Toyota Finds a New Home in Mississippi
All-American Corolla Enters Production at Automaker's New Southern Plant
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y., Dec. 7, 2011 - The Toyota Corolla is the world's best-selling car of all time, and Toyota plans to continue that trend with the help of its new production plant in Blue Springs, Mississippi. Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Mississippi (TMMMS), the automaker's 14th production plant in North America, opened in November with plans to carry on production of the popular Corolla.
The automaker invested $800 million to build the plant, which lies on 1,700 acres just outside of Tupelo, Mississippi, and will employ nearly 2,000 people from the region to help produce the Corolla. Toyota decided on a U.S.-based location for its latest plant in an effort to produce its vehicles in the same regions as their respective markets. This means that Toyota aims to have its U.S. Toyota dealerships sell American-made cars.
"Toyota realizes that the communities where its vehicles are made are just as important as the vehicles themselves," said Bob McKenna, general manager of upstate New York Toyota dealer New Country Toyota of Saratoga Springs. "Building here stimulates the American economy, assures the quality of the product, brings the Corolla closer to home and develops a deeper relationship between Toyota and its customers."
Toyota will also donate $5 million per year for 10 years to area schools around Blue Springs as a token of appreciation. As part of Toyota's partnership with the CREATE Foundation, school districts in the Pontotoc, Union and Lee counties will receive funding for the Center for Professional Futures, an educational facility that will give students access to high-performance teaching in a modern learning environment.
As the surrounding communities benefit from Toyota's new plant, the TMMMS will produce up to 150,000 new Corollas each year. In addition to being assembled in Mississippi, the Corolla will be manufactured with an engine shipped from Toyota's Buffalo, West Virginia plant, with engine blocks and cylinder heads coming from Missouri and Tennessee, making it an all-American ride.
The 2012 Corolla will include added standard features to ensure its continuing popularity amongst Toyota fans when it goes on sale this month. The base Corolla L sedan will receive color-keyed side mirrors, power windows with driver's auto-down, power door locks and remote keyless entry. The Corolla LE and S trim levels will receive an upgraded standard audio system to make music a little more vibrant during daily commutes.
"Toyota won't let
the Corolla sit stagnant like other automakers do when they have models that
are performing well, because it will eventually lose relevance otherwise,"
added McKenna. "Investing in new technology, a new plant and its surrounding
communities ensures a healthy relationship between Toyota and its current and
future customers."
Race-Ready Toyota Yaris Featured at SEMA Show
Economic Sub-Compact Prepares for 2012 Track Action
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y., Nov. 8, 2011 - Known more for saving fuel than tearing up the race track, the 2012 Toyota Yaris sub-compact car recently received a racy makeover for the 2011 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show held in Las Vegas from Nov. 1 through Nov. 4. The show attracted auto fans and equipment buyers alike and served as a platform for automakers and parts manufacturers to show their unique wares.
Based on the 2012 Yaris SE three-door hatchback available at Toyota dealerships, the Yaris B-Spec Club Racer was designed to compete in the B-Spec class, a new entry-level class of racing being adopted by the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA). The race-ready Toyota will be driven by action sports star Jamie Bestwick, a seven-time X Games champion more known for his skills on a BMX bike than behind the wheel.
"SCCA is helping to introduce the B-Spec class as an affordable way for people to get into racing, which makes it a perfect outlet for the second-generation Yaris to make its racing debut," said Bob McKenna, general manager of upstate New York Toyota dealer New Country Toyota of Saratoga Springs. "The Yaris is Toyota's most affordable car and a great fit for commuters looking to save on gas while having a little fun at the same time."
The Yaris B-Spec Club Racer features an exterior graphics package that pays homage to the Toyota GT-One racecar built for the Le Mans 24 Hours in 1998. Modified by SportsCar Magazine, it is the first next-generation Yaris SE to be converted for racing in the United States. Adding to its racing resume are a set of Hoosier racing tires mounted on lightweight wheels, as well as a Cusco suspension setup that should keep the Yaris gripping the road at high speeds.
