Toyota Makes its Mark at the 2019 Los Angeles Auto Show with Elevated Lineup

Toyota isn’t shying away from the spotlight at the 2019 Los Angeles Auto Show. The automaker debuted the first-ever RAV4 Prime and the next-generation 2021 Mirai along with the Camry AWD model – providing consumers with more efficiency and versatility than ever before. Guests can experience Toyota’s spectacular lineup in the South Hall of the Los Angeles Convention Center, Nov. 22 to Dec. 1.

The future of fuel has arrived

Toyota revealed a series of new vehicles in Los Angeles, including:

• 2021 RAV4 Prime. Toyota continues to pave the way for hybrid vehicles – establishing a new norm for fuel-efficiency that doesn’t limit the driver experience. The first RAV4 Prime is no exception, boasting surprising performance capabilities with 302-horsepower, making it the quickest and most powerful RAV4 ever. It also boasts an estimated 39 mile range on battery alone, more than any other PHEV SUV on the market.
• 2021 Mirai. The second-generation Mirai has significantly evolved from its debut back in 2015 as the first production hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicle (FCEV). The newly redesigned Mirai is as dramatic as it is refined, and the coupe-inspired design is based on a premium RWD platform. And with an upgraded FCEV powertrain and target of 30-percent increase in driving range, the new Mirai has enhanced performance without comprise.

In the spirit of fuel-efficiency for the greater good, the 2020 Corolla and 2020 Corolla Hybrid were named Green Car Journal’s 2020 Green Car of the Year. Toyota’s beloved compact car is greater than ever before, offering 32 combined MPG for the gas model and an impressive 52 combined MPG for the first ever Corolla hybrid.

The mid-size sedan just got better

Toyota also brought its new Camry all-wheel drive (AWD) model to the city of Angels. The Camry AWD is back for the first time since 1991. The Camry AWD is assembled exclusively at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky and is powered by a high-efficiency 2.5-liter DOHC four-cylinder engine teamed with an 8-speed Direct-Shift automatic transmission. The new AWD system also balances added traction with exemplary fuel efficiency, underscoring Toyota’s commitment to the sedan category.

Lights, camera, lineup

In addition to its newest unveils, Toyota is bringing its a-list lineup to Los Angeles, including the fully redesigned 2020 Highlander that offers a new level of bold design and heightened safety features. Highlander is available with a powerful V6 engine or a new-generation hybrid powertrain, and is set to arrive at dealerships in early 2020.

Visitors can also check out the latest collection of TRD Pro vehicles, designed to perform well even on the toughest terrains. The 2020 TRD Pro lineup includes 4Runner, Sequoia, Tundra and Tacoma, all of which are available in a new limited-edition Army Green.

Supra showdown

Supra enthusiasts can also get a closer look at two GR Supra models that were created for Toyota’s Build-off at the 2019 SEMA Show. The GR Supra HyperBoost Edition was NASCAR analyst Rutledge Wood’s dream build and features more than 750 horsepower and wider, more aggressive lines. The GR Supra Heritage Edition was imagined by Ed Laukes, group vice president – Toyota Division Marketing and pays homage to the iconic Mk. IV Supra.

More than a show

As one of the best-attended auto shows in the world, the LA Auto Show offers much more than the latest and greatest automotive products in the industry. Toyota’s show floor will host a variety of interactive experiences for guests, including:

• Supra Simulator and Enthusiast Tunnel. Experience the performance and exhilaration of Supra for yourself through unique technology.
• Sirius XM Sound Bar. Have a seat and soak in the beats from Siriux XM’s most popular stations at this unique listening station.
• Talking Corolla. Whoever said cars don’t talk, hasn’t sat inside this Corolla, which responds to questions and provides fun facts and product information.
• Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 Virtual Reality. Take a virtual ride through the city and learn how Toyota’s standard TSS 2.0 features respond to different risk scenarios.

Give Locally This Holiday Season: Des Moines Area Food Bank

The holiday season is a time to reflect, express gratitude, and give to those in need. Locally, the Des Moines Area Food Bank provides emergency food services.

