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Toyota Signs off on a Great April

There's never been a better time to shop for cars with us and our Toyota dealership is thrilled to see how well the brand is performing. Our fan-favorites are enjoying record sales in the month of April, which culminates to a memorable performance. Let's take a look at the highlights. April was a great month for Toyota, which emerged as the top retail brand. For instance, the Toyota brand's light trucks are posting record sales for the sixth consecutive month. Overall, April 2016 turned out to be better than April 2015, with 211,125 units sold last month alone. "The industry had its strongest April in more than 10 years, possibly a best-ever month." said Bill Fay, Toyota division group vice president and general manager, in a press release. "Toyota division enjoyed its sixth consecutive month of best-ever light truck sales, helped by record Highlander, RAV4 and 4Runner sales." According to the press release, a lot of the demand is for luxury utility vehicles and crossover cars. Some of our favorite cars are enjoying impressive sales figures. The Toyota Camry counted sales of  over 34,0000 units, with the Toyota Corolla right on its heels, at 32,111 units. SUVs and CUVs have been particularly successful this April, as the sales of the Toyota RAV4 rose by almost 32 percent. The Toyota 4Runner exceeded that, reaching a 36 percent increase in sales. It's easy to find all these great selections at Classic Toyota, such as the 2016 Toyota Camry. It's a compelling midsize sedan with a comfortable, modern interior. Paired with a strong 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, it outputs 178 horsepower and 170 lb-ft of torque. It's a versatile vehicle that packs style with wide-appealing features. Ready to give Toyota cars a go? You can always stop by our dealership or schedule a test drive with us to find out more. Plan your visit to our Waukegan, IL Toyota car dealership to discover all that we offer.

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Toyota's Amazing Donation Goes to Future Scholars

Classic Toyota loves helping students get their first vehicle with us. There are many benefits to buying a pre-owned car with us -- it's a smaller risk and a great way for a new person to get to know a brand. Whether you're a student or a parent, graduation is probably right around the corner. This is especially fitting for Toyota considering their latest generous contribution to education. A Kentucky school, Georgetown College, is a very lucky recipient of a benevolent $1 million grant from Toyota. The carmaker made the announcement earlier this week on campus. This contribution is specifically for students who are aiming for careers under Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math fields, aimed especially at those who want to become teachers. "At Toyota, we believe investing in education is an investment in our future, for our community and our company," said Wil James, president of Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, Inc., in a press release. "Partnering with institutions like Georgetown College to advance STEM opportunities won’t just have an impact on how we make cars in the future; we believe it will help shape the future of mobility for our society." Georgetown College is near Toyota's largest production plant, which, over the last 30 years, has frequently supported the educational institute. This newest grant almost outdoes all the previous ones combined together, which amounted $1.5 million. Each year, the Kentucky Toyota factory gives the school a total of $171,000 to student scholarships. This year, approximately 350 students are pursuing STEM-related fields. The future can be brighter with Toyota, and we highly encourage future generations to take advantage of our long-lasting, all-around cars. One can't go wrong with the enduring Toyota Camry, a great choice for a new and veteran driver alike. Plan your visit to our Toyota car dealership today for our latest deals!

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Toyota Marked as Environmental Leader

Car making and environmental consciousness are two concepts that seem in conflict, and yet Toyota finds a way to minimize the impact on nature. Energy-saving policies and strategies enacted by the company have consistently led to reducing consumption, which also sets an example for others. Classic Toyota is proud to carry cars from a company that supports this. How much power does it take to power a million American households for an entire year? The answer exceeds just 16 billion kilowatt hours of electricity, and that's how much Toyota saved in total since 2002. This is equivalent to removing greenhouse gas emissions from a little over two million cars for one year. Toyota accomplishes this with a combination of teamwork and individual effort. Across 14 North American facilities, team members reduced the energy usage in their work areas as well as through wider efforts. For instance, at the Mississippi plant, chiller systems were made more efficient. Similarly, at Toyota Motor Manufacturing West Virginia, employees upgraded the compressed air system. The Environmental Protection Agency recognized these efforts, granting Toyota an Energy Star Partner of the Year Award for the 12th year in a row. "Being named an Energy Star Partner of the Year is a tremendous honor," said Toyota’s Plant and Environmental Engineering Group General Manager Robin Haugen in a press release. "Earning that honor twelve years in a row is testament to the dedication of our team members to reduce our carbon footprint and become an environmental leader in our industry." Interested in seeing how you can help lower car emissions? One great way to do so is with the Toyota Prius, a highly efficient hybrid car. Find out more by visiting our Toyota dealership conveniently located at 515 N Green Bay Rd.

