Categoría: Geovanny Vicente

S&P Global Market Intelligence Launches Renewable Energy Credit Pricing Forecasts

NEW YORK, Feb. 1, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — S&P Global Market Intelligence today introduces its Renewable Energy Credit (REC) Price Forecast dataset as part of its Power Forecast series. This new dataset enables market participants to analyze and assess the value of wholesale renewable electricity in the U.S.

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NEW YORK, Feb. 1, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — S&P Global Market Intelligence today introduces its Renewable Energy Credit (REC) Price Forecast dataset as part of its Power Forecast series. This new dataset enables market participants to analyze and assess the value of wholesale renewable electricity in the U.S.

Renewable Energy Credits are often used to offset carbon emissions of a company or as a way for organizations to reach 100% renewable sources. S&P Global Market Intelligence’s new REC price forecast will provide insight into new revenue streams for energy facilities that are looking to be compensated for the value of their renewable energy.

«As global energy markets continue to shift their reliance on fossil fuels to alternative sources, organizations may look to RECs to help comply with increasing green energy mandates,» said Steve Piper, Research Director for Energy at S&P Global Market Intelligence. «With more RECs are being purchased, the demand and production of renewable energy increases. This new pricing forecast will provide differentiated insights into the value of renewable energy and give investors participating in this market the ability to forecast the green premium for energy transition, helping them make informed-decisions.»

While REC pricing today is currently strong across several New England states, developer interest in the region has grown as have commitments to offshore wind in multiple states. S&P Global Market Intelligence projects that increasingly favorable wholesale power economics and expanding contributions from offshore wind may pressure New England REC prices lower in the years ahead.

A REC is created for every one-megawatt hour (MWh) of electricity generated and delivered it to the grid. The green benefits of generating electricity using renewable sources can then be sold to other entities via RECs on the open market. RECs are often used to offset carbon emissions of a company and as a path to achieving 100% renewable electricity use.

This newly introduced S&P Global Market Intelligence forecast complements the Market Intelligence platform’s current REC index prices providing information on unbundled RECs, and the current price of these instruments. The REC Pricing Forecast will also allow market participants to:

  • Estimate environmental compliance costs to utilities that rely heavily on fossil fuels;
  • Identify which market each green asset sells into and tie that identification to a REC projection;
  • Project financial impacts of regulatory changes and renewable power generation mandates.

For more information about S&P Global Market Intelligence’s Power Forecast insights, please visit here.

About S&P Global Market Intelligence
At S&P Global Market Intelligence, we understand the importance of accurate, deep and insightful information. We integrate financial and industry data, research and news into tools that help track performance, generate alpha, identify investment ideas, perform valuations and assess credit risk. Investment professionals, government agencies, corporations and universities around the world use this essential intelligence to make business and financial decisions with conviction.

S&P Global Market Intelligence is a division of S&P Global (NYSE: SPGI), the world’s foremost provider of credit ratings, benchmarks and analytics in the global capital and commodity markets, offering ESG solutions, deep data and insights on critical business factors. S&P Global has been providing essential intelligence that unlocks opportunity, fosters growth and accelerates progress for more than 160 years. For more information, visit www.spglobal.com/marketintelligence.

Media Contact
Amanda Oey
S&P Global Market Intelligence
+1 212-438-1904
amanda.oey@spglobal.com 

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SOURCE S&P Global Market Intelligence

SunPower and EagleView Automate Home Survey Process for Faster, More Precise Solar Installations

SAN JOSE, Calif., Feb. 1, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — SunPower (NASDAQ:SPWR), a leading solar technology and energy services provider, and EagleView, a leading technology provider of aerial analytics, today announced a new agreement to reduce solar installation timelines and costs. SunPower has combined EagleView’s high-resolution Roof Reports with the new mySunPower™ Home Survey app, enabling our solar installers and contractors to create precise, construction-ready solar designs without a home visit….

SAN JOSE, Calif., Feb. 1, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — SunPower (NASDAQ:SPWR), a leading solar technology and energy services provider, and EagleView, a leading technology provider of aerial analytics, today announced a new agreement to reduce solar installation timelines and costs. SunPower has combined EagleView’s high-resolution Roof Reports with the new mySunPower™ Home Survey app, enabling our solar installers and contractors to create precise, construction-ready solar designs without a home visit. The feature set is now available to the company’s nationwide network of more than 600 SunPower residential dealers.  

