At Toyota of Tampa bay, we are determined to exceed every one of your expectations, from selecting the perfect vehicle to keeping it in top condition for years on down the road.
You’ll be seeing and hearing a lot of safety messages from Toyota on television and radio, in magazines, on billboards and elsewhere as the company rolls out its new national advertising campaign. The ads, which use the tag line “Everyone deserves to be safe,” seek to draw consumers’ attention away from the company’s problems of the past six months with safety-related recalls. They call attention to the Star Safety System, which combines five safety technologies as standard equipment on all new Toyota models. The five features are: vehicle stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes, electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist. While the technology isn’t new, having it all on every vehicle in the lineup is unusual. The ads, which include Toyota owners and engineers talking about safety and quality, reflect a trend in the auto industry toward projecting a warmer, more personal image.
Toyota Motor Corp is resuming construction of a plant in Mississippi that was put on hold during the economic downturn, and plans to make its top-selling Corolla sedan there starting in autumn 2011.
Toyota will hire 2,000 workers for the Blue Springs, Mississippi, facility, the company said on Thursday. Work on the plant had been suspended since December 2008 as the U.S. economy was plunging into recession.
The announcement reverses earlier plans to make Highlander sport-utility vehicles and Prius hybrid vehicles at the plant, and comes as U.S. auto sales are recovering from their worst downturn since the early 1980s.
“We first needed to fully utilize our existing facilities as the economy slowed. Now it’s time to fulfill Toyota’s promise in Mississippi,” said Yoshimi Inaba, president and chief operating officer of Toyota Motor North America.
Toyota, which undertook a massive recall of vehicles globally earlier this year, has forecast U.S. industry auto sales would rise to about 11.5 million vehicles in 2010 from 10.4 million last year.
Toyota’s U.S. sales rose 10.5 percent in the first five months of the year from last year, supported by hefty discounts to win back consumers in the wake of damaging safety recalls. Overall U.S. industry sales were up 17 percent.
The Japanese automaker said nearly all Corolla production for North America will be built at the Mississippi plant.
In April, Toyota closed a plant in Fremont, California, where it previously built the Corolla, after former partner General Motors Co pulled out of the joint venture as part of its post-bankruptcy restructuring. Since then, some Corollas for North America have been built in Japan, with the rest coming from a plant in Canada.
“Toyota remains committed to making vehicles where we sell them and to maintaining a substantial manufacturing presence in North America,” Inaba said.
The automaker will continue to import the popular Prius hybrids, which are built at plants in Japan and China. However, officials said Toyota still plans to build the car in North America, although a decision on timing has not been made.
Toyota officials said it was not economically feasible to operate the Fremont plant without a partner and it had made a commitment to get the Mississippi plant operating, and the fastest way to do that was by adding Corolla there.
Toyota said work on the Mississippi plant is essentially complete, with most of the remaining work involving equipment installation. Sixty people are already working in the administrative offices, and hiring for the rest of the jobs will begin in August or September.
We wanted to take a moment and update you on the progress we’ve made completing open recalls for the gas pedal and floor mat entrapment that was so widely publicized in early February. Since early February we have literally performed thousands of recalls on affected vehicles. While Toyota originally anticipated late summer of 2010 before all of the models would have parts available, we are happy to announce that Toyota advised us that by June of 2010, Toyota expects all models involved in the 90L recall, will have parts available for completion. As confusing as some of the parts releases have been, below is a chart that will help you quickly and easily determine whether or not your model was involved.
The following is the most current information available, please note that the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) determines whether or not the vehicle is involved in the recall:
AOA recall – Accelerator pedal steel reinforcement shim, all models below have parts available
2009-2010 RAV 4 models
2009-2010 Corolla models
2009-2010 Matrix models
2005-2010 Avalon models
2007-2010 Camry models
2010 Highlander – (Hybrid models not included)
2007-2010 Tundra models
2007-2010 Sequoia models
90L recall – Possible Floor Mat entrapment recall
2009-2010 Corolla – Parts release in June
2009-2010 Matrix – Parts release in June
2009-2010 Venza – Parts available
2008-2010 Highlander – Parts available
2005-2010 Avalon – Parts available
2007-2010 Camry (Gas and Hybrid) Parts available
2005-2010 Tacoma – Parts release in June
2007-2010 Tundra – Parts available
2004-2009 Prius – Parts available
For any other recall information on any other model or condition, please call any of our service staff with your VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) and we will gladly look up your vehicle and give you the latest information available. For more information on any Toyota recall please go to Toyota.com/recall for the latest information.
If you have been waiting to bring your vehicle in because of the volume of cars being recalled and our shop being too busy, you should know we are finished with over 50 % of our recall volume in just 3 months. Our service hours have been extended to 9:00 pm Monday through Friday and as always, we’re open 7 days a week.
It has always been our policy to provide the very best in service. We believe you are driving one of the highest quality vehicles on the road today. We will work on any Toyota regardless of where your vehicle was purchased. We also work on other makes and models as well. Our customers have ranked among the very best in the country, the state and the Tampa market. Thank you for your continued support and business.
