Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Toyota Unveils 2013 Camry Nascar Sprint Cup Racer

Camrynascar
"May 22, 2012, 1:35 PM

Toyota Motor Corp. today unveiled its 2013 Camry race car for the Nascar Sprint Cup Series. The car’s rollout marks the end of a major redesign aimed at making the racer more recognizable and unique compared with Nascar competitors form Ford, Chevrolet and Dodge.

Nascar has been taking a number of approaches to making its races more exciting and its cars less generic. The cars that compete in the Spring Cup series had gotten to the point where only their headlight decals and other stick-on labels let spectators know what brand they represented.

“We’re thrilled to finally unveil our new 2013 Camry and we think NASCAR fans will really appreciate that our new on-track Camry looks like the one in their driveways,” said Ed Laukes, vice president of marketing communications and motorsports for Toyota Motor Sales. “Our 2013 Camry looks more like the production vehicle than ever before, and we hope this helps revitalize the long-standing relationship between fans and manufacturers in NASCAR.”

The car maker’s Toyota Racing Development or TRD unit worked with Toyota’s Calty Design department to incorporate more of the street car’s design elements in the racing version. These include the front grille, rear bumper and character lines on the car’s flanks.

The new 2013 Toyota Camry will make its Sprint Cup debut at Daytona International Speedway’s ‘Speedweeks’ in February, leading up to the season-opening Daytona 500.

Earlier this year Ford showed its 2013 Fusion racer and Chrysler’s Dodge unit revealed the redesigned Charger it will race next year. Chevrolet has shown a camouflaged version of its coming SS racer."

http://on.wsj.com/JvqaG8

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Toyota Hits 4 Million Unit Global Sales Milestone for Hybrids

Prius-300x199
"TORRANCE, Calif. (May. 22, 2012) – Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) in Japan announced its global hybrid vehicle sales totaled four million units through April 2012.

Toyota currently sells 18 hybrid passenger vehicles in 80 countries and regions around the world. This year, hybrid vehicle accounted for 15 percent of TMC’s global vehicle sales. Prius, Toyota’s first hybrid passenger car, went on sale in Japan in 1997. Hybrid technology was later introduced to the U.S. in 2000 with the arrival of the Prius.

Since then, the Toyota Division of Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A. sold 1.5 million hybrid vehicles in the U.S., accounting for 65 percent of all hybrid vehicles sold in the region. Prius, the iconic hybrid brand, comprises half of all hybrids on the road in the U.S. with sales totaling 1.2 million units through April 2012.

The expansion of the Prius has been successful in the U.S. since the Prius v was introduced in to the market in November 2011 followed by Prius c and Prius Plug-in during the first quarter 2012. In that time, Prius family sold 60,859 units in the U.S.

In addition to the Prius Family, Toyota’s other U.S. hybrid models include versions of the Camry and Highlander, which feature larger displacement applications of Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive.

Toyota calculates that the total number of its hybrid vehicles sold globally since 1997 have produced to approximately 26 million fewer tons of C02 emissions than would have been emitted by gasoline-powered vehicles of similar size and driving performance."

http://bit.ly/KwDdjG

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Did you know that every purchased or leased Toyota from L&S Toyota comes with ToyotaCare?

Toyotacare
Get the peace of mind that comes with the industry-leading complimentary maintenance and roadside assistance plan. Click for details.

http://bit.ly/bpghIC

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Toyota back on top as world's largest car maker

Toyotaproductionline
Japanese brand reclaims crown from GM thanks to 2.49 million sales in first quarter of 2012

"In a comeback for the ages, Toyota has reclaimed its spot as the world's largest automaker.

Initial sales reports for 2012 so far suggest that the Japanese brand, which was badly hit by natural disasters last year, is now outselling American rival General Motors.

Toyota was the world's largest automaker between 2008 and 2010, but lost its crown to GM after the Japanese earthquake and then flooding in Thailand seriously disrupted its production.

Now though, the brand is back on top, having sold 2.49 million between January and March, compared to 2.28 million by General Motors.

Volkswagen, the world's number three, sold 2.16 million, Bloomberg calculated.

Many observers consider Toyota to be in a better position now than it has been in years -- with global gas prices still high, demand for its fuel-efficient vehicles is soaring, especially for the Prius.

Demand for the model in the U.S. alone is outpacing the prediction of 220,000 vehicles sold in 2012, Toyota said this week, with the Prius comfortably selling more in April than competitors such as the Nissan Leaf and the Chevrolet Volt combined.

This week it unveiled its first all-electric vehicle, the RAV4 EV, at an electric vehicle show in Los Angeles.

The electrified SUV is a reprise of one of the world's first electric vehicles, the original RAV4 electric, with several new enhancements -- it's been developed with the help of leading electric automaker Tesla, and now features a 100 mile (160km) range and performance equivalent to the gas-powered RAV4."

http://nydn.us/LJNb4N

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

All-New Toyota RAV4 EV Unveiled at the 26th annual Electric Vehicle Symposium.

Another milestone for Toyota as they are first to release an all electric SUV.

Toyota_rav4_ev
LOS ANGELES (May 7, 2012) -- 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 MetallicThe 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. 

 

TOYOTA/TESLA DEVELOPMENT MILESTONES
  • May 2010 – Toyota/Tesla announce collaboration to develop electric vehicles, parts, production systems and engineering support
  • July 2010 – Toyota/Tesla announce development of RAV4 EV
  • November 2010 – Toyota reveals RAV4 EV Phase Zero prototype at LA Auto Show
  • February 2011 – Tesla begins delivery of 31 converted RAV4 EV Phase Zero demonstration program vehicles
  • April 2011 – Toyota provides first media drive opportunity of Phase Zero demonstration program vehicle at 2011 Sustainable Mobility Seminar
  • August 2011 – Toyota/Tesla announce RAV4 EV manufacturing location - Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada, Inc., Woodstock, Ontario

http://bit.ly/J9BvHX