TORRANCE, Calif., June 18, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Demonstrating an ongoing commitment to supporting the sale of green vehicles,Toyota Financial Services (TFS) issued the auto industry's second-ever Asset-Backed Green Bond in the amount of $1.25 billion. TFS revolutionized the Green Bond market by introducing the auto industry's first-ever Asset-Backed Green Bond in 2014. Green Bonds are an important component of TFS' broad-ranging funding program and serve to enhance Toyota's already extensive green commitment.
Proceeds of the TFS Green Bond will be used to fund new retail finance contracts and lease contracts for Toyota and Lexus vehicles that meet specific criteria, including powertrain, fuel efficiency and emissions. There are currently eight vehicles in the Toyota and Lexus portfolio of green vehicles that qualify.
"Investors enthusiastically welcomed the continuation of the auto industry's sole Green Bond program from Toyota Financial Services," said Mike Groff, TFS CEO. "The Green Bond itself represents the innovation that TFS brings to the financial marketplace and reflects Toyota's commitment to environmentally friendly transportation. Its proceeds will enable us to continue to provide Toyota and Lexus customers with attractive financing options for their vehicles."
To develop the Green Bond, TFS worked closely with Citi, which has a long-standing relationship with TFS and shares its commitment to green innovation. Citi served as the structuring lead manager of the bond, and BofA Merrill Lynch and Credit Agricole acted as joint-lead managers.
The TFS Green Bond program is unique in the auto industry and enhances Toyota's leadership reputation for green innovation. Toyota currently offers hybrid editions in nearly all of its vehicle categories. Since the launch of the first Prius in 1997, Toyota has sold over 2.4 million hybrid vehicles in North America.
"Citi is proud to support Toyota Financial Services and this innovative transaction," said Tyler Dickson, Global Head of Capital Markets Origination at Citi. "With growing investor demand for environmentally friendly, energy efficient assets such as the TFS Green Bond, we see a significant opportunity for Toyota to continue its leadership in clean transportation investments."
TFS will commit to use the proceeds of the Green Bond toward the purchase of retail finance contracts and lease contracts for Toyota and Lexus vehicles that meet high green standards as established by three criteria:
- Gas-electric hybrid or alternative fuel powertrain
- Minimum EPA estimated MPG (or MPG equivalent for alternative fuel vehicles) of 35 city / 35 highway
- California Low-Emission Vehicle II (LEV II) certification of super ultra-low emission vehicles (SULEVs) or higher, which would include partial zero emissions vehicles (PZEVs) and zero emissions vehicles (ZEVs)
Qualifying models from Toyota include: Prius, Prius c, Prius v, Prius Plug-in, Camry Hybrid, and Avalon Hybrid. From Lexus, qualifying vehicles are CT 200h and ES 300h.
For more information on TFS' Capital Markets programs, please visit www.toyotafinancial.com. For more information about Toyota's commitment to the environment, please visit http://www.toyota.com/usa/environmentreport2014/
About 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 has a range of products to meet Toyota dealers' financing needs and also offers extended service contracts through Toyota Motor Insurance Services (TMIS). Lexus Financial Services is the brand for financial products for Lexus dealers and customers. TFS currently employs approximately 3,200 team members nationwide, and has assets totaling over $100 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.
TFS is a recipient of the 2014 Civic 50 Award which recognizes the 50 most community-minded companies in the United States. For more information about the company's support of financial literacy, after-school programs, and other community initiatives, please visit www.tfsinthecommunity.com.