Friday, March 30, 2012

Toyota taking the right steps during Earth Month

Mayorschallenge-prius

Toyota kicks off Earth Month by expanding its partnership with the Wyland Foundation to encourage residents nationwide to preserve our natural resources by taking an online pledge to conserve water. Toyota’s support of the Wyland Foundation, a non-profit founded by renowned environmental, marine artist Wyland, is part of the automobile company’s long-standing commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship.

This year, Toyota will support the Wyland Foundation to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Clean Water Act as the organization hosts the National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation, March 30 – April 30. With support from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the campaign challenges mayors nationwide to inspire their residents to conserve natural resources by taking a free, online pledge to save water. Participants in the city that registers the most pledges within the Challenge dates will be eligible to win a variety of prizes, including the new Toyota Prius c, which has an EPA-estimated city fuel economy rating of 53 miles per gallon. To take the free online pledge, visit www.mywaterpledge.com.

Last year's challenge in Southern California alone resulted in a total pledged savings of over 897,000,000 gallons of water with 3,184,095 pounds of trash kept from landfills and 27,936,170 pounds of CO2 emissions reduced.

This year's challenge is nationwide so let's come together to do our part to help our planet with an even greater number of pledges. Be sure to tell your mayors, friends, families, neighbors and everyone you know to take this free, online pledge to conserve water and energy this Earth Month.

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Kyle Bush's best pit stop ever and Toyota's 28 years of racing.

In the past 28 years, Toyota has made a name for themselves in world of racing. Innovation, craftsmanship and driving has made Toyota the most reliable names on...and off the track.

Click HERE to check out Kyle Bush's best pit stop ever and some more great Toyota Racing videos

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.Also take a look below at the history of Toyota racing as they go on 29 years on the track. *Courtesy of http://www.toyotaracing.com/motorsports/history.html

TOYOTA'S HISTORY IN AMERICA MOTORSPORTS

Since 1983, Toyota has worked diligently to become a strong competitor in American motorsports. To its credit, the manufacturer has amassed numerous victories in professional auto racing including winning the “greatest spectacle in racing”, in the 2003 Indianapolis 500 with Gil de Ferran. In addition to multiple victories in the Daytona 24 Hours and the 12 Hours of Sebring, the Pikes Peak Hill Climb and the Baja 500 and the Baja 1000, Toyota also has earned Manufacturer’s and Driver’s Championships in the Indy Racing League, NHRA, Grand-Am, CART, IMSA, SCORE, USAC, MTEG and CORR. To add to the list, Toyota earned its fifth consecutive NCWTS Manufacturer’s Championship and its third consecutive NNS Manufacturer’s Championship that same year with Joe Gibbs Racing this past season.

One of Toyota’s first-ever factory-backed professional programs began in 1983, when the manufacturer joined forces with racing legend Dan Gurney and All American Racers (AAR) to run Celicas in IMSA road racing competition. Toyota earned 24 victories in IMSA GTU and GTO competition from 1983 to 1998, and became the first Japanese nameplate to win the GTO Manufacturer’s and Driver’s Championships in 1987. Toyota and AAR moved up the IMSA ladder once again in 1989 to the GTP class, the elite level of American road racing. The factory-backed team captured seven wins over the 1990 and 1991 seasons, serving notice to the competition that Toyota and its American-built Eagle GTP cars were strong contenders.

The team’s success continued in the early 1990s with victories at the 12 Hours of Sebring (twice), the 24 Hours of Daytona and manufacturer titles in 1992 and 1993. The team holds the all-time record for consecutive GTP victories with 17, and won 19 of its last 21 races.

In 1983, the same year the relationship with Gurney began, Toyota also joined efforts with Precision Preparation, Inc. (PPI) and team owner Cal Wells III to build Toyota trucks for off-road and stadium competition. From 1983 to 1994, the Toyota/PPI team dominated the Mickey Thompson Off-Road Stadium Series, earning 11 Manufacturer’s Championships and nine Driver’s Championships with Ivan “Ironman” Stewart and Rod Millen accounting for three each, brother Steve Millen for two and Robby Gordon for one. Stewart also navigated the team through the desert to garner 27 wins and seven championships in the SCORE Desert Series.

