september/october2014 THE MAGAZINE FOR TOYOTA DEALERSHIPS 2015 Yaris Sharper for the Eyes, Smoother for the Body Pure Genius How Technology Specialists Can Minimize the Wait and Maximize the Wow
The redesigned 2015 Yaris checks all the boxes for small-car shoppers.
Bold new exterior sports a European flair Soft-touch interior is roomier, quieter Nine-airbag array includes front-seat cushion airbags Segment-exclusive: 3- and 5-door models Entune audio standard; navigation system available Easy on the wallet Still Going Strong DEALER DOINGS: Featured on the cover
4 of Toyota Today in 1993,
1 25 Years Later, Signature Toyota is still going strong under the 0 Signature Toyota Still guidance of Dealer a Pillar in Benton Harbor Principal Gene Moon. by Dan Nied
In 1993, Gene Moon posed for the cover of Toyota Today standing in front of Signature Toyota in Benton Harbor, Mich. The dealership was four years old and the area was rebounding from the most recent recession. Fast forward to today, the dealership is turning 25 and has grown from growing while supporting local economic development, 11 to 44 employees. And while the nation’s most recent grass root events, charities, churches and schools. recession wreaked havoc on most, Signature Toyota and “We do the best we can with the community and we its community have found strength in their people to keep have very good relationships,” Moon says. “When we moving forward. showed up here in 1988 it was at the bottom of wherever Moon is now semi-retired. Though he’s still heavily it was going to go. Since then, the community has come involved with Signature Toyota through a trio of weekly back nicely.”
Signature Toyota found its footing with a commitment 4
calls, the store’s day-to-day operations are run by general 1 0 manager Bill Crowder, one of Signature’s first employees to customer service. FT-1 Concept 13 back in 1989. “We treat our customers the way that we would want It’s turning even more heads with its sleek “When Gene first came here, a lot of people looked at him to be treated,” Crowder says. “Everything we do here is graphite exterior and upscale interior. funny,” Crowder says. “They wondered how Toyota can focused on the customer. Our customers appreciate that.” september/october 2 be successful in an area that’s not that great, economically.” As for Moon, he’s pleased with the dealership’s september/october 2 Benton Harbor has seen its ups and downs over the success, but he’s not surprised. years, and the more affluent St. Joseph provided a strong “We had high hopes for the place,” he says. “And it’s 2 customer base from the start. But as the area ebbed and turned out to be exactly what we expected.” flowed with the economic tide, Signature Toyota just kept
2 Dealer Doings 7 On the Cover: Tech Geniuses t oy ota today See what great things Toyota dealers are doing A team of tech-savvy and friendly tech geniuses at Ardmore in the community. Toyota helps solve two industry problems at once. DEALER DOINGS:
5 Privacy Matters 9 ‘Best in Town’ Rogers Toyota Honors Perfect Do you know what you should and shouldn’t do The Toyota National Dealer Meeting featured a concrete Attendance with Bike Giveaway by Dan Nied when it comes to customer privacy? direction for the future, a celebration of accomplishments for the present and some true-to-form Waku Doki. Rogers Toyota has a pretty fantastic way of keeping kids a certificate at each school’s year-end assembly. The students going to school every day: Award bikes to local sixth-grade and their families, about 300 people in all, are invited to the students who earn perfect attendance throughout the dealership for a celebration barbecue that is cooked and served school year. by dealership employees. The Lewiston, Idaho, dealership began the “Perfect Attendance Spells Success” or PASS program seven years EDITORIAL STAFF Published six times per year for Toyota dealers and dealership personnel by the Corporate Communications Sweet Ride Division of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. Copyright ©2014 by Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. ago by giving away 14 bikes. Since then, the program has Last school Manager Lora Jones Contents may be reprinted with permission. All rights reserved. year, Rogers grown. Last school year Rogers gave away more than Toyota gave Address magazine correspondence and inquiries to: away more Editor Lisa Yamada Lisa Yamada, Toyota Today, 19001 S. Western