Toyota is Adding Some Fun to Your Sidewalk Commute

Toyota isn't just innovating your trips on the road. The automaker just announced that they're beginning testing on their Segway-like Winglet in Japan.

The Winglet is a two-wheeled vehicle that works similar to the popular Segway and is said to go six miles between charges.

To learn more about this new Toyota vehicle, head over to Autoblog. If four wheels are more your speed, take a look at the new Toyota models on our Toyota dealership website.

Your Favorite Organization Could Win a New Toyota!

Whether it's through volunteering at your local hospital or donating to your favorite charity, helping others in need is an excellent way to support your local community. There are many ways to become more philanthropic in your town, and Toyota is here to help.

In an effort to promote the importance of philanthropy, Toyota is beginning its third year of the 100 Cars for Good program. This philanthropic program invites the public to select 100 worthy organizations nationwide that will receive a Toyota vehicle.

If you know of a worthy organization, please encourage them to apply for this amazing program. Up to 2,500 applications will be accepted between 7/22/13 to 8/5/13, so apply as soon as possible.

To apply and learn more about 100 Cars for Good, visit www.100carsforgood.com.

SpongeBob SquarePants + 2014 Highlander = An Awesome Custom Toyota

Everyone loves SpongeBob SquarePants. Both children and adults alike spend countless hours huddled in front of the TV watching the adorable cartoon character. 

While he may live in a pineapple under the sea, SpongeBob can now also be found on your favorite Toyota SUV.

Nickelodeon and Toyota are making this the best summer ever for SpongeBob fans with the creation of the first SpongeBob SquarePants-inspired vehicle. 

To learn more about this custom 2014 Toyota Highlander, visit the Toyota Pressroom.

Worldwide Prius Sales Top 3-Million Mark

Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) announces that as of the end of June, worldwide cumulative sales of the iconic Prius gasoline-electric hybrid vehicle passed the 3-million mark.

In 1997, TMC launched the Prius, which was the world’s first mass-produced hybrid passenger car. The second generation followed in 2003, and the third generation in 2009. From the first to third generation, TMC greatly reduced the cost of the hybrid system by two-thirds while improving the EPA-estimated ratings for combined driving by nearly 22 percent. In addition, TMC applied for 1,261 patents relating to the third-generation Prius, achieving progress worthy of the Prius name (derived from a Latin word meaning “to go before”).

Since the development of the first-generation Prius, TMC has positioned hybrid technology as a core technology required for the development of various types of environment-friendly vehicles and has placed emphasis on the development and production of core components such as motors, inverters, batteries and electronic control units (ECUs), giving rise to substantial investment in Japan.

TMC will continue to conduct R&D and invest in facilities in Japan for the development of hybrid and other cutting-edge technologies and achieve sustainable growth by deploying these Japan-developed technologies across the globe.

In the fiscal year ending March 2014, TMC expects to spend a consolidated 890 billion yen (790 billion yen unconsolidated) on environmental technology development, as well as on strengthening new platform and major component development.

In the same period, TMC also plans to make consolidated capital expenditure investments of 910 billion yen (up seven percent year-on-year), with 440 billion yen invested in Japan (up nine percent year-on-year).

Investments in R&D infrastructure include a new R&D facility (651 hectares) and the Powertrain Development and Production Engineering Building (a 12-story structure with a total floor area of 100,000 m²) in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture, that will serve as a next-generation powertrain development base, as well as the Aerodynamics Laboratory (capable of producing winds of 250 km/h) located in the Honsha Technical Center.

Future capital investments by consolidated subsidiaries include an investment by Primearth EV Energy Co., Ltd. (PEVE) for expanding battery production capacity at its Omori Plant in Kosai City, Shizuoka Prefecture.

Courtesy of Toyota Pressroom 

Toyota reveals new customizable Camatte57s kid-friendly concepts

Toyota plans to follow up last year's kid-friendly Camatte concept with two new versions: the Camatte57s and Camatte57s Sport. Like the original Camatte, the two new concepts will make their debut at the International Tokyo Toy Show.

Not much has changed with these two new Camatte models. Like their predecessor, they both feature detachable body panels (the count is up to 57), a 1+2 seating array and reconfigurable pedals that allow children to operate the gas and brakes while Mom or Dad steers. What is new is an open-top roadster design that even eschews doors in favor of easier ingress/egress. They look like something a tourist would rent to get around a Hawaiian island, though we dig the distinct personalities of each model's design.

Both cars are all-electric, though Toyota hasn't provided any other specifications, like what makes the Sport model sporty besides its more aggressive body panels and silver, black and red color scheme. That's just as well, as neither concept, like the original Camatte before them, is street legal.

And in case you're wondering from where Toyota conjured these concepts' odd name, "Camatte" is the Japanese for word for "care." According to the automaker, it's intended to signify both caring for others and caring for cars, while the lone 's' at the end of each name stands for "touch," and the number corresponds to the number of body panels.

Courtesy of Autoblog.com

Shuttle-hauling Tundra finds permanent home in science exhibit

The idea of lifting a full-size pickup truck completely off the ground by hand might seem as likely as, say, said pickup truck towing a 150,000-pound space shuttle, but... hurray, physics! The same Toyota Tundra that towed the Space Shuttle Endeavour to its final resting place at the California Science Center is now on permanent display there as an exhibit that shows how a lever works.

Like all levers, this exhibit uses a fulcrum allowing people other than Superman to lift the 5,625-pound pickup (plus an extra 1,000 pounds for the rig). That's almost as impressive as the Tundra pulling 17 times its rated towing capacity back in October. Regardless, Toyota is once again cashing in on the publicity stunt and visitors to the science center get a live demonstration of a simple machine – we call that a win-win.

Courtesy of Autoblog.com

Here’s your Car Care Tip of the Week: Empty Your Pockets fans!

The average guy spends 67 minutes each day behind the wheel. A thick wallet in your back pocket raises one hip above the other, twisting your spine and straining your lower back. Plus it can put pressure on your sciatic nerve, a common source of lower-back pain.