Toyota Indiana Prepares for Hybrids and Exports, The Start of the all - new 2014 Highlander

More than 600 jobs by end of 2014

Hoosier pride was felt profound and large. Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana this morning celebrated the start of production of the all – new 2014 Highlander.

The area citizens and TMMI team members have much to celebrate. The popular midsize SUV is responsible for $430 million further investment and more than 600 jobs at the Princeton automotive plant.

“Automotive manufacturers and suppliers around Indiana are putting their expansion plans into gear, creating jobs and more opportunities in every corner of the state,” said Indiana Lieutenant Governor Sue Ellspermann. “With Toyota’s launch of production for the new Highlander right here in the Hoosier State, we are witnessing an economy driving forward. From our world-class workforce to our low cost of doing business, Indiana proves daily that it is a state that works for automotive manufacturing.”

Westboro Toyota Highlander Inventory

The plant in Princeton builds a gas version of the Highlander and will begin producing the hybrid version early next year. The new born Highlanders will find their new homes in Russian and Australian regions as TMMI spreads its export reach.

This export business allows for better application of the Indiana plant, and helps capitalize on the improving North American and global auto market.

2014 new Highlander features

-  All-new exterior with 3rd row seating for up to eight,

-  Increased cargo capacity,

- Three power train choices: a fuel efficient four cylinder engine, a powerful V6 with a new six-speed transmission, and a V6 - powered Hybrid Synergy Drive,

-  Entune Audio with Bluetooth phone and streaming music and touch – screen display,

-  Integrated backup camera,

-  STAR safety System, includes Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control, Traction Control, 

   Anti – Lock Brake System, Electronic Brake – Force Distribution, Brake assist and

   Smart Stop Technology,

-  Adjustable height power rear liftgate and flip – up rear hatch window, and

- Eight – way power driver seat.

“The all-new Highlander is a dynamic, stylish SUV and its quality craftsmanship and the fact that it will be exported to the Russian and Australian markets is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team members.” Bafunno said.  “This really is a milestone for our entire team,”
 

Sheila Showalter, Quality Assurance team leader, couldn’t agree more. “When I started here 16 years ago, I was one of 1,300 team members in the West Plant and we were only building the Tundra.  It is exciting to be a part of something this big.”
 

Representing a $4.2 billion investment, TMMI directly employs about 4,500. By the end of 2014, Toyota will directly employ 4,700 team members. This plant also produces the Sequoia full size SUV and Sienna minivan.

Check out Westboro Toyota Highlander inventory

Goodbye to an Off-Road Icon with Ultimate Edition

At a press conference, held at the 2013 SEMA Show, Toyota unveiled the 2014 FJ Cruiser Trail Teams Ultimate Edition.

This is a memorial special final edition of the FJ Cruiser, the toughest and most efficient FJ ever. Also, it is a tribute to the iconic vehicle that will end its production run with the conclusion of the 2014 model. The production will be limited, only 2.500 will be built.  

This is an homage to the iconic Land Cruiser FJ40 of the 1960’s, from which the FJ Cruiser draws its jagged DNA, inspiration and design.

This vehicle was built for rugged off-roading. Once again the Ultimate Edition raises the bar for off-road capability with the new performance upgrades.

Including TRD Bilstein race, 66 mm shock absorbers with new TRD race coil springs elevate the front of the FJ just enough to level out the position and improve the approach angle. The 55 mm rear shock absorbers are equipped with remote reservoirs to reduce damping fade.

The Toyota Racing Development goodies don’t stop here. TRD developed a new front skid plate, made from one-quarter-inch thick aluminum plate, which is standard for the Ultimate Edition. This not only looks great but also upgrades the approach angle and gives an increased level of underbody protection. TRD 16-inch bead lock wheels with BF Goodrich A/T KO tires, rock rails and a roof complete the exterior.

The Ultimate Edition FJ Cruiser is only available in 4x4 and comes standard with Active Traction Control (A- TRAC), Crawl Control (CRAWL available with automatic transmission only), Vehicle Skid Control (VSC) with an ‘off’ switch and electronically controlled locking of rear differential as well as the Toyota Star Safety System, which is standard.

