Thursday, April 28, 2011

Toyota adjusts May production in North America

Toyota adjusts May production in North America



April 19, 2011

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. (TEMA) plans to adjust production in May due to parts availability following the March 11 Japan earthquake and tsunami.


Previously, TEMA had announced production suspensions on Mondays and Fridays during the period April 15 through April 25. TEMA will continue the Monday and Friday production suspension pattern during the period April 26-June 3. During the same period, production will run at 50 per cent on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.


Additionally, Canadian production will be suspended the week of May 23 (in conjunction with the scheduled Victoria Day holiday) and U.S. production will be suspended the week of May 30 (in conjunction with the scheduled Memorial Day holiday).




No layoffs are planned during this period. Team members will utilize non-production time for training and plant improvement activities.

TEMA is trying to continue production as much as possible with its workforce intact in order to facilitate a smooth transition back to full production when all parts are available.

Production plans beyond June 3 will be determined at a later date.

Friday, April 15, 2011

Scion Set to Reveal Concept Vehicle

SCION SET TO REVEAL CONCEPT VEHICLE


The countdown has begun. On April 20, 2011, at 1:40pm EST, Scion will reveal a new concept vehicle at the New York Auto Show.


Visit www.ScionDimension.com to get your sneak peek right now—and to watch the live news conference at the time of the reveal.



To get additional updates from Scion Canada from the New York International Auto Show, visit the Scion Canada Facebook Page. You can also register right here and get automatic updates on all the latest Scion news and reviews.

Scion tC Receives Five Star Overall Rating for Crash Tests

Scion tC Receives Five Star Overall Rating for Crash Tests


April 12, 2011

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded the all-new 2011 Scion tC sports coupe, a top overall rating of five stars.


The New Car Assessment Program (NCAP), a consumer information program created by NHTSA, rates vehicles to determine crash and rollover safety. The test ratings are gathered during controlled crash and rollover tests conducted at the NHTSA research facilities. The announcement was released on the NHTSA website www.safercar.gov.



All Scion models meet or exceed the safety requirements of the U.S. federal government, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and all Canadian safety standards.

The tC comes standard with a total of eight supplemental restraint system (SRS) airbags including driver and front passenger airbags, seat-mounted side airbags, driver and front-passenger knee airbag, and side curtain airbags.

All 2011 Scion vehicles, including the tC, come standard equipped in Canada with the Star Safety System. The Scion Star Safety System includes Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) and Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), Traction Control (TRAC), Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and Smart Stop Technology (SST). Additional safety features include active front headrests.

The all-new Scion tC, which went on sale in October 2010, has an impressive list of standard features including 180-horsepower, a 6-speed transmission, 18-inch alloy wheels and a 300-watt 8-speaker audio system.

* Note: All NHTSA testing performed on U.S. specification models.

Monday, March 14, 2011

Toyota Statement Regarding Earthquake and Tsunami in Japan

Toyota Statement Regarding Earthquake and Tsunami in Japan


Following the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, Toyota’s number one priority is to support our team members, our partner companies, suppliers and dealers through this situation. On behalf of the company globally, TMC is moving to donate 300 million yen (approximately $3.75 million) for relief and recovery efforts in communities affected by the Tohoku Earthquake and is also considering the provision of goods and services as needed.


In Canada, anyone wishing to make a contribution to support the ongoing relief efforts in Japan is encouraged to visit the Canadian Red Cross for more information:

Canadian Red Cross

We will continue to provide updates here as new information becomes available

Current Update

April 15, 2011

Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) offers its most-sincere sympathies to those affected by the March 11 Great East Japan Earthquake.

As TMC continues to address its production situation in Japan following the disaster, it has decided that vehicle production from May 10 to June 3 will proceed at approximately 50 per cent of normal. TMC will decide on production after this period after assessing the situation of its suppliers and other related companies.

Today’s decision follows TMC’s previously announced decision to produce vehicles at all its Japanese vehicle-production facilities from April 18 to April 27 at approximately 50 percent of normal and for all production facilities to enter their annual spring holiday through May 9.

