Driving over the last 100 years has become the core aspect of life on the global and American stages. It’s understandable, then, why companies and organizations are putting a massive focus on safety when dealing with driving. Automotive manufacturers are the first level in the battle against dangerous driving, and companies like Toyota have evolved their vehicles to better deal with problem driving environments and distractions. From them, the responsibility then usually goes to the driver themselves, who are ultimately the only thing stopping the vehicle from careening at ungodly speeds down the wrong side of the highway. While there are defensive driving courses and driving exams that our society has put in place to remedy some of these issues, there are still thousands of deaths reported on American roads each year that had to do with careless mistakes in less than perfect driving conditions.

The Program

That is why, starting in 2004, Toyota Motor Corp. in cooperation with several Local Toyota Dealerships began offering an experience sponsored by Toyota Driving Expectations to educate the public on proper driving techniques. Every year, they host a driving class directed towards recreating real-world situations that usually end in disaster for drivers, and instructing less-experienced drivers on how to deal with those issues. Through the unique situations presented to attendees at Toyota’s Free Safe Driving Program, drivers advance their driving skills and prevent many future accidents.

What will you learn?

Toyota published an overview of their program on their online pressroom, and in the overview mentioned some of the situations the students would be presented with. Some scenarios included learning how to:

• “Learn defensive driving skills and crash avoidance techniques, such as best practices for focusing on the road”
• “Identify and respond to the dangerous driving situations that they encounter daily”
• “Experience firsthand the dangers of distracted driving and understand the relationship between distraction and reaction time”
• “Understand vehicle dynamics and safety features, such as how to engage an anti-lock braking system”

Not Just for Students, Parents Too!

One of the outstanding features of the program is the effort Toyota put in to involve not only young drivers. A parent or guardian is required to come, because of the influence they have on their young drivers as role models. “The unique aspect of requiring a parent or guardian to attend the program with their teen driver helps to foster an open dialogue between teens and parents about safe driving habits,” the report said. “As a result, parents learn the best practices to promote responsible driving habits with their teens so they’re able to continue improving driving skills at home.” Both Parent and Student will be able to experience the world renowned Toyota Parts in a constructive, educational, and controlled environment!

For more info on the program, or to see the quotes featured in their original content, visit Toyota’s Press Release or their main Toyota News site.

The program will be held in the following cities at the following times.

• Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A., Inc., in Torrance, CA, October 8 – 9 *
• Emerald Downs in Auburn, WA, October 15 – 16
• Bass Pro Shops in Denver, CO, October 22 – 23
• Seymour High School in Seymour, CT, October 29 – 30 *

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The face of the vehicle has been significantly changed, to reflect the more angular look Toyota has been working on of late. This involved “a redesigned hood, grille, headlamps and front bumper, among other changes.” It’s really no surprise here that it is in fact more aggressive. Based on the recent drive for attitude in Toyota’s aesthetic division when designing vehicles for the 2012 model year, it can safely be assumed that Akio Toyoda (CEO) has a new image for Toyota in mind. Ever since the LFA shook the company at it’s foundation, it seems like more and more consumer models are aimed towards that look and feel. The 2012 Toyota Tacoma still has it’s rounded corners that make the iconic truck what it is, but the lines and contour of the front end is much more defined.

The interior was also significantly reworked, to involve the latest and greatest in comfort. “Access Cab models offer a new available six-speaker system with an AM/FM/ Satellite Radio-capable head unit with a single-disc CD player. Built-in Bluetooth® allows hands-free phone, and a USB port enables connection of an iPod®, MP3 player or flash drive with music files.“ The DoubleCab V6 model includes Toyota’s EnTune multimedia suite, allowing drivers to access their personal entertainment media in a quick distraction-free way.

Toyota has also expanded the optional configurations of the 2012 Toyota Tacoma, to involve different combinations of Toyota Parts and Toyota Accessories. The X-Runner, X|T, and X|T Pro models all are different versions of the same great vehicle, tailored to appeal to different audiences.

