From Backing Biodiversity to Leading on LEED: Toyota Tackles Environmental Priorities | Northridge Toyota

Who isn’t worried about water these days? Concerned about carbon? Count us in.

That’s why we've sold more than 2.4 million Toyota and Lexus hybrids in North America, which save approximately 500 million gallons of gasoline annually.

That’s why we will soon be manufacturing the Camry Hybrid and Avalon Hybrid using a green energy source: landfill gas.  

And that’s why we’ve conducted decades of research that will culminate in the launch of the hydrogen-powered Toyota Mirai fuel cell vehicle in 2015, a sedan that emits nothing but water vapor.

Toyota’s commitment to producing ever greener vehicles through more sustainable processes has never been more apparent. To see how we’re working toward these goals, check out our latest North American Environmental Report at http://www.toyota.com/usa/environmentreport2014. The report focuses on five priority issues carbon, water, materials, biodiversity and outreach. Here are highlights from each:

Carbon

• Toyota's first-ever production fuel cell car uses hydrogen as fuel and emits only water vapor. The Toyota Mirai will be available for sale to customers in California in fall 2015.
• Beginning in 2015, Toyota's Georgetown assembly plant will generate green power from local landfill gas, enough for the production of 10,000 vehicles per year.
• We received our 10th consecutive ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year — Sustained Excellence Award from the U.S. EPA. Our 14 manufacturing plants have reduced energy use by almost 11 billion kilowatt hours in the last decade.

Water

• Toyota saved over 93 million gallons of water in North America during fiscal year 2014.
• Team members at Toyota's assembly plant in Cambridge, Ontario, found a way to capture, clean and recycle over 12 million gallons of water used to rinse vehicles during the painting process.
• Since opening in 2007, Toyota's Texas assembly plant has used about 1.9 billion gallons of recycled water instead of drawing fresh water from the Edwards Aquifer.

Materials

• Toyota's North American facilities reduced, reused, recycled or composted over 95 percent of non-regulated waste during calendar year 2013.
• Toyota has 32 North American facilities that meet the U.S. Zero Waste Business Council's definition of a "Zero Waste Business" — one with a 90 percent or greater diversion of all waste from landfill, incineration or the environment.

Biodiversity

• Since 2010, Toyota's Kentucky assembly plant has established 10 beehives onsite. Some 85,000 happy honeybees produced more than 100 pounds of honey in 2014, which was given away to visitors.
• Over 130,000 trees have been planted at Toyota's Indiana assembly plant over the last six years. The area has become a thriving habitat for wildlife.
• Toyota currently has over 1,000 acres across seven North American sites certified to the Wildlife Habitat Council's Wildlife at Work program.

Outreach

• Toyota is helping develop a battery storage system for the Lamar Buffalo Ranch at Yellowstone National Park. Featuring 208 used Camry Hybrid battery packs, the system will provide a sustainable power source for one of the most remote and pristine places in the U.S.
• More than 23,000 folks across the U.S. pledged to save over 1.4 billion gallons of water as part of the National Mayor's Challenge for Water Conservation, supported by Toyota.
• We have assisted 42 Toyota and Lexus dealers with LEED^® certification. We have more LEED-certified dealers in the U.S. and Canada than any other auto manufacturer.

Toyota Explains what names like Camry and Yaris mean | Northridge Toyota

By Noah Joseph

Ever wonder where automakers get the names for their cars? You're not alone. The sitcom Seinfeld opened Episode 94 – the one where George Costanza buys a Chrysler LeBaron instead of a Volvo – with a bit about nameplates like Integra, Supra and Impreza. Toyota, clearly, is not exempt from choosing evocative but enigmatic names for its models, and now the Japanese automaker is taking us through the etymology of some of its nameplates.
Names like Supra may require no clarification, but what about Camry? That comes from the Japanese word kanmuri for Crown (which is, incidentally, the name of another Toyota sedan).
Yaris? According to the company, it's "an amalgamation of words from Greek mythology and German. In Greek mythology, 'Charis' was a symbol of beauty and elegance. Toyota swapped the 'Ch' with 'Ya' – German for 'yes' – to symbolize the perceived reaction of European markets to the car's styling."
Uh-huh. By comparison, Corolla couldn't be simpler – its name refers to the innermost ring of pedals around the center of a flower. Previa is derived from the Latin word for providence (as in foresight, not capital city in Rhode Island).

Toyota Career Opportunities | Northridge Toyota

Serving Northridge, CA Scion, Toyota Career Opportunities 

Thank you for your interest in seeking employment with Northridge Toyota. Below are links to the Company's employment application and applicant questionnaire, both of which must be completed as part of the application process. All applicants must complete and submit the employment application before completing and submitting the applicant questionnaire. Applicants failing to comply with this requirement will not be considered for employment.

If you would like assistance or require additional information, please call the Human Resources Manager at (626) 839-8412.

Submit Your Employment Application Here:
Online Employment Application

Required Applicant Questionnaire:
Online Employment Questionnaire (English)
Online Employment Questionnaire (Spanish)

Five Habits that will Ruin Your Vehicle | Northridge Toyota

Avoiding these habits can go a long way in preventing an expensive repair bill.

Most things you own will last longer if you take care of them and treat them well. Your car is no exception to this rule. While neglecting your car may seem harmless in the short term, regular neglect and mistreatment will add up and will reduce your car’s lifespan. To keep your car running longer and stronger, avoid these five harmful habits.

1. Delaying regular maintenance

Regularly maintaining your car is vital to your car’s longevity. Regular maintenance includes oil and filter replacement, as well as transmission fluid, air filter and brake pad care. Every vehicle manufacturer specifies a different maintenance routine, which can be found in your owner’s manual. While regular maintenance requires you to invest some time and money, it’s peanuts compared to the cost of a new engine or transmission.

2. Ignoring dash warning lights

When a warning indicator lights up on your dash panel, it’s important to address the problem immediately. If you don’t know what the light means, check your owner’s manual or call your mechanic. Dash warning lights can alert you to some very serious problems, such as a coolant leak, which can cause your engine to overheat. A simple preventative repair can often prevent a large problem down the line.

3. Shifting while moving

The transmission is one of the most complex and expensive parts in your car and it’s important to use is as it was intended. Be careful not to shift from drive to reverse or vice versa while the car is still moving. This “jerky” shifting places excess strain on the transmission’s internal gears and can instantly destroy it.

4. Jerky driving

We all know someone who accelerates wildly on every straightaway only to brake hard at a traffic light or stop sign. This type of driving won’t destroy your car immediately, but will cause your engine, transmission and brake system to deteriorate much more quickly than intended. Cars that have been abused will have premature fluid leaks, broken seals and mechanical problems.

5. Putting off tire replacement

Tires for some cars can be expensive, so replacing them is an unwelcome cost. Driving on bald tires is very risky, however. If a tire blows out while you’re driving, you can lose control of your vehicle and have a serious accident. And if you drive with bald tires in the rain, the risk of hydroplaning goes up tremendously. A new set of tires may seem pricey, but probably costs less than your car, and even less than your insurance deductible.