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Toyota Announces Pricing for 2013 Venza Crossover

Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., today announced the manufacturer’s suggested retail prices (MSRP) for the 2013 Venza crossover vehicle. The Venza will begin arriving at Toyota dealerships next week.

The Toyota Venza crossover now offers enhanced exterior styling, added value through several new standard convenience features and updated option packages, which include the Entune® multi-media system for the 2013 model year.

Venza’s aerodynamic shape has been tastefully modified with a new upper and lower grille, fog lamps and rear taillights. The updated styling is complemented by a new 19-inch wheel design and three new exterior colors: Attitude Black, Cypress Pearl, and Cosmic Gray Mica. Venza is available in three interior colors: Ivory, Light Gray, and Black, which is new for 2013. Each color is offered in fabric on LE and leather on XLE and Limited.

The 2013 Venza is available in LE, XLE and Limited grades. The LE and XLE models are available with all powertrain combinations: four-cylinder, V6, front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD); the Venza Limited is powered by the V6 engine only, in front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive configurations. Both engines are teamed with a six-speed sequential-shift electronically controlled automatic transmission with intelligence (ECT-i).

Value has been augmented and ordering simplified with the addition of many standard features in all three grades. All Venza models will be will equipped with a standard blind-spot mirror and outer mirror turn signals with puddle lamps.

Additional key standard features include dual-zone automatic climate control with air filter and second-row-seat vents; eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with power lumbar; 3.5-inch LCD multi-information display; a tilt/telescopic adjustable wheel with integrated audio controls; an overhead console with map lights; rear-seat adjustable personal reading lamps and three 12-volt power outlets. The XLE and Limited models add to the abundance of standard features with many audio and convenience upgrades.

Entune Multi-media System
The 2013 Venza now offers the Toyota Entune multimedia system. Entune leverages the mobile smartphone to provide a richer in-vehicle experience with fully integrated access to navigation, entertainment and information services.

Toyota Entune supports engaging mobile apps, such as Bing, OpenTable, and movietickets.com, along with accessing useful travel-related services, such as live weather, traffic, fuel information (location and price), stocks, and sports. Toyota Entune has a large selection of music options available to a vehicle, including iHeartRadio’s 750+ stations, and Pandora’s personalized music service.

The audio systems combined with Entune feature a best-in-class, advanced conversational voice recognition system that helps the driver to stay focused by eliminating the need to memorize thousands of voice commands.

The base MSRP for the 2013 Venza LE will range from $27,700 for the front-wheel-drive (FWD) four-cylinder to $30,970 for the V6 all-wheel-drive (AWD), reflecting an increase $270 to $275, or 0.9-1.0 percent.

Pricing for the Venza XLE will range from $31,360 for the four-cylinder FWD to $34,630 for the V6 AWD, an increase ranging from $1,580 to $1,585, or 4.8 to 5.3 percent.

The Limited grade Venza will be receive a base MSRP of $37,420 for the FWD model, while the AWD model will be priced at $38,870. Both prices reflect an increase of $955, or 2.5 percent for the AWD and 2.6 percent for the FWD.

The MSRP for the 2013 Venza does not include the delivery, processing and handling (DPH) fee of $810. The DPH fee for vehicles distributed by Southeast Toyota (SET) and Gulf States Toyota (GST) may vary.

All 2013 Venzas will be assembled at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky (TMMK), in Georgetown, Ky.

Courtesy of Toyota Pressroom

We will be at the Santee Street Fair tomorrow from 10am-7pm for Memorial Day Weekend! We'll have a raffle going on with some great prizes so come out and see us and have a good time!

From Bayous to Beltways: Two for the Road

Even after driving his truck more than 1 million miles, Glen Allen doesn’t think the old girl has reached the end of the road. She keeps on rolling, even on a long trip.
“I can leave right now, punch your address into my GPS and drive with as much confidence as I have when I drive to the grocery store a quarter mile away,” says Allen, who lives in St. Amant, La.
 
That’s important for a man who makes his living driving across the country, escorting vehicles carrying oversized loads.
 
Allen bought his 1996 pickup truck in January 1997 from Price LeBlanc Toyota in nearby Baton Rouge. The truck had six miles on it.
 
It was his fourth Toyota vehicle, the only brand he’s ever owned. “I bought my first one when I was 21 years old,” he says. “It was an ’84 Xtra Cab, white with gray interior.”
 
He later bought a ’91 Corolla and a ’93 Toyota pickup truck. “I’ve been very impressed with Toyota’s products,” he says. “I really don’t have the desire to purchase anything else.”
 
He’s particularly pleased with his current truck. “For a small truck, it has plenty of leg room and head room,” he says. “It’s been a comfortable little truck for me. I can reach anything I need from the driver’s seat.”
 
