Tuesday, May 29, 2012

America's Best-Selling Car Tuned Up for 2013 NASCAR Season

Courtesy of Toyota Pressroom

2013_nascar_camry_005
Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. (TMS) and TRD, U.S.A. (Toyota Racing Development) today formally introduced the new 2013 Toyota Camry that will compete in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) beginning next season at TRD’s Salisbury, N.C. facility.

The introduction of the new 2013 Camry for NASCAR competition marked the culmination of an aggressive redesign to provide the 2013 Camry with an updated and more-unique identity. TRD worked together with Calty Design, part of Toyota’s global network design team, to create an on-track Camry that incorporates design elements which give America’s best-selling car its distinct character.

“We’re thrilled to finally unveil our new 2013 Camry and we think NASCAR fans will really appreciate that our new on-track Camry looks like the one in their driveways,” said Ed Laukes, TMS vice president of marketing communications and motorsports. “Our 2013 Camry looks more like the production vehicle than ever before, and we hope this helps revitalize the long-standing relationship between fans and manufacturers in NASCAR. Never before have we had a Camry competing in NASCAR that looked so similar to its production counterpart.”

A new front grill-area that matches the production model, distinct character lines down the side of the vehicle and an updated rear bumper make the redesigned 2013 Camry stock car more relevant than ever before to its showroom sibling.

“We’re extremely proud of the new Camry and the development of the car was truly a unique process,” said Lee White, president and general manager of TRD. “NASCAR and all four manufacturers were brought together to guide the direction of the new cars. We all worked together to put the ‘S’ back in NASCAR -- we all wanted race cars that look more like our stock, production models -- and together we accomplished that. Our new Camry for 2013 is a great looking race car. Everyone at Toyota is eager to have our drivers in a race car that more resembles the street Camry.”

For 10 straight years, and 14 of the past 15 years, the Toyota Camry has been the best-selling car in America. Built at Toyota manufacturing facilities in Georgetown, Kentucky and Lafayette, Indiana, the 2012 Toyota Camry was recently named the ‘Best Redesigned Vehicle’ by Kelley Blue Book. In addition, the Camry has been named the ‘Most American Car’ by Cars.com’s American-Made Index for three consecutive years.

In an effort to create more distinct and stock vehicles for the race track, NASCAR worked together with the four series manufacturers to determine what areas were either ‘locked in’ or ‘open’ for unique design. NASCAR also allowed for the exchange of glass for solid body pieces.

“When everyone at Toyota first saw the design of the 2013 Camry, the first reaction was, ‘They’re actually going to let you race a car that looks like that?’,” said Andy Graves, TRD’s vice president of chassis engineering. “That just demonstrates how excited everyone was about the new design of the Camry stock car.”

The new 2013 Toyota Camry will make its NASCAR Sprint Cup Series debut at Daytona International Speedway’s ‘Speedweeks’ in February.

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Toyota Corolla: Gas Station :30

Congratulations on your new Prius Mark! Way to go green.

I went to North Hills to have scheduled service done on my Highlander then stopped at the dealership to inquiry about a new Prius. I had no intention of buying that day but it turned out they had received a new Prius Plugin days ago, which is what I was really interested in. This model is not supposed to be available in PA and the salesperson, Jack Passoth, had only received limited training on it because of that. However, he was still quite knowledgeable of it and took his time to research and ask about what he didn't know. The sales manager, Steve Allen, was also very knowledgeable about Toyota's history and programs for fuel efficient vehicles. The finance manager, Dave Urquhart, had all the paperwork ready and went through everything quickly, accurately and professionally. Overall it was a pleasant experience. Well done. At an average of 160 mpg though I'm not coming back for a new vehicle for quite awhile. - Mark

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Time is running out for your chance to win a Corolla S! Like us on Facebook to learn more!

2012-05-23_1536

Big thanks to Brian for this great review!

Last Wednesday I purchased a nerw 2012 FJ cruiser. I traded in a Jeep Wrangler and my experience from the time I arrived until I drove the FJ off the lot was excellent. William Kraft was great to work with and answered all of my questions. The entire staff treated me very well and it was my best car shopping/buying experience that I've ever had. - Brian

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Toyota Hits Four Million Unit Global Sales Milestone for Hybrids

Courtesy of Toyota Pressroom

Images
Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) in Japan announced its global hybrid vehicle sales totaled four million units through April 2012.

