clients and met with clients to help schedule 18 time young people see the problem more clearly and follow-up healthcare appointments. without judgment,” he said. “In youth, there’s that “I’m so appreciative of these vehicles,” Gellert authenticity and compassion that gets eroded by said. “It makes this whole vision possible. The first people in their working prime.” client who got a ride looked at the driver and said, Within about 30 minutes of meeting Gellert, ‘I really feel like a rock star.’ It was so cool.” McCafferty said he knew he wanted Valley Toyota To learn more about Elaine, check out Dealers Association to donate two new vans elaineaz.org march/april2019 4
DEALER DOINGS: Heyward Allen Toyota Gold Medal-Winning Paralympian Coaches Dealership Associates on Change and Challenges by Kristen Orsborn Heyward Allen Toyota General Manager Chuck Easters Easters knew Wallace’s story of transformation was looking for a way to inspire his dealer associates. and change could be motivational for his associates. He found it sitting right in front of him — at church. “Jarryd has seen so much change in his life,” “I was sitting there with my wife,” Easters said. Easters said. “It would be easy to let the circumstances “And directly in front of me is a young man and his of change affect him negatively. However, Jarryd wife, and they’re both wearing Team Toyota jackets. decided to embrace change, adapt to it and he’s And I thought, ‘I need to meet them.’” experienced tremendous personal growth. Change is inevitable, but personal growth is optional. Sometimes Easters introduced himself, and learned the we all need to be reminded of that.” young man was Jarryd Wallace, a Toyota-sponsored Last winter, Easters invited Wallace to the Team USA Paralympian. dealership to coach his employees on transformative Wallace was a high school state champion in change, and how to successfully navigate it in business. track and field. In 2010, while he was a junior at “We practice kaizen in our dealership,” Easters the University of Georgia, Wallace started feeling said. “Change is at the core of what we do, and pain in his right shin. Doctors diagnosed him with it’s critical that our sales staff and finance team Compartment Syndrome. After surgery complications, recognize that kaizen culture and power of change. Wallace made the difficult decision to have his right Hearing Jarryd talk about how he embraced change leg amputated below the knee. to get back in the game — that had a huge impact Wallace was determined to return to running, and on our employees. I think they came away with a just 12 weeks after his amputation, he was fitted with better understanding of how to adjust and come out a running blade prosthetic. He went on to compete in on top.” two Paralympic games. GOLD MEDAL ADVICE Team Toyota Paralympian Jarryd Wallace visited Heyward Allen Toyota employees last year. He shared his inspirational story of transformative change — from state track and field champion to gold medal-winning Paralympian. 5 toyotatoday
DEALER DOINGS: Serra Toyota Birmingham Dealership Pledges $50,000 to Boys & Girls Clubs, and a Whole Lot More by Dan Miller ALL IN Serra Toyota employees, including Owner Steve Serra (center), present one of five $10,000 checks to Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Alabama President and CEO Leisa Smith (to Serra’s right). The Birmingham dealership has pledged $50,000 to the organization over five years. Big checks, both in terms of their physical size and recently, Serra Toyota employees have volunteered at the amount they’re worth, have a way of attracting charity golf tournaments sponsored by the organization, attention. And that was certainly the case recently assisted with its homework helpline and served as when Serra Toyota pledged to donate $50,000 judges for its Youth of the Year award program. over five years to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central But that’s not all. The dealership has also had a Alabama — a sizable sum that will double to philanthropic impact on such organizations as Ronald $100,000 thanks to the Toyota Dealer Match Program. McDonald House Charities, Alabama’s Make-A-Wish But, truth be told, the Birmingham dealership’s Foundation and the local high schools’ new vehicle support of kids in need goes well beyond money. giveaway to lucky students with perfect attendance. “We’ve been committed to helping our Clearly, there’s a lot more to Serra Toyota’s surrounding community for more than 30 years,” says outreach than just a flashy big check. owner Steve Serra. “That’s included working closely “We’re honored to have the opportunity to help with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Alabama on our neighbors,” says Serra. “Groups that provide a several projects and campaigns.” safe place for kids and work to ensure they have a For example, back in the 1990s, Serra co-chaired brighter future are near and dear to our hearts. Rest an effort that raised $3.5 million to build the John assured, we’ll continue to look for ways to do our Williamson Boys & Girls Club in Birmingham. More small part.” march/april2019 6
