Archive for the ‘Toyota’ Category

The Performance Toyota dealership in Lincoln, Neb. was bustling today with camera shutter clicks and the murmur of humble “thank yous.”

Three Nebraska-based non-profit organizations – Arbor Day Farms, the Food Bank of Lincoln and Lighthouse – were presented with well-deserved new Toyota vehicles, courtesy of the 100 Cars for Good contest which wrapped up August 17th. The significance of the occasion was made evident with the presence of Toyota Product Communications vice president James Colon, who presented each organization with keys to their new rides.

Colon, who is responsible for creating, gathering and managing information and promotional campaigns for Toyota vehicles, flew in for the ceremony. He was just as surprised as anyone that three of the 100 winners hail from the same Nebraska hub. “Three cars in one area…in such close proximity. That’s amazing!” he said as we small talked about this special event. An all-around amicable and outgoing gentleman, I was curious to see how Colon weighs in on subjects ranging from social media to Husker football.

James Colon (second from left) congratulated each representative alongside Performance Toyota of Lincoln's General Manager Tom Ballard (center).

Since 1957, Toyota has donated over half a billion dollars to non-profits in the U.S. – clearly it’s a brand that focuses on giving back to the community. “We’re a company that sees just beyond selling cars and trucks,” Colon said. The 100 Cars for Good program is one of the larger, more publicly promoted events that was able to get this point across.  Not only does Toyota care for consumers, but also for dealers involved in the process -“The real success of this program is the engagement between our dealer partners and organizations in the communities where they do business,” Colon said.

In terms of engagement, it’s not a new concept for Toyota to use social outlets to promote their products, and Colon understands first hand that social media is where a great deal of business-to-consumer interaction is taking place. Voting for the contest occurred solely online through Facebook, and it looks like there will be similar campaigns in the future. “We’re going to use social media in a variety of ways to interact with our consumers,” Colon said. “It’s really where that activity is going right now.”

Colon went on to talk about how Toyota understands consumers’ increased desire  to stay connected, and expanded on the technology of their debut infotainment system, Entune, in the 2012 Camry. “It has a robust system using voice activation, allowing you to engage safely while in your car.” He’s especially excited about the Pandora Radio access, which streams live with Entune – “I’m a big fan,” he said.

Moving on to the subject of hybrids and the increased production of plug-in electric vehicles, Colon revealed Toyota’s future plans for the beloved Prius hybrid, which has dominated its vehicle segment for the last nine years. With more electric vehicles popping up in the market, tweaks must be made to match the competition: “In the early part of 2012 we will introduce a Prius plug-in, which allows you to operate your vehicle for about a 15 mile range on electric only, and allows you to charge the vehicle with a regular 110-volt outlet in three hours,” Colon said. He also announced Toyota’s plan to add a fully electric vehicle to their green fleet. “We plan to introduce our first hydrogen fuel-cell [pollution-free electricity generation technology] vehicle in the U.S. in 2015,” he stated.

100 Cars for Good 2011 took place for 100 consecutive days beginning May 9 and ending Aug. 17.

He remains optimistic and confident that Toyota will continue to meet the demands of consumers for years to come, even as government standards become stricter. How will Toyota leverage consumers’ spending with more advanced technology that makes is possible to depend less on gas? “At Toyota we think there are going to be a number of solutions to reduce the reliance on foreign oil,” he stated. “For example, efficiency of engines is getting better and hybrid technology is delivering better gas mileage. Our 2012 Camry mid-sized sedan will average over 40 miles to the gallon.” Colon asks consumers to evaluate their automotive spending in light of increasing gas prices. “Do you want to save a little money driving a more fuel-efficient car, or do you want to spend it at the pump?” With a starting MSRP of around $22,000 and up to 51 mpg city, the affordable 2011 Prius Hybrid is a good indication that Toyota knows how to make that choice easy for consumers.

While Toyota’s the No. 1- selling brand in the nation, Colon’s in the land of corn where Husker football reigns supreme. When asked to provide a score prediction for Saturday’s game against the University of Wisconsin, Colon got a little flustered.  Laughing, he replied “I’m not in the prediction business, but I’m in Nebraska today so I say ‘Go Huskers’!”

