Ten Cars with Highest Death Rates...No Toyota on the List!

USA Today has revealed a study that lists the top ten cars that have the highest death rates for drivers.

And while some makers have several vehicles on the list, Toyota doesn't have a single one.

The ten vehicles with the highest driver death rates are:

10. Ford Focus

9. Nissan Versa Hatchback

8. Honda Civic

7. Chevrolet Silverado CrewCab

6. Chevrolet Camaro

5. Chevrolet Aveo

4. Hyundai Accent, two door

3. Hyundai Accent, four door

2. Nissan Versa Sedan

1. Kia Rio

Here at Burien Toyota we are proud to see that Toyota vehicles are clearly one of the safest brands and drivers should feel confident in the safety of their Toyota after seeing this list! And that's quite a feat when you consider how many Camries or Corollas have been put on the road over the years.

Stop by Burien Toyota today so we can help you pick the safest, best-fit Toyota for you!

Delivering the Goods: Toyota North America Built Nearly Two Million Vehicles in 2014

After roughly three decades of delivering products with the highest safety, quality, design and value, Toyota North America marks a historic record with 1,985,501 vehicles produced in 2014, a 7 percent increase. In addition, Toyota built a record 1,909,848 engines, an 11 percent increase from 2013. Stronger demand was driven in part by the redesigned Camry, Corolla, Highlander and RAV4 models.  
 
“Market growth, strong demand and customers’ loyalty allows us to focus on building cars and trucks that are relevant today and in the future,” said Osamu “Simon” Nagata, president and CEO of Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.  “While last year’s production is a historic record, what we strive for is exceeding customers’ expectations.”
 
2014 milestones:

• Mississippi: rolled off the first vehicle for export. Currently, Toyota Mississippi produces Corollas for 18 countries in Central/South America and the Caribbean.
• Indiana: began Highlander Hybrid production and announced a $100 million investment to boost Highlander production, adding 30,000 units per year and 300 jobs by summer 2016.
• Kentucky: built its 10 millionth vehicle.
• Alabama: Increased production capacity to nearly 750,000 per year and startedV6 engine production for the Highlander, generating 125 new jobs.
• Ontario: began RX450h (hybrid) production.  

2015 will mark:

• Production of the all-new generation Tacoma in San Antonio, Texas and Baja California, Mexico. Toyota’s full assembly Mexico plant will run with a three crew/three shift operation to meet increased demand.
• First ever Lexus production in the United States. A $360 million investment, the Lexus ES350 will begin production at the Georgetown, Kentucky facility; generating 750 new jobs to produce approximately 50,000 units per year.
• Four million engines produced at Toyota’s Huntsville, Alabama facility.

Toyota produces 12 customer favorite models in North America including: Avalon, Camry, Corolla, Highlander, Matrix, RAV4, Sequoia, Sienna, Tacoma, Tundra, Lexus RX350 and Venza and directly employs nearly 40,000 in the region.In recent years, Toyota has announced new investments of more than $2.1 billion into its North American manufacturing operations and has committed to boosting employment by 4,000 at its facilities.
  

Toyota North American Vehicle Production
Manufacturing Site	Model	2013	2014
Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, Inc. (TMMK)	Avalon	79,780	56,975
	Avalon Hybrid	20,226	15,302
	Camry	302,499	312,909
	Camry Hybrid	46,471	40,519
	Venza	55,237	40,006
	Total	504,213	465,711
Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana, Inc. (TMMI)	Highlander	134,617	177,253
	Highlander Hybrid	-	5,224
	Sequoia	24,032	23,130
	Sienna	141,171	143,915
	Total	299,820	349,522
Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada Inc. (TMMC)	Corolla	195,900	242,465
	Matrix	11,670	4,913
	RX 350	86,236	95,455
	RX 450h (Hybrid)	-	8,793
	RAV4	210,576	226,783
	RAV4 EV	953	1,002
	Total	505,335	579,411
Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Mississippi, Inc. (TMMMS)	Corolla	158,647	189,314
	Total	158,647	189,314
Toyota Motor Manufacturing de Baja California (TMMBC)	Tacoma	63,694	71,399
	Total	63,694	71,399
Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Texas, Inc. (TMMTX)	Tacoma	106,400	105,796
	Tundra	122,583	130,872
	Total	228,983	236,668
Subaru Indiana Automotive, Inc. (SIA)	Camry	97,003	93,476
	Total	97,003	93,476
Total North American Vehicle Production	Grand Total	1,857,695	1,985,501