Toyota currently sells 18 hybrid passenger vehicles in 80 countries and regions around the world. This year, hybrid vehicle accounted for 15 percent of TMC’s global vehicle sales. Prius, Toyota’s first hybrid passenger car, went on sale in Japan in 1997. Hybrid technology was later introduced to the U.S. in 2000 with the arrival of the Prius.

Since then, the Toyota Division of Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A. sold 1.5 million hybrid vehicles in the U.S., accounting for 65 percent of all hybrid vehicles sold in the region. Prius, the iconic hybrid brand, comprises half of all hybrids on the road in the U.S. with sales totaling 1.2 million units through April 2012.

The expansion of the Prius has been successful in the U.S. since the Prius v was introduced in to the market in November 2011 followed by Prius c and Prius Plug-in during the first quarter 2012. In that time, Prius family sold 60,859 units in the U.S.

"All of us at Toyota would like to sincerely thank our customers, who have made Prius the best-selling hybrid in the industry," said Bob Carter, group vice president and general manager, Toyota Division. "While we're proud of this accomplishment, we are not stopping here as hybrids will continue to be a core technology for Toyota."

In addition to the Prius Family, Toyota’s other U.S. hybrid models include versions of the Camry and Highlander, which feature larger displacement applications of Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive.

Toyota calculates that the total number of its hybrid vehicles sold globally since 1997 have produced to approximately 26 million fewer tons of C02 emissions than would have been emitted by gasoline-powered vehicles of similar size and driving performance.

Thank you for this wonderful review.

Monday, May 21, 2012

Your Monday Maintenance Tip: Caring for Windshield Cracks and Dings

Courtesy of Road and Travel Magazine

 Checking your windshield is important because a ding that occurs in spring or summer can cause a break in the winter. Most people drive more in warm weather and more driving means more vibration, which can cause a ding to expand into a cracked windshield.

Warmer weather also means running the air conditioning. "The shock of quickly going from hot to cold stresses a windshield and causing that ding to suddenly become a cracked windshield," says Jim Olson, director of national accounts and brand awareness for NOVUS® Windshield Repair.

Here are some tips if you have a ding or star on your windshield:

    Inspect the ding. If it has a cone shape, a circle deep in the glass or looks like a small star with points spreading out, have the ding repaired promptly. These are serious dings that can grow into a cracked windshield.

    Don't touch a ding or attempt to repair it yourself. Without special equipment and training, you will only contaminate the damaged area, making repairs hard to complete.

    As a temporary measure, put a piece of clear tape, like packing tape, over the ding. This won't keep the ding from spreading, but will help prevent contamination.

    Don't wash the vehicle-especially through the car wash.  Soap and water can contaminate the spot and a high-pressure wash can cause the ding to expand.

    Driving a vehicle with a windshield ding causes vibration and exposure to the elements cause the ding to spread.

    Avoid slamming the car doors and don't close the doors with the windows rolled all the way up. The vibration or buildup of air pressure inside the car can cause the ding to spread.

    Don't run the defroster, heater or air conditioning on high settings.  Don't park the vehicle in the sun. Rapid changes in interior temperature or prolonged exposure to sunlight can stress and weaken the windshield.

 

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Voting for Toyota’s 100 Cars for Good Opens

Toyota-100-cars-for-good
Toyota has opened voting for the second year of 100 Cars for Good, a national philanthropic program that will award 100 cars to 100 nonprofits over the course of 100 consecutive days. Winners will be selected each day through public voting on Facebook at 100carsforgood.com.

  Five nonprofit organizations will be profiled each day. Registered Facebook users will be able to vote once daily for the nonprofit they think can do the most good with a new vehicle.  The organization with the most votes at the end of the day will win a new vehicle. The four runners-up will each receive a $1,000 cash grant from Toyota.

 

100 Cars for Good voting will be open every day from 10:00 am ET/7:00 am PT to 12:00 am ET/9:00 pm PT. Voting will continue through Tuesday, August 21. 

