• Torrance, CA (June 6, 2007)

Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., today earned four segment awards in the 2007 J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Study^SM (IQS). The study measures problems per 100 vehicles in the first 90 days of ownership.

"We'll always place a great importance on the quality and dependability of our products," said Jim Lentz, TMS executive vice president. "Ninety-day feedback is only the beginning of the complete ownership experience, and it is just one of the short- and long-term measures of total quality, dependability and customer satisfaction we monitor. Other measures like the Vehicle Dependability Study, Consumer Reports annual survey, warranty claims, resale value and buyer loyalty help give us a complete picture on overall quality."

Lexus nameplate finished second overall with 94 problems per 100 (PP100), which was nearly identical to its 2006 study results and significantly higher than the Premium nameplate average. The Lexus RX 350/400h was the Midsize Premium Multi-Activity Vehicle (MAV) segment leader with 89 PP100. The LS 460, GS 350/430/450h, SC 430, and GX 470 also finished in the top three in their segments.

Both Toyota and Scion were ahead of the industry average PP100 in 2007. The Toyota nameplate finished sixth overall with 112 PP100. It also earned three segment awards overall, which was tied for the most for any individual nameplate. 4Runner was the top Midsize MAV, the Tacoma was highest among the Midsize Pickup segment, and the Sequoia was highest among the Large MAV segment. The Corolla, Highlander, Solara, and Avalon all rank in the top three of their respective segments.

Scion nameplate moved up in the study to 11th overall from 26th in 2006 with 123 PP100. The Scion tC sports coupe was second in the Compact Sporty Car segment.

Toyota manufacturing plants took the top two Asia Pacific honors with the Gold Award going to the Kyushu, Japan, plant where the Lexus ES 350, IS 250/350, RX 350/400h, and Toyota Highlander/Highlander hybrid are built. The Fujimatsu, Japan, plant, which builds the Toyota Prius, earned the Silver Award.