Hurricane Ian struck the west coast of Florida in September 2022, causing an estimated $113 billion in damages, including Mark Miller's 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid, which had covered over a million miles throughout its lifetime. The vehicle was purchased new by Miller in 2006 and used extensively in his work life, from towing trailers to serving as a mobile office at times.
Maintained by Germain Toyota in Naples, it is unclear if the original engine, transmission, or hybrid battery pack were still in place during its million-mile journey. The vehicle was known for its damage on the back, including a cracked rear fascia and dented hatch with "1,000,000 miles" scribed out of the dirt on the gate. It is unclear if the photo showing the damage was taken before or after the hurricane.
To honor Miller's loyalty as a customer, Toyota gave him a new 2023 Highlander Hybrid Bronze Edition free of charge in a surprise ceremony at the dealership in January. Toyota shared the story in a press release, thanking Miller for being a loyal customer. Miller had previously been given a cooler by the dealership when the SUV reached 500,000 miles, and he thought another prize might be coming when he was asked to stop by and share his million-mile Highlander story.
This isn't the first time Toyota has made a vehicle donation following a natural disaster. In 2019, a new Tundra was given to nurse Alynn Pierce after his vehicle was burnt while rescuing people from California wildfires.
Source: Toyota