As always, the official press release can be found in full HERE.

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The contest involves three separate contests. The first round of the overall event allows for students to choose one of the two entry contests, one based on “Land/Water”, one on “Air/Climate”. Teams are instructed to find one issue in their community that has to do with the two involved topics and research possible solutions. The winner of the first team is determined by who seems to address the issue at hand through an Action Plan Powerpoint presentation. Limited by a size restriction of 15-20 MB, the Action PPT must consider the issue and address it in a logical/feasible way. However, the ideas in the Action Plan must have been implemented in the community for a positive result. In this way, Lexus and Scholastic are pushing students to really make a difference in their communities.

The report online received an interview from Mark Templin, the Lexus Group VP and General Manager. ”Last year the students and teachers went above and beyond the scope of the Lexus Eco Challenge,” said Templin. “We’re eager to see what the fifth year will bring us. Every year, we see the students and their teachers being more resourceful and committed to their projects. It’s wonderful to see how the Lexus Eco Challenge is making an impact on their schools, community and our environment.”

The following link is from Scholastic’s information homepage on the Lexus Eco Challenge. This team from Clark Magnet school in California entered last year and won $10,000 in prize money. Click HERE for more Info.

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One of the main goals of the collaboration is to integrate more hybrid technologies into the sport-sedan’s and Trucks of the U.S. market. They are notoriously the most inefficient and gas-guzzling types of vehicles, but not by accident. they are specifically designed to put out as much horsepower as possible, in order to preform special tasks their owners need. By nature, they are hard engineer in a “green” way. This is why the two automotive giants will be working together. Toyota has by far the most experience with Hybrid technologies . “Toyota achieved a breakthrough in these challenges in nineteen ninety-seven (1997),” Takeshi Uchiyamada, Executive Vice President, Toyota Motor Corporation said. “That is when we launched the first-generation Prius as the world’s first mass-production gasoline-electric hybrid… Our collaboration with Ford is a move to make hybrid technology more widely available in sport-utility vehicles and in trucks. Those kinds of models are indispensable to American customers. And providing them with our hybrid technology will help conserve energy and reduce output of greenhouse gas here in the United States. That was our thinking in considering the collaboration.”

Another goal of the joint operation will be to improve the current state of telematics in vehicles and their integration into the infrastructure. The world is stored on the cloud these days, and Toyota believes that vehicles of the future will integrate this technology. Companies have already started this trend: Toyota with their Entune, and Ford with their voice controlled Sync Technology. “By sharing our know-how and experience, we would like to offer even better telematics services going forward,” Uchiyamada said. With increasing technology, however, comes a more important need for plug-in models and rechargeable aspects. “In the future, plug-in hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles will be connected with home energy systems, and with energy infrastructure. That will help raise overall energy efficiency, and motoring lifestyles will become more rewarding.”

Overall, the two companies are sure to learn from both their radically different business models. While there will definitely be ideas floating between both of them, the Toyota Parts you know and love will still be Toyota Parts. “We are counting on this collaboration  between Toyota and Ford to benefit American society and to open a new page in the history of the world automobile industry. As an engineer, I will be deeply gratified to see us fulfill those aims.”

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The 2013 Lexus GS 350 faced a complete redesign, and is lined up to be the new face of Lexus Luxury.

Toyota has long been teasing the new 2013 Lexus GS 350 as the new face of Lexus Luxury. At Pebble Beach, CA, Toyota officially unveiled this model at the Concours d’Elegance, self described as “the world’s premier celebration of the automobile.” This event has been one of the premier outlets where automotive companies unveil their latest products, and Toyota didn’t disappoint this year. With several styling changes and a much more aggressive and fun-to-drive platform, the Lexus GS350 is aiming to change the game when it comes to Toyota luxury cars. There will also be “other 2013 GS models that will be launched in early 2012 include hybrid and F Sport versions, with further details to be announced later this year”

Possibly the most exciting part about this vehicle is the effort and ideas behind the design. When Mark Templin, the Lexus group vice president and general manager, introduced the design and floor model to the public, he talked about what buyers really want in a luxury car.

