Monday, April 30, 2012

Toyota to debut all new RAV4 EV at EVS 26 and hopes to have success of Prius c

Well the only thing we are going to get as far as a teaser for the new RAV 4 EV is this small square of silver with the word 'ELECTRIC'. The new RAV will be premiering in Los Angeles on May 7th and will hopefully follow in the footsteps of the Prius c, which was the fastest car off the lot in the month of March for all makes and models.

Edmunds took the time sort through the March 2012 sales data to find which makes and models sold the quickest. According to the site's research, the 2012 Toyota Prius C took the top nod by sitting on dealer lots just eight days before whirring off to a new home.

The RAV 4 EV will also be competing with a few other electric crossovers in the coming months but should outshine them all. Check out the press release from Toyota and the gallery of the bright orange Prius c.

PRESS RELEASE FROM TOYOTA

Torrance, Calif., April 30, 2012---Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., will debut the all new RAV4 EV at the 26th International Electric Vehicle Symposium (EVS26) in Los Angeles. Toyota's news conference will be held on Monday, May 7 at noon in the West Hall of the Los Angeles Convention Center. Credentialed media can receive complimentary EVS26 registration by visiting www.evs26.org.

Friday, April 27, 2012

Toyota Named One of DiversityInc's Top 50 Companies for Diversity for the Sixth Consecutive Year

Toy1

Toyota has been named one of DiversityInc's Top 50 Companies for Diversity®, finishing 41st overall in the publication's 12th annual survey.

Toyota’s 2012 inclusion marks the sixth consecutive year the company has been recognized by DiversityInc and an improvement from the 2011 survey, where it ranked 46th overall.
The competition for this year’s awards was stronger than ever, with a total of 587 companies across a wide range of industries—including consulting, retail, manufacturing and banking— vying for a position on the 2012 list. The awards were entirely driven by metrics obtained in a detailed survey. DiversityInc’s Top 50 companies demonstrate consistent strength in four areas: CEO Commitment, Human Capital, Corporate and Organizational Communications, and Supplier Diversity.
“At Toyota, we believe that leveraging the diversity of talent, experiences and perspectives is essential to effectively meeting the needs of our customers,” said Shigeki Terashi, president & chief operating officer for Toyota Motor North America, Inc. “Our commitment to maximizing diversity in every aspect of our business is rooted in Toyota’s guiding principles, and we’re grateful to once again be recognized by DiversityInc for our progress in this area.”
In addition to the being included in the list of Top 50 Companies for Diversity overall, Toyota also ranked seventh in DiversityInc’s Top 10 Companies for LGBT Employees.
These are just two of Toyota’s latest recognitions for its efforts around diversity and inclusion. Other recent honors include inclusion in the Human Rights Campaign "Best Places to Work Corporate Equality Index" for the past four years; induction into the Billion Dollar Roundtable, in recognition of over $1 billion in annual spending with certified ethnic and women-owned suppliers; and receiving the “Corporation of the Year” award from the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC).
“Toyota’s commitment to diversity is very deep,” said Luke Visconti, CEO of DiversityInc. “The innovative ways the company ties diversity to the business—from philanthropy, supplier diversity, employee resource groups and maximizing the contributions of workers with disabilities throughout operations—highlights Toyota’s emphasis on constant improvement.”

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Take a tour of the Scion FR-s. The working man's sports car.

Regular readers are unquestionably familiar with the Scion FR-S and its near-twin, the Subaru BRZ. The two sports coupes are the product of a joint program between Toyota Motor Corporation (owner of the Scion brand) and Fuji Heavy Industries (owner of the Subaru brand). The ball started rolling back in 2007 when Toyota was on a quest to pump some excitement into its product line. The automaker wanted to build a car that did not rely on wide sticky tires or all-wheel drive to improve handling. Subaru, a name synonymous with all-wheel drive, wasn't ready to toss its hat into the ring. Toyota pushed ahead anyway, building a lightweight FR (front-engine rear-wheel drive) proof-of-concept prototype that knocked Subaru's socks off. The two soon inked a deal.
Without getting too deeply into specifics, Toyota was tasked with program planning and styling, while Fuji was assigned development and manufacturing in Japan. As far as nomenclature goes, the coupe would be sold as the Toyota GT 86 in Asia and Europe, while the North American marketplace would brand it as the Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ.
2013 Scion FR-S badge2013 Scion FR-S wheel
Nearly identical mechanically, except for some suspension tuning, each automaker tweaked the exterior fascias and configured the cabin for its own clientele. Subaru added automatic climate control and push-button start while Toyota, trying to keep focused on the performance mission, chose manual climate controls and a conventional keyed ignition for its FR-S. From 100 yards, most would be hard-pressed to tell the difference between the two. (We've written thousands of words about the technical aspects of each car. For an in-depth look at the machinery under the sheetmetal, read our man Ramsey's first drive of the Subaru BRZ.)

Its naturally aspirated 2.0-liter flat-four had to lug us up and over Mountain Springs Summit, elevation 5,502 feet.
Red Rock Resort isn't on the famed Las Vegas Strip, it's several miles west at the base of the Spring Mountains. Scion chose to use the casino as our home base and the launching point for our trek to Spring Mountain Motorsports Ranch, located due west on the outskirts of Pahrump. Leaving our gambling money back in the room, we grabbed the keys to an FR-S with a six-speed manual transmission.
As it turns out, crows don't even fly directly to Pahrump, as the Spring Mountains are the home of Charleston Peak. At 11,916 feet, it is a big snow-covered obstacle that forced us south on Nevada State Route 159 through spectacular Red Rock Canyon before we picked up State Route 160 to Pahrump. (What this all meant to the Scion FR-S was that its naturally aspirated 2.0-liter flat-four had to lug us up and over Mountain Springs Summit, elevation 5,502 feet, before dumping us back down at the track on the other side.)
2013 Scion FR-S rear 3/4 view
Subaru's boxer engine, fitted with Toyota's direct-injection fuel system, idled smoothly upon start. Leaving the hotel grounds, we left it in first gear just to hear the engine spin around the tachometer and take in the note coming from the exhaust. A mechanical sound tube, commonplace these days, has been engineered to pipe "good vibrations" into the cabin above 4,000 rpm. It worked alright, but most of the noise still emanated from the injectors and other unpleasant machinery under the hood. We wanted more exhaust note, but it simply wasn't there (Scion has already announced that it will offer an aftermarket TRD silencer shortly after the FR-S is launched).