Looks like both the Toyota brand and Colon like to play it safe with consumers.

On Wednesday, September 28, 2011 three Nebraska-based non-profit organizations were presented with brand new Toyota vehicles after winning the Toyota-sponsored 100 Cars for Good contest: Lighthouse, a community based after-school program for youth in Lincoln, the Food Bank of Lincoln, which provides leadership in community efforts to address hunger in Southeast Nebraska, and Arbor Day Farm, which promotes environmental programs that focus on trees, conservation and environmental stewardship.

Thousands of non-profits from around the nation applied to enter the contest, which makes it extraordinary that Nebraska was home to three of the winners, more than any other state.  Representatives from each organization gathered at the Performance Toyota-Scion dealership in Lincoln Wednesday morning, exchanging handshakes and “congratulations” before being handed giant keys by the vice president of Toyota Product Communications, James Colon. See more about his thoughts on the event in the recap of our exclusive interview.

Pictured from left to right: representatives from the Food Bank of Lincoln, Arbor Day Farm and Lighthouse.

The 100 Cars for Good contest was a program aimed to reward do-gooders from around the nation with new cars for the purpose of furthering and aiding their community efforts, which crossed a broad range of categories. Thousands of entries were reduced to 500 finalists, selected by an independent panel of judges, experts in the fields of philanthropy and corporate social responsibility. These 500 finalists resulted in 100 winners, after one vehicle-recipient was chosen each day for 100 consecutive days beginning May 9th.  All voting took place via Facebook.

Facebook made the perfect platform for this contest, especially for non-profits who seldom have marketing teams to promote themselves and their causes. These organizations are used to relying on word-of-mouth advertising, but with such a grand prize on the line, many of them bumped up their promotional game.  A variety of tactics resulted in these three organizations gaining the votes needed to win.

Lighthouse representatives used their social circles for support, including past fraternity brothers, the adolescents within the program and over 2,200 newsletter recipients. They even convinced board members who were not active members on Facebook to create accounts and spread the word. They will use their new Toyota Highlander hybrid to take kids on outings and field trips with the intent of expanding their ambitions.

The folks at the Food Bank of Lincoln took a team approach, consulting Lighthouse (who had won a couple weeks before) on their strategy, as well as other food banks in the region who also won vehicles. It seems as though like-causes and fellow Lincoln non-profits were willing to lend a hand, and a vote. They will use their new Toyota Sienna to haul loads of Food to and from their headquarters.

Arbor Day Farm, and organization that already receives high praise and recognition from most green initiatives in the region, counted on their established reputation while utilizing employees, guests, family and friends to boost their vote count. Twitter also seems to have served them well. Arbor Day will use their new Toyota Sienna Hybrid, which fits in perfectly with their cause, to take visitors to and from the airport.

Perhaps the high amount of winners in Nebraska speaks to the kind of supportive community we have. This is a great example of how social media can create social good right here in the heartland, where local support and community building are clearly demonstrated.

Just when you thought America’s No. 1 selling sedan couldn’t get any better, the 2012 Toyota Camry (photo courtesy of www.toyota.com) evolves with a fully-equipped multimedia service – Entune. This driver-friendly program provides the ability to sync all your SmartPhone applications with an in-car tech system. This makes finding directions, streaming music, getting minute-by-minute game scores and making dinner reservations on-the-go simpler than ever. Other perks of the “infotainment” service include hands-free communication using Bluetooth technology and seamless connectivity on and off the road. Best of all, the service comes free-of-charge for the first three years.

Besides Entune, there have been other minor tweaks to the classic Camry. As the best-selling car in the U.S. for the last 15 years, you may ask, “Why fix it if it ain’t broke?” Toyota took the core elements of the Camry and built on them. The new model has higher fuel-efficiency, superior safety technology, steadfast Toyota performance and a collection of interior design enhancements increasing comfort and charm. Toyota made huge strides in the functionality of the Camry that together endow this particular model with elements comparable to those of other more expensive luxury sedans.

