Gas prices in the U.S. currently loom just below $4 per gallon, with some regions seeing the line being crossed. As summer draws closer, predictions for gas prices well over the $4 mark are cropping up from every economist and analyst in the country. Are you housing a gas guzzler in your garage? Maybe even two?

The gas prices alone are enough to scare anyone away from driving, but the cost of owning a car certainly doesn’t end there. Factor in preventative maintenance, repairs, car insurance rates in Ontario, and car payments, and you’re looking at over $10,000 a year just to own one vehicle. With many homes owning more than one vehicle, the costs of transporting your family to work and school are astronomical!

Many people fail to truly add up the costs of owning a vehicle when deciding if it is affordable, and end up with a financial headache when they realize that the total costs are not really within their budget. That means being in a tough situation, deciding what to do with a car that needs expensive repairs or is costing too much to fuel.

So, what to do about the expenses of driving a car? The first step is cutting down to one vehicle. Families often think that the expense is worth the convenience of having multiple vehicles, but when you consider the $10,000 per year per vehicle figure, it really isn’t. Make a chart of who needs to be where and when, and figure out the transportation from there. Can some family members carpool? Is public transportation ever an option? Research options to keep vehicle use efficient.

Another solution to the problem of a cash-hungry car is signing up for a car sharing program. Car sharing programs are just as they sound – you pay a fee to have access to a car, usually by hour. Whether a car sharing program can help you save money depends on how often you’d use the car. If you need it for a daily commute, five days per week, it’s likely to not be worth it.

Despite the rising cost of owning a car, most families continue to own two or more cars. When will the trend end? People are likely to continue nixing the second, third, or fourth cars in their garages as insurance and gas prices continue to rise. Keeping up with one’s neighbors will seem less beneficial as the already steep price of owning a car makes a sharp increase. Instead of bragging about the new car in the garage, maybe it’s time to start bragging about the $10,000 saved this year from only having one car.

Searching online to compare quotes for the best rates for vehicle insurance is a very effective method to save time and money. If you surf the web for Kanetix Auto Insurance Rates Alberta, you will be able to find affordable rates of insurance for your vehicle.

Toyota Production Update: North America

ERLANGER, Ky. (April 19, 2011) – Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. (TEMA) plans to adjust production in May due to parts availability following the March 11 Japan earthquake and tsunami.

Previously, TEMA had announced production suspensions on Mondays and Fridays during the period April 15 through April 25. TEMA will continue the Monday and Friday production suspension pattern during the period April 26-June 3. During the same period, production will run at 50 percent on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Additionally, Canadian production will be suspended the week of May 23 (in conjunction with the scheduled Victoria Day holiday) and U.S. production will be suspended the week of May 30 (in conjunction with the scheduled Memorial Day holiday).

No layoffs are planned during this period. Team members will utilize non-production time for training and plant improvement activities.

“We are trying to continue production as much as possible and keep our workforce intact in order to facilitate a smooth transition back to full production when all parts are available,” said Steve St. Angelo, executive vice president of TEMA.

Production plans beyond June 3 will be determined at a later date.

[source: Toyota Newsroom]

Toyota Prius Hits 1 Million Sold In US

TORRANCE, Calif., April 5, 2011 – Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., today announced the one-millionth sale of the Toyota Prius, the world’s first mass-produced hybrid gas-electric vehicle, in the United States. It is the third milestone for Toyota’s hybrid lineup in the last six months that started with the announcement of worldwide Toyota Prius sales topping two million in October 2010 and overall global Toyota hybrid sales passing three million last month.

“Since the Prius went on sale eleven years ago not a year has gone by when it hasn’t been the number one selling hybrid vehicle in the U.S,” said Bob Carter, Toyota Division group vice president and general manager. “Prius has become synonymous with the word hybrid and as we see fuel prices starting to rise again, it has accounted for more than 60 percent of hybrid passenger car sales so far this year. Prius paved the way for hybrids and while it is still the hybrid leader in sales and fuel economy, I’m proud to say that since its introduction, 13 other auto brands have seen the benefits of hybrid technology and joined the hybrid market.”

The third-generation Prius topped the EPA’s list of the Most Fuel Efficient Vehicles for 2011. It has been named the Best Overall Value of the Year for the last nine years in a row by IntelliChoice, and has the highest owner loyalty of any mid-size vehicle for four of the last five years according to R.L. Polk. More than 97 percent of all Toyota Prii sold since 2000 are still on the road.

