Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Scion FR-S Named Best Sports Car for the Money by U.S. News & World Report!


The 2013 FR-S beat out its competition to earn the Best Sports Car for the Money from respected publication U.S. News & World Report. The annual award recognizes value, quality and critical acclaim across 21 vehicle categories.

To evaluate the FR-S, U.S. News & World Report judges looked at the sports coupe’s safety record, reliability and opinion from industry experts. Additionally, the expected five-year total cost of ownership and average vehicle price at the time of publication contributed to overall scores. The FR-S costs $25,255 MSRP with a six-speed manual transmission or $26,355 MSRP with a six-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters and Dynamic Rev Management technology.

“The Best Sports Car for the Money award is a testament to the incredibly fun and accessible sports car experience offered by the Scion FR-S,” said Scion Vice President Doug Murtha. “We are proud the FR-S continues to impress industry enthusiasts and drivers, while also representing the passion behind the Scion brand.”

The FR-S comes standard with 17-inch alloy wheels, a limited-slip differential and 2.0-liter flat boxer engine that produces 200 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque. Its distinctive lightweight design and impressive handling have built a following since its introduction last year.

Also winning awards were the Toyota Tacoma and Toyota Tundra, winning “Best Compact Truck for the Money” and “Best Full Size Truck for the Money” awards, respectively. It is the second year of top honors in a row for the Tacoma.


Courtesy of Toyota Newsroom

Friday, February 22, 2013

A thank you goes out to our wonderful customers.

"Toyota of Orangeburg is a great dealership not just because we know some of the salespeople and staff, but also because they are friendly, patient, offer great deals and informative. We have bought three automobiles over the past 12 years from Toyota of Orangeburg and are very well satisfied with the service received."-sboone

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Click here to check out our latest 5-Star Review.

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Toyota Motor Corporation Vehicles Continue to Dominate the 2013 J.D. Power and Associates Vehicle Dependability Study.

Seven Lexus, Toyota, and Scion models captured segment awards in the 2013 J.D. Power and Associates Vehicle Dependability Study, more than any other automaker.

The study also found:
  • Lexus ranks highest in vehicle dependability for the second consecutive year by improving 15 fewer problems/100;
  • The Lexus RX is the first SUV to lead the industry with the fewest reported problems at just 57 problems/100; and
  • Toyota is the highest ranked non-premium nameplate and tied for third place for the second consecutive year
 
2013 Vehicle Dependability Study performers by segment
Segment Ranking Model Problems/100
Sub-Compact Car 1 Scion xD 112
2 Toyota Yaris 122
Compact Car 1 Toyota Prius 95
Entry Premium Car 1 Lexus ES350 58
Compact Multi-Purpose Vehicle 1 Scion xB 138
Compact Crossover/SUV 1 Toyota RAV4 84
3 Toyota FJ Cruiser 98
Midsize Premium Crossover/SUV 1 Lexus RX 57
Minivan 1 Toyota Sienna 146
Lexus 1   71
Toyota 3 (tie)   112
Scion 18   135
Industry Average 126

Additional examples of Toyota’s commitment to the highest standards for quality, safety, reliability and retained value include:
 
  • Lexus completes a Grand Slam as the highest ranking nameplate in the 2012 J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Study, Vehicle Dependability Study, Customer Satisfaction Index, and Sales Satisfaction Index;  
  • A leading consumer publication awards Scion, Toyota, and Lexus the top three brands for reliability and six of the top ten “Best Values” for 2012;
  • Kelley Blue Book recognizes 18 Toyota Motor Corporation vehicles with “Best Resale Awards, more than any other automaker in 2012; and
  • 19 Toyota Motor Corporation vehicles were named 2012 “Top Safety Picks” by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, more than any other automaker, and four 2012 models earned 5 Stars in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s New Car 
Courtesy of Toyota Newsroom

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Jeremy Clarkson: the Toyota GT86 is brilliant


The Toyota GT86 has made its long-awaited television debut with Top Gear – continuing its run of superb reviews.
Jeremy Clarkson described the GT86 as ‘brilliant’ and said it ‘would put a smile on the face of every motoring enthusiast in the world’.