Power for the Yaris racer comes from a lightly modified version of the 1.5-liter engine found in the production car. The modifications include a racing exhaust, racing oil and a custom tune that focuses on performance rather than fuel economy. Braking still relies on the stock brake calipers and rotors, but improves in effectiveness with upgraded pads. Inside, the track-ready Yaris features a roll cage, racing seat and SCCA-mandated safety equipment like a fire-suppression system.
"While most people will buy a Yaris because it's fuel efficient and reliable, the fact that it has potential on the race track means that it's also capable of surprising a lot of people with its drivability," McKenna noted. "In either form, the Yaris is an affordable way to get your kicks, whether you're hitting the open road or Watkins Glen International."
The Yaris was joined at the SEMA Show by a trio of tricked-out Toyota Tacoma pickup trucks from the likes of Oakley and DC Shoes. DC Shoes and West Coast Customs paired up to create what it called the Ultimate Motocross Truck, which featured a bike ramp into the truck bed as well as a pressure washer and air tank to aid post-ride cleanup. Oakley created a Tacoma customized for surfers, while the third SEMA Tacoma was an off-road racing vehicle created by the Long Beach Racers to compete in the 2011 Baja 1000 race.
Toyota Sienna Is Kid Friendly, Motorist Approved
Minivan Takes Home 2011 Motorist Choice Award
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y., Oct. 6, 2011 - The characteristics that make a vehicle kid friendly can differ from those that make it wallet friendly, but the Toyota Sienna delivers both, according to IntelliChoice and AutoPacific. Currently available at Toyota dealerships, the Toyota Sienna claimed a 2011 Motorist Choice Award from the research groups in their Kid Friendly category for popular vehicles.
Though IntelliChoice and AutoPacific give out awards separately throughout the year, they combine forces annually to hand out the Motorist Choice Awards. The honors are based on five-year ownership costs calculated by IntelliChoice and more than 72,000 customer-satisfaction surveys provided by AutoPacific. Winners were awarded in 15 categories based on lifestyles that represent diverse segments of the U.S. car-buying public.
"What the kids want in a vehicle and what the parents need are often very different things, but Toyota has found a way to make everyone in the family happy," said Bob McKenna, general manager of upstate New York Toyota dealer New Country Toyota of Saratoga Springs. "For the kids, it's comfortable seats, lots of legroom and features that make being in the car fun. For the parents, it's lower fuel costs, the latest safety features and reliable construction that will keep maintenance costs low."
Available in seven- and eight-seat configurations with automatic sliding doors, the 2012 Toyota Sienna is loaded with family-friendly features that make it the ideal family vehicle. Available all-wheel drive will give parents an extra feeling of security on slick roads, while the Sienna's fuel-efficient and powerful engine choices won't chew into the family budget. Easy-to-fold rear seats open up 150 cubic feet of cargo space, giving the Sienna the ability to haul hockey gear, golf clubs or a full load of dorm-room essentials.
Families who don't need the substantial interior space of the Sienna will find the reliable and economical Venza, now available in three additional trim levels, a compelling alternative. Toyota's sporty 2012 Venza crossover blends the handling dynamics of a sedan with the interior space of an SUV. Available with all-wheel drive and a towing capacity of up to 3,500 pounds, the Venza shifts seamlessly from weekday workhorse to weekend pleasure seeker.
The model expansion of the Venza from one to three trim levels provides New York Toyota buyers the opportunity to find their ideal vehicle. Venza LE and XLE trims are available with either a 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine or a powerful 3.5-liter V6. The Limited version offers the V6 engine and adds a JBL Synthesis surround-sound audio system, positioning it as the model to choose for lengthy road trips. All Venza trims will be available with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.
"Toyota designed the Venza with the American driver in mind, so it has the features we want," McKenna noted. "It's powerful and refined, and since it's a Toyota you know it's going to be reliable for years. This is a vehicle that can grow up with your kids."
2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid Leaps Ahead in Fuel Economy
All-New Midsize Sedan Sees 30-Percent Increase in Fuel Efficiency
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y., Sept. 8, 2011 - The key to gaining fuel efficiency can be as simple as losing weight, and Toyota has cut more than 200 pounds off the Camry Hybrid to curb its fuel diet. Combined with a revised drivetrain, the result is an impressive jump in fuel economy compared to the outgoing model that will make the 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid the leader in its class when it arrives at Toyota dealerships this fall.