(Photo courtesy of Toyota.com)

The National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) awarded the XLE Hybrid Toyota Camry the Vehicle of the Month Award for September 2012, citing overall design, multimedia availability and driving dynamic (which is often sacrificed in many Hybrid vehicles) as features that make it a frontrunner in its class. Contributing factors to the 2012 Camry Hybrid’s high ranking appeal also include:

• Aerodynamic design to lower drag
• Low-rolling-resistance tires
• 33/39 mpg EPA fuel economy rating with a combined average of 41 mpg (an enormous 12 mpg increase in city driving and an impressive gain of 8 mpg for combined driving cycles, compared to the 2011 Camry Hybrid)
• Toyota Synergy Drive: Combines a four-cylinder engine, Small high torque electric motor & Nickel-metal hydride batteries

Aside from the 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine in the super practical Camry Hybrid, the Camry L (base-grade model), LE, SE, and XLE will have a standard 2.5-liter 4-cylinder. The SE and XLE models will be available with the 3.5-liter V6. All models come with improved features that make it a leader in the mid-sized sedan category:

• Safety – Rear seat airbags that are completely compatible with child seats, High-strength steel in B-pillar and rocker-panel reinforcements, Smart Stop Technology brake-override system, Toyota Safety Connect, Blind-spot monitoring system (optional)
• Multimedia – New Entune System, Standard USB port, Wireless connection to compatible Bluetooth, Speed-sensitive volume control, 6.1 inch screen and six speakers (not available in L)
• Exterior – Bolder front end with new headlamps and honeycomb grille, Chrome foglight recesses on L, LE and XLE models, Squared-off aero corner trims at the front and rear, Contoured sides with angled character line, 17-inch alloy wheels (on LE, XLE and SE)
• Interior – New curvier dashboard design, Aluminum-color and chrome trim, More inviting and spacious interior, Driver seat with manual adjustable lumbar support, Height-adjustable driver seat, Optional leather-trimmed buckets with high-quality hide, contrasting stitching and perforated faux suede inserts.

In spite of all the new features and refinement that Toyota has added, prices on all 2012 models will be lower than they are today. At $22,500 LE is down $200. Starting at $23,000, SE models are down $1,000. XLE drops $2,000, coming in at $24,725. All models will be available this fall at all three of our Performance Toyota and Legends Toyota dealership locations. Schedule a test drive today!

Think minivans are just for soccer moms? Think again. Our new Chrysler, Dodge, Honda and Toyota minivans prove you don’t have to give up great styling for space. These classy new vehicles are packed with comfort and fun features the whole family can enjoy and be proud of.

The Chrysler Town & Country, Dodge Grand Caravan, Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna were named as some of the top family-friendly minivans in a recent article by MSN Money. Kid-friendly extras, chic styling, power-driven performance and excellent safety features makes these vehicles excellent choices for any family.

Chrysler Town & Country

Offering 17 city and 25 highway miles per gallon, the Chrysler Town & Country has a starting price of $30,260. It’s loaded with kid-friendly features including child seat anchors, child safety locks, an optional rear-seat dual-screen entertainment system with DVD and Sirius Backseat TV and optional window shades. Other features include:

• 3.6-liter V6 engine
• 283 horsepower
• 260 pound-feet torque
• Post-collision safety system
• Head restraint whiplash protection system
• Front, rear and third row head air bags
• Three zone climate control
• Leather trim
• Optional leather seats

Dodge Grand Caravan

Starting at $21,800, the Dodge Grand Caravan is equipped with a 3.6-liter V6 flex-fuel engine and offers 17 city and 25 highway miles per gallon. Stow n’ go second row seats easily fold into the floor to give drivers plenty of cargo room with little effort, while 283 horsepower and 260 pound-feet torque offers excellent power and performance. Other family-friendly features include:

• Upgraded interior materials for 2011 to offer more comfort and better styling
• Dual zone air conditioning • Audio and cruise controls on the steering wheel
• Child seat anchors • Post-collision safety system
• Head restraint whiplash protection system
• Interior air filtration • Optional heated second row seats
• Optional iPod integration and rear-seat entertainment system