Every new solar installation requires a custom design tailored to the home’s unique roof and electrical system. This is traditionally done with an in-person survey, which requires professionals to assess the house and take roof measurements, either via drone or manually. With constraints including customer schedules, weather, drone training and certification, in-person surveys are cumbersome for homeowners, costly for installers, and extend solar installation cycle timelines.

The mySunPower Home Survey app with EagleView Roof Reports provides installers all the information they need to create final solar designs without site visits. The app is designed to replace ladder-climbing and drone photography with industry-first machine learning technology. Straight from the app, homeowners take photos of their home’s structural and electrical components from ground level. SunPower’s patent-pending artificial intelligence software automatically evaluates images and provides real-time feedback to homeowners on photo completeness and clarity. EagleView Roof Reports include aerial imagery and proprietary 3D models that clarify roof characteristics with unprecedented accuracy.  

By removing the in-person site survey, SunPower can reduce project cycle times by up to two weeks and eliminate costs associated with sending a site surveyor to the home.

«By pairing our proprietary software with EagleView’s innovative technology, we can reduce solar soft costs and create a better customer experience,» said Norm Taffe, Executive Vice President, SunPower. «EagleView was an obvious choice given their up-to-date aerial imagery from their aircraft fleet, high-resolution 3D models, and short turnaround time for roof reports.»

For more than 20 years, EagleView has been capturing high-resolution oblique and orthogonal aerial imagery with proprietary camera systems installed on their own low-flying aircraft. With patented and proven computer vision technologies, EagleView digitizes structures to generate highly accurate three-dimensional models of homes delivered as their Inform™ for Solar product line. These 3D models have been delivered as a variety of data sets for various industries for over a decade.

«We are excited to see this level of innovation by SunPower empowered by our data,» said Piers Dormeyer, President, Construction & Utilities at EagleView. «We look forward to helping homeowners across the United States go solar.»

For more information about becoming a SunPower dealer, visit: https://us.sunpower.com/dealers-installers/become-sunpower-dealer

About EagleView
EagleView is a leader in aerial imagery, machine learning-derived data analytics and software, helping customers in different industries use property insights for smarter planning, building, and living. With more than 200 patents, EagleView pioneered the field of aerial property measurements and has the largest multi-modal image database in history, covering 98 percent of the U.S. population. Flying over 9.5 million linear miles every year, EagleView’s coverage is the most extensive and up to date, enabling local government and business customers to use the most accurate data to make timely and informed decisions. For more information, visit www.eagleview.com or call (866) 659-8439, and follow @EagleViewTech.

About SunPower
Headquartered in California’s Silicon Valley, SunPower (NASDAQ:SPWR) is a leading Distributed Generation Storage and Energy Services provider in North America. SunPower offers the only solar + storage solution designed and warranted by one company that gives customers control over electricity consumption and resiliency during power outages while providing cost savings to homeowners, businesses, governments, schools and utilities. For more information, visit www.sunpower.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains «forward-looking statements» within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, but not limited to, statements regarding new technology and the anticipated benefits thereof, including impacts on cost and installation precision and timing. These forward-looking statements are based on our current assumptions, expectations, and beliefs and involve substantial risks and uncertainties that may cause results to materially differ from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, potential technical issues, regulatory changes and the availability of economic incentives promoting use of solar energy, and fluctuations or declines in the performance of our solar panels and other products and solutions. A detailed discussion of these factors and other risks that affect our business is included in filings we make with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) from time to time, including our most recent reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q, particularly under the heading «Risk Factors.» Copies of these filings are available online from the SEC or on the SEC Filings section of our Investor Relations website at investors.sunpowercorp.com. All forward-looking statements in this press release are based on information currently available to us, and we assume no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in light of new information or future events.

©2021 SunPower Corporation.  All Rights Reserved.  SUNPOWER, the SUNPOWER logo and MYSUNPOWER are trademarks or registered trademarks of SunPower Corporation in the U.S.

 

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SOURCE SunPower Corp.

UK Government Renews Global Healthcare Contract With Healix International

LONDON, Feb. 1, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Global travel risk management and international medical and security assistance provider, Healix International, has won an Open Procurement Procedure to be appointed by the UK Government to look after the global healthcare of its 25,000 travelling and overseas workers until 2025. The contract, under the One HMG banner, is the third successive renewal with Healix International and means it is now entering its tenth year of 24/7 365 day care for…

LONDON, Feb. 1, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Global travel risk management and international medical and security assistance provider, Healix International, has won an Open Procurement Procedure to be appointed by the UK Government to look after the global healthcare of its 25,000 travelling and overseas workers until 2025. The contract, under the One HMG banner, is the third successive renewal with Healix International and means it is now entering its tenth year of 24/7 365 day care for government staff and their families overseas. Working for 19 different departments including the Ministry of Defence (MOD), Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), the 5 year contract also includes an option to extend for a further two years, until 2027.

