Toyota of Tampa Bay is part of the fastest growing family owned group of dealerships in central Florida.  The Morgan Auto Group is made up of stores that truly value people.  Recently, the Morgan Auto Group and Toyota of Tampa Bay rolled out their new Mission Statement.  Our General Manager, John Gliem,  motivates every employee to exemplify this philosophy in his or her work.

OUR MISSION STATEMENT:
To create a work environment that advances, empowers and educates our associates so that they may have the ability and desire to provide an atmosphere where our guests can make informed decisions, pay a fair price and expect superior service.

There are several parts to the mission statement above, but the focus is PEOPLE!  Every action we take at Toyota of Tampa Bay impacts our customers, our staff, our managers, and our vendor partners.  Nothing makes us more proud than when a customer takes a few moments out of their day to send in a letter of appreciation.  Our customers recognize that people are treated as VIPs at Toyota of Tampa bay.   Here is a letter that we received today about a recent New Car purchase experience:

Dear Mr. Gliem,

I wanted to send a quick note expressing satisfaction with my recent truck buying experience at Toyota of Tampa Bay.  From my first interaction over the phone through driving it off the lot, everyone was cordial, helpful, and, most importantly to me, refreshingly clear!

As a 30 year resident of Tampa Bay I have purchased 12 vehicles, 5 of them Toyotas, and none of those were repeat business for the dealership.  Every experience was either dreadful or not enough to create a loyalty.  It always seems like the sales team is in it for the moment and not the long term potential.  Tampa is my home and I plan on living here until the day I die and will probably buy 15 more cars for my family.  The bulk of my Palma Ceia neighbors are lifelong residents, looking to do business with companies that are part of the community and that they can trust.  I feel I have found a business that I can support for years to come!  I already have shared my great experience with my 100 direct reports at work and with the Tampa based USAA agent I spoke with.

Specifically, Kyle Perry was a relaxed, no pressure, customer-centric sales professional that delivered on every request with clarity and focus.  He is an asset to your organization and one I hope to use in the future and refer many prospects to.  His partnership and teamwork with Lee Johansen was a model of meeting the customer’s needs without me having any idea who is “earning” the sale or feeling that ownership of the sale is all that important.

During these tough economic times, I wish your business the best and know if the attributes mentioned above are experienced by others, you will see your market share grow no matter the business cycle.

Regards,
Tacoma Owner

If you’ve been scouring dealership lots for the next breakthrough vehicle, look no further than the all new 2009 Toyota Venza. Toyota’s first entry into the crossover category, this innovative vehicle features all the safety of a Camry with the cargo space of a Highlander.  As the newest addition to Toyota’s lineup, this sleek and unique crossover will leave you turning heads.   

The powerful 3.5L V6 engine roars down freeways with a gas sipping 26 miles per gallon* while comfortably seating five.  This sleek new vehicle is power packed with standard features that many other crossovers leave you picking up the tab for, including dual zone air conditioning, remote keyless entry, a multi-information display and rear reclining seats.   

Test drive the Venza today at Toyota of Tampa Bay to experience the luxury, power and performance first hand.  There’s only one Venza from Toyota and there is only one Toyota of Tampa Bay.

*Estimated EPA highway MPG.

It’s no secret that stress has negative effects on your health. But did you know that chronic stress more than doubles the risk of having a heart attack? These are odds that you may want to consider. Luckily, reducing stress will not only improve your attitude but it might just save your life.

The following simple stress-reducing pointers can be easily incorporated into your everyday life.

Sleep: Don’t skimp on sleep! One of the easiest ways to manage stress is getting a good night’s sleep.

Relax: It’s not always easy to relax when your blood is boiling. If you have a hard time cooling off try these easy relaxation practices: breathe deeply and slowly for at least a minute; take a midday nap; spend some time with your pet; and laugh!

Exercise: Studies have shown that exercising is a surefire way to relieve stress. Try starting off with just 15 minutes a day, five days a week.

As it’s still early in the year, reflecting back on 2008 may benefit your budget. Do you see areas that could have been managed better? Was money wasted on unnecessary items? Did money just seem to disappear? Since the answer to these questions is often unanimously “yes!” this month’s money saving tips revolve around impulse buying.

Imprudent spending is easy to control. Simply use tools that help you be more cautious about hasty spending.

Credit cards are often the gateway to spontaneous spending. Try leaving your credit cards at home. Better yet, save them for emergencies.