IN IT TOGETHER When Samuel Mireles (left) was diagnosed with leukemia, he worried he would lose his job. But colleagues like Executive Director Norma Floyd supported Mireles through his recovery and welcomed him back to work. Together We Win Out of nowhere, Sammy Mireles was diagnosed with leukemia. But the Toyota of Del Rio general sales manager soon discovered he was far from alone in the fight for his life. by Dan Miller L ast August, Sammy Mireles’ hairstylist noticed Within three days, Mireles’ organs started to two unusual bumps on the back of his head. Little bounce back. But his long-term survival depended did he know then the life-threatening — yet on a stem cell transplant from a donor who was a ultimately life-affirming — events that were to perfect match. At first, it looked like his brother follow at Toyota of Del Rio. Sergio, who was living in Thailand, would fit the “The day after that haircut, I went to see the bill. So he dropped everything, jumped on a plane doctor,” says Mireles, Toyota of Del Rio’s general sales manager. “He sent me to the hospital in San and raced to the hospital. But it turned out Sergio Antonio. My white blood cell count was very low. wasn’t a suitable match. My kidneys and liver were failing. I had leukemia. Fortunately, Mireles’ son — just 15 at the time — A day after that, I started chemotherapy.” was. 7 toyotatoday
“Every day after the transplant was a struggle,” brought along blueprints of Toyota of Del Rio’s new says Mireles. “The fact that I had a man like Nick dealership that was under construction during that Khoury on my side is a huge reason why I am still time, showing Mireles where his office would be “to here today. I truly believe that.” get him thinking about the future.” Khoury is the owner of Toyota of Del Rio. But Meanwhile, family members set up a Facebook for Mireles, he’s far more than that. page under the banner of “Team Sam vs Leukemia.” “I met Mr. Khoury when I was selling furniture The pair uploaded videos that chronicled his progress, at a store in town,” he says. “I told him I wanted to then promoted the site via Twitter, Instagram and sell cars. Eventually, he gave me a chance and helped Snapchat with #togetherwewin. Much to their keep me on the right path.” surprise, the social media postings attracted an Khoury admits that, over that 10-year enthusiastic following among people in the local apprenticeship, he has pushed Mireles hard. That community as well as those from around the world. tough-love approach didn’t change when his protégé The dealership also joined in, adding the hashtag went down for the count. to its license plate holders and delivery vehicle wraps. “I remember making that first call to him and Through it all, a grateful Mireles — now back on thinking that if he was feeling sorry for himself, the job — remained on the payroll and covered by then I was going to have to snap him out of it,” says Khoury. “I told Sammy, ‘If you’re going to talk like the dealership’s healthcare plan, even though he was this, I’m going to hang up the phone.’ I think that’s completely out of commission for nine months. when he realized there was a fight to be fought.” “Customers would say to us, ‘Thank you for Mireles soon discovered he was far from standing behind Sammy,’ says Khoury. “But we didn’t alone in this battle. Several dealership colleagues do it for accolades. We did it because it was the right routinely made the 2.5-hour drive to the hospital thing to do, for him and his family.” in San Antonio to visit with him. Khoury also “Quite literally, I am here today because of what came by, taking care of Mireles’ two younger that man did for me,” says Mireles of his mentor. “I children so Mireles and his wife Renee could can’t tell you how happy I am to be able to tell this focus on his treatment. At other times, Khoury story.” CIRCLES OF SUPPORT To the left, Sam Mireles is surrounded (left to right) by his son Savian, wife Renee, daughter Aleksa and son Sergio. Above, the Mireles family is joined on a high school football field in Laredo, Texas, by members of the school’s cheer and dance team. Though Sergio played in the game, that didn’t stop the opposing school’s students from rallying around Mireles. march/april2019 8