Our direct service line is 813-375-3050. Our direct e mail is service@toyotaoftampabay.com.
Hot off the market, this brand of hybrid car is on the tip of everyone’s tongue. Prius stands for prize in most people’s book when they think about hybrid cars. And that’s not just because a Toyota Prius looks pretty. In terms of hybrid cars, the Toyota Prius has tons to offer car consumers. And it’s not as if potential hybrid car buyers don’t know that. News of the Toyota Prius is everywhere in the media.
Why? Well first of all, the Toyota Prius is a great kind of hybrid car. The model I speak of is Toyota’s petrol and electric hybrid model. It’s sharp, stunning, and is a best seller among hybrid cars. In the United States, the Toyota Prius got an award that was very comparable to the car of the year award given in Europe.
But the Toyota Prius hybrid car isn’t selling off the lots because it is the fastest car around. Some Toyota Prius’s have some pretty high profile owners. Among them are Leonardo Dicaprio, Harrison Ford, and Susan Sarandon. With these people driving this particular hybrid car, off course it’s selling like a hotcake. And the stars are doing a world of good for the sales of hybrid cars in general.
But while the success of the Toyota Prius is good for Toyota, it isn’t so good for its competitors who have yet to manufacture a hybrid car. Now Nissan, GM and other popular car manufacturers are trying to quickly get their act together and come up with their version of the hybrid car.
Some of these other manufacturers just did not believe that people would put their faith in the hybrid car as a solution to the constant fluctuation of oil prices. But the number of sales for the Toyota Prius hybrid car has certainly caused a change of tune for competing car manufacturers.
But as far as Toyota goes, claims have been made that in the near future, all Toyota engines will come with hybrid options. And Toyota also believes that it’s only a matter of time before all cars are hybrid cars or at least have hybrid engine options.
Soon it may expand its manufacturing plants to locations in places like California. Surely, there are plenty of movie stars there who can be persuaded to buy this hybrid car.
The Toyota Prius is certainly making a name for hybrid cars, and hopefully the buck won’t stop with the Prius. Toyota probably has some other models of hybrids cars that are fast making there way to having top sales as well.
Toyota’s Prius has been a runaway success for the company. First introduced as an ‘01 model in 2000 in the United States market, the hybrid has continually gained in sales, gotten larger to accommodate American tastes, and has become more powerful and more fuel efficient.
According to a recent report from Motor Trend magazine, a new variant of the Prius will take boost passenger space and cargo capacity even further. Toyota is reportedly working on an “Alpha” minivan, which will share its platform with the current third-generation Prius.
The Alpha is said to ride on a wheelbase that is one inch longer than the current Prius hybrid’s 106.3 inches and overall length will be roughly a foot longer at around 187.6 inches. The Alpha will also have an extra row of seating bringing total passenger capacity to seven (up from five in the current Prius hatchback).
Although the Alpha will be larger and heavier than standard Prius, some of the added weight is expected to be offset by the use of a lithium-ion (li-ion) battery pack instead of the heavier nickel-metal hybrid battery pack currently used. According to Motor Trend, a li-ion pack would be roughly a third the weight of the existing battery pack.
Still, the Alpha is likely to get worse mileage than its more lithium propelled counterpart. The Prius hatchback is rated at a combined 50 mpg, so a heftier people mover based on the same platform would probably score somewhere around 45 mpg by our estimates.
However, that would still put it ahead of small family haulers like the Mazda 5 and Kia Rondo, which are rated at 24 mpg and 22 mpg, combined respectively.
Each year, Toyota Motor Sales recognizes its stellar dealerships with the prestigious President’s Award. It’s a very high honor a dealership can receive from Toyota, and is only awarded to those dealerships who have demonstrated a commitment to maintaining Toyota’s high standards for customer satisfaction.
One of Toyota’s primary goals is to emphasize the entire ownership experience. We want to help ensure that our customers are satisfied not only at the time of purchase, but as long as they own their vehicle. Offering top quality cars and trucks is, of course, the first step – but only the beginning. Toyota dealerships strive to match the quality of our products with the finest service in the industry.
In order to qualify as a President’s Award winner, dealerships must excel in each of a series of categories, including Customer Sales Satisfaction and Customer Service Satisfaction. Dealerships which meet the requirements in all categories receive name badge recognition at all dealer events, national recognition in an Automotive News advertisement and, of course, the beautiful President’s Award Tiffany crystal trophy.
Toyota of Tampa Bay is filling up the dealership mantle with prestigious awards and recognition. In addition to the 2009 Toyota Presidents Award, Toyota of Tampa Bay has earned a place on the 2009 Toyota Customer Services Advisory Board. This highly competitive program recognizes the Top 50 Toyota dealers nationally as the best of the best in parts and service customer satisfaction.
Toyota will acknowledge each of the elite dealerships that will comprise the 2009 Toyota Customer Services Advisory Board in the June 7th issue of Automotive News, the industry leader in communicating the most current happenings in the automotive industry.
