Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Don't forget The Key 4 Key Event ends today!
Monday, October 29, 2012
In Consumer Reports' reliability study, Toyota brands earn top spots
Ford’s reliability took its biggest hit yet as complaints about its MyFord Touch infotainment system and a new transmission continued to hurt the automaker, causing its ranking to fall to 27th of 28 brands, down from 20th in last year’s study.
Cadillac, at 11th, was judged the most reliable domestic brand, improving from 25th last year.
Asian brands took nine of the top 10 spots. Audi, at No. 8, was the only German automaker to rank in the top 10. This year, Mazda was ranked fourth, followed by Subaru, Honda, Acura, Audi, Infiniti and Kia.
The drop for Ford comes three years after Consumer Reports praised Ford as the only domestic automaker with “world class reliability.” Two years ago the Ford brand also cracked the top 10. Now, only Jaguar is ranked lower.
Despite efforts to improve MyFord Touch, the smartphone-like screen on which drivers can control everything from their phones to temperature settings to entertainment options, continues to confuse some customers, said Jake Fisher, director of testing for the magazine.
Fisher said customers say the touch screens sometimes go blank, or settings disappear and sometimes the system needs to be rebooted. Customers also continue to complain about rough shifting with Ford’s six-speed, dual-clutch Powershift transmission, Fisher said.
“They’ve put out some updates to try to address some of those problems for both the transmissions and the infotainment controls, but it doesn’t seem to be enough,” Fisher said.
Chrysler also had a disappointing showing. The Auburn Hills automaker has devoted tremendous attention to quality in recent launches of new vehicles. Still, three of its four brands ranked near the bottom. Jeep, the automaker’s top-ranked brand, finished 19th, six spots lower than last year.
Inconsistent reliability for Chrysler was caused by problems with optional powertrains and issues with features found on higher priced versions, the magazine said.
Fisher said Chrysler’s problems stem from overhauling so many vehicles so quickly. The Auburn Hills automaker significantly redesigned or upgraded 18 cars and trucks in 18 months after it emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
Those changes included new engines and other new technology.
“Chrysler seems to be a victim of its own improvements,” Fisher said. “They have actually improved a lot of their vehicles quite a bit, but when you make so many changes it is hard to maintain your reliability.”
In addition to Cadillac’s much improved showing, Buick, Chevrolet and GMC all climbed several spots.
The Cadillac brand was the first to receive substantial changes and upgrades from GM after it came out of Chapter 11 bankruptcy and has been steadily improving in recent years, Fisher said.
Consumer Reports is often criticized for favoring Asian automakers over domestic automakers because Asian automakers almost always finish near the top and the Detroit Three typically struggle.
“We are basically just taking data that the consumers and subscribers are providing to us,” Fisher said. “We often have people tell us they really love their domestic cars.”
***Courtesy of freep.com
Hurry up and "like" our Facebook page before Wednesday, October 31st when our "Likes for a Cure" promotion ends.
Friday, October 26, 2012
Come in to Toyota of Puyallup today for our Key 4 Key Sales Event!
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Don’t forget to check out our current Facebook coupons!
To check out all of our current Facebook coupons visit the following link:http://on.fb.me/MqzyuA
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Monday, October 22, 2012
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Fans to Win Big and Often in Toyota Racing Dream Build Challenge
The Toyota Racing Dream Build Challenge, which will be making charitable donations totaling $100,000, is giving fans a chance to win too. For 10 days, fans not only get to help their favorite drivers, builds and charities win, they also have opportunities to win prizes themselves. From Oct. 20 - 29, fans can log in to www.toyotaracingdreambuild.com to vote for their favorite Dream Build Challenge team and register to win the Toyota Racing Dream Trip Grand Prize. Fans can feel good casting their votes to help the winning charity take home $50,000, with second place receiving $25,000, third place $15,000 and fourth $10,000, and they can register for their own opportunity to win daily prizes in the sweepstakes. The Grand Prize will feature an exclusive race experience, and the winner can select from either a NASCAR or NHRA race event. The NASCAR edition of the Dream Race Trip will include two grandstand tickets, two NASCAR Hot Passes and a $1,500 American Express gift card. NASCAR's Hot Passes give fans up-close exposure to the team garages and pre-race activity during "hot" times at the track. If an NHRA race is preferred, the Grand Prize will feature two general event tickets for select NHRA races with driver pit hospitality access, event parking and a $1,500 American Express gift card. The winner will also have an opportunity for a meet and greet with one or more Toyota racing driver(s). Additionally, once per day during the voting period, a fortunate fan will take home a $100 American Express gift card. Daily winners can also be featured on the Toyota Racing Dream Build Challenge home page at their discretion.