 

Year	Vehicle Production	YOY Change
2014	1,985,501	7%
2013	1,857,695	5%
2012	1,776,243	41%
2011	1,255,635	(14%)
2010	1,456,887	18%

  

Toyota North American Engine Production
Manufacturing Site	Engine	2014
Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, Inc. (TMMK)	4-cylinder*	409,439
	V6	210,333
	Total	619,772
Toyota Motor Manufacturing, West Virginia, Inc. (TMMWV)**	4-cylinder	437,006
	V6	243,281
	Total	680,287
Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Alabama, Inc.  (TMMAL)	4-cylinder	260,402
	V6	187,332
	V8	162,055
	Total	609,789
Total 2014 North American Engine Production	Grand Total	1,909,848

Toyota Mirai Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle Makes East Coast Debut

Here at Burien Toyota, we can't wait to see the Mirai here in Western Washington!

Toyota’s hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, the Mirai, made its East Coast debut today at the DC Auto Show where a senior executive called for government and industry stakeholders to help kick start the hydrogen infrastructure needed to make fuel cell zero emission vehicles available to more drivers.
 
“Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles launched between 2015 and 2020 will require a concerted effort and collaboration between automakers, government regulators, academia and energy providers,” said Nihar Patel, Toyota's Vice President of North American Business Strategy.
 
The all new Toyota Mirai has a range of up to 300 miles, takes about 5 minutes to refuel and emits only water vapor. It will go on sale in the US later this year.
 
We are calling on the new Congress to reinstate the tax incentives for hydrogen companies that build refueling stations and for consumers who would like to purchase fuel cell vehicles.
 
Patel also noted that with the expiration of the federal fuel cell credit last year purchasers of zero emission plug-in electric vehicles receive a $7,500 tax credit while buyers of zero emission fuel cell electric vehicles receive no credit whatsoever.
 
“Consumers and the investment community need a clear signal that government is not choosing winners or losers in the zero emission vehicle race.  These vehicles should be treated equally to allow the market to decide,” he said.
 
Patel cited Toyota’s recent decision to release nearly 5,700 global patents, royalty free, to competitors as means to help move from a hydrocarbon to a hydrogen- based society.
 
“Hopefully, by sharing our patents with other vehicle and parts manufacturers, components and systems can be refined and improved to increase performance, reduce cost and attract a much broader mainstream market of buyers.”
 
Toyota announced today that because of demand, it will increase global production capacity of the Mirai to more than 5,700 by the end of 2017.
 
While most refueling stations are currently located in California, Patel said the company is partnering with Air Liquide—one of the world’s most experienced hydrogen suppliers to develop and supply a phased network of 12 state-of-the-art hydrogen stations in 5 states: New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island.
 
These states and locations have been strategically selected to support the greater New York and Boston areas as well as provide the backbone of a hydrogen highway for the Northeast corridor.
 
Patel said the company planned to talk with Maryland’s new governor and the new mayor of Washington about the hydrogen infrastructure in the mid-Atlantic region.

Paralympic Medalist Amy Purdy and Muhammad Ali Bring Voice to ‘One Bold Choice’ Toyota Camry Campaign

Toyota will have not one, but two ads during the big game on Feb. 1 with the spot entitled “How Great I Am” slated to appear in the first quarter of the Super Bowl broadcast. The ad features Team Toyota athlete, Paralympic medalist and Dancing with the Stars finalist Amy Purdy along with the iconic voice of Muhammad Ali, as part of the “One Bold Choice Leads to Another” campaign for the new 2015 Toyota Camry. 

“We’re very proud of the message our commercial sends about not only making bold choices, but living a bold life, and Amy Purdy represents that in everything she does. Amy inspires us, and to have her make her Super Bowl commercial debut with Toyota is something we’re thrilled about,” said Jack Hollis, group vice president of marketing, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

The ad shows Purdy and her bold lifestyle which includes running, snowboarding, ballroom dancing and more, all set to Ali’s famous “How Great I Am” speech.  The speech, which Ali made before his historic “Rumble in the Jungle” bout with George Foreman in 1974, highlights the type of bold thinking that drives people to make choices every day.  The video can be viewed on Toyota USA’s YouTube channel and with the following link:http://www.youtube.com/v/PjUfygo5mzw.
 
