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Harsh conditions and harsh work is enough to beat up any truck. So how well did the Tundra hold up after its life on the ranch? This first episode will delve into the overall wear and tear of the Tundra. Footage from the disassembly plant will show exactly how well certain components such as the brakes, the pneumatic tailgate, shocks, springs and bushings fare against road conditions and long hours on the ranch. For more information, visit http://www.toyota.com/tundra/deconstructed for more information. Click Here to watch the Video

Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. (TMS) announced today that the Toyota Tundra full-size pickup truck is slated to tow the space shuttle Endeavour during its final journey to the California Science Center on October 13, 2012, where it will go on permanent display. The Endeavour will travel a total of 12 miles from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on city streets to the Science Center, with the Tundra towing the last quarter mile.   There is no larger or more recognizable icon of the U.S. space program’s success than the shuttle, and to have it towed by the Toyota Tundra is not only an incredible example of the capabilities of the truck, but an honor to be part of history,” said Ed Laukes, TMS vice president of marketing communications. “The entire journey is something the world will be watching, and gives us a chance to prove that the ‘overbuilt’ Tundra is built to do any job – even tow the space shuttle.” Click Here for the Full Story

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recognized eight Toyota manufacturing sites in North America for achieving a ten percent reduction in energy intensity through its ENERGY STAR Challenge For Industry program. Collectively, these eight sites have reduced energy intensity by nearly 24 percent from baseline. Energy intensity is measured relative to efficiency improvements in process and equipment. The ENERGY STAR Challenge For Industry program is only awarded to individual industrial sites. To gain recognition, the site’s company must be an ENERGY STAR partner. Earlier this year, Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. (TEMA) received its eighth consecutive ENERGY STAR Sustained Excellence Award for its continued leadership in protecting the environment through energy efficiency and management. “Thanks to the efforts of our team members, Toyota has reduced our total energy use per vehicle over the last five years as we achieved greater energy efficiency across North America,” said TEMA Executive Vice President Steve St. Angelo. “This demonstrates that when good ideas are shared, great things can happen as we continuously identify new opportunities to reduce energy consumption while improving our processes.” The eight Toyota facilities recognized by the EPA include: Bodine Aluminum (Jackson, Tenn., and St. Louis, Mo.); Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Alabama (Huntsville); Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada (Cambridge and Woodstock, Ont.); Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana (Princeton); Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Texas (San Antonio); and Toyota Motor Manufacturing, West Virginia (Buffalo). Several examples of reduction in energy intensity include: Plant Kaizen (Improvement) Example Description Benefits Industry Challenge Energy Reduction (From Baseline) Lighting efficiency (Bodine Aluminum, Jackson, Tenn.) Replacement of lighting in several plant areas with energy efficient florescent lights with sensors • Reduce CO2 emissions • Cost savings • Reduce energy usage 13.8% Innovative lighting technology (Toyota Motor Mfg., Alabama) Installation of Ultra Constant Discharge lighting in the plant’s parking lot • Reduce CO2 emissions • Cost savings • Reduce energy usage 24.1% Hot water boiler linkage (Toyota Motor Mfg. Canada) Installation of new controls allowing proper mixture without numerous adjustments • Reduce CO2 emissions • Reduce water usage 28.5% • Reduce energy usage • Less complexity Paint booth HVAC system (Toyota Motor Mfg., Indiana) Elimination of using outside air to cool/heat paint booth; current air intake is taken directly from plant, making temperature consistent • Reduce CO2 emissions • Reduce energy usage • Less use of HVAC system, natural gas and electricity during peak times 36% Since 2006, Toyota’s U.S. manufacturing operations have received 18 Energy Star Plant Awards from the U.S. EPA, recognizing each plant’s energy performance over the past year and scoring in the top 25 percent of its industry. http://bit.ly/MJ2xY7