Ave., HQ40, Torrance, CA 90501 115 new bikes and helmets to children in the Lewiston- TEL: 310.468.8550 eMAIL: [email protected] than 115 new Clarkston Valley. bikes and For customer inquiries: Writers Dan Miller helmets to Please contact our Toyota Customer Experience Center “So we think our program is working and is an local sixth- Dan Nied TEL: 800.331.4331 incentive for kids to stay in school,” Dealer Principal Ryan graders with For product and company information: Rogers told local news station KLEW. perfect- Design AkinsParker Creative WEB: toyota.com TEL: 800.GO.TOYOTA attendance. Rogers Toyota employees present the winners with DEALER DOINGS: DEALER DOINGS: DEALER DOINGS: Stadium Toyota Helps Lowe Toyota Turns Service Technician Hillsborough County High-Mileage Camry Uses Expertise to Appraiser ‘Go Green’ into a Sales Tool Boost Teen Self-Esteem by Charles Pannunzio by Dan Miller by Dan Nied
Going the extra mile—or miles in this case—helped Three years ago, Jim Nuemiller approached his youth Stadium Toyota in Tampa, Fla., win a contract this summer Outstanding Appraisal pastor at Charity Lutheran Church with an idea to teach Hillsborough County (Fla.) Property Appraiser Bob to lease 22 Prius hybrids to the Hillsborough County Henriquez checks out one of the 22 Priuses leased teens a skill and improve their self-esteem. Property Appraiser ‘s office. from Stadium Toyota. A few years earlier Nuemiller – a technician at When it came time to update the fleet used by his Cedric Theel Toyota in Bismarck, North Dakota for the employees, Property Appraiser Bob Henriquez thought it them how to utilize the hybrid components to get that fuel last 31 years – taught his youngest daughter how to was a good opportunity to replace the combustion engine- efficiency, and how to do it both on the highway and in the replace the engine in a Toyota pickup truck. “It was a powered vehicles with hybrids as a way to save money on neighborhood communities.” great way to bond with her,” Neumiller says. “That’s fuel and help the environment. Blank said Stadium Toyota was also able to offer a when I got the idea to do this with other teens.” Officials visited Toyota dealers across the county maintenance agreement as part of the lease, and came Since Built, as Nuemiller named the program, was 4 4 1 1 0 during the bidding process, but sales associate Steven back with the most competitive price. born, he and 10 apprentices have rebuilt three Toyotas. 0 “It’s good for us because it’s got our name out there Still Good to Go Blank said Stadium Toyota was able to provide additional Owner Oscar Chambers (right) shares a moment The latest crop was a trio of girls who began with no services that he believes helped win the contract. that we’re in partnership with our local government trying with his old Camry that he traded to Lowe idea how to fix the 2001 Celica Nuemiller purchased for to get them the best deal possible,” Blank said. Toyota through Sales Manager Jeremy Smith. One of those is that fact that Blank has driven Pirus The dealership now uses the high-mileage road the project. hybrids for nine years, and knows how to get maximum Blank also lauded the work of Stadium Toyota dealer warrior as tangible confirmation of Toyota’s “I asked, ‘Are you willing to learn?’” Nuemiller september/october 2 legendary reliability. september/october 2 3 fuel economy from the car. inventory manager Sam Fagnoni in finding all 22 of the cars says. “After 90 minutes all I had to tell them was which 4 “I did step-by-step instructions with all of the people in Sea Glass Pearl. The appraiser’s office had hoped to get tools we needed. We had the motor out in three hours.” who work for the property appraiser when they first came at least 15 of the cars in the distinctive color so they would Like their counterparts at other Toyota dealerships, Cedric Theel Toyota sells Nuemiller parts at cost here,” said Blank. “I did an extensive test drive and showed stand out as part of the initiative to go green. the salespeople at Lowe Toyota like to talk about the and donates money to the effort. “Jim is a Master t oy ota today t oy ota today brand’s legendary durability when they interact with Technician,” says Dealer Principal Justin Theel. “He and their customers. But since June, when the Warner DEALER DOINGS: his kids find vehicles that need some TLC and get after it.” Robins, Ga., dealership took in a 2005 Camry with more Nuemiller cherishes the chance