Owner Of Million-Mile Toyota Highlander Destroyed By Hurricane Ian Gifted Brand New One

All of us have owned cars that we've loved. Cars that are so special, so dependable that they become a part of the family. For Florida-based Mark Miller, it was his trusty million-mile 2006Toyota Highlander Hybrid. Sadly, his relationship with his wheeled companion was cut short whenHurricane Iandestroyed his Japanese workhorse. Toyota, moved by Miller's story, rewarded his loyalty with an extraordinary gesture.

It all started when Miller contacted the Toyota Brand Engagement Center. Not prepared to see his four-wheeled friend head to the scrapheap, he contacted the automaker and asked whether it would be interested in purchasing the Highlander for research purposes.

Customer relations representative Daniel Nichols knew Toyota had to do something special for Miller. "I could hear his smile through the phone. He was full of energy and positivity."

Word of Miller's story soon spread like wildfire across the Toyota network and, soon, employees across 15 departments hatched a plan to reward Miller with abrand new Highlander Hybrid Bronze Edition.

Miller was sent to Germain Toyota of Naples, the same dealer he trusted to take care of his old Highlander, under the assumption that he would be sharing his story with staff members. "My wife and I were talking, and she said, 'Oh, you're going to get another cooler.'"

When his Highlander reached 500,000 miles, the same dealership awarded him with a cooler. But that wasn't what awaited Miller when he arrived at Germain Toyota.

"The fact that you [drove] your Toyota for over 16 years, put over one million miles on it, and allowed us to be a part of keeping that vehicle going for you, in my mind, probably makes you the most loyal customer we've ever had," said dealer owner Richard Germain. "We wanted to thank you for that loyalty."