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Toyota regained the global sales crown lost when the 2011 Japanese tsunami devastated its supplies as US rival General Motors saw its share of the global market shrink. Toyota first overtook GM as the world's biggest carmaker in 2008, a position GM had held for 77 consecutive years. A year later, GM was forced to restructure under bankruptcy protection and has shed a number of unprofitable brands. While the largest US automaker is once again making record profits, its sales have been hit by a deep downturn in Europe, the reduction in its offerings and a decision not to chase market share with costly incentives and low-margin fleet sales. GM said its share of the global auto market fell 0.4 points to 11.9 percent in 2012 despite sales that grew 2.9 percent to 9.2 million vehicles. It has managed to hang onto the number two spot in worldwide sales, but German rival VW -- which aspires to be the world's biggest automaker by 2018 -- is not far behind with sales up 11 percent in 2012 to 9.07 million. Toyota maintains a much larger lead and has forecast its 2012 sales will jump 22 percent to 9.7 million vehicles. "Last year was a breakout year for us in a number of ways," said Jim Lentz, head of Toyota Motor Sales USA. While it's great to be back on top again, Lentz insisted that "it's not that big of a deal." "I don't really look at the global sales crown very much," he told AFP on the sidelines of the Detroit auto show. "I'm sure we'll have a cup of coffee and say wasn't that great but by lunch we'll have forgotten about it and be back to business." While Toyota also set new records for vehicle productions, sales and vehicle launches in the United States last year, Lentz said the key measure is how the company connects to customers. "The important number is how we're doing with retail customers," Lentz said, noting that the Toyota brand was the number one US retailer in 2012 as sales grew 27 percent. The group's total US sales topped two million vehicles and captured 14.4 percent of the US market, placing it in second place behind GM's fleet-fueled 17.9 percent stake. GM's international operations -- Asia-Pacific, Africa and the Middle East -- posted the biggest gains, with sales up 10.1 percent at 3.6 million while its share was flat at 9.5 percent. Sales fell 8.2 percent in Europe to 1.6 million vehicles, while GM's share narrowed by 0.2 points to 8.5 percent, the biggest US automaker said in a statement. North American sales rose 3.2 percent to just over three million, though GM's share of its home market fell 1.5 points to 16.9 percent. Sales in South America shrank 1.9 percent to just over a million vehicles, while GM's share of the region fell 0.8 points to 18 percent. Despite losing the global sales crown, GM earning a consolation prize Monday: its compact luxury sedan the Cadillac ATS was named "North American Car of the Year" at the Detroit auto show -- with Toyota not on the shortlist for the prestigious award. AFP/Relaxnews

Collecting its first award of the new year, the Scion FR-S captured the Best of 2013 award from Cars.com, an online review and consumer information website. The win was announced at a Cars.com event surrounding the North American International Auto Show in Detroit and shared with the Subaru BRZ. To earn the Best of 2013 overall award, the FR-S competed against all new and redesigned vehicles. Judges applauded the FR-S driving experience and affordability across all categories. First winning the best sports car award, the FR-S also bested competitors in the best SUV, midsize sedan, luxury sedan, pickup and hybrid categories to earn the overall prize. “Winning the Best of 2013 award is an honor and evidence of the sustained energy around the FR-S,” said Scion Vice President Doug Murtha. “As many drivers have discovered, the FR-S is truly bringing the sport back to the car.” For more information about the Cars.com awards and the FR-S award, visit www.cars.com/awards.

Toyota revealed the Corolla Furia Concept at the 2013 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. This exciting compact sedan concept hints at the styling cues consumers can expect to see on the next-generation Corolla.  The concept represents an exterior styling study by Toyota designers, and it builds on the brand’s product development priority to develop more dramatic, expressively designed vehicles. “The Corolla Furia Concept is an early indicator of where our compact car design may lead in the future,” said Bill Fay, group vice president and general manager of the Toyota Division. “It blends a heightened emphasis on dramatic design and modern elements of high technology to generate curb appeal that will surprise a lot of people.” The Furia is designed around a theme of “Iconic Dynamism,” which uses pure and simple surface elements to create a confident, decisive and recognizable appearance appealing to more youthful consumers. It features a more provocative, dynamic interpretation of a compact sedan that displays a more stable, athletic stance with 19-inch allow wheels pushed to the vehicle’s corners with short overhangs to help emphasize its long wheelbase. The Corolla Furia design includes a swept windshield, with a sloped roofline and pronounced fender flares, to help communicate a sense of motion even when the car is stationary. The aggressively styled front fascia, with a blacked-out grille treatment, helps highlight a pair of sculpted front LED headlamps that combine with the rear composite LED taillight assemblies to add a sense of advanced technology to the Furia’s impactful exterior. Carbon fiber accents adorn the Corolla Furia Concept’s wheel wells, rocker panels, and rear valance, which includes ornate metal exhaust outlet surrounds to add a sense of modern athleticism.

Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) and its Lexus Division unveiled its advanced active safety research vehicle for the first time at the International CES today to demonstrate ongoing efforts around automated vehicle safety technologies and explain Toyota's approach to reducing global traffic fatalities and injuries. The vehicle, based on a Lexus LS, advances the industry toward a new era of integrated safety management technologies. The company’s guiding strategy, called the Integrated Safety Management Concept, views traffic safety as a holistic blend of people, vehicles and the driving environment. The strategy carries through all five phases of operation: Initial time the driver and car begin a journey from a parked position Active safety systems designed to avoid a crash Pre-crash aimed at preparing for a collision Passive safety to help survive a crash Rescue and response after a crash has occurred While key components of these research efforts could lead to a fully autonomous car in the future, the vision is not necessarily a car that drives itself. Instead, Toyota and Lexus envision technologies that enhance the skills of the driver, believing a more skillful driver is a safer driver. “In our pursuit of developing more advanced automated technologies, we believe the driver must be fully engaged,” said Mark Templin, Toyota group vice president and general manger of the Lexus Division.“For Toyota and Lexus, a driverless car is just a part of the story. Our vision is a car equipped with an intelligent, always-attentive co-pilot whose skills contribute to safer driving.” Safety Research Vehicle: A Glimpse Into the Future The Lexus advanced active safety research vehicle is equipped with an array of sensors and automated control systems to observe, process and respond to the vehicle’s surroundings. These include GPS, stereo cameras, radar and Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) laser tracking. The vehicle systems are capable of tasks such as scanning movement of objects around it, identifying a green light from a red light and measuring the trajectory of the vehicle on the road. A 360-degree LIDAR laser on the roof of the vehicle detects objects around the car up to about 70 meters. Three high definition color cameras detect objects about 150 meters away, including traffic light detection using the front camera and approaching vehicles using the side cameras. Radars on the front and sides of the vehicle measure the location and speed of objects to create a comprehensive field of vision at intersections. A distance measurement indicator located on a rear wheel measures travel distance and speed of the vehicle. An inertial measurements unit on the roof measures acceleration and angle changes to determine vehicle behavior. GPS antennas on the roof estimate angle and orientation even before the vehicle is in motion. The research vehicle is a testing platform aimed at the development of systems capable of enhancing the driver’s perception of his or her environment, assisting in the decision-making process and improving overall driving skills. Building on Decades of Advanced Safety Technology The research vehicle builds on Toyota’s long history of safety innovations and advancements. This work includes a number of features that have been implemented in many vehicles across the Toyota and Lexus brands, including Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Traction Control and Smart Stop Technology. More recently, advanced safety features such as Lane-Keep Assist system (LKA), Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) and the Pre-Collision System have taken active safety to a new level. The 2013 Lexus LS offers the world’s most advanced Pre-Collision System (A-PCS). The system helps the driver avoid or mitigate collisions with vehicles or pedestrians under a wide range of city or highway speeds, even at night. The 2013 Lexus LS also features an upgraded Lane-Keep Assist system (LKA) that employs sensors to help monitor the vehicle’s position within the driving lane and respond to potentially dangerous conditions. An enhanced Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) with rear millimeter-wave radar monitors the vehicle rear side blind spots at 10 miles per hour or more, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) helps warn drivers to the approach of other vehicles when backing up. While on the road, Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) constantly monitors the distance to vehicles ahead and is capable of operating at any speed, bringing the vehicle to a complete stop, and resuming at the preset speed once the road ahead is clear. The 2013 Lexus LS is evidence of advancements and refinements in automated technologies over the last decade. Driving Within a Smarter World Toyota has committed to new research toward an Intelligent Transportation System (ITS), integrating the car with the driving environment. To accelerate development of vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-roadside infrastructure communications, Toyota began full-scale operations in November at new 8.6 acre ITS proving grounds, located within the Higashi-Fuji Technical Center in Susono City, Japan.Modeled after urban roads, the driving environment replicates roads and traffic signals and simulates real-life traffic situations using other vehicles, pedestrians and control devices. ITS uses dedicated short wave signals to link vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure radio communications over a wide area to create potential collision warnings. Alerts include: Impending collision at a blind intersection Vehicle changing lanes in another vehicle's blind spot Rear collision with a vehicle stopped ahead The system is designed to help prevent accidents involving pedestrians and other vehicles using information continuously collected by the vehicle from other vehicles, infrastructure and pedestrians. Connecting people, vehicles, traffic environments and infrastructure with state-of-the-art electronic and telecommunications technologies will help move toward safer and more efficient traffic environments. The Toyota ITS Proving Grounds will assist the company work toward the early practical adoption of evermore reliable systems by repeatedly conducting testing that can be difficult to perform on public roads, with changing environments. Collaborative Development ITS technology is being developed globally and cooperatively among most major automakers and regulators, and in cooperation with international ITS governing bodies. Toyota will continue step-by-step and layered introduction of individual, proven technologies within regulatory, legal and social frameworks acceptable in each country. In the U.S., Toyota is part of the Crash Avoidance Metrics Partnership (CAMP) Vehicle Safety Communications 3 (VSC3) Consortium of eight automotive manufacturers conducting research and development on vehicle-infrastructure safety support systems and vehicles to support testing of those systems. Features collectively under exploration include emergency electronic brake lights, forward collision warning, blind spot warning/lane change warning, do not pass warning, intersection movement assist and left turn assist. The research and development will continue at Toyota Research Institute, North America (TRiNA), in Ann Arbor, Mich.   While the TRiNA program is aimed purely at research, Toyota’s Japan engineering group adds the element of exploring future product development for market integration. “The real value of research projects like this is reinforcing our focus on what a few years ago seemed an impossible dream and is now becoming more plausible,” Templin said. “We, at TMC and Lexus, consider the elimination of traffic fatalities and injuries the ultimate goal of a society that values mobility.”