It takes a village...a very large village...to keep a food bank like this continually supplied with food so that no one in our community goes hungry. Especially this holiday season. The holidays are stressful for almost everyone, but for people who are already struggling to feed their families or themselves, they can be almost unbearable. Let's do what we can to lift up the burdens of our neighbors and make sure they have full plates and full bellies.

The Food Bank is open to patrons Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 9-11:45am; and every third Tuesday 6-8pm. In addition to providing food, the Des Moines Area Food Bank offers cooking classes the last Tuesday of each month 10am-12pm.

Donate food goods or financial assistance to the Des Moines Area Food Bank this holiday season! Any amount helps and you can make it a one-time gift or regular donation.

If you know of other local charities you would like highlighted on our blog, please let us know!

Toyota RAV4 Receives 2020 Hispanic Motor Press Award

New generation SUV praised for its roominess and technology features

Toyota RAV4 received accolades at the 2020 Hispanic Motor Press Awards (HMPA) ceremony, held on November 20 during the official opening of the Los Angeles Auto Show, winning the award for the Crossover category.

The HPMA are presented by the Hispanic Motor Press Foundation and recognize the most significant automobiles in the market, and the best in their class, as they meet the needs and desires of Hispanic families. The foundation’s advisory board selected an independent panel of jurors comprised of Hispanic automotive journalists, bloggers, and industry influencers to evaluate over 250 new model vehicles in the running for the awards.

“Family safety is one of our main factors in determining a winner. The RAV4 has one of the best performing systems,” said Ricardo Rodriguez-Long,
President of the Hispanic Motor Press. “We like the roominess of this new generation and the integration of mobile technology. Historically, the RAV4 has maintained a very high resale value and this new model will be no different. These features in addition to the uncompromised safety and technology makes the RAV4 the best overall package in its class.”

Designed to embody a style and persona inspired by the brand’s tough trucks, the RAV4 was also designed to amplify the desirable traits of a crossover: interior comfort, agile handling, a smooth ride and exemplary fuel efficiency. New for 2020 includes the addition of the 2020 RAV4 TRD Off-Road, outfitted with a full array of special Toyota Racing Development engineering and design features for greater trail-driving capability and standout style. Also new for 2020, all RAV4 models expand multimedia capability with Android Auto™ added to the Apple CarPlay® and Amazon Alexa compatibility. The LE and XLE grades, both gas and Hybrid, gain standard SiriusXM® with a three-month trial, which was already standard on the higher grades – adding even more features for a tech-savvy driver.

Co-Rolling in the Green

2020 Corolla and Corolla Hybrid Named Green Car of the Year® by Green Car Journal

The all-new 2020 Corolla and Corolla Hybrid may come in eight colors, but according to the Green Car Journal, all of them are green. An 11-member panel of experts has selected the world’s best-selling sedan and its first-ever hybrid variant as the 2020 Green Car of the Year®.

“The new Corolla and Corolla Hybrid represent significant achievements for Toyota and clearly deserve the 2020 Green Car of the Year® honor,” said Ron Cogan, editor and publisher of Green Car Journal and GreenCarJournal.com. “Corolla sells in huge numbers worldwide. This means the impressive fuel efficiency of both gasoline and hybrid Corollas promises to bring substantial, cumulative and meaningful reductions in carbon emissions and fuel use now and in future years.”

While multiple Toyota models have finished as finalists over the years, this achievement marks just the second time Toyota has won this award since the Toyota Camry Hybrid in 2007.

“We at Toyota are truly grateful for Green Car Journal recognizing our 2020 Corolla and Corolla Hybrid as Green Car of the Year®,” said Bill Fay, senior vice president of Automotive Operations at Toyota Motor North America. “This award is one we’ve been eyeing for a while now, so it’s great to get this recognition and stamp of approval. It really is a testament to the desire and effort of Toyota team members to help reduce our environmental impact, while delivering quality and choice to our customers.”

