Prius C is first hybrid in Toyota's College Grad rebate program

The new compact hybrid from Toyota is the first hybrid to be added to the Japanese automaker's College Grad Rebate Program, which offers $1,000 off for buyers of lessees of the model.

Toyota Financial Services recently added the Prius C to the list of models that so far includes the Corolla, Matrix, RAV4 and Yaris. New buyers who use the program can also benefit from no money down and no payments for three months. All qualifiers have to do is show proof of graduation within the past two years or within the next six months – oh, and proof of a job.

The Prius C, which gets a combined 50 miles per gallon, has accounted for about third of all Prius models sold in the U.S. since being introduced this spring.

For more information and to see if you qualify, visit Lakewood Toyota in person on on the web: http://www.lakewoodtoyota.com/

2012 Toyota Prius Five Review

At first glance, it appears that the 2012 Toyota Prius hasn’t changed much and there isn’t really much new to report with the Japanese hybrid. But after inspecting the four-door sedan further, there are a number of changes that have been made to the third-generation car. We first need to look at the current market and where the first hybrid vehicle is today.

The Toyota Prius made its launch 15 years ago and continues to be the best-selling hybrid in the world. It continues to lead the pack with its 50 mpg combined fuel economy rating as the most fuel-efficient gas-powered passenger car available in the U.S. today.

It’s a bit of a surprise, but the EPA considers the Prius to be a midsize car, and the five-passenger sedan is so practical, it is used as a taxi in many cities around the globe. And since 2000, Toyota has sold over one million Prius models in the U.S. It’s hard to argue with the kind of success that Toyota has had with the Prius.

New upgrades for 2012

For 2012, the five-passenger hybrid gets a number of upgrades. Outside, the new Prius gets a minor refresh with updated headlamps and tail lamps, plus a new front fascia and bumper. While we are testing the Prius Five, the other models also get updates for 2012.

The Prius Two adds new 15-inch wheel covers and standard LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL). The Prius Three now features a standard three-door Smart Key entry system, and the Prius Four gets standard auto on/off headlamps. The Prius Four also adds new SofTex-trimmed seats and an eight-way power adjustable driver’s seat.

New Technology inside

The biggest news for the 2012 Prius is the audio/infotainment system that has been added to the Prius Two, Three and Four models. The Prius Two, features a new 6.1-inch touch-screen system with an AM/FM CD player unit that offers MP3/WMA playback capability with six speakers, a USB port for iPodconnectivity, auxiliary input jack, Bluetooth and audio streaming. Toyota says the display also provides vehicle information and allows the driver to customize vehicle settings.

The top-of-the-line Prius Five that we are testing this week came with the optional Advanced Technology Package. It includes the Premium HDD Navigation System, Head-up Display, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Pre-Collision System and Lane Keep Assist. The Pre-Collision System retracts the front seatbelts and applies the brakes when the sensors determine that a crash is unavoidable. Although a bit annoying, the Lane Keep Assist can help the driver stay within the lane.

A Prius Sport Package

One notable option on the 2012 Prius includes a PLUS Performance accessory package that gives the Prius a sporty demeanor with better handling. The package comes from Toyota Racing Development (TRD) and starts with a seven-piece aerodynamic kit that gives the Prius an aggressive and lower-profile stance. The body kit also reduces the hybrid’s coefficient of drag, but no figures have been released as to any increase in fuel mileage.

The sport package also includes lightweight seventeen-inch forged alloy wheels that are wrapped with low profile 215/45R17 tires with a custom offset which increases track width for better stability at high speeds. The ride height is lowered by using track-tuned lowering springs which lower the vehicle 1.1 inches in the front and 1.3 inches in the rear. The overall effect of the sport package enhances steering response and improves the cornering ability. A tuned rear sway bar is added to reduce body lean for flatter cornering.

While the 2012 Toyota Prius would never be considered a sports sedan, the PLUS Performance package would certainly help give the hybrid a sporty feel. What hasn’t changed, is the Prius is still powered by the fuel-efficient 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine coupled to an electric motor for a combined output of 134 horsepower. The 2012 Toyota Prius gets an EPA estimated 51/48 city/highway fuel mileage rating.

Along with its fuel efficiency, four-door hatch practicality, and now additional technology and upgrades, consumers have more reasons to buy the popular hybrid.

-Courtesy of AutomoBlog.net

Get a Special offer on Lakewood Blueclaws tickets with Lakewood Toyota!

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At Lakewood Toyota we enjoy our baseball, and we love cheering for the Lakewood BlueClaws too!

We want you to enjoy a special offer on Lakewood Blueclaws tickets, courtesy of the Blueclaws and Lakewood Toyota. For the August 31st and September 2nd games, we're offering Buy-One-Get-One-Free tickets!

