Toyota Untold

We're seeing out our Tundra series in style. Over the past few weeks, you've heard all about the amazing new 2022 Tundra and the things it can do. Now it's time to sit down with digital creator, marketer, and former engineer, Cody Wilhide, for his insights into the new vehicle. Then, after that, we've saved the best for last. We're speaking to the President of Toyota Manufacturing right here in Texas, himself, Kevin Voelkel. He gives us an amazing insight into what it takes to pull something together like creating and launching a brand new vehicle. Normally, we speak to people focused on one specific area of manufacture rather than going straight to the person at the top!  This is the final part in this four-part series, so if you enjoy it, make sure you've also listened to parts one through three. And there's also our entire back catalog for you to enjoy, covering everything from the history of Toyota to some amazing human interest stories where we hear the ways Toyota has touched ordinary people's lives for the better.  Resources: https://pressroom.toyota.com/all-new-2022-toyota-tundra-is-ready-to-rock-the-full-size-segment/ (All-New 2022 Toyota Tundra is Ready to Rock the Full-Size Segment) https://pressroom.toyota.com/all-new-capstone-grade-elevates-2022-toyota-tundra-to-new-heights/ (All-New Capstone Grade Elevates 2022 Toyota Tundra to New Heights)   Toyota Untold is co-produced with http://crate.media (Crate Media).

Think you're the world's ultimate Land Cruiser fan? Chances are Greg Miller's got you beat. After finding himself with six of them in his collection, he realized that no one was preserving the history of the Land Cruiser like he was. That's when The Land Cruiser Heritage Museum was born.  The celebration of all things Land Cruiser is based in Salt Lake City with the goal of inspiring adventure. But today's story takes us WAY beyond Utah. Greg has driven Land Cruisers on every single continent on earth (not a typo).  Land Cruisers have been a part of his life since he was four years old. His dad used to work for Toyota and he would sometimes get to play in the cars and pretend he was actually driving them. Little did he know that he'd one day become one of the world's leading Land Cruiser experts. In today's episode, you'll hear all about Expedition7, the amazing worldwide Land Cruiser-based undertaking that Greg spearheaded, as well as what goes into setting up and running a museum of such scale and polish. How do you transport Land Cruisers around the world? And what can you expect when you go to visit? Don't miss this adventurous new episode.  Resources: https://landcruiserhm.com (The Land Cruiser Heritage Museum) Toyota Untold is co-produced with http://crate.media (Crate Media).

The celebration of the next generation 2022 Tundra continues with our third episode in a four-part Tundra series. You can read all about a car's specs, but there's no substitute for actually getting up close and hands on. In this episode, we're taking several guests inside the new Tundra to see the amazing features that the next gen has to offer, firsthand. We're joined by Kevin Kavanagh, Ken Bolido, and Austin Evans. How do these real life driving enthusiasts feel about the new model? How do they actually feel to drive – or just ride in? And which new features really make the 2022 Tundra stand out above its competition? All this and more in Tundra Series: Part 3! Resources: https://pressroom.toyota.com/all-new-2022-toyota-tundra-is-ready-to-rock-the-full-size-segment/ (All-New 2022 Toyota Tundra is Ready to Rock the Full-Size Segment) https://pressroom.toyota.com/all-new-capstone-grade-elevates-2022-toyota-tundra-to-new-heights/ (All-New Capstone Grade Elevates 2022 Toyota Tundra to New Heights)   Toyota Untold is co-produced with http://crate.media (Crate Media).

Toyota Untold continues to celebrate the recent release of the next generation 2022 Tundra with part two in a four-part series looking behind the curtain on the new model and its development. This week, we plug into its brand new infotainment system and explore all the added benefits, data, and functionality available at drivers' fingertips in the 2022 Tundra. Smart, seamless tech is an expectation of modern drivers, a trend Toyota is well familiar with. Joining us are two of the most knowledgeable people in the world on the subject, Greg Blalock, Toyota's Manager of Customer Solutions for Connected Technologies, and Mike Sweers, the 2022 Tundra's Global Truck Chief Engineer. Both are focused on improving the driver experience by leveraging the mountains of data now available to both Toyota and its customers. From the glamorous 14-inch touchscreen, to cloud-based maps, intelligent assistant voice recognition, and a new customer-centric menu structure, if you came looking for details, you've arrived at the right place. Make a pit stop for fuel and snacks. Better yet, connect to your new audio multimedia system and turn it up. Parts three and four of the Tundra series are just ahead. Resources: https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/2022-toyota-tundra-infotainment-system-review/ (2022 Toyota Tundra Infotainment Review: A Million Times Better) https://pressroom.toyota.com/all-new-2022-toyota-tundra-is-ready-to-rock-the-full-size-segment/ (All-New 2022 Toyota Tundra is Ready to Rock the Full-Size Segment) https://pressroom.toyota.com/all-new-capstone-grade-elevates-2022-toyota-tundra-to-new-heights/ (All-New Capstone Grade Elevates 2022 Toyota Tundra to New Heights) Toyota Untold is co-produced with http://crate.media/ (Crate Media).

Timeless ‘60s styling, movie star status, $1 million price tag, and a backstory for the ages – what doesn't the 2000GT have? Though only a few hundred were ever manufactured, this iconic speedster stands as one of Toyota's, and the world's, most memorable vehicles. Why? For starters, Japan's first supercar blew the doors off of what the world thought of the then-humble Toyota name, giving the upstart brand invaluable credence and credibility in the American marketplace. Often referred to as a halo car, the 2000GT deeply influenced Toyota's place in the automotive industry and earned a permanent place in performance vehicle history. The perfect model or toy car, the 2000GT sports one of the most attractive shapes and styling packages ever put on the road; but movie buffs will remember it most fondly from its co-starring role in a certain 1967 action film, the fifth installment of a franchise that recently released its twenty-sixth feature, currently showing in theatres around the world.  The world's most famous big screen superspy still rules the box office today – just as the 2000GT remains one of his most revered rides, even if he never actually drove it (more on that in the episode). We're joined by Ross Scharphorn, professional stunt driver and car chase historian; Derrick Heydari, Product Development Engineer, Toyota North America; and Drew Eleazar, Senior Development Engineer, Toyota North America, for a fun roundtable conversation that zigs and zags from the 2000GT's inspiration and launch, to its specs, tech, and place in movie history. Shake a martini and fire up your backseat vision phone – we've chopped the top and set our sights on Tokyo, Japan, 1967. Resources https://www.businessinsider.com/1967-toyota-2000gt-sells-for-12-million-2013-5 (Toyota 2000GT Sold At Auction for $1.2m) https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/james-bonds-daniel-craig-confirms-21617947 (Daniel Craig's Favorite Bond Car) https://pressroom.toyota.com/album/1967-1968-toyota-2000gt/ (Photos: 1967 – 1968 Toyota 2000GT) https://www.motortrend.com/vehicle-genres/1967-70-toyota-2000gt/ (Collectible Classic: 1967-70 Toyota 2000GT) https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1784853/ (Ross Scharphorn: IMDB)   Toyota Untold is co-produced withhttps://crate.media/ ( Crate Media)