Shooting in and out of traffic was effortlessly brisk, but we'd never call it particularly quick.
Around town, the FR-S was fun and enjoyable to drive. Its short-shift manual was a delight to row, with three well-placed pedals and nearly perfect clutch operation. Gearing was good at low speeds and the Scion would chirp its way into second gear if driven with aggression. Shooting in and out of traffic was effortlessly brisk, but we'd never call it particularly quick. The suspension was firm, bouncing almost rigidly over tall speed bumps, but still very tolerable and not inappropriate for a sports coupe, after all.
On the highway, we found that the FR-S cruised effortlessly at 75 mph. There was moderate wind noise permeating the cabin at these velocities, yet almost no tire noise. Conversation with our fellow passenger was easy and at normal levels.
2013 Scion FR-S engine
But things soon changed as we climbed slowly towards the mile-high summit through the mountain pass. As slower traffic blocked our way and we pushed harder on the accelerator to move around them, we noted that the Scion was starting to struggle to hold its speed. Passing other vehicles was soon out of the question, as acceleration was just too lethargic to take the risk. With a power rating of 200 horsepower and just 151 pound-feet of torque, what was fun around town had become unresponsive and sluggish when speed and altitude were added to the mix. (A basic rule is that a naturally aspirated engine loses about three percent of its power for every thousand feet of elevation climbed, so the flat-four was down about 30 crucial horsepower at the summit.)

The FR-S took to the challenging racing circuit like a teenage boy to Call of Duty.
About a half-hour later, we arrived at the track to find that Scion had set up three different "stations" for us to test its FR-S. The largest was a 1.5-mile loop on the west end of the main circuit. There was also a wet skidpad for drifting and an autocross-type course market with tightly spaced cones. We would try all three, as each would let us dig a bit further into the dynamics of the new sports coupe.
Recalling our remarkable experience outside Tokyo, when the FR-S effortlessly devoured the asphalt, we headed to the high-speed track first. And, as expected, the Scion FR-S took to the challenging racing circuit like a teenage boy to Call of Duty.
2013 Scion FR-S driving2013 Scion FR-S driving2013 Scion FR-S driving
Our first stint was in an FR-S with the automatic transmission, an impressive six-speed gearbox that shares internals with the eight-speed in the Lexus IS F. With the transmission and VSC set in Sport mode, the powertrain blips the throttle on downshifts and holds the gears through the corners. Forget the hip paddle shifters, as its electronic brain proved better than ours. We tossed the Scion 6AT from corner to corner quite happily and smiled with delight as the intuitive transmission ran through its gears very effectively. Everything was perfectly fine until we tried to follow another talented driver in a 6MT.

The automatic transmission has taller gears than the manual, a trick to deliver better fuel economy.
The automatic transmission has taller gears than the manual, a trick to deliver better fuel economy (the 6AT is rated 25 city/34 highway and 28 combined, while the 6MT is rated 22 city/30 highway and 25 combined). However, the efficient gearing of the 6AT meant it didn't pull as strongly in third or fourth gear – a difference that was very noticeable when trying to follow a 6MT out of a fast corner, or when we jumped behind the wheel of a more spirited 6MT minutes later. In Japan, we theorized that the automatic gearbox may be quicker around a track than a standard gearbox. The new evidence, as observed in Pahrump, proves that we were wrong.
While the manual transmission was slightly quicker around the track, we found both models perfectly balanced and very easy to rotate. The engineers consider the 2,758-pound coupe's 53/47 percent weight distribution as perfect, and we would have to agree. The chassis is fabulously well balanced and very rigid. We lifted off the throttle gently mid-corner and the FR-S predictably rotated (oversteer) around its axis. The movement was stopped almost effortlessly with light throttle and some steering input. Only in the tightest corners, when we dove in far too hot, did understeer surface. As a near-perfect track car, this little coupe would make an excellent trainer at a racing school.

We found Scion's professional drifter Ken Gushi over at the skidpad. While his hot new FR-S (insanely modified to 600 horsepower for Formula Drift competition) wasn't in attendance after his impressive top-eight showing in Long Beach a couple weeks ago, he was there to instruct us on the art of drifting. After painlessly showing us how it is done, we climbed behind the wheel. With a wet skidpad beneath our wheels and the Scion running in first gear, we slowly negotiated a large figure-eight before yanking the parking brake to break the rear wheels loose. The next step, performed nearly instantaneously, involved jumping on the throttle to start the drift. After several failed attempts, each slightly more embarrassing than the one before it, we finally caught on and made a few lame drifting circles around the cones. Yet as pleased as we were with ourselves, our newbie talents pose no threat to Gushi – his job is safe.
Next we ventured over to the faux autocross, a short and very tight path between orange cones that took just over 30 seconds to run in its entirety. Both of the FR-S models were fitted with the automatic transmission, so the exercise was a focus on low to moderate speed handling, not shifting skill. Again, the coupe exhibited excellent balance and poise as long as we were smooth with both throttle and braking inputs. However, if we asked too much of the narrow front tires (e.g., turning the steering wheel while under hard braking) there was severe understeer, tire scrubbing and cones would end up under the front bumper. The solution, of course, was to always remain mindful of the weight transfer and brake in a straight line.
2013 Scion FR-S on track2013 Scion FR-S on track
The trip to Las Vegas was well worth our time, as our lengthier follow-up meeting with the Scion FR-S was very educational. It reinforced many of our earlier good impressions from Japan, while flushing out some new (formerly unnoticed) minor weaknesses.
We remained stupefied by the coupe's excellent handling, perfect balance and tossable driving dynamics. Despite its rather narrow tires (215/45-17 on all four corners), lateral grip is strong and the stock brakes never exhibited fade. The driving position and bucket seats were comfortable for our six-foot, two-inch frame during our day-long journey and its sleek styling continued to turn heads.