 

“At Toyota, we appreciate what a big difference a new car or truck can make for organizations working to improve lives and strengthen communities across America,” said Jim Lentz, President and Chief Executive Officer of Toyota Motor Sales. “Over the past 20 years, Toyota has contributed more than half a billion dollars to nonprofits throughout the U.S. 100 Cars for Good allows us to build on that commitment in new ways, putting the public in the ‘driver’s seat’ as we work to help community organizations make an even bigger impact. We wish all of this year’s finalists the best of luck.”

 

The 500 finalists for 100 Cars for Good represent all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Profiles of all of this year’s finalists can be found at 100carsforgood.com.

 

Winning nonprofits will be able to choose from one of six Toyota models: Camry Hybrid, Highlander SUV, Prius v hybrid, Sienna minivan, Sienna Mobility or Tundra full-sized pickup. A six-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty will also be provided for each vehicle, compliments of Toyota Financial Services. 

 

To help participating nonprofits with their 100 Cars for Good campaigns – and to help them develop lasting digital marketing and social media skills that are critical to today’s nonprofits – Toyota has provided each finalist with a toolkit that includes a digital video camera, training materials  and free online advertising credits. The company is providing social media training support online to the finalists as well.

 

Courtesy of Toyota

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

All-New Toyota RAV4 EV Unveiled at EVS26

Courtesy of a Toyota Pressroom

Toyota_rav4_ev_005
Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. today revealed the highly anticipated all-new Toyota RAV4 EV at the 26th annual Electric Vehicle Symposium in Los Angeles. This all-electric SUV has an expected driving range rating of approximately 100 miles and charging time of approximately six hours on a 240V/40A charger. The RAV4 EV’s driving performance, dynamics and cargo capacity are equal to or exceed the gas powered RAV4 V6. Arriving fully-equipped with an MSRP of $49,800 the RAV4 EV doesn’t compromise on performance, comfort or versatility.

“It’s all about blending the best of two worlds,” said Bob Carter, group vice president and general manager of the Toyota division. “The all-new RAV4 EV marries the efficiency of an EV with the versatility of a small SUV – in fact, it is the only all-electric SUV on the market.”
The RAV4 EV is the product of a unique collaboration with Tesla Motors spurred by Akio Toyoda, president and CEO of Toyota Motor Corporation. Twenty-two months after the project announcement, Toyota and Tesla engineers have succeeded in bringing an outstanding product to market in record time.

The RAV4 EV combines a Tesla designed and produced battery and electric powertrain with Toyota’s most popular SUV model. The collaborative team set its sights on refining the customer experience. From advanced charging options to interior comfort to interactive displays, the vehicle has been designed for customer ease of use and maximum vehicle range. 

The front wheel drive RAV4 EV allows drivers to select from two distinctly different drive modes, Sport and Normal. In Sport mode, the vehicle reaches 0-60 mph in just 7.0 seconds and has a maximum speed of 100 mph. Normal mode achieves 0-60 mph in 8.6 seconds with a maximum speed of 85 mph.  Maximum output from the electric powertrain is 154 HP (115kW) @ 2,800 rpm. 

RAV4 EV offers an exceptionally smooth, quiet ride and comfortable handling due in part to its low coefficient of drag and low center of gravity.   In fact, at 0.30 Cd, RAV4 EV achieves the lowest coefficient of drag of any SUV in the world. Compared with the gas powered RAV4, Toyota re-styled the front bumper, upper and lower grill, side mirrors, rear spoiler, and under body design to maximize air flow around the vehicle. The RAV4 EV’s battery pack is mounted low and to the center of the vehicle, contributing to a more sedan-like ride.  

On the exterior, RAV4 EV features upscale LED low beam projector headlights with halogen projector high beams. A manual leveling system allows customers to redirect the headlights when the vehicle changes significantly in pitch due to a heavy load. Five vertical LEDs make up the daytime running lights, which dim to parking lights. The rear combination lights are LEDs accented by a unique light smoke outer lens. Other exterior variations from the gasoline powered RAV4 include new exterior emblems on the front, rear and the front door panel utilizing the signature Toyota “environmental blue.” 

