THE MAGAZINE FOR TOYOTA DEALERSHIPS - may/june2019
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2019 C-HR SHOWN IN SILVER KNOCKOUT METALLIC may/june2019 2 And the Award Goes to… A salute to this year’s President’s Cabinet 9 Heaven Sent When a dealer principal donated a sales voucher Award winners. to his local church, he had no idea the impact it would have on one mother’s life. 3 Dealer Doings North Bakersfield Toyota steps in to help a family devastated by house fire, Toyota Vallejo feeds 11 2020 Highlander An updated and upgraded Highlander is unveiled the hungry and Rick McGill’s Airport Toyota in New York. makes a big donation to help find a cure for breast cancer. 13 Happy Trails Meet the dealer associate taking his sales pitch 6 Millennial Magnet (pictured above) The C-HR is finding its footing with a younger set out of the showroom and into the great wide open. of drivers, even outpacing the RAV4 in sales growth. 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
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2018 PRESIDENT’S CABINET AWARD WINNERS! The President’s Cabinet Award is Toyota’s most prestigious dealer honor. Only 12 dealerships are recognized each year. Dealers are chosen for their sales performance, customer satisfaction and operational excellence. Headquarter Toyota Earnhardt Toyota Hialeah, Florida Mesa, Arizona Tustin Toyota Stadium Toyota Tustin, California Tampa, Florida Temecula Valley Toyota Hamer Toyota Temecula, California Mission Hills, California Longo Toyota Camelback Toyota El Monte, California Phoenix, Arizona John Elway’s Crown Toyota Cavender Toyota Ontario, California San Antonio, Texas Toyota Escondido Auto Nation Toyota Winter Park Escondido, California Winter Park, Florida may/june2019 2
DEALER DOINGS: North Bakersfield Toyota When a Fire Orphaned Five Children, This California Dealership Quickly Stepped in to Help by Dan Miller CARE PACKAGE Here’s a small sample of the items collected by North Bakersfield Toyota. People in the community as well as dealership employees joined forces to fill the beds of three Tacomas. Tragedy and heartache are the stock and trade of the children might need. The store also leveraged the daily news. But some stories are so deeply tragic, its relationships with local media outlets to help they compel people — like the employees at North spread the word. And many of its employees lent a Bakersfield Toyota — to act. hand, contributing items as well as putting out a call Such was the case in February when a mother to their friends and family via their personal social lost her life trying to rescue her five children from a media channels. fire in their central California home. Four years before Within 10 days, North Bakersfield Toyota had that, Kristina Stratton’s husband and the father of collected enough bedding, clothes, shoes and other three of her children died of cancer. So the kids, necessities to fill three Tacomas. They delivered who’d managed to break a window and escape from the goods, along with a monetary donation, to the the top floor of the house, suddenly became orphans. family’s church. “My wife, Hela, heard about it the morning it “They were extremely grateful,” says Ayyoub. happened and called me at the dealership,” says “They actually ended up with more than they could Sales Manager Amir Ayyoub. “She said, ‘I know you guys are active in the community. Isn’t there use, so they donated the rest to other people in need. something you could do to help?’” “Mostly we just wanted to let these kids know So Ayyoub conferred with North Bakersfield that they were not alone, that this community is here Toyota’s management team and a plan quickly to support them. It was incredibly heartening to see emerged: The dealership would serve as a drop-off that something so good could come out of something location for people who were moved to donate items so terrible.” 3 toyotatoday