2013 Scion FR-S rear 3/4 view

As far as relationships go, the 2013 Scion FR-S is very worthy of a long-term commitment.
Of course, there were a few nagging annoyances. First of all, the standard Pioneer audio system with a three-line OLED display is frustrating to use and the sound quality is only average (step up to the optional BeSpoke Premium Audio with a 5.8-inch TFT touchscreen display and save some headaches). Second, there are no grab handles anywhere above the beltline within the cabin, so your passengers will be clawing at the headliner while your dry cleaning sits on the floor. Third, the back seats are only fit for children – not only is legroom cramped, footroom under the seat is nearly nonexistent. Lastly, there is the power deficit at higher speeds. Proper gearing masks the issue up to about 65 mph, but then the naturally aspirated four-cylinder simply runs out of breath (a much-rumored upcoming turbocharger would make the FR-S just about perfect).
But overall, this was a very promising second date. While there are plenty of options out there, lightweight, well-balanced sports coupes priced at just $24,930 are the rare exception, not the rule in today's automotive environment. Add in excellent manners, physical attractiveness and a playful personality and we become more enamored with the new coupe each time we meet. There is no shame in saying that as far as relationships go, the 2013 Scion FR-S is very worthy of a long-term commitment.

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Toyota and Wyland Foundation Recognize 30 Environmental Heroes in Southern California

Tw

Toyota and Wyland Foundation partnership has supported environmental sustainability since 2009

 

TORRANCE, Calif. (April 24, 2012) – Toyota and the Wyland Foundation are proud to congratulate the winners of the 2012 Earth Month Heroes, a Southern California program created by the organizations to annually recognize 30 exemplary citizens who find ground-breaking ways to work toward sustaining a healthy planet. The Wyland Foundation, Toyota and regional broadcast partner KCBS / KCAL will make donations of $250 on behalf of the Earth Month Heroes to deserving organizations in Southern California, with a $1,000 grand prize donation, to support local conservation efforts. For the full list of Earth Month Heroes, visit http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/earth-month-heroes/.

This is the second year of Earth Month Heroes in Southern California. Individuals of all ages from the areas of Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura counties, north San Diego County and the Inland Empire were selected by the Wyland Foundation after an open nomination process by neighbors, colleagues and peers throughout February and March for their environmental achievements. The 2012 grand prize winner is Dency Nelson, an early local organizer of activities during the first Earth Day in 1970. Nelson was chosen for his lifetime efforts to raise the profile of sustainable living in urban environments, and is a founding member of Plug In America, a non-profit public charity that promotes emissions-free driving.

"Toyota is honored to support the 2012 Earth Month Heroes, all of whom are demonstrating how one person truly can make a difference to help our planet,” said Michael Rouse, vice president of philanthropy and community affairs for Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. “We salute their efforts, and encourage others to follow their lead by finding impactful ways to preserve our environment and natural resources.”

“We received so many incredible nominees for the Earth Month Heroes program this year, it was difficult to select 30,” said artist Wyland. “We’re delighted to celebrate their environmental spirit by making donations in their names, and also thank Toyota and KCBS/KCAL for their support – their contributions have helped us generate awareness about the importance of conservation to protect our environment both for today and the future.”

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 also supported the Wyland Foundation in hosting the National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation, March 30 – April 30, in celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Clean Water Act. With support from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the campaign challenged 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.

In addition to its support of the Wyland Foundation, Toyota engages the public through a variety of environmental initiatives and activities as part of the company’s commitment to impactful environmental stewardship. One of Toyota’s key environmental initiatives is TogetherGreen™, a five-year program funded by a $20 million Toyota grant to the National Audubon Society that aims to inspire people to take action to improve the health of the environment. For the past 14 years Toyota has also partnered with the National Environmental and Education Foundation (NEEF) to support National Public Lands Day (NPLD), held annually in September, and is the largest, hands-on volunteer event to improve and enhance public lands. Recently the partnership expanded to include “Every Day” grants to community-based organizations.

Monday, April 23, 2012

Toyota Announces Pricing for Limited Edition Tacoma Pickup TRD T/X Baja Series Package

2012_toyota_tacoma_baja_002

TORRANCE, Calif., April 23, 2012 - - Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), USA, Inc., announced prices today for the TRD T|X Baja Series Package. Inspired by Toyota’s Baja racing heritage, the truck reveals bold graphics with its name “Baja Series” and enhanced suspension, elevating the capability of Tacoma’s TRD Off-Road pickup to a new level of fun and function. The special limited edition package will be available on select Tacoma 4x4 pickup trucks.
The TRD T|X Baja Series Package provides the customer with a great value and high level of capability that is backed by Toyota’s standard vehicle warranty. The TRD T|X Baja Series Package is offered at an MSRP of $5,015 less a $650 Factory Credit. There is an additional savings because the package the Baja Series is built on top of, TRD Off-Road Package for the Baja Series, is priced below the regular TRD Off-Road Package.

