Toyota Talks Earthquake, New Technology, Product Launches at Dealer Meetings
Toyota’s annual dealer meeting topics included the Prius family launch, new technology offerings and greater regional autonomy.
LAS VEGAS — Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A., Inc. announced details from its annual national dealer meeting that took place June 29. Representatives from Toyota’s 1,233 U.S. dealers attended.
Speakers included Toyota Motor Corporation President Akio Toyoda, Toyota Motor North America Inc. President and COO Yoshi Inaba, and TMS President and COO Jim Lentz, among other executives.
During the meeting, Toyoda talked about the impacts of the March 11 earthquake that struck Japan and thanked dealers for their support and donations. Contributions from Toyota dealers and friends of the company have totaled $11.5 million for Japan disaster relief.
Toyoda also talked about the new 2012 Camry and Camry Hybrid, new technology offerings like the all-new RAV4 EV and greater regional autonomy. He also talked about wanting the company to be a leader in the industry. “We must earn it with our actions and with our words, with great products and great service and with genuine affection for our customers and our communities.”
Other executive speeches centered on the recovery of production facilities in Japan. Executives said the recovery is going faster than expected and thatproduction should return to normal after July. In North America, eight locally built models returned to 100 percent production in early June while the remaining four North American-built models will return to 100 percent by September.
Toyota also will open a new production plant in Mississippi that will build 150,000 Corollas per year and create 2,000 jobs.
The Prius family launch also remains on track, with thePrius v launch scheduled for the fall and the Prius c compact expected to debut next spring. Officials also said the company remains committed to putting a fuel-cell vehicle on the road by 2015. In addition, the company’s new Entune multimedia system is scheduled to debut this fall in the new Prius v and Camry.
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