Central to the renewal of the Healix International contract was the commitment to ensure that government staff and their families receive a level of care equivalent to the NHS, even though healthcare in many of the countries in which they work operates at lower standards. The comprehensive health screening of UK government staff and their families before they go abroad was another crucial facet of the contract, ensuring that medical risks are anticipated and mitigated against wherever possible. The low level of medical repatriations carried out over the last contract period is testament to the effectiveness of the Healix screening process, combined with the high quality local medical support where it is needed.

As part of the five year contract Healix also delivers occupational health support for staff from FCDO and FCDO Services, two key government departments, as well as mental health support for all government employees abroad. Greater focus has been placed on digitisation of processes, including the creation of a brand new One HMG global healthcare hub, enabling government staff and families to access all the medical resources they need from one centre of excellence.

«UK government staff and families live and work in over 190 different countries, with varying degrees of local medical care», explained Russell Smith, Director of Government Services, Healix International. «It’s vital, therefore, that they know they and their families can access the healthcare support they need – to the same standards they would expect if they were in the UK.  We like overseas staff and their families to think of us as their overseas GP, where they can access all levels of primary and secondary medical healthcare just when they need it.»

The far-reaching package of care will incorporate:

  • Medical screening and risk mitigation for all travellers, overseas staff and their families
  • Elective and non-elective primary and secondary healthcare globally
  • Medical advice and second opinion
  • Emergency medical evacuation and repatriation
  • On-going medical case management
  • Ability to provide medical staff at overseas locations if required
  • Occupational Health for FCDO and FCDO Services employees abroad and in the UK including psychological assessments and remote support in the more difficult environments.

Mike Webb, CEO of Healix International added: «Now in our tenth year of working for the British government, I believe that the success of our longstanding relationship is down to keeping one step ahead of the changing requirements needed to keep the government’s overseas staff and their families, and their travelling workers, supported across all aspects of their healthcare. In particular, as awareness of mental health issues increasingly comes to the forefront of society, we’re delighted to be extending the range of services we provide to government workers to include mental wellbeing support.

«This latest renewal of our contract will also see us capitalise on digital innovation to provide government staff and their families with an ever-more streamlined process to access information and medical assistance when they need it. Combined with our cost containment expertise, this means we can give government departments the confidence that the right care is provided to their employees whilst effectively managing their healthcare budgets.»

About Healix International

Healix International is a global provider of travel risk management and international medical, security and travel assistance services. Working on behalf of multinationals, governments, NGOs and insurers they look after the welfare of expatriates, travellers, offshore workers and local nationals in every country of the world. Healix provide a comprehensive, integrated range of solutions to help safeguard the health and security of their clients’ employees, providing a single point of contact to access the expertise and help they may need, wherever they are in the world, 24/7.

www.healix.com

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SOURCE Healix International

Lexus Unveils New Digital Retail Experience

PLANO, Texas, Feb. 1, 2021 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Lexus has officially unveiled the Monogram retail experience, providing guests flexibility in how they buy their next Lexus. Working hand-in-hand with dealerships across the United States to integrate the online and in-store retail experience, Lexus is piloting a retail program providing guests more control over how they purchase their vehicle, increased transparency into current inventory and real-time…

PLANO, Texas, Feb. 1, 2021 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Lexus has officially unveiled the Monogram retail experience, providing guests flexibility in how they buy their next Lexus. Working hand-in-hand with dealerships across the United States to integrate the online and in-store retail experience, Lexus is piloting a retail program providing guests more control over how they purchase their vehicle, increased transparency into current inventory and real-time pricing, and flexibility to shop when and how they want.

Developed in partnership with Toyota Motor North America (TMNA) and Lexus Financial Services (LFS) in response to shifting consumer purchase preferences, Monogram offers a flexible shopping experience befitting the Lexus brand.

Lexus’ Monogram technology puts the car buying process in the hands of the guest, providing an integrated user experience across Lexus.com, the dealership website and the physical dealership store. Customers can choose the path that works best for them by starting their journey online, saving their progress in the «digital garage» to pick up where they left off at the dealer, or completing their purchase at home or at their Monogram dealer.