The Toyota Camry consistently led midsize sales throughout 2012, so it should come as no shock that the sedan is the best-selling vehicle in its class overall for the year. The Camry sold a total of 404,886 units for the year, a full 73,014 cars more than second-place finisher Honda Accord, at 331,872. In third place at 302,934 units sold was the Nissan Altima, a new model of which was introduced mid-year. The Ford Fusion came in fourth place, with sales of 241,263 units. The Hyundai Sonata continues the brand’s market share-grab with sales of 230,605 units, up from the 225,961 Sonatas sold in 2011. That number is good enough for a repeat performance of the prior year, with the Sonata again landing in fifth place. The Chevrolet Malibu has consistently been a mid-pack finisher in 2012, and that trend is echoed in the model’s final tally of 210,951 – good enough for sixth place. The Hyundai Sonata’s corporate cousin Kia Optima finished in seventh, with 152,399 units sold for the year. Chrysler 200 earns eighth place with sales of 125,476 models, while the mechanically similar Dodge Avenger lands in 10 th position with 96,890 units sold. Though it finds itself in ninth place, the Volkswagen Passat earns the distinction of “most improved,” more than quintupling its sales total from 2011, with 117,023 units sold. Rounding out the group are the Subaru Legacy at 47,127 units and Mazda6 at 33,756 units, placing 11 th and 12 th, respectively. With a new Mazda6 on the way, though, the model may escape a last-place finish in 2013.