***Courtesy of pressroom.toyota.com
Monday, October 15, 2012
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Rutledge Wood to Announce Winner of Toyota Racing Dream Build Challenge at SEMA Show
Toyota announced today that NASCAR television analyst and Top Gear U.S. edition co-host Rutledge Wood will announce the winner of the Toyota Racing Dream Build Challenge (www.ToyotaRacingDreamBuild.com), a vehicle modification competition pitting four top racing drivers and their dream cars against each other for charity. The awards ceremony will take place at Toyota’s press conference during the 2012 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show in Las Vegas on Oct. 30. "I'm a big car guy and that's why I'm so excited about the Dream Build Challenge,” said Wood. "What's so cool…is that Toyota is taking their drivers, letting them build something crazy, and then they're going to raise money for their charities. I mean that's an amazing thing. It's going to be huge and I'm so glad to be a part of it with all my friends at Toyota." The Dream Build challengers are NASCAR Chase for the Sprint Cup contender Clint Bowyer, who is building an ultra-high-tech Prius; NHRA Top Fuel points leader Antron Brown and his drag-race-inspired Sequoia; NASCAR superstar Kyle Busch, who is developing a road-race-style Camry; and NHRA Nitro Funny Car phenom Alexis DeJoria, who is transforming a Tundra into a virtually race-ready desert "pre-runner." Fans will determine by online voting which of the four modified Toyota vehicles will win the 
challenge, which includes a check from Toyota for $50,000 made out to the winning driver’s charity of choice. In addition to announcing the winning driver and charity, Wood will serve as master of ceremonies for the Toyota SEMA Show press conference, with duties to include introduction of five additional Toyota vehicles built expressly for the SEMA show: three unique versions of the all-new 2013 Avalon; an FJ Cruiser modified by TRD; and the Ultimate Fishing Tundra. The role of emcee comes naturally to Wood, whose service in that capacity on cable television’s SPEED channel brought him to the attention of BBC Worldwide, who at the time were in the process of seeking co-hosts for the U.S. edition of “Top Gear.” Wood has co-hosted the American edition of the popular program on cable’s History channel since 2010. As a resident “funny man” on SPEED, he can be seen on the talk-variety series “Trackside” and as a roving reporter during NASCAR events. Wood’s affinity for Toyota products makes him a natural selection for hosting duties at the company’s SEMA Show press conference. Among the vehicles in his personal garage, he says, “My ‘Dad-mobile’ is easily my favorite. It’s a Tundra CrewMax 4×4.” And he counts his 1997 Supra Twin Turbo as one of his dream cars. Wood also participated in the 36th annual Toyota Pro/Celebrity race during the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach last April. Wood will be featured in an upcoming segment of the online reality series that has been developed around the Toyota Racing Dream Build Challenge. New episodes are uploaded regularly at www.ToyotaRacingDreamBuild.com. Voting for the challenge will open on Oct. 20 and will continue through Oct. 29. Fans will be able to vote once per day on Facebook where they can also enter to win prizes, including a Toyota Racing Dream Trip. The final vehicle builds will be unveiled by Wood during Toyota’s press conference at the SEMA show in Las Vegas on Oct. 30 at 11:00 a.m. PDT. Fans will be able to tune in live online via Livestream to watch the entire press conference and see the winner announced in real time.
***Courtesy of pressroom.toyota.com
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Thanks for the two five-star reviews Cole and Kimberly.
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Teams Hustle to Complete their Builds on Time for the Toyota Racing Dream Build Challenge
Customizing a vehicle can often be broken down into a series of tasks that can then be scheduled and executed—at least until the clock runs out. Then all bets are off. And so it goes for the Toyota Racing Dream Build Challenge teams with time to complete their ambitious builds coming to a close in about two weeks, just before voting begins on October 20. And just like a race car, these one-off rides must be ready to go when the green flag drops. Kyle Busch's "Rowdy Edition" Camry is "getting close." Busch's team at Detroit Speed has extensively reworked the Camry's body with strong fender flares, a NASCAR-style splitter and front and rear belly pans to direct airflow under the car. All of these parts have been custom designed and fabricated by hand—a painstaking and time-consuming process. More recently, the team has been scrambling to finish custom interior touches with completely redone seats and a custom electronic entertainment package. Getting a complex collection of custom-built electronics to work seamlessly in his "Tekked-Out Prius" seems to be keeping Clint Bowyer's RKM Performance Center team awake into the wee hours. It's loaded with hi-tech gadgets like side-view cameras that replace the mirrors, 45 feet. of fiber optic interior lighting and a 16-speaker stereo with six crossovers and dual amplifiers. Then there's the suspension which has dropped the Prius "lower than a Sprint Cup car." And, there’s certainly no lack of team spirit as their build will sport no less than 364 copies of the Toyota logo. 