to improve teen self- Automotive Foundation “There are 25 million orphans in India, many who than 620,000 miles on it in trade, they’ve been able to esteem through teaching, but he loves the end the most. Helps Build Life-changing sleep in the streets. So, clearly, there is great need,” says actually show it, too. “After each car is finished we put on the ugliest Troy. “But it wasn’t until I went there and saw the joy in Oscar Chambers bought the car when it was Hawaiian shirts we can find and I take the kids to new from Lowe Toyota and, without fail, brought it Orphanage in India by Dan Miller these kids’ eyes and the tears rolling down their faces that breakfast,” he says. I felt like we had really done something special. Business back to the dealership for regular maintenance. That hen Troy and Tracy Duhon established Hope the W is good. Why buy a new plane or a 150-foot yacht when proved to be a nearly monthly ritual, due in large part Premier Way, their Louisiana-based non-profit foundation, to Chambers’ 200-mile roundtrip commute to and from you can change someone’s life?” the couple was determined to make a difference that, Atlanta each workday. When the Camry needed a new Built Together in Troy’s words, “changed the planet.” For 50 orphans in catalytic converter, he decided to trade it for a new Morgan Kuchenski India, they already have. A New Home Avalon. In turn, Lowe Toyota decided to park the road and Paige Davis Just 16 of the knew nothing The foundation, an offshoot of Premier Automotive 50 children who warrior on its showroom floor rather than wholesale it. about cars before call Angel House Group—which includes Toyota of New Orleans, Premier “It’s worth a lot more to us as a sales tool,” Cedric Theel Rescue Orphanage Toyota Master Toyota Richmond (Ind.), and Poway Toyota (Calif.)— home pose for says Sales Manager Jeremy Smith. “People see the Technician Jim a photo during partnered with Angel House Rescue Orphanage to build a odometer and think it’s a joke. But then we hand them Nuemiller taught the new facility’s them how to brand new facility in Hyderabad. The Duhons, as well as dedication. the CARFAX report and the service history. We sell 50- rebuild a 2001 several dealership employees, traveled there earlier this 60 Camrys per month and every one of those customers Celica Engine. year when the two-story orphanage opened its doors. checks out that car. It makes quite an impression.” A Human Face high-profile businesses like auto dealerships. Wyler’s eCommerce director, Kevin Frye, To help head off such litigation, Frye convinced him to get ahead of this curve by recommends dealers proactively adopt Wyler’s posting their privacy policy in a prominent spot three-step approach: on each of his dealerships’ websites. Though • Be transparent—Disclose to customers up Frye strived to write the policy in plain English, front the information you are collecting and he admits it’s still burdened by legalese. how you are collecting it. So he went one step further and asked Wyler • Show the value—Explain that data to introduce the policy with a brief but heartfelt collection can personalize the customer’s video statement. As the television advertising shopping experience, helping them find the spokesperson for his dealerships for more than vehicle that best fits their needs. 40 years, Wyler welcomed the opportunity • Provide an “opt out”—Make it easy for to put a human face on what is becoming an customers to turn off the technology if they don’t want to be tracked. Ahead of the Curve increasingly complex technical issue. Kevin Frye, eCommerce director at Jeff Wyler Automotive Family, In the three months since, other dealers So far, Frye says few customers have taken has become recognized as an expert in the automotive industry when it comes to what dealerships should and shouldn’t do when have yet to follow—and Frye believes that notice of the Wyler dealer group’s efforts to be collecting information about customers who visit their websites. up front about its online policies, including 4 could be a problem. Over the past year or so, 1 Photos by Paul S. Howell 0 Frye has become known as an industry expert never selling customer data to third parties. on the issue of customer privacy, delivering a But he’s convinced that acting a year in advance presentation on the topic at the Digital Dealer is far better than waiting until you’re a day late. Conference held in Atlantic City, N.J., in May. “If