Toyota’s motorsports involvement grew to new heights in 1996 when Toyota entered CART (Champ Car) competition. The manufacturer earned its first victory in 2000 at Milwaukee with Juan Montoya and went on to win five races that season, followed by six wins in 2001. The program peaked in 2002 as Toyota drivers dominated the series, finishing one-two in the championship and leading the series in every major category as Cristiano da Matta earned Toyota’s first major open-wheel Driver’s Championship. Overall, Toyota-powered Champ Cars won a series-high 21 races over their final three seasons of competition.

With the introduction of its V-6 Celica Goody’s Dash program, Toyota made its debut into the NASCAR ranks in 2000. Robert Huffman helped make Toyota a legitimate contender for the series title by its second season, while placing second in the championship in both 2001 and 2002. In 2003, Huffman broke through to win the series title and become Toyota’s first-ever NASCAR champion.

In 2003, Toyota moved its open-wheel racing program to the Indy Racing League (IRL) where Scott Dixon won Toyota’s first IndyCar race at Homestead-Miami Speedway, as well as the series Driver’s Championship that same year. The victory was one of 11 for Toyota as it captured the IRL Manufacturer’s Championship. Over three seasons, Toyota-powered entries won 17 IndyCar Series races including the 2003 Indianapolis 500 with Gil de Ferran and 22 pole positions.

Collectively, Toyota-powered cars won 38 races and 44 pole positions in open-wheel racing competition from 1999 to 2005. The drivers that campaigned with Toyota power in open-wheel competition included past champions such as Montoya, Dixon, da Matta, Scott Pruett, Helio Castroneves, Sam Hornish Jr., de Ferran and Jimmy Vasser. Another chapter in Toyota’s motorsports history ended with the 2005 season, when Toyota concluded its participation as the title sponsor and sole engine supplier for the Toyota Atlantic Championship Series. Beginning with the inception of the program in 1989, TRD, U.S.A. (Toyota Racing Development) designed the 1.6L, 4-cylinder, 16-valve, twin-cam engine for the premier open-wheel training ground for some of auto racing’s most promising young drivers. Toyota Atlantic graduates have won three Indianapolis 500s, one Formula One world championship, four IRL series championships and two CART (Champ Car) crowns. Overall, no less than 17 Toyota Atlantic drivers have gone on to win in either Champ Car or IRL competition.

With respect to NASCAR in 2004, Toyota expanded its motorsports involvement and became the first new engine manufacturer to compete full-time in one of NASCAR’s top three levels of competition in more than 50 years, when it entered the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series – formerly the Craftsman Truck Series.

Although Toyota race cars and trucks compete in several major series, Toyota’s commitment to motorsports extends to the grassroots level. Through contingency sponsorship of amateur racing, Toyota embraces the competitive spirit that propels racers from entry levels to professional ranks. To add to the list of racing accomplishments, over the past 24 years, Toyota amateur racers have garnered 52 SCCA National Championships.

SPONSORSHIPS

Amidst the changing economic situation, sponsorships continue to be a vital component of auto racing and showcasing a diverse line-up of a manufacturer’s product. For Toyota, that means finding ways to continue to activate its sponsorships, while keeping spending in check.

“The current economic climate continues to force us to work with fewer dollars than in the past,” said Les Unger, Toyota national motorsports manager. “We’ll continue to selectively invest in sponsorships that provide us the opportunity to increase exposure for the Toyota brand. Nonetheless, we have to find effective ways to re-allocate our resources, while working closely with our dealers.”

For 2009, Toyota has added two new sponsorships as the “official vehicle” at both Chicagoland Speedway and the Martinsville Speedway. Both of those entitlements will run through 2011.

Toyota’s list of motorsports sponsorships will remain status quo for the 2011 season.ough no new sponsorships were added for 2010, Toyota added three new sponsorships in 2009 as the “official vehicle” at Chicagoland Speedway, Martinsville Speedway and New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

“Our sponsorships are made up of a balance between showcasing our events in major markets in Los Angeles, Chicago and San Francisco, as well as involvement at tracks that provide both great history and a fervent fan-base,” said Unger.

