DEEP is Toyota’s voluntary initiative to reduce the environmental impact from its North American dealer operations. DEEP provides an easy-to-implement process for automotive dealerships to reduce energy and water use, carbon emissions and operational costs. It provides technical assistance and incentives to Toyota dealerships and recognizes them for positive environmental performance as well as local community outreach. Continuous operational improvement is targeted in energy, water and waste. Participating dealerships can earn up to five stars across several categories by tracking environmental performance data and implementing improvement projects, then achieving minimum performance benchmarks that are aligned with the Toyota Environmental Challenge 2050.
The DEEP pilot was launched in April 2021. Sixteen dealerships are currently participating, from California to New Mexico, New Hampshire and Florida. These dealerships are finding substantial value. On average, dealers are achieving an average 14% energy use reduction, 7% water use reduction, and realizing cost reductions of $14,300 per year. In total, dealers have reduced carbon emissions by 830 metric tons of CO2e- the equivalent carbon emissions sequestered by 982 acres of forest in one year - and saved over 6.6 million gallons of water.
In 2022 – during the second year of the pilot – the program and participating dealers’ performance is gaining momentum. Going forward, Toyota is actively inviting more dealerships to enter the DEEP program to help Toyota deliver on its commitment to improve the environmental impacts of its dealer sales operations and drive net positive impacts for society.
Hansel Toyota in Petaluma, California, is the first dealership to be recognized in DEEP. By implementing measures recommended by DEEP and with technical support from Toyota, Hansel currently has achieved a 65% reduction in energy use, 28% reduction in water use, and total cost savings of more than $62,000 per year. Geoff Schick, Senior Manager, Market Network Planning & Dealership Facilities, Toyota Motor North America, visited the Petaluma dealership in April 2022 to present Hansel with their Bronze level award.
Toyota's Regional Environmental Sustainability Director, Kevin Butt talks about the Dealership Environmental Excellence Program (DEEP) and the importance of Toyota dealerships’ participation in the program to help align with the Toyota Environmental Challenge 2050.
DEEP creates a simple framework for Toyota dealerships to reduce utility costs, earn environmental leadership recognition and enhance the environment in their communities.
Santa Margarita Toyota in Rancho Santa Margarita, California, was recently recognized in DEEP.
Hansel Toyota in Petaluma, California, was the first dealership to be recognized in DEEP.