RAV4 EV Incentives Reach as High as $17,500

Posted on: January 3, 2013

by Zach McDonald of HybridCars.com

Toyota’s decision to release the RAV4 EV exclusively in California instantly ensured that buyers of the car would receive an additional $2,500 in state incentives on top of the $7,500 federal electric vehicle tax credit. But thanks to a series of additional perks, the first lithium ion battery-powered crossover utility vehicle available in the United States will now be even more affordable.

With a substantial (and expensive) Tesla-built 42-kWh battery pack, the RAV4 EV starts at $49,800—in league with many luxury hybrids. In addition to $10,000 in federal and state credits, Toyota will reportedly tacking on $7,500 in incentives—including $5,000 cash back and $2,500 in “loyalty cash” for returning Toyota customers.

Behind the Design of the 2013 Toyota Avalon

Posted on: December 31, 2012

From its completely redesigned exterior to its remarkably comfortable interior, the 2013 Avalon is unlike any Toyota that’s come before it and paves the way for where we’re going next. Watch the following video to find out about the vehicle’s design inspiration as designers tell their story:

Toyota Tests Vehicle-to-Vehicle Communication Technology

Posted on: December 28, 2012

Toyota Motor Corp. has begun testing car safety systems that allow vehicles to communicate with each other and also with the roads they are on. The newly completed Intelligent Transport System facility in Toyota’s Mount Fuji Technology Centre, houses a large network of indoor roads that are used to test the latest safety technologies. Test vehicle receive information from sensors and transmitters installed on the streets to minimize the risk of accidents in situations such as missing a red light, a vehicle advancing from blind spots, and pedestrians crossing the street. The data can then be used by the individual vehicle to prepare for a collision or stop one from happening through electronic intervention, like automatic braking. Not only can the cars receive information, but they can also relay it to other vehicles on the road.

Toyota officials said the smart-car technology it is developing will be tested on some Japanese roads starting in 2014. Similar tests are planned for the U.S., although details were not decided. Such technology is expected to be effective because half of car accidents happen at intersections, according to studies. Managing Officer Moritaka Yoshida said Toyota sees preventing collisions, watching out for pedestrians and helping the driving of the elderly as key to ensuring safety in the cars of the future.

Toyota also previewed a new feature that helps the driver brake harder to prevent rear-ending the vehicle in front. Toyota officials said drivers often fail to push hard on their brakes in such situations because they get into a panic. Toyota said the technology will be available soon and hinted it will be offered for Lexus luxury models. It already offers features like automatic cruise control and blind-spot monitoring in some of its Toyota and Lexus vehicles.Technology involving precise sensors remains expensive, sometimes costing as much as an entry-level Toyota vehicle.

2013 Toyota Avalon Offers World’s First Application of Qi Wireless In-Car Charging

Posted on: December 21, 2012

Among the various technologies available in the 2013 Toyota Avalon, one that stands out as a world’s first is the in-console Qi wireless charging for Qi-enabled mobile phones and devices which is part of the Technology Package. Available for both the gasoline and hybrid versions of the new Avalon Limited, other technologies include Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Automatic High beams and a Pre-Collision System.

Qi has become the global standard for wireless power and charging. Devices can be charged simply by placing them on or near any Qi-enabled surface. Any Qi-enabled device works with any Qi charger, no matter what brand of manufacturer.

Now integrated in 34 mobile phone models, the Qi wireless charging system is found in recent launches of the LG Goole Nexus 4, Nokia Lumia 920, and HTC Windows Phone 8X. Qi-certified products range from smartphones to charging pads, gaming controllers, Blu-ray Disc recorders, smartphone docking speakers, vehicle phone chargers, alarm clocks and battery packs, to charging modules that can be installed in tabletops and furniture.

Toyota Named Best Automotive Brand in 2013 kbb.com Resale Value Awards

Posted on: December 17, 2012

Kelly Blue Book’s kbb.com Best Resale Value Awards recognizes current and forthcoming vehicles for their projected resale value throughout the first five years of ownership. And for 2013, Toyota topped its competition and was named the top brand, and it has received this top honor in three of the last four years.

Toyota Contemplates Performance Hybrid Engine to Boost FR-S

Posted on: December 13, 2012

It was recently reported that Subaru is looking into turbocharging its next BRZ to extract a total of 280-hp from the 2.0-litre boxer engine. New reports suggest that Toyota may be going down a different road and is considering a gasoline-electric hybrid system that will increase the Scion FR-S′s output.

According to sources, Toyota engineers are weighing the possibility of a hybrid engine to propel the Scion FR-S. Toyota Scion FR-S chief engineer Tetsuya Tada said the company is looking for a surprise, “something unique,” as the drivetrain to possibly power the next-generation FR-S. “For example a hybrid motor,” said Tada. In the quest to give the FR-S a serious boost in the engine room, Tada dismisses going the conventional route.

“I think 300 horsepower with a turbo would be tasteless in this day and age,” Tada said. “If we pursue power without regard to fuel consumption, the market won’t accept it. And a turbo would mean the loss of the FR-S’s uniqueness.”

Toyota Hollywood Flexes Its Green Thumb

Posted on: December 11, 2012

Toyota Hollywood employees along with Helen Bernstein High School students began their Winter planting today with kale, brussel sprouts, beets, onions, carrots, turmeric and chives.  The parent volunteers and students also did an amazing job with garden maintenance by pulling all those darn weeds and making it easier for us to plant today.  Thank you! Just look at the photos – the garden is so alive!

In addition to their many responsibilities as students, the Garden Club has offered to donate the garden vegetables to needy families of Helen Bernstein HS.

LAcarGUY Sponsors 2012 Manhattan Beach Pumpkin Race

Posted on: December 10, 2012

Toyota Redefines The Avalon With New 2013 Model

Posted on: November 29, 2012

If you were to rank all of the cars the Toyota builds and list them in order of “drivers car” the Toyota Avalon may rank at or near the bottom of that list. To most people, the Toyota Avalon was always the Buick Roadmaster that you would no longer built, a car for your grandparents.

With the 2013 model Avalon, Toyota’s looking to change the demographic for the Avalon buyers, as of now the average age of a Toyota Avalon buyer is 64, Toyota is looking to drop that to the mid-50s. How they are going to do that is by completely changing the nature of the car. In fact, as the title of this article suggests, the Japanese have come to America to build a German sedan.

Winter Planting Begins At The School Garden Project

Posted on: November 14, 2012

Toyota Hollywood employees along with Helen Bernstein High School
students began their Winter planting today with Kale, Brussels sprouts,
beets, onions, carrots, turmeric and chives. The parent volunteers and
students also did an amazing job with “garden maintenance” by pulling
all those darn weeds and making it easier for us to plant today. Thank
you! Just look at the photos – the garden is so alive!

In addition to their many responsibilities as students, the Garden Club
has offered to donate the garden vegetables to needy families of Helen
Bernstein HS.