Toyota chosen as best global green brand for 3rd straight year

Toyota Motor Corp. was selected as the "best global green brand" for the third consecutive year in 2013 for producing fuel-efficient vehicles such as the Prius hybrid, U.S. consulting firm Interbrand Corp.

Courtesy of ecnmag.com

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Toyota Elevates Expectations with the Surprising 2014 Corolla

Building on 47 years of success and close to 40 million sales in the world, the 11^th generation Corolla is a dramatically styled, sleeker, more dynamic Corolla that will change consumer perceptions of this iconic compact.

The new Corolla’s exterior design builds on the “Iconic Dynamism” theme seen on the athletic Corolla Furia Concept at the 2013 North American International Auto Show in January.  The new Corolla builds on the styling momentum seen in Toyota vehicles launched in the past year, which has produced more expressive vehicle designs.  With the new Corolla’s stronger exterior styling, it is clear that Toyota’s brand and product direction will emphasize more compelling styling executions that will appeal to current Toyota customers while also attracting more youthful buyers.

The Corolla’s design theme dictates a more advanced, modern-looking vehicle with a longer wheelbase and shorter overhangs, resulting in an athletic stance with greater presence.  More pronounced flared wheel arches, and the impactful simplicity of cleanly sculpted surfaces, help lend the Corolla an exterior elegance.  When viewing the profile, there is a sweeping character crease in the body’s sheet metal that spans the length of the sedan and accentuates the integrated door handle design. The 2014 Corolla’s exterior form tapers towards the front and rear of the vehicle to emphasize the wheel arches, with a longer, faster sloping roofline that blends into a shorter rear deck to lend the sedan a sportier image.

The new Corolla’s athletic character is complemented by a broad range of styled alloy wheel and wheel cover options ranging from covered 15-inch steel wheels to 17-inch alloy wheels.  The new Corolla will also offer three new exterior colors.

The 2014 Corolla’s interior matches the visual impact of the exterior and adds a new level of refinement.  The passenger cabin features a clean, horizontally oriented dash panel design that adds to the interior’s sense of spaciousness.  The instrument panel and surrounding areas are finished in premium materials with piano black surfaces, metallic accents and decorative pin-striping to help elevate the compact car experience.  Exquisite texture graining and soft touch material covers the top of the dash panel and key touch points in the cabin.  Adding to the cabin’s elevated tone, Corolla offers a choice of seat-covering materials in premium fabric or available SofTex™ material.   Attention to detail is demonstrated in the ornamental stitching spanning the length of the dash panel and the shift boot that adorns the center console’s shifter lever.   Sound insulation has been strategically placed along the fenders, cowl, and behind the dash panel to reduce noise entering the cabin helping occupants enjoy Corolla’s available audio systems and connectivity features.

The premium interior extends to the rear seat as well.  The new Corolla’s longer 106.3-inch wheelbase creates a more spacious interior, with a rear seat area that is 2.95-inches longer than the previous model, to offer outstanding rear leg room.

The 2014 Corolla will also offer a new LE Eco grade that is differentiated by a more efficient 140-horsepower, 1.8-liter engine with Valvematic technology; improved aerodynamics; and low rolling resistance tires.  The Corolla Eco-badged models will achieve an estimated highway fuel economy rating of over 40 mpg thanks to the new Valvematic engine combined with a newly developed Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT).  The Corolla L, LE, and S grade models are all powered by a 1.8-liter, four-cylinder engine with intelligent Variable Valve Timing (VVT-i) that produces 132 horsepower.

While the new Corolla has taken the exterior and interior to new levels, the model remains committed to delivering world-class fuel economy in the compact segment.  The Corolla LE and S offer a newly developed continuously variable transmission (CVT).  This new advanced transmission, named CVTi-S (“i” for intelligent, “S” for shift), helps increase the Corolla’s fuel economy and provide its smooth and efficient power transfer.  It has also been engineered to offer improved drivability and mitigate the “rubber band” feeling associated with traditional CVT’s under acceleration.   The new CVTi-S has been engineered to strike a balance between addressing fuel economy targets and higher level of drivability to meet consumer tastes.

Within this compact transmission, the size disparity between the CVTi-S’ small and large internal pulleys has been maximized to provide the widest possible range of gear ratios to improve acceleration and fuel economy.  The new CVTi-S fluid-pump design helps reduce parasitic loss at high speeds, and the transmission’s software creates discrete sequential shift points to help CVTi-S operate with character similar to a traditional automatic transmission during acceleration. The Corolla S offers a manual-mode shift gate in the console shifter, or steering wheel paddle shifters, allow drivers to affect fast, sequential “shifts” through 7-speeds with the CVTi-S with “gear” change shown in the instrument panel’s TFT display.

A six-speed manual transmission is available on the Corolla L and S grades.  Drive modes that offer recalibrated throttle, transmission and steering responses are available on the Corolla LE Eco and Corolla S.  For ECO drive mode on the LE Eco, the initial throttle inputs are less sensitive to help encourage more fuel-efficient driving and eliminate sudden starts. On the S grade, the SPORT mode software helps make the accelerator pedal feel more responsive to input along with CVTi-S shifting logic that enhances acceleration feel. In SPORT mode, Corolla’s electronic power steering is programmed to offer a more positive steering feel.

The 2014 Corolla unibody makes extensive use of lightweight, high-strength steel to help keep vehicle weight below 2,900 pounds in the interest of fuel economy.  In addition to improved collision performance, such construction also gives the Corolla’s structure increased rigidity to optimize chassis and suspension performance, giving the new car a more responsive and engaging driving experience.