“Today, buyers in the mid-size luxury segment want a more engaging driving experience, styling that makes a statement, and a roomier interior package. With the all-new GS, we’re giving them what they asked for, and more.”

It’s all about aggression and confidence in the 2013 model. Everything the engineers at Lexus did with the vehicle was aimed towards those two terms, and the well-defined standards of luxury carried the rest of the project to the place its at now. From the front grille that hints towards the Lexus supercar LFA, to the spacious interior that Lexus is known for, and finally to the redesigned platform, the Lexus 2013 GS350 is designed to make the driver experience a more intimate and fierce experience on the road.

One of the key points Toyota pointed out in their press release was the redesigned platform. It is significantly wider than the previous models, which gives the whole vehicle a more “engaging” experience. “Engineers conducted extensive platform testing, ultimately increasing the number of spot welds and adding laser welds in very specific locations,” the press release said. “The track, wider by almost two inches, works in combination with a revised suspension design to assure a more solid stance and superior cornering performance.” The Toyota Parts in this model were definitely tweaked to push the limits of what a conventional Luxury model is thought of.

Overall, the new model will be something to keep an eye on, and the Toyota parts that power it are sure to be a massive part in the design. One thing to really watch out for is the influence this new Lexus styling will have on both competing companies and other lines under the Toyota scope of influence.

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2010 Prius

It’s officially 2010, and a new year comes with a slew of new, efficient, and next generation vehicles. This year, the third generation Prius is one of the most anticipated Toyota vehicle to be powered by Toyota Parts, and for good reason. It features many options that cut fossil fuel emissions, which combines gasoline and electric engine schemes, which gives the Prius an impressive 50mpg and approximately 134 horsepower. Also new in the 2010 Prius: heated seats, a telescopic steering wheel, Intelligent Parking Assist, and much more.

But, it isn’t all good in the world of a 2010 Prius. New reports, now numbering at about 20 recurrences, are pointing to an issue in the Prius’ brake system. Most of the occurrences are similar, describing a brief but dangerous brake failure when experiencing turbulence on the road. As you can imagine, this kind of problem is extremely important to Toyota.

The whole vehicle in itself is a hybrid; many things could cause the possible malfunction. The brakes, when slowing down the vehicle, convert the forward motion of the vehicle into electrical energy to recharge the nickel-metal hydride battery. One theory is that the sudden jarring when, for example, hitting a pot hole, the complex brake system is fooled into releasing the brake, which would cause the loss of control.

Because of the mounting complaints, both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Office of Defects Investigation and Toyota itself are beginning their own investigations of current Toyota Parts to find the exact cause of the issue. Toyota has stated that the most important thing for them in the investigation is the logicality scientific aspect of the examination. They are both cracking down on the hindrance as quickly as possible so consumers will have little to worry about.

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This time around, the issue in question doesn’t have anything to do with floor mats, accelerators, or brakes.
Mostly, the fuel system is somehow related in these recalls. For the “Avensis” cars sold in Europe, Toyota has found that due to several factors, (installation procedure, polish, tightness, ect), can cause a crack in the fuel system pipes. This can cause both fuel leakage and devastating faults in the fuel system. The Lexus GS models in question, (300/350 models sold between 2006-07) have been experiencing problems in the fuel pressure sensor. Again, because of an improper installation, the sensor may loosen and cause leakage.

On the actual recall, Toyota is not saying right out that there is an issue. They more so just want to get in as many vehicles into shops as they can to inspect the installation of said sensor and find out if it the Toyota Parts are defective at all.