For Lexus dealerships, the new technology integrates with current inventory, the customer relationship management system (CRM) and directly with financing through LFS, allowing sales associates the opportunity to better understand customers wants and needs, while accessing time-saving tools, enhanced analytics and advanced lead handling that allows the dealer to pick up right where the guest left off online.

«Our goal is to create greater transparency with our guests and efficiency for our dealers – whether that’s in the showroom or online,» said Andrew Gilleland, group vice president and general manager, Lexus Division. «From increased flexibility for guests to enhanced technology for our dealers, Monogram provides our brand the tools to anticipate guest expectations today and into the future.» 

Monogram is currently being piloted in select markets with plans to aggressively accelerate availability through 2021.  An  all-new Monogram complete online experience, which expands to allow customers the ability to complete their purchase online, will roll out market by market starting in Spring 2021.

The new online retail experience is also available to Toyota customers through Toyota SmartPath. You can learn more about SmartPath, here.

Lexus’ passion for brave design, imaginative technology, and exhilarating performance enables the luxury lifestyle brand to create amazing experiences for its guests. Lexus began its journey in 1989 with two luxury sedans and a commitment to pursue perfection. Since then, Lexus has developed its lineup to meet the needs of global luxury guests in more than 90 countries. In the United States, Lexus vehicles are sold through 242 dealers offering a full lineup of luxury vehicles. With six models incorporating Lexus Hybrid Drive, Lexus is the luxury hybrid leader. Lexus also offers eight F SPORT models and two F performance models. Lexus is committed to being a visionary brand that anticipates the future for luxury guests.

www.facebook.com/lexus
www.twitter.com/lexus
www.youtube.com/LexusVehicles
https://plus.google.com/+Lexus/posts
www.instagram.com/lexususa

Note to Editors: Lexus product information and images are available online via our news media web site http://LexusNewsroom.com

MEDIA CONTACT:                                                                                                 
Amanda Roark
469-292-2636
Amanda.Roark@lexus.com

Lexus Logo

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1430110/Monogram_Image.jpg
Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1428802/Lexus_Logo.jpg  

SOURCE Lexus

Lexus Unveils New Digital Retail Experience

PLANO, Texas, Feb. 1, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Lexus has officially unveiled the Monogram retail experience, providing guests flexibility in how they buy their next Lexus. Working hand-in-hand with dealerships across the United States to integrate the online and in-store retail experience, Lexus is piloting a retail program providing guests more control over how they purchase their vehicle, increased transparency into current inventory and real-time pricing, and…

PLANO, Texas, Feb. 1, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Lexus has officially unveiled the Monogram retail experience, providing guests flexibility in how they buy their next Lexus. Working hand-in-hand with dealerships across the United States to integrate the online and in-store retail experience, Lexus is piloting a retail program providing guests more control over how they purchase their vehicle, increased transparency into current inventory and real-time pricing, and flexibility to shop when and how they want.

Developed in partnership with Toyota Motor North America (TMNA) and Lexus Financial Services (LFS) in response to shifting consumer purchase preferences, Monogram offers a flexible shopping experience befitting the Lexus brand.

Lexus’ Monogram technology puts the car buying process in the hands of the guest, providing an integrated user experience across Lexus.com, the dealership website and the physical dealership store. Customers can choose the path that works best for them by starting their journey online, saving their progress in the «digital garage» to pick up where they left off at the dealer, or completing their purchase at home or at their Monogram dealer.

For Lexus dealerships, the new technology integrates with current inventory, the customer relationship management system (CRM) and directly with financing through LFS, allowing sales associates the opportunity to better understand customers wants and needs, while accessing time-saving tools, enhanced analytics and advanced lead handling that allows the dealer to pick up right where the guest left off online.

«Our goal is to create greater transparency with our guests and efficiency for our dealers – whether that’s in the showroom or online,» said Andrew Gilleland, group vice president and general manager, Lexus Division. «From increased flexibility for guests to enhanced technology for our dealers, Monogram provides our brand the tools to anticipate guest expectations today and into the future.» 

Monogram is currently being piloted in select markets with plans to aggressively accelerate availability through 2021.  An  all-new Monogram complete online experience, which expands to allow customers the ability to complete their purchase online, will roll out market by market starting in Spring 2021.

The new online retail experience is also available to Toyota customers through Toyota SmartPath. You can learn more about SmartPath, here.