Toyota Untold is celebrating the highly anticipated release of the next generation 2022 Tundra with a special three-part series, starting with a wholesome fireside chat with U.S. Air Force Veteran, DIY Tundra overlander, and lifelong Toyota driver, Jeff Buchenroth. Jeff outfitted his 2016 Tundra to tour the country's National Parks and shares his experiences with us today...many of which share themes of the kindness and kindred spirit that he's found on the road, from Glacier to Yellowstone and many stops in between. Following Jeff, our friend Kevin Kavanagh, the leader of the pack at Tundras to Sedona, takes us into the desert with more than one-hundred other Tundras, their owners, pets, and families, to tell us all about the largest off-road Tundra event in the world (even though they don't like to brag). We're just getting started with Tundra SNZ here at Toyota Untold. Check back in the coming weeks for parts two and three which feature deep dives into the stunning new tech and category shifting capabilities of the 2022 next-gen Tundra. Resources: https://www.tundrastosedona.com/ (Tundras to Sedona) https://pressroom.toyota.com/all-new-2022-toyota-tundra-is-ready-to-rock-the-full-size-segment/ (All-New 2022 Toyota Tundra is Ready to Rock the Full-Size Segment)   Toyota Untold is co-produced withhttps://crate.media/ ( Crate Media)

It seems like everything has changed in the last eighteen months. Live events and promotions, specifically, are an area that will likely never be the same. This summer, Toyota leaned into this shift with a brand new, all-inclusive event space hosted at Toyota USA headquarters in Plano, Texas, that previewed upcoming news for select members of the automotive media landscape.  The result was a one-of-a-kind, multi-day brand presentation, one that very well could redefine the model moving forward. Media guests, most from nontraditional outlets, came from all over the country to (safely) experience the latest and greatest from Toyota and Lexus. Highlights touched on every area of the business: cars, trucks, crossovers, electrification, user tech, safety, design, reveals, updates, and so much more. What goes into a brand new project like this? How is prep different from typical promo campaigns, and how did its guests feel about what they experienced? Tune in to hear more from Nathan Kokes, Toyota Product Communications Senior Manager, about how this unique event came together and what it means for the future of auto shows.  Resources: https://pressroom.toyota.com/event/toyota-new-product-showcase/ (Toyota New Product Showcase) https://pressroom.toyota.com/toyota-debuts-all-electric-suv-concept-in-u-s/ (All Electric SUV (bZ4X)) https://pressroom.toyota.com/2022-toyota-corolla-cross-makes-u-s-debut-and-expands-corolla-lineup/ ('22 Corolla Cross) https://pressroom.toyota.com/next-generation-tacoma-trd-pro-takes-off-road-performance-up-a-notch/ (Tacoma TRD Pro) https://pressroom.toyota.com/toyota-4runner-trd-sport-added-to-lineup-for-2022-model-year/ (4Runner TRD Sport) https://pressroom.toyota.com/drivers-rejoice-toyota-debuts-all-new-gr-86/ (All New GR 86) https://pressroom.toyota.com/toyota-launches-exclusive-gr-supra-a91-cf-edition/ (Exclusive GR Supra A91-CF Edition) https://pressroom.toyota.com/new-2022-tacoma-trail-edition-4x4-is-ready-for-adventure/ ('22 Tacoma Trail Edition 4x4) https://pressroom.toyota.com/toyota-ai-ventures-announces-rebrand-as-toyota-ventures-and-an-additional-300m-to-invest-in-emerging-technologies-and-carbon-neutrality/ (Toyota Ventures rebrand) Toyota Untold is co-produced withhttps://crate.media/ ( Crate Media)

Grab some popcorn, Josh Brooks has a story to tell. As a boy, a classic vehicle in his neighborhood caught his eye — a stunning ‘79 Toyota Starlet. Like most people, though, he'd nod his head in approval and go on with his life… to school, the park, or wherever a kid might spend his time in the small town of Radstock, England.  That's where the story takes a turn into the uncommon. The experiences shared by Josh, the car, and its original owner in the decades following these sightings were as uncommon as they were endearing. What's more, they're truly representative of the family-minded approach that Toyota aims to embody every day. As you may have guessed from the title, yes, the neighborhood Starlet has been marvelously restored to its original state (other than a set of modern tires) and now drives through its hometown with celebrity-like fanfare. Josh is sure that it deserves it's own “verified check” on social media. You'll hear the pride he has in it, and its story, come through in his voice. We're just as proud to share it, here on Toyota Untold.  The heartwarming details of this tale, though, are best left to its main character. We promise, by the end of this episode, you'll be looking for airfare to England on a mission to ride in this amazing one-of-a-kind vehicle — just don't expect to sit in the back seat. Resources: https://mag.toyota.co.uk/toyota-people-josh-brooks-classic-starlet-restorer/ (Toyota People: Josh Brooks, classic Starlet restorer) https://mag.toyota.co.uk/history-of-the-toyota-starlet/ (History of the Toyota Starlet) https://www.toyota-global.com/company/history_of_toyota/75years/vehicle_lineage/car/id60006941/index.html (Toyota Starlet: Vehicle lineage ) Toyota Untold is co-produced withhttps://crate.media/ ( Crate Media)

