Cox Automotive Leader in Sustainability
Recognizes a dealership for outstanding in-dealership sustainable programs and community contributions with a focus on innovation, creativity and engagement with community and/or employees.
Nominees must meet one or more of the following criteria:
- Energy/Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction – Creative opportunities that reduce energy and/or greenhouse gas emissions in buildings through construction, operations, engagement, technology, or new processes
- Waste Reduction – Exemplifies “reduce, reuse, recycle and compost” properties via community involvement
- Water Reduction – Explores creative opportunities to reduce water consumption through operations, engagement, or technology
- Innovative/Creativity – Seeks out and utilizes new technology; develops and advances better processes to produce impactful change
- Collaboration/Engagement – Actively engages stakeholders within and beyond their dealership and/or engages employees in volunteer activities that align with sustainability priorities.
Reward:
- $10,000 to fund sustainability project(s) at the dealership and/or in the dealership’s community.
- Special award presentation at NADA2026 in Las Vegas
Congratulations to our 2026 Leader in Sustainability Honoree, Chuck Hutton Toyota
Chuck Hutton Toyota Receives the 2026 Cox Automotive Leader in Sustainability Award
A Model for Sustainable Dealership Innovation
Chuck Hutton Toyota, part of YK Auto Group, is redefining what sustainability looks like in automotive retail. Through renewable energy, community-centered design, and forward‑thinking leadership, the Memphis dealership has become a standout example of how dealerships can meaningfully contribute to a cleaner, more connected future.
Powering a Dealership with the Sun
One of the dealership’s most defining features is its off‑grid solar infrastructure. A 350‑kilowatt solar farm provides renewable energy to the entire campus — including its EV charging stations — drastically reducing reliance on traditional power sources.
In a creative twist on sustainable land management, the solar array is maintained by Valais Blacknose sheep, whose grazing supports biodiversity and eliminates the need for fossil‑fuel landscaping equipment.
Electri-CITY Park: A Better EV Charging Experience
At the center of the dealership’s sustainability story is Electri‑CITY Park, a first-of-its-kind EV charging destination designed to turn charging time into quality time.
The park includes:
- A climate‑controlled lounge
- Soundproof work pods for remote workers
- A children’s play area
- A dog park
- A golf simulator
- Outdoor features like a walking track and Camry Field, a multipurpose turf field with professional-grade surfacing
Open to the public during dealership hours, Electri‑CITY Park blends renewable power, hospitality, and community recreation — offering a blueprint for future charging destinations.
Leadership that Makes a Difference
The dealership’s transformation is guided by Young Kim, owner/president of YK Auto Group and Chuck Hutton Toyota. With an electrical engineering background and more than 20 years of experience in automotive retail, Kim envisioned Electri‑CITY Park as both a practical solution to EV charging concerns and a lasting community asset. Unveiled on Earth Day 2025, the project embodies that a dealership can be a leader in the shift toward a more sustainable automotive industry.