Lexus’ passion for brave design, imaginative technology, and exhilarating performance enables the luxury lifestyle brand to create amazing experiences for its guests. Lexus began its journey in 1989 with two luxury sedans and a commitment to pursue perfection. Since then, Lexus has developed its lineup to meet the needs of global luxury guests in more than 90 countries. In the United States, Lexus vehicles are sold through 242 dealers offering a full lineup of luxury vehicles. With six models incorporating Lexus Hybrid Drive, Lexus is the luxury hybrid leader. Lexus also offers eight F SPORT models and two F performance models. Lexus is committed to being a visionary brand that anticipates the future for luxury guests.

www.facebook.com/lexus
www.twitter.com/lexus
www.youtube.com/LexusVehicles
https://plus.google.com/+Lexus/posts
www.instagram.com/lexususa

Note to Editors: Lexus product information and images are available online via our news media web site http://LexusNewsroom.com

MEDIA CONTACT:                                                                                                 
Amanda Roark
469-292-2636
Amanda.Roark@lexus.com

 

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SOURCE Lexus

The Home Depot and Allstate Launch New Best-in-Class Extended Protection Plan

ATLANTA, Feb. 1, 2021 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The Home Depot® announced today that it has partnered with Allstate to create a new industry-leading extended protection plan to provide customers expanded benefits and faster repair service. The new program covers major appliances, outdoor power equipment, grills, power tools, home electronics, and other products bought in store or online.

<div id="prni_dvprnejpg04a6left" style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: left"…

ATLANTA, Feb. 1, 2021 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The Home Depot® announced today that it has partnered with Allstate to create a new industry-leading extended protection plan to provide customers expanded benefits and faster repair service. The new program covers major appliances, outdoor power equipment, grills, power tools, home electronics, and other products bought in store or online.

The Home Depot logo.

Products covered by The Home Depot Protection Plan by Allstate will have best-in-class benefits including:

  • Speed of service guarantee – customers are guaranteed a service appointment within three days or less, nationwide
  • Shorter appointment windows – customers choose from two-to-four hour service appointment windows, half the time offered by other plans
  • Advanced troubleshooting – Allstate customer service is able to fix up to 25 percent of problems over the phone. If the problem isn’t fixed, the agent will identify the parts needed for a repair, schedule a technician and overnight the necessary parts
  • Trusted professionals – all repairs are completed on by an Allstate-certified technician, with many being completed on the first visit
  • Industry-leading «No Lemon» policy – appliances or products will be replaced or refunded if three service repairs are needed for the same issue

«We want customers to be confident in their Home Depot purchase and know that if something goes wrong, we’ll make it right,» said Scott Anderson, vice president of financial services and payments at The Home Depot. «Our customers don’t have time to wait for lengthy repairs or resolutions, and we’re proud to work with Allstate to offer best-in-class protection plans and service that put our customers first.» 

Customers can learn more at www.hdprotectionplan.com or by calling (833) 763-0688. 

About The Home Depot 
The Home Depot is the world’s largest home improvement specialty retailer, with 2,296 retail stores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, 10 Canadian provinces and Mexico. In fiscal 2019, The Home Depot had sales of $110.2 billion and earnings of $11.2 billion. The company employs more than 400,000 associates. The Home Depot’s stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: HD) and is included in the Dow Jones industrial average and Standard & Poor’s 500 index. 

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/118058/the_home_depot_logo.jpg

SOURCE The Home Depot

Toyota Reimagines the New Car Buying Experience with Complete Online Retail Solution

PLANO, Texas, Feb. 1, 2021 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Toyota Motor North America (TMNA) has officially unveiled the next iteration of the SmartPath retail experience, allowing customers flexibility in how they buy their next Toyota. Working hand-in-hand with dealerships across the United States to integrate online and in-store retail, TMNA assumed the responsibility of the research and development of one, comprehensive retail program to offer customers the…

PLANO, Texas, Feb. 1, 2021 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Toyota Motor North America (TMNA) has officially unveiled the next iteration of the SmartPath retail experience, allowing customers flexibility in how they buy their next Toyota. Working hand-in-hand with dealerships across the United States to integrate online and in-store retail, TMNA assumed the responsibility of the research and development of one, comprehensive retail program to offer customers the opportunity to lease, finance or purchase their new vehicle without the need to physically visit the dealership.