Honda Odyssey

With a starting price of $27,800, the Honda Odyssey offers the same sporty feel and smooth ride of driving a car. A multi-function second row center seat and easy-to-fold third row seat offer a variety of seating and cargo storage options. Other features include:

• 18 city/27 highway miles per gallon
• 3.5-liter V6 engine
• Front and rear air conditioning and heating
• Child seat anchors and rear door child safety locks
• Engine immobilizer
• Adjustable headrests
• Cruise controls on the steering wheel
• Optional rear-seat entertainment system
• Household-style power outlet

Toyota Sienna

Loaded with family-friendly features and comfortable to drive, the Toyota Sienna starts at $25,060. With tons of entertainment options including an optional rear-seat DVD entertainment system, USB jack and iPod connectivity, the Sienna keeps the family entertained and happy on both short and long journeys. Other features include:

• 2.7-liter 4 cylinder engine or 3.5-liter V6 engine
• 19 city/24 highway miles per gallon
• 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet torque
• 12 V front and cargo area power outlets
• Cargo tie-downs
• Front, rear and third row head airbags
• Electronic brakeforce distribution
• Dual zone air conditioning
• Interior air filtration

If you’re ready to check out one of these family-friendly vehicles, head to your local Performance Auto dealer today!

Planning a fun and enjoyable road trip starts with choosing the right vehicle to travel in. Performance Auto offers a variety of vehicles perfect for your summer adventure, including these top picks*:

Fiat 500, starting at $15,500

With a 1.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, the Fiat 500 offers drivers 30 miles per gallon in the city and 38 miles per gallon on the highway. The interior offers ample room for two and iPod input to keep you entertained on your journey.

Scion xB, starting at $16,000

The Scion xB’s 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine gives drivers 22 city and 28 highway miles per gallon. Its spacious interior lets families travel in style without feeling like everyone’s on top of each other.

Ford Mustang, starting at $22,310

A 3.7-liter V6 engine gives the Ford Mustang the power you crave on your road trip and up to 29 miles per gallon on the highway. Excellent handling gives you the performance and power you need on your trip.

Toyota Sienna, starting at $25,060

Drivers are treated to a performance-driven ride and 19 city/24 highway miles per gallon in the 2.7-liter 4-cylinder Toyota Sienna. With spacious seating for up to eight passengers, the Sienna’s a vehicle the whole family can enjoy!

Honda Element, starting at $20,825

Easy cargo loading makes the Honda Element a great pick before you even hit the road. Offering 20 miles per gallon in the city and 25 miles per gallon on the highway, the Element is equipped with a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine and plenty of interior space.

Volkswagen Touareg, starting at $44,450

Offering 16 miles per gallon in the city and 23 miles per gallon on the highway, the VW Touareg’s 3.6-liter V6 engine gives you plenty of get up and go on the highway. Its roomy interior lets you travel in comfort, while the navigation system ensures you arrive at your correct destination every time!

Once you’ve chosen the right road trip vehicle for you, the following tips** can also make your road trip more enjoyable:

• Get your vehicle’s oil changed and all fluids checked before beginning your trip.  Few things ruin a vacation faster than mechanical problems that could have been avoided with routine maintenance.
• If possible, take turns driving. Taking turns driving means that everyone gets a chance to sit back and enjoy the scenery without watching the road, which can make the trip more enjoyable for everyone.
• Bring your own music. Searching for a radio station can be tricky when you’re on the road. Bringing your own music ensures you’ll actually enjoy what you’re listening to on your whole journey.
• Bring your own food and drinks. Bringing some snacks along with you will save you both money and time because you’ll be able to stop less and spend less at pricey gas station convenience stores.
• Plan for unexpected stops. If there’s a certain time you need to arrive at your destination, leave early and give yourself plenty of time to get there.
• Get gas before your gas gauge is on empty. Sometimes the distance between gas stations can be hundreds of miles when you’re traveling in remote areas. Plan your fill-up destinations ahead of time to avoid being stranded on the side of the road.

Most importantly, though, drive safe and have fun. With these great road trip vehicles and tips, your summer vacation can be a blast!

*Based on a list from www.money.cnn.com

**Tips from www.uptake.com