This is not the first time Toyota of Tampa Bay’s Service Department has been recognized for outstanding service. The Toyota of Tampa Bay Collision Center has been named a Toyota Certified Collision Center in 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009. Toyota of Tampa Bay is also a two-time winner of the Toyota Presidents Award, the most prestigious award a Toyota dealership can earn.
At Toyota of Tampa Bay, we strive to provide our customers with the highest level of customer service. Whether you are looking for a specific vehicle, servicing your ride, or restoring your vehicle to like new conditions after an accident, our sales staff and service technicians continually go the extra mile to make sure you drive away happy.
Here are some of the comments we have received from current customers:
“I was impressed by your personnel during my last transaction on Sunday, March 21st. Specifically, Dave Farner in your sales department and George Rodriguez in your finance department. I was treated a lot better by Toyota of Tampa Bay than when I bought my Mercedes-Benz ML 350 at Mercedes Benz of Tampa Bay a few days earlier.” – Jorge E. Rodriguez
“I want to thank Mr. Sharpe and Mr. Roache for their consideration in my having my Toyota recall taken care of. I realized it was time consuming with the backlog of inspections and repair but they were more than gracious in ensuring that I was satisfied with their action. I live approximately five miles from Sun Toyota but have always bought my vehicles from Toyota of Tampa Bay (three in the past three years). It is this type of service and attitudes that keeps individuals returning to that dealership. Thanks again!” – Troy Sapp
“I just popped in unexpectedly for an oil change and 10,000 mile checkup on my way back from a long weekend in Georgia. I was in and out in less than an hour with great service from Josue. Love my Venza!” – Holly Duncan “Thank you so much for going above and beyond in taking care of my car.You kept me informed every step of the way, and had my car back on time as promised!” – Kara Garam
If you would like to share your recent Toyota of Tampa Bay visit, we would love to hear about your experience. Please submit your story here, and your Toyota of Tampa Bay encounter may end up in our future newsletter.
Toyota in recent months has blamed its quality lapses on its rush to top the world in sales and said it will refocus its goals. But for now, Job one seems to be selling more cars and trucks. The company announced today that it will extend heavy incentives at least through May 3.
The incentives drove a nearly 41% sales rise in March, after recall publicity produced a February slide. So it will continue the lease deals for eight of its best-sellers and continue 0%/60 month financing on six of them.
It also will expand its two-year free maintenance offer. “We’re extending the two-year complimentary maintenance program, that proved to be very popular with existing Toyota owners in March, to all buyers in April,” says Bob Carter, GM of the Toyota Division for Toyota Motor Sales, USA. “We are pleased by our customers’ continued vote of confidence, and want to thank them for their loyalty by adding value to our products.”
Toyota promised to respond faster to customer complaints as it held its first meeting of a quality experts committee set up to help salvage a reputation battered by massive recalls and reports of runaway vehicles.
Toyota Motor Corp. appointed chief quality officers in key regions – including North America – where the biggest problems have surfaced to convey customer complaints quickly to its headquarters. It promised to add outside experts, including former U.S. Transportation Secretary Rodney Slater, in evaluating quality measures.
“Listening to consumer voices is most important in regaining credibility from our customers,” said Toyota President Akio Toyoda at a news conference after the quality committee met. “We are setting up a system to respond more quickly to complaints.”
Toyota has recalled more than 8 million vehicles around the world since October for defective gas pedals, faulty floor mats and braking software glitches. Most of them have been in the U.S., where Toyota sales fell 9 percent in February, according to Autodata Corp.
The quality committee meeting brought together 70 executives and autoworkers from Toyota’s global operations at the automaker’s headquarters in central Japan.
Toyota said the company needs to listen more carefully to proposals for better quality, including what drivers are saying.
The company said the quality panel of outside experts will issue its first evaluation report in June, and the quality committee will meet regularly to exchange insights and tackle safety issues.
But Tatsumi Tanaka, a crisis management expert who heads Risk Hedge in Tokyo, said Toyota needed to show that its regional businesses will have the autonomy to act and do more than just communicating complaints to headquarters.
“It’s not enough to say officials got together and met. You need to put people’s worries to rest,” he said.
The quality officers denied anything had been seriously amiss before, or that the new panel signaled radical change.
“I’m actually very excited about the new process. I represent the voice of the customers from North America, and it’s my job to make sure it is fully understood,” said Steve St. Angelo, the North American quality official.
But it was unclear how Toyota can hope to resolve lingering worries that the problem of unintended acceleration in some of its cars may be rooted in an electronic or software defect – an allegation that Toyota has repeatedly denied.
“It is in Toyota’s best interest to find the cause as quickly as they can, using all the help they can get. Trying to save face will ultimately fail,” said Bob Landman of H&L Instruments, an electronics company in North Hampton, New Hampshire, who has been a vocal critic of Toyota’s handling of recalls.
Landman is among the experts who have argued that software glitches and a short circuit caused by the use of lead-free materials in car parts are among the possible explanations for unintended acceleration.