Still going strong (and into space!), the “Fast” film franchise is one the highest-grossing the movie industry has ever seen and shows no signs of slowing down. Sure, superstar names like Vin Diesel and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson take top billing, but the franchise is built on fast cars – none more famous and sought-after worldwide than Paul Walker's orange Gladiator Supra featured prominently in “The Fast and the Furious” (2001). We're joined by Craig Lieberman, original owner of the film's primary, hero vehicle, a 1994 Toyota Supra MK IV. We go behind the scenes and dig into what it was like to lend his expert knowledge and eye-popping cars to such a high-profile production. How did the arrangement come to be? Which actors could really drive? How real were the most dynamic driving scenes? Craig shares his perspective as only someone in the driver's seat possibly could. After his Supra was “discovered” by movie producers and brought into the fold for filming, Craig provided consultation on all things auto for the first two “Fast” films. His deep knowledge of tuner culture and Japanese performance vehicles were key in the film's initial (and ongoing) impact on the scene – after having ignited an explosion in the modifications industry and indoctrinating a new generation of auto enthusiasts around the world. We discover what happened to the Supra after filming and hear about Craig's new and influential place in the scene, boasting over 174k insatiably curious YouTube subscribers and over 129k Instagram followers that pepper him with questions on a daily basis. Craig was a fantastic interview; we're thankful that he set aside time to talk with us about his (and his car's) unique place in movie history. Buckle up, this one's fast.  Resources: https://fastandfuriousfacts.com/ (Craig Lieberman - Website) https://www.youtube.com/user/craiglieberman (Craig Lieberman - YouTube) https://www.instagram.com/craiglieberman_42/ (Craig Lieberman - Instagram) Toyota Untold is co-produced withhttps://crate.media/ ( Crate Media)

The driver-vehicle relationship is changing quickly. From sensors to cameras, AI and other smart-enabled tech, it's starting to seem like vehicles are more computer than they are car. In this episode, Toyota research scientists, John Lenneman, Ph.D., and Josh Domeyer, Ph.D., join us to address common curiosities and answer questions—while posing many more. That's the nature of the job, it seems. Both are proud, self-admitted nerds, passionate about problem solving and discovery, especially as they relate to safety in the auto industry and beyond. They detail their academic journeys to Toyota and explain, in layman's terms, the whys and hows behind their work, and that of the research community in general. Grab a notepad and tune in to The Psychology of Driving for this Toyota-powered introductory course on behavioral research, and explore the resource links to learn more about specific studies or organizations discussed in this episode. Resources: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnlenneman/ (John Lenneman, Ph.D., Linkedin) https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=EhyAYbQAAAAJ&hl=en (John Lenneman, Ph.D., Google Scholar) http://scholar.google.com/citations?user=z3zEcpUAAAAJ&hl=en (Josh Domeyer, Ph.D., Google Scholar) https://pressroom.toyota.com/how-vehicles-talk-to-pedestrians/ (How Vehicles Talk to Pedestrians) https://csrc.toyota.com/ (Toyota Collaborative Safety Research Center (CSRC)) https://agelab.mit.edu/ (MIT AgeLab study) https://csl.engr.wisc.edu/ (UW-Madison study) Toyota Untold is co-produced withhttps://crate.media/ ( Crate Media)

Ask someone to picture a car and most people will imagine a sedan. They're arguably the default vehicle of the modern age... or at least they were. Currently, two SUVs are sold for every sedan and many manufacturers are slowing or ceasing sedan production, entirely.  Toyota’s Sam Goot from Vehicle Marketing and Communications and Paul Daverio from Production Planning and Strategy join us to explain exactly why Toyota is standing tall as one of the only manufacturers still fully committed to the cars we know and love. From the new features and styles available in recent models to their role in popularizing electric vehicles, tune in as we discuss the state of the sedan. Resources: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pdaverio/ (Paul Daverio on LinkedIn) https://www.toyota-europe.com/world-of-toyota/feel/environment/environmental-challenge-2050 (Toyota’s Emissions Commitment) https://www.toyota.com/camry/ (Meet the 2021 Camry) https://www.toyota.com/racing/trd (Toyota TRD) Toyota Untold is co-produced withhttps://crate.media/ ( Crate Media)

The Sienna is one of the best-known minivans on the market, with a reputation for being durable and reliable, and, of course, for being the perfect family vehicle. There’s no getting around its suburbia-born cultural associations, so the Sienna team has leaned into them. The 2021 model fully embraces its proud reputation while also striving to redefine how we think about minivans, altogether. A distinctly American car, this Sienna combines form with function to create something quietly confident and perfect for the here and now. But what inspired its unique design-concept? We’re delving into the development of this latest member of the Toyota family with one of its chief designers, Ben Jimenez. He walks us through some of the added features and explains how they managed to update the car’s legacy without losing what’s made Sienna special in the first place.  Resources: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-jimenez-8aa5367b/ (Benjamin Jimenez LinkedIn) https://www.toyota.com/sienna/ (The 2021 Sienna on Toyota.com) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2L-h5I0d_zU&t=127s (Behind the Scenes: Designing the 2021 Sienna) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUG3Z8Hxa5I (The Swagger Wagon Music Video) Toyota Untold is co-produced withhttps://crate.media/ ( Crate Media)

Outdoor enthusiasts around the world depend on Toyota to get them to new and exciting places — and, even more importantly, to get them back. Pack your positive attitude for this adventurous episode of Toyota Untold.  We talk accessibility, capability, and, yes, philosophic outlook with champion angler Gerald Swindle, outdoors YouTuber Mike Pfeiffer, and adventure photographer Dan Krauss. With experience all over the map — off-roading, overlanding, climbing, photography, biking, two Bassmaster Angler of the Year titles, and well over half a million social media followers — this group delivers on advice and relatability, empowering anyone with an adventurous itch to scratch it and watch the magic happen. Resources: https://www.instagram.com/geraldswindle/?hl=en (Gerald Swindle Instagram) https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6Svy2s5bFeLD35ZGp5sbWg (Gerald Swindle YouTube) https://www.instagram.com/lastlineofdefense/ (Last Line of Defense Instagram) https://www.youtube.com/lastlineofdefense (Last Line of Defense YouTube) https://www.instagram.com/dankrauss/ (Dan Krauss Instagram) https://www.dankraussphoto.com/ (Dan Krauss Website) Toyota Untold is co-produced withhttps://crate.media/ ( Crate Media)

Buying a car tends to be a stressful experience... What's the MSRP? How much can you haggle? Do you buy the extended warranty? To lease, or not to lease? Toyota believes these are questions that all customers should be aware of ahead of time to help empower their purchase of a new vehicle. So today, we're speaking with Tracy Kaiser & Susan Gutierrez from Toyota Financial Services, and Jack Hollis & Tim Bliss from Toyota Motor North America, to explore what consumers can do to put some of the car-buying power back in their hands. In addition to our guests' expertise, we're also exploring the new platforms of SmartPath (Toyota) and Monogram (Lexus), which reimagine the car buying experience – putting more of the process into the hands of the consumer and providing new options for a purely online vehicle purchase. Resources: Learn more abouthttps://pressroom.toyota.com/toyota-reimagines-the-new-car-buying-experience-with-complete-online-retail-solution/ ( SmartPath) Learn more abouthttps://pressroom.lexus.com/lexus-unveils-new-digital-retail-experience/ ( Monogram) Toyota Untold is co-produced withhttps://crate.media/ ( Crate Media)

