Toyota Transport Drivers Keep Toyota and Lexus Deliveries Running Smoothly

Toyota Transport, part of Toyota Logistics Services since 1988, ensures safe, timely delivery of Toyota and Lexus vehicles across the U.S., reflecting the brand’s respect for people.

Toyota Transport has quietly powered Toyota’s vehicle delivery network for decades. Founded in 1988 as part of Toyota Logistics Services, it manages the “last mile” — moving new Toyota and Lexus vehicles from ports and distribution centers to dealerships across the western United States.

Behind the wheel are drivers whose careers reflect both dedication and pride. Among them are Tracy Tenorio, who delivers cars to Northern California dealers, and Brian Quick, who covers Southern California and Arizona. Both found in Toyota Transport not only stability but a sense of belonging to something greater.

Today, around one hundred full-time drivers form the backbone of the company’s fleet — a rarity in an industry dominated by third-party contractors. Nearly one in four Toyota and Lexus vehicles sold in the U.S. reaches its dealership on a Toyota Transport truck. A small, efficient management team led by Senior Manager Adam Lee Ryden orchestrates these operations.

Safety and punctuality are woven into Toyota’s core philosophy of respect for people. The fleet is renewed every five years, and all haulers operate under U.S. Department of Transportation guidelines: a maximum load of 80,000 pounds and no more than five 14-hour shifts per week. Yet Toyota goes further, ensuring work-life balance and steady conditions — something rare in the trucking world.

In 2024, Toyota Transport launched a “go-and-see” campaign, inviting its drivers to share feedback for the design of future rigs. Senior analyst Carla Melgar noted that trailer manufacturers were astonished to see drivers actively included in the process.

Despite early mornings, tight schedules, and the responsibility of carrying loads worth up to half a million dollars, turnover remains minimal. Some drivers mark more than twenty-five years of service. The reasons are clear: strong pay, mutual respect, and a culture that values teamwork over competition.

Toyota Transport stands as a living example of the Toyota Way — continuous improvement and respect for people. As new cars keep rolling off production lines, these drivers remain the final, essential link ensuring that reliability and care travel all the way from the factory floor to the dealership lot.