FOREVER FRIENDS Jane D’Amelio is Davies’ “wish buddy.” She’s worked with her A special friendship inspires a community colleagues at Right Toyota to help make all of Davies’ dreams come true. They’ve gone to movies, baseball games and now, NASCAR. by Jenny Lyon Spend a few minutes with Jane D’Amelio, and you’ll understand. She doesn’t just talk about giving back, she lives it. Her passion for service started in a Brighton, Massachusetts, housing project. “I was one of 10 kids, we didn’t have anything,” D’Amelio says. “I never even had my own bed.” Now, she is the marketing director at Right Toyota in Scottsdale, Arizona. Her team raises $10,000 a month for charity, all of it collected from the community they serve. “Sometimes I get overwhelmed, thinking about it,” says D’Amelio. “How did a little girl, who didn’t have the best upbringing make this happen?” A Simple Wish Lately, one of the brightest spots in D’Amelio’s life has been a little boy named Brendan. Brendan has been battling illness since he was just a few weeks old. He survived a heart transplant at 18 months, and now, at age 8, lives with terminal lung disease and cancer. toyotatoday
Brendan and his two brothers are being raised The Care That Counts by a single mom. It’s hard for most of us to imagine going to the “These boys are very smart,” D’Amelio says. “But doctor three times a week — or checking into the they haven’t spent a lot of time being basic children.” hospital and not knowing when we’ll get out. D’Amelio met Brendan and his brothers For Brendan, it’s just life. through a program that helps families through Palliative care keeps him comfortable by the harsh reality of childhood cancer. managing his pain. It also involves the kind of She volunteered to be their “Wish Buddy,” and psychological and spiritual support he’s found in that’s where the magic starts. D’Amelio. “I spend time with Brendan and his siblings Right Toyota and the community of Scottsdale working on their wish list,” D’Amelio says. “It gets have embraced “Team Brendan.” longer every week!” It looks like 2019 will include go-kart racing, The crew has been to the movies, to dinners and guitar lessons and tickets to WWE. baseball games, but recently, a simple request proved “Lead by example is the complete opposite of the difficult. way I was raised,” D’Amelio says. “I’ve learned it’s not D’Amelio couldn’t find a race track willing about writing a check. You can give something. You to let Brendan get behind the wheel of a go-kart. can give yourself and your time.” Then, she got an even better idea. “Brendan has a passion for three things: motorcycles, trucks and fast cars,” D’Amelio says. “It took a few weeks of planning, but we were able A BOY AND HIS HERO to get Brendan to a NASCAR race.” Brendan Davies poses with Toyota Motorsports driver Making Magic Todd Gilliland at ISM This was Brendan’s biggest wish yet. Raceway in Phoenix, Arizona. Gilliland First up: a police escort to ISM Raceway in drives the No. 4 Toyota Phoenix. Tundra for Kyle Busch Motorsports. “The boys thought they were going straight to the NASCAR race, but we pulled up and there were a dozen motorcycle officers,” D’Amelio says. “Brendan got to sit on a motorcycle, beep every horn and blow every whistle.” And it didn’t stop there. A convoy of 75 lifted Toyota Tundras from a local Tundra club also joined the escort. Each one had an American flag flying off WATCH THEM GO the back. Davies, who’s battling terminal lung disease “Did I mention they shut down the freeway and cancer, watches to transport the boys? Because, that happened!” NASCAR at ISM Raceway in Phoenix, D’Amelio says. Arizona. When D’Amelio, The group arrived to a VIP welcome, then it marketing director at was off to the Toyota Suite for all the hot and spicy Right Toyota, learned about the local boy’s food they could eat (Brendan’s favorite). wish to see a NASCAR For D’Amelio, this was about more than a race. race, she worked with Toyota to make it It was about living in the moment and making happen. memories that last. “I don’t want all the boys’ memories to be trapped in the hospital,” D’Amelio says. march/april2019 10
New Car Alert: 2020 Corolla Hybrid For the first time in its more than half-century history, the Corolla will be offered as a hybrid in the United States by Dan Miller The rollout of the all-new 2020 Corolla was already a • This conversion was a natural. The 2020 Corolla’s compelling product story. But at the Los Angeles Auto Toyota New Global Architecture platform was Show last year, Toyota added an electrifying epilogue: designed from the start to accommodate a the unveiling of the first-ever Corolla Hybrid. gas/electric drivetrain and battery. Its Hyper- Prime Nickel battery pack is smaller and lighter than the one used in the previous iteration of Where does it fit in our lineup? Toyota’s hybrid powertrain so it fits comfortably By adapting the Toyota Hybrid Synergy Drive under the rear seat rather than compromising that powers