PLANO, Texas, June 18, 2019 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Toyota Financial Services (TFS) was once again honored to be named one of the most community-minded companies in the nation by Points of Light Foundation. This is the fifth consecutive year that TFS earned a spot on the Civic 50 list. The company continued its longstanding run as a leader in corporate social responsibility by consistently expanding its initiatives to support and empower communities.

The Civic 50 sets the standard for corporate community engagement nationwide and creates a roadmap for companies seeking to best use their time, talent, and resources to improve the quality of life in the communities where they do business. Winners are selected based on four dimensions of their national community engagement programs: Integration, Investment, Impact and Institutionalization.

TFS was recognized for its unwavering commitment to developing opportunities for young people and promoting financial empowerment. The company implemented an array of successful community initiatives which included funding and administering an extensive merit-based college scholarship program. TFS continued to maintain strong partnerships with Girl Scouts of the USA, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and Junior Achievement. A common theme in all these partnerships was the company’s focus on mentoring young people to help them build crucial life skills. This was supported in large part by TFS’ Community Ambassador program which provides opportunities for employees to volunteer while developing competencies in leadership, communication, and project management that will help them in the workplace. In 2018, a record 59% of TFS employees recorded over 20,000 volunteer hours.

“I’ve always been inspired by TFS team members and their dedication to getting involved and helping build a better world,” said Mark Templin, president & CEO of TFS. “Giving back to our communities is part of our Toyota DNA, and we’re honored and humbled that Points of Light Foundation has recognized our efforts.”

For more information on The Civic 50 and the latest trends on community engagement, view the report at www.civic50.org. For more information on TFS’ community involvement and the partnerships the company supports, please visit: http://tfsinthecommunity.com.

About Toyota Financial Services
Toyota Financial Services (TFS) is the finance and insurance brand for Toyota in the United States, offering retail auto financing and leasing through Toyota Motor Credit Corporation (TMCC) and Toyota Lease Trust. TFS also offers extended service contracts through Toyota Motor Insurance Services (TMIS). The company services Lexus dealers and customers using the Lexus Financial Services brand. TFS currently employs approximately 3,200 team members nationwide, and has assets totaling over $115 billion. It is part of a worldwide network of comprehensive financial services offered by Toyota Financial Services Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Toyota Motor Corporation. We announce material financial information using the investor relations section of our website (www.toyotafinancial.com) and SEC filings. We use these channels, press releases, and social media to communicate about our company, our services and other issues. While not all information we post on social media is of a material nature, some information could be material. Therefore, we encourage those interested in our company to review our posts on Twitter at www.twitter.com/toyotafinancial.

About Points of Light
Points of Light, the world’s largest organization dedicated to volunteer service, mobilizes millions of people to take action that is changing the world. Through affiliates in more than 200 cities and partnerships with thousands of nonprofits and corporations, Points of Light engages four million volunteers in 20 million hours of service each year. We bring the power of people where it’s needed most. For more information, visit www.pointsoflight.org.

Media Contact: Vincent Bray 469- 486-9065

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/745311/Toyota_Financial_Services_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Toyota Financial Services

TORRANCE, Calif., June 18, 2019 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ —  Shortly after American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) first opened for business in 1959, the company purchased a small fleet of Chevy pickups to deliver motorcycles to its fledgling dealers across Southern California. One of these trucks is depicted in an iconic photo circa 1961 in front of AHM’s original office at 4077 Pico Blvd. in Los Angeles. Underscoring their importance during those early days, American Honda restored a truck to authentically match the one in the old photo, helping celebrate the company’s 60^th anniversary.

Tapping its U.S. archives and memories of retired Honda associates for details, a 1961 Chevy half-ton pickup was found and carefully renovated, replicating the original paint scheme as used by company salesmen delivering motorcycles to dealers to sell on a consignment basis. These trucks helped American Honda quickly establish a U.S. market foothold, starting in Southern California. By 1965, Honda was the best-selling motorcycle brand in America with a market share of almost 72 percent.