Since it was introduced in the U.S. in 2000, Prius, when compared to the average car, has saved American consumers more than an estimated 881 million gallons of gas, $2.19 billion in fuel costs, and 12.4 million tons of CO2 emissions.

In January 2011 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Toyota debuted the Prius v, the first vehicle to be debuted as part of the Prius family marketing strategy. Prius v, which goes on sale in third quarter of 2011, is a mid-size vehicle that provides more than 50 percent additional interior cargo space than the current Prius. In early 2012 Prius will launch two more Prius family members – the Prius c compact hybrid vehicle and the Prius Plug-in Hybrid vehicle.

The situation in Japan has led to concerns about vehicle availability and the future of companies who are based in Japan.

The disaster has had a profound impact on a vast number of resources and materials that are used to make the products that are used in the production of Toyota vehicles.

As a Toyota dealer in the US, we are confident that our customers will not notice a difference in coming to their next service appointment or to find a new car.

Since 70% of Toyota’s sold in the US are made in the US, we are not expecting a lack of inventory. Toyota has also resumed production of the Prius in Japan so that is a good indication that customers won’t be disappointed.

Our thoughts and prayers are with those overseas who are fighting to protect their homes, their families and their future.

We are always interested in speaking about ways to serve our customers better so please feel free to contact us and let us know if you need anything.  Please take a few minutes to look around our blog, and by all means leave a comment if you’d like to see a specific topic on here like the history of the 22R engine.

Car Seat - Image from LittleDebbie11 on Flickr**

The American Academy of Pediatrics made some changes to their policy on child car seat positioning.

The New Policy Statement released yesterday specifically addressed the age in which children should remain in a rear facing car seat.

Prior to this change, it was suggested that parents only switch to forward facing at a minimum of 1 yr old and/or 20 lbs.*

Other sources:
*http://www.parenting.com/article/car-seats-safety?cid=enews032111

Car Seat 101:
http://www.britaxusa.com/learning-center/car-seats-101

Get Local Help with Your Car Seat
http://cert.safekids.org/

**Image credit – Flickr

Toyota has always been known for dependability, from the legendary 22R engines that never die to the rugged Toyota 4×4 offroad fearlessness to go where other 4wd’s simply can’t.

Toyota Motor Corporation continues to perform well in long-term dependability and garners seven segment awards—more than any other automaker in 2011—for the Lexus RX, Scion xB, Toyota 4Runner, Toyota Prius, Toyota Sienna, Toyota Tacoma and Toyota Tundra.

[source: JD Power]

Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. Comments on J.D. Power and Associates 2011 Vehicle Dependability Study

TORRANCE, Calif., March 17, 2011

J.D. Power and Associates today announced the results from their 2011 Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS), covering 2008 model year vehicles. The following comments on the VDS can be attributed to Jim Lentz, president of Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc.

“Vehicle owners have spoken in the J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study and once again Toyota is the full-line manufacturer with the most awards. TMS continues to be a mark of consistency in this all-important study as Lexus has now scored among the top three nameplates in every year of eligibility and Toyota has been in the top five among non-luxury manufacturers since 1990.

“Of the numerous independent studies conducted each year, the J.D. Power VDS is one Toyota feels is among the most important as it reflects real-world, long-term vehicle quality and dependability. More than ever, consumers are considering durability as a key component in their vehicle purchase decision and these awards are one more key indicator that Toyota continues to take the lead.”

Highlights from J.D. Power and Associates’ VDS include:

• Toyota and Lexus received seven highest ranking awards – more than any other brand.
• The Tundra full-size pickup topped its segment for the sixth year in a row, while the Prius mid-size gas-electric hybrid sedan, 4Runner midsize Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV), Sienna midsize van, and Tacoma pickup truck each topped their respective segments.
• The Lexus RX luxury sport utility vehicle (Total) ranked highest in its segment; midsize premium crossover/SUV.
• Ten other Toyota, Scion and Lexus models ranked in the top three of their segment including Toyota Yaris sub-compact (Total), Toyota Matrix cross-over utility vehicle (CUV), Toyota RAV4 compact SUV, Toyota Solara midsize coupe, Toyota Sequoia full-size SUV, Scion tC sports coupe, Lexus GS luxury sport (Total), LS luxury sedan (Total), GX 470 luxury utility vehicle, and Lexus ES 350 entry luxury sedan.

