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“Toyota has suffered a few blows recently - from the massive vehicle recall, to the production-halting natural disasters in Japan. The company has managed to stay afloat thanks to a culture of responsibility within the organization,” says one researcher. Click here to read the entire article and watch the interview with Jeffrey Liker on his book titled: "Toyota Under Fire: How Toyota Faced the Challenges of the Recall and the Recession to Come Out Stronger…"

Everybody wants to think they’ve made a great car purchase, one that will hold its value three to five years down the road, especially if it’s a family car. Kiplinger used data from Kelley Blue Book, specifically new vehicle data from 12/28/10, and resale values from January and February 2011. To win the best resale award, a vehicle had to be selected as one of the top 25 in its category, and no model could be selected if another trim of the same model won in a previous category. The Toyota built, 2011 Scion xB has the highest resale value among cars under $20,000! The safe, affordable and unique small car is a Kiplinger winner in its category for three-year resale value of 57 percent, clearly way ahead of the rest in its class. Kiplinger cites the Scion xB’s low insurance costs, 22 cubic-foot cargo space and good fuel economy as additional pluses.

Toyota Motor Corp. has regained its position as the world's most valuable auto brand despite the carmaker's massive recall campaign. Click here for the entire story! Worthy Brands World's most valuable car brands in $ billion; rank in top 100; % change 1. Toyota $24.2 -- 27 --11% 2. BMW $22.4 -- 30 -- 3% 3. Mercedes $15.3 -- 50 -- 12% 4. Honda $14.2 -- 56 -- -1% 5. Porsche $12.4 --66 -- -3% 6. Nissan $10.1 -- 88 -- 17% 7 VW $7.4 -- * -- 6% 8. Ford $7.4 -- * --5% 9. Audi $3.8 -- * -- 5% 10. Lexus $3.7 -- * --new * Did not qualify for the top 100 Source: Millward Brown

The all-new 2011 Scion tC just received a Five Star Overall Rating for crash tests! Check out this article to read more about the Scion tC!

Great news! Toyota was recently recognized for its commitment to environmental excellence by the EPA! See below for an excerpt from the press release: “The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded Toyota Motor Engineering Manufacturing North America, Inc. (TEMA), with its 2011 ENERGY STAR Sustained Excellence Award in recognition of its continued leadership in protecting the environment through energy efficiency and management. TEMA received the award at a special ceremony in Washington, D.C. today. . . ." To read the full press release, CLICK HERE.

REDMOND, Wash., and TOYOTA CITY, Japan — April 6, 2011 — Microsoft Corp. and Toyota Motor Corp. (TMC) today announced they have forged a strategic partnership and plan to build a global platform for TMC’s next-generation telematics services using the Windows Azure platform. Telematics is the fusing of telecommunications and information technologies in vehicles; it can encompass GPS systems, energy management and other multimedia technologies. READ MORE. Click here to read the press conference excerpts.

This weekend Toyota launched “Hope for Japan,” a website where visitors can contribute to the American Red Cross relief efforts and share a personal message of hope. We encourage you to visit the site and show your support at www.toyota.com/supportforjapan. Below is a short update on some of the additional steps Toyota is taking in North America and Japan to help support the relief efforts. Fundraising – More than $5 Million So Far Toyota-Dedicated Red Cross Fundraising Websites Have Raised Nearly $1.5 Million in North America – As of March 25 th, special fundraising websites set up with the Red Cross have raised nearly $1.5 million from Toyota’s employees, dealers, suppliers, business partners and friends across North America. Dollar-for-Dollar Match – Toyota’s North American affiliates are matching donations made by Toyota employees to the American Red Cross and Canadian Red Cross, dollar-for-dollar.  (The employee match is not included in the figure above.) Donation in Japan – In addition, Toyota in Japan has donated 300 million yen (about $3.75 million) to support the relief efforts. Other Major Fundraising – Walk-a-thons last weekend in San Antonio, TX and Lexington, KY brought out hundreds of Toyota team members and other local citizens, raising nearly $60,000 for the relief efforts in Japan. Relief Efforts in Japan Relief Convoys in Japan Continue – Toyota companies in Japan began sending truckloads of medical and emergency supplies – including food, drinking water, blankets, portable toilets and disposable diapers – to victims in affected regions on March 12, the day after the earthquake and tsunami. As of March 30 th, more than 60 trucks have made deliveries and six tankers have been sent to provide water. Emergency Housing – Toyota is moving to provide nearly 500 apartments in Aichi Prefecture for people evacuated from affected areas. Vehicles for Relief Efforts – Toyota is providing about 100 cars for local government authorities to use in four of the areas hardest hit by the disaster. Distribution of Emergency Supplies – Toyota dealerships in affected areas of Japan are using their sites as temporary distribution centers for drinking water, food, cold-weather gear and towels to victims of the disaster. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with our friends, our colleagues and the people of Japan.  We’ll be sure to provide updates as they become available.

On March 27th, Toyota Motor Corporation President Akio Toyoda visited the region of Japan most affected by the earthquake/tsunami, then issued a statement of support, followed by a commitment by the company to donate 50 vehicles to support relief efforts in the area. To All Those Affected by the Tohoku Earthquake I offer my prayers to all those who lost their lives in the March 11th Tohoku earthquake and its ensuing aftermath, as well as my sympathy to the survivors and their families. Not only is the struck region one of our production bases, those directly hit and vastly affected include our dealers, suppliers and numerous other partners. I went to Miyagi Prefecture on March 27th.  Seeing the devastation with my own eyes brought home to me the depth of destruction and the atmosphere of sadness caused by the disaster.  Seeing the situation for myself made me more determined to continue to provide useful support. I visited government offices in Ohira Village and in Taiwa Town, which have supported our business activities in their locales.  I also went to Sendai Port, to our dealerships and to our factories that produce vehicles and parts. Although time was limited, through visiting the affected area and seeing people there trying step-by-step to get over the agony of their losses, I became strongly determined to return smiles to the faces of the people in the Tohoku region by reviving manufacturing there as soon as possible. We believe that returning as quickly as possible to daily life can play an important part in bringing the hope of a better tomorrow at our plants, our team members once again working together, supporting each other and creating a positive atmosphere and, at our dealerships, warm and friendly staff once again welcoming customers. We at Toyota will continue doing all we can to be of assistance to the people affected. Akio Toyoda, President Toyota Motor Corporation

Toyota’s number one priority is to support our team members at TMC, our partner companies, suppliers and dealers through this situation.  On behalf of the company globally, TMC is moving to donate 300 million yen (approximately $3.75 million) for relief and recovery efforts in communities affected by the Tohoku Earthquake and is also considering the provision of goods and services as needed.

"Toyota Motor Corp.'s rebound from record recalls that depressed sales and hurt its reputation for quality got a boost from a U.S. government report finding no link between electronics in the company's vehicles and sudden acceleration incidents." Read more!

The Government's clearing of Toyota electronics in cases of unintended acceleration have consumers feeling more positive about Toyota. Click here to view the latest report from Automotive News Now.

Click here to read the article by The Inquirer from February 9, 2011 and a quote by Jamie Haberle, Service Manager at Central City Toyota!