What does Toyota mean when it says it strives to deliver mobility for all?

Here’s one tangible example: the development and deployment of a sustainable, mobile health clinic capable of administering COVID-19 testing in Madison County, Alabama.

The project began in 2018 when Toyota selected Alabama A&M University (AAMU) to participate in a student-led challenge grant to identify a mobility related need in the community and develop a solution using Toyota Way principles.

As the pandemic took hold, the urgent need for accessible COVID-19 testing became clear. But the solution? That began to take shape as AAMU and Toyota agreed that $100,000 of Toyota’s original grant be allocated to fund a clinic on wheels run by Huntsville Hospital that could test up to 50 people per day — focusing especially on underserved communities.

“Thanks to this initiative, Huntsville Hospital can continue fighting Coronavirus, not only in our hospitals but in our communities,” says David Spillers, CEO of Huntsville Hospital Health System. “The Huntsville Hospital team is grateful for the support.”

The clinic, quite literally, got rolling in October. In addition to providing free, walk-in COVID-19 testing in the community, the mobile unit is also filling a need at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Alabama (TMMAL) to administer on-site, rapid testing for team members.

“Increased testing is vital to slowing the spread of the virus, but not everyone can access current testing sites,” says TMMAL President David Finch. “For Toyota, mobility is more than just moving people from point A to point B. It’s also about finding better ways to bring critical services to people.”

Post-pandemic, the collaborators on this mobility solution plan to shift the clinic’s focus to preventative health screenings. So the need might change. But there will still be a need. And Toyota will continue to look for ways to help.