The vehicle will be available later this year in three exterior colors: Blizzard White Pearl, Shoreline Blue Pearl and Classic Silver MetallicThe interior features a unique “Neutron” fabric, woven with a subtle sheen and blue accent, on the seat inserts and door trim. 

Inside, a six-way adjustable driver’s seat includes variable front seat heaters, which extends heater coverage to the occupant’s upper back.  The split reclining rear seats with folding center arm rest fold flat for increased cargo space, with a total cargo capacity equivalent to the conventional RAV4 of 73 cu. ft. No interior space is lost in the vehicle due to EV components.

The highlight of the interior is an eight-inch capacitive touch screen with a state of the art graphic display, featuring navigation, telematics, and EV drive information and settings designed specifically for the RAV4 EV. Entune™ is standard (with three year complimentary access to Entune™ services) along with SiriusXM Satellite Radio (with 3-month trial subscription to XM Select package), AM/FM radio, Bluetooth® streaming audio, and USB port with iPod® connectivity. The dash display color illuminates red when the vehicle is operating in sport mode and blue in normal driving mode.

Toyota’s approved electric vehicle supplier equipment provider is Leviton. Leviton offers multiple options for charging solutions. For the shortest charge time of approximately six hours, Leviton offers a custom 240V (Level 2), 40A, 9.6 kW output charging station. For more information visit Leviton.com/Toyota. The vehicle comes equipped with a 120V (Level 1) emergency charging cable for instances when the recommended 240V (Level 2) charging is not available. 

The RAV4 EV will go on sale in late summer 2012 through select dealers, initially in four major California metropolitan markets including Sacramento, San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles/Orange County and San Diego. Sales volume is planned for approximately 2,600 units over the next three years. The battery warranty is 8 years or 100,000 miles.

“We believe that the RAV4 EV will attract sophisticated early technology adopters, much like the first-generation Prius,” said Carter. “It’s designed for consumers who prioritize the environment and appreciate performance. We look forward to seeing how the market responds."

 

In July 2010, Toyota Motor Corporation and Tesla Motors jointly announced an agreement to develop an all-electric version of the RAV4, with the intent to bring the vehicle to market in 2012. Tesla contributed its EV technology expertise, daring spirit, quick decision making and flexibility. Toyota contributed design, engineering, manufacturing and production expertise.  In an industry where development cycles are typically five years, Toyota and Tesla brought a dynamic product to market in less than half that time.

Monday, May 7, 2012

Monday Maintenance Tip: Don't forget the filters!

Courtesy of Reader's Digest

Monday Maintenance Tip: Don't forget the filters! Your car has several filters (mainly air, oil, fuel, and transmission) that need to be changed accordingly depending on the model of your vehicle. If your vehicle is due for a filter change or two, schedule a maintenance appointment with us online today!

Airfilter2

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

$500 rebate on ALL new Toyota vehicles for Military personnel!

2012-05-02_1428

We are proud to offer a $500 rebate on ALL new Toyota vehicles for all of the dedicated and loyal Military members who have served for our country.

We Salute You!

Click here to learn more.

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Toyota and Tesla to reveal electric RAV4 next week

Rav4x-wide-community

It's been nearly two years since Toyota announced its collaboration with Tesla Motors to bring an electric version of the RAV4 to market in 2012. We first saw what the vehicle might be like through a demonstration prototype unveiled at the 2010 L.A. Auto Show.

Toyota now is preparing unveil its fully engineered RAV4 EV at the 26th World Electric Vehicle Symposium and Exposition next Monday.

The one tease we have of the new electric Rav4 is the badge on the door near the rocker panel (above). Later this year, Toyota will begin production of the jointly developed EV at its Woodstock plant in Ontario, where the current RAV4 is built.

Toyota paid Tesla about $100 million to supply the RAV4 EV's powertrain, including the battery, motor, gearbox and power electronics. Toyota says the RAV4 EV's range could reach about 100 miles, which is what most carmakers quote for their EVs before EPA testing that typically dials that back a bit.

There's no word yet if the RAV4 EV is based off a new RAV4 design or the current vehicle, which has been on the market for nearly six years now.

SOURCE: usatoday.com