Assembling Bikes, Building Community Each spring, something remarkable happens behind the showroom doors at Toyota South. Workbenches are rolled out, wrenches are handed off like batons, and an assembly line starts clicking into motion. The mission is to build a bike for every car sold in May. The recipients are local foster children who might never forget the day they received their very own bike, and the people who built it just for them. As we look ahead to the 2025 Bud Gates Bike Drive, excitement is already building. A Tradition Rooted in Heart The Bud Gates Bike Drive began as a tribute to the late Bud Gates, founder of Toyota South and a man deeply committed to serving his community. His son, Steve Gates, now carries that legacy forward, transforming what began as a thoughtful gesture into a full-scale annual event with a huge impact. What started with fewer than 100 bikes has now become a signature tradition. Over the last decade, more than 1,000 new bikes and helmets have been assembled and delivered to foster children throughout the Richmond and Lexington area. These are not secondhand donations. Each bike is brand new, carefully constructed, test-ridden, and fitted with a matching helmet before it's handed off to a waiting child. Precision, Toyota Style The drive’s most notable feature is its assembly process. We’re talking about one that mirrors the sophistication of Toyota's own manufacturing lines. Volunteers from the Georgetown Toyota Plant, including members of the Toyota Christian Fellowship, transform our dealership into a bustling bike-building operation. Parts are laid out. Roles are assigned. With efficiency that would make any engineer proud, the bikes come together one by one. Roughly 20 plant employees make up the core of the build team, but they’re far from alone. Our entire sales team jumps in to help, organizing helmets, greeting families, making final adjustments, and handing each bike to a child. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4HpASLiU2A One Day, Hundreds of Smiles The real magic happens in June, when foster families arrive to pick up their bikes. It all happens in one day, build to hand off. The energy is hard to describe. There are no press events, no flashy announcements. Just kids picking out their favorite color, parents and guardians smiling with gratitude, and volunteers quietly beaming behind the scenes. Looking Ahead to 2026 As we prepare for the 11th Bud Gates Bike Drive, we do so with gratitude for the children who trust us to show up, for the foster families who do so much with so little, and for the volunteers who make this event possible year after year. There’s no need for a flashy call-to-action or big campaign. The Bud Gates Bike Drive has always been about people, not promotion. If you're a customer, a neighbor, a foster parent, or a Toyota team member, you’re already part of this story. If you’ve been with us on this journey, thank you. We’ll be back in May. The bikes will be ready, and the joy will be just as real as ever.

A Legacy of Excellence Recognized Year After Year For more than three decades, Toyota South has received one of Toyota’s highest honors: the President’s Award. Earning this distinction once is a mark of excellence. Winning it over 30 times is something very few dealerships nationwide can claim. This award recognizes a dealership that consistently exceeds expectations. For Toyota South, this is much more than a plaque on the wall or another certificate. It’s a reflection of the way we choose to do business: centered on people, driven by service, and committed to improving every day. Year after year, the team at Toyota South continues to build a dealership experience rooted in trust, transparency, and a genuine dedication to our customers. From sales and service to parts and community involvement, we work to make sure every guest receives attentive care at every opportunity. That long-term consistency is what keeps us among the most respected Toyota dealers in the region. A History of Excellence Toyota South’s history with the President’s Award goes far beyond a few milestones. The dealership has earned this honor almost every year from 1990 through 2024, totaling 32 awards in 35 years! That kind of streak is almost unheard of, and it shows how consistently the team delivers the level of care Toyota looks for when selecting its top-performing stores. This newest President’s Award win marks yet another chapter in a long history of exceptional performance and reinforces what our customers have known for decades: Toyota South sets the bar high and keeps raising it. Frequently Asked Questions What Is the President’s Award for Toyota? The Toyota President’s Award is one of the top honors that Toyota Motor Sales gives to its dealers. It recognizes stores that excel in customer satisfaction, business operations, sales, and service. Only dealerships that deliver an outstanding experience across every part of our business earn this recognition. What Is the President’s Award for Car Dealerships? For car dealerships, the President’s Award serves as a benchmark for exceptional performance. It reflects a dealership’s ability to consistently provide outstanding service to customers while maintaining high standards in sales, operations, community involvement, and long-term customer care. It’s a sign that a dealership is performing at the highest level. What Does the President’s Award Mean? Winning this award means that a dealership has reached Toyota’s highest expectations for quality and customer satisfaction. It represents dedication from every department: sales, service, financing, and management. It also shows that customers can expect a trustworthy and dependable experience every time they visit. What Is the Most Awarded Toyota Dealership in Kentucky? While Toyota does not publish an official statewide ranking, Toyota South has earned the President’s Award more than 30 times. That’s an achievement that is virtually unheard of. Very few dealerships in the country can match this level of long-term recognition, which speaks to Toyota South’s consistency and commitment to its customers. How Many Times Has Toyota South Won the Toyota President’s Award? Toyota South has received this honor over 30 times. That remarkable streak places them in an elite category nationwide and reflects decades of dedicated service, strong leadership, and an unwavering focus on customer satisfaction. Looking Ahead Together Toyota South’s long run of President’s Awards reflects years of showing up for customers and doing things the right way. Earning this honor 32 times is rare, and it speaks to how much the team cares about the people who walk through our doors. As we move forward, our focus stays on creating experiences that feel genuine, helpful, and consistent. Whether you're visiting for the first time or returning after many years, Toyota South is proud to be part of your car-buying and owning experience.