The 2014 Corolla is the first compact car equipped with standard LED lowbeam headlamps, and all models are standard equipped with eight airbags, and Bluetooth^® hand-free phone and audio-streaming connectivity.  The Corolla will be available in four trim levels (L, LE, LE Eco, and S) that offer a wide range of popular features to help distinguish each trim level.

Some of the available equipment includes the following:

• Touchscreen audio
• Apps accessible through the audio head unit
• Smart Key/ Push-button start
• Power moonroof
• Back-up monitor
• SofTex™ Seats
• Available Paddle shifters
• Rear deck lid spoiler

The 2014 Corolla will elevate the consumer’s experience for the world’s most popular sedan with modern, expressive styling, a more premium interior experience, improved fuel economy and performance, and a strong menu of available features. Vehicle pricing, final grade content, and option packages will be made available closer to launch timing.

Courtesy of Toyota Pressroom

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Toyota Donates $250,000 to Oklahoma Tornado Relief Efforts

Toyota today announced a $250,000 donation to support relief and rebuilding efforts for victims of the tornado that hit Moore, Oklahoma and the greater Oklahoma City area on May 20.  Funds will be allocated to immediate response and for mid-to-long term needs in the areas of food, small business revitalization and home rebuilding.  Toyota will also match employee contributions.

“On behalf of Toyota, we express our sincere condolences to everyone impacted by this devastating tornado. Our thoughts are with the affected families as they work to rebuild their lives,” said Latondra Newton, group vice president of philanthropy and chief diversity officer.

Courtesy of Toyota Newsroom

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Toyota’s Prius v and Avalon on Kelley Blue Book’s List Of 10 Best Family Cars

The editors of Kelley Blue Book selected the 2013 Prius v and the 2013 Avalon for their list of 10 Best Family Cars. The list is compiled annually by KBB.com editors to highlight vehicles that address unique family specifications and situations, and offer innovation.

“Our annual list is aimed at helping families find the right ride and always include something for everyone, with a special nod to what is new,” said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com.

Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com editors offer these thoughts on the two Toyota models:

2013 Toyota Prius v
“Let's say you love Toyota vehicles and want the exceptional fuel economy of a hybrid, but the standard Prius just isn't big enough. Then consider the 2013 Prius v, which comes jam-packed with all the Prius-ness you crave while also offering roughly 50 percent more cargo space. Yes, plus-sizing the Prius cuts combined fuel economy from 50 mpg to 42 mpg, but among family-friendly vehicles the Prius v remains a mileage champ.”

2013 Toyota Avalon
“Renowned for its spacious interior quarters, abundance of luxury features and sofa-soft ride, the fully redesigned Toyota Avalon can now add "high style" to its list of highlights. In addition, laudable fuel economy coupled with an exemplary reputation for reliability and quality, make the 2013 Avalon a smart buy for today's value-conscious family.”

Courtesy of Toyota Pressroom 

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1967 Toyota 2000GT most expensive Asian car ever sold at $1.2M

Toyota's agelessly beautiful 2000GT has been sold by RM Auctions for $1.16 million, making it the new record holder for the most expensive Asian car ever sold. As always, rarity played a big factory in driving up the price; just 351 2000GT models were built, and only 62 left-hand-drive cars (like this one). The classic Toyota, standout member of Texas car-collector Don Davies' paddock, was originally a US-delivery car that spent time in a collection back in a Japan before returning to Texas just a short time ago. The car last sold in March of 2011, for just $650,000.

Enthusiasts will recognize the 2000GT as perhaps the most heralded Japanese classic of all time. Sometimes referred to as Japan's first supercar, the 2000GT boasted a 150-horsepower, dual overhead cam, 2.0-liter straight-six engine; a five-speed manual transmission; and a reported top speed of over 135 miles per hour.

RM described this record-setting example as, "the finest and most authentic 2000GT to come to market in recent years."

Courtesy of Autoblog.com

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A Billion Horsepower and Growing - Toyota's West Virginia Plant Celebrates Production of Its 10 Millionth Unit

Toyota Motor Manufacturing, West Virginia, Inc., (TMMWV) and its 1,300 team members celebrated production of the plant’s 10 millionth powertrain unit at a ceremony this afternoon with guests from the state’s business and civic community.  Powertrain units include engines and automatic transmissions.

Facts about TMMWV and its 10 millionth powertrain:

• TMMWV is the first plant outside of Japan to produce 10 million units.
• Every 20 seconds a Toyota vehicle rolls off a North American assembly line with a TMMWV powertrain product.
• Total output of all engines produced at TMMWV tops 1 billion horsepower.   

“From the very beginning, our mission was to support Toyota’s growing North America operations by building high-quality powertrains for our customers,” said TMMWV President Yogi Suzuki.  “Our team members’ focus on quality, safety and their commitment to continuous improvement is second-to-none.  West Virginia has been and will continue to be an important part of Toyota’s efforts to localize production in North America.”

TMMWV, which assembles four-cylinder and V6 engines and 6-speed automatic transmissions for nine of 12 North American-produced vehicles, recently completed its seventh major expansion earlier this year resulting in 80 new jobs.  Production began in 1998.  Cumulative investment at the plant is $1.3 billion and annual capacity is more than 650,000 engines and more than 520,000 automatic transmissions.

Courtesy of Toyota Pressroom

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It's Maintenance Tip Monday From Toyota Greensburg! Did You Neglect This Important Detail?

Clean brake dust off regularly

Brake dust contains all sorts of nasty stuff. If you leave it too long, the combination of road grime, moisture and heat from your brakes will bake it on to your wheels. Brake dust normally clings to wheels with static electricity so a damp sponge and clean cold water is the best way to get it off.

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