Hurricane Ian was a whopper of a storm when it struck the west coast of Florida in September 2022. A strong category 4 hurricane when it made landfall, it caused an estimated $113 billion in damage, among which included a certain 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid that had covered over 1 million miles during its lifetime. The plucky SUV was purchased new by Mark Miller in 2006, and though it's now gone, it isn't forgotten.
Toyota saw fit to keep its memory alive by giving Miller a brand new model, and yes, we mean give as in free of charge. Sharing the story in a press release, Toyota explains that the goodwill gesture was done as a thank you for being a loyal customer. Miller, who owns an asphalt paving business, used the old Highlander extensively in his work life for towing trailers and even as a mobile office at times.
