Happy New Year From Burien Toyota!

As we were looking for ideas of what to blog about, of course, we could not overlook the fact that the New Year is upon us. 2015 is here! 

And that made us think of this particular Toyota commercial titled "The Bucket List Trip." New Year's is a time to reflect on what we've done and what we want to do in the future...even our bucket list. So we want to ask: what is on your bucket list and which Toyota would help you achieve it?

As 2014 heads out the back door, and 2015 charges in the front door, we at Burien Toyota want to take this opportunity to thank our many customers who trusted us to find them the perfect new or used vehicle at the perfect price for them. We also want to thank the many drivers who use our experts to maintain their beloved vehicles in our maintenance department. 

You are a big part of our success and why we are able to update and expand our facility to better serve you! Toyota and Burien Toyota has some exciting things in store for 2015 and we can't wait to share them with you!

Happy New Year!

Windshield Wrapping: Toyota Makes Waste Reduction Opportunities Visible

Toyota takes waste management seriously. That’s why all materials—everything used to make our vehicles, not just what ends up in the final product—and processes are evaluated to improve chemical management and waste minimization.

Watch a short video about it HERE.

For instance, our manufacturing facilities changed the packing used to ship windshields, conserving energy, time and money. Reduced packaging = less weight and less waste.  
 
Used oil from stamping machines at Toyota's Indiana plant is now reused in blanking presses, which cut coils of steel into flat sheets. The steel is washed with cedardraw oil then cut into smaller flat sheets or “blanks.” These are stacked on a pallet, picked up by a forklift and delivered to the stamping machines for forming into vehicle components. The result: recycling will reduce the purchase of new oil about 80 percent or 7,000 gallons per year.
 
Toyota’s North American facilities reduced, reused, recycled or composted over 95 percent of non-regulated waste in 2013, and the U.S. Zero Waste Business Council has named 32 of Toyota’s North American facilities as “Zero Waste Businesses”

Looking for the Perfect Box for the Holidays?

It’s that time of year when everyone wants a present in a really cool box. Or, in the case of the 2015 Scion xB, the present IS a really cool box.

The iconic xB comes with many features that make it the ideal vehicle for the holidays. New for 2015 is a standard rear back-up camera to provide greater visibility when the car is in reverse. The 2015 xB is currently arriving at dealerships and has a Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $17,120 for the five-speed manual transmission or $18,070 for the four-speed automatic. The delivery, processing and handling (DPH) fee for all Scion models is $770 and is not included in the MSRP.

Hailed for its roomy interior that seats five people or loads of presents comfortably, the xB offers the versatility of a 60/40 split rear seat that folds flat. Other opportunities to store surprise gifts (in a far more functional way than a stocking) include side storage bins, a large center console with sliding armrest and a hidden compartment under the rear seats to store small items like magazines, laptops and music.

Better than reindeer, the xB is powered by a 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine that delivers 158 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, the 2015 xB is rated by the EPA an estimated 22 mpg city and 28 mpg highway with both the manual and automatic transmissions.

For a smooth ride, even on a foggy Christmas Eve, the 2015 xB sits on a MacPherson® strut front suspension with stabilizer bar and a torsion beam rear suspension. A set of 16-inch wheels comes standard, and customers have the choice between three standard wheel covers with 5, 6 or 7 spokes. Optional 16-inch and 17-inch alloy wheels also are available.

The three-spoke steering wheel tilts and telescopes to accommodate even jolly old men and has audio controls right at the fingertips. Gauges and deep orange multi-information display sit prominently centered on the metal-tone accented dash. Other standard features include remote keyless entry, power windows with driver side auto down and electric power steering.

The versatility of the xB expands further with the Standard Display Audio system featuring a 6.1 inch LCD touchscreen. Drivers can listen to their favorite holiday music, make calls and enjoy their own content through Bluetooth® hands-free and audio streaming connectivity, HD RadioTM, USB connectivity and steering-wheel audio controls.

If your job requires you to visit every child in the world on one night, additional on-the-go connectivity and on-board navigation is available with the optional BeSpoke Audio system. Push-to-talk voice navigation and geo-located points of interest add convenience to any drive. Aha™, available on iTunes® and Google Play®, provides access to 100,000 free audio stations, including Scion's own seven signature music channels. Drivers can also find local restaurants, coffee, hotels and weather updates through location–based services like Yelp and TripAdvisor, along with popular social media applications, sports, news and entertainment.

For 2015, the standard offered colors are Black Sand Pearl, Nautical Blue Metallic, Sizzling Crimson Mica, Army Rock Metallic, Absolutely Red (a popular color this time of year), Classic Silver Metallic and Super White.

Toyota Decks the Halls with IIHS 2015 'Top Safety Pick' Awards

Eight Toyota and Lexus Models Earn Institute’s Highest Top Safety Pick+
Four Toyota and Scion Vehicles Named Top Safety Picks

On the 12th day of Christmas, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave to Toyota, 12 awards awarding. In fact, the automaker won more awards than any other automaker, including the most of the Institute’s highest honor.