Clear Channel’s Total Traffic Network and Toyota have teamed up to give drivers real-time traffic and weather updates on their dashboard. In a three-year deal, Total Traffic Network, a subsidiary of Clear Channel Media and Entertainment, will work with Toyota in order to relay real-time updates of both traffic and weather conditions straight to a driver’s dashboard via HD radio technology. Announced at 2013’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES), the deal means that a number of 2013 Toyota and Lexus models will have the feature as standard on their dashboard, which will show updates through both text and graphics. The new in-dashboard services will include The Weather Channel’s Doppler weather radar, as well as real-time weather forecasts from TTN’s traffic updates. In addition, both local and national forecasts will be available for over 120 cities in the U.S., according to Toyota. Traffic updates will be provided through maps and incident coverage reports which are updated every two minutes, as well as upcoming 15, 30 and 45-minute predictive traffic information. Both services will be provided for free to customers. Toyota also plans to eventually expand the service coverage beyond HD radio, and make the service accessible for vehicles equipped with Entune by connection to a driver’s smartphone. Kevin Dorsey, President of National Media Groups for Clear Channel Media and Entertainment commented: “This new agreement with Toyota highlights our ability to leverage our distribution, programming and technology platforms to bring consumers what they want, where they want it and without annoying subscriptions. Our digital expertise helps to provide one-of-a-kind solutions for our partners and we are looking forward to joining forces with Toyota to further enhance the driving experience.” Toyota and Clear Channel are not the only ones focusing on dashboard applications and technology in the new year. Ford has also announced an update to their cars, the Glympse app, which can be used to tell friends and family where you are via GPS technology and voice commands when on the road.

Vinyl wraps aren't just for modified road cars. They're also the method a growing number of racing teams use to emblazon their cars with their sponsors' logos. For record-setting race winner Kyle Busch and his #18 Toyota Camry NASCAR Sprint Cup racer, that sponsor is M&Ms, which calls for a rather colorful livery. In this time-lapse video, the Joe Gibbs Racing team hand-applies the pre-printed vinyl wrap onto the matte-black Camry stock car with considerable skill, stretching, cutting and molding the vinyl to the car's every contour. It's a heck of a thing to watch coming together, taking an hour and forty minutes in real time but compressed to less than three and a half minutes for your viewing pleasure. Check it out in the clip below. 2013 Kyle Busch M&M\'S NASCAR Wrap Time Lapse

In this year's report, the Toyota Prius has replaced the Honda Fit as the best value for car buyers. "It's extremely reliable, roomy, rides well, gets great fuel economy, and is inexpensive to operate," says Rik Paul, automotive editor at Consumer Reports. Consumer Reports rated Toyota Motor and Lexus models as the best value for buyers in six of 10 categories. The magazine said Toyota and Lexus hybrids stand out as having excellent value. The Japanese automakers hybrids rated No. 1 in three of four categories. Click Here for the Full Story

On Friday December 14 th, 2012, Ardmore Toyota & Central City Toyota participated in the Annual Toyota Tundra Food Drive for Philabundance. $1000 of Food was purchased and dropped off at the Philabundance Food Distribution Center in South Philadelphia. Among the attendees included members of the Phillies, Flyers, Toyota Dealers, Philabundance Volunteers and of course the Phillie Phanatic was there. To learn more about Philabundance click here: http://www.philabundance.org/ Ardmore & Central City are proud to help the community and those who need nourishment, especially during the holiday season. [gallery]

On December 13 th, 2012 the 18th Police District in Philadelphia had Santa giving away gifts to elementary school children in the West Phila area. Max Paul’s Central City Toyota donated $500 for them to purchase gifts for the children. Question of the Day: What was your favorite gift you received during the Holidays? [gallery]

A few of our customers recently visited Le Rendez-Vous Toyota in France on the avenue des Champs-Elysées. We thought it would be neat to show everyone these amazing pictures of the Toyota Showroom and the special concept cars that they have there. Do you know there is a car there where you can take a picture with your smartphone and your picture actually appears on the entire body of the car! Check out this blue sleek concept car in the pictures. Here is a link to the website (in French) http://www.toyota.fr/rendezvous/about_us.tmex Question of the Day: What was the most exciting place you ever visited outside of the United States? [gallery]

The Scion FR-S earned recognition on December 5 th, 2012 from Car and Driver, the world's largest automotive publication, as part of its 10 Best cars of 2013. “Making the Car and Driver 10Best list in its first year is another example of the energy and enthusiasm building around the FR-S and the fun driving experience it offers,” said Scion Vice President Doug Murtha. “The success of the FR-S reflects the Scion mission to give drivers vehicles that fit their lifestyles and express their individuality.” Click here to read the story and article in Car & Driver