“To say I’m honored to be in this spot airing during the game would be an understatement,” said Purdy. “All my life I’ve been faced with choices, and I’ve been determined to be bold through every one of them. I have a great relationship with Toyota, and to be in an ad that encourages others to persevere and be bold in their own lives is something that is hard to accurately put into words.”
 
Toyota will also have a second spot in the Sunday game that will continue the conversation about bold dads. The conversation was sparked by the release of a Toyota video last week starring current and former professional football players and their children, along with a longer video that includes everyday dads.
 
Toyota is also inviting Twitter users to engage in the unique game day conversation by helping to create a cultural moment in real time. To participate, consumers can compose a tweet with up to four photos of their dads using the hashtag #OneBoldChoice.
 
Background on the 2015 Camry
The 2015 Toyota Camry ensures that the driver gets noticed for all the right reasons, and there’s an emotional thrill in surprising others with an unexpected side. It was designed by CALTY and engineered at Toyota Technical Center, both in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Every Camry sold in North America is built at Toyota plants in Georgetown, Kentucky and Lafayette, Indiana. For more information on the bold 2015 Camry, visit www.toyota.com/camry. 

Toyota Camry Teams Up with Pro Athletes to Celebrate All-Star Dads

America’s Best-Selling Car to Make a Bold Statement Surrounding the Most-Watched Television Event of the Year

The bold, new 2015 Toyota Camry has earned a much-deserved place in the most talked about sporting event of the year. Today, America’s best-selling car for thirteen consecutive years kicks off the next phase of its “One Bold Choice Leads to Another” marketing campaign for Super Bowl XLIX. 

 
“We are excited to celebrate one of America’s biggest cultural holidays, Super Bowl Sunday, while honoring the relationship between dads and their children,” said Jack Hollis, group vice president of marketing, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. “Much as we did for the Camry launch last fall, we will take a bold and unconventional approach, one that matches the content of the vehicle and invites our guests to engage with the new Toyota.”
 
The campaign includes several pieces of exclusive content that will be released online leading up to the game. The creative focuses on dads—both prominent and unknown, but equally extraordinary—who have contributed to their families’ lives in bold ways.
 
One of the online video pieces highlights professional football players and their children, including iconic quarterback and former Super Bowl Most Valuable Player Kurt Warner and former linebacker LaVar Arrington, as well as current professional football stars, running back Fred Jackson and defensive end DeMarcus Ware. To view the video content, visit Toyota USA’s YouTube channel or click the following link: http://www.youtube.com/v/PZ-Yiuc9sOQ.

“This ‘One Bold Choice’ campaign is all about the bold choices we as parents—fathers—have to make every day for our families. These choices range from teaching our kids, to showing them what a loving relationship looks like, to displaying sacrifice, work ethic, excellence and love in all areas of our lives,” said Kurt Warner. “Just as I try to encourage and inspire my kids to become greater tomorrow than they were today, my hope is that with the work of Toyota and this campaign, many others will be inspired to do the same in their lives.”
 
Beginning today, Toyota is also inviting Twitter users to engage in the unique game day conversation by helping to create a cultural moment in real time. To participate, consumers are encouraged to tweet photos of their dads using the hashtag #OneBoldChoice.
 
Additionally, two 60-second television commercials will air on NBC on Sunday, February 1. The pregame spot, “How Great I Am,” will feature Team Toyota athlete, Paralympic medalist andDancing with the Stars finalist Amy Purdy. The voice of the legendary Muhammad Ali will also be heard in the spot. Toyota will then continue the conversation about bold dads in the second quarter of the game.

Beyond the Camry work, Toyota will sponsor the Toyota Halftime Report during the NBC broadcast. The automaker will also run a custom video vignette called the “Toyota Gridiron Challenge,” featuring Toyota NASCAR drivers and retired football players. Viewers will have to tune in for more surprises on game day.
 
Background on the 2015 Camry
The 2015 Toyota Camry ensures that the driver gets noticed for all the right reasons, and there’s an emotional thrill in surprising others with an unexpected side. It was designed by CALTY and engineered at Toyota Technical Center, both in Ann Arbor, Michigan. All Camrys sold in North America are built at Toyota’s plants in Georgetown, Kentucky and Lafayette, Indiana. For more information on the bold 2015 Camry, visit www.toyota.com/camry.