In all, eight Toyota and Lexus vehicles earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating. IIHS in particular recognized the Prius V for its significantly improved performance all-around in the small overlap crash test – naming it a Top Safety Pick+. The Toyota Sienna was also the only minivan awarded the 2015 Top Safety Pick + designation.  IIHS also recognized four additional Toyota and Scion vehicles as 2015 Top Safety Picks.

Toyota’s twelve awards overall were the most in the industry for 2015.

“At Toyota, our focus remains on the safety and peace of mind of our customers,” said Dino Triantafyllos, Toyota’s North American Chief Quality Officer. “We’re pleased the IIHS has recognized the strong and improved safety performance of our vehicles in a range of crash tests.”

2015 Toyota / Lexus Top Safety Pick+ winners are: Lexus CT (built after Sept. 2014), Toyota Prius, Toyota Camry, Toyota Prius v, Lexus RC, Toyota Highlander, Lexus NX and Toyota Sienna.

2015 Toyota / Scion Top Safety Pick Winners are:  Toyota/Scion:  Scion FR-S, Scion tC, Toyota Avalon and, Toyota RAV4 (built after Nov. 2014).

Toyotathon is On At Burien Toyota!

Tis the season to be jolly...and for super fantastic Toyota deals at Burien Toyota! Not only are people in the "buying" mood during the holiday season, it's also the end of the year, which means we need to move vehicles off the dealership lot to make room for newer models.

It's a win-win combination! And we know you have a lot of things to do this holiday season, so we'll keep the shopping and buying process hassle free.

What kind of holiday deals can you expect during Toyotathon?

• A 2015 Camry with 1.9% APR for 60 months AND get $500 cash back.
• A 2014.5 Camry with 0.0% APR for 60 months AND $500 cash back.
• Lease a 2015 RAV4 LE for $189 per month for 24 months.
• Buy a 2015 Prius Hybrid with 0.0% APR for 60 months AND $500 cash back.
• Buy a 2015 Toyota Sienna minivan with 0.9% APR for 60 months

And more! Check out all of our Toyotathon deals (nearly 60 of them!) here and be sure to stop by Burien Toyota for you chance to take advantage of these Toyotathond deals!

2015 Toyota Highlander Captures Kelley Blue Book Best Buy Award

The 2015 Toyota Highlander was named the top Mid-Size SUV/Crossover in the first ever Kelley Blue Book Best Buy Awards.  The awards recognize the top new vehicle choices available in the U.S. market.

In the words of KBB.com's panel of experts, "In a segment filled with excellent alternatives, Toyota’s well-crafted, well-styled and well-sorted Highlander simply does the best job of seamlessly mixing and matching the things that count most into a single, extremely engaging package we deem the standard bearer for its class."

The Kelley Blue Book Best Buy Awards are the culmination of a year-long regimen of expert vehicle evaluation and testing of nearly every new vehicle available in the U.S., along with analysis of a broad swath of vehicle-related data, including vehicle pricing/transaction prices, 5-Year Cost to Own data, consumer reviews and ratings, and vehicle sales/retail information. 

For more details, visit: http://www.kbb.com/car-news/all-the-latest/best-buy-awards-midsize-suv-crossover/.

The Future Has Arrived, and It's Called Mirai

President Akio Toyoda announces name of fuel cell sedan in web video
 
CEO Jim Lentz announces expansion of Toyota fuel cell infrastructure investment to five-state Northeastern corridor

Akio Toyoda has seen the future, and it’s called “Mirai.” That’s the name of Toyota’s new fuel cell vehicle, which the company’s president announced in a video released the night before the car’s official launch. 

Click here to see the video.

Mirai, which means “future” in Japanese, represents a turning point for the automotive industry. The groundbreaking vehicle can travel up to 300 miles on a single tank of hydrogen, refuel in less than five minutes and emits only water vapor.

Expanded Support for New Hydrogen Stations

Of course, the car of the future won’t become a reality without the hydrogen stations to support it. That’s why Toyota North America chief executive officer (CEO) Jim Lentz announced a new commitment to drive the development of a hydrogen refueling infrastructure in five northeastern U.S. states.

To support Mirai’s introduction to the region in 2016, Toyota is collaborating with Air Liquide to develop and supply a phased network of 12 state-of-the-art hydrogen stations targeted for New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. The states and locations have been strategically selected in the greater New York and Boston areas to provide the backbone of a hydrogen highway for the Northeast corridor. Specific details of the collaboration will be revealed in the coming months.

“Toyota’s vision of a hydrogen society is not just about building a great car, but ensuring accessible, reliable and convenient refueling for our customers,” said Jim Lentz. “I am happy to announce that this vision will expand beyond the borders of California and give customers the opportunity to join the fuel cell movement.”

This new announcement builds on Toyota’s previous support for hydrogen infrastructure development in California. In May 2014, Toyota announced a $7.3 million loan to FirstElement Fuels to support the operations and maintenance of 19 hydrogen fueling stations across the state. The commitment augments funding provided by the California Energy Commission, and makes Toyota the only OEM to provide working capital for infrastructure development.
 