To ready the special truck for its debut at AHM’s 60^th anniversary celebration on June 11, it was given a mild mechanical freshening plus new factory-correct white paint and hand-painted graphics like the originals. Two vintage motorcycles, a Honda 50 and CB160, like those originally carried in the trucks, are placed in the truck bed. The completed package is now on display in the lobby of American Honda’s Torrance, Calif. headquarters.

Plans for public display include the 2019 SEMA Show and other events around the country, as well as classic vehicle gatherings around Southern California. Ultimately, the truck will make its way to the American Honda Collection Hall in Torrance, where it will be staged in front of a replica of the company’s original Los Angeles office.

Delivery Truck Basic Specs:

• Half-ton chassis
• 8 ft. bed
• 283 cu. in. V8 engine
• 160 HP
• 3-speed manual transmission

Precious Cargo
The truck’s cargo—in this case two important motorcycles from those early days—were also procured, helping recreate what the package looked like as salesmen traveled around the state to support their dealers.  

A red 1965 Honda 50, known in other parts of the world as the Super Cub, occupies the left side of the truck bed. The first big success among the Honda motorcycles sold in the U.S., the “Nifty Thrifty Honda 50” as it was advertised, put Honda on the map in America in the early 1960s—and around the world for that matter.

Easy to ride for almost anyone, the Honda 50 became a surprise hit – immortalized in the “You meet the nicest people on a Honda” marketing campaign. This 1965 model runs and rides perfectly and is ready for another 60 years of enjoyment.

Honda 50 Basic Specs:

• Pressed steel, step-through monocoque frame
• 49 cc single-cylinder pushrod engine
• 3-speed semi-automatic transmission with centrifugal clutch

Also sharing the Chevy truck bed is an original 1965 Honda CB160, one of Honda’s early small displacement sport bikes. The little CB was a big hit for American Honda, following in the footsteps of the larger CB77 “Super Hawk” in moving away from a stamped steel monocoque in favor of a tubular steel frame.

Cycle World magazine dubbed the new bike a “baby Super Hawk” at the time. It was popular with young riders moving up from the Honda 50 or 90 who wanted something that looked like a true motorcycle. This 1965 model was completely restored last year and is in perfect running order.

Basic Specs:

• Tubular steel backbone frame
• 161 cc SOHC vertical twin engine
• 16.5 HP
• 4-speed manual transmission
• Electric starter

60^th Anniversary of Honda in America

Honda will mark its 60^th anniversary in America in June 2019, and 40 years of production in America in Sept. 2019. Honda established its first U.S. business operation in Los Angeles, Calif., in 1959. Today, Honda employs more than 31,000 associates in the development, manufacturing, sales and servicing of Honda and Acura automobiles, Honda power equipment and powersports products, the HondaJet advanced light jet and GE Honda HF120 turbofan engines.

Based on its longstanding commitment to “build products close to the customer,” Honda operates 12 major manufacturing facilities in America, working with more than 600 suppliers in the region to produce roughly 4 million products annually for customers locally and globally. In 2018, almost two-thirds of the Honda and Acura automobiles sold in the U.S. were produced in America, using domestic and globally sourced parts. 

Honda also operates 14 major research and development centers in the U.S. with the capacity to fully design, develop and engineer many of the products Honda produces in America, including Honda and Acura automobiles, Honda side-by-side vehicles and power equipment, as well as the HondaJet.

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/924325/American_Honda_60th_Anniversary_Chevy_Delivery_Truck.jpg

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/924326/Original_Chevy_Delivery_Truck_in_Front_of_First_American_Honda_Office.jpg

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/477245/HONDALOGO_Logo.jpg

SOURCE American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

PLANO, Texas, June 18, 2019 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — For drivers of the updated 2020 GX 460, being safe and looking stylish on either Rodeo Drive or Imogene Pass is a cinch. And thanks to an all-new available Off-Road Package featuring Multi-Terrain Select, tackling tough terrain is equally as easy. Adding extra peace of mind is GX’s now standard Lexus Safety System+, completing Lexus’ milestone of equipping all models with standard active safety equipment.