Toyota is the title sponsor for the fan-favored open-wheel signature event in Long Beach, Calif. (the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach), the NASCAR event in Sonoma (the Toyota/Save Mart 350), and the Toyota NASCAR All-Star Showdown in Irwindale, Calif. The manufacturer also serves as the Official Vehicle of Charlotte Motor Speedway in N.C.; Chicagoland Speedway, Martinsville Speedway in Martinsville, Va., New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Road America, in Elkhart Lake, Wis.; Watkins Glen International Raceway in Watkins Glen, N.Y.; Willow Springs Raceway in Rosamond, Calif.; and Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif.

“Official vehicle sponsorships provide us with a cost-effective opportunity to work hand-in-hand with our local dealerships to provide product displays at highly attended sports venues,” says Unger. “While we predominantly use Camrys, Rav4s and Highlanders as the track vehicles and Tundras for driver introduction parade laps, our “at-track” displays allow us to highlight our entire product line-up featuring the Camry Hybrid Pace Car.”

Of course in terms of sponsorship, it all starts right in Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A.’s own backyard with “The Roar On The Shore” — the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, where the company will celebrate its 37th year of involvement in 2011 and feature the third Southern California appearance of the “unified” IndyCar Series.

Dating back to the event’s inaugural running in 1975, where Toyota served as the pace car at the first event, the automaker’s presence in Long Beach has grown to include the event’s title sponsorship since 1980 and the popular 33rd annual Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race.

Also referred to as “the American Monaco,” the Toyota Grand Prix offers something for everyone — from the hard-core race enthusiast to the casual fan or people-watcher. Unique, though, is the glitz and glamour of Hollywood with the signature Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race that regularly attracts some of the biggest names in film, television, music, fashion and sports. The race also has raised over $1.5 million for local children’s hospitals throughout Southern California.

In 2005, Toyota and the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach reached an agreement to further extend the manufacturer’s title sponsorship through 2010.

While many think of sponsorships solely as an avenue to reach customers, Toyota has also taken the opportunity to use its sponsorships internally.

Toyota also continues a successful tradition of its annual “Motorsports Day,” featuring driver appearances both at Toyota headquarters in Torrance, Calif., as well as providing similar opportunities at its manufacturing facilities throughout the country.

“Racing is a great way to further business and bolster associate morale and teamwork,” said Unger. “We never want to forget that it’s our 35,000+ associates across the nation and more than 115,000 employees at our Toyota, Lexus and Scion dealerships that are integral to our success.”

SPONSORSHIP HISTORY

Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach 1975-2011
Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race 1977–2011
Toyota U.S. Grand Prix (N.Y.) 1978-1982
Toyota Grand Prix of Monterey 1989-1997
Toyota Atlantic Championship (Series) 1989-2005
Toyota Grand Prix of Miami 1992-1995

IMSA (INTERNATIONAL MOTOR SPORTS ASSOCIATION)
GTU (2.0L silhouette sedan) 1982-1985
GTO (2.1L turbo, silhouette sedan) 1986-1988
GTP (2.1L turbo prototype class) 1989-1993

OFF ROAD RACING
MTEG (Stadium Racing) 1983-1994
SCORE Desert Racing 1983-2000
CORR (Championship Off Road Racing) 1997-2008
WSORR (World Series of Off Road Racing) 2007
TORC (The Off-Road Championship Series) 2009-2011

PIKES PEAK INTERNATIONAL HILL CLIMB
Pikes Peak (2.1L turbo unlimited class) 1994-2000

CART (CHAMPIONSHIP AUTO RACING TEAMS)
Champ Car (2.65L turbo, open wheel) 1996-2002
Homestead-Miami Speedway Presenting Sponsorship 1996-2000
Nazareth Speedway Presenting Sponsorship 1997-2001
Michigan International Speedway Presenting Sponsorship 1997-2001
Auto Club Speedway Presenting Sponsorship 1997-2002

