Eco-Friendly Dealerships Taking Leadership Role In Environmental Construction
May
15, 2008 - Torrance, CA - Once a symbolic target of environmentalists, auto dealerships
are now playing a leading role in the development of buildings and facilities
exemplifying leading-edge environmental construction standards.
Toyota
of Rockwall (Texas) is the first dealership in the country to receive LEED (Leadership
in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building
Council (USGBC). Rockwall joins Pat Lobb Toyota (McKinney, Texas), which earlier
received a Silver certification as the first dealership to be LEED certified.
But they won't be the last.
The USGBC reports that 48 percent of the nation's
energy is used by buildings, including 70 percent of the nation's electric use.
In addition to more fuel-efficient vehicles, automakers have discovered another
way to address the nation's energy problem is to build more efficient dealerships
focusing on sustainable building processes.
"Dealers are recognizing
the advantages and opportunities presented by building green," says Michael
Bevan, Corporate Manager, Retail Market Development at Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A.,
Inc. "Research shows that consumers are becoming increasingly aware of businesses
in their community that are taking a leadership role in addressing environmental
issues. It also makes good business sense to dealers who can re-coup their investment
and start realizing savings in five years or less.
"We expect there
will be six LEED certified Toyota dealerships by this summer. We've also been
working with other auto companies on the dynamics of building a LEED dealership
and they are beginning to build facilities for LEED certification."
The
USGBC is a non-profit organization committed to expanding sustainable building
practices. It provides various levels of LEED certification based on evaluations
in such areas as sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency,
materials selection and indoor environmental quality.
To achieve Gold certification
status, Toyota of Rockwall made extensive use of recycled and energy-saving materials.
For instance, four water cisterns capable of holding 63,500 gallons of rainwater
and air conditioning condensation are used for landscape irrigation. The landscape
itself consists of native plants, trees and grasses that are drought and disease-resistant.
The roof is made of materials that reflect 90 percent of the sun's heat energy.
"Once
we decided to do a green dealership, we decided to stretch the envelope and go
for the Gold," said Steve Jackson, owner of Toyota of Rockwall. "We
hope to play a leadership role in building environmental awareness in the community
and be a place where students come to learn about the environment."
Both
certified Toyota dealerships were built as part of the company's Eco-Image USA
II initiative that also puts an emphasis on the environment. Under the program,
panels used on the building's exterior are made up of 90 percent recycled aluminum.
The distinctive portal entryway uses non-lead glass and shades the showroom from
direct sunlight. LED lighting is used rather than incandescent and fluorescent
lights to further reduce energy use. Toyota also is assisting dealers with cutting
edge green options, including different power sources such as solar, wind and
geothermal.
"We wanted to provide dealers with the opportunity and
encouragement to pursue LEED certification when building or updating their facilities"
Bevan said. "There's even an Image II program that provides dealers with
a 'turn-key' LEED certified dealership. The dealer can continue to focus on selling
vehicles while the new dealership is being constructed."
About Toyota
Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc. is the
marketing, sales, distribution and customer service arm of Toyota, Lexus and Scion.
Established in 1957, TMS markets products and services through a network of more
than 1,400 Toyota, Lexus and Scion dealers. Toyota directly employs over 36,000
people in the U.S. and sold more than 2.6 million vehicles in 2007. For more information
about our company, please visit http://www.toyota.com/,
http://www.lexus.com/ and
http://www.scion.com/.