Versatility best describes the luxurious three-row GX. It’s not only engineered for all kinds of terrain, including extreme off-road conditions, it also displays exceptional craftsmanship throughout and seating for up to seven passengers. Heated and ventilated front seats are available as a standalone option for the base model and standard on Premium and Luxury models. In the Sport Design Package for Premium and Luxury trims, captain’s chairs comprise the second-row seating.

The 2020 GX wears an updated signature spindle grille that gives it distinctive, standout style which better aligns with the entire Lexus portfolio. Flanking the grille are new standard Premium triple-beam LED headlamps that accent the grille’s refined style. The available Sport Design Package puts an extra touch on the luxury SUV with special details, such as an exclusive lower grille surround, rear valence, side mirrors, matte black exhaust tip, scarlet taillamps and 19-inch alloy wheels with a Gunmetal Metallic finish.

Command the City and the Weekend
A dual-purpose luxury vehicle, GX 460 can go from a short work commute in the city, to a long family vacation deep in the Rocky Mountains. The standard engine is a 301-horsepower 4.6-liter V8 producing 329 lb.-ft. of peak torque. Combine that with a 6,500-lb. towing capacity, and you’ve got an ideal boat hauler. Towing is aided with Trailer Sway Control, a function of the Vehicle Stability Control that enhances straight-line tracking.

Handcrafted Details and Hand-Selected Materials
Elegance is standard on the GX 460. Available features include a wood and leather-trimmed heated steering wheel, crafted exclusively with hand-selected materials. The GX’s available semi-aniline leather is dyed completely through, unlike most leathers with conventional surface dyes. New for 2020, Premium and Luxury grades are equipped with an elegant Gray Sapele wood with aluminum trim.

The GX comes in seven vibrant exterior colors: Starfire Pearl, Atomic Silver, Nebula Gray Pearl, Nightfall Mica, Fire Agate Pearl, Black Onyx and Claret Mica. The GX interior is available in the following four colors: Black, Sepia, Ecru, and all-new Rioja Red with black headliner.

Control of the Road
Utilizing the technology of the Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS), the GX 460 enhances handling and ride comfort by helping to keep the vehicle level in both on and off-road conditions. When the GX encounters an uneven surface, one compressed cylinder causes fluid to flow to the other cylinder, helping the vehicle to keep all four wheels on the ground. The system works without any action needed by the driver.

Another asset of the GX for on-road smoothness is the available Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS). The AVS uses electronically controlled dampers that adjust to road surface conditions. The driver can tailor the ride by selecting from Normal, Sport, or Comfort modes.

Four-Wheel Active Traction
With a full-time automatic four-wheel drive system, the Lexus GX 460 is at home on the backcountry trails as it is in the mall parking lot.

A TORSEN® torque-sensing limited slip center differential distributes power 40:60 front to rear under most driving conditions and changes the ratio as needed based on wheel slip. The four-wheel drive system offers a low range for slow speed off-road driving, and the center differential can be electronically locked.

The two-speed transfer case with low range is supported by a wide array of chassis control technology. With Downhill Assist Control (DAC), Hill-start Assist Control (HAC), Active Traction Control (A-TRAC), Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and available Crawl Control, the GX can roam unpaved roads, trails, and steep inclines with confidence.

Off-Road Prowess
Enhancing GX’s already capable skillset when the pavement ends is the all-new Off-Road Package that’s available on Luxury grade. The package offers proven off-road technologies such as Lexus’ Multi-Terrain Monitor and Panoramic View Monitors with driver and passenger cameras; transmission cooler; fuel tank protector; Crawl Control; and Multi-Terrain Select.

Multi-Terrain Select allows you to choose from multiple surfaces such as loose rocks, mud and sand, moguls, and more to optimize drivability. This advanced system regulates wheelspin by automatically adjusting the engine throttle and brakes, helping improve traction. Demanding off-road situations necessitate constant awareness of all surroundings. With the Multi-Terrain Monitor and Panoramic View Monitors, front passengers can view front, rear, side, and now under (displaying terrain and tire location underneath your vehicle) camera views on the navigation screen, providing the most avid off-road driver peace of mind.