Here's what you have to do: Simply call the BlueClaws box office at 732-901-7000 and mention "Lakewood Toyota" to receive your Buy-One-Get-One-Free tickets to the games on August 31st or September 2nd. 

We can't wait to see some more of our BlueClaws baseball. We'll see you at the ball game!

 

No Longer the FR-S, but my FR-S

My decision to buy the FR-S was made the second I drove it, and thanks to Scion’s simple ordering process, it didn’t get much harder than that.

Sold as a ‘mono-spec’, there is only one trim for the FR-S, plus a few additional options. In many ways this is Scion’s way of saying it’s perfect just the way it is. And I agreed, choosing not to add anything.

The next major option was the transmission, though again, there was nothing to consider. The automatic was out of the question. Having lived with an automatic all my life I now want to experience what a manual transmission is like, day-in, day out.

About the only thing I did have to debate was the choice of color, and I ticked off the classy Ultramarine Blue.

 

After signing the papers, I had to wait an agonizing two weeks to get my new ride. In the larger scope of new car buying that isn’t bad, but I’m not talking about a new Chevy Cruze or Honda CR-V here. This is my new sports car. The days couldn’t go by any slower.

On delivery day, I arrived at the dealer 30 minutes earlier out of pure anticipation. Like a kid hunting for that last present hidden behind the Christmas tree, I looked all around to see if I could catch a glimpse of the FR-S… my FR-S.

My sales associate explained the break-in procedure, which sounded like a mean joke. Not taking the car over 4000 rpm for 1,000 miles? The 7400 rpm redline suddenly became a cruel tease.

Finally she brought me into the service bay and I saw it immediately, my gorgeous dark blue (Ultramarine)  FR-S. My hands started to shake, I couldn’t believe my eyes. Those words might sound cliché, but you’ll have to trust me, they’re genuine. The FR-S was absolutely stunning, and it was going to be mine.

The rest of my time in the service bay was a blur. I think my sales associate showed me the spare rubber mats in the back, and put some security stickers on the car. My mind was elsewhere, not registering anything other than the low, blue car in front of me.

A Toyota mechanic broke my trance. “That’s a beautiful color,” he said. “We don’t see very many of those here, only black, white and silver. All boring colors. That blue is really classy.” I nodded. “You’re going to love it,” he said as he patted me on the shoulder.

And then I took the keys to my car.

Driving out of service bay, I could hear the distinct noise of the Subaru sourced flat-four engine, something far more aggressive than what I was used to.

My body was still in shock. My foot shaking on the clutch, my right hand sliding through the gates slowly. I felt disconnected from the car, something that wasn’t an issue when I test drove it.

Driving through the city, the reflection of the car in building windows caught my eye, as did my own reflection, and the goofy smile I couldn’t shake.

Paused at a light I overheard a couple of bar patrons having a brew on the patio.

“Whoa! It’s that car!” said the one.

“Wow, that’s nice looking. What is it?” said the other.

“It’s a Scion, and has to be one of the nicest looking cars around. I can’t believe I’m seeing one so soon,” came the reply.

They were excited just to see the car. But I was driving it. It was both a humbling and flattering experience and it didn’t take long for me to realize this was something I was going to have to get used to.

Courtesy of AutoGuide.com

Visit us during out Summer Savings event!

Fans, head to Lakewood Toyota for our Summer Savings event, where you can qualify for a $0 down payment or monthly payments as low as $79 a month! For more details and for an exclusive coupon, visit us online: http://bit.ly/RxpoeW

Start Your Career with World Auto Group

Are you a hardworking, motivated professional who is seeking a rewarding career?

Are you passionate about automobiles and the automotive industry?

World Auto Group is the place for you!

We are currently seeking Business Development representatives and Sales representatives to join our organization as we build our internet, digital marketing, and ecommerce strategy.​ 

As a Business Development representative for our BDC Department you will utilize your selling ability, computer skills, phone skills, and positive attitude to attract customers to our businesses.​ ​ Your role will be to engage the customer and successfully schedule an appointment for the sales and service departments, as well as following up with previous customers and fostering long term relationships. 

As a Sales representative for our stores you will utilize your selling ability, communication skills, and positive attitude to attract customers.​ ​ Your role will be to engage the customer, as well as follow up with previous customers and foster long term relationships. 

Applicants must have excellent communications skills and customer service skills.​ You must also be able to utilize all modern web technologies considered commonplace in today's competitive landscape such as: social media applications, office applications, etc.​ Experience is a plus, but we are willing to train the right people.

Benefits include:

• Salary, commission and bonus
• 401k retirement benefits
• Flexible schedule
• Great work environment
• Ongoing training and development

 For inquiries and to apply, send your resume to Jeremiah Hupka at jhupka@wagauto.com or apply on online athttp://www.lakewoodtoyota.com/employment-application.aspx

A sporty new Camry draws younger buyers, helps Toyota move beyond rough patch

A sporty version of the new Camry is helping the car shed its ho-hum image.

