Blog: Toyota says this one’s for Earth

Now that they’re the world’s leading auto manufacturer, Toyota Motors is sticking it to its SUV-friendly counterparts by giving $500,000 plus five hybrids to the Grand Canyon area just for fun (because let’s face it, when you’re a billion-dollar company, writing off half a mil isn’t a big deal).

They got to the top by pushing more fuel-efficient and hybrid vehicles at a time when oil prices skyrocketed and the American market faced a glut of oversized SUVs (anyone remember the Ford Expedition?).

The Japanese automaker will present the package to the Grand Canyon Association, which raises funds for Grand Canyon National Park, at Shoshone Point overlooking the canyon. The money will go toward environmental, education and safety programs for visitors to the park and high school students nationwide.

The grant from Toyota will specifically fund:

• the canyon’s preventative search-and-rescue program on the North Rim,
• travel opportunities to the canyon for kids in inner-city, rural, and reservation schools,
• a newly created job of School Resource Ranger on school grounds every day at Grand Canyon Schools,
• the Rim to River program which promotes environmental stewardship among high school students nationwide.

Superintendent Stephen P. Martin, whose profile can be viewed here, will also be in attendance.