In the early morning on February 11, 2021, 133 vehicles were involved in a pileup on I-35W during historic winter storms in Texas. One of those involved was MedStar paramedic Trey McDaniel, who was headed to work when his 2011 Toyota FJ Cruiser hit black ice and he was struck from behind by an out-of-control semi-truck. Trey was launched into the northbound lanes and his car was totaled, but he was able to crawl out of the mangled FJ with only minor injuries — and he immediately started helping first responders care for other victims of the massive accident. We at Toyota were honored to be able to offer Trey a 2021 4Runner TRD Pro as a replacement for the vehicle he lost in the process of helping so many others and to be able to share his incredible story on this show. Resources: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/treyman780/ (@treyman780) See the https://www.instagram.com/p/CLfhai_HBVp/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link (wrecked FJ Cruiser) and the https://www.instagram.com/p/CLxcq2AngAY/ (new 4Runner TRD Pro) Toyota Untold is co-produced with https://crate.media (Crate Media)

The MR2 is one of the most revered sports cars of its day, blending fun, features, and affordability in a way only Toyota can do. But what was it about this little sports car that created such a long-lasting love affair for so many petrolheads? To figure out why the MR2 is so easy to fall in love with, we talked to three people who are intimately familiar with the car both behind the wheel and under the hood: Jack Ferguson, Toyota’s Senior Quality Engineer; Andrew Eleazar, Toyota’s Senior Development Engineer; and Bill Strong, moderator of the https://www.mr2oc.com/ (MR2 Owners Club). We talk about how the car earned its name, what gave the unique sports car such an enduring legacy, the MR2’s aftermarket modding community, creating Bill Strong’s V8 MR2, the racing events that MR2 drivers love to participate in to this day, and what these three hope to see in a 21st-century MR2. Resources: https://www.mr2oc.com/ (MR2 Owners Club Forum) https://www.facebook.com/events/dallas-texas/mr2-nationals-2021/2502032016729359/ (MR2 Nationals 2021) (May 29 - May 31 in Dallas) https://24hoursoflemons.com/wtf/ (24 Hours of Lemons) Toyota Untold is co-produced with https://crate.media/ (Crate Media)

We know that many of you have attended an auto show in the past – some of you might even be regulars. And for those of you who have never been to one, you should definitely make a point of going sometime in the future. There are fewer more relaxed, low-pressure environments to check out new vehicles. But whether youʼre an auto show enthusiast or a first-timer, youʼre in for a treat today because we have two great guests who are going to give you a behind the scenes view of what it takes to put on these exciting, fun-filled events: Tyler McBride, Toyota Auto Show Manager, and Jackie Henry, Lexus Auto Show Analyst. Please note that this interview was recorded prior to the COVID-19 crisis. But even though so much has changed since this interview, we still want to share what is a fascinating, engaging, and informative conversation.   Resources: Stay up-to-date on auto show news and what Toyota is doing in response to COVID-19: pressroom.toyota.com

Since the Lexus LC500 Convertible was revealed at the 2019 Los Angeles auto show, people have been salivating, just waiting to get their hands on it. And the wait is almost over. This feat of engineering is equipped with the same luxurious interior and 471-hp 5.0-liter V-8 engine as the original coupe, that same familiar roar of the engine, but now just a little bit sexier. We got a chance to sit down with two members of the Lexus team that created this beautiful car — Chad Deschenes and Josh Burns — to talk about what it’s like when you’re behind the wheel of this car.   Resources: Explore the Lexus LC500 Convertible: www.lexus.com/future/LC-Convertible Stay up-to-date on what Toyota is doing in response to COVID-19: pressroom.toyota.com   The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the guest(s) and/or host(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Lexus, a division of Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. Please note that Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. Inc. is not responsible for any errors or the accuracy or timeliness of the content provided. Used with permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

We sit down with some of the people who are creating the sound systems in Toyota and Lexus vehicles and they teach us about everything that goes into designing, creating, and testing car sound systems — from the trained listeners who are actually paid to sit in cars and listen to music (that’s gotta be a dream job for a lot of teenagers out there), to how they make sure those thumping bass speakers don’t make your car rattle louder than the music, and beyond. Our guests are Nicki Cogar (Senior Audio Evaluation Engineer, Toyota Research & Development),  Brad Hamme (Senior Manager of Acoustic Engineering, HARMAN International), and Kyle Roche (Product Planning Manager, HARMAN International).   Resources: Learn more about multimedia options in Toyota vehicles: www.toyota.com/audio-multimedia Stay up-to-date on what Toyota is doing in response to COVID-19: pressroom.toyota.com   This podcast is brought to you by Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. (“Toyota”) and may not be reproduced or redistributed, in whole or in part, without prior permission of Toyota. The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the guest(s) and/or host(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Toyota. Please note that Toyota is not responsible for any errors or the accuracy or timeliness of the content provided. Used with permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

What do Black Panther, Minority Report, and “The Office” have in common? Some of your favorite characters are driving Toyota and Lexus vehicles! But how do products find their way into these projects? What characters make the best Toyota/Lexus drivers? What do we do with all of those awesome cars once filming wraps? To help us answer these questions and more, we sit down with MaryJane Kroll, Media Manager in the Lexus Division of Toyota Motor North America.   Resources: Stay up-to-date on what Toyota is doing in response to COVID-19: pressroom.toyota.com  

We know this is a tough and uncertain time for everyone, so we wanted to share this special conversation with Bob Carter, executive vice president of sales for Toyota Motor North America. We discuss Toyota’s role during this time, how the car industry is responding, and what the future looks like. Resources: Stay up-to-date on what Toyota is doing in response to COVID-19: pressroom.toyota.com

Most of us don’t really think about everything that goes into designing, building, and marketing a car when we drive a new car off the lot. But there are some incredible people putting a lot of time, love, and care into every step of the process! So, we are bringing you behind the scenes of manufacturing and marketing the new 2020 Toyota Highlander. Our guests are Kathi Jenkins, the Vehicle Marketing and Communications Manager for Highlander and C-HR, and Millie Marshall, who was the President of Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana up until September of 2019 and played a key role in making sure those 2020 Highlanders got built safely and efficiently.   Resources: Learn more about the Highlander: www.toyota.com/highlander See what Toyota is doing in response to COVID-19: pressroom.toyota.com   This podcast is brought to you by Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. (“Toyota”) and may not be reproduced or redistributed, in whole or in part, without prior permission of Toyota. The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the guest(s) and/or host(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Toyota. Please note that Toyota is not responsible for any errors or the accuracy or timeliness of the content provided. Used with permission. All rights reserved worldwide.  