the fourth-generation Prius, Corolla trunk space. The new location also lowers the Hybrid becomes the most fuel-efficient version of the vehicle’s center of gravity, a boon to agility. venerable sedan that debuted more than 50 years ago. • Its acceleration just might take you by surprise, especially when in SPORT drive mode. How does it drive? • Contributing to this sedan’s sporty feel is Sequential Shiftmatic, with manual transmission- Efficient, as expected. But also spirited. like shifts that can be controlled with steering Here’s why: wheel paddles. • First, the fuel frugal part: Corolla Hybrid is • Stopping power is also in ample supply, thanks to projected to achieve EPA estimate of 50 mpg regenerative braking operating in concert with a in combined city and highway driving. conventional hydraulic braking system. 11 toyotatoday
BORN TO RUN … AND RUN Corolla Hybrid is projected to achieve an EPA estimated 50 mpg in combined city and highway driving. But, how does it look? Tell me something I don’t know. These first photos are just a start. A bunch more The latest iteration of Toyota’s hybrid will be available closer to launch. But, for now, here’s powertrain isn’t just about fuel economy. Case a few details to keep you going: in point: When starting from a standing stop, its • On the outside, note the special 15-inch electric motor provides a subtle power boost. That aluminum alloy wheels with low-rolling reduces the strain on the gas engine, kicking the resistance tires. Corolla’s lateral acceleration up a notch. • On the inside, Corolla Hybrid gets a full array of standard multimedia offerings, including Entune 3.0 Audio with Wi-Fi Connect, Amazon Alexa® and Apple CarPlay® compatibility. Who’s going to buy them? People who value electrifying design as well as electrified power that delivers exceptional fuel efficiency. When does it go on sale? This spring. march/april2019
New Car Alert: 2019 Prius AWD-e The iconic Prius hybrid gets a fully electronic AWD system that automatically kicks in when needed by Dan Miller Say hello to the newest member of Toyota’s family • The key innovation is a fully electronic on- of iconic hybrids: the 2019 Prius AWD-e, introduced demand AWD system. When sensors detect at the Los Angeles Auto Show last December. that the front-drive wheels are slipping, an independent electric motor automatically Where does it fit in our lineup? powers up the rear wheels to help improve It extends the fourth-generation Prius lineup, traction. No need for a center differential with the benefits of all-wheel drive being offered on or front-to-rear driveshaft. the LE and XLE grades. Toyota anticipates this new • The system draws on a more compact nickel version could end up accounting for 25 percent of metal hydride battery that fits under the rear Prius sales. seat area without affecting the Prius’ cavernous 65.5 cubic feet of cargo area (with rear seatbacks How does it drive? No surprise here: It gets great gas mileage. lowered) — more than some small SUVs. But it also gives you a boost when you need it. • It’s billed as America’s most fuel-efficient all- But, how does it look? wheel-drive passenger car, based on projected That’s easy: Just like the refreshed 2019 Prius, EPA fuel-economy estimates of 48 mpg in with its newly refined front and rear exterior styling the city, 41 mpg on the highway and 45 mpg and interior tweaks. That being said, you should combined. know that: 13 toyotatoday
• The Prius AWD-e debuts a new two-tone 15-inch alloy wheel and two new colors: Supersonic Red and Electric Storm Blue. • Also, though the LE is well equipped, the XLE ups the amenity ante with such items as SofTex-trimmed front seats, 8-way power adjustable driver’s seat, Smart Key System, Toyota Safety Connect and available Adaptive Front Lighting System. • Both grades, of course, come standard with the latest version of Toyota Safety Sense-P, a comprehensive bundle of active safety technologies. Who’s going to buy them? Environmentally and budget-conscious people who live in climates that present challenging driving conditions. Think rain, snow, mud and other elements. When does it go on sale? It’s available now. Tell me something I don’t know. SofTex synthetic leather, standard on the XLE, features surface temperature-regulating properties. In plain English: The seats feel warmer in cold weather and cooler in hot weather. Nice. march/april2019 14
WHAT IF YOU FOUND A GREEN LIGHT WORTH STOPPING FOR? Introducing the all-new RAV4 Limited. With cutting-edge technology and revolutionized style, it’s capable of handling anything on your to-do list, or your bucket list. Let’s Go Places. Prototype shown with options. ©2019 Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
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