Also Tuesday, Toyota said it will add a brake override – a system that allows the brakes to work if they are pressed together with the accelerator – to new models starting this year. That follows reports in the United States of vehicles speeding up on their own.
Under an effort to beef up quality checks, Toyota said it will set up four additional facilities to train employees in quality controls – in North America, China, Europe and Southeast Asia – modeled after the training center it already has in Japan.
The company said it will expand the use of “black box” data recorders that can help analyze the causes of accidents and speed up communication among quality control teams to make faster decisions on recalls.
Toyota showed reporters its facilities at headquarters, which are designed to check on possible defects in vehicles and parts targeted in consumer complaints.
Among the tests were an X-ray machine that presented three-dimensional computer imagery, an area that simulated heavy rains with water squirting from 400 nozzles, and a room that got both freezing cold and steaming hot to check how vehicles react under extreme weather conditions.
The media tour was intended to illustrate the hard work at the automaker to ensure quality control and respond to driver complaints. Toyoda has acknowledged that the company may have failed to be as quick or responsive as consumers would have liked about defects, especially overseas.
Toyota’s North American sales appear to be recovering this month. Toyota, which generally does not offer big incentives, has begun offering zero-percent financing deals on some models in the U.S. to bring customers back into showrooms.
Toyota’s bottom line is expected to suffer, perhaps by billions of dollars, from a spate of lawsuits being filed by consumers, including some who say they suffered damages from defective Toyota vehicles.
After the crash of a Prius hybrid in New York this month, police said the driver, not the car, was to blame. Officials are investigating another Prius that reportedly accelerated on its own in California.
“To ensure quality, we need to feel we are always at risk,” Shinichi Sasaki, the Toyota executive in charge of quality checks, told reporters. “We should be so worried about our customers we should be having nightmares.”
After disclosing its February sales, Toyota has announced it will offer “unprecedented” deals to spur sales of select models.
The automaker will offer:
Zero percent financing for up to 60 months on 2010 Avalon, Camry, Corolla, Highlander, Matrix, RAV4, Tundra and Yaris, for qualifying buyers.
Low lease rates on 2010 Avalon, Camry, Corolla, Highlander, Matrix, Prius, RAV4, Tundra and Venza, for qualifying buyers.
Free two-year premium maintenance program for customers who purchase or lease a new vehicle and provide proof of a Toyota, Lexus or Scion vehicle already registered in household, with applicable conditions.
The deals are “unprecedented in the history of Toyota,” said Toyota brand manager Bob Carter. The deals apply to most of the vehicles under recall, from Camry, Corolla, Prius, Tundra, RAV4 and others. The Yaris subcompact is included, too, even though it isn’t under any recall.
On February 11, 2010, Petro Frigerio, Chief Operating Officer of Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A., together with Lamborghini car designer Valentino Balboni and other top American and Italian Lamborghini executives joined Larry Morgan and Victor Young for Morgan Auto Group’s exclusive Grand Opening of Lamborghini Sarasota located at 5145 Clark Road in South Sarasota, Florida. Lamborghini Sarasota is one of 31 exclusive Lamborghini dealerships in North America with certified Lamborghini technicians trained at Lamborghini’s headquarters in Sant’ Agata Bolognese, Italy.
Lamborghini Sarasota’s Grand Opening was held in conjunction with the ninth annual Sarasota Exotic Car Show weekend that benefits the Child Protection Center. Car enthusiasts nationwide attend the Sarasota Exotic Car show for the opportunity to see Lamborghinis, Ferraris, Rolls-Royces, Bentleys, Aston Martins, Bugatti Veyrons, and other rare luxury cars. Lamborghini Sarasota’s Grand Opening festivities started Thursday morning with interviews on local networks and continued with a live news feed of Lamborghini Sarasota’s Grand Opening Thursday night. Over 350 invited guests attended the event that included live music by the jazz group City Heat, Italian hors d’ oeuvres as well as a Callezione runway fashion show that debuted the most recent fashions from Lamborghini’s Winter/Spring 2010 clothing line. Lamborghini Sarasota, with its catwalk and sleek marble and leather accoutrements, provided the perfect setting for guests to enjoy smooth jazz, Italian cuisine and see the latest clothing line from Lamborghini. During regular business hours the catwalk features the latest Lamborghini automobile models and the showroom brings Lamborghini’s style and elegance to Morgan Auto Group’s latest jewel, Lamborghini Sarasota.
About Lamborghini
Founded in 1963, Automobili Lamborghini is headquartered in Sant’ Agata Bolognese, in Northeastern Italy and manufactures some of the world’s most sought-after super sports cars. With 31 dealerships in North America and over 125 worldwide, Automobili Lamborghini has created a succession of dynamic and elegant super sports cars including the Miura, Islero, Urraco, 350GT, Espada, Countach, Diablo, Murciélago LP 640, Murciélago LP 640 Roadster, Gallardo SE, Gallardo Superleggera, Reventón Coupe, Gallardo LP 560-4 Coupé and Spyder, Murciélago LP 670-4 SuperVeloce, Gallardo LP550-2 Valentino Balboni and the recently introduced Reventón Roadster.