Toyota Opens the Door and Invites the Industry to the Hydrogen Future

More than 5,600 fuel cell and related patents available for royalty free use patents include industry leading fuel cell technology used in new Toyota Mirai

Toyota is opening the door to the hydrogen future, making available thousands of hydrogen fuel cell patents royalty free. Announced today at the 2015 Consumer Electronics Show, this Toyota initiative will spur development and introduction of innovative fuel cell technologies around the world.

See the video HERE.

Toyota will invite royalty-free use of approximately 5,680 fuel cell related patents held globally, including critical technologies developed for the new Toyota Mirai.  The list includes approximately 1,970 patents related to fuel cell stacks, 290 associated with high-pressure hydrogen tanks, 3,350 related to fuel cell system software control and 70 patents related to hydrogen production and supply.

“At Toyota, we believe that when good ideas are shared, great things can happen,” said Bob Carter, Senior Vice President of Automotive Operations at Toyota Motor Sales, USA Inc. “The first generation hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, launched between 2015 and 2020, will be critical, requiring a concerted effort and unconventional collaboration between automakers, government regulators, academia and energy providers.  By eliminating traditional corporate boundaries, we can speed the development of new technologies and move into the future of mobility more quickly, effectively and economically.”

Toyota has a long history of opening its intellectual properties through collaboration, and was instrumental in facilitating the widespread adoption of hybrid vehicles by licensing related patents.  Today’s announcement represents the first time that Toyota has made its patents available free of charge and reflects the company’s aggressive support for developing a hydrogen-based society.
                                                          
This Toyota initiative builds on previous commitments, including substantial financial support for the development of a hydrogen fueling infrastructure in California and the northeastern United States. 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 California. In November 2014, Toyota announced a collaboration 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 hydrogen fuel cell patents will be made available to automakers who will produce and sell fuel cell vehicles, as well as to fuel cell parts suppliers and energy companies who establish and operate fueling stations, through the initial market introduction period, anticipated to last until 2020. Companies working to develop and introduce fuel cell busses and industrial equipment, such as forklifts, are also covered. Requests from parts suppliers and companies looking to adapt fuel cell technology outside of the transportation sector will be evaluated on a case by case basis.

Today’s announcement covers only fuel cell-related patents wholly owned by Toyota.  Patents related to fuel cell vehicles will be available for royalty-free licenses until the end of 2020. Patents for hydrogen production and supply will remain open for an unlimited duration. As part of licensing agreements, Toyota will request, but will not require, that other companies share their fuel cell-related patents with Toyota for similar royalty-free use.

Companies interested in Toyota’s fuel cell-related patents will negotiate individual contracts with Toyota.  Additional details, including licensing terms and application process, are available upon request.

Dominate Dirt…or Rocks…or Pavement in the All-New 2016 Toyota Tacoma

• Toyota Tacoma Rebuilt Inside and Out
• New Engine, Transmissions and Suspension Tuning
• Legendary TRD Off-road Toughness
• Best-selling Mid-Size Pickup for 10 Straight Years
• Designed, Engineered and Assembled in North America

Whatever the terrain, Tacoma is king of the hill.  Rebuilt inside and out with an all-new powertrain and enhanced suspension tuning, America’s best-selling mid-size pickup for ten years running is Lord of the Rigs for dirt stomping adventurers.  With a legacy of off-road victories and over seven million units sold since 1964, Toyota revitalizes the midsize truck segment with the introduction of the all-new 2016 Tacoma. 

“For the past 50 years adventure-seeking Americans have relied on Toyota trucks to take them places, on and off-road,” said Bill Fay, group vice president & general manager, Toyota Division.  “The all-new homegrown Tacoma is a tough truck designed, developed and built for lifestyles of the young and young-at-heart.”
 
Built from the Ground Up
The new 2016 Tacoma was primarily developed by the Toyota engineering team at Toyota Technical Center in Ann Arbor, Mich.  Starting with the frame, they added high strength steel to enhance rigidity and overall strength.  Ultra-high strength steel was integrated into the body shell using a new hot stamping process that reduces weight.

To create a truck to meet the needs of active drivers on a variety of tamed and untamed surfaces, the suspension was fine-tuned to help deliver a smoother on-road ride, while making it even more capable off-road.
 
Get Your Motor Running
The new Tacoma will be powered by a 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine and an all-new, segment-first 3.5-liter Atkinson cycle V6 equipped with Toyota’s D-4S technology, featuring both direct and port fuel injection.
 
Both engines will be paired to a new six-speed automatic transmission with electronic shift delivering quick and easy shifting.  The V6 can also be mated to a new six-speed manual transmission.  The new powertrain makes the Tacoma more powerful and fuel efficient than ever before.  
 
