All Charged Up: RAV4 EV Coming Soon to Westboro Toyota

It’s coming: an EV (electronic voltage) version of a Toyota favorite—the Rav 4! Recently, Toyota Corporation set the record straight, debunking myths swirling out there in media land that the RAV4 EV would only be marketed to fleet and car-sharing programs. Not so, thankfully.

Westboro Toyota is very pleased to report that the 2012 RAV4 EV will “definitely be sold to the general public,” Toyota announced this week. That means it’s only a charge, ship, and roll—into the showroom—away from being on sale right here at Westboro Toyota.

We’re super proud that Toyota is the only manufacturer bringing two battery electric vehicles to market in 2012—the Scion iQ EV joins the RAV4 in earning this distinction. Don’t forget, too, that the first ever plug-in hybrid Prius is coming in 2012, too—what an exciting year 2012 is shaping up to be!

Toyota, in its truly innovative style, first produced an EV version of the RAV4 back in 1997. Powered by a nickel-metal hydride battery pack, it averaged about 95 miles on a single charge. About 1,500 vehicles were sold or leased in the United States, and more than half of those are still zooming around on their electric charge today.

The new RAV4 EV, with its powerful electric motor with Lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery pack, is a zero-emission vehicle (commonly referred to as a ZEV) that can get about 100 miles on a single charge. (Translation: We could depart our showroom here at 271 Turnpike Road in Westboro and zip into Boston and all the way back and still have 40 or so miles worth of charge!) It will also feature a weightier electric powertrain, but that won’t affect the pep you’re accustomed to during acceleration.

What else can you expect from the RAV4 EV?

• Distinct styling changes, including a new front bumper, grille, head lamps, fog lamps, and 18-inch alloy wheels • Custom seat trims for the interior, as well as multimedia dash displays, push-button shifter and dashboard meters

• Mega cargo area—we’re talking around 73-cubic-foot cargo area with the rear seats folded down, sweet!

Stay tuned to our website for updates on when to expect the RAV4 EV in our Westboro Toyota showroom. We just can’t wait to show it off to you!

Count On Our Complimentary Maintenance

Toyota is all about safety and dependability, and Westboro Toyota is proud of that. That’s why we offer complimentary, worry-free maintenance for two years with the purchase or lease of every new Toyota. That means for the first two years or 25,000 miles, whichever comes first, you’ll be covered.

You might be wondering just how far our complimentary maintenance goes. Check out what’s covered—quite an impressive list, and we think you’ll agree:

24-Hour Roadside Assistance—Been locked out of your care? Need a flat tire changed, a jump start or to have vehicle fluids delivered ? Need an unexpected tow after a fender bender? With the Toyota Care 24-hour roadside assistance, you’re covered.

Toyota Care Scheduled Factory Maintenance—Our factory-trained team of service professionals will change the oil and filter, perform a lubrication check of key chassis parts, rotate your tires and perform a 19-point inspection (we’ll get to those 19 points in just a minute!). We’ll also keep a complete history of maintenance visits and we’ll even send you reminders so you don’t inadvertently skip a maintenance service.

19-Point Inspection—sounds almost like a 21-gun salute, and it is: to your new Toyota. Westboro Toyota wants to be sure to identify any potential issues before they cause any sort of part failure. We understand the importance of preventative maintenance, which will help keep your Toyota in tip-top shape for years to come.

The inspection is divided into two parts: the fluid inspection and replenishment and the visual inspection. During the visual inspection, Westboro Toyota’s trained service professionals will evaluate your Toyota’s air filter, system hoses, drive belts, axle boots, shock absorbers and suspension, PCV valve (if applicable), cooling system, exhaust system and muffler, tire wear, tire pressure, and windshield wipers.

The fluid inspection and replenishment phase includes the following: brake master cylinder, clutch master cylinder, transmission, differential, coolant, windshield washer, power steering and transfer case (if applicable).

Speaking of fluids, in these the doggiest days of summer, be sure to drink plenty of water and stay out of the sun during the peak hours of 10 am to 2 pm. Be kind to your Toyota, too. When not cruisin’ with the A/C cranked, park it in the shade!

Grads and Military Men & Women: Get Great Deals on New Toyotas!