It’s also drawing in younger buyers who are driving a huge sales increase for America’s top-selling car.

The rising sales are helping Toyota find its way back from three years of embarrassing safety recalls and natural disasters, and the new customers are broadening the company’s graying customer base.

Overall, sales of the Toyota, Lexus and Scion brands are up 28 percent so far this year, reaching more than 1.2 million vehicles. The company has taken back sales from GM, Ford and others — gaining nearly two points of U.S. market share. Much of the big increase is because Toyota ran short of cars last year and dealers had few to sell. A March earthquake and tsunami in Japan hobbled the company’s factories, and supplies didn’t return to normal until the middle of this year.

Yet the return of normal factory production doesn’t tell the full story, Bob Carter, Toyota’s senior vice president of auto operations in the U.S., said Tuesday in an interview with The Associated Press. Younger buyers, especially those attracted to the Camry sport edition, also are boosting sales.

So far this year, a Camry buyer’s average age is between 51 and 52, almost nine full years younger than last year, Carter said.

The sport edition, or “SE,” now accounts for 40 percent of the car’s sales, while it was only 7 percent a year ago. The average sport edition buyer is 45 years old, 15 years younger than the average Camry buyer last year. Almost half the Camry buyers this year are under 49, but it was only 34 percent for last year’s model.

“That’s what’s driving it down, bringing the younger buyer in,” Carter said Tuesday in an interview. “We didn’t anticipate that much movement in the demographics.”

The Camry has been America’s top-selling car for the past decade. Buyers drawn by its reputation for reliability kept replacing their Camrys with newer models.

The car, with bland styling and so-so handling, seldom breaks down and can run well over 200,000 miles.

This year, though, the new Camry isn’t so much of a yawner. Toyota rolled it out last fall, and Carter says it was reworked to be more stylish, luxurious and fun to drive.

The sport edition has big aluminum wheels and tires that make it handle better. Its suspension is firmer and the steering is tighter. It also has a sportier interior, with firm-fitting seats and gauges to help monitor performance. The company changed its marketing to focus more on the car’s style and handling.

“It’s not a Ferrari, but it’s got a much more sporty characteristic,” Carter said.

A base Camry starts at $21,995. The sport edition has a starting price of $23,220.

The SE is pulling in younger buyers because it allows them to buy a practical, reliable car with a little more style, said Jessica Caldwell, an analyst for the Edmunds.com automotive website.

“It’s a compromise of wanting to buy something that’s dependable but still not wanting to look so much like a middle-age person’s car,” she said.

The Camry, with its low-cost, sport, luxury and gas-electric hybrid models, appeals to a wide range of buyers, Caldwell said.

Carter concedes that the competition will only get tougher for Camry, but he says Toyota is determined to keep it No. 1.

“There’s a lot of great product coming to market, which is good for consumers,” he said. “We will absolutely continue as the most popular car in America for 2012.”

 

Courtesy of Associated Press

Prius Plug-In Compared to a Prius Hatchback

Toyota Considering Raising U.S. Production

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Did you know that Toyota currently manufactures around 70% of its models sold in North America in North America?

Jim Lentz, President and CEO of Toyota Motor Sales USA, states, "With the Yen where it is today, I think it's only a matter of time.", reffering to increasing North American production at an auto industry conference this past week.

The strength of the Yen has hit Toyota hard, upping the pressure for Toyota to stay lean and become innovative. 

Toyota is currently in the process of hiring 3,500 workers in North America while investing over 1.5 billion dollars in its factories in North America. A hedge bet againts the value of the Yen.

The company doesn't have firm plans to shift production of more models from Japan to North America, he said. But one model Toyota would consider building here is the Lexus ES series.

Toyota, like other manufacturers, would make changes to squeeze more production out of existing plants rather than building new buildings, he said. A new plant costs about $1 billion, Lentz said.

Toyota still thinks automakers can sell 14.3 million vehicles in U.S. this year, he said, even though sales have slowed the past two months, and some analysts have cut their forecasts. But Lentz said pent-up demand should prop up sales. The average vehicle in the U.S. is nearly 11 years old, and people have to replace their aging rides.

Toyota, he said, has fully recovered from the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami that hobbled its Japanese factories and caused model shortages worldwide. In the U.S., the company's dealer inventory dropped to around 120,000 vehicles last summer. Now it's back to 299,000, which is near the 300,000 that Toyota considers optimal.

Lentz also said discounts are starting to surface in the luxury market, which has dropped to around 10 percent of total U.S. sales this year. Normally it's around 12 percent, he said. But although discounts may rise, Lentz doesn't think an all-out price war will break out.

