We would like to extend our congratulations to William and Heather Atherley, winners of a 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid in Tim Horton's RRRoll Up The Rim to Win contest.
Bill will never look at a Tim Horton's cup in quite the same way!
Tuesday 31 July 2012
Toyota Unintended Acceleration Appeal Denied by NHTSA
Toyota was mostly cleared of wrongdoing in the unintended acceleration case thanks to a verdict from NHTSA. An Iowa senator however, recently asked for the investigation to be reopened, but NHTSA is standing by the verdict.
“We do not believe that tin whiskers are a plausible explanation for these incidents,” the agency said in a response to the letter sent by Grassley. NHTSA conducted its own independent study into the tin whiskers phenomenon, and found that it may cause a ‘jumpy’ throttle, but it did not cause the unintended acceleration in Toyota vehicles.
NHTSA also spent 10 months investigating the plague of accidents that peaked in the summer of 2009. NASA scientists and engineers led the probe and found the cause to be attributed mostly to driver error and accelerator pedals designed in such a way that they can become wedged under improperly installed floor-mats.
Source: Automotive News..Nick Dasko
Monday 23 July 2012
Second-hand cars perfect for first timers
2000-2005 Toyota Echo
But we’ve come to adore the homely Echo with its trim exterior dimensions and trick tall cabin inside. Its upright chairs provided easy access and good sightlines. The centre-mounted instrument panel was never a good idea, but owners swear you get used to it.
The Echo is propelled by a sophisticated 1.5 L DOHC four cylinder that puts out 108 welcome horsepower, thanks to 16 valves and variable valve timing, hooked up to either a five-speed gearbox or four-speed automatic transmission.
Available as a two- or four-door sedan (the hatchback arrived in 2005), the Echo may make you feel like you’re in a penalty box. The interior is as grim as a discount motel, but without the free coffee and newspapers.
Despite this, Toyota didn’t cut any corners when it came to the oily bits. Mechanically, its entry-level car was made to last — the Echo was actually assembled in Japan — and owners raved about the little car’s unshakable reliability and cheapskate operating costs.
At Peace Arch Toyota we always have a couple of great pre-owned Echo's in stock.
Article Published July 20, 2012 on wheels.ca
The 2013 Toyota Venza: Pricing Starts at $28,690
The restyled exterior now features new rear tail lights, and heated, convex blind-spot mirrors with built-in turn signals. The grille and the fog lamps have also been updated.
The 2013 Venza also offers more cargo space, faux-wood paneling, a three-spoke telescopic steering wheel and 7 airbags. Plus, the vehicle comes standard with automatic climate control.
The combined fuel rating for the 4-cylinder is 8.6 L/100 km. Toyota has not yet released fuel ratings for its 6-cylinder model.
At Peace Arch Toyota the 2013 Venza's are rolling in daily.
Article by Auto123.com
Thursday 19 July 2012
The refined, sophisticated and versatile 2013 Toyota Venza crossover is better than ever, with new features and styling highlights and a lower starting MSRP of $28,690
(TORONTO, ON – July 19, 2012) The Toyota Venza heralded a new form of transportation for changing times – and the 2013 model year is even better with updated exterior styling, a new steering wheel and updated interior trim, plus an upgraded audio unit with 6.1” display audio and all models featuring a lower starting price than the models they replace.
“The 2013 Toyota Venza crossover redefines vehicle versatility combining a sleek design with SUV flexibility making it a popular choice for Canadian drivers,” noted Warren Orton, Director, Marketing, Toyota Canada Inc. “For the 2013 model year, Toyota enhances Venza’s styling and features, even as we offer new, lower starting MSRPs on all models. There’s never been a better time to discover the versatility of Venza.”
Changes to exterior styling on all models include new heated mirrors with integrated turn signals, a blind-spot convex mirror and puddle lamps… a new front grille and fog lamp bezel… and new tail lights.
Inside, the Venza’s comfortable and spacious cabin is enhanced with simulated woodgrain trim. For drivers, a redesigned 3-spoke steering wheel on a tilting/telescoping steering column features integrated audio and Bluetooth controls.
Every Venza also receives:
· A new, six-speaker audio system with 6.1” display audio, voice recognition technology, the automatic sound levelizer system, USB and auxiliary audio input jacks, integrated XM Satellite Radio and more.
· Eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat
· Automatic climate control system
· High-visibility Optitron
instrumentation including a multi-information display and trip computer
· Chrome interior door handles
· Plenty of in-cabin and cargo-area storage
· Cruise control
· Integrated garage door opener
· and more
Performance is assured with a choice of an efficient 182 HP 2.7L four-cylinder or a powerful 268 HP 3.5L V6, mated to a six-speed automatic Super ECT transmission with sequential shift mode. Features such as highly responsive electric power steering and hill start assist control make the Venza a delight to drive, while seven airbags and the six active technologies in the Toyota Star Safety System highlight the Venza’s many safety features.
Venza is big on choice, with four models and a range of options packages:
The 2013 Toyota Venza features the four-cylinder engine and front wheel drive, achieving a combined fuel efficiency of just 8.6 L/100 KM. The 2013 Venza now comes standard equipped with newly designed 19” aluminum alloy wheels plus the previously mentioned upgrades, at a starting MSRP of just $28,690 – a drop of more than $700 from the previous model year while adding $565 in additional standard equipment.
· This model may be ordered with an available Premium Package, which adds leather seating, heated front seats, a power rear door with jam protection, back up camera, panoramic glass roof and anti-theft system.
The 2013 Toyota Venza AWD features the four-cylinder engine, plus the added driving confidence of on-demand all-wheel-drive with Toyota’s Active Torque Control System, achieving a fuel efficiency of 8.8 L/100 KM combined. The 2013 Venza AWD now comes standard equipped with newly designed 19” aluminum alloy wheels plus the previously mentioned upgrades, at a starting MSRP of just $30,490 – a drop of almost $400 from the previous model year.
The 2013 Venza AWD may be enhanced with one of four available options packages.
· The Premium Package adds leather seating, heated front seats, a power rear door with jam protection, back up camera, panoramic glass roof and anti-theft system.
· The Touring Package builds on the Premium Package with a navigation system, a power-adjustable front passenger seat, premium leather seat surfaces, the Toyota Smart Key system with Push Button Start and front door handle touch sensors for locking and unlocking the vehicle, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, and more. New for 2013, the Touring Package now includes a driver’s seat memory system with linked exterior mirrors, auto-leveling HID headlamps, and LED daytime running lights.
· The Touring & JBL Package includes all features in the Touring Package, enhanced with a 13-speaker JBL Synthesis audio system and Toyota’s automatic highbeam system.
The 2013 Toyota Venza V6 features a powerful V6 engine and front wheel drive, for a combined city/highway fuel efficiency of 9.6 L/100 KM. With fresh styling and upgraded audio system, the 2013 Venza V6 starts at just $30,445 – a decrease of almost $500 from the previous model year.
· This model may be ordered with an available Premium Package, which adds leather seating, heated front seats, a power rear door with jam projection, back up camera, panoramic glass roof and anti-theft system.
The 2013 Toyota Venza V6 AWD features a powerful V6 engine plus the added driving confidence of on-demand all-wheel-drive with Toyota’s Active Torque Control System, achieving a combined fuel efficiency of 9.8 L/100 KM. With fresh styling and upgraded audio system, the 2013 Venza V6 starts at just $32,245 – a decrease of $120 from the previous model year with over $550 of additional standard equipment.
The 2013 Venza V6 AWD may be enhanced with one of four available options packages.
· The Premium Package adds leather seating, heated front seats, a power rear door with jam protection, back up camera, panoramic glass roof and anti-theft system.
· The Touring Package builds on the Premium Package with a navigation system, a power-adjustable front passenger seat, premium leather seat surfaces, the Toyota Smart Key system with Push Button Start and front door handle touch sensors for locking and unlocking the vehicle, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, and more. New for 2013, the Touring Package now includes a driver’s seat memory system with linked exterior mirrors, auto-leveling HID headlamps, and LED daytime running lights.
· The Touring & JBL Package includes all features in the Touring Package, enhanced with a 13-speaker JBL Synthesis audio system and Toyota’s automatic highbeam system.
Wednesday 11 July 2012
Toyota RAV4 Rumored to Lose V6, Maybe Third Row
With the recent redesign of its main competitor,the Honda CR-V, Toyota has extra motivation to make the RAV-4 a hit. Motortrend speculates that the new model will no longer have an available V6, and will be offered with inline four-cylinders as the only engines. This is a strategy that Honda has always followed with the CR-V.