Doing It With Style Inside and Out
Serious, yet fun!  This is the Toyota truck design DNA.  The Tacoma and Tundra are amazingly capable trucks that are designed to reflect their capability.  The Tacoma shares big brother Tundra’s more chiseled face, with a hex grille.  From there, Tacoma expresses its own identity.

Inspired by desert racing, CALTY designers in Newport Beach, Calif. and Ann Arbor, Mich. made the new Tacoma all about recreational action and athletic agility.  To achieve this, the new Tacoma’s wheel flares are strong and muscular for greater wheel travel and the high-lift image reflects its purposeful capability.  Four new wheel designs range from 16 to 18 inches.

The front end portrays an aggressive attitude with its bold upper grille and a taller, more muscular hood.  Mounted high above the clamp-shaped bumper sits slim, high technology headlights that feature projection beam lamps with available LED Daytime Running Lights.

From behind, the new locking tailgate emphasizes Tacoma’s wide stance and tough image.  The tailgate features an integrated spoiler for improved aerodynamics and a stamped Tacoma logo.  The tailgate also adds an easy lowering feature, which allows it to slowly retract, preventing it from slamming down. For the first time ever, Tacoma is available with a tri-fold hard tonneau cover for securing gear when you’re away from the truck.

Tacoma’s tough exterior is complemented by an interior that conveys a sport truck image reflecting an athletic, go anywhere, off-road feel.  Once inside, drivers will notice a “handlebar” design theme in the instrument panel for a more driver-focused experience.  Soft-wrapped trim and metallic accents set the stage for a high-quality look and feel that is a starting point for an array of available premium features, including:

• Qi wireless charging
• Smart key with push-button start
• Leather-trimmed seats
• Power moonroof
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• Enhanced touchscreen audio
• Blind-spot monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Alert
• And much more

 
In addition to offering more premium features, Toyota engineers also made the new Tacoma quieter than ever.  To accomplish this, all seals were enhanced and a multi-layer acoustic windshield and sound-absorbing headliner were added.  Finally, a floor silencer pad further reduces road noise.
 
Making the Grades      
The new Tacoma will be available in five grades in both 4x2 and 4x4 configurations.  Each grade will have its own personality and unique look.  Tacoma grades include:

• Work-ready SR
• Iconic SR5
• Athletic TRD Sport
• Tough-as-nails TRD Off-Road
• Top of the line Limited

 
The two TRD grades are inspired by Toyota Racing Development’s more than 35-year history in desert off-road racing and a heritage of vehicles that have helped off-road enthusiasts conquer the toughest terrains in the most remote locations around the globe.  Tacoma buyers will now have the opportunity to capture their global adventures on video as every Tacoma will come standard with a GoPro® mount located near the rear-view mirror.
 
Traveling Off the Beaten Path
Tacoma off-roading adventures will reach new levels of fun in the TRD Off-Road grade thanks to the addition of incredible technology.  A Multi-Terrain Select system allows the driver to choose between different types of terrain such as loose rock, or mud and sand.  Each input regulates wheel spin by adjusting throttle and brake pressure to provide maximum traction on almost any terrain. 

Additional off-road technology includes Automatic Limited Slip and Locking Rear Differential, Hill Start Assist Control (HAC), Clutch Start Cancel (manual transmission only), Active Traction Control, and Crawl Control.  Engaging Crawl Control allows the driver to select a speed of 1-5 mph.  The Crawl Control system takes over the acceleration and braking, allowing the driver to focus solely on steering.   

All Tacoma’s will continue to come standard with the Star Safety System.
 

Burien Toyota is a Proud Partner of the Seattle Seahawks!

Like everyone else these days, all of us at Burien Toyota have Seahawk fever! And we've never been prouder to be a partner with the World Champion Seattle Seahawks.

Especially, after their comeback season so far this year leading to Sunday's play-off game.

"We've all got football fever," said general sales manager Ted Klarich. "It's great to see everyone's Seahawk spirit. We love talking football and the Seahawks with everyone who comes in. Even people who didn't used to like football can enthusiastically cheer on the home team. We are proud to tell everyone that we are partners with the Seahawks."

Don't forget to wear your blue on Blue Friday and watch as the Seahawks take on the Carolina Panthers on Sunday as they continue their march to return to the Super Bowl!

Go Hawks!