Toyota of Corvallis on Track to be World's First Net Zero Energy Auto Dealership

Newly opened 34,800-square-foot facility on schedule to receive both LEED® Platinum and Net Zero Energy certifications

Corvallis, Ore. (Sept. 30, 2016) – Toyota of Corvallis is on schedule to be the world’s first Certified Net Zero Energy Automotive Dealership.

Over the next 14 months, Gensler—the architect of the new building—will oversee data collection to help ensure this certification becomes a reality. Additionally, construction of the facility was built to adhere to LEED® Platinum standards, as recognized by the U.S. Green Building Council. Toyota of Corvallis will join a handful of Toyota dealerships nationwide with this Platinum certification.

“Toyota is focused on being a leader in environmental sustainment through our development of hybrid and fuel cell technologies, the creation of energy efficient facilities and our commitment to support philanthropic organizations that address environmental issues,” said Steve Haag, Toyota Motor Sales regional manager. “We applaud Toyota of Corvallis for setting a positive example and creating a first-of-its-kind template for the auto dealership of the future.”

By definition, Net Zero Energy means that at the end of the year the building has produced more power than it used. Toyota of Corvallis will collect solar energy through photovoltaic panels and return any unused energy into the local power grid. That power will help offset local power demands at peak usage periods.

Other sustainable aspects of the project include water harvesting to irrigate the landscape, radiant floor heating, and geothermal heating and cooling to regulate the temperature of the building.

"As a design firm committed to constantly raising the bar and leading the charge on the future of sustainable design projects, we are very proud of this project,” said Rick Ferrara, Project Director at Gensler. “Not only is Toyota of Corvallis setting a new standard for Toyota, they are leading the industry in a completely new direction."

Haag presented Toyota of Corvallis owners Steve and Barbara Jackson with a traditional Japanese Katana sword as part of the ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday. Dealership general manager Chip Edwards and representatives from both Toyota and Gensler—the architect of the new building—were also in attendance.

"It is a great privilege working for Steve and Barbara Jackson,” said Chip Edwards, general manager of Toyota of Corvallis. “Their passion for doing the right things, from protecting the environment with their choice of energy-efficient building design, to their immensely philanthropic mindset, is truly inspiring."

Toyota of Corvallis began selling vehicles in 1970 as John & Phil’s Toyota. When owner Phil Doud decided to retire in early 2013, Steve and his wife Barbara purchased the dealership. In 2014, construction began on the new facility. Steve and Barbara own another Toyota dealership in Texas, Toyota of Rockwall, which was certified as a LEED® Gold dealership in 2008.

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About Toyota
Toyota (NYSE:TM), the world's top automaker and creator of the Prius and the Mirai fuel cell vehicle, is committed to building vehicles for the way people live through our Toyota, Lexus and Scion brands. Over the past 50 years, we’ve built more than 30 million cars and trucks in North America, where we operate 14 manufacturing plants (10 in the U.S.) and directly employ more than 42,000 people (more than 33,000 in the U.S.). Our 1,800 North American dealerships (1,500 in the U.S.) sold more than 2.67 million cars and trucks (more than 2.35 million in the U.S.) in 2014 – and about 80 percent of all Toyota vehicles sold over the past 20 years are still on the road today.
Toyota partners with philanthropic organizations across the country, with a focus on education, safety and the environment. As part of this commitment, we share the company’s extensive know-how garnered from building great cars and trucks to help community organizations and other nonprofits expand their ability to do good. For more information about Toyota, visit www.toyotanewsroom.com.

About Gensler
Gensler is a global design firm grounded in the belief that great design optimizes business performance and human potential. Our 5,000 practitioners networked across 46 offices use global perspective and local presence to innovate at every scale. Whether we are refreshing a retailer’s brand, planning a new urban district or designing a super tall building, we strive to make the everyday places people occupy more inspiring, more resilient, and more impactful.
Recent accolades: #1 Top International Design Firm, Top Green Design Firm 2015 Engineering News Record; #1 Most Admired Firm 2015 Interior Design; 2015 Firm of the Year Texas Society of Architects; #1 Architecture Firm 2016 Architectural Record; and #1 International Architecture Firm, Green Design Firm, Data Center Design Firm, University Design Firm, Retail Design Firm 2016 Building Design + Construction.

Rebecca Buddingh
619-533-7978
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