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Toyota Expands Focus on Data and Tech

Modern Toyota cars embody a number of quality features that make them attractive to our customers -- they're dependable, affordable, and stylish. In addition, they consistently pack cutting-edge technology and features, helping drivers get where they need with ease and comfort. That's why we're excited to hear about the company's announcement of committing further to working on data that will impact driving in the future. Last week, Toyota announced the launch of Toyota Connected, Inc. an initiative for deeper data management and development of data services. It's a type of hub for the carmaker's efforts on growing and connecting its digital side with its cars, from the consumer, business, and government points of view. Working together with Microsoft's Azure cloud technology, this service aims to support drivers with contextual services and the latest in data analytics to support new product development. In an intuitive manner, these measures will aid drivers without getting in the way. "Toyota Connected will help free our customers from the tyranny of technology. It will make lives easier and help us to return to our humanity," said Zack Hicks, Chief Executive Officer of Toyota Connected and Chief Information Officer at Toyota Motor North America, in a press release.  "From telematics services that learn from your habits and preferences, to use-based insurance pricing models that respond to actual driving patterns, to connected vehicle networks that can share road condition and traffic information, our goal is to deliver services that make lives easier." There's a huge range of possibilities for how this technology can enhance drivers' lives, especially since it will be able to personally adapt to each client and their city. We're extremely excited about how Toyota Connected will impact our Toyota cars, such as the Toyota Camry. Come see yourself what kind of technology our vehicles feature when you visit our Toyota dealership serving Chicago.

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Go Greener with the 2017 Toyota Prius Prime

Following up on the hot news coming out of the New York International Auto Show, which was the reveal of the 2017 Toyota Highlander, we've got even more exciting Toyota car information. Fans of green, gas-efficient vehicles know they're in for a treat when it comes to purchasing new Toyota vehicles. The latest scoop from the show regards an impressive, new edition of the Toyota Prius. Bill Fay, Group Vice President and Group Manager of Toyota Motor Sales, USA, headed the memorable reveal of the most efficient Prius car yet. The 2017 Toyota Prius Prime, coming later this year, is setting up to raise the ante on what a hybrid car can do, without neglecting technological convenience features and a stylish, attractive design. Slightly longer than its 2016 counterpart, the 2017 Prius Prime boasts more cargo space for a comfortable fit. Its outer design emphasizes aerodynamics and automatic grilles close when airflow is not needed. The LED headlights give it a signature look while being energy-conserving. When it comes to reducing consumption, the Prius Prime gets ahead of the curve with a larger battery pack and, a first for Toyota, a dual motor drive for more control. This system allows the owner to decide if the Prius should run on gas, electricity, or a mixture of both. As for technological features, the 2017 Toyota Prius Prime will have an incredible Intelligent Parking Assist, which judges spots for parallel parking and can even steer the car into one. The hybrid car also packs plenty of multimedia features with an Entune® multimedia system on an 11.6 inch HD touchscreen. While we're thrilled about the capabilities of the Prius Prime, anyone is welcome to stop by Classic Toyota to shop for our new 2016 Toyota Prius. Our Toyota car dealership is conveniently located at 515 N Green Bay Road.

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New York Auto Show Set to Reveal the 2017 Toyota Highlander

We've recently looked at some great statistics regarding the top 10 longest-lasting cars, and found plenty of Toyota cars placing high. This isn't the end of good news for Toyota enthusiasts, however. In particular, fans of the Toyota Highlander have something to look forward to, especially from a performance perspective. Set to officially reveal at the upcoming New York International Auto Show, the 2017 Toyota Highlander considerably raises the quality over its current 2016 model. The list of exciting changes for the mid-size SUV is topped off by a much stronger engine, better fuel economy, and a new trim choice. The new Toyota Highlander takes advantage of a powerful 3.5-liter V6 Direct Injection Engine, which works together with an improved Direct Shift 8AT for handling gear switching. The engine will be available on each Highlander model as well as standard on Hybrid types. More horsepower and torque are not the only bonuses, as this engine is also more fuel-efficient. Furthermore, the Stop and Start Engine System pauses the engine at the right times to save on gas. Toyota fans often desire a little more sportiness in their car, and the new Highlander will be able to fulfill that thanks to the new SE trim with custom 19-inch aluminum alloy wheels and stronger suspension. As for protection while in motion, the 2017 Toyota Highlander comes standard with Toyota Safety Sense P, which bundles several technology systems for aiding the driver. There's a Pre-Collision System which uses Forward Collision Warning and automatically brakes when needed, Lane Departure Alert, Pedestrian Pre-Collision System, and Dynamic Radar Cruise Control. Our Toyota dealership features a current certified Toyota Highlander. Stop by our Toyota car dealership serving Chicago and learn about the financial options we offer.