Toyota has a rich Baja racing heritage that dates back nearly three decades and includes numerous titles at the legendary Baja 500 and 1000. Toyota’s desert racing program has inspired the development of numerous TRD off-road focused products and packages over the years including the Tacoma PreRunner and TRD Off-Road packages for both Tacoma and Tundra. Last year, Tacoma’s Off-Road Package was enhanced with the launch of the TRD T|X and T|X Pro packages. TRD now takes Tacoma off-roading to the next level with the development of the T|X Baja Series.
The T|X Baja Series will be available on both the Tacoma Access and Double Cab 4x4 models equipped with the TRD Off-Road Package. The Tacoma T|X Baja Series is equipped with a 4.0-liter V6 engine with either six-speed manual and five-speed automatic transmissions. In addition to an electronically-controlled locking rear differential, Active Traction Control (A-TRAC), Hill-Start Assist Control (HAC) and Downhill Assist Control (DAC) currently equipped on the TRD Off-Road package, the limited edition T|X Baja Series adds BF Goodrich T/A KO tires (LT265/70R16) and bead-lock style off-road wheels with an exclusive Gun-Metal Gray finish, TRD Cat-back Exhaust, increased front ride height of nearly two inches and unique Baja Series graphics.

The front suspension has been upgraded to include Ø66mm piston Bilstein race shocks with TRD coil springs that feature a protective zinc plated body and a one inch increase in wheel travel. The rear suspension is equipped with Ø50mm piston Bilstein race shocks with a remote reservoir to increase shock oil capacity for greater heat dissipation and damping sensitivity. The rear shocks also include a zinc plated body and a 1.5-inch increase in wheel travel.
The T|X Baja Series will be part of a Tacoma line that was updated for 2012 with a restyled front end and a refreshed interior in all models. Exterior changes included a redesigned hood, grille, headlamps and front bumper, among other changes. Inside, Tacoma received a new center-instrument panel design with a revised gauge cluster, along with a new steering wheel. A redesigned center stack added new air conditioner/heater controls and power point locations.
The 2012 Tacoma interior also received a new look with a black high-contrast center console, switch plate covers, dash and upper door trim, while the SR5 grade featured a new seat fabric design. Tacoma offers new heavy-duty all-weather flooring option for 2012 on Tacoma Access and Double Cab models equipped with a V6 engine. The more specialized TRD Sport and Off-Road packages also feature new water-resistant fabric protection seats.
All Tacoma TRD T|X Baja Series models will be built exclusively at Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Texas (TMMTX) in San Antonio and will reach dealer showrooms in May 2012. Prices for the Baja Series Tacoma do not include delivery, processing and handling fees (DPH), which are $810. The DPH fee for vehicles distributed by Southeast Toyota (SET) and Gulf States Toyota (GST) may vary.
2012 Toyota Tacoma Baja Series Model-By-Model Prices

Tacoma Baja Series 2012 MY
Model Code
Series
Description
MSRP
TRD
Off-Road
Pkg for
Baja ($)
Baja Series Pkg ($)
Baja Series Factory Credit
New MSRP
2012
7553
Tacoma
Access Cab 4x4 V6 MT

$25,055

$3,570

$5,015

-$650

$32,990

2012
7554
Tacoma
Access Cab 4x4 V6 Auto

$25,935

$3,670

$5,015


-$650

$33,975

2012
7593
Tacoma
Double Cab 4x4 V6 MT

$26,455

$3,455

$5,015


-$650

$34,275

2012
7594
Tacoma
Double Cab 4x4 V6 Auto

$27,335

$3,555

$5,015


-$650

$35,255

All prices listed above exclude the Delivery, Processing, and Handling (DPH) fee of $810

Tacoma TRD T|X Baja Series Features

  • Off-Road tuned front and rear TRD Bilstein racing shocks
  • Electronically-controlled locking rear differential
  • Active Traction Control (A-TRAC)
  • Hill-Start Assist Control (HAC)
  • Downhill Assist Control (DAC)
  • BF Goodrich T/A KO tires (LT265/70R16) with bead-lock style off-road wheels with exclusive Gun-Metal Gray finish
  • TRD Cat-Back Exhaust
  • Increased front ride height by nearly two inches

Friday, April 20, 2012

The left lane...not for the slow

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Delaware may be joining Kansas, Oklahoma, Washington, and other states in cracking down on drivers who use the left lane for more than passing. A bill in the Delaware legislature would institute fines of up to $230 for drivers who camp out in the left lane on roads with at least two lanes in each direction, according to USA Today.

Delaware's current law requires drivers to keep right only when going slower that the flow of traffic, according to the report. The new measure would resemble nearby New Jersey's law – the Garden State currently fines left lane dawdlers up to $200, though a recent proposal would raise that to $300.

The Delaware bill is supported by AAA Mid-Atlantic and the Delaware Police Chiefs Council. For what it's worth, we think it's a good idea as well, but don't take our opinion for it, let us know what you think.

News Source: USA Today

 

 

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Tips to make your car sparkle inside and out!

Detailingfinal

No matter how or why you drive, most people try to keep their vehicle looking good–inside and out.

You can always pay to get a professional to detail your car, but if you're the only one that cleans 'your baby' then the following will help you out.

Start with the Interior

When detailing your car, it would be best to start with the interior. The main reason for doing it that way is so you won’t end up with dust and dirt on the exterior after you’ve cleaned all the cracks and crevices.