The final 2014 FJ Cruiser model is on sale now, and scheduled to roll into dealerships in February 2014.

More than 200,000 unites were sold since 2006. The FJ says farewell, leaving long-lasting memories as one of the most iconic vehicles in Toyota’s rich SUV history.

You Know What You Can Tow, If You Are Tundra Owner

Auto Writers from Texas Noticed Toyota’s Towing Leadership in Approval SAE Standard

Being familiar with pickup trucks isn’t a big deal for Texans. But there is a question:  Do they know precisely how much they can tow safely?

The Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) noticed Toyota with its Acclaimed Service Award for Toyota’s sole implementation of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) J2807 tow standard on its trucks and SUVs, along with the new 2014 Toyota Tundra. Apart from this, the Tundra is the industry’s only full-size truck to adopt the standard. Toyota has been flexible with J2807 since 2011.

Toyota Tundra Lease Special

Developed by the SAE, in agreement with the major automotive manufacturers, J2817 developed a single, repeatable test curriculum to resolve real world tow ratings for its body - on - frame vehicles.

“Toyota owners look to us to develop vehicles that meet the highest safety standards, and our voluntary adoption of J2807 helps us deliver on that promise,” said Mike Sweers, chief engineer of the Toyota Tundra and Tacoma. “Tundra owners can tow confidently knowing that the published tow rating has been verified by the industry’s foremost engineering authority.  With Tundra, what you see is what you get.”

For its whole towing equipped lineup, including every Toyota pick-up truck, SUV, minivan, Toyota has certifications. This SAE’s J2807 certification means that customers will know that rated Toyota vehicles have survived the rigid test methods.

“We appreciate the acknowledgement from TAWA, whose membership includes some of the industry’s most truck-savvy automotive journalists,” Sweers said. “This recognition underscores the importance of this standard in helping keep truck owners safe.”

The Toyota Tundra is assembled exclusively in San Antonio. More than 2,900 are employed in Toyota Motor Manufacturing Texas (TMMTX).

The annual Texas Truck Rodeo brings more than 40 automotive journalists to drive and evaluate pickups, SUVs and other vehicles.

Toyota’s Big Win on Unintended Acceleration Trial

Toyota won a case in  Superior Court in Los Angeles. The jury in the Judicial Council Coordinated Proceeding ( JCCP) rejected claims that a  2006 Camry involved in fatal accident in 2009 was defective because it lacked a brake override system.

After four and a half days, a jury reached a defense verdict in favor of Toyota in a case brought by the family of Noriko Uno.  This accident could have been avoided  if her vehicle had been equipped with a brake override.

During this trial, Toyota’s experts were involved, pointing out that the brake override technology would not have made any difference in preventing this crash. They also rejected the theory of the prosecutor that Mrs. Uno’s foot became “stuck” between the brake and the accelerator pedals after her vehicle was struck by the co-defendant in this case Olga Bello, allegedly causing the acceleration.

As a ‘bellwether” case in the consolidated state cases confirms unintended acceleration. This case points a significant standard that Toyota vehicles are safe with or without brake override.

The case was very important, especially the result of it. This points that it was selected as a “bellwether” by the Prosecutor’s Steering Committee in the JCCP, believing that it was among their strongest cases to bring to trial.

The Toyota’s statement, concerning the case:

“We sympathize with anyone in an accident involving one of our vehicles as well as the family and friends of Noriko Uno.

“Regarding the verdict, we are gratified that the jury  concluded the design of the 2006 Camry did not contribute to this unfortunate accident affirming the same conclusion we reached after more than three years of careful investigation - that there was nothing wrong with the vehicle at issue in this case. As an important bellwether in these consolidated state proceedings, we believe this verdict sets a significant benchmark by helping further confirm that Toyota vehicles are safe with or without brake override.”

Riding on a Roller Coaster with Toyota Camry

The Toyota Camry isn’t known as a car fun to drive. Toyota had an idea to convince people otherwise and let them have fun. How? Well, Toyota let people ride in a Camry on a roller coaster. The point was to give them real feeling like in the movies, and to film their reactions on a video with eight different points of view around the car.