He also praised its low center of gravity and focus on driving dynamics and handling over horsepower, saying: “The engine is a flat-four boxer unit, and that means it can be mounted low down – and that means a low center of gravity. There’s no turbocharger, so there’s no lag.
“Everything about the GT86 is immediate – and brilliant.”
He added: “It’s obvious the GT86 was not designed to set new lap records at the Nurburgring, and with a 197 horsepower two-liter engine it won’t win many drag races either.
‘What it will do though, is put a smile on the face of every motoring enthusiast in the world.”
And in a break from normal Top Gear service, Clarkson even praised the car’s real-world ownership credentials, saying: “It isn’t even stupid. It comes with easy finance and a five-year warranty. Cruise control and Bluetooth and air conditioning come as standard.”
After Clarkson’s review, Top Gear’s famed test driver, The Stig, took the GT86 around the track, setting a lap time of 1:31.3 – fairly low on the supercar-filled league table, but still a respectable two seconds behind the BMW M5 and another two behind the Porsche 911 GT3.
But as Jeremy noted himself, what matters is not how fast a car is, but how much fun you can have in it.
The segment on the TV show was the third time Top Gear have got their hands on the GT86 – it won the magazine’s Speed Week performance car test last summer (from which these images are taken), and was named the Top Gear Car of the Year in December.

Courtesy of House of Japan

Monday, February 11, 2013

Maintenance Tip Monday: Brakes and brake fluid.

Change-brake-pads-4

Check to ensure that brake fluid levels are within tolerance. How often you need to replace brake pads or other components depends on how you drive and typical driving conditions. Warning signs of a brake problem include noise, vibration or “grabbing” when you apply the brakes. Working on your brakes is a job probably best left to the professionals.

Courtesy of Nationwide

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Toyota wins at Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership awards!

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Toyota has won a major prize for its role in reducing the environmental impact of motoring, taking the title of Car and Van Manufacturer of the Year at the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership awards at a ceremony in London last night.

Graham Smith OBE, Managing Director of Toyota Motor Europe London, was also named Outstanding Individual in Promoting Low Carbon Transport. He was the founding chairman of the UK LowCVP from 2003 to 2009 and remains a member of its board of trustees.

Announcing the awards, Andy Eastlake, LowCVP’s Managing Director, said: “In a year of outstanding growth in UK car sales, Toyota, the name synonymous with hybrids, has introduced the technology across the widest range of vehicles on the market. Thirty per cent of its sales are now of vehicles which produce less than 100g/km of CO2.

“With an impressive increase in its sales and market share, together with a UK CO2 average below 120g/km, this really does show Toyota’s strong determination to reduce carbon from cars.”

Graham Smith said: “Low carbon, low emission vehicles are important not just for the environment but also for the economy, for UK manufacturing and in reducing the motoring costs of retail and fleet buyers alike. LowCVP has played a central role in delivering these benefits and Toyota has maintained its support throughout.”

Toyota is committed not only to reduce the CO2 emissions from its vehicles, but from every aspect of its business. A large scale carbon reduction programme has been implemented across the 180-strong Toyota Centre network, which achieved a 15 per cent year-on-year CO2 reduction in 2012.

In the past year Toyota has launched four new hybrids in its strategy to make the low carbon, high efficiency benefits of the technology available to as wide a range of customers as possible. As well as low CO2 performance, these vehicles produce almost no NOx (Nitrous Oxide) and PM (Particulate Matter), emissions which impact on air quality.

The newcomers include the seven-seat Prius+ – which was named Best Green MPV by What Car? in 2012 – and Yaris Hybrid. Each has the distinction of being the first full hybrid in its market segment in Europe.

The year also saw the introduction of the new, British-built Auris Hybrid hatchback, and Prius Plug-in, Toyota’s first plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. Hybrids aside Toyota has continued to reduce the emissions and improve the fuel efficiency of its petrol and diesel powertrains across its model range.

Courtesy of House of Japan

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

‘Genie’ Kaley Cuoco Grants Wishes in All-New Toyota RAV4 Commercial


Embodying the modern, stylish and smart characteristics of the all-new RAV4, Toyota’s new “Wish Granted” commercial starring Kaley Cuoco will make its broadcast debut on Feb. 3.  The star of CBS hit show “The Big Bang Theory” will appear granting the wishes of a family in unexpected and creative ways during one of the biggest sporting and advertising events of the year.  Cuoco’s comedic chops made her a perfect partner in bringing the RAV4 Genie character to life.

“The all-new RAV4 is a testament to the people that drive it and live lifestyles that are full of energy and enthusiasm, which is one of the reasons we are so pumped to work with Kaley to showcase it,” said Jack Hollis, vice president of Toyota Division Marketing at Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. “We wanted to share Toyota’s ‘Let’s Go Places’ spirit of journey with viewers of the big game in a light and relatable way.”