INDY RACING LEAGUE (IRL) INDYCAR SERIES
Toyota Indy 300 (Homestead-Miami Speedway) 2003-2006
Toyota Indy 400 (California Speedway) 2003-2005

NASCAR GOODY'S DASH SERIES
Celica (4.1L) 2000-2004

NASCAR
Toyota All-Star Showdown (Irwindale Speedway) 2003-2011
Toyota Tundra 200 (NCT - Nashville Superspeedway) 2004-2009
Toyota Tundra 200 (NCTS - Milwaukee Mile) 2006-2007
Toyota/Save Mart 350 (NNC - Infineon Raceway) 2007-2011

GRAND AMERICAN ROLEX SPORTS CAR
Lexus Daytona Prototype (4.35L) 2003-2009

NHRA DRAG RACING
Celica/Solara Funny Car 2002-2009
NHRA Top Fuel Dragsters 2009–2011

SPORT COMPACT (IMPORT) DRAG RACING
Celica/Solara (Pro FWD) 2002-2005 Celica (All Motor, Pro FWD) 2002-2005
Corolla (All Motor) 2005-2011
Scion (All Motor, Pro FWD, Pro RWD, Hot Rod) 2006-2011

USAC
Toyota Challenge 2006–2008
National Midget Series 2006-2011
National Sprint Car Series 2008-2010
Silver Crown Series 2008-2011
Western Midgets 2008-2011

OFFICIAL VEHICLE
Willow Springs 1982-2011
SCORE (International) 1983-1994
Road America 1996-2011
Nashville Superspeedway 2004-2009
Watkins Glen 2005-2011
Lowe's Motor Speedway 2006-2011
Infineon Raceway 2007-2011
Chicagoland Speedway 2008-2011
Martinsville Speedway 2009-2011

2010 EXECUTIVE BIOS

BOB CARTER
Group vice president and general manager of Toyota Division at Toyota Motor Sales, (TMS), U.S.A., Inc. Carter joined the organization in 1981 and has held numerous Toyota and Lexus positions. He currently oversees all sales, logistics and marketing activities for Toyota, Scion and Central Atlantic Toyota Distributors.

ED LAUKES
Corporate motorsports marketing manager for Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., since 2007, Laukes began his career with Toyota in 1989. Currently responsible for managing the motorsports marketing operations for the Toyota Division, including motorsports strategy, research and advertising. Laukes also oversees regional and at-track activation, public relations, mobile marketing programs, sponsorships, licensed merchandise and the NASCAR racing web site.

LES UNGER
National motorsports manager for Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., and an integral part of the motorsports department since 1984. Unger is responsible for all U.S. motorsports public relations and select sponsorship activities, including oversight of the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race. He also oversees the Motorsports Technical Group, as well as Fast Lane Racing School.

DONALD W. BROWN
National motorsports operations manager for Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. Brown oversees the business and financial elements of all Toyota motorsports programs and all non-NASCAR racing series evaluation including off-road, NHRA, and USAC.

ISAKA KANAZAWA
Senior executive coordinator for Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. and primary interface with Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) on various motorsports related programs and projects. Kanazawa joined Toyota in 1991 and currently oversees engineering and planning with TMC and Japanese vendors.

LEE WHITE
President and general manager of TRD, U.S.A., (Toyota Racing Development) White joined the organization in 1997. Currently oversees all day-to-day operations for TRD’s engine and chassis related responsibilities for USAC National Midget Silver Crown and Sprint Car Series, off-road, and the NASCAR Sprint Cup, NASCAR Nationwide and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series programs.

DAVID WILSON
Senior vice president of TRD, U.S.A., Wilson has been with the company since 1989 and is responsible for all of TRD’s day-to-day operations and activities. Also oversees TRD’s administration, engineering and manufacturing groups. Additionally, Wilson is responsible for the development of TRD’s strategic business plans, as well as coordination of strategy and budget with TMS motorsports marketing.

PETE SPENCE
Group vice president and technical director for TRD, U.S.A. who rejoined TRD in 2007 (previously with TRD from 1996–2004). Spence is responsible for establishing the technical direction for all of TRD’s engine and chassis development activities. Also oversees strategic support of TRD-sponsored race teams, as well as coordination of TRD interface with Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC).