DEALER DOINGS: Toyota Vallejo Bay Area Dealer Makes News with Annual Newspaper Christmas Card Donation by Dan Nied For Toyota Vallejo, investing in their hometown isn’t just a way to bring potential customers. “I don’t know if it really helps our business or not, says Dave Johnston, the dealership’s general manager. “It’s about doing the right thing. We survive and thrive because of this community and it’s just the right thing to give back.” When the California dealership was looking for the best way to reinvest in the community, there was an overwhelming amount of options. Enter the Vallejo Times-Herald, the city’s journalistic stalwart since 1922. Each year the newspaper runs the Times-Herald CHRISTMAS SPIRIT Christmas Card, collecting donations from citizens and Toyota Vallejo Dealer Principal Jeff Wilson, left, local businesses to distribute to the area’s less fortunate. and General Manager Dave Johnston have spearheaded $50,000 in donations to the Over the last 10 years, Toyota Vallejo and Dealer Vallejo Times-Herald Christmas Card over the Principal Jeff Wilson have donated $2,500 per year — last 10 years. or $5,000 when factoring in Toyota’s Dealer Match Program. That $50,000 makes them the leading donor to the Times-Herald Christmas Card. For a city like Vallejo, this kind of donation makes a difference. “The program provides food and shelter for the people in our community who are less fortunate, especially over the holiday season.” Johnston says of the Christmas Card donation. “The Times-Herald has made the Christmas card bigger than life. Hopefully our donation has encouraged others to contribute as well. It’s become a powerhouse to do some good in the community.” And Toyota’s willingness to help dealers donate COMMUNITY CARE makes a big difference, too. Among the charities the Vallejo Times-Herald Christmas Card helps is Faith Food Fridays, “Toyota understands the value of giving back,” founded by Benjamin Buggs (above). Johnston says. “The Dealer Match Program challenges Photos courtesy of the Vallejo Times-Herald us to participate and it really does make an impact. It's been a win for us and the community.” may/june2019 4
DEALER DOINGS: Rick McGill’s Airport Toyota Tennessee Dealership Donates Thousands of Dollars to Breast Cancer Research by Tiffany R. Jansen THIRD TIME’S A CHARM Rick McGill’s Airport Toyota Sales Manager Peter Renzulli Jr. (center- right) presents Dr. John L. Bell, director of the Breast Health Outreach Program at the University of Tennessee Medical Center Cancer Institute (center- left) with its third $10,000 check in three years. More than 9,000 women in the East Tennessee work, live, shop, worship and gather,” said Dr. John L. region have been given access to breast cancer Bell, director of the Breast Health Outreach Program. screenings, thanks to generous donations from Rick “We all know someone who has been affected McGill’s Airport Toyota of Alcoa, Tennessee. by cancer,” said Rick McGill’s Airport Toyota Sales Over the last three years, Rick McGill’s Toyota Manager Peter Renzulli Jr. “So, we are honored to make a contribution toward fighting cancer in East has donated a total of $30,000 to the Breast Health Tennessee with the help of Toyota and our customers.” Outreach Program (BHOP) at the University of Renzulli said that several members of the Tennessee Medical Center Cancer Institute. In addition dealership’s family or their loved ones have dealt with to free screenings from their mobile mammography cancer in one form or another over the years. So, when unit, BHOP provides free breast health education they heard about BHOP and its mission, they knew classes; explaining the importance of early detection, right away that they wanted to be involved. sharing updates to screening guidelines and teaching This is the third consecutive year Rick McGill’s the warning signs of breast cancer. Toyota has gifted $10,000 to BHOP, and Renzulli says BHOP’s mobile unit enables the organization to it’s a tradition they plan to continue. deliver screenings and education to women who may “We are grateful for their continued partnership and not be able to otherwise afford or obtain access to them. commitment to save and improve the lives of women in Everything is “delivered six days a week on our mobile our region,” said Dr. Bell. “Without their support, these mammography unit in the communities where women services would not have been possible.” 5 toyotatoday
MILLENNIAL MAGNET Now in its third year, the stylish C-HR is attracting new customers to Toyota, while also helping retain those already in the fold by Dan Miller Pop quiz: Which Toyota vehicle posted the biggest The Right Vehicle at the Right Time Enter Toyota Motor North America’s Compact increase in unit sales between 2017 and 2018, RAV4 or C-HR? Hint: This is a trick question. Utility Vehicle/Van marketing experts: Product That’s because, while RAV4 is Toyota’s best- Marketing and Strategy Analyst Erin Doughty and selling vehicle and the auto industry’s top-selling non- Vehicle Marketing and Communications Manager pickup truck, the upstart C-HR actually outpaced Kathi Jenkins. the venerable RAV4 in terms of sales growth. “Part of C-HR’s success has to do with the The numbers don’t lie. Toyota sold 23,887 more fact that the entry-level CUV segment