A day in the life: Tundra

Interested to see a day in the life of a Toyota Tundra? Check it out here:

http://yokemtoyota.com/Tundra-Made-In-The-USA/

First pay rise for Toyota in 5 years

Japan’s weak yen has translated into record-profits for Toyota, the country's biggest company. Now employees will reap the benefits, and get a pay raise for the first time since 2008.

Toyota, along with Honda and Toshiba, will pass on the profits to workers with a salary bump, as of April 1, company heads told unions on Wednesday. The company estimates workers will get an average 2.9 percent raise.

A Toyota Motor Worker’s Union member will earn on average an extra $26 (2,700 yen) per month in base pay, Bloomberg reported, citing Senior Managing Officer Naoki Miyazaki, who spoke with reporters today.

The Toyota union represents over 50,000 employees, and they will also receive higher average bonuses.
High profits are driven by ‘Abenomics’, the Japanese premier’s set of measures to stoke the economy and spur growth after decades of decline, with a commitment to keep the yen weak.

Japan-based exporters like Toyota, Honda, and Panasonic have benefited greatly from profits spurred by the country's weak currency. Many have left prices abroad unchanged and seen sales climb due to advantageous foreign exchange rates.

Favorable market conditions for Japanese exports has translated into record profits, especially for companies like Toyota, which by the end of March is forecasting a 1.9 trillion yen profit, Bloomberg reported.

The Toyota Camry, one of the best selling cars in America, is priced at $22,500. The Corolla, also a top-10 best seller, goes for $16,500. Offering free bells and whistles- like air conditioning and other add-ons usually cost extra.

Scion FR-S Locks Down 'Cool' with KBB.com

Coolness has a name: the Scion FR-S. For the second year in a row, editors at Kelley Blue Book www.kbb.com named the Scion FR-S to the top of their “10 Coolest New Cars Under $25,000 of 2014.”  The annual consumer resource list highlights affordable vehicles for drivers of all lifestyles, each that bring a subjective “cool factor.”

Kelley Blue Book praised the 2014 FR-S for its rear-wheel drive, lightweight design that allows the driver to feel fully in tune with the car. Even when compared to higher priced vehicles, editors called the FR-S a driver’s car with the style and modern updates to excite those behind the wheel.

“Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com again captures the full experience and affordability of the Scion FR-S with a top spot on its 10 Coolest New Cars Under $25,000 list,” said Scion Vice President Doug Murtha. “Drivers and industry experts continue to tell us the FR-S brings together the style, handling and elusive fun factor that’s needed in this segment and on the roads. We’re happy to deliver.”

The 2014 Scion FR-S is priced at $24,700 MSRP with a six-speed manual transmission or $25,800 MSRP with a six-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters and Dynamic Rev Management® technology. It comes standard with the Scion Display Audio System featuring a 6.1-inch LCD touchscreen, AM/FM/CD/HD Radio™ technology, hands-free phone capability, music streaming via Bluetooth® wireless technology and AUX/USB port with iPod® connectivity.

For more on the 2014 winners, visit www.kbb.com/car-reviews-and-news/top-10/coolest-cars-under-25000-2014.

All prices listed above exclude the delivery, processing and handling (DPH) fee of $755.

Toyota Thanks Its 4 Millionth Certified Pre-Owned Customer. Toyota has become the first brand to sell 4 million certified pre-owned vehicles in automotive history.

The record-breaking sale was part of a banner year for Toyota, which sold more than 370,000 certified pre-owned vehicles in 2013.
 
To commemorate the milestone, Bill Fay, group vice president and general manager of Toyota Division at Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., presented Ortiz with a check equal to the total cost of his Matrix. The ceremony took place at Dunning Toyota in Ann Arbor, Mich., the dealership where he bought his vehicle. 
 
Toyota also marked occasion with a check presentation of the same amount to Alpha House Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN), a local non-profit that Dunning Toyota has sponsored for many years.
 
Located in Washtenaw County, IHN is an emergency shelter for children and their families experiencing homelessness. Through IHN’s ongoing support and advocacy, families remain securely housed, better able to cope with ongoing challenges and more connected to community resources.
 
“Driven by great teamwork, Toyota’s certified used vehicle program has been a tremendous success not only in terms of units sold, but also in building customer loyalty,” said Fay.  “Toyota was the first manufacturer to have a certified used vehicle program and there is no better way to celebrate this milestone than to buy a Toyota certified for our 4 millionth customer.  On behalf of Toyota, I’d like to thank Jose Ortiz for being part of the Toyota family.”

New 2015 Toyota TRDpro Series

Toyota has created an all-new extreme 4x4 trim called the TRD Pro Series. It will make select models of the Tundra, Tacoma and 4Runner even more capable terrain-conquering, high-speed desert-running medalists.

The new trim package will replace both the Rock Warrior and Baja T/X off-road packages but will incorporate aspects of each. The package will include front and rear remote-reservoir Bilstein shocks, new TRD-tuned front coil springs (softened for better high-speed "squish"), a unique front grille with the FJ-style "Toyota" badging, blacked-out wheels and several interior badges.

Each of the two truck models will have unique designs, but they will both offer extra skid plating, a TRD dual exhaust, a 2-inch front suspension lift for a taller stance and more rear-wheel axle travel due to the new shocks and tire package. The Tundra will exclusively have 18-inch TRD wheels, Michelin off-road tires, thicker skid plating and unique seats with accent stitching.

We love what Toyota has done with these classics, making them very appealing to the occasional off road driver or the weekend warrior. To keep up with the TRDpro series and when they will be hitting our lot, check out our Facebook page: facebook.com/yokemtoyota

Toyota Wins 2014 KBB.com Best Resale Value Award!

Led by the remarkably resilient Toyota FJ Cruiser, every vehicle on this year's Top 10 list of Best Resale Value Award winners is projected to retain at least half its original value after five years of typical ownership.

The list includes:

1. Toyota FJ Cruiser
2. Toyota Tacoma
3. Jeep Wrangler
4. Toyota 4Runner
5. Chevrolet Corvette
6. Toyota Tundra
7. Chevrolet Camaro
8. Honda CR-V
9. Chevrolet Silverado 1500
10. Dodge Challenger

Toyota BMW Sportscar Confirmed

It is finally official. BMW and Toyota confirmed that the two companies are working together to develop a future sportscar. Not just one car, but rather two. “We have agreed on a joint architecture for a sports car. What is important is that there will be two different vehicles that are authentic to the two brands,” BMW Development Chief Herbert Diess told Germany’s Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung.