As I draft this letter, I find myself reflecting on the whirlwind of the past month. Stepping into the CEO role at TICF has been both exhilarating and challenging. Leadership changes, as we know, can stir the waters within any organization and can feel disruptive to external stakeholders. They can unsettle but also rejuvenate, hopefully bringing in a tide of fresh ideas and perspectives. It’s a delicate balance between honoring the effective practices that exist and introducing innovative strategies to propel us forward.

At TICF, our guiding light remains unchanged: How can we better serve our OEMs, dealers, and customers? This question is our north star, guiding every decision, every innovation, and every service improvement. It’s a constant in our evolving journey towards excellence.

Improving our service delivery hinges on two critical pillars. First, we have to continue to ground ourselves in the fundamentals. I am deeply appreciative of Mike Schultze and the Sales Team emphasizing this truth with a “Back to Basics” theme at the start of the year. The “Back to Basics” theme prompted the realization that this approach should permeate the entire TICF organization. Excelling in the basics is not just about adhering to fundamental principles but executing actions that tangibly improve our dealers’ experiences.

Second, innovation is pivotal in redefining and enhancing our service delivery. Our significant investment in a new origination and servicing system is a testament to our commitment to this area. In fact, many of the features in the new system will exist specifically with Hino in mind. This system is not just about upgrading our technology but revolutionizing how we serve our dealers and customers. Yet, our ambitions don’t end here.

Offering financial products is a given; our goal is to provide financial solutions. Initiatives like the recent launch of the Foundations of Financing provide fresh resources and tools to share with your customers when considering their financing options. To echo the sentiment from Shark Tank, we’re here to solve the problems our dealers face, not just sell to them.

As we look to the future, our excitement about the partnership between TICF, Hino Trucks, and our dealers grows stronger. The possibilities before us are vast and filled with potential. A testament to this is the recent collaboration with Hino and their newly launched Training Center. You can read more about “Training as a Top Priority” later in this issue.

Together, we’re navigating the present and shaping a future where our dealers and customers thrive.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership. Here’s to a journey of growth, innovation, and success.

Warm regards,

John Crews
President & CEO

We are excited to announce that over $75,000 was distributed as a result of their active engagement and loyalty. This rebate program reflects our commitment to supporting our dealers’ success and fostering a rewarding partnership.

This initiative not only underscores our deep appreciation but also acts as a driving force for a flourishing year ahead. It stands as a powerful affirmation of our conviction that loyalty genuinely rewards.

Our collaboration with each dealer partner has been pivotal in steering the success of our shared ventures. We eagerly anticipate the opportunity to introduce this rebate program again, along with other initiatives that promise mutual benefits, in the future.

Toyota Industries Commercial Finance (TICF) is excited to announce the launch of our newest initiative, Foundations of Financing. This latest initiative is focused on helping you provide customers with more information on the various financing solutions TICF offers.

You asked for it, and we listened! From last fall’s Dealer Satisfaction Survey, we know you want more materials from us to help promote financing solutions. We strive to always be your partner of choice and are excited to roll out a new enhancement that aligns with our company philosophy of Kaizen or continuous improvement.

Each Hino dealership location received new collateral promoting our various financial solutions for customers. Additionally, we launched a new page on our website that features videos detailing the benefits of each financial product TICF offers. The videos and collateral are new tools you can use with customers to help them determine the right financing solution to fit their business needs.

We hope this latest marketing initiative brings us one step closer to being your best financial services partner. Lastly, we would like to thank the entire team at Industrial Power Truck & Equipment in Texas, for graciously allowing us to film at their facility for the video series.

Please contact your RSM if you have any questions. To request additional or replacement marketing materials, contact the marketing team.

Thank you for your continued business and support.

Hino Trucks recently unveiled its new Hino Learning Center, a comprehensive online training platform. This innovative platform, along with its new features, plays a pivotal role in the initiatives spearheaded by the training team.

In their capacity as Lead Trainer, and Product Marketing and Training Lead at Hino Trucks, Dennis Kosmowski and Kyle Soerens, respectively, assist with enhancing the dealer experience. They work to identify the educational needs of Hino field representatives and dealer personnel, especially concerning the latest Hino features, financing options, and other relevant topics. Leveraging their expertise, they craft engaging courses for the Hino dealer network, ensuring everyone has the knowledge they need to succeed.

At Hino Trucks, the team’s approach includes collaborating with dealers and district managers to determine what they’re looking for in training and identify gaps in current offerings.

During TICF’s annual Dealer Satisfaction Survey, which provides Hino dealers the chance to offer anonymous feedback on all aspects of the dealer experience, responses indicated a desire for improved training options — both TICF and Hino Trucks are delivering.

For example, they are creating courses that help the field staff streamline their access to dealer metrics, especially related to the Hino Honors Program. They are also providing high-level technical information to allow dealership personnel to effectively sell and service Hino trucks. In collaboration with TICF, the Hino training platform already features a few informational modules about TICF with a series planned for release later this year called “Finance Fundamentals”. These new modules from TICF will ensure your dealership has the best financing fundamentals and tools to foster sales.

A key goal is to make the training more appealing, which might include using a more engaging structure. “We want to make sure the training is relevant, but also approachable—something they look forward to completing,” they say, citing a recent effort to configure an existing training deck to become a “moving page” that’s more interactive and allows for a more interesting and enjoyable user experience.

The team has also enhanced the parts training so that if a participant misses a question, they’re taken directly back to the relevant content so they can review it and proceed directly to the question. “It’s a big improvement over the previous model, where they would fail the test, then have to go back to try and remember what they failed and start all over again,” Kyle explained.

Dennis and Kyle have big plans for future endeavors, such as a 360-degree camera where they can take a picture inside the cab of the truck and then put hotspots on each new feature so the user can conduct a virtual “walk-through” of the truck.

As the celebration of “40 Years of Hino in America” nears, the team wants dealers to know that this evolution will continue. “We’re moving forward and will keep innovating to create solutions that work for our dealers. Our goal is to get the material out to new faces in the field and create an educational environment that ensures everyone feels confident when they talk about our products and TICF’s finance options, especially for those who don’t have a deep sales, service, or financial background.”

To that end, they are looking forward to designing a series of classes that will help dealers build their knowledge of core fundamentals and how they’re applied to different scenarios. “We want to give them a resource that helps them sell a truck, service the truck, and get the customer going down the road,” Dennis and Kyle offered. “Our goal is to partner with our dealers to help them succeed. Ultimately, our jobs exist because they’re selling trucks.”

Do you have an idea for a TICF and Hino training collaboration? Send us your thoughts for consideration.

Elite Dealer Rewards (EDR) is an exclusive rewards program presented by Toyota Industries Commercial Finance (TICF) for dealer finance and sales personnel.

A shining endorsement comes from Bob Ernst, a seasoned F&I Manager at Gabrielli Truck Sales in New York. Bob has been part of the EDR program since its inception in 2019. His experience offers valuable insights into why the program is highly regarded. More importantly, Bob’s enthusiasm is not just for the rewards but also for the broader support that TICF provides.

“I have participated in EDR ever since it started,” Ernst says, reflecting on his long-standing engagement with the TICF and the program. His appreciation extends beyond just participation; it’s about the tangible rewards that come with it. “I love being able to get the gift cards that are offered,” he adds.

While the program boasts a substantial rewards platform, it is a testament to TICF’s commitment to supporting its dealer partners through various means. “We have been using TICF more because of their great credit and funding departments. EDR is just another great benefit that TICF provides,” Ernst explains, highlighting how the program is part of a broader suite of services aimed at dealer success.

Utilizing the points from the EDR program, Ernst has been able to reward himself with gift cards from a variety of popular retailers such as Amazon, Macy’s, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and Target. This flexibility in rewards has been a significant factor in the program’s success, catering to the diverse preferences and needs of the Hino dealer network.

As he approaches retirement, Ernst looks forward to leveraging the program further for personal leisure. He expressed a desire for an expanded selection of gift cards, including those for hotels and car rental companies. This feedback underscores the program’s potential for growth and adaptation to meet the evolving needs of its participants.

“I would also like to be able to buy gift cards for hotels (Marriott, Hyatt, IHG, Hilton, etc.) and car rental companies too. Can you look into adding those gift cards?” Ernst suggests, highlighting an opportunity for TICF to expand the program offerings and enhance its appeal.

Through the experiences of dealers like Bob Ernst, it’s clear that the program rewards using TICF for financing, fosters loyalty, and encourages excellence.

As the program evolves, it remains a key tool for TICF in building and maintaining strong, productive relationships, ensuring mutual success in an ever-changing economic environment.

Every truck financed with TICF is eligible for points, which vary based on the percent of Market Share and distinctions between Flooring and Non-Flooring Dealers. This nuanced approach ensures a fair and rewarding system for all participating dealerships. Review the complete program details in this month’s Finance Bulletin.

Be like Bob and choose TICF as your preferred finance partner. You, too, can unlock the potential to earn remarkable prizes, such as gift cards, name-brand merchandise, event tickets, and luxurious travel packages.

If your Dealer Group has opted to participate, log in and claim your deal points monthly.