is the fastest C-HRs last year than it did the year before while growing in the market, and it’s unlikely to slow RAV4 was up 19,576 units during the same time down any time soon,” says Doughty. “Less than a period. The daily sales rate growth is even more year after we introduced C-HR, Nissan introduced striking: RAV4 was up 4.5 percent in 2018, while the Kicks and Hyundai introduced the Kona. The C-HR jumped by a whopping 92 percent. Honda HR-V, our strongest competitor, was already Now, all of the above does come with an asterisk. on the market. C-HR made its debut in April of 2017. So it was only “…the entry-level CUV segment is on sale for nine months in its first “year” compared with the full 12 months of 2018. the fastest growing in the market, Still, something’s going on here that deserves a and it’s unlikely to slow down any deeper dive. time soon…” | continued on page 7 may/june2019 6
| continued from page 6 And there are several new and updated models coming through 2022, including hybrid and plug-in versions. It’s important we do everything we can to maintain our share.” The results to date suggest C-HR (which stands for Coupe-High Rider) has what it takes to more than hold its own. Here are five specific reasons why: • Unique and distinctive styling Jenkins says that when C-HR was little more than an idea, TMC President Akio Toyoda challenged his designers to “push the boundaries.” CAN YOU HANDLE IT? And they kind of did. Eye-catching styling These rear door handles are just one of many creative design features that set C-HR apart in the hotly contested entry-level elements such as a coupe-like profile, hidden rear CUV segment. door handles and dual-color paint schemes set C-HR apart from every other vehicle in Toyota’s lineup, not to mention the competition’s. In many ways, it’s the company’s first product to be developed with millennials primarily in mind. And it shows. • Complimentary Entune 3.0 subscription With Toyota’s infotainment system displayed on an in-dash eight-inch screen, C-HR owners can talk to Siri, stream music, make phone calls, check the weather and traffic, make dinner reservations, find and compare fuel prices and more. • Standard Apple CarPlay® integration COMMAND CENTER With this feature, added with the launch of the The C-HR’s thoughtfully designed instrument panel puts key 2019 model year C-HR last summer, iPhone controls within easy reach and useful information in clear view. users can access their favorite apps via the touchscreen. That helps make such activities easier and safer. • Standard Toyota Safety Sense P Toyota’s bundle of innovative active safety features helps protect the C-HR’s driver and passengers from harm. The 2019 model takes this one step further with the addition of a backup camera that transmits its image to the in-dash screen. • A surprisingly high level of comfort Many customers gravitate to a CUV for its combination of SUV ride height and passenger SMART PHONE ENABLED car handling. The current C-HR delivers on iPhone users can access their favorite apps via the C-HR’s both fronts and adds dual-zone climate control, eight-inch touchscreen. available heated seats and available driver’s seat power lumbar support. 7 toyotatoday
An All-Digital Ad Campaign Marketing is honing in on this segment, Compared with the more off-road-minded spending much of its advertising dollars on an RAV4, C-HR’s unique package of styling and all-digital campaign that plays up C-HR’s fun features is appealing to a customer base that’s infotainment features. younger, less likely to be married, more likely to be The sales results suggest it’s working. Beyond a woman and less likely to have children. It’s also the numbers, C-HR is attracting new customers to attracting a highly diverse population of buyers. Toyota while also helping to retain those who are Some 31 percent of its owners are Hispanic. already part of the brand family. “C-HR gives us a compelling offering to Beyond the numbers, C-HR Corolla owners who are looking to transition to a CUV without stealing sales from RAV4,” says is attracting new customers Jenkins. “In fact, 60 percent of C-HR buyers were already Toyota owners. It’s very important that we to Toyota while also helping hold on to those people as they progress to different to retain those who are already stages in their lives.” As such, in the spirit of kaizen, look for Toyota part of the brand family… to continue to find new ways to keep C-HR fresh and look for Toyota to continue to relevant to its more urban and wired customer base. Stay still in this segment and you risk falling behind. find new ways to keep C-HR “C-HR is off to a great start, but it has a long way to go to realize its full potential,” says Doughty. fresh and relevant to its more “We’re excited to see the impact it will have on our urban and wired customer base. business in the months and years ahead.” ONE COLOR DOESN’T FIT ALL C-HR customers can opt for a distinctive two-tone exterior paint treatment. may/june2019 8
HER SMILE SAYS IT ALL Christine Curtin says she’s never even won a scratch off lottery ticket. So naturally, she was shocked to win a $35,000 voucher to Pat Lobb’s Toyota of McKinney at her local church festival. She used the voucher to purchase a 2018 Highlander. HeavenSent How a dealer’s charitable gift changed a woman’s life by Alexa Conomos The gift of giving can be truly life changing. brought the dealership international acclaim, Lobb Just ask Christine Curtin. simply says, “It was just the right thing to do.” The single mother of three children learned that So, when Mogollon approached Lobb with firsthand when she won a $35,000 voucher to Pat Lobb’s Father Rudy’s request, it was a no-brainer. Lobb made Toyota of McKinney at her church’s annual festival. a $35,000 donation in the form a voucher redeemable “I never win two dollars off my lotto tickets,” at the dealership — greater than St. Francis has ever Curtin says. “So, when I bought those two $20 seen in its 40 years of cultural celebrations. raffle tickets as a donation, I just thought I was “It made my wife and I feel so good. We wanted doing my part for our church. I mean, how did the winner to use that money however they needed this even happen?” to take care of their car needs,” Lobb says. “And we It started with a simple phone call to the knew that dollar amount would ensure a tremendous dealership. Dealer Principal Pat Lobb and his wife success for the festival even before it started.” Sharon are also devoted parishioners of St. Francis On weekends preceding the celebration, of Assisi Catholic Church and regularly advertise Mogollon faithfully displayed Toyota vehicles to in the church bulletin. promote the raffle. And it worked. In 2018, the “Father Rudy (Garcia) asked me if Mr. Lobb church raised a record $140,270 compared to might consider making a donation to the church’s $8,139 five years ago. And unlike previous festivals, annual fall festival raffle,” Leasing Manager George thousands of visitors attended. Mogollon says. “Mr. Lobb is fierce about helping Among the revelers, Curtin and two of her others, so I told him I’d ask.” children: 14-year-old Casey and 11-year-old Isabella. Lobb already had a strong track record of giving She adopted the biological siblings in 2016. But back. He built his green dealership in 2005 using 75 when the raffle winner was announced, she had percent recycled materials. Although the initiative already left the festival. 9 toyotatoday
“It’s incredible. When you impact It’s been a game changer for the single mom. Curtin used the voucher to purchase a much-needed the life of just one person, it has second vehicle. And her children give their new the power to effect positive change Highlander rave reviews. in our society as a whole. Pat’s gift “They love the bucket seats, the room, the pulled our community together in a comfort. You have no idea as a single parent how much mileage you rack up just getting the kids powerful way.” around town. So, this has just been an incredible gift.” Father Rudy says Lobb’s donation is also a “I got a text that Father Rudy wanted to call me, confirmation of how the goodness of humanity can Curtin says. “And my first thought was to say to my create an enduring footprint. son, ‘What did you do?’” “It’s incredible. When you impact the life of In reality, Father Rudy and a joyful Lobb couldn’t wait to share the incredible news. just one person, it has the power to effect positive “It was like, wow, this was the hand of God change in our society as a whole. Pat’s gift pulled making this choice because it could have been our community together in a powerful way.” anyone here today winning this raffle,” Lobb says. To such praise, Lobb will only accept the role “But it was a parishioner. It was Christine.” of a humble facilitator. He insists Mogollon, Father Curtin also fondly recalls that pivotal moment. Rudy and his congregation did the heavy lifting. “I was like, ‘No way!’ I think I accidentally But with a laugh, he also hints, “We’ll probably cursed in front of my priest! But it was all just so do something else for the fall festival next year. So, unbelievable!” Father Rudy, stay tuned!” GIVING BACK SPREADING GOODNESS Toyota of McKinney dealer principal Pat Lobb (left) pictured with Father Rudy Garcia of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, his wife Sharon and Father Rudy Garcia of St. Francis of Assisi pictured at his church’s annual festival with Frisco, Texas, Catholic Church. The Lobbs donated a sales voucher to the Mayor Pro Tem Shona Huffman. He says Lobb’s gift is church’s annual fall festival raffle. confirmation of how the goodness of humanity can create an enduring footprint. may/june2019 10
2020 HIGHLANDER Eighteen years after it “changed the game” with the first iteration of its family-friendly SUV, Toyota returns to the New York International Auto Show to change it again by Dan Miller Eighteen years after it “changed the game” with “Eighteen years ago, on this very stage, we made the first iteration of its family-friendly SUV, Toyota a world premiere that changed the game,” said Jack returns to the New York International Auto Show Hollis, group vice president and general manager of to change it again. the Toyota Division. “Today, we’re changing it again.” In 2001, Toyota grabbed headlines at the New The all-new 2020 Highlander retains its core York International Auto Show when it introduced strengths of quality, durability, reliability and safety. the very first Highlander — a mid-size SUV that But those are just table stakes in this fiercely departed from the truck-based vehicles of the time competitive segment. in favor of unibody construction and a four-wheel So, to set itself apart, the latest iteration introduces a dramatic new design direction that independent suspension. exudes more power and sophistication. Call this Guess you could say they were on to something. Highlander the strong, athletic type with a sculpted Nearly two decades later, such family-friendly shape, chiseled lines, aggressive stance and modern SUVs are red hot. Automakers, including Toyota, attitude. This can be seen in such details as a more can’t seem to crank them out fast enough. The refined front grille, premium projector headlamps current Highlander has been the top-selling retail and — on the Limited and Platinum grades — model in the segment since 2016 and is coming the model’s first-ever 20-inch alloy wheels. off its best sales year ever. It’s kept the momentum The new Highlander gained 2.36 inches in going in 2019, posting its best February sales ever. overall length, expanding the already ample cargo If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Right? area to a maximum of 40.6 cubic feet and increasing Guess again. In April, Toyota returned to the the distance between the second- and third-row seats Jacob Javits Convention Center to unveil the for more passenger comfort. Yet it’s just three inches fourth-generation Highlander. longer than the Camry, so it’s still easy to maneuver. 11 toyotatoday
UNDER THE HOOD This balance between competing concerns is due in part to the new TNGA platform that gave Toyota the opportunity to rebuild the Highlander from the ground up. Thanks to its lower center of gravity and more extensive use of high-strength steel, Toyota’s engineers were able to fine-tune the front strut and rear multi-link suspension tuning for optimal agility yet also deliver a smoother and quieter ride. Customers will have a choice of two powertrains: a smooth 3.5-liter V6 gasoline engine that can produce up to 295 horsepower or the next-generation Toyota Hybrid System that, between its gasoline engine and electric motors, can generate 240 horsepower. Those who opt for the gas model will enjoy the benefits of Toyota’s innovative D-4S Injection system, Dual Variable Valve Timing with intelligence and Direct Shift 8-speed automatic transmission. Stop and Start Engine System is also part of the package. It shuts off the engine when the vehicle comes to a complete stop and then instantly restarts it when the driver lifts their foot off the brake pedal, making the Highlander quieter and more fuel efficient. Highlander Hybrid buyers, meanwhile, will be able to choose between a 2WD or AWD drivetrain. They’ll also appreciate an EPA-estimated 34 mpg in combined city/highway driving — an 18 percent improvement over the current model. And its smaller, more efficient and faster-charging battery pack now fits under the rear seats, so it doesn’t constrain passenger or cargo space. IN THE CABIN The all-new Highlander also ups the ante when it And did someone ask about safety? The new comes to the passenger experience, with such perks as: Highlander’s answer to that question is Toyota Safety • Apple CarPlay®, Android Auto, Alexa In-Car Sense 