Every year, football’s biggest game launches the year’s biggest television ads, and Toyota and Lexus are no exception. This year it was Toyota’s turn with “Heroes,” an epic super hero—Super Mom—spot featuring Stumptown and How I Met Your Mother star, Cobie Smulders. We’ll hear from our own big game ad experts, Mia Phillips and Dan Nied, as well as Saatchi & Saatchi Executive Creative Director, John Payne, to go behind the scenes to learn how it all comes together by kickoff.   For more on the spot and to see the dramedy unfold, click here. This podcast is brought to you by Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. (“Toyota”) and may not be reproduced or redistributed, in whole or in part, without prior permission of Toyota. The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the guest(s) and/or host(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Toyota. Please note that Toyota is not responsible for any errors or the accuracy or timeliness of the content provided. Used with permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Rebelle Rally is one of the most unique driving events of the year. Created by Emily Miller, Rebelle Rally is the first women’s off-road navigation rally raid in the United States. Drivers join as teams of two, working together to navigate and drive across more than 2,000 kilometers of desert in Nevada and California. And in this episode, we are lucky enough to chat with Rachelle Croft and Taylor Pawley, the winners of the 2019 Rebelle Rally.   Resources: Learn more at RebelleRally.com Watch Rachelle & Taylor in action: Expedition Overland S4 EP8: The Great Pursuit - "Dreams Made Real" Follow Taylor on IG: @Taylor.Pawley Follow Rachelle on IG: @rachelle_croft   This podcast is brought to you by Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. (“Toyota”) and may not be reproduced or redistributed, in whole or in part, without prior permission of Toyota. The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the guest(s) and/or host(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Toyota or Lexus, a division of Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. Please note that Toyota is not responsible for any errors or the accuracy or timeliness of the content provided. Used with permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Modifying your vehicle with non-Genuine Lexus parts can negatively affect your warranty, safety performance and street legality. Other trademarks and trade names appearing on the vehicles are those of their respective owners.

Respect for people is at the heart of Toyota’s DNA. Join Kelsey and Tyler as they dig into the practical and cultural rewards for businesses when they hear from all voices. Our experts on the topics of diversity, inclusion and bringing the full self to work are: Toyota Motor North America Group Vice President, General Counsel, Chief Legal Officer and Chief Diversity Officer Sandra Phillips Rogers and former U.S. Labor Secretary under President Clinton and member of the Toyota Diversity Advisory Board, Alexis Herman. And of course, our Resident Millennial is Kelsey. Resources: Top Reasons Why Toyota is a Leading Company for Diversity: https://pressroom.toyota.com/top-reasons-why-toyota-leading-company-diversity/   This podcast is brought to you by Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. (“Toyota”) and may not be reproduced or redistributed, in whole or in part, without prior permission of Toyota. The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the guest(s) and/or host(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Toyota. Please note that Toyota is not responsible for any errors or the accuracy or timeliness of the content provided. Used with permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Great drivers may be born, not made, but it still takes a lot of dirt, sweat, and rides to the track from Mom and Dad to create a champion. Like any other sport, racing needs to spot and develop young talent, and at Toyota, that’s the gig of Toyota Driver Development, or TD2. Join Tyler as she gets the scoop from the newest crop of TRD drivers to come through the program: Brittney Zamora, Harrison Burton, and Holley Hollan, as well as one of its first graduates, (aka “the gold-standard”): Christopher Bell. Plus, we’ll hear from TD2 director, Jack Irving, on what it takes to become a star of the speedway.   Resources: Learn more about Toyota Racing: www.toyota.com/racing Brittney Zamora Racing: brittneyzamora.com Harrison Burton: twitter.com/hburtonracing Holley Hollan: twitter.com/Holley_Hollan Chris Bell: www.cbellracing.com   This podcast is brought to you by Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. (“Toyota”) and may not be reproduced or redistributed, in whole or in part, without prior permission of Toyota. The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the guest(s) and/or host(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Toyota. Please note that Toyota is not responsible for any errors or the accuracy or timeliness of the content provided. Used with permission. All rights reserved worldwide.   NASCAR® is a registered trademark of the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc. (“NASCAR”) and is used under license by NASCAR.

Back in January 2019, President Akio Toyoda unveiled the much-anticipated 2020 Supra at the Detroit Auto Show. Then, in July 2019, thousands of Supra super fans celebrated as they were able to finally get up close, hear the engine, and drive their very own 2020 Supra off the lot. In this episode, we’re going to talk to two people from the incredible Supra community: Miguel Jimenez, who runs the largest Supra event in the country, and Stephan Papadakis of Papadakis Racing, who actually reworked the engine on a stock Supra to give it over a thousand horsepower.   Resources: Supra in Vegas on Instagram: @suprasinvegas Watch Papadakis Racing’s 2020 Supra B58 Engine Build Papadakis Racing on Instagram: @papadakisracing Listen to Episode 4: The Supra is Back   This podcast is brought to you by Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. (“Toyota”) and may not be reproduced or redistributed, in whole or in part, without prior permission of Toyota. The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the guest(s) and/or host(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Toyota. Please note that Toyota is not responsible for any errors or the accuracy or timeliness of the content provided. Used with permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Last year, devastating wildfires swept California, destroying the community of Paradise, California. But Allyn Pierce, a local nurse from Paradise, drove his Toyota Tundra — AKA the Pandra — through the flames several times to help his neighbors and colleagues make it to safety. Since then, Allyn has been enjoying his new truck and inspiring others by sharing his story, truly making the best out of a horrible situation, and he’s really become part of the Toyota family. So we sat down to learn what life is like for Allyn and the Pandra one year later.   Resources: Follow Allyn on Instagram: @the_pandra Listen to Episode 2: Allyn Pierce’s “Marshmallow Tundra”   This podcast is brought to you by Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. (“Toyota”) and may not be reproduced or redistributed, in whole or in part, without prior permission of Toyota. The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the guest(s) and/or host(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Toyota. Please note that Toyota is not responsible for any errors or the accuracy or timeliness of the content provided. Used with permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Mobility matters because it connects people. So, on this episode, we’re taking a look at the future of mobility, celebrating how innovative engineering is bringing people together, and even learning about a little bit of #loveatlexus. We start by talking to Dr. Gill Pratt and Eddie Alterman about Autonomy, the first comprehensive documentary that takes a deep dive into self-driving cars. Then Matt Kubarek shares how Toyota, Kentucky Children’s Hospital, and University of Kentucky Football are partnering to lift up kids, their families, and their spirits. Finally, we learn what happens when two Lexus dealership co-workers fall in love on the showroom floor.   Resources: Autonomy will be in theaters and on demand November 15th. Learn more on Twitter or Instagram.   This podcast is brought to you by Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. (“Toyota”) and may not be reproduced or redistributed, in whole or in part, without prior permission of Toyota. The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the guest(s) and/or host(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Toyota. Please note that Toyota is not responsible for any errors or the accuracy or timeliness of the content provided. Used with permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Not a lot of people are aware of it, but there’s a dark underworld of counterfeit vehicle parts — and a lot of well-meaning consumers actually end up buying these parts without ever knowing about it. That’s why Toyota’s Brand Protection group works closely with Homeland Security to track them down and remove them from the marketplace. We’re going to learn all about counterfeit parts and Toyota’s brand protection strategy from Joe Cammiso and Teena Bohi, two members of our Brand Protection team, and Jon Ruttencutter, a retired Federal Agent with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations.   Resources: Automotive Anti-Counterfeit Council (A2C2): a2c2.com   This podcast is brought to you by Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. (“Toyota”) and may not be reproduced or redistributed, in whole or in part, without prior permission of Toyota. The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the guest(s) and/or host(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Toyota. Please note that Toyota is not responsible for any errors or the accuracy or timeliness of the content provided. Used with permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Lexus is 30 years young this year, but this luxury car brand has had a monumental impact on the car industry in three short decades. To celebrate, we are going to take you back to the beginning to tell the story of Lexus straight from the leaders who were around back before Lexus even had a name: Dave Illingworth, the first General Manager of Lexus back in '89; David Christ, the current General Manager of Lexus; and Doron Levin, a Detroit-based journalist and car industry historian.   Resources: Learn more about the history of Lexus at pressroom.lexus.com/ Check out the Lexus of Love Letters ad at youtu.be/yTaGSqreS5E Read the Lexus Covenant here: https://lexus2.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/8023/~/what-is-the-lexus-mission-statement%3F Follow auto journalist Doron Levin on Twitter: @doronplevin   This podcast is brought to you by Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. (“Toyota”) and may not be reproduced or redistributed, in whole or in part, without prior permission of Toyota. The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the guest(s) and/or host(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Toyota. Please note that Toyota is not responsible for any errors or the accuracy or timeliness of the content provided. Used with permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Overlanding is part offroading, part camping, and all adventure. It’s a long-distance journey with nothing but what you can pack in your car; a test of preparedness, endurance, and driving skill. We wanted to learn more, so we made our way over to FJ Summit in Ouray, Colorado, one of the world’s premiere Overlanding events, to talk to three Overlanding experts: Josh Burns, a member of Toyota's Product Communications Team; Craig Taguchi, Senior Manager of Lexus Communications; and Mark Hawley, founder of MetalTech 4x4.   Resources: MetalTech 4x4: www.metaltech4x4.com Join the Lexus GX offroad community: facebook.com/groups/LexusGXOR/ Lexus custom rig: pressroom.lexus.com/2019-gxor-concept/    This podcast is brought to you by Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. (“Toyota”) and may not be reproduced or redistributed, in whole or in part, without prior permission of Toyota. The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the guest(s) and/or host(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Toyota. Please note that Toyota is not responsible for any errors or the accuracy or timeliness of the content provided. Used with permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

As Toyota transforms into a mobility company, our goal is to help create a more inclusive society, particularly when it comes to freedom of movement. Our partnership with the Paralympics is just one more step toward that goal, and we’ve challenged ourselves as a company to develop equipment for para athletes using our technology and engineering.   Today, we sit down with three incredible Team Toyota Paralympians: David Brown and Jerome Avery, teammates in U.S. Paralympics Track & Field, and Alana Nichols, a five-time Paralympian and three-time gold medalist who has competed in wheelchair basketball and alpine skiing.   Resources: David on Twitter: @drb1019 Jerome on Twitter: @Mr_Jerome_Avery Jerome on Instagram: @_jeromeavery_ Alana on Instagram: @alanathejane   This podcast is brought to you by Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. (“Toyota”) and may not be reproduced or redistributed, in whole or in part, without prior permission of Toyota. The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the guest(s) and/or host(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Toyota. Please note that Toyota is not responsible for any errors or the accuracy or timeliness of the content provided. Used with permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

We sit down with two new Team Toyota additions as they prepare for the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020. Sprinter Michael Norman is racing to qualify for the Olympic Games for the first time, while surfer Lakey Peterson hopes to not only compete in the Games, but to be a part of history as surfing makes its Olympic debut.   Resources: Michael on Instagram: @michaelnorman22 Michael on Twitter: @mike_norman22 Lakey on Instagram: @lakeypeterson Lakey on Twitter: @lakeypeterson   This podcast is brought to you by Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. (“Toyota”) and may not be reproduced or redistributed, in whole or in part, without prior permission of Toyota. The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the guest(s) and/or host(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Toyota. Please note that Toyota is not responsible for any errors or the accuracy or timeliness of the content provided. Used with permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Welcome back to season two of Toyota Untold! This season, we’re bringing you even more behind-the-scenes looks at Toyota and Lexus. We’re kicking off this season with some inspiring interviews with Team Toyota athletes one year out from the Olympics & Paralympics Games Tokyo 2020. On this episode, we talk to swimmer Simone Manuel, the first African-American woman to win an individual Olympic gold medal in swimming, and skateboarder Jordyn Barratt, who is hoping to make it to Tokyo for the sport’s Olympic debut.   Follow our guests: Simone on Instagram: instagram.com/swimone Simone on Twitter: twitter.com/swimone Jordyn on Instagram: Instagram.com/jordynbarratt Jordyn on Twitter: twitter.com/jordynbarratt   This podcast is brought to you by Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. (“Toyota”) and may not be reproduced or redistributed, in whole or in part, without prior permission of Toyota. The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the guest(s) and/or host(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Toyota. Please note that Toyota is not responsible for any errors or the accuracy or timeliness of the content provided. Used with permission. All rights reserved worldwide.  