Use the Right Tools

If you needed to pound nails into a board, you wouldn’t use an electric drill to do it. Instead, you would use a hammer. Using
the right tools for detailing your car is no different. In order to do it right, you need more than a couple of rags and a bucket of water; you need a vacuum cleaner with an assortment of attachments, some of which will need to fit into tiny cracks. You will also need those rags that were mentioned previously, but some of them should be courser than others–some will need to be thin enough to fit into tiny cracks. You should also have a variety of small brushes on hand–a toothbrush will work well for small places. Q-tips also make handy detailing tools, as do small, flat screwdrivers. To finish the job, you will need various cleaners and a can of compressed air.

Remove Trash from the Inside

The first step in detailing a car is to remove any trash from the interior. Empty the ashtrays and get rid of any discarded food wrappers or empty pop bottles. Remove the floor mats and move the seats as far forward as they’ll go. Check under the seats to make sure you haven’t missed any scraps of paper or loose change.

Vacuum Thoroughly

Use a vacuum cleaner to suck up all the accumulated dirt and dust. Be sure and vacuum the seats as well. Don’t forget to use a brush attachment to vacuum hard surfaces, such as the dashboard and door panels. After you’ve finished getting the larger areas, it’s time to concentrate on the cracks and crevices. Attach smaller, thinner hoses and brushes to the vacuum cleaner as needed and work your way throughout the interior cleaning the smaller areas.

Use a Little Elbow Grease

After you’re finished with the vacuum cleaner, it’s time to use a little elbow grease. Use your Q-tips and small rags to clean out the smallest cracks and crevices inside the car. In order to make sure you reach the bottom of small cracks, you can use a flat screwdriver or knife blade covered by a thin, wet rag. When you’ve loosened the dirt in the crevices, you can use the can of compressed air to finish the job. To be sure you’ve gotten all the dust and dirt, it wouldn’t hurt to run the vacuum cleaner over everything one more time.

Polish Everything

With the dirty work out of the way, it’s time to make the interior shine. If you have stains in the carpet or upholstery, it may take some effort to clean them. Ask your friends and neighbors to recommend a stain remover, or visit an auto parts store to find the right cleaner. Use small, thin, clean rags to polish the cracks and crevices, and larger rags for the dashboard and other hard surfaces. Cleaning the windows should be done with window cleaner and clean rags.

Now Do the Exterior

After you’ve finished cleaning and polishing the interior, it’s time to move outside the vehicle. Make sure you roll up the windows tight so your outside cleaning efforts won’t dirty up the inside all over again.

Start At the Bottom

The best way to detail the exterior of your car is to start with the tires and rims. They have the most tiny cracks and crevices, so they’ll be the hardest part of the job. Because most rims have intricate designs you can use the same tools you used for detailing the interior of the car. After that, you can wash the tires and rims with warm soapy water. Check with an auto parts store or a car dealer to find out what solution works best, not only for the tires and rims, but for the rest of the car as well.

Time to Get Wet

Now time for the fun part–providing you don’t mind getting wet. Use a hose to douse the car. This will loosen any dirt and dust that is clinging to the car. After the car is wet, use a clean cloth that have been dipped in the cleaning solution that was recommended to you and wash the vehicle completely. The next step is to rinse it thoroughly and then dry it with clean, dry cloth.

Waxing Is Next

The next step is to wax the car using your favorite car wax. Make sure you get into all the cracks and crevices so the exterior will be thoroughly protected against the elements.

Buff It Good

In order to make it shine, take a few extra minutes to buff the wax into the car’s finish. The more time you spend buffing the better the car will look. Make sure you wipe excess wax from the cracks and crevices.

Finishing Touches

After you’ve finished, take a good, close look at the interior of the car to make sure you didn’t miss anything. Then, do the same outside. The car should sparkle.

 

*Courtesy of automotivetips.org

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

YAY!! SERVICE COUPONS! Get your vehicle ready for Summer today!

Orangeservice

At Toyota of Orangeburg we offer service coupons and specials on maintenance and repair. From oil change and filters to A/C refresher service, check back to see if coupons are available for the service you need, or special prices or sales may be available for the maintenance you are looking for. Whether you have a newer or older model, our service department can handle repairs and maintenance; getting a special sale offer or coupon is just another reason to visit Toyota of Orangeburg and have your car, truck, or SUV repaired or maintained.

Schedule your appointment by web or phone today!

WEB: http://www.toyotaoforangeburg.com/Specials-Service.aspx

PHONE: 803-536-4512

Monday, April 16, 2012

Toyota Racing Introduces Scion FR-S Speedster

Frsfinal

LONG BEACH, Calif. (April 12, 2012) – Toyota Racing will debut a custom-built Scion FR-S Speedster show vehicle on Friday, April 13 to celebrate the 38th annual Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach. Designed and built by Joe Iacono of Iacono Design and Jeremy Lookofsky of Cartel Customs, the car will be both showcased on site and featured on a limited edition poster commemorating the race event.

The vehicle will be on display in the Lifestyle Expo lobby on Friday and Saturday and will serve as the official Grand Marshal vehicle on Sunday, escorting this year’s IZOD IndyCar Series race Grand Marshal Parnelli Jones. It will be piloted by race car driver and 2012 Long Beach Motorsports Walk of Fame inductee Scott Pruett. Following the Grand Prix, the Scion FR-S Speedster will be available for select appearances.

"The Scion FR-S Speedster is a true sports car that embodies the spirit of the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach and our commitment to motorsports," said Toyota National Motorsports Manager Les Unger. "We think enthusiasts are really going to enjoy seeing this vehicle during the race weekend festivities."