For current deals on Toyota, be sure to visit Lakewood Toyota, or find us online at http://www.lakewoodtoyota.com/

We've Received a 5-Star Review on DealerRater!

Here's recent customer feedback on Lakewood Toyota:

"From the minute I walked in to the showroom at Toyota World and was greeted with tons of smiles to driving away with my beautiful new Venza I was treated with respect, kindness, and patience. Danny Velez and Jeff Barnes were a pleasure to work with. They answered all my questions and walked me through the process. The dealership was clean and all the employees presented themselves in a professional manner. I will definitely use Toyota World for all my Toyota needs and I will absolutely send them to Danny Velez. I have nothing but good things to say about Toyota World, Danny Velez, and Jeff Barnes. It was a fantastic experience from beginning to end!"

Thank you for the continued customer feedback!

We've Received a 5-Star Review on DealerRater

Here's a recent customer review on Lakewood Toyota:

"They couldn't have been more helpful. There was no nonsense, no games. A very pleasant experience. I would definitely recommend getting your vehicle from them."

Thank you for your continued feedback! It's for our customers that we do what we do!

Join Club 55 for Exclusive Offers

Lakewood Toyota is offering special savings and incentives for our customers 55+ though our automotive rewards program. It's called Club 55, and membership is easy!

Members receive:

• Complimentary 3 Years Maintenance with every new purchase
• Special New & Used Car Savings
• Save on Service, Parts and Accessories
• Specialized Personal Consultant tailoring your specific automotive needs
• Exceptional lease and finance offers tailored just for you.

Visit www.LakewoodToyota.com/club55.aspx to find out how you can join!

LakewoodToyota.pdf Download this file

Are you the 2013 Toyota RAV4?

This wrapped-up crossover appears to be the next Toyota RAV4. It was first found on a Toyota fan forum in Saudi Arabia, and was later picked up by the automotive gumshoes at CarScoop. All indications point to this being the next RAV4, but obviously nothing has been confirmed.

From what we can tell by these photos, it has a front fascia similar to that of the Toyota Camry, and has more streamlined proportions than the outgoing model. It's hard to determine if the roof has a significant slope to it, or it is just the angle of the camera. If it is the former, than the silhouette seems to ape the Hyundai Tucson, one the RAV4's competitors.

Most of the exterior is covered with white wrapping, save the windows, which allowed for a clean shot of the interior. We can see a smart looking dash, something that once again has a similar look and feel of the Camry. The screen in the center stack is likely home to the latest version of Toyota's Entune, and we can also see clever cubby spaces above the glovebox and in the center console.

CarScoop has asserted that because the wrapping is the same type used to cover a new car on its way to a dealer that this is the real thing, and an actual production RAV4. Only time will tell if its the real deal, and not a overseas-only Toyota model.

-Courtesy of AutoBlog

We've Received a 5-Star Review on DealerRater

Here's a recent customer review on Lakewood Toyota:

"I recently purchased a 4Runner at Toyota World and my salesman, Dan was exceptional. He listened to my needs and was so excited to have the vehicle that I wanted in stock that he made me feel better about spending so much money; he brought the pleasure of buying back. I had been to two other Toyota dealers beforehand and one of them had the exact same vehicle, except for running boards (which I now like); however, I didn't buy from the other dealer because the salesman acted like he was doing me a favor for getting a key. Dan was never like that. He was always respectful and excited to help me and for that I will always recommend him to anyone looking to buy a Toyota."

Thanks for the continued feedback!

There's still time left in the College Grad Rebate Program!

Hey graduates, you can still take advantage of Toyota's College Grad Rebate program! If you've earned a degree within the past two years, you can be eligible for a $1000 rebate toward the purchase or lease of select new Toyotas. Find our more by visiting us online! http://bit.ly/OZct3t

Toyota Nationwide Clearance Event

The Toyota Nationwide Clearance Event is in full swing, and now buyers have the chance to earn up to $250 if they answer enough clues.

Go to: http://bit.ly/MVfi5y and answer the clues to earn up to $250 with the purchase or lease of a new Toyota. But hurry, as this is a limited time offer.

The Search is On!

Toyota Care: Caring for You and Your Car

We've Received a Positive Customer Review!

Here's a recent customer review on Lakewood Toyota:

"No pressure sales and knowledge of Toyota cars, I would give Ian Hanlon 6 stars. I observed the same no pressure friendly sales approach from others there at the same time. This is a welcome  relief from what car buying used to be."

We love our customers and appreciate the feedback!

Car Care Tip

Did you know that tire care can help improve your vehicle’s fuel economy? Be sure to check your tire pressures approximately once a week. Low tire pressures can also affect handling and comfort. To accurately measure your tire pressure, check tires when they are cold and wait at least three hours after driving.