Comfort is vital to Allen, who can rack up 90,000 miles a year escorting trucks carrying bulldozers, cranes and other heavy equipment. “I could get a call in the next five minutes telling me to go to Minnesota,” he says. “I never know where I’m going or when I’m going. I’ve got to keep my bag packed.”
 
Despite the uncertainty, he says, “It’s exciting because I get to go to a lot of places I never dreamed of going. I’ve been to 38 states and Canada. I enjoy taking back roads, running into little hole-in-the-wall restaurants.”
 
Allen doesn’t spend all of his time on the road. He sometimes spends hours in parking lots while the big trucks are being loaded. But he doesn’t mind waiting because his cabin is comfortable enough for naps. “I get some of my best sleep in my truck,” he says.
 
Even during Louisiana’s scorching summers. “I can sit in my truck all day long with the air conditioning on, and the temperature never goes up,” he says.
 
Allen calls his truck “My Little Red Demon.”  As for the gender, he says, “I think a vehicle is always a ‘her,’ isn’t it? You treat her nicely, and she’ll take care of you.”
 
Allen has treated his vehicle nicely. “I don’t dog the truck,” he says. “I don’t hot rod it at all.”
 
He gets the tires rotated regularly and changes the oil every 5,000 miles. He replaced the original engine at 658,000 miles. “The original clutch looked so good, the mechanic was tempted to put it back in.”
 
He got the truck painted a couple of years ago because “I wanted her to look good when she turned a million.”
 
Yes, Allen was confident his truck would reach that milestone. “Once I saw how far the first engine got me, I thought I could get to a million.”
 
Today, his truck has about 1,080,000 miles on it. Although his family and friends have urged him to get a new truck, he’s in no hurry. “It’s still in great shape,” he says. “Even if I get a new truck, I’ll keep this one for local jobs.”
 
When the time does come, Allen will probably get a Tacoma “unless I’m just completely blown away by a Tundra.”
 
In the meantime, he says, “I take care of my truck the best I can and boogie down the road. We spend a lot of time together. She’s the love of my life, what can I say?”

Courtesy of ToyotaDriverSeat.com

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The Toyota Venza broke out in 2012 now offering three choices: LE, XLE, and the Limited. Which one is your favorite?

Toyota to Increase V6 Engine Production in Alabama

Toyota announced today (Friday) it will expand its Huntsville, Ala. engine facility to increase North American production of V6 engines. The approximately $80 million investment will bring total plant investment to more than $700 million. Approximately 125 new jobs will be created, increasing employment nearly 10 percent to 1,150.

 The expansion will allow Toyota Motor Manufacturing Alabama, Inc. (TMMAL) to build an additional 216,000 engines each year, boosting total V6 annual capacity to 362,000. A new 300,000 sq. ft. building will be constructed. The increased production will begin in March 2014.

 TMMAL currently assembles 4-cylinder, V6 and V8 engines for eight of 12 Toyota North American built vehicles. TMMAL is the only Toyota plant globally to produce these three types of engines in one facility.

 This investment will increase engine production at the Huntsville plant to more than 700,000 annually, and will increase total Toyota engine production in the U.S. to more than 1.4 million per year.  Toyota also builds engines in Kentucky and West Virginia.

 “We are proud to announce our fourth expansion, only a few months after celebrating 10 years of success in Huntsville and Madison County,” said Jim Bolte, President of TMMAL. “Today wouldn't be possible without continued commitment from our outstanding team members and support from our community partners.”

            “Toyota Motor Manufacturing Alabama has been a dedicated corporate citizen in Alabama for more than ten years, and today’s announcement is an exciting new chapter for this company and this community. Toyota’s success in Alabama is a testament to the hard-working men and women of the production and leadership teams who have dedicated themselves to producing quality products,” said Governor Robert Bentley. “This expansion is also a testament to the business climate we’ve worked hard to create in Alabama – a climate in which companies are encouraged to expand, innovate, and create new jobs. We thank Toyota for the company’s continued confidence in Alabama and Huntsville, and we look forward to a continued long-term relationship."

 Today’s announcement is the latest in a string of Toyota production increase announcements since February including Toyota plants in Indiana, West Virginia, Canada and Kentucky. Cumulative investment total is approximately $645 million and more than 1,100 jobs are being added.

 “This V6 line addition continues to reflect our growing optimism for an improving North American market, and we continue to study more localization in North America,” said Steve St. Angelo, Executive Vice President of Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.

Courtesy of Toyota Media Newsroom

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Toyota Rolls Out Redesigned Corolla

For four guys going golfing in Japan’s picturesque countryside over the weekend, there’s slim pickings when it comes to small fuel-economy vehicles big enough to fit clubs and all passengers.

