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Toyota Financial Services (TFS), in partnership with Toyota Motor Sales, is excited to announce that the new Prius c is the first hybrid vehicle option available to recent college graduates who want to take advantage of the company’s College Grad Rebate Program. TFS hopes to make the transition from college to workforce easier and more affordable by offering a $1,000 rebate to qualified college graduates toward the purchase of any new Scion models and select new Toyota vehicles, including the Camry (excluding Camry hybrid), Corolla, Matrix, RAV4, Tacoma, Yaris, and now, the Prius Click here to read the entire story.

We’ve all been there, you’re driving down a rocky road, and a small stone is kicked up and kits your windshield. Often, these small rocks don’t do any damage – they just give us a fright – but today was not your day. In the blink of any eye, a star shaped crack appears in your windshield. It looks small now, but an unattended start-shaped blemish can, over time, develop into a big crack that reaches across the length of your windshield. Not only is a crack distracting to the eye, but it is also dangerous, as it compromises the strength and integrity of your protective windshield. Though there are countless companies can fill and repair the “star”, it’s best to visit your dealer. They will do a thorough assessment of the damage and fix it properly, while ensuring that your windshield is returned to its pre-damaged state. Plus, if your windshield should need to be replaced, your dealer can order the proper replacement for your specific make and model.

Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A., Inc. announced today a partnership with Medal of Honor recipient Sgt. Dakota Meyer and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s National Chamber Foundation as part of an ongoing initiative to support returning troops and veterans making the transition from military to civilian jobs. Sgt. Meyer, the first living Marine in three decades to receive the Medal of Honor, will be appearing at various Hiring Our Heroes job fairs around the country to meet with veterans and help them understand the importance of personal branding and how to translate military skills to future employers. Click here to read the entire story

Toyota has branded its zippy new sport coupe with the abbreviation “FR-S.” It stands for “front-engine, rear-drive, sport.” Cars in Toyota’s Scion brand are given abbreviated names, but the FR-S is truly a revival of Toyota’s once-popular Celica sport coupe. The FR-S is the most fun new car I've driven in my recent memory. It is exactly the kind of car that the doomsayers insist is dead because they say kids are forsaking driving in favor of going online to interact with their friends.  Nonsense, I say.  Sporty little coupes still attract young drivers. These vehicles just need to be designed for today’s young drivers and not those of decades past. Click here to read the entire story.

If you’re looking to add a bit of pizzazz to your car, talk to your dealer. In order to build a successful dealership, dealers have networked and partnered with some of the industry’s best automotive craftsmen. Dealers seek out and know the very best because they want to maintain their good name and solid relationships with their clientele. Want pin striping? Your dealer knows the guy to see. Want your company’s logo added to your car? Ask your dealer for a recommendation. Whatever your car query is, your dealer will be able to give you a trustworthy suggestion (or two)!

On August 2 nd, 2012, Toyota and the National Audubon Society awarded over $1 million in TogetherGreen Innovation Grants funding to 41 innovative environmental projects nationwide. This year’s winning projects involve more than 150 conservation, environmental justice and community organizations working collaboratively on habitat, water and energy conservation. Many of the projects focus on engaging audiences that have traditionally been underrepresented in the conservation movement, from landowners to religious communities to inner-city students. Click here to read the entire story. Click here to learn more about Together Green

The “29th Annual National Night Out” (NNO), a unique crime/drug prevention event sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch (NATW), has been scheduled for Tuesday, August 7, 2012. NATIONAL NIGHT OUT is designed to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness & generate support for, and participation in, local anticrime programs; strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back. Make sure you take part in this great event! When you like us on Facebook and mention National Night Out in your post, you will be eligible to win an iPad2! Click here to check us out on Facebook.

All major vehicle manufacturers spend millions of dollars on the development of safety essentials for their vehicles. And, not surprisingly, quite a bit of attention is paid to the innovation and testing of seat belts. The basic task of seat belts is to keep passengers from hitting objects within the car on a sudden stop or collision, or, even worse, from being ejected. By now, we have all heard the phrase “Click it or Ticket”, but have you truly taken to heart the importance of your seat belt? Even the very best seat belt design could still require your attention. First and foremost, it’s vital that all your seat belts are in working order. Take note: Do they bind when you try to put them on? Do they take a few tries to get a good click? Is the harness material frayed? If your seat belts need some work or replacement, take your vehicle to your dealer. They will have all the proper parts that your particular make and model needs. One major function of your car is to keep you safe while you travel, so be sure that your seat belts are in good shape!