The custom show vehicle--the result of a collaboration between Toyota and its youth brand Scion--is modeled after the 2013 Scion FR-S, a rear-wheel-drive sports car with exceptionally balanced performance and handling, compelling style, flexible utility and surprising fuel economy. The FR-S was most inspired by the AE86 generation of the Corolla, better known as the "Hachi-Roku," meaning "8-6" in Japanese. It was designed around the core goal of achieving "pure balance," as demonstrated by its compact size, flat shape and strategic use of the world’s only flat boxer engine in a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive configuration.

Cartel Customs styled the car in a nod to Toyota’s rich racing heritage. The vehicle proudly bears the number 86 on its door panels and rear wing. It also features Toyota Racing’s iconic paint scheme. Exterior modifications include Cartel Traditional Signature Series Chop Top, modified front fenders and hood, custom-molded rear deck with hand-made sheet metal speed blisters, custom metal fabrication interior and exterior panels, APR Performance Custom 61" carbon fiber wing, and custom formed and cut glass front windshield and side door glass. Interior modifications include custom-shaped metal door panels with carbon fiber insets, carbon rear panel false wall, modified dash center drive gauge cluster and carbon switch panel, and red and white accented seats, dash and center console.

In addition to the Scion FR-S Speedster display, Toyota will also host a live art event on Saturday, April 14 at 1:00 p.m. Pacific Time in the Lifestyle Expo lobby. Urban artist Justin Bua will be on site to recreate the scene featured in his commemorative poster for this year’s race. Grand Prix fans are invited to take part in the live reenactment.

Scion FR-S Speedster Specifications

 

 

Length 166.7 in.

Width 69.9 in.

Height 40.2 in.

Wheelbase 101.2 in.

Powertrain:

Flat 2.0L boxer engine

6-speed transmission

Maximum output 200hp @ 7,000 rpm

Maximum torque 151 lb.-ft @ 6,600 rpm

TORCO Synthetic SR-5 Racing Oil

ACT Clutch

GReddy SP Elite Exhaust System

Chassis / Suspension:

KW Suspensions Clubsport Coilovers (independent rebound and compression adjustability)

Wilwood SUPERLITE 6-piston radial mount calipers in custom red on 13"

SRP drilled and slotted two-piece rotors & BP-10

Wilwood Smart Pads

Wheels & Tires:

Front 18 x 8.0 Forge Line center lock wheels

Back 18 x 9.5 Forge Line center lock wheels

Front 225/40/18 TOYO Proxes R888

Back 245/40/18 TOYO Proxes R888

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Toyota and Boys & Girls Clubs of America Announce Partnership to Help our High School Dropout Crisis

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BALTIMORE, (April 5, 2012) -- Toyota and Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) announced today a national partnership through the establishment of a college readiness initiative, which will help fund youth education and improve high school graduation rates. As a founding sponsor of D2D - Diplomas to Degrees, Toyota is providing a $1.5 million grant over three years to help provide tools, resources and support to Boys & Girls Club teens to help prepare them to move from high school to college graduation.

The announcement was made at an education celebration event on the campus of Bowie State University in Bowie, Md., where more than 150 local Boys & Girls Clubs teens from the Baltimore and Washington, D.C. region were joined by Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley, former NBA player and Boys & Girls Club alum A.C. Green, as well as representatives from Toyota and Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

"I am pleased to join Toyota and the Boys & Girls Clubs of America to announce a new national partnership to prepare our children for the future," said Governor Martin O’Malley. "To move forward in this changing new economy, we must create jobs and expand opportunity – and education is the best tool we have. In Maryland, we have set a goal to improve student achievement and school, college and career readiness by 25 percent by 2015 because we believe in giving our children the tools they need to succeed. Together, with innovative partnerships like this, we can return to the urgent work of building up our children’s future."

Studies have shown that students who fail to graduate high school prepared to obtain a postsecondary education are less likely to gain full access to our country’s economic, political and social opportunities. Therefore, Toyota and BGCA are dedicated to ensuring Club members receive the support needed to succeed in their academic careers and in life.

Piloted in ten cities over the past year, D2D – Diplomas to Degrees will now be available in more than 1,000 Boys & Girls Clubs across the country. The program is designed to help youth develop short and long-term goals; explore post-secondary institutions to familiarize teens with the college lifestyle; pursue and secure essential financial assistance; and foster supportive relationships with caring adults who can provide ongoing advice and mentorship throughout the teens’ academic experience.

"Toyota is committed to helping improve the quality of life in the communities where we live and work," said Mike Groff, vice president, Sales, Marketing and Product Planning, Toyota Financial Services. "Our partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs is an extension of our focus on education and a key component of the new D2D program is engaging our associates to volunteer as mentors and college coaches through their local clubs. The ultimate goal of this program is to increase the number of youth who graduate from high school and enroll in a college, university or other postsecondary institution."


In addition to D2D - Diplomas to Degrees, Toyota has provided close to $1 million in academic scholarships for more than 225 Boys & Girls Club alumni and staff and supported thousands of middle and high school youth with mentorships, internships and financial or career programs to help them become productive and caring adults. Toyota has worked closely with BGCA to support Boys & Girls Club of East Los Angeles, investing toward the local organization’s Formula for Impact Grant.

"BGCA is committed to working with youth to ensure they are prepared for post-secondary education, but we can’t do it alone," said Jim Clark, president and CEO at BGCA. "With the help of corporations like Toyota, we now have the opportunity to provide targeted programs for youth through key transition periods between high school and college. Schools, families and community partners are all vital parts of the education equation and we must work together to improve the outlook for our nation and secure more great futures for our youth."

  

 

Monday, April 9, 2012

Toyota To Hire 150 Engineers at R&D Tech Center in 2012

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (April 5, 2012) – Toyota Technical Center (TTC), a division of Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing, North America, Inc., (TEMA), announced today that the company will hire approximately 150 engineers, technicians, advanced researchers and scientists by the end of 2012. The hiring reinforces Toyota’s commitment to localizing vehicle design and development in the North American region.