Toyota went to great lengths to keep the 2012 Camry and its hybrid variant under wraps before its worldwide debut on August 23. With all-new styling that should appeal to a younger demographic and improved fuel efficiency for all Camry models, Toyota has crafted a car capable of retaining the title of America's best-selling car, which it has held for 13 of the last 14 years.
"The redesign of the Camry is an evolution of the model's core strengths rather than a complete revolution," said Bob McKenna, general manager of upstate New York Toyota dealer New Country Toyota of Saratoga Springs. "Small changes here and there have made the 2012 Camry Hybrid a better vehicle all around, but Camry fans will also find that the smooth ride and quiet interior they've come to expect from the model are still a big part of the new package."
Fuel economy for the entry-level 2012 Camry Hybrid LE has increased to 39 mpg on the highway and 43 mpg in the city, which is about a 30-percent increase for urban travelers over the old model. The added fuel efficiency hasn't been at the expense of power either. The outgoing Camry Hybrid has a combined 187 horsepower, while the 2012 Camry Hybrid brings 200 horsepower to the table between its new 2.5-liter engine and electric motor. The gas-powered unit produces 156 horsepower and matching torque numbers, while the electric motor has increased output to 105 kW, up from 30 kW.
Like every Toyota hybrid outside of the upcoming Prius Plug-in, the Camry Hybrid makes use of a nickel-metal-hydride battery pack, which captures energy under braking and releases it to boost acceleration and steady fuel economy during cruising. Toyota hopes the improved hybrid will become a bigger seller in the Camry range, increasing from its current 5 to 6 percent share of U.S. Camry sales to 11 or 12 percent. To help bolster sales, Toyota has lowered the MSRP of the LE trim by $1,150, making the Camry Hybrid the most affordable hybrid in its class.
"The Camry Hybrid is unmatched in its class in both fuel economy and pricing, and it's a model that already has its reputation for safety, quality and comfort," McKenna noted. "The Camry is already the most popular car in America, but the redesigned Camry Hybrid is going to be a real game changer in the midsize market, making hybrids a truly mainstream vehicle choice."
With a large number
of its new electric-assisted vehicles becoming available, including the new
Prius v, Prius Plug-in, Camry Hybrid and Highlander Hybrid, Toyota is
solidifying its position as the largest producer of hybrids in America. That focus
on hybrid technology has led Toyota to sign a memorandum of understanding with
Ford to co-develop a hybrid drivetrain for full-size trucks and SUVs, a deal
which should reduce development costs and thus reduce prices when the resulting
system reaches dealerships later this decade.
Revamped 2012 Toyota Camry Debuts August 23
Japanese Automaker's Iconic Sedan to Reveal New Look in Four-City Simulcast
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y., Aug. 9, 2011 - When it comes to automotive sales, the Toyota Camry has reigned supreme not just among Toyota's lineup, but among all cars sold in the United States for 13 of the last 14 years. The model's sales have been slower in 2011 due to availability issues resulting from the March earthquake in Japan, but an all-new 2012 Camry will be revealed to the world on August 23 and delivered to Toyota dealerships in the fall.
The unveiling of the refreshed Toyota Camry will take place simultaneously at four separate venues around the United States, a nod to the midsize sedan's prevalence in the marketplace. Video simulcasts will come from the Automotive Hall of Fame in Dearborn, Michigan and the Toyota Camry assembly plant in Georgetown, Kentucky, as well as from locations in New York City and Los Angeles.
"If you're looking for a success story, you need look no further than the Toyota Camry," said Bob McKenna, general manager of Upstate New York Toyota dealer New Country Toyota of Saratoga Springs. "Toyota has sold 15 million Camrys since the vehicle first came out 28 years ago, and the new model will vault the Camry back to the top of the sales charts where it belongs."