Even if there’s enough leg room, the luggage room ends up being too small or vice versa. But Toyota Motor Corp. may have made the purchasing process a lot easier by re-introducing a familiar set of wheels.

The auto giant last Friday rolled out its redesigned Corolla model. The debut of the world’s best selling model, which boasts cumulative sales of more than 39 million vehicles, comes at just the right time as generous government purchasing incentives are sparking sales of fuel-economy cars in the domestic market.

Plus the Corolla’s one-time foes — Nissan Motor Co.’s Sunny and Honda Motor Co.’s Civic — are gone, as shrinking demand prompted both companies to discontinue production of those small sedans for the Japanese market. Nissan does offer a sedan version of its Tiida small car. Accounting for less than 2% of the total market now, demand for compact sedans has generally dried up.

But the Corolla is the exception to the rule. Helped by a wide range of lineups, the model won the title of most popular car of the year (excluding mini cars) for five years in a row until it was toppled by Honda’s Fit compact in 2008.

Ironically, if Toyota’s flagship small car is going to be able to regain the No. 1 crown, it will have to beat the company’s own Prius model. The hybrid was the best-selling model of Japan last year. Indeed, the Corolla has something that it probably hopes to take back in the future from the gasoline-electric powered car. The Prius’s sales of 315,669 vehicles in 2010 actually trounced the previous Japan’s annual record sales of 300,008 vehicles logged by the Corolla 20 years earlier.

“That won’t happen,” Hiroya Fujita, the chief engineer of the new Corolla, said of the possibility of the car unseating the Prius. Even the king of the best selling models can’t buck the trend of receding appetite for small sedans, he said. Toyota set the monthly sales target of a combined 7,000 vehicles for both its Corolla Axio sedan and its Corolla Fielder station wagon. The figure falls short of the target for the Prius of 10,000 vehicles a month.

The latest Corolla boasts fresh selling points: improved fuel-economy of more than 20km/l, 40 mm roomier knee space in the backseat despite its 50 mm shorter body size and broader engine options that include a 1.3L engine.

 

Courtesy of The Wall Street Journal

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Voting for Toyota’s 100 Cars for Good Opens This Morning at 10 am ET/7 am PT

At 10:00 am ET/7:00 am PT today (Monday), Toyota will open voting for the second year of 100 Cars for Good, a national philanthropic program that will award 100 cars to 100 nonprofits over the course of 100 consecutive days. Winners will be selected each day through public voting on Facebook at www.100carsforgood.com.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

Courtesy of ToyotaNewsroom

See how Camp Casey in Detroit brings smiles to children with the Toyota Tundra they won from 100 Cars for Good last year. Don't forget to vote for this year's winners starting May 14.

Bike to work day is Friday, May 18! So dust off your pedals and get your bikes ready for a great day!

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Take a look at this beautiful 2010 pre-owned Toyota Corolla LE, on special now at Toyota Certified Center of Santee! Stop by today to take it for a test-drive!

All-New Toyota RAV4 EV Unveiled at EVS26

Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. today revealed the highly anticipated all-new Toyota RAV4 EV at the 26th annual Electric Vehicle Symposium in Los Angeles. This all-electric SUV has an expected driving range rating of approximately 100 miles and charging time of approximately six hours on a 240V/40A charger. The RAV4 EV’s driving performance, dynamics and cargo capacity are equal to or exceed the gas powered RAV4 V6. Arriving fully-equipped with an MSRP of $49,800 the RAV4 EV doesn’t compromise on performance, comfort or versatility.
 
“It’s all about blending the best of two worlds,” said Bob Carter, group vice president and general manager of the Toyota division. “The all-new RAV4 EV marries the efficiency of an EV with the versatility of a small SUV – in fact, it is the only all-electric SUV on the market.”
The RAV4 EV is the product of a unique collaboration with Tesla Motors spurred by Akio Toyoda, president and CEO of Toyota Motor Corporation. Twenty-two months after the project announcement, Toyota and Tesla engineers have succeeded in bringing an outstanding product to market in record time.
 
The RAV4 EV combines a Tesla designed and produced battery and electric powertrain with Toyota’s most popular SUV model. The collaborative team set its sights on refining the customer experience. From advanced charging options to interior comfort to interactive displays, the vehicle has been designed for customer ease of use and maximum vehicle range.
 
The front wheel drive RAV4 EV allows drivers to select from two distinctly different drive modes, Sport and Normal. In Sport mode, the vehicle reaches 0-60 mph in just 7.0 seconds and has a maximum speed of 100 mph. Normal mode achieves 0-60 mph in 8.6 seconds with a maximum speed of 85 mph.  Maximum output from the electric powertrain is 154 HP (115kW) @ 2,800 rpm.
 