Additionally, TTC will add another 100 jobs over the next five years to further advance engine and transmission development for the North American market.

The majority of the new positions will be located at TTC’s two Michigan facilities in Ann Arbor and Saline in the areas of powertrain, mechanical design, electrical engineering, electronics and advanced research. The company’s plans are subject to approval of state and local incentives.

“The hiring of 150 new engineers this year at TTC gives us renewed confidence that our local operation has the experience and leadership to lead us into the future,” said Seiya Nakao, President of TTC. “We are seeking talented, motivated individuals who thrive on challenges, who are team players and implement improvements in safety, quality and performance.”

“The continued growth of Toyota’s R&D operations here only underscores Michigan’s standing as the global center of excellence in automotive engineering, research and technology development,” stated Governor Rick Snyder. “This great news underscores the importance of our missions to meet with business leaders globally and, most of all, speaks to the high value of Michigan’s greatly improved business climate and the increased focus on our state’s strong and talented workforce .”

“Toyota’s announcement to hire 150 new engineering and research staff by the end of the year is a boom to both Toyota and Michigan,” said Congressman John D. Dingell, who represents Ann Arbor and parts of Saline and Livonia. “I commend Toyota, always a great corporate citizen, for its commitment to creating good-paying jobs right here in Southeast Michigan that will draw on the area’s wealth of technical expertise and engineering skill. Toyota’s decision is proof positive that the American automobile market has rebounded and moreover that Michigan will continue to be a wonderful center for advanced manufacturing and superb engineering skills in the future.”

Individuals interested in employment opportunities with TTC and Toyota may apply online at www.toyota.com/about/careers.

For more than 35 years, TTC has been the driving force behind Toyota's North American engineering and research & development activities. Established in 1977 and headquartered in Michigan, TTC has R&D facilities in Ann Arbor, Saline, Plymouth and Livonia. In addition, TTC has R&D facilities in California and operates the Toyota Arizona Proving Ground near Phoenix.

TTC employs over 1,100 team members and is engaged in engineering design, vehicle evaluation and engineering, materials engineering, prototype building, powertrain tuning and design, safety/crashworthiness, regulatory affairs and advanced research. TTC has development responsibilities for the Avalon, Camry, Sienna, Tacoma, Tundra, Venza and RAV4 EV.

Thursday, April 5, 2012

The 2013 Avalon....No longer just your grandparents ride

This is the Avalon, the car that replaced the Mercury Grand Marquee in the hearts, minds and garages of Florida retirees. But the new model is now much sportier with paddle shifters and sports mode driving. This is no longer your grandparents ride. Check out the press release and photos from Toyota.

Avalon

• New model offers captivating styling, a spacious, luxurious interior experience, and premium technology
• Regionally-focused design, engineering, and manufacturing effort


NEW YORK, (April 5, 2012) – Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. revealed the all-new 2013 Avalon premium mid-size sedan today at the 2012 New York International Auto Show. The new Avalon is re-conceived for the premium mid-size sedan segment with a progressive and emotionally styled exterior design.

When it arrives to dealerships late this year, the new Avalon will offer improved dynamic performance, a greater degree of refinement, and a highly spacious, comfortable interior experience with an abundance of outstanding convenience technologies.

The new 2013 Avalon is the result of a North American-focused design and engineering effort. The new sedan's dramatic exterior and interior design was conceived by a youthful and talented team at the Calty Design Research Inc. facilities in Southern California and Michigan. The car's engineering development was principally led by a passionate and dedicated group based at Toyota Technical Center in Ann Arbor, Mich. Continuing a North American focused theme, the 2013 Avalon will be assembled at Toyota's facility in Georgetown, Ky. True to the future product mission set forth by Toyota Motor Corporation President, Akio Toyoda, the new Avalon's more stylish, bold, sporty exterior design and luxurious interior styling are matched by an enhanced dynamic package, a combination that foreshadows the more compelling and passionate nature of future Toyota products.

Enhanced Avalon Dynamics
In addition to its stunning design, numerous structural and chassis improvements were made to the new Avalon to enhance the ride quality, straight-line stability and handling. The body structure gains improvements in torsional rigidity thanks to additional and strategically placed welds, improved body bracing, and high-strength steel in key areas in order to provide a stiffer chassis and optimize suspension performance. The new Avalon suspension relies on MacPherson struts with advanced valving and rebound springs to balance handling and agility with ride comfort. Coil spring rate and front and rear sway bar stiffness was increased from the current model to help improve body control and body roll. The Avalon's electric power steering (EPS) system has been tuned to help deliver enhanced controllability and vehicle agility while also realizing superior linear stability.

The new Avalon offers three distinct drive modes that help tailor dynamic performance to the driver's needs. The drive modes - Normal, Eco, and Sport -are made available through driver-selectable switches. In Sport mode, throttle response is enhanced and steering effort is weighted from center to offer a sportier character. Eco changes throttle response and A/C power usage to help improve fuel economy. Steering-wheel mounted paddle shifters help provide a sportier drive while in the D or S Mode, where the revised throttle helps improve shift response to help maximize engine power and vehicle performance.

Dynamic Exterior Styling
The new Avalon's dynamic exterior styling defines a sleek and expressive profile that helps communicate a sense of motion for the vehicle even when it is at rest. The beltline has been lowered to accentuate a strong stance. Compared to its predecessor, the new Avalon is a bit more compact yet displays better proportions with a longer, sloping roofline, flared front fenders, and reduced front and rear overhangs, lower vehicle height, and reduced body-to-tire gap. New 17-inch and 18-inch alloy wheel and tire combinations fill the wheel well to enhance the vehicle's dynamic exterior expression.

