Toyota Motor Corporation - TM STOCK NEWS

Toyota Motor North America has published its 2024 Diversity + Inclusion Annual Report, highlighting efforts across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Key initiatives include employee resource groups, executive engagement, and community outreach. The report emphasizes Toyota's commitment to diversity through various programs, such as D+I Journeys for leadership development and Driving Possibilities for STEM education. Additionally, Toyota awarded over $8 million in grants for pediatric traumatic brain injury care and was ranked #4 on Fair360's Top Companies for Diversity® list for the third consecutive year.

Toyota has joined seven other automakers as an investor and founding partner of IONNA, committing to install at least 30,000 EV charging ports across North America by 2030. This initiative will provide Toyota and Lexus customers access to a growing DC fast charger network supporting both NACS and CCS connectors. IONNA plans to deploy the first batch of charging stations in 2024, aiming to enhance the customer experience with additional amenities. This partnership aligns with Toyota's broader strategy to promote BEVs, with plans to offer 30 BEV models globally by 2030 and produce 3.5 million BEVs annually. Other investors in IONNA include BMW, GM, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, and Stellantis.

Toyota Motor North America and Toyota Financial Services have announced various relief efforts in response to Hurricane Beryl and other recent natural disasters.

Toyota has made significant contributions to The American Red Cross and SBP, aiding in recovery efforts nationwide. Additionally, Toyota is matching donations made by U.S.-based employees to these organizations and other eligible nonprofits.

Toyota Financial Services is providing payment relief options to customers affected in designated disaster areas. This includes extensions, lease deferred payments, redirected billing statements, and phone or online payment arrangements.

Customers impacted by these events are encouraged to contact Toyota Financial Services or Lexus Financial Services for support.

Toyota Motor North America (TMNA) reported its U.S. sales results for June and the first half of 2024. TMNA sold 193,120 vehicles in June, reflecting a 1.2% decrease compared to June 2023. However, electrified vehicle sales soared to 84,781 units, a 64.5% increase, making up 43.9% of total sales. For the second quarter, TMNA reported a 9.2% increase in sales, totaling 621,549 vehicles.

For the first half of 2024, TMNA sold 1,186,647 vehicles, a 14.3% increase from the previous year. Notably, first-half electrified vehicle sales surged by 67.9% to 454,197 units, accounting for 38.3% of total sales. The Toyota division's first half sales rose by 14.7%, while the Lexus division experienced an 11.9% increase, marking its best-ever first half in history with 167,211 units sold.

TMNA currently offers 29 electrified vehicle options, the most among automakers, helping Toyota retain its position as the industry's leading retail brand.

Toyota Motor North America has reaffirmed its commitment to the Rebelle Rally for 2024, marking its third consecutive year as a sponsor and participant.

This year, Toyota will field seven teams comprising fourteen members from various divisions, including Research and Development, CALTY Design, and Vehicle Performance. Notably, one team will debut in the X-CROSS class, while the others will compete in the 4x4 class.

The event will be held from October 10-19, 2024, featuring an 8-day, 1,500-mile off-road challenge across California and Nevada deserts. Participants will navigate using only maps and compasses.

Toyota will also be the presenting sponsor of the event's live webcast for the third year, supporting the broadcast on multiple platforms, including the event's website, YouTube, and Facebook.

Training for the event will be conducted through Rebelle U, focusing on essential rally skills like navigation, mapping, and driving.

Toyota has unveiled a new brand film titled 'Getaway Driver' as part of its latest national ad campaign for the 2024 Corolla and Corolla Cross Hybrid Nightshade Editions. The short, humorous, horror-inspired film stars internet comedian King Bach and aims to attract GenZ and Millennial consumers. Featuring a sporty exterior, 18-inch bronze finished wheels, and blacked-out accents, the film showcases the 138 hp, all-wheel drive Corolla Hybrid. Premiering on June 25th at 4 p.m. CT on the Toyota YouTube channel, the film includes a live chat with King Bach. Jeff Buchanan, Toyota's VP of Marketing, highlights the fun and innovative approach of the campaign. Additionally, SiriusXM® is included as a standard feature in all Toyota models sold in the Continental U.S., with a three-month subscription offered to new customers.

Toyota Motor North America recognized outstanding performance among its North American parts and components suppliers with 69 awards for 2023. The awards, categorized into Superior and Excellent, honored both direct and indirect suppliers for their contributions in technology, development, diversity, value improvement, and quality. Key awardees include Enova Premier, Aisin Drivetrain, and Adient. This annual recognition program evaluates suppliers based on key performance indicators, reflecting Toyota's commitment to quality, innovation, and sustainability. Prospective suppliers can learn about Toyota's purchasing policies at www.toyotasupplier.com.

Toyota Motor North America and Pepco are collaborating on vehicle-to-grid (V2G) research in Maryland using the Toyota bZ4X. This project aims to explore bidirectional power flow technology, allowing BEV owners to charge their vehicles and send power back to the local energy grid. Benefits include improved energy reliability, integration of renewables, and potential electricity cost reductions. Maryland, targeting 300,000 EVs by 2025, recently passed the DRIVE Act, requiring utilities to develop interconnection processes for bidirectional chargers. The research will occur at Pepco's Watershed Sustainability Center. Toyota plans to expand its BEV offerings to 30 models globally by 2030.

The press release announces a three-part video series titled 'Driving Decarbonization in America,' produced by Bader Media Group and funded by Toyota. The series aims to explore the automotive industry's efforts to combat CO2 emissions through advanced electrified powertrains and innovative technologies. Hosted by Ross Butler with field reporting from Neka Zang and Ariana Cohen, the series will air on MotorTrend TV, Discovery Go, and Discovery+ starting June 17, 2024.

Episodes will feature insights from industry experts, discuss various low- and zero-emission vehicles, delve into the significance of automotive batteries, and examine the impact of existing internal combustion engine vehicles on CO2 emissions. The series also covers utility and energy system innovations like bidirectional charging. Toyota's multi-pathway approach to sustainable mobility is highlighted, along with their commitment to advancing next-generation mobility through their Toyota and Lexus brands.