Where is the new Toyota ad filmed?
*Uncovering the locations, logistics and creative choices behind the latest Toyota commercial*
(By Carmichael Phillip)
When you see a sleek Toyota vehicle gliding through a dramatic landscape in the latest commercial, you might ask: Where was this filmed? Automotive advertisers often choose visually striking places, but with tight budgets, scheduling constraints and brand-story demands. In the case of Toyota’s newest ad campaign, multiple locations were used—but one of the key spots is the historic Courthouse Square in Springfield, Tennessee (Robertson County), where the local city confirmed a production crew filming for Toyota.
In this article, we’ll dig into that location, additional filming places used by Toyota recently, the reasoning behind these choices, and what it means for viewers and advertisers alike.
Primary location: Springfield, Tennessee — Courthouse Square shoot
According to local news, a production crew for Toyota was set up around the Robertson County Courthouse Square in Springfield, Tennessee.
Some specifics:
The crew used the “Main Street Church of Christ parking lot” and also closed parts of Fifth Avenue and Main Street for equipment and road closures.
The square has “long history of being used as a backdrop for movies, commercials, and music-videos.”
Why this location? Some likely factors: A charming historic downtown square gives visual character and relatability. Smaller‐city flexibility around permitting, road closures and collaboration from local authorities may make it more production-friendly than a major urban center. Moreover, the image of a car driving through a picturesque town square gives a sense of everyday life, reliability and heritage—attributes suitably aligned with the Toyota brand.
Thus, while the ad may also include other locations, Springfield, Tennessee is confirmed as a filming site for Toyota’s new commercial.
Additional filming locales: California’s Sierra Nevada & Placer County for Toyota truck campaigns
Beyond the downtown town square in Tennessee, Toyota’s recent campaign work shows that major shoots have taken place in rugged terrain and scenic landscapes. For example:
For the “Outlast Outlive” campaign by Toyota (via agency Saatchi & Saatchi and director Chris Malloy), the shoot location was the Sierra Nevada mountain range in California.
The article says the team scouted places including Patagonia, Iceland and Montana — but settled on the Sierras because of terrain variety, weather and access.
Another location used: Placer County, California (including areas like Palisades Tahoe) where Toyota filmed rugged off-road and mountainous terrain spots.
If the “new Toyota ad” in question is part of this rugged-terrain campaign, then the Sierra Nevada / Placer County region may also be a part of it—especially for vehicles developed with off-road or adventure positioning.
Location diversity in automotive ads: why multiple places matter
Why do brands like Toyota shoot in both small town squares and dramatic mountain terrain? Several reasons stand out:
Brand story-fit: Depending on the message, a commercial may emphasise reliability in everyday settings (town square) or adventure and performance (mountains, off-road).
Visual variety: By mixing locations—from quaint towns to sweeping landscapes—the ad captures multiple moods and appeals to broader audiences.
Logistics & cost: Smaller towns like Springfield may offer more flexible permitting and less traffic disruption. Remote terrain like Sierra Nevada offers cinematic visuals but comes with higher cost and complexity.
Authenticity: For a “real adventure” feel (as in the “Outlast Outlive” campaign) capturing real terrain with real weather adds credence.
Shot-list demands: A single location often cannot provide all the scenes needed—dangerous turns, snow, forest, town streets, etc.—so production splits across places.
Thus, when you watch the ad, the “new Toyota commercial” may span multiple shooting sites even though you might only recognise one.
What the confirmed Tennessee location reveals about the campaign
The fact that the downtown square in Springfield, Tennessee was used suggests a few things about the campaign’s creative strategy:
Toyota may be aiming for versatility: showing the vehicle in everyday relatable settings (town centre) as well as possibly in rugged terrain (based on other spots).
The production values appear high: closing downtown roads, coordinating parking lots, a professional crew — indicating this is likely a national or major region campaign (not just local).
The brand may be emphasizing “heritage” or “community” aspects: a historic courthouse square evokes a sense of place, permanence and trust.
It suggests that the ad isn’t solely about “go off-road,” but tailored to real‐world usage and lifestyle.
For viewers, this means the spot is likely to blend aspirational driving scenes with grounded everyday moments.
How to identify where a commercial was filmed (and why it matters)
If you’re curious about where a given commercial was shot (like the new Toyota ad), you can look out for clues:
Road signage, storefronts or landmarks: In the Tennessee example, the square and city streets gave the location away.
Permitting notices or local press: Local newspapers often report when a major brand shoots in town—as we saw for Springfield.
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Terrain & geography: If you see snow-capped mountains or dry lakebeds, you might look toward places like the Sierras or Nevada deserts.
Production company / agency credits: If an ad is part of a broader campaign (like “Outlast Outlive”), reading the behind-the-scenes can tell you the location.
Brand story / vehicle segment: A commercial for a rugged truck may be filmed in off-road terrain. A family SUV ad may lean toward suburbia or safe city streets.
Understanding location gives insight into the brand message: It’s not just aesthetic, it’s strategic.
Summary answer: Where is the new Toyota ad filmed?
Here’s what we can conclude:
At least part of the new Toyota commercial was filmed in Springfield, Tennessee, around the Robertson County Courthouse Square.
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Additionally, based on Toyota’s recent commercial location patterns (and terrain shots visible in the ad-campaign story), other filming likely occurred in California’s Sierra Nevada / Placer County region.
Therefore: the ad is a multi-location shoot and not restricted to one site. The headline location (town square) is Tennessee, but scenic outdoor shots may come from other states.
Why this matters for viewers and brands
For viewers:
Knowing the location adds an extra layer of appreciation when watching the commercial—it transforms from “nice footage” to “that’s a real place”.
It can create local pride (for the town/region) and increases engagement (people who recognise the setting will feel a connection).
For brands/advertisers:
Location selection is a major creative decision: It affects tone, authenticity and visuals.
Many regions now compete for commercial productions and offer tax incentives, meaning location cost can be a deciding factor.
Local stories can enhance brand perception—you’re not just driving through a generic backdrop, you’re driving through somewhere.
In the case of Toyota, choosing both a historic town square and mountainous terrain suggests they want to convey that the vehicle is as comfortable in everyday life as it is in adventure.
Final thoughts
The next time you watch the “new Toyota ad”, and you see that downtown square or sweeping mountain vista, you’ll know: the town square is likely Springfield, Tennessee, and the mountain/back-road shots may come from California’s Sierra Nevada region. Brands like Toyota are increasingly blending locations to tell richer stories—equally about reliability in town and freedom on remote roads. Recognizing the filming locations gives you a behind-the-scenes glimpse into how much strategy goes into where a commercial is set.
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