Crawl Control – Advanced Technology
Activated with the press of a button, the available Crawl Control system is designed to automatically maintain an optimal slow and steady pace over demanding landscapes. Crawl Control is designed for driving on difficult terrain at low speeds and automatically modulates the throttle and brakes on five low-speed settings, so drivers can keep their focus on steering through difficult terrain.

Engaged when the vehicle is in low range, Crawl Control allows the vehicle to move forward or in reverse at one of five driver-selectable low-speed settings. Crawl Control also engages the front and rear “virtual” Locking differentials to help reduce tire slippage and optimize chassis behavior. Crawl Control can also help the driver navigate the GX 460 through sand, mud, or snow.

Multimedia and Connected Technologies
The Lexus multimedia system on the GX offers a touchscreen with a customizable home screen that can display three sections simultaneously. The available navigation system’s three-dimensional map view makes it an even more effective driving partner. Rear seat passengers can power their mobile devices thanks to two additional USB ports, bringing the GX’s total to four.

Drivers can navigate with peace of mind thanks to Lexus Enform Safety Connect, which is included for the first 10 years of ownership. It allows for access to Lexus Enform response centers 24/7/365. With Lexus Enform Service Connect, the vehicle can also send alerts for specific factory recommended maintenance, simultaneously alerting a preferred Lexus retailer.

The Lexus Enform Remote service lets you lock and unlock doors, start the engine and climate control, check the fuel level and more all through your smartphone, smartwatch or devices enabled with Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa.  And it’s included for the first year of ownership.

Lexus Safety
The Lexus GX 460 is equipped to handle today’s modern family and is designed to help them arrive in style, comfort, and safety wherever their adventures lead.

Bolstering this mission is the addition of the Lexus Safety System+ suite of technologies that is now standard on the entire 2020 Lexus vehicle lineup. Lexus Safety System+ includes Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Alert, Intelligent High Beams and High-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control.

From advanced lane-assistance technology to intuitive high beams that offer added illumination to help keep you focused on the road ahead, this integrated suite of standard active safety equipment brings us one step closer to a world without crashes.

–  Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection
Lexus Safety System+ includes a Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection that’s designed to help detect a vehicle or a pedestrian in the path of your Lexus under certain conditions. Should it detect a potential frontal collision, it prompts the driver to take evasive action and may automatically prepare Brake Assist for increased brake force and, in some cases, can even automatically brake the vehicle to a stop.
–  Lane Departure Alert
Lane Departure Alert is designed to provide an audible alert if an inadvertent lane departure is detected.
–  Intelligent High Beams
To help provide greater visibility for the driver, as well as fellow drivers, this system offers added illumination to help keep the GX’s driver focused on the road. When the road ahead is clear, the system defaults to high-beam mode, then temporarily switches to low beams when it detects the headlamps or taillamps of vehicles ahead.
–  High-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control
This system uses radar and camera technology to help you maintain a preset speed and following distance from the vehicle ahead. If a driver gets closer than the preset distance, the throttle is automatically reduced, and the brakes may automatically be applied. As soon as the road ahead clears, the GX returns to its preset speed.

Experience a utility vehicle luxuriously crafted to take you further than ever before—meet the 2020 Lexus GX.

About Lexus
Lexus’ passion for brave design, imaginative technology, and exhilarating performance enables the luxury lifestyle brand to create amazing experiences for its customers. Lexus began its journey in 1989 with two luxury sedans and a commitment to pursue perfection. Since then, Lexus has developed its lineup to meet the needs of global luxury customers in more than 90 countries. In the United States, Lexus vehicles are sold through 241 dealers offering a full lineup of luxury vehicles. With six models incorporating Lexus Hybrid Drive, Lexus is the luxury hybrid leader. Lexus also offers eight F SPORT models and two F performance models. Lexus is committed to being a visionary brand that anticipates the future for luxury customers.

www.facebook.com/lexus
www.twitter.com/lexus
www.youtube.com/LexusVehicles
www.instagram.com/lexususa

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/924271/GX460_Hero.jpg
Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/626836/Lexus_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Lexus