“Wish Granted” features the all-new RAV4 that comes with a modern genie played by Cuoco who grants wishes to the Henderson family, the owners of the vehicle.  With a loveable, sidekick dog, Chester, Cuoco goes about granting the wishes of each family member in her own interpretation. The journey takes the family on a series of unexpected adventures including a trip to space and fulfilling the daughter’s request for princessdom. 

“As soon as I saw the script, I knew I wanted to be in this commercial because the sense of humor was right up my alley,” said Cuoco.  “It was so much fun and I’m excited that everyone gets to see it now and again on Sunday.”

The 60-second RAV4 commercial is designed to resonate with people who lead active, busy lifestyles but still make time to embrace everyday adventures.  It speaks to drivers who want a stylish, capable and versatile vehicle that keeps up with the pace of their lives and still allows them to find the enjoyment and excitement along the way.

The commercial also features an image submitted by Ryan Koch of Fitchburg, Wis., as part of the Get In the Big Game opportunity that took place earlier this month.  Fans were invited to upload photos of themselves using the hashtag #wishgranted to Instagram and Twitter, and Koch’s photo was selected to appear in the ad.

"Ryan's photo captures the spirit and lifestyle of Toyota’s new brand direction – ‘Let’s Go Places’ – and the all new RAV4,” said Hollis. “Toyota’s ‘Let’s Go Places’ is all about inviting our customers on a fun journey with us, and the Get in the Big Game campaign was an opportunity to do just that.”

“Wish Granted,” created by Saatchi & Saatchi LA, will run during the first quarter of Sunday’s game, followed by the Toyota Super Bowl Today Post-Game Show, which will also include the airing of two additional new commercials highlighting the Tundra Endeavour tow and the recently-launched company direction, “Let’s Go Places.”  For a preview of “Wish Granted” spot before game day, please go to http://bit.ly/wishgranted.


Courtesy of Toyota Newsroom

Monday, January 28, 2013

Maintenance Tip Monday!

 
Most vehicle manuals recommend that you service your vehicle more frequently if you drive in "severe" conditions. Most drivers are surprised at what counts for severe driving. In fact, for most drivers, "normal" driving habits are actually "severe"! 
 
"Severe" driving conditions include one or more of the following:
driving in stop and go traffic
driving in extremely hot or cold temperatures
driving at prolonged higher engine speeds
taking multiple trips averaging 5 to 10 miles in length
frequent cold start-ups and shut downs
extensive engine idling
towing and/or hauling heavy loads
driving in dusty or muddy conditions
driving in mountainous terrain 
 
Protect your car with proper maintenance to counteract the effects of severe driving.

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Toyota and Cincinnati Children’s to Donate 10,000 Child Car Seats to Families In Need as Part of Child Passenger Safety Education Campaign.

Did you know that three out of every four child car seats in the United States are not used or installed correctly? Or that almost 50 percent of children who are fatally injured in motor vehicle crashes were unrestrained? To address this alarming public health issue and encourage greater safety for child passengers, Toyota and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center have teamed up to launch a national, online education campaign on Causes.com.

Thecampaign – at www.Causes.com/Toyota – invites people to take action online:

  • Watch a short video with tips to properly install a child car seat
  • Share the video with your friends and family

The campaign builds on the success of Toyota’s and Cincinnati Children’s groundbreaking Buckle Up for Life child safety program in communities.

In recognition of everyone who participates in the campaign, Toyota will donate 10,000 child car seats to families in need.

“While cars and trucks today are safer than they’ve ever been, motor vehicle crashes are still the leading cause of death in the United States for children between the ages of one and 12,” said Patricia Salas Pineda, group vice president of National Philanthropy and the Toyota USA Foundation at Toyota Motor North America. “Tragically, so many of these deaths and injuries could be avoided through the proper use of child car seats and seat belts. We are pleased to be working with the visionary medical experts at Cincinnati Children’s to help empower parents and caregivers to make an even bigger difference in protecting young passengers, while also bringing thousands of new child car seats to families in need.”

“The goal of our partnership with Toyota has been to help keep as many children safe as possible and to educate families on the importance of properly buckling children up during every ride,” said Dr. Victor Garcia, founding director of Trauma Services at Cincinnati Children’s, professor of pediatric surgery and a co-founder of Buckle Up for Life. “The campaign on Causes.com expands our ability to fulfill this vital mission and to reach even more people across America with information that saves lives.”