It is yet undetermined if third-row seating will remain in the redesign despite being a long-standing option. One of the key criticisms that might serve to dissuade Toyota is that a third row introduces unnecessary redundancy in the brand’s line. It is, however, something that sets it apart from the new Ford Escape and the aforementioned CR-V.
A hybrid may also be in the works, a direction the industry seems to be leaning as a whole.
article written by Nick Dasko
Friday 6 July 2012
Toyota named top Green brand
At Peace Arch Toyota we are very proud of what Toyota has accomplished
Auto giant tops 49 brands in 13 sectors
Toyota has been named the world’s Best Global Green Brand for 2012 for
its leadership in innovation, environmental sustainability and fuel
efficiency. It’s the second successive year the automotive giant has
held the top spot of all world brands in 13 sectors.
The rankings were determined by a survey of more than 10,000 respondents in 10 countries to analyze each company’s environmental record and how the company is perceived by consumers.
Toyota was singled out for its unparalleled sustainability leadership. In particular, Interbrand praised the deeply ingrained environmental sustainability in the company culture, which has been a core management priority since the early 1990s.
That dedication to sustainability is credited for keeping the company ahead of the clean vehicle trend and resulting in steady improvements in energy use, water consumption, waste, and toxic emissions year after year. And, it continues to embark on company wide initiatives to improve environmental performance and build on reputation for cutting-edge eco vehicle development through innovation, key partnerships and strategic campaigns.
At the centre of the company’s success, says Interbrand, is the halo effect generated by the success and long-term visibility of Prius, which, in many people’s minds, has become synonymous with the term “hybrid.”
Honda was praised for its green brand visibility in many world markets, including North America, Japan and the U.K. Its manufacturing plants in North America continue to develop methods to diminish waste throughout the product life cycle. The company also publicizes an ecological evaluation of its suppliers and consistently tops lists as the greenest automaker for low emission ratings and nontoxic design measures.
Volkswagen was commended for its substantial environmental investments and goals, leadership in innovation, environmental sustainability and fuel efficient vehicles.
BMW was praised for its “EfficientDynamics” initiative, which applies green thinking to every stage of product development as it strides toward fuel efficiency and emission reductions.
This article written by Joe Duarte June 28th, 2012
Thursday 5 July 2012
Toyota Canada records 67% sales increase for June 2012
Best ever June for Toyota Trucks while Prius family sales top 1,000
for fourth straight month :: Best ever June for Lexus GS 350, luxury
hybrids :: Strong launch for FR-S leads Scion to best ever month
TORONTO, ON – July 4, 2012 – New models across all three brands drove
June sales of Toyota, Lexus and Scion passenger cars, SUVs and trucks to
19,104 – up 66.6% versus June 2011. This included a new June record for
trucks across all three brands – a 39.9% year over year boost to 7,738.
June marked a strong finish to the first half of the year for Toyota
Canada Inc, which reported sales of 98,032 vehicles – up 24.1% compared
to the first six months of 2011.
“Early this year we predicted that 2012 would be The Year of the Hybrid
at Toyota – and at the halfway point, Canadians have embraced Toyota
hybrids in impressive numbers, with 7,857 sold,” said Tony Wearing,
Senior Managing Director, Toyota Canada Inc. “Beyond hybrids, Canadians
have been visiting dealerships in record numbers to purchase new models
such as the Camry and Yaris Hatch, which demonstrate Toyota’s renewed
commitment to emotional vehicle design.”
Toyota Ad Demonstrates Advanced Future with Outdated Cars
Toyota the world’s most successful hybrid maker, recently released an advertisement showing what a world of the future would be like with outdated automobiles.
The ad, titled “Advanced World,” touts Toyota as “The Hybrid Maker”, and to be fair Toyota has sold more hybrids than any other manufacturer with over 4 million sold since the Prius debuted in 1997. Saatchi & Saatchi Italy developed the ad which was directed by Xavier Mairesse.
It features the line, ”No world will be truly advanced if automobile technology goes unchanged.”
This is an interesting contrast with the included commercial for the Nissan Leaf which features an all gasoline world with fully electric cars. As hybrids and electric cars grow in popularity, automakers are attempting to show us in stark black and white terms how necessary new car technology really is.
Article by Nick Dasko July 4, 2012
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