If you’re a recent college graduate or an active member of the U.S. military, Toyota offers some great rebates that could put you in a brand new Toyota. Westboro Toyota is here to answer all your questions about rebates, financing and special offers (give us a call at 888.274.0849), but in the meantime consider the following:

Toyota offers a $500 rebate for all active duty military personnel toward the purchase of a new Toyota when you finance through Toyota Financial Services. If you are on current active duty with the Air Force, Army, Marines, Navy, National Guard or Coast Guard you may be eligible for the rebate pending credit approval and verifiable proof of military status or active service at the time of purchase, i.e., leave and earning statement and military identification card.

Also, school may be out, but recent college graduates may be eligible for a $1,000 rebate toward the purchase or lease of a new Toyota Camry (except the Hybrid model), Corolla, Matrix, RAV4, Tacoma or Yaris through Jan. 3, 2012, pending credit approval and proof of current or future employment within 120 days of the purchase date. To be eligible for the Toyota College Graduate Finance Program, you:

• must have graduated from an accredited two- or four-year college, university or registered nursing-degree program during the last two years or graduate from such a school/program within the next six months; or

• be enrolled in an accredited graduate degree program or have received a degree from an accredited graduate program during the last two years.

Westboro Toyota wants to thank all our military service men and women for their dedication and hard work. And, congratulations to all of you recent college graduates. Those of you who are in school this summer working to finish up your degree, check out Toyota’s scholarships webpage. There’s a lot of free money to be had!

Hot summer deals sizzle at Westboro Toyota

Westboro Toyota’s hot summer deals are just as sizzling as the scorching temperatures outside. But, hey what can you expect? It’s July in New England and Westboro Toyota aims to please by bringing super summer savings to our customers.

We’ve got a number of specials going on right now that you don’t want to miss. Check these out:

• Brand new 2011 Toyota Camry LE: The 6-speed automatic Camry, which was recently named the Most-American Car by Car.com for the third straight year and features a 2.5 liter/4-cylinder engine, may list for $23,494, but Westboro Toyota wants to see you drive away in it for just $19,761 (model #2532, stk #33885). A new 2011 Camry for under $20,000 – you might be able to beat the summer heat by escaping into the A/C, but you sure can’t beat that price!

• Brand new 2011 Toyota Rav4 4X4: Toyota’s compact crossover 4-speed automatic SUV, which lists for $24,475 and features a 4-cylinder/2.5 liter engine, is available at Westboro Toyota for you to ride away in for just $23,227 (model #4432, stk 33662).

• Brand new 2011 Toyota Tacoma: Load up all your summer gear, like your jet ski, your tent and your grill for just $29,457 (model #3544, stk 33771) and hit the open road in Toyota’s compact pickup. The 6-speed automatic Tacoma, which lists for $34,061 and features a 3.5 liter/ V-6 engine, is ranked #1 in its class by U.S. News & World Report.

• Brand new 2011 Toyota Venza AWD: The Venza was named one of the top 10 affordable midsize SUVs for 2011 by U.S. News & World Report and it’s no wonder why. With a list price of $29,978, the 6-speed automatic Venza, which features a 2.5 liter/ 4-cylinder engine, is on sale at Westboro Toyota for just $26,128 (model #2820, stk 33585).

• Brand new 2011 Toyota Yaris: The 5-door hatchback Yaris, 4-speed automatic with its 1.5-liter/4-cylinder engine, lists for $17,082, but come down to Westboro Toyota where the price has been rolled down to just $15,571 (model #1462, stk 33498).

• Brand new 2011 Toyota Tundra: With the sizzling temperatures outside, we can all use a little arctic intervention! Drive away in Toyota’s full-size double cab 4X4 pickup truck, which made U.S. News & World Report’s top five for 2011, and head for the beaches or the mountains for some rough and rugged summertime fun. The 6-speed automatic Tundra, which has a 5.7 liter/V-8 engine and lists for $36,898, is on sale for just $31,522 (model #8341, stk 33231).

Visit WestboroToyota.com for details on these hot summer deals and more – like the specials we’re running on the 2011 Toyota Highlander and the Toyota Avalon. Better yet, come down to our showroom at 271 Turnpike Road in Westboro (Route 9 West) to check out these “summa sizzlas” for yourself. And, stay cool, it’s a scorcher out there!