A little over two weeks is all that's left until the Tundra tows Endeavour! Get an astronaut's perspective of what it's like to blast off into space.

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Toyota will make more than 1 million hybrids this year

"Meet the new boss. Same as the old boss."

The Who lyric seems apropos, given the news that Toyota may double its hybrid-vehicle production this year and will maintain that sales level for the next three years as it expands both the number of hybrid models it offers and sales efforts to markets throughout Asia.

The world's largest hybrid-vehicle maker will "well surpass 1 million units" sold in 2012 and will exceed that 1-million-hybrid annual sales level for 2013 through 2015, Toyota said in a statement Monday. Toyota also plans to debut no fewer than 21 new hybrid models during the next three years.

Toyota's 2001 hybrid sales were hampered by an earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan in March 2011. It has doubled U.S. sales this year compared to last year. Through August, the company sold more than 221,000 hybrids in the U.S., including more than 199,000 Prius hybrids. Domestic sales have been helped by Toyota's expansion of the Prius line to include compact (Prius C), wagon (Prius V) and plug-in hybrid variants. Toyota also sells hybrid versions of the Camry and Highlander.

 

Courtesy of green.autoblog.com

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Car Care Tip: Use a toothbrush to clean hard to reach crevices

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Get a paint brush and a toothbrush. These are the two best tools for accessing hard-to-reach cracks, crevices and corners. The paint brush is great for reaching into deep locations. Vacuum with one hand as you brush those hard-to-reach locations, and you'll quickly clean up tricky spots. Leave both brushes in your glove compartment, so you'll have them when you stop by your local car wash and vacuum emporium.

 

Courtesy of cartalk.com

We could tell you all day how great the Camry is, but it's better to hear it from Camry owners!

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In need of a rental car? We're your destination!

Why should I choose Toyota Rent a Car of Houston instead of another rental company?
Our name gives the best reason of all... we rent only Toyota vehicles and at competitive prices. As a brand that represents quality, know that your rental vehicle will have those same characteristics that you look for when you buy. Don't settle just because it is a rental.

Visit our website for more details. 

Toyota confirms that the Auris will not be a replacement for the Matrix

A replacement for the Toyota Matrix is indeed long overdue, but according to Automotive News, a successor to the Japanese automaker's tall hatchback won't be found in the new 2013 Auris hatchback.

Hiroya Fujita, chief engineer of the Matrix and the Japanese-spec Corolla, says that Toyota has no plans to offer the Auris in the United States, citing that demand for hatchbacks in the U.S. is still too weak. (Or is it?) Automotive News reports that Fujita declined to comment on a replacement for the Matrix, which still rides on the old MC platform that has underpinned the last three generations of Corolla models.

A brand new Corolla is in the pipeline for the U.S., but with no certain future for the Matrix in sight, AN suggests that Toyota's larger five-door may simply die.

 

Courtesy of autoblog.com

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Check out the Tundra as it prepares to tow the Space Shuttle Endeavour

Toyota Tundra to Tow Space Shuttle Endeavour on Last Leg of Journey to the California Science Center

Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. (TMS) announced today that the Toyota Tundra full-size pickup truck is slated to tow the space shuttle Endeavour during its final journey to the California Science Center on October 13, 2012, where it will go on permanent display. The Endeavour will travel a total of 12 miles from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on city streets to the Science Center, with the Tundra towing the last quarter mile.

Tested extensively prior to the announcement, the 2012 Tundra is slated to safely tow the 300,000 pound historic artifact down Bill Robertson Lane in Exposition Park, near downtown Los Angeles, on the final leg of its journey. Endeavour will be towed using a stock 2012 Tundra CrewMax 1/2–ton pickup, identical to models currently found in Toyota dealerships, with no additional modifications made to increase towing capacity or generate more power. The Tundra CrewMax is equipped with Toyota’s powerful 5.7L V8 engine, producing a maximum tow capacity of 10,000 lbs. TMS has done extensive testing and worked with The Sarens Group, a heavy lifting and engineered transport company, to develop a dolly specifically for hauling the Endeavour.

“There is no larger or more recognizable icon of the U.S. space program’s success than the shuttle, and to have it towed by the Toyota Tundra is not only an incredible example of the capabilities of the truck, but an honor to be part of history,” said Ed Laukes, TMS vice president of marketing communications. “The entire journey is something the world will be watching, and gives us a chance to prove that the ‘overbuilt’ Tundra is built to do any job – even tow the space shuttle.”

Participation in the transportation of the shuttle is part of an ongoing partnership between TMS and the Science Center in an effort to provide support and awareness of the space program and continuing education of the public through exhibits and programs. Toyota currently has a Tundra truck on display in a Science Center exhibit demonstrating the physics of leverage. The tow Tundra will replace the existing Tundra and will be on display after the Endeavour exhibit opens on October 30, 2012.

At the end of the Endeavour’s 12 mile journey from LAX to the Science Center, a “finish-line” celebration at Exposition Park is planned for the evening of October 13, as the shuttle arrives at the Science Center, allowing the public to witness the finale of this historic voyage.

 

Courtesy of pressroom.toyota.com

On this 11th anniversary, we honor those who lost their lives in that senseless tragedy.

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Coach T recruits for Toyota Corolla and Camry: "Driver's Ed"

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Toyota seriously considering sporty Avalon

Like its Cressida ancestor, Toyota's Avalon has long focused on easy living comfort and value over sex appeal. Conservative sheetmetal, a cushy ride, space to spread out and general ease-of-use have historically made the brand's largest sedan popular among the elderly. But the new 2013 Avalon brings with it markedly more expressive styling that suggests Toyota is no longer content to cater to the end-of-life demographic. This shift away from a more traditional value set to edgier design and content is one the entire large non-premium sedan segment seems to be embracing – witness the newly upscale 2014 Chevrolet Impala, as well as the sculpted flanks of the 2012 Hyundai Azera and Ford Taurus.

The 2013 model's noticeably svelter sheetmetal, with its bolder front end and flowing greenhouse announce Toyota's intent, but it's features like a Sport mode and paddle shifters that really telegraph the Avalon's newfound vigor and more aspirational mission. And Toyota officials tell Autoblog that the already-shown V6 and hybrid models are just the beginning – a stand-alone sport model is also under serious consideration.

According to Randy Stephens, the model's chief engineer, a trio of Avalon concepts is headed to SEMA this October, with two of them having been completed internally – unusual for Toyota. The pair of concepts conceived in-house will have a performance bent, with at least one featuring an off-the-shelf supercharger from the company's TRD parts bin in Australia (the same forced-induction setup used in the Lotus Evora S). The house-built Avalons are said to not be as outrageously styled as most SEMA vehicles tend to be, in large measure because Toyota plans to weigh public opinion with an eye toward a production run.

When asked if a sportier production Avalon model would be similar to the current Camry model's SE trim, Stephens quickly and decisively said, "No. It has to be more real." By "more real," Stephens means that a hotter Avalon would have to actually offer augmented performance. A production supercharged model? Highly unlikely. A performance tune of the Avalon's 2GR-FE 3.5-liter V6 (268 horsepower, 248 pound-feet of torque) is more plausible, along with a reworked suspension and appropriate visuals. With the 2013 model's switch to electric power steering, it would also be easy to remap the wheel's turn-in and weight.

The Georgetown, Kentucky-built Avalon hits dealers this fall in both standard and hybrid flavors. If given the green light, a performance will probably take another couple of years.

 

Courtesy of autoblog.com