Toyota introduced the boldly redesigned 2011 Avalon today at the 2010 Chicago Auto Show. Evoking a time when travel was sophisticated, elegant and comfortable, the new Avalon possesses a distinctive new exterior style while offering a restyled interior rich with premium touch points and practical new technologies.
Even with numerous refinements inside and out, the Avalon remains true to the idea that comfort is honest and uncomplicated, and “Traveling Avalon Class” is rich in simple, familiar pleasures.
The new Avalon has dynamic and expressive lines, and an infusion of comfort, safety and technology advancements that enrich the driving experience. Upgraded equipment and technology features, such as a touch-screen navigation system with real-time traffic, and Bluetooth hands-free phone capability with music streaming to the audio system are among the improvements that enhance the 2011 Avalon’s excellent blend of spaciousness, comfort and technology.
“The Avalon has long been appreciated by smart, conscientious consumers who recognize quality materials and the beauty of detailed craftsmanship,” said Bob Carter, Group Vice President and General Manager, Toyota Division, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. “The changes made for 2011 will allow us to build on our position in the premium large car segment. The competition does not stand still, and neither do we.”
Restyled at Calty Design Research in Newport Beach, Calif., the Avalon is assembled at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky (TMMK), a “zero landfill” facility that also assembles the Camry, Camry Hybrid, and Venza. It was also developed at the Toyota Technical Center (TTC) in Ann Arbor, Mich.
Dynamic New Exterior
For 2011, Calty restyled Avalon to project an elegant, outgoing presence. A wider, more substantial grille ties into state-of-the-art projector headlamps, working with a broad, undisturbed front hood to suggest a lowered center of gravity and emphasize the Avalon’s wide stance.
The new headlamps, which combine multi-reflector halogen high beams with halogen or HID low beams, utilize light pipes to create a signature, night-time appearance. The front fog lamps, now integrated into a trapezoidal front bumper, provide a wider angle of illumination.
Viewed from the side, the 2011 Avalon is enhanced by additional use of chrome trim, redesigned rocker panels, and glare-resistant outer mirrors with integrated turn signals. New 17-inch wheels on the Limited grade feature a 10-spoke design with a mirror finish.
At the rear of the car, identification is cleanly defined by a single Avalon logo located above the license plate. Dual-exhaust pipes are integrated into the cutaway trapezoid shape of the lower bumper for a modern image. Taillights have been reshaped to reduce turbulence at the rear, helping to create a lower coefficient of drag. The new lights integrate stop, turn and side marker lighting functions in one combined lamp. Unique LED light pipes with dark aluminized sides and both clear and red lenses project a modern appearance.
Spacious Interior Built For Comfort
For 2011, a new interior has been designed with a contemporary style. The new interior remains generously spacious and elegant, fitted with comfortable seating and thoughtfully integrated amenities. Coordinated colors and rich wood-grain materials were carefully chosen to convey an optimistic attitude and modern essence.
Standard leather-trimmed front seats and seatbacks on the Limited are fitted with ventilation systems and an enlarged perforation area to help keep them cool. Interior seats feature thicker stitching, which provides an elegant accent to the interior design. Active front headrests are also standard.
The rear seating area is configured to seat three passengers comfortably, with ample legroom and reclining rear seats, unique in the segment. The rear headrests have also been reshaped and enlarged for better support, and a convenient flip-down center armrest provides storage when the middle seat is not in use.
A power rear sunshade, deployable via a one-touch lever, filters direct sunlight coming through the rear window. The sunshade, which helps to protect rear seat passengers from unwanted light and heat, automatically detracts when the driver selects reverse gear.
A new instrument panel incorporates visually attractive and highly readable Optitron gauges that use graduated white illumination with white pointers. They are set inside smoked lenses and deep chrome rings that add depth and a sense of luxury.
The steering wheel includes controls for Bluetooth hands-free phones, the audio system, climate system, and the information center.
Technology-Enriched Environment
A comprehensive infusion of technology was designed into the new interior to ensure an enriched environment, with enhanced function and connectivity.
New standard equipment includes Bluetooth hands-free phone and music streaming to the audio system from a compatible device, XM satellite radio (subscription required), and both USB and 1/8-inch auxiliary connections for iPod and other audio devices. Each of the three available audio systems can control iPods seamlessly using switches located on the steering wheel and display track information stored in the device.
Toyota’s latest DVD Navigation system has a newly adopted database and now has easier search and address input functionality. The Navigation system also offers new displays for road icons and points of interest, and a keyboard screen arranged in the same way as a personal computer.
The Avalon grade’s standard nine-speaker system offers exceptional sound quality, while the Limited grade features a standard 12-speaker, 660-watt JBL Premium Synthesis audio system with enhanced two-coil sub-woofer. The system uses 12 speakers and a 12-channel digital amplifier to deliver profoundly rich, full sound to all seats of the vehicle.