Alexis DeJoria's Pre-Runner Tundra concept has her Racer Engineering team working on virtually every aspect of the truck. Long-travel suspension (20 inches in the rear), an elaborate custom roll cage wrapped in leather, and a TRD-supercharged engine are all part of her design to make a serious off-road tool. The team is also squeezing in a JBL audio system and a specially-built fuel cell. It’s all more than enough to keep them busy right up to the due date. Some builds are more ambitious than others, and Antron Brown's “DragQuoia” is a big concept that's challenging its capable builders. The "family dragster" idea means that whatever they do has to leave room for the family to ride safely and comfortably. And they're doing quite a lot. For starters, the Motorsports Technical Center team is lopping more than 2,000 lbs. off the factory curb weight. A TRD blower and nitrous coax the 5.7-liter V8 to pump out more than 650 hp for those "quick" runs to the supermarket. Massive 21.5-inch wide rear tires put the power to the ground, which in turn need big fender mods—inside and out—to keep the hot rubber bits contained in the wheel wells. Fortunately, Junior will have a comfortable perch in the back to view the scenery rushing by, secured with his own five-point racing harness. And between runs, he can watch his favorite DVD on the seat-back media player. Every one of the Dream Build vehicle teams has the chops and experience to deliver for their driver. The simple question on delivery day may come down to this: Which team will be the least sleep deprived.
***Courtesy of pressroom.toyota.com
Monday, October 8, 2012
Friday, October 5, 2012
Today, kicks off our "Likes for a Cure" promotion!
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
We want to save you money on your next fuel system service with a special offer.
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Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Scion’s ‘What Moves You’ Campaign Highlights Unique ‘Scion Story’ in New Chapter of Brand’s Evolution
Scion today announced the launch of its brand campaign “What Moves You” featuring its own unique “Scion Story.” The campaign launches today at www.scion.com and continues with targeted high-profile broadcast, print, online and out-of-home placements next week. “The recent introductions of the FR-S sports car and the premium micro-subcompact iQ have expanded Scion’s target audience. While these new products have successfully increased awareness of the lineup, many people have only a vague understanding of Scion’s uncommon brand attributes,” said Doug Murtha, Scion vice president. “With this in mind, the ‘What Moves You’ campaign is the first of several important initiatives designed to better familiarize consumers with the brand. “People know that Scion makes iconic vehicles that are built with the highest level of quality, but they might not know what Scion stands for and what makes it unique. We’re truly proud to showcase the brand’s story in the new campaign, to clearly tell people who we are, what we support and more importantly, what moves us.” Appearing prominently on the brand’s website, The Scion Story describes the colorful automotive brand’s history and plainly spells out its core beliefs. For example, it states, “We know that we are not the biggest car brand and we don’t want to be. What we do want is to provide a unique and better alternative that is right for today’s new car buyers.” This story describes Scion’s goal of offering quality cars that owners will want to personalize, with a simple purchase process that is enjoyable, and details the brand’s support of emerging talent in the art, music, design and automotive enthusiast realms. “Since the brand launched nearly 10 years ago, Scion has had an affinity for the creative arts that has resulted in helping more than 1,700 artists follow their passions,” added Owen Peacock, Scion national marketing and communications manager. “Our support of emerging artists is and always has been a cornerstone of the brand, and we bring that to light by featuring them and their personal stories as key parts of the campaign.” Specifically, the “What Moves You” campaign incorporates Scion creative partners, their stories of what moves them and how Scion has supported them to achieve their goals. The broadcast spot features Scion collaborators like artist Neil Krug, automotive designer Troy Sumitomo, professional racing driver Michele Abbate, and musician Prince Terrence and his band Hussle Club. 
***Courtesy of pressroom.toyota.com
Monday, October 1, 2012
Check out the Toyota Camry: The best-selling car in America!
The Toyota Camry is the best-selling car in America for the last decade. So why are you still not driving one? We don’t know why either. Come on in to test drive a Camry today and see what everyone else is talking about for yourself!
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