Toyota wants to "borrow" my truck??

jandrews · Apr 16, 2013

robgeetar[OP] said: ↑

Yeah so just got off the phone with Toyota Corp. and they've never heard of this, nor do they know of anyone that does know.

So then I called the 734 number for the Gardena location on the top right corner and it says the number is no longer in service.

And just hung up with the 734 number located on the bottom and it was Thomas A. Beierschmitt and although he described the process of what happens, he didn't really remember the name of the person to ask for at ATDS.... but it says it on this letter.

Still gonna research it but as for now, not sold on it at all
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May eat my words. Sounding shadier by the minute.

mrbadwrench · Apr 16, 2013

It's legitimate. You just didn't talk to an informed enough person at Toyota.

All MFG's are currently having to do this. As an example, here is a press release about it from Chrylser:

Emissions Test Program using Customer-Owned Chrysler Vehicles
The Federal government’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as well as the California Air Resources Board (CARB), require vehicle manufacturers to perform emissions tests on customer owned and operated vehicles that are 1-2 years old (between 10,000-50,000 miles) and 3-4 years old (over 50,000 miles) to verify the long term robustness of their exhaust emissions systems. This required test program is called the In-Use Verification Program (IUVP).

Chrysler works with Roush Industries and Automotive Testing & Development Services (ATDS) to procure and test customer-owned vehicles for IUVP emissions testing.

The government has guidelines on how to do an IUVP program that all the automotive companies must adhere to. Below is a summary of the Chrysler process:

1) Chrysler downloads mail lists containing the owners for each engine/vehicle test group near a test facility, then using a random number generator, assigns random numbers to each. Roush or ATDS sends mailings to the customers with the lowest random numbers.
2) Roush or ATDS collects the customer reply information and sends it to Chrysler, who then determines their eligibility and the order in which to call the replying customers for procurement, based on their random numbers.
3) Roush or ATDS contacts the customers and goes through a telephone questionnaire (if applicable), arranges for their rental vehicles, and sets up the pickup location, date and time with each customer. Note: Vehicles must be tested in as-is condition. Therefore, if there is a safety issue with a vehicle, it is usually rejected from the program.
4) Roush or ATDS meets with the customer at the appointed time and location, inspects their vehicle, and transports the vehicle to the test site. The customer is provided a rental vehicle with a full tank of gas.
5) There are currently four locations at which Chrysler IUVP emissions testing is performed:

Chrysler Chelsea Proving Grounds (CPG), in Chelsea, Michigan
Chrysler Technology Center (CTC), in Auburn Hills, Michigan
Environmental Testing Corporation (ETC), in Aurora, Colorado
Automotive Testing & Development Services, Inc. (ATDS), in Ontario, California

Note: For customer-owned vehicles in the California area, some are emissions tested right at the ATDS facility in California and others are procured by ATDS, then shipped to the Chrysler Proving Grounds in Chelsea, Michigan for testing, then shipped back to California when done. If customer vehicles are shipped, they are shipped in an enclosed car hauler (looks like a semi-truck with sides and a roof to protect the vehicle).

6) Emissions testing consists of prepping the vehicle, securing it on a dynamometer and connecting an exhaust gas analyzer to the tailpipe. The vehicle’s tires rotate on the dynamometer rollers as the vehicle is “driven”, simulating both city and highway driving.
7) Some vehicles are also selected for passive evaporative emissions testing (ex. tires and plastics give off small amounts of various gases). These vehicles are put into a sealed room for 2 days, while the air quality is periodically monitored. They are also ORVR tested (On-board Refueling Vapor Recovery). For this test, the vehicle is in a different type of sealed room, where the air quality is continuously monitored while the fuel tank is being filled. This tests how well the canister in the vehicle prevents gasoline fumes from escaping into the atmosphere when refueling the vehicle.
8) Once all testing is completed, the vehicle is picked up by Roush or ATDS, who cleans it and fills the gas tank, then returns it to the customer and picks up the rental vehicle. An incentive check is given to the customer at that time.

If you are reading this narrative, chances are you have received a letter asking if you would like to participate in this IUVP emissions test program. Please consider participating, as this helps insure the quality of air for all of us.

If you have any questions, you may call the phone number at the bottom of your letter or contact a Chrysler IUVP emissions engineer at (248) 944-0158.

Thank you,

Chrysler Group LLC
Emissions Certification Department
Chrysler Technology Center
Auburn Hills, Michigan
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western88 · Apr 16, 2013

a 100 bucks for this deal ?.. nope not me..