The all-new 2020 Corolla and first-ever Corolla Hybrid, which launched earlier this year, brought forth a fully realized engineering and design vision, breathing new life into a subcompact segment that has faced some challenges. The Corolla Hybrid provides impressive fuel efficiency with up to an EPA-estimated 53 city MPG, while also serving as the most affordable Hybrid in the Toyota lineup. Pair these new sedan offerings with the Corolla Hatchback, and sales of the total Corolla line are holding steady in a segment that is down over 15 percent in 2019.

Toyota Sold 200,000 More Vehicles Than This Time Last Year

Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) today announced its financial results for the six-month period ended September 30, 2019.

Global

Consolidated vehicle sales for the six-month period ended September 30 totaled 4,638,565 units, an increase of 219,637 units compared to the same period last fiscal year. On a consolidated basis, net revenues for the period totaled $140.233 billion, an increase of 4.2 percent. Operating income increased from $11.576 billion to $12.883 billion, while income before income taxes1 was $14.526 billion. Net income increased from $11.397 billion to $11.696 billion.

Operating income increased by $1.306 billion. Major factors contributing to the increase included an increase of $1.697 billion in marketing efforts, partially offset by an increase in expenses of $1.100 billion.

Regions

• North America: Vehicle sales totaled 1,445,662 units, an increase of 34,416 units. Operating income, excluding the impact of valuation gains/losses from interest rate swaps, increased by $782.568 million to $2.042 billion.
• Japan: Vehicle sales totaled 1,139,947 units, an increase of 109,009 units. Operating income, excluding the impact of valuation gains/losses from interest rate swaps, increased by 76.1 billion yen ($698.165 million) to 827.8 billion yen ($7.594 billion).
• Europe: Vehicle sales totaled 523,550 units, an increase of 30,956 units. Operating income, excluding the impact of valuation gains/losses from interest rate swaps, increased by $79.816 million to $647.706 million.
• Asia: Vehicle sales totaled 829,219 units, an increase of 18,096 units. Operating income, excluding the impact of valuation gains/losses from interest rate swaps, decreased by 45.5 billion yen ($417.431 million) to 230.7 billion yen ($2.116 billion).
• Other regions (including Central and South America, Oceania, Africa, and the Middle East): Vehicle sales totaled 700,187 units, an increase of 27,160 units. Operating income, excluding the impact of valuation gains/losses from interest rate swaps, decreased by $151.376 million to $433.944 million.

How to Have a Very (Puget) Sound Thanksgiving

Every area of the country has it's own culture, it's own way of being local. Especially when it comes to the holidays! All of us here at Burien Chevrolet love living in the Pacific Northwest, so if you have family visiting and want to show them a very Puget Sound Thanksgiving, here are some ideas:

• Don't skip the turkey. But also don't be afraid to add some pink to your table with SALMON. That's right, salmon is a great addition to any Thanksgiving feast. The host shouldn't make the turkey and the fish, so don't be afraid to ask for/offer help! If not a whole salmon with dinner, any kind of salmon dip or appetizer works great, too.
• Mushrooms. While the scientific survey of us asking around produced few people who actually have mushroom gravy (unlike what this article says), mushrooms as sides or ingredients are very common at the Thanksgiving table in Pacific Northwest. Add them to your sauteed green beans if you want to give them a try!
• Brussel sprouts. Oh yeah. They may be an acquired taste, but nothing says holiday dinner like steamed brussel sprouts. Or bake them with bacon bits.
• Don't forget about the sweet potatoes with marshmallows (only native grown and sold, please) and fruits that we have in abundance here in the Pacific Northwest: apples and pears! There are so many ways to incorporate them and it makes your table uniquely local.
• Go light on the Native American references of Thanksgiving. We love the local Puget Sound Native American communities and understand they may see Thanksgiving differently than the traditional viewpoint.
• Be prepared for rain. Even if you have a huge backyard, be prepared for all those kiddos to be stuck inside because it will probably rain.
• Apple Cup! Really, Thanksgiving is just Apple Cup eve. Where are the good little Cougar and Husky fans leave out Thanksgiving leftovers before they go to bed for the football gods and have gravy dreams of their team hoisting the trophy at the end of the most important game of the season.