Toyota has remained tight-lipped about changes made during the design process, but exterior photos of the 2012 Camry reveal a thoroughly modern exterior with sharper edges that give the car more attitude than the outgoing model. Automotive publication Inside Line revealed that consumers can expect upgraded interior surfaces and design along with new smartphone-connected entertainment and navigation systems that have become a must-have in the midsize sedan market.
The 2012 Toyota Camry will have big shoes to fill after the 2011 model bows out. The 2011 Camry, available with three engines, is far and away the automaker's best-selling product. In July alone, 27,016 Camrys left dealership lots compared with 17,577 Corollas, which are big sellers themselves.
Efficiency has drawn customers to the Camry for years, and Toyota has hinted that new models will see a boost in fuel economy. However, the 2012 Camry will maintain the standard four-cylinder 2.5-liter engine that helps return 33 mpg on the highway with a manual transmission and 32 mpg with the six-speed automatic on the 2011 Camry. The 2012 Camry will also inherit the current 3.5-liter V6 that gets this year's model 268 horsepower while still managing 29 mpg on the highway. Buyers looking for even more economic motoring can opt for the 2012 Camry Hybrid, which is expected to improve upon the 31 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway of its predecessor.
"Camry owners look
at their cars as more than just transportation; they're family members," McKenna
added. "Part of that association is the incredible reliability that keeps
Camrys on the road for years and years. Camry drivers know that whether they're
commuting to work or have a long road trip planned, they can count on their
Camry's to get them there. It's that trust that brings Camry owners back when
it's time for their next car, and we expect to see many of them at our
dealership this fall to scope out the 2012 model."
Toyota Returns to the Leaderboard for Initial Quality
Japanese Automaker Rises 14 Spots in J.D. Power and Associates Study
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y., July 11, 2011 - Highly publicized recalls were a setback to Toyota's reputation in 2010, but the newly released 2011 U.S. J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Study (IQS) shows that the Japanese automaker is back at the top of its game.
The J.D. Power and Associates IQS is based on a 228-question survey taken by more than 73,000 car buyers and lessees of the 2011 model year that were surveyed between February and May of 2011 after having their vehicle for 90 days. After an abnormally low ranking in the 2010 IQS that, according to J.D. Power and Associates, was driven entirely by its recalls, Toyota rebounded to rise up 14 spots and place seventh overall in the 2011 IQS. Several Toyota models scored in the top three in their segment, including the 2011 Toyota Camry, Prius, FJ Cruiser and Tundra pickup truck.
"Toyota has battened down the hatches and gone to work to ensure that their cars live up to the reputation they've earned over the years," said Bob McKenna, general manager of Upstate New York Toyota dealer New Country Toyota of Saratoga Springs. "It has been a lot of hard work, but Toyota's recovery has come full circle with the same IQS score they achieved in 2009 before the recalls, and now Toyota quality can only be expected to rise further."
The Toyota Camry has been the best-selling car in America for 13 of the last 14 years and has helped propel Toyota to the top of the automotive world in sales. The 2011 Camry placed third in the IQS Midsize Car segment, and is currently available at Toyota dealers with three different engines, including a 169-horsepower 2.5-liter engine that gets 22 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway when paired with a 6-speed manual. There is also a 3.5-liter V6 option with 268 horsepower that returns 20 mpg during city use and 29 mpg on the highway. Those looking for the most value at the pump can opt for the Camry Hybrid, which uses a 2.4-liter four-cylinder and an electric motor to get 31 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway.
The 2011 Camry Hybrid also comes with an acoustic noise-reducing windshield to keep the interior quiet, and all 2011 Camry models come with High Solar Energy-Absorbing glass, so the summer months won't cook the car's contents. Heated leather seats are an option, as are sport fabric-trimmed seats. There is also a full complement of airbags that come standard to keep passengers safe, including front and rear side curtain airbags, front seat-mounted side airbags and a driver knee airbag.
"New York Toyota drivers have loved the Camry for years," McKenna added. "It's the kind of car that becomes part of your family and lasts long enough to be driven by the next generation. The Camry really is an investment towards the future."
Speaking of the
future, the next generation of the Toyota Camry is due to debut this fall.
Toyota says the 2012 Camry will feature improved ride and handling, as well as
new exterior and interior designs.