Key exterior design elements include the square Double-eye PES (Projector Ellipsoid System) headlamps with HID (High-Intensity Discharge)and elegant DRL (Daytime Running Lights) feature available that provide excellent night time visibility while helping define a narrower, more taut and muscular exterior expression. A wider, more assertive grille design provides a bolder front perspective. At the rear, high-performance LED combination tail lamps are adopted which are more integrated with the revised rear-body styling. The dual rear tailpipe outlets further the more cohesive design theme.

Modern Interior Experience
Design elements enhancing comfort, convenience and technology help create the luxurious experience that will prove tempting to buyers of the next Avalon. The 2013 Avalon offers a modern, spacious, premium interior highlighted by abundant rear seat legroom, while featuring a myriad of available features. Beyond mere dimensions, the new Avalon's interior design enhances the cabin's sense of spaciousness and comfort. The front seat's hip point has been lowered by 10 millimeters (0.4 inches) to help create improved headroom. The new power front seat design with increased side bolstering is more supportive and offers an expanded range of downward adjustment. In addition, the structural components of the sunroof and the headliner design have been optimized to help increase the cabin's roominess. A concave dash panel design, located in front of the passenger, helps create an expansive feeling. While the rear overhang has been reduced by 1.7 inches, the luggage compartment capacity is 16.0 cubic feet, an increase of 1.6 cubic feet as compared to the outgoing model.

The Avalon's premium interior attains a high level of refinement by reducing wind, engine and road noise inside the cabin. The resultant interior is even significantly quieter and more comfortable than the current Avalon and it creates an ideal environment to enjoy conversation, music or Toyota's available multimedia system, Entune™. Sound absorbing materials have been strategically placed around the cabin and body structure while not inhibiting a reduction in overall vehicle weight. The windshield and front side-glass panels utilize acoustic glass that helps control sound intrusion into the cabin. Reductions in wind noise have been realized by optimizing exterior shape, specifically cowl and louver sealing, outer mirror shape and position, and wiper-blade position, which have all been developed to dramatically reduce wind noise generation. Exterior gaps and steps have also been minimized to reduce wind noise around the door glass areas.

The new Avalon's interior utilizes premium materials and a high degree of craftsmanship to offer an upscale experience. Rich, supple leather trims the steering wheel, shift knob, and seat upholstery helping add visual and tactile appeal. Hand-crafted, decorative stitching is adopted for the steering wheel, and soft-touch materials on the dash panel and door trim elevate the vehicle's sense of tactile luxury. Smoked chrome-metallic accents are applied to the instrument panel, center console, door panel, and steering wheel surfaces to help add distinction and exceptional feel. Available push-button controlled soft white ambient lighting illuminates key regions of the interior to help convey the sense of luxury. The new Avalon's center console includes a convenient console tray that is ideal for the storage of electronic hand held devices. The new Avalon's console area is equipped with a USB port, AUX input terminal and three 12-volt power outlets to help facilitate device interface and charging.

The new Avalon will offer innovative technologies such as advanced capacitive touch switches with positioning and sensitivity that makes them ideal for vehicle system controls. Other premium in-car technologies include three color display screens that support the multi-information display, the audio/navigation interface, and the climate control panel. An easy to use Display Audio system with 6.1 inch touchscreen is standard on the new Avalon; while a JBL Synthesis Premium Audio system, HDD Premium Navigation with 7" screen, dynamic radar cruise control, heated and cooled front seats, heated rear seats, and a three-zone air conditioning system are also on the list of available features and equipment.

Safety
Like all Toyota models, the new Avalon will feature Toyota's Star Safety System™ standard, which includes Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRAC), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist, and Smart Stop Technology brake-override system.

The new Avalon helps to prioritize occupant safety with a best-in-class10 airbags system. A Pre-collision system is also available that is designed to "sense" an impending frontal collision and can help mitigate damage. A variable ratio brake pedal is adopted that varies the initial and final pedal effort ratios to help realize excellent brake pedal feel.

In addition to a rearview monitor, Avalon offers an available Blind Spot Monitoring system which is designed to help detect vehicles behind the outer mirrors and to help alert drivers in addition to a new Rear Cross Traffic Alert system (RCTA) that can alert drivers of cross traffic when they are backing up.


Key Dimensional Comparison

2013 Avalon 2012 Avalon
Overall Length 195.3 in. (4960 mm) 197.6 in. (5020 mm)
Overall Width 72.2 in. (1835 mm) 72.8 in. (1850 mm)
Overall Height 57.5 in. (1460 mm) 58.5 in. (1485 mm)
Wheelbase 111 in. (2820 mm) 111 in. (2820 mm)
Front Tread 62.6 in. (1590 mm) 62.2 in. (1580 mm)
Rear Tread 62.2 in. (1580 mm) 61.6 in. (1565 mm)
Front Overhang 38.8 in. (985 mm) 39.4 in. (1000 mm)
Rear Overhang 45.5 in. (1155 mm) 47.2 in. (1200 mm)
Curb Weight 3,497 lbs. (estimated) 3,616 lbs. (Avalon model)

 

 

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

The FT-Bh Hybrid takes you on ride into the future!

Step into the future! Take a look at the FT-Bh Hybrid Concept from Toyota. Watch the futuristic video and tell us what you think below.

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

We will always meet your needs! No matter what.

"Excellent customer service and care! It was the best experience I ever had purchasing a car. The first car I purchased, I didn't like. I took it back and exchanged it for another with no problems."         - Justme

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Monday, April 2, 2012

A couple of things to spend your extra money on

Here's a couple things you could spend your extra money on! You're sure to have some if you're getting 53MPG in your new Prius c.

Click HERE to schedule a test drive today!