ANDY GRAVES
Vice president of chassis engineering and Toyota NASCAR Sprint Cup Series program manager, Graves joined TRD, U.S.A., in September 2006. Primary responsibilities include all on-track chassis support relating to the Cup program including technical support, engine and chassis supply, and testing.

LAERTE ZATTA
Toyota’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and Nationwide Series senior program manager, Zatta joined TRD, U.S.A., in 2001 and is the primary contact for TRD-supported teams involved in both series. Also responsible for on-track engine and technical support, as well as testing and chassis coordination relating to both programs.

GARY REED
Vice president of Special Racing Projects (SRP) group for TRD, U.S.A., Reed has been with Toyota since 1986. Since moving to TRD in 1995, Reed currently oversees most non-NASCAR racing programs including off-road racing, SCCA, USAC Midget, Sprint Car and Silver Crown series, in addition to various special project assignments.

KEVIN KUCHTA
Joined TRD, U.S.A., in 1997 and is the current program and track support manager of Special Racing Projects group. Oversees various Toyota racing programs including off-road racing, USAC Midget, Silver Crown and Sprint Car Series.

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Toyota's New Excess Wear Plan is Great!

Check out this funny commercial outlining Toyota's new Excess wear and use coverage. Click HERE to watch. [[posterous-content:pid___0]]

March 22, 2012 - Torrance, Calif. – When it comes to vehicle leasing, consumers may have questions about their financial responsibility for items such as dings, dents, scratches, and missing parts or equipment at the time of vehicle return. To provide added assurance and to enhance the lease experience for its customers, Toyota Financial Services (TFS) and Lexus Financial Services (LFS) is excited to announce the launch of the Excess Wear & Use (EWU) Protection Plan, the newest product to join the TFS/LFS portfolio.

“We developed EWU in collaboration with dealers and industry advisors with the consumer experience top-of-mind,” said Mike Groff, TFS/LFS Group Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Product Development. “We want to help our customers avoid unexpected charges when they return their vehicle at lease-end and provide a hassle-free, customer-friendly claims process. We kept things simple and packaged high-value benefits and features into one comprehensive plan for Toyota dealers and one plan for Lexus dealers. And, I’m also proud to say that our EWU product is 100% built and backed by the strength of TFS.”

EWU is a protection plan offered to TFS/LFS lease customers that waives “excess wear and use” charges they would otherwise be responsible for paying at the end of their lease term. In addition, EWU simplifies the claims process with no claims forms to submit, no deductibles to pay and no reimbursements to request. EWU covers items that are beyond normal wear and tear, up to specified limits, including:

• Interior cuts, burns or stains
• Damage to tires, rims or hubcaps
• Broken or scratched windshield, window, mirrors or lights
• Damaged bumpers, body dents, dings or scratches
• Missing parts or equipment

With gas prices over four dollars a gallon, you almost have to come in and test drive a Prius. Follow the link to to view our inventory. http://bit.ly/zt2WKb

Monday, March 26, 2012

Congratulations on your second car from Toyota of Orangeburg!

"We appreciated the patience given us in making our decision on leasing our new 2012 Prius. This is the second Prius we have owned and purchased from Toyota of Orangeburg. The service is good and the personnel always friendly and helpful. Jerry Frick was most helpful in closing our deal. Thanks for the good experience." - SS Boone

Click HERE for more reviews on Dealer Rater.

Dealerrater

Monday, March 19, 2012

Want to save $250 instantly?

Visit our webpage for an internet special. Get $250 off the MSRP of a new vehicle purchase just for stopping by. Also like our Facebook page for even more savings. http://bit.ly/GzneDY

Cash

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

WHAT WOULD YOU DO WITH YOUR MEGA MILLIONS?

The Mega Millions Jackpot is up 171 million dollars and 75% of people said the first thing they would buy would be a new car. The other things the majority of people said they would get would be a new house or take an exotic vacation.

Click HERE for some inspiration.

 

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