2.0, standard on all grades. This suite of active compatibility, Waze, SiriusXM, Wi-Fi connectivity safety technologies includes: through AT&T standard across all grades • Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection • Toyota Safety Connect with a one-year trial • Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control subscription standard across all grades • Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist • Toyota Service and Remote Connect on LE grades • Automatic High Beam and above • Lane Tracing Assist • Dynamic Navigation and a largest-in-segment 12.3-inch screen available on Limited grade and • Road Sign Assist standard on Platinum The only downside? Everyone will have to • A 1,200-watt, 11-speaker JBL Premium Audio wait until winter to get their hands on the 2020 System standard on Limited and Platinum Highlander. The first V6 models will arrive at • Plenty of USB charging ports and available dealerships in December, followed by the hybrid Qi wireless charging in February 2020. may/june2019 12
Dealer finds sales success off the beaten path by Kristen Orsborn Nick Fisher, Pre-Owned Sales Manager at Koch 33 Toyota in Easton, Pennsylvania, is always looking for innovative ways to sell vehicles. And, honestly, an excuse to get outside. Last fall, he found it — dozens of miles away from the Koch 33 showroom, in fact. He partnered with the group behind the popular Team 4Runner Instagram account — dedicated to the aftermarket 4Runner community and lifestyle — to host the T4R Experience PA off-road trail and camp event. “There are so many Toyota super fans on social media,” Fisher says. “And they’re incredibly brand loyal. I wanted to find a way to leverage that into sales.” Pitching In For Fisher, an off-road trail and camp event was Apart from off-roading and camping, participants also spent time a no-brainer. cleaning up their campsites. Koch 33 Toyota General Manager “Our location in Pennsylvania gives customers an Tom Koch, above, helped out and got his hands dirty, too. opportunity to truly explore their surroundings, given our proximity to the beautiful outdoors,” Fisher says. 13 toyotatoday
“A model like 4Runner is built to expand your reach Attendees met in a nearby Walmart parking and unlock a world you never knew existed. So, it lot, which may seem unusual. But in fact, that’s made perfect sense to create that kind of experience where the trailhead is located. And for Fisher, it for our customers.” was actually a selling point. The event was open to all Koch 33 customers, free “This is where the appeal of owning a Toyota of charge, with the intention of inspiring adventure 4x4 comes to light,” Fisher says. “You can literally and community among current and potential Toyota go from everyday life to the true, great outdoors enthusiasts. More than 80 people signed up. in a quick shift to 4x4. It’s an opportunity to get The T4R Experience PA event was held on a the family out, drop the cell phones and explore.” massive tract of land spanning 20,000 acres and Fisher considers the event a total success, 650 miles of mapped trails. The landowner, Famous and says the dealership saw an immediate return Reading Outdoors, offered the property free of charge in exchange for a commitment to clean up the trails. on investment. “That spirit of giving back and leaving things “Honestly, we saw immediate results. We sold better than you found them is really at the heart and a 4Runner to an attendee just two days later,” he soul of the off-road community,” Fisher says. “Each says. “It’s hard to argue with results like that. But and every attendee was happy to oblige. Each vehicle bottom line, this is about creating bonds with our had full trash bags, pickup beds and rooftop racks customers. We aren’t just selling cars. We’re selling loaded to the max.” a lifestyle.” Power in Numbers Koch 33 Toyota sales consultant Nick Fisher didn’t know what kind of turnout to expect while organizing the T4R Experience PA off-road and camp event. More than 80 customers signed up, and Fisher said the response was overwhelmingly positive. may/june2019 14
The Greater Than Ever Corolla With available 18-inch machined alloy wheels1 and standard LED headlights, you’ve got style for days — or nights that turn into early mornings. Let’s Go Places. Prototype shown with options. 1Performance tires are expected to experience greater tire wear than conventional tires. Tire life may be less than 24,000 miles, depending upon driving conditions. ©2019 Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
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