Developed in partnership with Toyota Financial Services (TFS) in response to shifting consumer purchase preferences, Toyota began piloting SmartPath in 2019 to expand the retail footprint, offering a flexible shopping experience that is convenient, interactive, connected, transparent, and customized. The COVID-19 virus accelerated consumer demand for digital transactions, with a recent digital shopping survey showing two out of three shoppers are more likely to purchase a vehicle 100% online1.

Toyota’s SmartPath technology puts the car buying process in the hands of the customer, providing an integrated user experience across Toyota.com, buyatoyota.com, the dealership website and the physical dealership store. Customers can choose the path that works best for them by starting their journey online, saving their progress in the «digital garage» and picking up where they left off at the dealer, or completing their purchase with their SmartPath dealer entirely online.

By utilizing SmartPath, customers have more control over how they purchase their vehicle, increased transparency into current inventory and real-time pricing, and flexibility to shop when and how they want.

For Toyota dealerships, the new technology integrates with current inventory, the customer relationship management system (CRM) and directly with financing through TFS, allowing sales associates the opportunity to better understand customers wants and needs, while accessing time-saving tools, enhanced analytics and advanced lead handling that allows the dealer to pick up right where the customer left off online.

«Our goal is to ensure we create the best experience for our customers and our dealers,» said Jack Hollis, senior vice president, Automotive Operations, TMNA. «As our customers’ expectations evolve, SmartPath provides our dealers the technology to exceed those expectations. Our shared mission is to make the experience of shopping, buying, and owning a Toyota as easy and carefree as driving one.»

SmartPath customers have the option to finalize their purchase by physically visiting the dealerships, or through a digital appointment with the dealer.

SmartPath is currently available to customers in select markets through more than 50 dealerships, with an additional 50 dealerships launching this spring, and plans to aggressively bring more SmartPath dealerships to market through 2021. The all-new SmartPath complete online experience, which expands to allow customers the ability to complete their purchase online, will roll out market by market starting in mid-February 2021.

The new online retail experience will also be available to Lexus customers through Lexus Monogram. You can learn more about Monogram, here.

About Toyota:

Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in the U.S. for more than 60 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our nearly 1,500 dealerships.

Toyota has created a tremendous value chain and directly employs more than 36,000 in the U.S. The company has contributed world-class design, engineering, and assembly of more than 30 million cars and trucks at our 9 manufacturing plants, 10 including our joint venture in Alabama that begins production in 2021.

To help inspire the next generation for a career in STEM-based fields, including mobility, Toyota launched its virtual education hub at www.TourToyota.com with an immersive experience and chance to visit many of our U.S. manufacturing facilities. The hub also includes a series of free STEM-based lessons and curriculum through Toyota USA Foundation partners, virtual field trips and more. For more information about Toyota, visit www.toyotanewsroom.com.

Media Contact: 
Carley Hummel
469-292-8754
carley.hummel@toyota.com

1 Source: 2020 Cox Automotive COVID-19 Digital Shopping Study, April 4-5, 2020

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1430105/This_is_SmartPath.jpg
Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/785813/TOYOTA_MEDIA_RELATIONS_LOGO.jpg  

SOURCE Toyota Motor North America

The Home Depot and Allstate Launch New Best-in-Class Extended Protection Plan

ATLANTA, Feb. 1, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — The Home Depot® announced today that it has partnered with Allstate to create a new industry-leading extended protection plan to provide customers expanded benefits and faster repair service. The new program covers major appliances, outdoor power equipment, grills, power tools, home electronics, and other products bought in store or online.

…

ATLANTA, Feb. 1, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — The Home Depot® announced today that it has partnered with Allstate to create a new industry-leading extended protection plan to provide customers expanded benefits and faster repair service. The new program covers major appliances, outdoor power equipment, grills, power tools, home electronics, and other products bought in store or online.

We want customers to be confident in their Home Depot purchase and know if something goes wrong, we’ll make it right.

Products covered by The Home Depot Protection Plan by Allstate will have best-in-class benefits including:

  • Speed of service guarantee – customers are guaranteed a service appointment within three days or less, nationwide
  • Shorter appointment windows – customers choose from two-to-four hour service appointment windows, half the time offered by other plans
  • Advanced troubleshooting – Allstate customer service is able to fix up to 25 percent of problems over the phone. If the problem isn’t fixed, the agent will identify the parts needed for a repair, schedule a technician and overnight the necessary parts
  • Trusted professionals – all repairs are completed on by an Allstate-certified technician, with many being completed on the first visit
  • Industry-leading «No Lemon» policy – appliances or products will be replaced or refunded if three service repairs are needed for the same issue

«We want customers to be confident in their Home Depot purchase and know that if something goes wrong, we’ll make it right,» said Scott Anderson, vice president of financial services and payments at The Home Depot. «Our customers don’t have time to wait for lengthy repairs or resolutions, and we’re proud to work with Allstate to offer best-in-class protection plans and service that put our customers first.» 