we do our best and practice the highest “I spent 5-6 months researching this,” standards of business, how can we be wrong september/october 2 says Frye. “The European Union passed a law with that?” says Frye. “The truth is Big Brother 6 requiring sites to disclose the use of ‘cookies’ is here in a big way. That’s not necessarily all (a mechanism for tracking a customer’s bad. There are benefits to the customer. But t oy ota today movement throughout a site) right out of the we also need to show respect to our customers. gate with people. Then California passed a law That’s our approach.” that said basically the same thing, requiring you to disclose the information you are collecting and give customers choices regarding the use and sharing of personal information. And Canada passed an anti-spam law that prohibits you from sending a commercial email without at least the What your customers don’t know can still hurt But awareness of “Big Data” is growing, and with it implied consent of the recipient. them. And if it does, there’s a good chance it’s so is the potential for legal challenges. This is just the beginning. The Federal Trade going to hurt you, too. “Your website has become the front door to Commission is looking into this. There’s only So warns Jeff Wyler, owner of the Cincinnati- going to be more regulation, not less.” your dealership,” says Wyler, whose 14 stores based Jeff Wyler Automotive Family, when it include Jeff Wyler Toyota of Clarksville (Ind.) and comes to automotive retailers’ care and handling of A Three-step Approach Face of the Franchise Jeff Wyler Springfield Toyota (Ohio). “As such, it’s Jeff Wyler Automotive Family’s namesake didn’t customer information gathered online. Currently, Frye’s concern is that new laws are open to hesitate to get in front of a camera to explain his only a small minority of Internet shoppers realizes become increasingly important to be transparent interpretation. That can create gray areas that dealership’s stance on customer privacy in an online video. how dealerships use the details people willingly— about what happens when a customer pays you a attract lawyers inclined to file lawsuits against as well as inadvertently—provide as they browse. visit. There’s no reason not to be.” sale,” adds Coppock. “So our customers become comfortable with more than one person at the store. Time Management From a business standpoint, that’s what you want.” Ardmore Toyota’s ‘Technology Geniuses’ help minimize the wait while they maximize the wow Everyone Wins, Especially the Customer by Dan Miller It’s still early, but Ardmore Toyota’s delivery department seems to be working. The dealership is im Gallia isn’t a magician. She makes “I’m pretty tech savvy,” says Woodard. “But I K consistently at or near the top in its district based on her living as the assistant general manager at also really like helping people. When I worked the Toyota’s internal customer satisfaction survey. And Ardmore Toyota in suburban Philadelphia. But lot, I didn’t have any interaction with customers.” the store’s torrid sales pace, if anything, is even hotter. early last year, she came up with a way to decrease “Did we create new jobs? Yes,” says Gallia. “But the sales transaction time while increasing the time ‘Your Guy’ for Tech that added expense doesn’t hurt our bottom line. Just customers spend getting acquainted with their Questions the opposite. When you add it all up, the geniuses Now, Woodard says, customer interaction is vehicles’ high-tech features. have had a positive effect on our business. They’re front and center. It starts with the geniuses’ bright And that’s no small trick. allowing our salespeople to get back on the floor and Hands-on Help “We sell a lot of cars, about 350 new and used red shirts (think Best Buy’s “Geek Squad”) so Using an iPad in the vehicle, Manny Woodard assists a 4 do what they do best: sell cars. And our customers 1 customer with her Entune registration—often a source 0 customers can easily spot them. It centers on a per month, on a dealership that sits on just an are more excited about their vehicles. Everyone wins, of confusion for new Toyota owners.
4 acre and a half,” says Gallia. “We have to keep it delivery process tailored to the customer’s needs 1
0 especially the customer.” moving. But, at the same time, we don’t want our and wants, including the use of iPads to register customers to feel like they’re being rushed. We can’t Entune users.