WTFaulkner · Apr 16, 2013

F-U-C-K NO hah never that severd cats!!

benbacher · Apr 16, 2013

Seems more like a marketing deal. I wonder how many of those folks stay with their 'late model toyota' after the test is done.

OH-MAN · Apr 16, 2013

Seems Toyota could find a trade in on a dealer lot somewhere to test and not "borrow/rent" a customers truck.
I will not even let them do free oil changes or pedal slash mod.

steve o 77 · Apr 16, 2013

just realized it says 100, not 1000. Yeah I wouldn't for that price.

03f5sp · Apr 16, 2013

TrdSurgie said: ↑

Easiest way to steal a vehicle? Ask for the keys.... Research them with the BBB and even Toyota Corp to confirm.
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^^do this

Do a lot of research on the legitimacy of it. If it checks out to be legit, I would do it.

Jimmyh · Apr 16, 2013

OH-MAN said: ↑

Seems Toyota could find a trade in on a dealer lot somewhere to test and not "borrow/rent" a customers truck.
I will not even let them do free oil changes or pedal slash mod.
Click to expand...

The key words of the requirement is in bold below:

" The Federal government’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as well as the California Air Resources Board (CARB), require vehicle manufacturers to perform emissions tests on customer owned and operated vehicles that are 1-2 years old (between 10,000-50,000 miles) and 3-4 years old (over 50,000 miles) to verify the long term robustness of their exhaust emissions systems. This required test program is called the In-Use Verification Program (IUVP)."

It must be Owned and Operated by a Private Party.

I would not do it. Think of it this way they are renting your truck for weeks for 100 bucks. Not mine.

EatMyTacomaDust · Apr 16, 2013

w00dy said: ↑

F that noise. I wouldn't let my wife drive my truck for a $100 and a full tank!
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HAHA!

majorhavok · Apr 16, 2013

This seems legit to me and a good deal for some who don't drive their vehicle much. Also there is little to no chance your vehicle would be damaged, but you are being compensated a low amount for your trouble IMO. I wouldn't be paranoid, just decide if you want to help Toyota do some testing on a real world vehicle and if the chance to drive another vehicle full of gas, have yours filled with gas + and extra 100 bones is worth the swap for a week or two is worth it.

Imagine this, your truck is in the shop for normal maintenence, and the guy comes out and says, "Sir I don't want you to wait at all, would you be willing to take another vehicle full of gas, this $100 bill as well as knowing toyota techs will be working on your vehicle and doing up to 150 miles of dyno smog testing on your vehicle to help out Toyota for the next two weeks?" Keep in mind if they break ANYTHING, you will never know, it will be replaced with OEM. If anything NEEDS replacing that affects testing, or happened to break during testing, it would also be replaced with new.

And your answer is: ?

majorhavok · Apr 16, 2013

Beavis0076 said: ↑

^ ok you send me 30k... And in a few weeks I'll send it back with 100.
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You forgot the tank of gas.. the replacement car and the toyota technician part. Otherwise I'm still not OP and I don't get a vote. lol

Juggernaut · Apr 16, 2013

I'd do it., even if it wasn't legit. My truck is insured and I wouldn't mind upgrading

majorhavok · Apr 16, 2013

Juggernaut said: ↑

I'd do it., even if it wasn't legit. My truck is insured and I wouldn't mind upgrading
Click to expand...

Now that's the spirit! As soon as they brought the truck back I'd be like, "HEY!!! You scratched it in three places! Lemme run over to the truck and show you where they are.."

jw1983 · Apr 16, 2013

Haha! I so wouldn't give my truck up for that. Now if I had kids, they could take them and then give me the money and gas lol.

I'm sure that some of you wouldn't trade your truck but your kids you might lol. FREE BABYSITTING!!!

Millertime187 · Apr 17, 2013

That's cool. I'd do it!

Boone · Apr 17, 2013

There's no way I'm letting someone (from Toyota or another agency) borrow my truck for 1-2 weeks for $100.00, a tank of gas and a loaner. Just doesn't make sense to me.

Gearheadesw · Apr 17, 2013

and if you touch my truck...

Chris24 · Apr 17, 2013

I'd trash the letter...def not worth them beating your truck on a dyno for a week...

jshsltr · Apr 17, 2013

You couldnt rent a Tacoma for 2 weeks for $100 bucks, why should they be able to?

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