Customers can learn more at www.hdprotectionplan.com or by calling (833) 763-0688. 

About The Home Depot 
The Home Depot is the world’s largest home improvement specialty retailer, with 2,296 retail stores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, 10 Canadian provinces and Mexico. In fiscal 2019, The Home Depot had sales of $110.2 billion and earnings of $11.2 billion. The company employs more than 400,000 associates. The Home Depot’s stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: HD) and is included in the Dow Jones industrial average and Standard & Poor’s 500 index. 

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SOURCE The Home Depot

Toyota Reimagines the New Car Buying Experience with Complete Online Retail Solution

PLANO, Texas, Feb. 1, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Toyota Motor North America (TMNA) has officially unveiled the next iteration of the SmartPath retail experience, allowing customers flexibility in how they buy their next Toyota. Working hand-in-hand with dealerships across the United States to integrate online and in-store retail, TMNA assumed the responsibility of the research and development of one, comprehensive retail program to offer customers the opportunity to lease,…

PLANO, Texas, Feb. 1, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Toyota Motor North America (TMNA) has officially unveiled the next iteration of the SmartPath retail experience, allowing customers flexibility in how they buy their next Toyota. Working hand-in-hand with dealerships across the United States to integrate online and in-store retail, TMNA assumed the responsibility of the research and development of one, comprehensive retail program to offer customers the opportunity to lease, finance or purchase their new vehicle without the need to physically visit the dealership.

Developed in partnership with Toyota Financial Services (TFS) in response to shifting consumer purchase preferences, Toyota began piloting SmartPath in 2019 to expand the retail footprint, offering a flexible shopping experience that is convenient, interactive, connected, transparent, and customized. The COVID-19 virus accelerated consumer demand for digital transactions, with a recent digital shopping survey showing two out of three shoppers are more likely to purchase a vehicle 100% online1.

Toyota’s SmartPath technology puts the car buying process in the hands of the customer, providing an integrated user experience across Toyota.com, buyatoyota.com, the dealership website and the physical dealership store. Customers can choose the path that works best for them by starting their journey online, saving their progress in the «digital garage» and picking up where they left off at the dealer, or completing their purchase with their SmartPath dealer entirely online.

By utilizing SmartPath, customers have more control over how they purchase their vehicle, increased transparency into current inventory and real-time pricing, and flexibility to shop when and how they want.

For Toyota dealerships, the new technology integrates with current inventory, the customer relationship management system (CRM) and directly with financing through TFS, allowing sales associates the opportunity to better understand customers wants and needs, while accessing time-saving tools, enhanced analytics and advanced lead handling that allows the dealer to pick up right where the customer left off online.

«Our goal is to ensure we create the best experience for our customers and our dealers,» said Jack Hollis, senior vice president, Automotive Operations, TMNA. «As our customers’ expectations evolve, SmartPath provides our dealers the technology to exceed those expectations. Our shared mission is to make the experience of shopping, buying, and owning a Toyota as easy and carefree as driving one.»

SmartPath customers have the option to finalize their purchase by physically visiting the dealerships, or through a digital appointment with the dealer.

SmartPath is currently available to customers in select markets through more than 50 dealerships, with an additional 50 dealerships launching this spring, and plans to aggressively bring more SmartPath dealerships to market through 2021. The all-new SmartPath complete online experience, which expands to allow customers the ability to complete their purchase online, will roll out market by market starting in mid-February 2021.

The new online retail experience will also be available to Lexus customers through Lexus Monogram. You can learn more about Monogram, here.

About Toyota:

Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in the U.S. for more than 60 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our nearly 1,500 dealerships.

Toyota has created a tremendous value chain and directly employs more than 36,000 in the U.S. The company has contributed world-class design, engineering, and assembly of more than 30 million cars and trucks at our 9 manufacturing plants, 10 including our joint venture in Alabama that begins production in 2021.