july/august 2 september/october afford to shortchange the delivery.” Typically, this takes place after the customer 7 Basically, she and her team needed to has completed all of the paperwork. But if, say, communicate more, but take less time doing it. it’s a busy Saturday and the F&I department is backlogged, the geniuses will jump start the
t oy ota today t oy ota today A New Delivery delivery—eliminating the downtime that too often Department frustrates customers. And the support continues How did they pull it off? By creating a stand- down the road with follow-up phone calls, email alone delivery department and staffing it with and social media conversations with customers who “technology geniuses.” These specialists guide want more help. customers through the final stage of the sales “We want to get people off to a good start with process, freeing up their sales colleagues to return their vehicles. But we are also here to keep them to the showroom floor and assist other customers. going,” says Woodard. “Customers contact me all The key, says Gallia, is staffing these positions the time. It could be the same day they drive off the with people who have not only a deep knowledge lot. Or it could be six months later.” of Toyota’s latest in-vehicle technologies but also “We will help customers with the technology, outgoing, customer-friendly personalities. whether they bought their Toyotas here or not,” Manny Woodard fits that description. After says General Manager Bob Coppock. “We assure two years as a lot attendant shuttling vehicles, them there are no stupid questions. The geniuses’ he became well acquainted with features such as job is to provide answers and make the customer Red-dy to Roll Ardmore Toyota’s tech geniuses—(left to right) Manny Bluetooth connectivity and Toyota’s Entune App feel comfortable with their car. We let them know: Woodard, Peter Phillips and Damon Taylor—wear bright Suite. So when management offered him a position ‘This is your guy.’ red shirts so customers can easily spot them. Assistant General Manager Kim Gallia (far left) came up with the in the delivery department, he was ready to make “But the geniuses don’t replace our salespeople, plan for a stand-alone delivery department. the leap. who still do a great job of following up after the Photos by Paul S. Howell A BRIGHT PATH AHEAD Toyota National Dealer Meeting shows pride in today, optimism for tomorrow
by Dan Nied
The Heart of Waku Doki With the FT-1 at his side, Akio Toyoda stressed the
‘sex appeal’ of future Toyota products. 4 1 0 4 1 0 Lentz: ‘Confident and Excited’ Ohara: A Call to Innovation Before Toyoda’s inspiring speech, Toyota President and CEO of Toyota Motor Sales Kaz
july/august 2 North America CEO Jim Lentz took the stage to Ohara opened the meeting with a promise to dealers. september/october 2 9 talk about moving to Plano, Texas. “One of our goals here today is to not just 10 Lentz said that when he became CEO last inform you, but to hopefully inspire you on some year, Toyoda challenged him to find a way to level,” Ohara said. “We know that we can show you t oy ota today Texas Forever charts and talk about sales growth and production t oy ota today Jim Lentz detailed how he and Akio Toyoda ensure the company’s health in the long term. levels—and don’t worry, we will. But we also hope arrived at the decision to move Toyota’s North What will it take, Toyoda asked, to be successful American headquarters to Plano, Texas. to engage the other side of your brain.” Photos by Brian Payne 50 years from now? Ohara introduced the meeting’s theme: “Best After a month of pondering, Lentz came to In Town,” and urged the dealers to consider ways Toyoda with the idea of consolidating most North to innovate their business. American operations in a new location. “We want to give you ideas to take home, to kio Toyoda’s entrance to the Toyota National But what I am sure of is that this is what Toyota “The truth is, we really had grown into this huge A consider and help all of us think about how we, Dealer Meeting in Las Vegas was the definition looks like to me.” but siloed and disconnected organization,” Lentz told too, can innovate,” Ohara said. “It’s never too late Toyoda’s point was clear: Toyota’s future is in of Waku Doki. dealers. “I told Akio that it’s going to be expensive, to learn a new trick, as I’m told by my children The Toyota Motor Corporation President heart-pounding, fun-to-drive cars. and it’s going to be painful in the short term.” every day.” emerged from a red FT-1 Concept, and then “I’m determined to put a little bit of this FT-1 Lentz said that, by moving to Plano, Toyota revved up the dealers with the car that’s been the into every car we produce,” he said. “Because even will be a stronger company. Carter: ‘I’m All In’ buzz of the auto industry since its debut in Detroit a Sienna