The course starts off like on a real roller coaster. A wooden ramp leads passengers into a banked turn, leading to a long sweeper. Later on, the Camry stops on a turntable which rotates the car giving them the opportunity to navigate the twistiest section. Finally, driving fast through a tunnel of flashing white lights, it reaches its end.

Before entering the car, passengers talk about the Camry, their opinions, how they see the Camry.  Their attitude wasn’t so positive concerning sporty characteristics of the Toyota before their ride. The installment of cameras in the car shows their reaction during this drive. Emotions such as fear, excitement during many maneuvers can be seen. In the end, their opinion about the Sedan definitely changed.

V6 equipped model was used in the video. Check the video presented and tell us in the comment section about your opinion; tell us if you changed your point of view concerning Camry’s sportiness.

 

Toyota Corolla nominated for Green car of the Year

Named one of Green Car Journal’s ‘Top 5 Green Cars for 2014’

The 2014 Toyota Corolla has been exalted to “green dimensions”. The Green Car Journal has named the eleventh-generation Corolla a finalist for the 2014 Green car of the Year award and also one of its top five Green Cars for 2014. The Corolla also received the magazine’s “Green Car Product of  Excellence significance".

Finalist were carefully chosen for their accomplishment in raising the bar in environmental performance.

One selection factor is the model’s opportunity to the mass market, allowing it the potential to make a real environmental impact.

"The Corolla has been the world’s most popular name plate with over 40 million sold since 1966. The Corolla’s environmental sensitivity has evolved with the market.  The new 11^th generation of Corolla, and the new LE Eco model in particular, offer increased levels of capability and fuel economy,” said Bob Carter, Senior Vice President, Automotive Operations, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
 
The Green Car of the Year will be announced during media days at the L.A. Auto Show, Nov. 20-21, 2013.

Celebration of One-Millionth Truck in Toyota plant San Antonio, Texas

On September 18th 2013 one millionth Tundra rolled off the assembly line at Toyota plant in San Antonio, Texas. Workers celebrated as a 1794 Edition 2014 Tundra painted in Sunset Bronze Mica made its way through the factory line, marking the one millionth truck built at the factory.

This fall the plant also celebrates 10th anniversary. The production of Tundra started in October 2006. and later on in 2010. smaller sibling Tacoma was added to the line.

Toyota says that if you lined up all the trucks ever built in the factory, the one million trucks would stretch approximately 3700 miles, the distance between The Alamo in Texas to Honolulu, Hawaii.

The new 2014 Tundra 1794 Edition is a tribute to the ranch that was founded in 1794 on which Toyota plant sits and appreciation to America’s farming roots.

“We are grateful for our loyal customers across North America who tell us they love driving Texas-built Tacomas and Tundras,” said Chris Nielsen, president of Toyota Texas. “It makes me incredibly proud of our team members and 21 on-site suppliers every time I see one of our trucks on the road knowing that safety and quality are built into every one of them.”

Although Toyota is a Japanese automaker, the 2014 Toyota Tundra is among Toyota’s most American vehicle ever. Calty Design Research centers in Newport Beach, California and Ann Arbor, Michigan did design and it was engineered by the Toyota Technical Center which is also in Ann Arbor.

Toyota has invested billions of dollars into the San Antonio plant where 2800 factory workers assemble the pickups. The trucks are assembled in Texas, the V6, and V8 engines are coming from Toyota’s plant in Huntsville, Ala. And the transmissions are made in Durham, N. C.

The Toyota Tundra is one of the most American trucks, built by hard working Americans.

The 1794 Edition comes standard with a heated and cooled 12-way power driver’s seat and six-way power passenger’s seat, a navigation system, front and rear parking sensors, a premium sound system, power moonroof, power tilt/telescopic steering wheel, LED daytime running lights and an available blind spot monitoring system with Rear Cross Traffic Alert.

Take a look at Westboro Toyota Tundra inventory.