TMC deeply apologizes to its customers for not being able to build every vehicle to meet their desired specifications due to limited parts.

Previous Updates:

April 8, 2011

Toyota is adjusting North American production due to parts availability following the March 11 Japan earthquake.

Over the next few weeks, Toyota’s North American vehicle plants will operate on a reduced schedule, with production suspended on April 15, 18, 21*, 22**, and 25. Most of the company’s North American engine and component plants will follow the same schedule. Future production plans will be determined at a later date.

On these non-production days, the company will continue to provide employment for its approximately 25,000 regular North American team members. Team members not required to work may report to work for training and plant improvement activities, use vacation, or take unpaid time off.

On average, around 85 per cent of the parts and materials for the 12 North American-built Toyota and Lexus models are sourced from 500 suppliers on this continent. While production of some parts and materials continues in Japan, Toyota is working closely with affected suppliers in order to minimize the impact.

The situation in Japan affects many automakers and many other industries. Extraordinary efforts are underway to help suppliers recover. Toyota is slowing down to conserve parts yet maintain production as much as possible and appreciates the flexibility of team members, suppliers and dealers as we work through these issues.

*The Georgetown, Ky. plant will build vehicles on April 21.

**Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada will be closed for Good Friday on April 22.

We will continue to provide updates as new information becomes available.

March 30, 2011

Canadian Scion, Toyota and Lexus dealers have established a fund with the Canadian Red Cross to assist with relief efforts in Japan. Click here to find out more.

March 14, 2011

We continue to place priority on supporting the relief efforts in the regions affected and ensuring that our team members, the employees at subsidiary vehicle manufacturers and at our suppliers—and all their respective family members—are safe.

To that end, we are halting production at all plants in Japan (including subsidiary vehicle manufacturers) from March 14 through March 16.

We will continue to provide updates as new information becomes available.


March 13, 2011

Toyota's associates and team members in North America extend our heartfelt sympathy and deepest condolences to the people of Japan, our colleagues and their families.

Our utmost concern has been the safety of all Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) team members and team members at our partner companies in the Tohoku region.

TMC has established a company-wide emergency task force to continually assess the situation and take initial measures.

There have been no reported injuries at Toyota operations, including the Tokyo head office, the Higashifuji facility, Tochigi office, Yamanashi office, Toyota Motor Tohoku facilities and at TMC subsidiary vehicle manufacturers.

While TMC plants were able to restart production on 3/11, plants that stopped production are Toyota subsidiary plants that produce parts and vehicles, including:

  • Toyota Motor Hokkaido Plant

  • Toyota Motor Tohoku Plant

  • Central Motor Corporation Miyagi Plant, which also produces the Yaris model.

  • Kanto Auto Works Iwate Plant, which also produces the Scion xB and Scion xD

Employees at these facilities were evacuated to safe areas.

We are now conducting a detailed survey of each plant to determine the extent of any damage. We are also currently assessing the situation at our suppliers, dealers and the impact on North American import vehicles.

As we are committed to ensuring the safety of our team members and their families, Toyota has decided to suspend production at all TMC plants, as well as all subsidiary vehicle-manufacturing plants on Monday, March 14th.

Toyota’s number one priority is to support our team members at TMC, our partner companies, suppliers and dealers through this situation. On behalf of the company globally, TMC is moving to donate 300 million yen (approximately $3.75 million) for relief and recovery efforts in communities affected by the Tohoku Earthquake and is also considering the provision of goods and services as needed.

We will continue to provide updates as new information becomes available.

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Voluntary Safety Campaign to Replace Tire Loading Labels on Nine Toyota and Scion Vehicles in Canada

Voluntary Safety Campaign to Replace Tire Loading Labels on Nine Toyota and Scion Vehicles in Canada


Toyota Canada Inc. (TCI) will conduct a voluntary safety campaign to replace tire loading labels on a total of nine vehicles including certain 2010 FJ Cruiser, 2011 Tacoma and 2011 Scion xB models.