RAV4 EV offers an exceptionally smooth, quiet ride and comfortable handling due in part to its low coefficient of drag and low center of gravity.   In fact, at 0.30 Cd, RAV4 EV achieves the lowest coefficient of drag of any SUV in the world. Compared with the gas powered RAV4, Toyota re-styled the front bumper, upper and lower grill, side mirrors, rear spoiler, and under body design to maximize air flow around the vehicle. The RAV4 EV’s battery pack is mounted low and to the center of the vehicle, contributing to a more sedan-like ride. 
 
On the exterior, RAV4 EV features upscale LED low beam projector headlights with halogen projector high beams. A manual leveling system allows customers to redirect the headlights when the vehicle changes significantly in pitch due to a heavy load. Five vertical LEDs make up the daytime running lights, which dim to parking lights. The rear combination lights are LEDs accented by a unique light smoke outer lens. Other exterior variations from the gasoline powered RAV4 include new exterior emblems on the front, rear and the front door panel utilizing the signature Toyota “environmental blue.”
 
The vehicle will be available later this year in three exterior colors: Blizzard White Pearl, Shoreline Blue Pearl and Classic Silver Metallic. The interior features a unique “Neutron” fabric, woven with a subtle sheen and blue accent, on the seat inserts and door trim.
 
Inside, a six-way adjustable driver’s seat includes variable front seat heaters, which extends heater coverage to the occupant’s upper back.  The split reclining rear seats with folding center arm rest fold flat for increased cargo space, with a total cargo capacity equivalent to the conventional RAV4 of 73 cu. ft. No interior space is lost in the vehicle due to EV components.
 
The highlight of the interior is an eight-inch capacitive touch screen with a state of the art graphic display, featuring navigation, telematics, and EV drive information and settings designed specifically for the RAV4 EV. Entune™ is standard (with three year complimentary access to Entune™ services) along with SiriusXM Satellite Radio (with 3-month trial subscription to XM Select package), AM/FM radio, Bluetooth® streaming audio, and USB port with iPod® connectivity. The dash display color illuminates red when the vehicle is operating in sport mode and blue in normal driving mode.
 
Toyota’s approved electric vehicle supplier equipment provider is Leviton. Leviton offers multiple options for charging solutions. For the shortest charge time of approximately six hours, Leviton offers a custom 240V (Level 2), 40A, 9.6 kW output charging station. For more information visit Leviton.com/Toyota. The vehicle comes equipped with a 120V (Level 1) emergency charging cable for instances when the recommended 240V (Level 2) charging is not available.
 
The RAV4 EV will go on sale in late summer 2012 through select dealers, initially in four major California metropolitan markets including Sacramento, San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles/Orange County and San Diego. Sales volume is planned for approximately 2,600 units over the next three years. The battery warranty is 8 years or 100,000 miles.
 
“We believe that the RAV4 EV will attract sophisticated early technology adopters, much like the first-generation Prius,” said Carter. “It’s designed for consumers who prioritize the environment and appreciate performance. We look forward to seeing how the market responds."

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

Courtesy of ToyotaNewsroom

Check out Kelley Blue Book's review on the 2013 Avalon!

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2012 Toyota Prius C is last month's quickest selling car

One factor that's influential in determining whether a model is one that dealers won't be able to keep in stock on the lot is, of course, demand. If buyers are lining up 'round the block to get their hands on a certain model, this frenzied enthusiasm will likely have an impact on inventory levels.

The other factor concerns supply. Brand-new models frequently make the list of quickest-selling vehicles because with these models, manufacturers often choose a cautious approach when it comes to supply; production is grown slowly and carefully with the intention of making sure that the products aren't plagued with glitches.

A manufacturer's own general production constraints also play a role. This has been an issue in recent months for both Audi and Hyundai. These manufacturers have done well with models like the Audi Q7, Audi A6, Hyundai Elantra and Hyundai Veloster, but sales numbers for all these vehicles would be even better if the manufacturers were able to achieve greater production capacity.  

The models listed below are those with the lowest days to turn for the month of March. "Days to turn" is the number of days between a vehicle's delivery to the dealer floor and its purchase by a customer.

You'll see that the Prius C is at the top of the list. Last month, that model stayed on the lot for only about 8 days until a buyer escorted it to a new home. According to Edmunds.com research, last month's industry average when it comes to this particular metric is a whopping 53 days.

The Prius C isn't the only fuel sipper on the list. Also included are hybrids like the Toyota Camry Hybrid and Toyota Highlander Hybrid.

Other picks on the list include the BMW X3 and X6. The Kia Soul also makes this cut; this model, it turns out, has been outselling its competitors by a wide margin. Land Rover's Range Rover Evoque, Mazda's CX-5, Porsche's Cayenne and Honda's CR-V also make appearances.

 

Courtesy of Edmund's Insideline