A rear-view monitor function is standard in the rear-view mirror or with the navigation system. The rear-view-mirror image includes on-screen back-up guides that help drivers to back into parking spots or driveways.
Performance and Efficiency Combined
Avalon’s exceptional combination of ample horsepower and excellent fuel economy offers one of the best overall dynamic performances in the large sedan segment.
The 2011 Avalon is powered by a 24-valve, dual-overhead cam 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 268 horsepower at 6,200 rpm. The engine is equipped with the latest dual VVT-i electronic valve-control mechanism that provides a broader powerband, while requiring less fuel and generating fewer emissions. It is mated to a multi-mode six-speed automatic transmission.
The 2011 Avalon is an Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV), EPA-estimated to deliver 20 mpg in the city, 29 highway, and 23 combined, as good as or better than any V6 model in the segment.
A roadworthy mix of fine ride quality and accurate driving control is delivered by the Avalon’s MacPherson strut suspension, which uses coil springs at all four corners. Rack-and-pinion steering combines with front-wheel-drive and optimized steering gear for a natural handling feel.
Simple Comforts Throughout
A dual-zone climate control system has nine air-flow modes for more precise control of interior climate, and a clean-air filter removes dust and pollen. Doors use three stop positions instead of two for easier entrance and exit. A lockable glove box has a pneumatic-door damper and inner box illumination. The front-console box has a sliding armrest that moves 4.7 inches front to rear, able to accommodate a wide range of driver positions. The elegantly stitched top is padded with a double density cushion material for softness. Inside, there is a 12-volt outlet in addition to the USB and auxiliary audio terminals.
Safety is Standard
The new Avalon’s occupant-safety strategy includes use of extensively tested energy absorbing structures, protective side impact beams and overhead structure, advanced belt systems and active front headrests as standard equipment. Avalon will also have a redesigned accelerator pedal assembly and a brake override system.
Seven airbags, including a front knee bag for the driver, and front side curtain airbags for both rows, are also standard. Toyota’s standard Star Safety System includes Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), anti-lock braking system (ABS) with Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist, and TRAC traction control system. TRAC and VSC functions can be disengaged if the driver needs to free the vehicle if stuck in mud or snow.
A full-size spare and alloy wheel is standard. Each wheel has its own pressure sensor to warn if tire pressure drops, providing the driver with an early warning to find a safe place to change a tire.
Simplified Packaging
The 2011 Avalon will be available in two grades when it arrives in showrooms in the spring of 2010, Avalon and Limited. Both grades will be well equipped with standard equipment like eight-way leather-trimmed power driver’s seats, back-up camera, dual zone automatic climate control with air filtration, moonroof and 17-inch alloy wheels. Limited will have additional standard equipment, such as an eight-way passenger’s seat with lumbar support, driver’s seat cushion extension, rain-sensing wipers, Smart Key and cooled leather seats. Avalon grade can be upgraded with features like a JBL Synthesis sound system and heated front seats, while Navigation is optional for both grades.
Color and Trim
Avalon will be available in nine exterior colors including three new colors: Zephyr Blue Metallic, Cypress Pearl and Sizzling Crimson Mica. Additional colors include Cocoa Bean Metallic, Blizzard Pearl, Classic Silver Metallic, Magnetic Gray Metallic, Black, and Sandy Beach Metallic. Avalon grade will be mated to three leather-trimmed interior colors: Ivory, Light Gray, and Black. Limited grade receives Ivory, Light Gray, and Black Bordeaux trims with accent-color trim on the vertical surfaces.
Limited Warranty
Toyota’s 36-month/36,000 mile basic new-vehicle warranty applies to all components other than normal wear and maintenance items. Additional 60-month warranties cover powertrain for 60,000 miles and corrosion with no mileage limitation. Toyota dealers have complete details on the limited warranty.
The redesigned 2011 Avalon will begin arriving at Toyota dealerships nationally in spring 2010.
Into the hidebound minivan world, equally conservative Toyota strides with radical gait.
Hoping for a bounce-back in the moribund minivan market, the automaker has poured cash and cleverness into an update of its Sienna, out next month as a 2011 model. Four-cylinder and sport models will follow in April.
“Ready for a rebound,” says Toyota U.S. Vice President Bob Carter.
Toyota sees a market of young realists starting families who rightly see minivans as the most practical machines ever made – and who haven’t dismissed vans as dork-mobiles or as funless machines intended only for soccer moms.
That may be a pipe dream, but the Sienna revamp brings to market a very appealing van with notable differences from rivals:
It’s the only minivan with optional all-wheel drive (AWD), making it a credible alternative to a crossover SUV for the open-minded. While just 10% of buyers are likely to bite, Toyota even invested in a new AWD system aimed at better real-world gas mileage, though federal ratings are about the same.
A bonus: The AWD is among Sienna models fitted with run-flat tires. Stiffer than conventional tires, their firmer feel could attract some fans of the taut Honda Odyssey. Of course, the price will be steeper when it’s time to replace those run-flats.
