NEW YORK, Sept. 28, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Toyota (NYSE:TM) today announced additional support for victims of the Gulf Coast hurricanes. To date, 2005 hurricane relief pledges from Toyota and its 38,000 employees in North America exceed $7.5 million, including in-kind donations.
Toyota's efforts toward hurricane relief include:
-- More than $6.5 million in corporate contributions, the majority of
which went to the American Red Cross
-- A total of $800,000 in company-matched employee donations
-- A donation of five Hino trucks, worth an estimated $200,000, to
the American Red Cross
-- Return transportation for a team of medical personnel who were
assisting in American Red Cross relief efforts
-- Assistance by Toyota Financial Services and Lexus Financial
Services to affected customers including a 90-day extension on
payments and suspension of credit bureau reporting and collection
-- Shipment of supplies, food and clothing donated by Toyota
employees across North America
To stimulate further giving, employee contributions to the American Red Cross and other relief organizations will be extended through the end of October.
Toyota established operations in the U.S. in 1957 and currently operates eight U.S. manufacturing plants, with two more under construction. There are over 1,400 Toyota, Lexus and Scion dealerships located in 50 U.S. states. Selling over 2 million vehicles in the U.S. in 2004, Toyota has a direct U.S. investment of over $13 billion and direct U.S. employment of over 31,000. According to a 2005 Center for Automotive Research study, Toyota, along with its dealers and suppliers, has generated over 386,000 U.S. jobs -- including jobs created through spending by direct, dealer and supplier employees.