To help inspire the next generation for a career in STEM-based fields, including mobility, Toyota launched its virtual education hub at www.TourToyota.com with an immersive experience and chance to visit many of our U.S. manufacturing facilities. The hub also includes a series of free STEM-based lessons and curriculum through Toyota USA Foundation partners, virtual field trips and more. For more information about Toyota, visit www.toyotanewsroom.com.

Media Contact: 
Carley Hummel
469-292-8754
carley.hummel@toyota.com

1 Source: 2020 Cox Automotive COVID-19 Digital Shopping Study, April 4-5, 2020

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SOURCE Toyota Motor North America

Fourth Wave Energy Announces Plans to Spin-Off of Smart Home Technology Subsidiary, GeoSolar Technologies

SAN JOSE, Calif., Feb. 1, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Fourth Wave Energy, Inc. (OTCQB: FWAV) («Fourth Wave» or the «Company»), a Silicon Valley based climate change solutions company, announced that its board of directors has approved and is preparing to implement the spin-off of its smart home technology subsidiary, GeoSolar Technologies («GST»). Once complete, the transaction will form two separate…

SAN JOSE, Calif., Feb. 1, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Fourth Wave Energy, Inc. (OTCQB: FWAV) («Fourth Wave» or the «Company»), a Silicon Valley based climate change solutions company, announced that its board of directors has approved and is preparing to implement the spin-off of its smart home technology subsidiary, GeoSolar Technologies («GST»). Once complete, the transaction will form two separate and independent publicly traded companies.

As part of the spin-off agreement with Fourth Wave, GST will receive all commercial rights to the GeoSolar Plus technology and patents in exchange for the issuance of approximately four shares of GST common stock for each outstanding common share of Fourth Wave.

The shares of GST common stock will be issue do current Fourth Wave shareholders, subject to a successful transaction close and other considerations. Fourth Wave shareholders will continue to retain their shares in the Company. 

The GeoSolar Plus («GSP») system is designed to significantly reduce energy consumption and associated greenhouse gas emissions in residences and commercial buildings, while improving indoor air quality by improving the building envelope, reducing energy loads, and generating on-site renewable solar energy. The GSP system is comprised of a number of system components including solar/PV and geothermal and produces more clean energy than it produces with no carbon.

GST plans to move its headquarters to Arvada, Colorado there it will concentrate on the development of a national sales program to market the GeoSolar Plus system for new and existing homes.

GST has also assembled a robust management team with both solar and geothermal and capital markets experience. Veteran public company executive and former Chairman and CEO of Piper Aircraft Company, Stone Douglass, has been appointed CEO of GST. He will be joined by Kevin Garvin, a former regional Marketing Director for Tesla/SolarCity (TSLA) for ten years, who will be Director of Business Development 

Residential and commercial buildings create approximately 30% of all greenhouse gas emissions and have become a major target of climate activists on the path to a low or zero carbon future. Only 3% of the 80 million homes in the U.S. have been converted to solar powered clean energy,

«Now is the ideal time for this strategic spinoff, allowing both companies to participate in the dynamic growth in the coming Green Revolution.» Stated Joseph Isaacs, CEO of Fourth Wave. «We believe the GeoSolar Plus technology will make GST a very exciting public company and give Fourth Wave shareholders an opportunity to retain an important equity position in a second fast growing company.»

The spin-off of GST is subject to the effectiveness of a registration statement that GST will file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The date for determining which shareholders of FWAV will receive shares of GST in the spin-off will be determined shortly before the effective date of GST’s registration statement. This Press Release is not an offer of any securities of GST and GST is not soliciting offers to acquire any securities of GST. 

Fourth Wave Preparing to Acquire Solar Tile Company

In addition to the GeoSolar Technologies spin-off, Fourth Wave has entered into a Letter of Intent to acquire DeSol Power Tiles, a solar roof system provider that manufactures and installs a patented solar roofing system of tiles in lieu of traditional solar panels. Additional details can be found in the Company’s announcement press release issued in October. Fourth Wave is projecting the transaction will close in the first quarter of this year. It is expected that GST will become an important customer for the DeSol tiles in its retrofit projects.

About Fourth Wave Energy Inc.

Fourth Wave Energy is a Silicon Valley based climate change solution company that plans to acquire and develop companies that have innovative products and solutions to the carbon problem. The Fourth Wave management team is focused on developing scalable solutions to the decarbonization of buildings.

Company Contact:
Fourth Wave Energy
Phone: 408-213-8874
www.fourthwaveenergy.com
Email: info@fourthwaveenergy.com

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SOURCE Fourth Wave Energy, Inc.