Also exclusive in its class is the four-cylinder engine, to be available in the two lowest-level models for those who want to pay less and use less fuel.
Toyota predicts 15% of buyers will choose the four. It’s rated 187 horsepower, a hefty 79 hp less than the V-6. But a preproduction four tested here was surprisingly smooth, quiet, composed.
Until, that is, you hammered the throttle as you might to merge onto a freeway or climb a mountain road carrying the family and its gear. Then the four-cylinder engine got noisy and a bit coarse-feeling.
Still, for most people most of the time, it should be sufficient.
The SE sport version is at least one Sienna that’s even crisper and more agile than the Odyssey. Serious tires, for one thing: 235/50 on 19-inch wheels; 235/55 18s are the biggest non-SE choice. Found only on showy cars not so long ago, the big skins on a family van are striking. Like the run-flats, however, they’ll cost you at replacement time.
The SE also has firmer suspension and steering and sits about half an inch closer to the ground.
The preproduction SE tester delivered agreeable firmness, what enthusiasts call “road feel,” that was preferable to the road isolation found in many vans.
Should you feel so moved, you can sling the two-plus tons of SE around tight corners with little enough body lean to avoid terrorizing yourself. The tender-tushed might find it slightly jiggly on rough pavement, but the better driving feel is worth it.
Among other notable Sienna features:
“Long slide” isn’t a reference to a nearsighted baseball player who dives 40 feet from home plate. It means the front of the second-row seat cushions tilt up as they slide forward, allowing a tighter fit behind the front seats. That opens more cargo space without wrestling the seats out of the van.
Dual-view rear video screen is a gee-whiz item that might be less than it seems. It’ll display two different programs simultaneously, but after a few minutes it seemed just distracting to passengers. You kept wanting to look at what the other person was watching. Use it for a single, wide-screen display and the picture is comically stretched. Center a single video in the screen and it looks fine if you don’t mind the wide black bars on either side.
Second-row lounge chairs in high-end models will wow some, strike others as too cumbersome. Lean back and a foot rest extends for a very laid-back position. Seems unsuited for use underway; safety belts wouldn’t be positioned right. Good for napping or reading till soccer practice is over.
Not new, but worth applause: Toyota provides a 3.5-inch screen as part of the driver info display. That’s big enough to see the optional backup camera display. Means you don’t have to buy a pricey navigation system to get a suitable backup screen.
Most vehicles that offer cameras without a navi confine the rear-view display to the corner of the inside mirror, where it’s hard to see.
The eight-passenger Sienna has a removable center section in the second row, like that in Toyota’s Highlander SUV. Remove it and create a walk-through. It stows in the wall of the cargo area.
A six-speed automatic, upgraded from the previous five-speed, provided solid acceleration and smooth gear changes. Toyota said it also was designed to hold back the van down steep hills – tap the brakes and it goes to work. The effect was between subtle and invisible on four test vehicles.
Outside, Toyota tried to mask the boxy van look. Wishful thinking. A minivan, by definition, is a roomy box with sliding side doors. Accept it.
If you do, if you’re a van fan, you should applaud Toyota for updating Sienna at a time when vanishing minivan sales surely gave its accountants a strong argument to leave well enough alone.
2011 Toyota Sienna
What? Updated version of conventional minivan. Seats seven or eight. Will offer four-cylinder engine, sport version with stiffer suspension and all-wheel drive. Most will sell with V-6, front-drive, standard suspension.
When? V-6, front-drive models due in February. SE sport model, four-cylinder due in April.
Where? Developed at Toyota Technical Center in Ann Arbor, Mich., styled at Toyota Calty studio in Newport Beach, Calif., built at Princeton, Ind.
Why? To be the freshest model on the market for what Toyota expects will be a resurgence of interest in minivans.
How much? Starts at $25,060 including $800 shipping for base, four-cylinder, front-drive; $40,570 for Limited AWD.
How many? 100,000 the first 12 months, Toyota forecasts.
How powerful? 3.5-liter V-6 rated 266 horsepower at 6,250 rpm, 245 pounds feet of torque at 4,700 rpm. 2.7-liter four-cylinder rated 187 hp at 5,800 rpm, 186 lbs. ft. at 4,100. Six-speed automatic transmission on all versions.
How big? Similar to full-size SUV: 200.2 inches long, 78.2 in. wide, 68.9 in. tall, on 119.3-in. wheelbase.
Weighs 4,275 to 4,545 lbs. Rated to carry 1,325 to 1,575 lbs. of people, cargo and accessories. Tows up to 3,500 lbs.
Passenger space: 164.4 cubic feet. Cargo space: 39.1 cu. ft. behind third row, 87.1 cu. ft. behind second row, 117.8 cu. ft. with second row folded, 150 cu. ft. with second row removed.
Turning circle diameter: 36.9 ft.