“Due to insufficient tightening of the fuel pressure sensor connected to certain engine fuel delivery pipes (those with Nickel Phosphorus plating), there is a possibility that the pressure sensor could loosen over time. If loosening occurs, fuel could leak past a gasket used in the connection between the sensor and the delivery pipe and through the threaded portion of the sensor”

-Toyota News Release

If your vehicle is one of the ones effected in this recall, bring it to your nearest Kansas City Toyota Dealership to get it inspected for the faulty sensor.

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President Hugo Chávez

One of Hugo Chávez’s main concerns is the sharing of new technology with the residents of Venezuela. Most residents of the South American nation live in rural areas, so their best mode of transportation would be all terrain vehicles. Mr. Chávez believes that many of the best vehicles that Toyota produces are not being produced in their Venezuelan factory, and this is an issue for Chávez. If he finds, after an extensive inspection, that the factory is not producing the newest technology available, Mr. Chávez is threatening to nationalize the factory and then sell it to a Chinese company.

If the Venezuelan Toyota branch is lost, the company in general will be little affected. In Venezuela, Toyota sells approximately 30,000 vehicles and Toyota Parts a year, and they are still at a lower price than the national average. Compared to the nine million vehicles sold in 2008, Venezuela is not what you would say a “hard hitter” for Toyota.

Toyota is not the only car manufacturer who is having their production inspected. Others who are being threatened by the Venezuelan government are Chrysler Group LLC, and General Motors Co.

While Toyota is attempting to compromise with Mr. Chávez, there really isn’t enough business in Venezuela for them to invest transferring the newest technology. Realistically, even the most inexpensive vehicles are mostly too expensive for the everyday citizen in developing countries. That said, Toyota has mentioned beginning development of a “New Compact Car” (NCC) aimed at developing countries such as Brazil and India, and is slated for release in 2010. It would be a basic car, without all the extras, that would make the NCC extremely inexpensive, but still powered by the Toyota Parts you can find at your nearest Kansas City Toyota Dealership.

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Unfortunately, your car was chosen for your specific lifestyle and the faster you can get it back, the better. Here’s the problem: garages around the country contact their clients using the telephone, and millions of people are not available to receive a call about the status of their vehicle. Fortunately, a new technology/company (TeleText Solutions) in use by vehicle repair companies allows the repairman to send a quick and convenient text-message to the client regarding the status of their repair.

The new availability of texting has greatly reduced the amount of time spent trying to contact people whose vehicles are in their care. In the past, dealerships have attempted email, but they ran into the same problem. Consumers today just don’t have time to check emails and take phone calls with all their meetings and such. Surprisingly, the amount of people who have agreed on using the service is a lot smaller than first expected, but usage is expected to rise in the future.

Mercedes-Benz and several other dealerships are taking advantage of the technology, while many other large companies are considering the switch. Hopefully, in the future, you can get constant updates on the status of your Toyota Parts that are in for repair and for the availability of Toyota Accessories.

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Several lucky reporters have test driven the super car, and the reviews are what could be expected. Overall it is said to drive fairly hard and stiff, which probably is because this is their first attempt at a Ferrari – style supercar. The big hitters like Ferrari and Lamborghini have been at it so long that they have managed to instill a smooth, natural, and precise steering quality, that is hard to reproduce in a first attempt. Under the hood, the Lexus 2012 LFA is very impressive. Toyota has reported to Motor Trend that the it goes 0-to-60 in 3.7 seconds and a top end of 204 mph, which is only .4 seconds behind its European competitors

The look of the car, however, says a different story. The interior has blazing hot red highlights, and digital displays that change themes depending on what driving mode the car is in. The body style is modern, sharp, and definitely eye catching; it includes a huge tri – vent – exhaust pipe and sleek headlight design. The LFA also includes a dynamic tail-fin, rising and falling at the touch of a button.

With the first installment of a high end and exotic Toyota, consumers and collectors should keep an eye out for the company, as it blasts its way into the supercar industry. With every new vehicle, the handling can be expected to get better, and you never know, maybe the future LFA could be the next Lamborghini, powered by the world renowned Toyota Parts?

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