Toyota and Causes will host a live Twitter chat to help parents learn valuable tips about child passenger safety. The event will start on Jan. 22 at 2:00 p.m., ET, with certified child passenger safety technicians from Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. The technicians will be available to answer questions, in English and Spanish, about proper car seat installation and other ways to keep child passengers safe. The chat will be hosted by Corinne McDermott, family travel expert, Huffington Post contributor, and founder of Have Baby Will Travel, a leading website offering travel tips for busy parents, which regularly addresses child safety issues. Follow @Toyota and @causes and learn some great tips on how you can #BuckleUpforLife.

Courtesy of Toyota Newsroom

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Toyota Furia Concept Makes Global Debut at 2013 North American International Auto Show.

Toyota revealed the Corolla Furia Concept at the 2013 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. This exciting compact sedan concept hints at the styling cues consumers can expect to see on the next-generation Corolla. The concept represents an exterior styling study by Toyota designers, and it builds on the brand’s product development priority to develop more dramatic, expressively designed vehicles.

“The Corolla Furia Concept is an early indicator of where our compact car design may lead in the future,” said Bill Fay, group vice president and general manager of the Toyota Division. “It blends a heightened emphasis on dramatic design and modern elements of high technology to generate curb appeal that will surprise a lot of people.”

The Furia is designed around a theme of “Iconic Dynamism,” which uses pure and simple surface elements to create a confident, decisive and recognizable appearance appealing to more youthful consumers. It features a more provocative, dynamic interpretation of a compact sedan that displays a more stable, athletic stance with 19-inch allow wheels pushed to the vehicle’s corners with short overhangs to help emphasize its long wheelbase.

The Corolla Furia design includes a swept windshield, with a sloped roofline and pronounced fender flares, to help communicate a sense of motion even when the car is stationary. The aggressively styled front fascia, with a blacked-out grille treatment, helps highlight a pair of sculpted front LED headlamps that combine with the rear composite LED taillight assemblies to add a sense of advanced technology to the Furia’s impactful exterior. Carbon fiber accents adorn the Corolla Furia Concept’s wheel wells, rocker panels, and rear valance, which includes ornate metal exhaust outlet surrounds to add a sense of modern athleticism.



Courtesy of Toyota Newsroom

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Actress Kaley Cuoco Makes Her Super Bowl Debut in a Toyota Spot!

Kaleycuoco001_48519_39905_thumb

Kaley Cuoco, star of the award-winning CBS show “The Big Bang Theory,” has a busy roster this year, including a debut in Super Bowl XLVII commercial for Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.  Sweetening the pot for fans of Kaley and Super Bowl fans alike, the public will be offered a chance to “Get In The Big Game” and have their picture appear in the Toyota spot. From Jan. 4 until Jan. 12, fans can submit photos of themselves to Instagram or Twitter with the hashtag #wishgranted for a chance for their image to appear in Toyota’s Super Bowl commercial on Feb. 3. One photo will be selected and placed in the reveal of the commercial during the first quarter of the game.

 “Not only are we pumped to have Kaley as part of our Super Bowl commercial, but we’re also excited to give fans a chance to have their photo appear in a nationally televised Toyota spot during one of the biggest sporting events of the year,” said Jack Hollis, vice president of Toyota Division Marketing at Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. “We look forward to sharing our commercial with the millions of viewers who tune in to watch the ultimate football showdown.”

 While details about the creative elements of the campaign will not be released until closer to its air date, the humorous nature of the commercial made Cuoco, with her comedic television background, ideal for the role.

 “When I saw the concept for the commercial, I knew it was something I wanted to do,” said Cuoco.  “I’ve had a great time filming and am excited to see the finished product.”

Courtesy of Toyota Newsroom.

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Toyota Heading to 2013 Tokyo Auto Salon with Custom FR-S Models update.

Toyotafrsdec31

Toyota will be heading to the 2013 Tokyo Auto Salon with several of its own custom FR-S models, with five of the 10 booth cars confirmed to be of the 86 variety.

One of the five mentioned concepts include a GRMN Sports FR Concept Platinum which will feature a twin-charged boxer engine pumping out 325 hp. Joining it will be an 86 TRD Griffon Concept, a TOM’S N086V Concept, 86 x style Cb, and an 86 MODELLISTA Concept.

 

Most interesting of them all in the teaser photos is the 86 x style Cb, and different headlights than what we’re used to seeing on the FR-S/GT 86. Five other vehicles will be joining the lineup, though Toyota hasn’t released details on those yet.

Courtesy of House of Japan.