In the automotive industry, the race is always on to be first to market with the product that will not only change the industry, but transform culture itself – and the race is really heating up around autonomous vehicles. That’s one of the main reasons why Toyota invested $8B to start the Toyota Research Institute, or TRI, right in the heart of California’s Silicon Valley.   And one of the voices leading the development of innovative, life- and product-changing technology is Dr. Gill Pratt, CEO of the Toyota Research Institute and a Fellow at the Advanced Research & Development Company at Toyota Motor Corporation in Japan.   We had the opportunity to speak with Dr. Pratt at the Detroit Auto Show where he gave some insight into the rad world of high-tech, Toyota-style.   Resources: Learn more at www.tri.global Watch: “Toyota Press Conference at CES 2019: TRI CEO Dr. Gill Pratt” Toyota Untold is produced by Crate Media

Happy Earth Day! To celebrate, we’re paying homage to our beautiful Mother Earth in this episode of Toyota Untold.   A lot of people first learned that Toyota is an environmental leader when we created the OG hybrid vehicle, the Prius – but Toyota’s environmental efforts go far beyond that. In 1992, the Guiding Principles at Toyota were created, and with it, the Toyota Earth Charter. This framework established guidelines for corporate action that included development of vehicles with minimum emission and production activity with minimum waste and cooperative efforts as a member of society.   So we like to focus on being environmentally sustainable in everything that we do, and we have for a long time. To share more about what Toyota is doing to improve the environment and combat global warming – and what each of us can do, too – we're talking to Kevin Butt, Toyota's General Manager of Environmental Sustainability.   Resources: Toyota Environmental Challenge 2050: https://global.toyota/en/sustainability/esg/challenge2050 Watch: “Toyota’s Environmental Challenge 2050 | Toyota” Learn more at https://www.toyota.com/usa/environment/ Toyota Untold is produced by Crate Media

Here at Toyota, we’re known for our sedans – but the T in Toyota also stands for “trucks.” Tundra, Tacoma, TRD: we are the T brand. We love the whole truck thing – Rugged, roomy, and built.   Not long ago, a customer called to tell us his Tundra had driven a million miles. He brought the truck in and our engineers pulled it apart bolt by bolt in order to learn just what a million miles looks like on the inside of a vehicle.   So, as we anticipate the roll-out of updates to the fall 2020 TRD Pro models – Tundra, Tacoma, 4Runner, and Sequoia – we thought it was time to celebrate the glories of the truck. We’ll talk to the people to engineer and build trucks, and we’ll hear the story of the greatest truck feat in Toyota history: the Shuttle Pull.   Because it’s never a question of cars or trucks. It’s always going to be cars and trucks. I mean, when asked cake or pie, isn’t the right answer cake and pie?   The People Who Build Trucks   Our first guest is Mike Sweers, the Executive Chief Engineer for the Toyota Tundra, Sequoia, Tacoma and 4Runner vehicle programs at Toyota Motor North America, Research and Development (TMNA R&D). The role of the chief engineer is similar to that of the director of a movie. The chief engineer is responsible for the vision and the execution of a vehicle; he is the first owner, the target driver, and the ultimate gearhead of that model.   So, not surprisingly, Sweers is a sought-after truck and SUV guru at Toyota. Since 2017 he’s been in Japan helping to translate why we love trucks so much here in America – big, thundering trucks – and ensuring that we are designing and building the best and safest trucks for our customers.   Sweers is followed by Kevin Voelkel, the new President of TMMTX, which is Toyota’s truck plant in Texas. This is where every single Toyota truck is produced, for the entire world. There are 31 katashikis, or different variations, of trucks that come off the line, making it the highest variation of vehicles on a single line in North America.   Toyota Shuttle Pull   But the truck love doesn’t end there because we one more tale to tell: the story of the Tundra and the space shuttle.   In 2012 the California Science Center had a problem – and Toyotans love to solve problems. The space shuttle Endeavor was to be taken out of service and installed at the Center as part of its permanent exhibit. Which meant it had to, somehow, be towed through the streets of Los Angeles from its delivery point at LAX to the museum.   Joining us to share his first-person account of the 5,600 pound truck staring a nearly 300,000 space ship right in the nose cone is our old friend Russ Koble, Communications Manager Advanced Technologies.   If you’re ever in LA, you can stop by the California Science Center and say hello to that brave little Toyota.   And, if you’re ever in Texas, come check out the TMMTX plant! You can head over to toyotatexas.com/tour for more information. It’s incredible to see in action.   Resources: Tour TMMTX: toyotatexas.com/tour Watch: “Space shuttle Endeavour's trek across LA: Timelapse”

Each year, the tech industry Super Bowl that is the Consumer Electronic Show takes over Las Vegas in a display of enough futuristic innovation, gadgetry and wizardry to blow the circuits and make a believer of even the most resolute luddite.   The name “Consumer Electronics Show” feels a little outdated, hinting at the Betamax player that was never hooked up. In reality, the convention feels more and more like it is sponsored by lightworkers from another dimension.  Certainly, the ideas that will drive consumer change in the technology sphere are debuted here, and on this show floor what was once a dream begins to become reality.   More than 4,400 companies exhibit on the show floor, walked by over 182,000 attendees from 160 countries. From a glass toaster and “egg whisperer” that tells you which eggs are oldest, to digital sleep aids that retrain your brain, and of course to TV’s the size of your garage door, CES delivers astounding gizmos of every size.   For Toyota, the mission as CES is a little more serious: Innovations in autonomous driving, alternative fuel cell technologies, plus the range of mobility solutions currently in development give Toyota a strong slate of news on the floor.   It’s our chance to offer a glimpse of the technologies that will change society and define the future – and here at Toyota, we like to stay on the cutting edge of this revolution.   But it’s not just about the stuff, cool as it is. As Toyota’s Executive Vice President of sales, Bob Carter, said on stage at CES, “even though new technology is important, what matters is how it serves society. And that’s why our global president Akio Toyoda wants our company to transition from an automobile company to a mobility company, pursuing mobility for all.”   So today, we’re not just looking at cars – we’re looking at the future of mobility, which in some cases, is actually already here. That’s why we started something called Toyota AI Ventures, which is Toyota's first dedicated venture capital fund. It’s a $100M fund that was founded in July 2017, and it's focused on investing in early-stage companies that are focusing on artificial intelligence, data, and the cloud, as applied to autonomous mobility and robotics. So, we look for entrepreneurs that are bringing disruptive business models and innovative technologies to the marketplace, and give them the resources they need to bring forth the future of mobility.   Today’s guests are part of Toyota AI Ventures and join us from the show floor to offer a glimpse of this future: Toyota AI Ventures CEO Jim Adler, Intuition Robotics CEO and co-founder Dor Skuler, and May Mobility CEO and co-founder Ed Olson.   We’re also joined by special guest and co-host Austin Evans, a tech influencer who’s been at this longer than the idea of being a tech influencer or YouTuber have existed. Austin posted his first tech video in 2007 and now has over 3.6 million subscribers on YouTube.  To kick off our CES special, let’s sit down with Austin to learn more about what his world is like and the trends he’s seen at CES over the past 9 years.   So settle in for a trip to CES 2019 – the closest thing on Earth to a rocket to Pluto.   Resources: Toyota AI Ventures: https://toyota-ai.ventures/ Intuition Robotics: https://www.intuitionrobotics.com/ May Mobility: https://maymobility.com/

