2013 Camry car of the year in Korea

The 2013 Toyota Camry is officially the car of the year in Korea. The country's motoring press graced the Japanese sedan with the honor for the first time, officially marking a shift in prevailing Korean attitudes toward Japan and its products. According to industry analysts, buyers in the country are no longer simply choosing their purchases based on whether or not they're made in South Korea, but rather based on quality and personal choice. That's a big jump from a few years ago, when buyers viewed their purchases through a patriotic lens.

 The Camry managed to edge out a total of 44 other cars, including hardware from both Hyundai and Kia, to become the first foreign vehicle to take home the Korea Automobile Journalist Association's Car of the Year award. As The Detroit News points out, just 10 years ago, domestic manufacturers held some 99 per cent of the Korean car market. But a change in trade regulations has opened up the country considerably, and buyers now have access to a wide range of products from around the globe. As a result, Hyundai and Kia have countered by cutting prices in an attempt to keep their grip on the market.

Article by Zach Bowman
Posted Feb 26th 2013 in Autoblog Canada

Canadian Black Book Best Retained Value Awards

Toyota Canada Wins More 2013 Canadian Black Book Best Retained Value Awards Than Any Other Auto Manufacturer

 For this year’s awards, Canadian Black Book analyzed 2009 model year cars and trucks and determined the vehicles that retained the highest percentage of their original MSRP after four years.

Among the winners, Prius finished on top in the compact car segment, marking the first time a Prius has won a CBB Retained Value Award. Also, the Lexus GS series came first in the luxury category; while the Toyota Tacoma, Tundra and Sienna led the way among trucks and vans; and the Toyota FJ Cruiser, Sequoia and Lexus LX 570 each took top spot in their respective SUV categories. 

Also, five models from Toyota and Lexus have captured 2013 Canadian Residual Value Awards from ALG. These awards recognize 2013 vehicles that are forecast to retain the highest percentage of MSRP over the next three years. Winners include the Toyota Avalon, Sequoia, Tacoma and Tundra, and the Lexus GS 350.
 
In addition, Toyota has earned the Vincentric Best Value in Canada Award for Passenger Cars for the 2012 model year. Vincentric also named Toyota the Best Hybrid Brand in Canada. Plus, Toyota won 11 Best Value in Canada Awards for individual vehicles. The Prius, Prius c, Prius v, Camry Hybrid, Highlander Hybrid, Avalon, Venza, 4Runner, Sequoia, Sienna and Tacoma all came in first place in their segments. For these awards, Vincentric assessed long-term value by measuring cost of ownership.
 
“We’re extremely proud of all of these prestigious accolades that demonstrate the lasting value of our products,” said Larry Hutchinson, Managing Director, Toyota Canada Inc. “Most importantly it’s what these awards really mean for our customers. When someone buys one of our products, they can rest assured they will get many years of value from their investment.”

2013 RAV4 is here!

We are delighted to report that the new 2013 Toyota RAV4 has arrived at Peace Arch Toyota.

07FEB2013.  The first 2013 RAV4 models arrive at Peace Arch Toyota.

Peace Arch Toyota's first glimpse of the 2013 RAV4.

Sports car fans, rejoice

BMW and Toyota Deepen Collaboration, will Co-Develop a Mid-Size Sports Car

 BMW Group and Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) are pursuing their successful strategic long-term cooperation in the field of sustainable mobility today by signing binding agreements aimed at long-term collaboration between the two companies for the joint development of a fuel cell system, joint development of architecture and components for a sports vehicle, and joint research and development of lightweight technologies. These agreements follow a memorandum of understanding signed in June 2012.

Furthermore, BMW Group and TMC also today signed a binding agreement to commence collaborative research on lithium-air batteries, a post-lithium-battery solution. This agreement marks the second phase of collaborative research into next-generation lithium-ion battery cells that commenced in March 2012.

The main points of the agreements are:

1. Fuel cell system

• The companies are convinced that fuel cell technology is one of the solutions necessary to achieve zero emissions. BMW Group and TMC are to share their technologies and to jointly develop a fundamental fuel-cell vehicle system, including not only a fuel cell stack and system, but also a hydrogen tank, motor and battery, aiming for completion in 2020.
• The companies are to collaborate in jointly assessing hydrogen infrastructure development and in creating codes and standards necessary for the popularization of fuel cell vehicles.
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2. Sports vehicle

• The companies agreed to set-up a feasibility study to define a joint platform concept for a mid-size sports vehicle that is to be completed by the end of 2013.  The two companies aim to combine each other’s technology and knowledge at a high level to maximize customer satisfaction.  Both companies are to share the vision to further collaborate in the field of sports vehicle development.