TMS Segment Award Recipients

Other examples of Toyota’s commitment to excellence, quality products and customer satisfaction include:
Seventeen Toyota, Scion and Lexus vehicles were named “most reliable” of which 12 made the “recommended” list, more in both categories than any other automaker, by a leading national consumer publication.

Lexus owner loyalty remains the highest among luxury brands, according to internal studies.

Eight Toyota, Scion and Lexus vehicles (Avalon, Corolla, Venza, Highlander, Sienna, RX, tC, & xB) received the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) 2011 Top Safety Pick Award.

Download The Entire Report – Features Charts and Data
http://youngertoyotablog.com/files/2011/03/JD-power-dependability-study-2011-1.pdf

Toyota is still committed to providing much needed relief efforts after the tragic earthquake and subsequent events that started March 11, 2011. In addition, the company reassures that vehicle availability and current ownership needs are being met.

Toyota makes 70% of the Lexus and Toyota models sold in the US, right here in the US. The March 11th earthquake in Japan has led to an interruption in parts manufacturing and new vehicle production, but as of 3/17/2011 the parts production will resume.

The decision to resume parts production will help ensure that current Toyota owners have their needs met with regards to service / parts to maintain their vehicles.

You can find more press releases on the Toyota website.

Updated Toyota Statement Regarding Earthquake and Tsunami in Japan

NEW YORK, NY (March 16, 2011; Posted at 3:15 PM EDT) Regarding Toyota’s North American operations, so far the impact is limited. All 13 North American vehicle and engine plants are running normally, although overtime has been curtailed for now to assure we maintain adequate inventories of parts that come from Japan. In addition, since most parts and materials for Toyota’s North American-built vehicles are provided by suppliers in North America, this helps insulate Toyota’s North American plants from production interruptions in Japan.

Regarding dealerships in the US, inventories are good with adequate levels of supply. Toyota now makes 12 different models in North America, including high-volume vehicles such as Camry, Corolla, RAV4, and Lexus RX 350, and nearly 70 percent of all Toyota and Lexus vehicles sold in the U.S. are made in North America. Prius vehicles are built in Japan, and thus impacted more by the production halt there. But for now inventory levels of the Prius at U.S. dealerships are generally still adequate.

Regarding battery production in Japan, while future production plans are to be determined, only one of three hybrid battery plants in Japan sustained limited damage from the earthquake. The other two plants are located in central Japan and were not affected. The company is making every effort to minimize any long-term impact on Prius availability.

Meanwhile, Toyota employees in the U.S. are very interested in contributing to relief efforts in Japan. To make their support go further, Toyota Affiliates in the U.S. will match their personal relief donations to the American Red Cross.

This is in addition to Toyota Motor Corporation in Japan donating 300 million yen (approximately $3.75 million) to support relief efforts.

We will continue to provide updates as new information becomes available.

Ask just about anyone who’s owned a Toyota pickup what they like most about them and you might hear things like “run forever”, “great for offroad”, and “holds their value.”

Toyota trucks have a stellar reputation, whether you’re talking about ones made today or 60 years ago, they still remain as solid as ever.

The first Toyota “Jeep”, or Land Cruiser if you will, was born in 1951 when the US Military ordered the first ones from Japan for use by American soldiers in the Korean War.

Toyota saw the opportunity to create a vehicle that would last far beyond the expectations of its overseas deployment and make an impression on those who sought out the indestructible land conquering machine.

The image worked and gave Toyota the opportunity to reach the consumer grade truck buying market in the US where it sold more Land Cruisers than any other model. Land Cruiser’s were built to sustain relentless offroad adventure, and buyers soon became infatuated with the immortal 4×4’s. The TLCA (Toyota Land Cruiser Association) exemplified the fact that a substantial number of owners weren’t alone in their love for the Toyota 4 Wheel Drive Vehicle.

It wasn’t uncommon to find Land Cruiser’s in the midst of a restoration, because for the most part Toyota’s run forever. You’d see them in garages, or parked off to the side for the occasional wrench session. Owners wouldn’t part with them, just a little elbow grease yielded the ultimate 4wd for offroading.

Whether you grew up at the time these rigs were commonly seen in the US, or you know someone who’s restored one and drives it to this day, the vintage Land Cruiser will always have a home.

Toyota Announces Two Voluntary Recalls and Amends Potential Floor Mat Interference Recall Announced in 2009

Toyota Announces the Plural of Prius