TRANSCRIPT OF AKIO TOYODA’S ANNOUNCEMENT VIDEO

Today, we are at a turning point in automotive history.
 
A turning point where people will embrace a new, environmentally-friendly car that is a pleasure to drive.

A turning point where a four-door sedan can travel 300 miles on a single tank of hydrogen, can be refueled in under five minutes and emit only water vapor.

A turning point that represents many years and countless hours of work by our team to create a car that redefines the industry.

All of us at Toyota believe in a future that will be safer, greener and easier for everyone.

We imagined a world filled with vehicles that would diminish our dependence on oil and reduce harm to the environment.

It was a bold, but inspiring goal. And, today it is a reality.

Our fuel cell vehicle runs on hydrogen that can be made from virtually anything, even garbage! 

It has a fuel cell that creates enough electricity to power a house for about a week.

This is a car that lets you have it all with no compromises.

As a test driver, I knew this new fuel cell vehicle had to be truly fun to drive – and believe me, it is. It has a low center of gravity, which gives it very dynamic handling.

After surviving millions of miles on the test track and 10 years of testing on public roads in freezing cold and scorching heat…

After passing extensive crash tests…

And after working with local governments and researchers around the world to help make sure it is easy and convenient to refuel…

We are ready to deliver.

The name we’ve given to our new car is Mirai, which in Japanese means “future.”

We believe that behind the wheel of the Mirai, we can go places we have never been, to a world that is better, in a car that is better.
 
For us, this isn’t just another car. This is an opportunity – an opportunity to really make a difference. And making a difference is what Toyota is all about.

The future has arrived. And it’s called Mirai.

From Backing Biodiversity to Leading on LEED: Toyota Tackles Environmental Priorities

Who isn’t worried about water these days? Concerned about carbon? Count us in.

That’s why we've sold more than 2.4 million Toyota and Lexus hybrids in North America, which save approximately 500 million gallons of gasoline annually.

That’s why we will soon be manufacturing the Camry Hybrid and Avalon Hybrid using a green energy source: landfill gas.  

And that’s why we’ve conducted decades of research that will culminate in the launch of the hydrogen-powered Toyota Mirai fuel cell vehicle in 2015, a sedan that emits nothing but water vapor.

Toyota’s commitment to producing ever greener vehicles through more sustainable processes has never been more apparent. To see how we’re working toward these goals, check out our latest North American Environmental Report athttp://www.toyota.com/usa/environmentreport2014. The report focuses on five priority issues carbon, water, materials, biodiversity and outreach. Here are highlights from each:

Carbon

• Toyota's first-ever production fuel cell car uses hydrogen as fuel and emits only water vapor. The Toyota Mirai will be available for sale to customers in California in fall 2015.
• Beginning in 2015, Toyota's Georgetown assembly plant will generate green power from local landfill gas, enough for the production of 10,000 vehicles per year.
• We received our 10th consecutive ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year — Sustained Excellence Award from the U.S. EPA. Our 14 manufacturing plants have reduced energy use by almost 11 billion kilowatt hours in the last decade.

Water

• Toyota saved over 93 million gallons of water in North America during fiscal year 2014.
• Team members at Toyota's assembly plant in Cambridge, Ontario, found a way to capture, clean and recycle over 12 million gallons of water used to rinse vehicles during the painting process.
• Since opening in 2007, Toyota's Texas assembly plant has used about 1.9 billion gallons of recycled water instead of drawing fresh water from the Edwards Aquifer.

Materials

• Toyota's North American facilities reduced, reused, recycled or composted over 95 percent of non-regulated waste during calendar year 2013.
• Toyota has 32 North American facilities that meet the U.S. Zero Waste Business Council's definition of a "Zero Waste Business" — one with a 90 percent or greater diversion of all waste from landfill, incineration or the environment.

Biodiversity

• Since 2010, Toyota's Kentucky assembly plant has established 10 beehives onsite. Some 85,000 happy honeybees produced more than 100 pounds of honey in 2014, which was given away to visitors.
• Over 130,000 trees have been planted at Toyota's Indiana assembly plant over the last six years. The area has become a thriving habitat for wildlife.
• Toyota currently has over 1,000 acres across seven North American sites certified to the Wildlife Habitat Council's Wildlife at Work program.

Outreach

• Toyota is helping develop a battery storage system for the Lamar Buffalo Ranch at Yellowstone National Park. Featuring 208 used Camry Hybrid battery packs, the system will provide a sustainable power source for one of the most remote and pristine places in the U.S.
• More than 23,000 folks across the U.S. pledged to save over 1.4 billion gallons of water as part of the National Mayor's Challenge for Water Conservation, supported by Toyota.
• We have assisted 42 Toyota and Lexus dealers with LEED® certification. We have more LEED-certified dealers in the U.S. and Canada than any other auto manufacturer.