Need some more ideas and even a timeline? This article breaks down what you need to do and how far in advance to make sure everything is done in time for dinner!
What are some of your favorite things that make your Thanksgiving uniquely local? We want to hear!

Toyota and Fenix Demonstrate First Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric UTR

In collaboration with Fenix Marine Services (“Fenix”), Toyota today announced the very first Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric UTR (Utility Tractor Rig) in conjunction with the 43rd Fuel Cell Seminar and Energy Exposition.

The UTR prototype, known as “UNO,” made its first productive moves around the Fenix container terminal last month, but the formal announcement was made today before a crowd of leading officials, operators, industry experts and supply chain innovators.

The UNO was imagined and developed by Toyota engineers and deployed at the Fenix terminal as a test of how zero-emission container handling equipment could operate in a real-world, marine terminal environment.

“We view the hydrogen fuel cell electric UTR ‘Uno’ as an expansion of our Project Portal hydrogen fuel cell electric Class 8 heavy duty truck development, said Andrew Lund, chief engineer, Product Development, Toyota Motor North America Research and Development. “We appreciate the support of the Port of LA and Fenix Marine Services to allow us to demonstrate another application of Toyota’s hydrogen fuel cell electric technology.”

Fenix’s terminal, located at Pier 300 in the Port of LA, handles over one million containers per year and deployment of the UNO will help to meet its ongoing commitment to the Port’s Clean Air Action Plan goals.

“The UNO deployment demonstrates how cutting-edge environmental technology and maritime operations are not mutually exclusive,” said Gene Seroka, executive director of the Port of Los Angeles.  “We applaud Fenix for constantly looking at how to move containers in the most economical and environmentally efficient way.”

“We appreciate the partnership with Toyota,” said Scott Schoenfeld, general manager of Fenix’s terminal development group.  “This deployment is hopefully the first of many zero and near-zero emissions platforms throughout the facility.” In the next few months, Fenix will look at testing a “Hydrogen Electric Hybrid Top Pick” to assist with cargo movement through the terminal.

The San Pedro Bay Clean Air Action Plan (“CAAP”) passed in 2008 and updated most recently in 2018, focuses on the increased use of near-zero and zero-emission CHE (“Container Handling Equipment”) by 2030 in order to meet, and exceed, statewide air emission goals.

The UNO is powered by the same modular fuel cell foundation as Toyota’s zero emission Mirai electric passenger cars and Project PORTAL electric semi-truck prototypes. The hydrogen fuel provides quicker refueling time than battery-electric options.  The first UNO test cycle at Fenix ran for 2.5 hours per trial on the rail and consumed one fill of its two hydrogen tanks. Additional tanks can be added for the desired range and can be filled in around 3 minutes, allowing much quicker options to get back on the road than battery.

Burien Toyota Has Adventure In Stock with the 2019 TRD Pro Tacoma!

Nobody does adventure better than the people of the Pacific Northwest and Burien Toyota is here to help you get there. Toyota of Burien has, not one, but TWO 2019 TRD Pro Tacoma trucks in stock...which is as rare as a snowy Christmas around here because they fly off the lot.

And they are on sale!

What makes the TRD Pro the perfect vehicle for people who want one that is tough and fun?

• The air intake is placed high above the windshield, which prevents excess dirt from getting sucked into the engine
• The unique TRD Skid Plate is 1/4 inch thick aluminum that helps protect the front of the undercarriage
• It's ridiculously good looking with its updated front fascia (you could say its "Blue Steel" look)
• Wider, brighter, and tougher LED fog lights
• Internal Bypass Shocks for ultimate control wherever you end up
• TRD Pro wheels are 16 inches of black alloy constructed for maximum strength and weight savings

While it isn't even December yet, it's like Christmas at Burien Toyota with these 2019 TRD Pros in stock, so stop by today and take one for a test drive!