Planning your purchases will also help you avoid unexpected spending. Try buying a magazine or newspaper subscription instead of purchasing them individually. Think about meals you would like to make during the week, grocery shop for those items, and then bring your lunch to work. Planning ahead will save you money.

Give yourself a cash allowance when you get paid. Plan your budget so you have enough cash to get you through to the next paycheck. Knowing that you have just enough cash for the necessities will lead to contentious spending.

Do you have trouble remembering where you left your keys, the names of people you’ve met, or even what you wore to work yesterday? You’re not alone! One of the most common complaints among the middle aged is forgetfulness. If your memory could use a boost, try this mental fitness routine and get your brain back in shape.

Start mental exercising: Stimulate your brain by solving novel problems like brainteasers, crossword puzzles, and word puzzles. Make sure the puzzles are challenging, but also enjoyable. As you keep getting better continue to challenge yourself.

Nourish your brain: Put your brain on a diet by feeding it healthy food. Beneficial fats (olive oil, fish, and walnuts) are excellent for your brain. Foods high in antioxidants, vitamins C and E, leafy vegetables, and fruits will also increase mental abilities.

Get into a routine: Creating daily habits like putting your keys and glasses in same location everyday will get you into the practice of remembering things.

You are recycling, reusing plastic bags, and switching to fluorescent light bulbs. But it’s 2009 and you’re ready to pitch in even more to help our environment. The good news is that going-and staying-greener is easier than ever.

Label Shop: Buying products that are environmentally friendly is as easy as looking at the label. If you’re in the market for electronics look for the Energy Star logo. Shopping for a new computer? Look for the EPEAT label. And, you can find the Forestry Stewardship Council seal on paper and wood furniture products.

Recycle Electronics: Take your recycling one-step further. Don’t throw away your old cell phones, VHS players, or other electronic products. Services now specialize in buying old electronics. You might even make some cash for your useless goods.

Say No to Plastic Bottles: Get into the habit of using a reusable water bottle. Choose a bottle that is made out of aluminum or plastic that is BPA-free. This will result in less plastic in landfills and more money in your wallet!

At this year’s Detroit auto show, an evident trend could be seen among almost all of the automakers-electric cars. It makes sense as the need for alternative-fuel technology is growing. And automotive companies are keeping up with the technology of the future.

Electricity is thought to be the propulsion system of the future. Companies from Ford to General Motors have plans to mass-produce an electric car within the next three years. This means by the year 2012, 20% of cars in the United States will be electric!

Of course the question remains, which auto company will dominate this market? Smart Car has already introduced a two-seater vehicle. But these cars will not rule the road since they are not realistic for families of four or five. This is a challenge that automakers are facing head on: Ford, Toyota, and Nissan are among the few that plan to unveil an electric sedan.

This burgeoning movement may be just what the automotive industry needs to recover from its current struggle. And the fact that we will reduce our dependence of foreign oil doesn’t hurt either.

The automotive industry’s introduction of exciting electric cars may have you wondering what to do with the old gas-guzzler in your driveway. You’re not alone in this predicament, in fact, congress is currently mulling over a proposal to pay people for their clunkers. 

The new program is aptly called, “Cash for Clunkers”. Under legislation, turning in your clunker could earn you up to $4,500! The program is designed as an incentive for drivers to scrap gas-gobbling vehicles for new fuel-efficient cars.

If you’re not in the market for a new car, you can still turn in the eyesore that’s been sitting in your garage. In return, you can receive vouchers for rides on public transportation like buses and trains.

Do you find yourself making too many trips to the coffee pot for a refill throughout the day? Or perhaps your eyelids settle at half-mast while staring at your computer? For various reasons, staying awake-and alert-at work can sometimes be easier than it sounds. 

The key to staying alert is to keep your brain stimulated. Try these tips to help you get through a day after little hours of sleep.

Ration caffeine: There is no doubt that caffeine can give you a boost. But overloading on coffee, tea, or soda can result in an inevitable crash. Try pacing your caffeine intake throughout the day to avoid counterproductive effects.

Don’t overindulge: Snacking on healthy food throughout the day can keep your energy level on full. Heavy foods that make you full will drain your energy and induce sleep.

Stay sunny: Bright light energizes you. If you don’t work near a window, take a walk outside for a dose of natural sunlight. If the weather is dreary, add another lamp to your workspace.

Get moving: If your schedule allows, move away from your desk to stretch and walk. Get your blood flowing to beat feeling sluggish. While walking outside, quicken your pace to invigorate and awaken your senses.