needs some sex appeal, don’t you think?” “I wanted the opportunity to improve the way After Ohara, Senior Vice President of back in January. Indeed, this dealer meeting was an unabashed we do business from the ground up,” Lentz told Automotive Operations Bob Carter shared sales “Should we make it?” Toyoda asked to a round celebration of Toyota’s newfound sex appeal, its dealers. “So right now we’re confident and excited. numbers. And he did it with zeal. of affirmative cheers. “Can you sell it? Well I can’t status as the country’s No. 1 retail automaker and It’s a bit like what you must feel like when you “You are once again the No. 1 retail brand in say for sure if this concept will go into production. its upcoming move to Texas. break ground on a new dealership.” the U.S.,” Carter said. “I promise you I will never
continued on page 11 continued from page 10 get tired of saying that.” Murtha: ‘A Very Real Opportunity’ Carter also touched on the youth market, Vice President of Scion Doug Murtha asked refuting reports that Millennials are moving away dealers: “What is the Scion customer experience from buying cars in favor of ride sharing or other at your store? Do you have a person responsible— transportation alternatives. designated, not necessarily dedicated—to Scion’s “Despite those articles claiming young buyers success? What role can your team play in driving are not interested in cars, we are now seeing young higher traffic and handling leads?” buyers as the fastest growing area of the auto “We have a very real opportunity to get business,” he said. “3.5 million new cars this year Scion back on track with exciting new products No Roads Needed will be sold to people born after 1980.” Bill Fay’s passion was evident when he that are coming. But to get there we need to get introduced the new TRD Pro Series. And he gushed about the redesigned 2015 started now.” Camry. “I’m so excited about this new Camry,” Part of that is maximizing the customer he said. “I’m like a teenage girl at a One experience, especially for the younger buyers Scion Direction concert.” appeals to. Carter finished with a nod to Toyota’s Texas “On average, it takes customers over four hours
That’s where Pure Process Plus comes in. This 4
Toyoda: ‘The Wind is at Our Back’ 1 move, lifting up his pant leg to reveal a pair of red in a dealership to complete a transaction,” Murtha 0 is a pilot program with about 50 participating After he emerged from the FT-1 Concept, Akio cowboy boots. said. “But nearly half of those in pilot spend only dealerships where Scion customers can go through Toyoda didn’t mince words. “It’s not easy finding boots in Toyota red,” he two hours to complete their sale. That’s a big step nearly every step of the sales process online. “At Toyota today, we’re not about excuses,” he said. said. “I don’t do anything halfway. I’m all in.” in the right direction. But from what customers are “For us it’s go big or go home. Or move to Texas.”
telling us, we need to get that number under september/october 2 Toyoda expressed his full support for the move, an hour. Look for more on Pure Process Plus in and laid out the future. 12 the near future.” “The wind is at our back and we have a clear vision of what we want to achieve. And we are
Fay: Passion, Parts and Service t oy ota today working on a global scale” he said. “But I believe Toyota Division Group Vice President and it’s more important to think about how we can be General Manager Bill Fay began by poking fun at of value, rather than just how we can be a success.” his own stoicism, but he assured the dealers that a Toyoda’s words carried considerable weight, fire burned within him. especially when he announced the formation of the “I’m passionate about parts and service,” Fay North American Toyota Award, which will be given continued: “Even though sometimes I might not next year to the dealer who best represents the look it, I’m passionate on the inside.” meeting’s theme of “Best in Town.” He dove into the success of ToyotaCare and Toyoda paused before delivering his close. touted ToyotaCare Plus, a soon-to-be nationwide “Ladies and gentlemen, I love what I do. It’s as pilot program that gives customers their 30,000- simple as that,” he said. “And I know most of you mile service plus two or three additional services. share my love of this business. We are of one mind. Fay talked about Brand Shift, an initiative to One heart. We are, in fact, a family. Yes things remake Toyota’s image as an exciting company change, but what I hope will never change is our with innovative products. love of cars and our commitment to our customers, “It’s our way of looking at everything we our employees and each other.” do through a specific filter,” he said. “We ask No. 1 ourselves: Is it innovative, inspiring and exciting? “You are once again the No. 1 retail brand in the U.S.,” said Bob Carter to dealers. “I promise you And if it isn’t, we start again.” I will never get tired of saying that.” Sophisticated Sequel Calty’s The heart-stopping FT-1 Concept gets a subdued, upscale sibling Wonder by Dan Miller Woman How the FT-1 Concept became a superhero’s fortress