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recognized eight Toyota manufacturing sites in North America for achieving a ten percent reduction in energy intensity through its ENERGY STAR Challenge For Industry program. Collectively, these eight sites have reduced energy intensity by nearly 24 percent from baseline. Energy intensity is measured relative to efficiency improvements in process and equipment. The ENERGY STAR Challenge For Industry program is only awarded to individual industrial sites. To gain recognition, the site’s company must be an ENERGY STAR partner. Earlier this year, Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. (TEMA) received its eighth consecutive ENERGY STAR Sustained Excellence Award for its continued leadership in protecting the environment through energy efficiency and management. “Thanks to the efforts of our team members, Toyota has reduced our total energy use per vehicle over the last five years as we achieved greater energy efficiency across North America,” said TEMA Executive Vice President Steve St. Angelo. “This demonstrates that when good ideas are shared, great things can happen as we continuously identify new opportunities to reduce energy consumption while improving our processes.” The eight Toyota facilities recognized by the EPA include: Bodine Aluminum (Jackson, Tenn., and St. Louis, Mo.); Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Alabama (Huntsville); Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada (Cambridge and Woodstock, Ont.); Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana (Princeton); Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Texas (San Antonio); and Toyota Motor Manufacturing, West Virginia (Buffalo). Several examples of reduction in energy intensity include: Plant Kaizen (Improvement) Example Description Benefits Industry Challenge Energy Reduction (From Baseline) Lighting efficiency (Bodine Aluminum, Jackson, Tenn.) Replacement of lighting in several plant areas with energy efficient florescent lights with sensors • Reduce CO2 emissions • Cost savings • Reduce energy usage 13.8% Innovative lighting technology (Toyota Motor Mfg., Alabama) Installation of Ultra Constant Discharge lighting in the plant’s parking lot • Reduce CO2 emissions • Cost savings • Reduce energy usage 24.1% Hot water boiler linkage (Toyota Motor Mfg. Canada) Installation of new controls allowing proper mixture without numerous adjustments • Reduce CO2 emissions • Reduce water usage 28.5% • Reduce energy usage • Less complexity Paint booth HVAC system (Toyota Motor Mfg., Indiana) Elimination of using outside air to cool/heat paint booth; current air intake is taken directly from plant, making temperature consistent • Reduce CO2 emissions • Reduce energy usage • Less use of HVAC system, natural gas and electricity during peak times 36% Since 2006, Toyota’s U.S. manufacturing operations have received 18 Energy Star Plant Awards from the U.S. EPA, recognizing each plant’s energy performance over the past year and scoring in the top 25 percent of its industry. http://bit.ly/MJ2xY7

Driving the SE proved comfortable enough, although ergonomics would be improved by providing the telescoping steering wheel found in most competitors. Instruments and controls were readily accessible, and the seats were supportive. Click Here for the full Story.

If the sticker in your window indicates that it’s time for inspection, it’s time to give your dealer a call and schedule an inspection appointment. Your dealer and their trained technicians know your vehicle inside and out, and will know how to best inspect it to ensure many more years of safe, secure driving. If you’re wondering exactly what your dealer will look at during inspection, review the following list: Tires: Your car will be checked to make sure you have matching tires and enough tread life to allow the car to be driven safely, and if your tires fail, it’s a great time to have them replaced! Windshield and wipers: Even a minute crack or chip in a windshield can be a big distraction possibly compromise safety. Also, your wipers will be checked for operation, and also the condition of the blades will be checked. Brakes:  Your brakes, drums, and rotors will be checked for service life, while hoses and break lines are checked for leaks. Steering mechanisms: Your steering mechanisms will be checked for safety. Any movement or play in steering components could lead to failure, as ball joints and connecting rods become lose, worn, or bent requiring replacement. A simple tire alignment may be suggested to correct the problem and assist in better gas mileage. Lights and signals: Your headlights will not only are checked for operation, but will be reviewed to ensure that they are at the proper illumination level. Also, all other marker lights, emergency flashers, and turn signals will be reviewed for proper operation. Basic safety check: Lastly, your dealer will look for leaks and observe conditions of basic components on your car. Your dealer can alert you to anything noticeable that could affect your safety and the operation of the vehicle. Remember, your dealer will not steer you wrong. Their goal is to keep both you and your car safely on the road for as long as possible.

To enter the Sweepstakes, first like our Facebook page and then click on the Sweepstakes tab to enter. Sweepstakes ends August 31, 2012.