Toyota Untold isn’t about cars. Cars will come up, of course (we love cars) but this show is about people and their stories. And what’s the first thing we hear in any story? The title. So we're going to hear the story behind the title of this podcast, and then we'll hear from Nan Banks, Director of the Toyota Center for Communication, on the origins of Toyota itself: how the company got its name, and the five years of meetings and deliberation that went into the iconic logo. Learn more at http://pressroom.toyota.com

In episode 3, we talked to a few members of the Toyota motorsports team about what it’s like to be behind the wheel of a high performance racing vehicle and how they started driving competitively in the first place. There are some really fun stories from some of the best racers in the U.S., so if you haven’t already, go back and listen to that episode. Today, we want to share a behind the scenes look at Toyota racing history, talking to some people who have been around since Toyota first started racing in the U.S. and some of the people in charge of engineering the cars at Toyota Racing Development (TRD).   Learn more at http://pressroom.toyota.com  

In episode one, we talked to our friends Dedra DeLilli and Doug Moore about their incredible, jealousy-inducing cool jobs. Dedra is Group Manager of Olympic and Paralympic Marketing Team, which means she gets to work directly with some of the most incredible athletes on the planet. Doug Moore is the Director of Technology for Human Support, and he literally gets to spend his days playing with robots We promised you that we’d hear more from them, and we’re not liars. So we got them back on the mic to share some stories about the athletes we’re partnering with in the Olympic and Paralympics games, and the technology that’s helping them reach the pinnacle of human achievement. But we didn’t stop there. We also found our friend and colleague Russ Koble, Communications Manager, Advanced Technologies, who is one of the people helping Toyota realize the future of mobility.   Learn more at http://pressroom.toyota.com  

It’s a Supra New Year! At every event, with every post on social media, we hear all Toyota fans asking this one question: when is the Supra coming back? We're happy to finally say that the Supra is back and better than ever! It'll be arriving to US dealerships as soon as summer 2019. So to celebrate, today it’s all things Supra on Toyota Untold; from Supra's heritage, to the original concept car, to the first 1500 special launch editions.   Resources: First 2020 Supra Auction with Barrett-Jackson: https://www.barrett-jackson.com/Media/Home/Reader/barrett-jackson-to-auction-first-production-2020-toyota-supra-for-charity-during-48th-annual-scottsdale-auction/  Official Worldwide Debut Release: https://pressroom.toyota.com/releases/legend+returns+2020+toyota+supra+makes+world+debut.htm    

Every year, Toyota Motorsports Day is when we bring all of our fantastic team Toyota drivers to campus so that all of our team members can see how cool they are, see their cars, see what they do, and learn more about why we're in motorsports. We can get autographs, take pictures – and invite them to talk on a podcast! This year, we were joined by an all-star cast: Denny Hamlin, Erik Jones, Hailie Deegan, Kyle Busch, and Martin Truex Jr. You’ll hear about everything from racing at just 17-years-old to meeting Michael Jordan to the rocky welcoming that Toyota received when we first entered U.S. motorsports.   Resources: Denny Hamlin: dennyhamlin.com | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter Erik Jones: erikjonesracing.com | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter Hailie Deegan: hailiedeegan.com | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter Kyle Busch: kylebusch.com | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter Martin Truex Jr.: martintruexjrfoundation.org | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter   Learn more at https://www.toyotaracing.com/  

Today, we have a really special story to share with you. You probably already know about the horrible wildfires in California that spread so quickly, and you may even know that one town in particular – Paradise, CA – was almost completely decimated by these fires. Allyn Pierce is one of the many citizens of Paradise who lost their house. The hospital that he and his wife worked in also burned down – but not before he helped get patients and co-workers out of there. After narrowly escaping with his Tundra and the clothes on his back, Pierce posted an image of the damage his truck sustained to his Instagram (@the_pandra), where it went viral. It’s crispy, and it looks like a roasted marshmallow or s'mores! In a time when we can’t have nice things on the internet, Pierce is a bright spot who we were truly honored to give a new 2019 Tundra TRD Pro to just 10 days later. We were lucky enough to have the opportunity to sit down and talk to him about the experience, on location, in his new Tundra!   Resources: Follow Allyn on Instagram: @the_pandra   Learn more at http://pressroom.toyota.com

We’d like to kick off Toyota Untold with a statement that may surprise you: Toyota is not a car company (at least, not just a car company). You may be thinking, well, if Toyota isn’t a car company, what is it? So we sat down with few of our friends and colleagues to help answer that question: Jack Hollis, Group Vice President and General Manager, Toyota Division Doug Moore, the Director of Technology for Human Support Dedra DeLilli, Group Manager of Olympic and Paralympic Marketing Team   Resources: Subscribe to Toyota Untold: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts Watch: Jack Hollis reveals the 2020 Camry Watch: The Human Support Robot helps a disabled veteran Watch: “Good Odds”   Learn more at http://pressroom.toyota.com 

Welcome to Toyota Untold, a show about the people and the stories that make Toyota happen. Over the coming weeks, we'll be taking a look behind-the-scenes of Toyota’s history and future. We’ll share the story of the extraordinary "Marshmallow Tundra" owner who risked everything to save his community from fires in California, learn about Toyota's surprising sartorial origin, chat with NASCAR drivers, give you a sneak peek of what’s to come with the brand-new Supra – and other surprises we can’t even talk about yet.   To help us share these stories with the world, please subscribe to Toyota Untold on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast app, and stay tuned for episode 1 on December 17th. Visit http://pressroom.toyota.com for more information.