How thirsty? Four-cylinder rated 19 miles per gallon in town, 26 highway, 22 combined. V-6 FWD: 18/24/20. V-6 AWD: 16/22/18. Burns regular, holds 20 gallons.
Trip computers in V-6 test vehicles showed 17.4 to 18.6 mpg (5.75 to 5.38 gallons per 100 miles) in mix of suburban and highway driving.
The votes have been counted and the results are in! Over 30, 630 individuals logged on to livingouteast.com to vote for the Best of Out East for 2009. Voters nominated businesses in 28 categories, ranging from the best fine dining restaurant, the best doctors, the best bank, the best community and more.
BMW of Sarasota, part of the Morgan Auto Group, prides itself on the absolute highest levels of customer service and satisfaction. It’s no wonder readers of Living Out East & On the Bay Magazine have voted BMW of Sarasota the Best Local Import Car Dealer in 2009. Discerning automotive buyers in Sarasota have come to trust BMW of Sarasota, and every dealership in the Morgan Auto Group, over the years to provide the best experience when looking for a new or used vehicle.
You’ll be seeing and hearing a lot of safety messages from Toyota on television and radio, in magazines, on billboards and elsewhere as the company rolls out its new national advertising campaign. The ads, which use the tag line “Everyone deserves to be safe,” seek to draw consumers’ attention away from the company’s problems of the past six months with safety-related recalls. They call attention to the Star Safety System, which combines five safety technologies as standard equipment on all new Toyota models. The five features are: vehicle stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes, electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist. While the technology isn’t new, having it all on every vehicle in the lineup is unusual. The ads, which include Toyota owners and engineers talking about safety and quality, reflect a trend in the auto industry toward projecting a warmer, more personal image.
Toyota Motor Corp is resuming construction of a plant in Mississippi that was put on hold during the economic downturn, and plans to make its top-selling Corolla sedan there starting in autumn 2011.
Hot off the market, this brand of hybrid car is on the tip of everyone’s tongue. Prius stands for prize in most people’s book when they think about hybrid cars. And that’s not just because a Toyota Prius looks pretty. In terms of hybrid cars, the Toyota Prius has tons to offer car consumers. And it’s not as if potential hybrid car buyers don’t know that. News of the Toyota Prius is everywhere in the media.
Toyota’s Prius has been a runaway success for the company. First introduced as an ‘01 model in 2000 in the United States market, the hybrid has continually gained in sales, gotten larger to accommodate American tastes, and has become more powerful and more fuel efficient.
At Toyota of Tampa Bay, we strive to provide our customers with the highest level of customer service. Whether you are looking for a specific vehicle, servicing your ride, or restoring your vehicle to like new conditions after an accident, our sales staff and service technicians continually go the extra mile to make sure you drive away happy.
Toyota in recent months has blamed its quality lapses on its rush to top the world in sales and said it will refocus its goals. But for now, Job one seems to be selling more cars and trucks. The company announced today that it will extend heavy incentives at least through May 3.
Toyota promised to respond faster to customer complaints as it held its first meeting of a quality experts committee set up to help salvage a reputation battered by massive recalls and reports of runaway vehicles.
After disclosing its February sales, Toyota has announced it will offer “unprecedented” deals to spur sales of select models.
On February 11, 2010, Petro Frigerio, Chief Operating Officer of Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A., together with Lamborghini car designer Valentino Balboni and other top American and Italian Lamborghini executives joined Larry Morgan and Victor Young for Morgan Auto Group’s exclusive Grand Opening of Lamborghini Sarasota located at 5145 Clark Road in South Sarasota, Florida. Lamborghini Sarasota is one of 31 exclusive Lamborghini dealerships in North America with certified Lamborghini technicians trained at Lamborghini’s headquarters in Sant’ Agata Bolognese, Italy.
Founded in 1963, Automobili Lamborghini is headquartered in Sant’ Agata Bolognese, in Northeastern Italy and manufactures some of the world’s most sought-after super sports cars. With 31 dealerships in North America and over 125 worldwide, Automobili Lamborghini has created a succession of dynamic and elegant super sports cars including the Miura, Islero, Urraco, 350GT, Espada, Countach, Diablo, Murciélago LP 640, Murciélago LP 640 Roadster, Gallardo SE, Gallardo Superleggera, Reventón Coupe, Gallardo LP 560-4 Coupé and Spyder, Murciélago LP 670-4 SuperVeloce, Gallardo LP550-2 Valentino Balboni and the recently introduced Reventón Roadster.
Toyota introduced the boldly redesigned 2011 Avalon today at the 2010 Chicago Auto Show. Evoking a time when travel was sophisticated, elegant and comfortable, the new Avalon possesses a distinctive new exterior style while offering a restyled interior rich with premium touch points and practical new technologies.
Into the hidebound minivan world, equally conservative Toyota strides with radical gait.
The votes have been counted and the results are in! Over 30, 630 individuals logged on to livingouteast.com to vote for the Best of Out East for 2009. Voters nominated businesses in 28 categories, ranging from the best fine dining restaurant, the best doctors, the best bank, the best community and more.