Toyota Technical Center is Right Here in Michigan!

For more than 35 years, Toyota Technical Center (TTC) has been the driving force behind Toyota's North American Engineering and Research and Development activities, overseeing the design and development of vehicles. TTC is a division of Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. Headquartered in Michigan, TTC has R&D facilities in Ann Arbor, Saline, Plymouth and Livonia. In addition, TTC has R&D facilities in California and operates the Toyota Arizona Proving Ground near Phoenix.

TTC employs over 1,100 team members and is engaged in engineering design, vehicle evaluation and engineering, materials engineering, prototype building, powertrain tuning and design, safety/crashworthiness, regulatory affairs and advanced research. TTC has development responsibilities for the Avalon, Camry, Sienna, Tacoma, Tundra, Venza and RAV4 EV.

Throughout our North American facilities TTC is committed to utilizing teamwork to bring all facets of the TTC operation together. TTC is widely regarded as Toyota's leading technical center outside Japan.

http://www.toyota.com/about/our_business/research_and_development/

Exterior Cleaning Tips for Your Car!

EXTERIOR CLEANING TIPS

• Routinely wash and polish the exterior with a high-quality car wash soap. (Never use dish detergent to wash your car; it can strip off wax and damage the finish.)
• Wash your car in the shade. This keeps your car cool while you work, reducing water spots.
• Rinse first and wash from the top down.
• Use a clean terry cloth towel for washing and drying.
• Washing your car is not the same as cleaning the paint. Cleaning and polishing the paint removes oxidation, smoothes the surface, and restores shine.

http://www.toyota.com/owners/web/pages/resources/maintenance/car-care-tips

Toyota Prius plug-in sells 1,654 copies in April, beating Chevy Volt, Nissan Leaf

The Toyota Prius, the most popular hybrid in the world, was also the most popular plug-in vehicle in U.S. last month.


Compared to sales of the Chevrolet Volt and the Nissan Leaf, which sold 1,462 and 370 units, respectively, the $32,000 Prius Plug-in quietly sold 1,654 copies in April, reports PluginCars. With such strong name recognition and pent-up demand for a Prius with a cord, this shouldn't really have been a surprise. But it still kind of is.


Toyota sold more Prius models in the U.S. last month than ever before in April (March 2012 was the Prius' best month ever), even though the number of selling days was short. The four members of the "Prius family" sold a combined 25,168 units, an increase of 126.9 percent compared to April 2011 (which was right after the Japanese tsunami). Overall, Toyota and Lexus sold 32,593 hybrids last month, 30,126 of them wearing the Toyota badge, 2,467 of them the upper-class Lexus models.


Last year, Toyota said it expects to sell 16,000-17,000 Prius Plug-in models in 2012. Since Toyota doesn't break out model numbers, we're not sure what the total is for the year thus far, but 1,654 plug-ins a month is enough for the company hit that target. Scroll down below for Toyota's official sales results.


http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/03/toyota-prius-plug-in-sells-1-654-copies-in-april-beating-chevy/ 


By Sebastian Blanco

Looking for reviews on the Chrysler 200?

Contemplating a new Chrysler 200? Here are some consumer reviews from Edmunds.com.

http://www.edmunds.com/chrysler/200/2012/consumer-reviews.html

Check out our state of the art Service Department!

Northern MI we are here to serve you! When you drive into our climate controlled service write up area our friendly service professionals will greet you and assist with all your service needs. Your routine maintenance will now be done in our all new quick service area which decreases wait time and you're on the road sooner. For your more specific needs like check engine lights, unfamiliar noises and sounds, brake service and engine performance, let our factory-trained expert technicians help!

Grand Opening a Huge Success!

On March 22, 2012 we had our official grand opening. The evening entailed a short presentation along with a ribbon cutting ceremony. Many representatives from Toyota and Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram were present along with our loyal customers and community members. Mulligans of Cheboygan catered the food and desserts. The evening was a huge success and we greatly appreciate everyone's support. We value our customers and their loyalty; we couldn't do this without them. Thanks to all those who joined us on this special evening! In case you missed it, head to our youtube channel for the presentation of the samurai sword to Dave Fernelius from Toyota. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hul2iD4a2zw&context=C400e3b3ADvjVQa1PpcFMpnY3BmWSULsfYrB8Tl5rDJLEmF022IPE=

PriusC makes its debut!

Toyota says smallest Prius sales outpace Volt, Leaf

By Chris Woodyard, USA TODAY

Updated 3d 12h ago

2012 Prius c averages a combined 50 mpg.

CAPTION

PR Newswire

Toyota says its newest, cheapest hybrid, the subcompact Prius c five-door hatchback is selling well in its first few days in showrooms.
Of course, it doesn't hurt that the car, priced under $19,000 and averaging 50 miles a gallon, arrives in the middle of a gas-price run-up. In case you didn't squint, that's Prius with a little c at the end -- the smallest member of what Toyota calls the Prius "family."

Toyota says: "In its first three days on the market, it sold 1,201 units, making it one Toyota's fastest-selling vehicles and eclipsing Chevrolet Volt and Nissan Leaf sales for the entire month of February."

That's kind of an odd comparison, considering Volt and Leaf are plug-ins costing far more. Volt, for instance, costs twice as much as a Prius c. Prius c is a conventional hybrid just like the regular Prius -- a gas engine charges the battery. You can't plug it in in your own garage to use less gas.

"A number of factors drive the auto market, and fuel prices is one of them," said Bob Carter, general manager of the Toyota Division. "With 53 miles per gallon in the city ... the timing for Prius c couldn't be better."

During the first half of March, the four Prius variants -- c subcompact, v wagon, the plug-in hybrid and the plain, ol' original Prius -- accounted for sales of 9,821. Last month Prius sales totaled 20,593.

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2012/03/toyota-says-smallest-prius-sales-outpace-volt-leaf/1