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Too often, we hear about concussions on the football field and in other athletic venues. Toyota is directly involved to help research and study brain trauma. Do you know someone who has had a concussion before? Toyota has a history of collaborative research programs with universities. One program involving Toyota, Virginia Tech and Wake Forest School of Medicine was honored on Monday at the Brain Trauma Foundation’s (BTF) Honors Dinner, where Toyota was recognized for helping significantly advance the understanding of brain trauma. Using accelerometers attached to the helmets of football players, university researchers collected data that has led to the first safety ratings system for football helmets. The data will be also used by Toyota to enhance its “THUMS” virtual human model and will contribute to new vehicle safety technologies that help reduce the occurrence and severity of head collisions. “We are confident our research advancements will help reduce the risk of traumatic brain injuries in both automobile crashes and the football field,” said Dr. Stefan Duma, Principal Investigator for Virginia Tech. “We are grateful to Toyota for its support of this important, lifesaving research and to the BTF for its recognition.” “We are proud at Toyota to have been able to help contribute to the growing body of knowledge in this research area and are honored to be recognized for our work with Virginia Tech and Wake Forest School of Medicine,” said Mr. Gulash. More information about all of CSRC’s research projects can be found at www.Toyota.com/CSRC.

Who is concerned about safety? Where does it rank when you go and buy a family Sedan? For most people it is at the top. That being said, there is great news from the U.S. Government. The All New 2012 Toyota Camry is one of three vehicles thus far that has received the 5 Star Safety Rating! The redesigned 2012 Camry earned a five-star overall rating, getting four stars in the frontal test, five stars in the side-crash test and four stars in the rollover test. Check out the article below that was in the USA Today:

We are really impressed with this new Scion. Take a minute and read this post and check out the images of the 2013 Scion FR-S Sports Car. What are your thoughts on the 2013 Scion FR-S Sports Car? With the introduction tonight of the 2013 Scion FR-S, the triumvirate of oh-so-similar sport coupes born of the joint venture between Toyota and Subaru is complete. With its introduction, the FR-S also marks the return of some excitement to Toyota's lineup of products in the U.S., even if it is branded as a Scion. The Japanese automaker hasn't offered a true performance machine in the U.S. since the MR2 Spyder ended production in 2007. The more hardcore Supra disappeared from American soil almost a decade earlier in 1998. Click here for the full story. To check out the photo gallery, click here. What do you think?

2011 Progress Report on Quality, Safety, Reliability & Value Two years ago, Toyota Motor Corporation President Akio Toyoda recommitted the entire company to ensuring that Toyota products met the highest standards for quality, safety, reliability and retained value. The results of this global effort have become increasingly evident based on the long list of third-party accolades Toyota and its vehicles have recently received in recognition of this progress. QUALITY Lexus was the highest ranking nameplate in the industry in the 2011 J.D. Power Initial Quality Study and earned more segment awards than any other premium brand. The Toyota Division moved up 14 positions to place seventh in the study. Toyota ranked as the #1 manufacturer for lowest percentage of “check engine”-related failures and lowest average related repair costs, looking at 2001 to 2011 Model Year vehicles over the past year, according to the first annual CarMD Vehicle Health Index. According to ALG’s Fall 2011 Perceived Quality Study, Toyota’s perceived quality score rose more than two percent over the last six months, closing the gap with Honda, while Lexus once again was ranked #1 among luxury brands. The Lexus IS won the entry premium car segment in the 2011 J.D. Power and Associates Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study. Toyota and Lexus won 11 awards – more than half the 21 total awards – in IntelliChoice.com’s Best Overall Values of the Year. SAFETY Eleven Toyota, Lexus and Scion vehicles were named 2011 “Top Safety Picks” by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, including the Toyota Avalon, Corolla, Highlander, Prius, Sienna, Tundra and Venza, the Scion tC and xB, and the Lexus CT 200h and RX. RELIABILITY Toyota and Lexus brands took home seven top awards in J.D. Power’s 2011 Vehicle Dependability Survey -- more than any other full line manufacturer. Toyota was rated the “Best Durability of any full-line manufacturer" by R.L. Polk, based on longevity for U.S. vehicles in operation registration statistics MY1987-2010. 90% of Toyotas sold new in the 15 years between MY1996 and MY2010 are still on the road, according to R.L. Polk. RETAINED VALUE Kelley Blue Book named Toyota the 2012 Best Resale Value Brand for the second time in three years and Lexus as the Best Resale Value Luxury Brand in the 2012 Best Resale Value Awards. ALG named Lexus the Best Luxury Brand in its 2011 Residual Value Awards.  Toyota and Lexus segment award winners include Toyota Tacoma, Toyota Tundra and Lexus CT 200h. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITMENT Toyota was ranked #1 overall among Interbrand’s 2011 Best Global Green Brands. Toyotas account for two-thirds of all hybrids on the road today (R.L. Polk) Toyota and Lexus hybrids comprise nearly three-quarters (73%) of all hybrids Prius alone makes up half (52%) Nine out of 10 (91%) of all hybrid-only models on the road are Prius vehicles In April 2011, Toyota announced the one-millionth sale of the Prius in the U.S., while worldwide sales have topped the 3 million mark The 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-in, which will go on sale in the spring of 2012, earned Decisive magazine’s annual Urban Green Vehicle of the Year Award.

How annoying is it when your check engine light comes on? Well, this past weekend CarMD came out with some great news about check engine lights and Toyota's. Guess what? Toyota had the lowest percentage of red light reports/problems seen. The first annual CarMD Vehicle Health Index ranked vehicles using real-world, statistically-based data for the fewest average repair incidents and lowest average repair costs for model-year 2001 to 2011 vehicles in the U.S. Click Here for the full story! Plus, Click Here to check out the CarMD Website. Do you have questions about check engine lights? Let us know and we would be happy to help.

People are always asking, "Are Hybrids Safe?" Well now there is research and data to prove they are. Research by an affiliate of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety shows hybrid vehicles are safer than their conventional counterparts when it comes to shielding their occupants from injuries in crashes. Click Here for the full story! We have a question. What is the most important feature you look for when looking at cars? Is it safety? Let us know.

Are you driving a Toyota? Then we have some great news for you! Toyota is the manufacturer with the highest resale value. That means when you go and trade in your car for another vehicle (hopefully a Toyota at Ardmore Toyota!) You will get more value on your car than any other manufacturer. That is also great news when researching a new car to buy! How important is resale value to you when looking to purchase a car? Some Highlights: -Toyota was named the top brand in 2012 Kelley Blue Book’s 2012 Best Resale Value Awards. -All-New Camry Wins Best Resale Value in Mid-Size Car Class. Click Here for the full story! Click Here for more from Kelley Blue Book.

NEW YORK – November 9, 2011 – Toyota, the most fuel-efficient full line auto manufacturer in the United States today reaffirmed its commitment to sustainability throughout its operations and beyond as it released its 2011 North America Environmental Report.  The report details the substantial success that Toyota has had in meeting or exceeding the goals of its aggressive, five-year Environmental Action Plan (EAP). Among the key achievements outlined in the 2011 report are: Major developments in advanced technology vehicles, including the launch of an expanded family of four Prius vehicles, a new partnership with California’s Tesla Motors to produce an electric, zero emission version of the RAV4 crossover SUV, and the opening of the first pipeline-fed hydrogen filling station in the U.S. Significant improvements in fuel economy across Toyota’s fleet over the past five years, including a 12% improvement in Corporate Average Fuel Economy (or CAFE standards) for U.S. cars and a 10% improvement in U.S. truck CAFE standards Near zero-landfill status at each of Toyota’s North American manufacturing plants as well as a 35% decrease in the amount of nonsaleable waste per vehicle produced Expanded local partnerships to improve the environment, including helping towns and counties reduce energy use, donating used plastics that are recycled to fund a local program for the disabled, and working with dealerships and suppliers to build “greener” facilities. Click here to read the full story. We are interested in hearing from you. What types of things do you do in your own home to be more sustainable & help the environment?

We want to know your thoughts? Is being Green important to you? What have you done to help our world be a more "Green" Place to live? Toyota was honored by the National Audubon Society on Wednesday November 2nd, for its leadership in environmental advocacy and conservation. Yoshi Inaba, president/COO of Toyota Motor North America and chairman/CEO of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., accepted the Audubon Keesee Conservation Award, which is given annually to environmental leaders in their respective fields who exemplify conservation excellence and have committed time and resources to connect new and diverse audiences to nature. Toyota and Audubon launched the Together Green initiative in 2008 to fund conservation projects, train environmental leaders and offer volunteer opportunities that significantly benefit the environment. It is funded by a $20 million Toyota gift to Audubon, the largest in the conservation group’s history. Now marking its fifth year, the partnership had funded 160 Fellows, and launched the Pennies for the Planet initiative. Click Here for the Full Story!

Do you have a Scion? How about a Toyota? Some great news came out today. Scion is ranked #1 most reliable car and Toyota is not far behind in 6th place. This is GREAT news for all Toyota & Scion owners and potential customers. Click here to read the USA Today Story Click here to read the New York Times Story Do you know someone who is interested in a Scion or Toyota? If so, tell them about the Consumer Reports rankings and if you refer them to Ardmore Toyota, we will give you a referral check for bringing them in. Email us at contact_us@ardmoretoyota.com if you want to refer someone.

Looking ahead, all automotive forecasts say the industry will move towards smaller and more fuel-efficient vehicles, which should work in favor of Toyota because of its established image as a fuel-efficient make. And, with its strong customer loyalty numbers, Toyota will be seeing many more returning hybrid drivers than its competitors. Click here for the full story.

We are really excited for the Launch of the all-new 2012 Camry. It's Ready...Are You??? The New York Times wrote up a great article that explains how Toyota plans to launch the New 2012 Camry with its amazing Marketing campaign.  Don't miss out on reading about the Camry Launch. Click here to read the article!