3. Lightweight technology

• The companies are to jointly develop lightweight technologies for vehicle bodies using cutting-edge materials such as reinforced composites, with an eye to utilize these technologies in cooperation on the development of a jointly developed sports-vehicle platform as well as other BMW and TMC vehicles.

4. Post-lithium-battery technology

• The companies are to begin joint research with a goal to develop a lithium-air battery with energy density greatly exceeding that of current lithium-ion batteries.

Norbert Reithofer, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG said: “TMC and the BMW Group share the same strategic vision of future sustainable mobility. In light of the technological changes ahead, the entire automotive industry faces tremendous challenges, which we also regard as an opportunity. This collaboration is an important building block in keeping both companies on a successful course in the future.”

Akio Toyoda, President of TMC said: “It is just over a year since we signed our collaborative MoU, and with each day as our relationship strengthens, we feel acutely that we are making steadfast progress. Now, we are entering the phase that promises the fruit. While placing importance on what we learn from the joint development, we will work hard together in reaching our common goal of making ever-better cars.”

BMW Group and TMC first agreed to form a medium-to-long-term collaborative relationship for developing next-generation environment-friendly vehicles and technologies in December 2011, at which time the two companies also signed a contract under which BMW Group is to supply highly efficient diesel engines to Toyota Motor Europe.  BMW Group and TMC―as long-term strategic partners―have since continued their joint efforts to realize sustainable mobility for the future.

The 2013 Toyota RAV4: The next generation compact SUV is Inspired and Playful

The all-new, Canadian-built RAV4 delivers fun, comfort, style, versatility and performance, at a new, lower starting MSRP.
 
(TORONTO, ON – January 17, 2013) Canadian drivers love the Toyota RAV4’s winning combination of fun-to-drive spirit, versatility and efficiency. Now they can get more of what they love as the RAV4 is poised to reinvent the category it helped create, with inspired styling and performance designed to help Canadians enjoy more time at play. The next-generation RAV4 features a new transmission, available dynamic torque control, and other upgrades to improve performance and handling, more cargo capacity, a premium interior, and more.
 
“With the new RAV4, Toyota is moving from being a driver’s logical choice, to being the inspired choice – combining Toyota’s traditional core strength in building vehicles that are dependable, long-lasting and hard-working with a new emphasis on design and performance that delights the senses,” noted Larry Hutchinson, Managing Director at Toyota Canada. “With the new RAV4 – the next generation of our most popular SUV – we are ready to win the hearts and minds of even more Canadians in 2013, and give drivers even more reasons to love their Toyota.”
 
The 2013 RAV4 is generously equipped for fun, comfort, style, versatility and performance.

New Toyota Avalon to ring in 2013 as “Official Car of the New Year”

(TORONTO, ON – December 30, 2012) – Toyota Canada will be welcoming the New Year in grand style – trumpeting the arrival of the new Toyota Avalon by sponsoring some of Canada’s most popular New Year’s Eve media programs and reaching almost 10 million Canadians across the country.

The Avalon will be the “official car of the New Year” on ET Canada's New Year's Eve Extravaganza, which will be nationally televised live from Niagara Falls. Up to 60,000 people are expected on site with more than 5.2 million people across Canada watching on television.

The Avalon will also be getting plenty of attention through the sponsorship of Radio Canada’s “Bye Bye” program, a popular lighthearted review of 2012 and preview of 2013 that’s expected to attract about 4.7 million listeners.

In addition, Toyota Canada and the new Avalon will be sponsoring some of CBC’s New Year’s Eve programming. And there will be a prominent presence on the home pages of many popular websites, including MSN Canada, Huffington Post Canada, AOL.ca, Yahoo Canada, The Weather Network, Canoe.ca and YouTube.

The TV, print and online ads feature the tagline “It’s a Toyota like you’ve never seen before,” which not only refers to the Avalon’s beautiful new exterior and interior, but also hint at new designs of Toyota vehicles that are yet come.  

“The Avalon is the first of our vehicles to showcase the inspiring new look and feel of the Toyota brand, so New Year's Eve is the perfect time for us to unveil the vehicle and launch our TV campaign,” said Warren Orton, Director, Toyota Canada. “The Avalon embodies our exciting new spirit, with a more stylish and sportier exterior and more refined interior – all matched by a more engaging driving experience.”

Looking forward to receiving our first 2013 Toyota Avalon. 

Arriving at Peace Arch Toyota on Tuesday, December 18th.