by Dan Nied
Sellene Lee has plenty of other interests besides cars. of Steel” poster. It’s very monotone, not just blue And that might be her greatest strength as a creative and red anymore. And you have all these intricate designer in Calty’s Color and Trim department. details. It’s a very interesting evolution of the Lee’s passion isn’t for what’s under a vehicle’s hood, Superman costume. We kept talking about the 4 1
but for what’s between its doors. And her work on the FT-1 interior being like a superhero suit that 0 interior of the FT-1 Concept is turning heads. optimized the functionality of the driver. So I Lee was born in Seoul, South Korea, and thought, ‘If I take the inspiration from the new came to the United States after graduating college. superhero costume, I can apply it to the color developed by Calty Design Research in Newport Outside of work, she turns furniture into art to theme of the FT-1.’ After stealing the North American International september/october 2 display in Southern California galleries. She’s also Auto Show spotlight with the debut of the FT-1 Beach, Calif.—point to the future as the spiritual pace a pretty huge movie buff. And all of that went What was your favorite part of the FT-1 14 Concept in Detroit in January, what could Toyota’s cars for the new direction of Toyota Global Design. into creating a dynamic interior design for both design process? design team possibly do for an encore? How about It’s a new era in Toyota design, in more ways FT-1 Concepts. It was really fun for me because it was the first than one. a second FT-1—that exudes urbane refinement? t oy ota today We sat down with Sellene to talk about the FT-1 time all of our team members worked together in Though sharing the original’s muscular exterior, and its superhero roots. the research phase. Designing a car is different from deeply sculpted lines and dramatic track-ready designing furniture or something smaller scale. In persona, this second iteration will likely appeal to How did the FT-1’s powerful interior order to make one car, you need a lot of different a different breed of automotive enthusiast. come about? talents working together. So no one can be the Immediately obvious is the exterior color, Each team, after the research, comes up with product’s sole owner. I don’t have an automotive trading the first FT-1’s bold red for the second a key story for the whole project. For my team, I design background, so I brought a different concept vehicle’s sophisticated graphite. Inside, the researched and came up with my own inspiration perspective. I really enjoyed working with and original’s black leather seating surfaces with red for color and trim based on super heroes. Mostly learning from so many car enthusiasts. It was a painted edges have been replaced with an all-natural when I get my inspiration, it’s spontaneous. The really fun collaboration. saddle brown with subtly blended accents inspired Superman poster for “Man of Steel” just grabbed by high-end leather bags. my eye. I thought it was interesting to see how super Do your other interests help you in The net effect of these and other design hero costumes evolved over time. That was the your job? variations are two distinctly different FT-1s: one seed. After that I researched the oldest super hero My background is product design, so I have that pushes all of the performance hot buttons and costumes and just took them as inspiration. always been into smaller-scale design. But the auto industry wants a fresh perspective, and another that is pure sophistication. Yet both are So Superman’s history was the inspiration my background helps me infuse fresh ideas. I clearly still sports cars at heart, building on a past for the original concept? love design and art and music. Those different that includes the 2000GT, Celica, Supra, MR2 and Yes! Before, the superhero costume was color- perspectives in the design world are helping me do most recently the Scion FR-S. And both concepts— coded tights. It was interesting to see the “Man this job now. september/october2014 THE MAGAZINE FOR TOYOTA DEALERSHIPS 2015 Yaris Sharper for the Eyes, Smoother for the Body Pure Genius How Technology Specialists Can Minimize the Wait and Maximize the Wow
The redesigned 2015 Yaris checks all the boxes for small-car shoppers.
Bold new exterior sports a European flair Soft-touch interior is roomier, quieter Nine-airbag array includes front-seat cushion airbags Segment-exclusive: 3- and 5-door models Entune audio standard; navigation system available Easy on the wallet