The affected vehicles may have been delivered with certain accessory alloy wheels and tires that were different in size and recommended tire inflation from the original equipment tires. Toyota and Scion dealerships will install a new tire loading label bearing the tire size and recommended inflation for the tires installed at the time of delivery. The new label will be provided at no charge to owners.



Owners of the affected vehicles will be notified by first class mail and requested to bring their vehicle to a Toyota or Scion dealership to have the new label installed.

Detailed information and answers to questions are available to customers at the Toyota Customer Interaction Centre at 1-888-TOYOTA-8. Additional vehicle safety information is available at www.toyota.ca

Friday, February 18, 2011

Enter the Canadian Scion Tuner Challenge and Win Big

Enter the Canadian Scion Tuner Challenge and Win Big


What would you do with $10,000, access to the Toyota Racing Development and Scion Authorized accessory catalogues, and a Scion xB, xD or tC? That’s the question posed by the first Canadian Scion Tuner Challenge.


And whoever answers it with the best modified ride wins a trip to Las Vegas for the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show and the chance to show off their winning entry at the world’s premier automotive products trade show, not to mention $5,000 in prize money and an iPad. Second and third place designs also score with cash prizes and Scion gear.



“Canadian Scion tuners, this is your chance to show off your unique vision and tuner talent on a world stage and to a professional audience,” said Larry Hutchinson, Director of Scion in Canada. “Impress us, and we’ll send you and your winning Scion to SEMA for the duration of the show.”

To enter, custom tuners must submit an original idea for their customization to Scion Canada before March 31, 2011. Three regional finalists will be chosen based on a number of criteria, from creative design and in-car entertainment features, to horsepower and cosmetic improvements, to braking and suspension systems. Each finalist will be asked to customize a 2011 xB, xD, or tC, provided with $10,000, and access to a wealth of customization possibilities. The results will be shown at the 2011 Toronto and Montreal ImportFest shows, with the overall winner to be announced onsite in Montreal.

Anyone looking for inspiration will find a showcase vehicle at the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto: a 2011 tC designed by Sciontario.com founder Andrew DaCosta. The Scion display - which will also feature the all-new 2012 Scion iQ - is located at the 300 level of the North Building at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.

Inspiration can also be found anytime at www.scionnation.ca/scion/accessories, where you can view a catalogue of Scion Authorized Accessories and Toyota Racing Development performance parts. Sixteen new parts are coming to Canada this spring, so stay tuned and get ready to take your own customization creativity to the next level.

Download the Official Entry Form here. We look forward to your submission.


View the Official Rules & Regulations here.


Build and Price your own Scion here

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Scion iQ makes Canadian Debut

Scion Returns to Igloofest


Scion unveiled its newest member at the Montreal International Auto Show. The iQ is the world’s first premium micro-subcompact and goes on sale in Canada later this year.


“iQ is the boldest example to date of the Scion brand philosophy,” said Larry Hutchinson, Director of Scion Canada. “It is the ultimate small, urban-friendly and fuel efficient vehicle that is also big on style, features, functionality, and safety.”



Inside, outside and under the hood, iQ carries the idea that big ideas come in small packages. At only 305 cm in length, iQ offers a turning radius of 3.9 metres, making it easy to maneuver and park. At the same time, wide-door opening and long-slide front seats make it easy for front and rear occupants to get in and out.

The 1.3 litre Dual VVT-i engine is equipped with a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) that delivers a class-leading 90 horsepower. iQ is also expected to achieve fuel consumption of just over 5 litres per 100km - comparable to vehicles of similar size that offer less passenger and cargo-capacity - coupled with a Tier 2 Bin 5 emissions rating.

When it comes to safety, iQ is bigger than most, with 10 standard airbags, including the world’s first rear-window curtain airbag, and Scion’s Star Safety System™, which includes six active braking technologies.

Like all Scion’s, iQ will be outfitted with a long list of standard features, full fledged audio system, and will be highly customizable. Register for Updates or LIKE us on Facebook to be amongst the first to receive iQ updates.