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Toyota Highlighted in 'Top 10 Long-Lasting Cars' List

There's been lots of exciting Toyota news to share lately. Following up on the recent recognition of Classic Toyota as a Five-star Edmunds Dealership, another study highlights an important quality of new Toyota cars -- longevity. We're extremely proud to be featuring durable cars that serve our clients well for years to come. A new study from a Boston-based research company called iSeeCars.com carefully compared approximately 12 million cars to reveal which ones serve best after a long time. The study looked as far as models purchased in 1981, checking which cars lasted to see over 200,000 miles registered on their odometers. Finally, iSeeCars compared the sales numbers to the mileage to determine the actual top ten car list, which does not include SUVs and trucks. The number one car on the list is the Toyota Avalon, which has 2.7 percent of cars which reached over 200,000 miles. This trusty Toyota car has been serving customers since 1995 as a reliable mid-size sedan. The 2016 Toyota Avalon features a roomy interior and a powerful 3.5-liter V6 engine that outputs an impressive 268 horsepower and 248 lb-ft of torque. The list is rounded out by fan-favorite Toyota Camry, which debuted in 1983, and is a great mid-size sedan choice. There are two more Toyota vehicles in this top ten: Toyota Sienna and Toyota Prius. Toyota trucks also did really well on the second top ten list: Toyota 4Runner is sitting at the third spot, along with three more vehicles: Toyota Sequoia, Toyota Avalon, and the Toyota Tacoma. This study is a great testament to important qualities of Toyota cars: durability and reliability. We believe those, alongside their comfort and performance quality, are what makes Toyota cars great. Schedule a visit soon at our Toyota dealership serving Chicago to find out which Toyota car is right for you.

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Classic Toyota is an Edmunds 2016 Five Star Dealer

Classic Toyota prides itself in creating a stellar sales experience for all customers. Our Toyota dealership features great used car selections as well as exciting new models like the Toyota Camry and the Toyota Prius. We're excited to announce that our service experience has been recognized by a standout online resource for car information - Edmunds. Edmunds.com is awarding Classic Toyota a "Five Star Dealer" title, based on customer recognition which happened on their website. Under the "sales experience" category, Classic Toyota received reviews from clients which averaged to five stars. The various reviews on Edmunds lauded our Waukegan Toyota dealership for a superior sales experience and very positive interactions with the sales associates. "Very quick and easy purchase. I live a little ways away from Waukegan, but they had exactly what I wanted," one user writes. "Called and talked to Jim , the manager, to confirm the vehicle was there and work out the price. Picked up my new truck the next day!" "My experience at the dealership was second to none," another review states. "Very respectful and helpful." In addition to our personable sales experts and a great new Toyota car inventory, Classic Toyota strives to make the customer experience as comfortable and convenient as possible, with amenities like free Wi-fi, refreshments, and a fireplace with a flatscreen TV. Along with that, our Toyota Service Center is there to make sure new and pre-owned Toyota vehicles enjoy a long lifeline. We're extremely excited to feature the "Five Star Dealer" title from Edmunds in 2016, which will be presented with a physical trophy as well. It's joining our 2014 and 2015 Edmunds awards, as well as our Toyota Presidents Awards and our A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. We welcome you to come and see what the experience is like at Classic Toyota, our dedicated sales team looks forward to meeting you soon!

Toyota Named "Most Admired" Vehicle Company

Recently, we blogged about the exciting reveal of the 2017 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro at the Chicago Auto Show, an upcoming challenger to difficult off-road terrain. This week, there are more great Toyota brand news. Classic Toyota is especially proud to report that Fortune Magazine named the Toyota brand the top motor vehicle company on its list of "World's Most Admired Companies." Toyota resides on the 28th overall spot on Fortune's ranking, which makes it the most admired automotive company. Furthermore, out of all companies surveyed, the car maker landed in the top 10 in talent and global business running categories. "Toyota is honored to once again be recognized as a most admired company," said Jim Lentz, Toyota Motor North America chief executive officer, in a press release. "All of our team members and partners worldwide contribute to enhancing Toyota’s reputation by creating the future of mobility and contributing to a better society through safer, greener, and more fun driving experiences." Toyota received "rank 1" across several key areas that contributed to the scoring: innovation, people management, social responsibility, financial soundness, and quality of products/services, among others. Fortune explained the key ingredients to business success, stating that the "Most Admired" list emerged from a network of 4,000 business experts and analysts who monitor the world's biggest companies daily. Toyota emerges ahead by creating more energy efficient, safer driving experiences, while dedicating efforts to great customer service and improvements. These qualities show in great new Toyota cars, such as the 2016 Toyota Camry or the 2016 Toyota Corolla. Our Toyota car dealership offers these reliable selections as well as used Toyota cars. There's more options awaiting at our Waukegan, IL dealership; plan your visit to see us at 515 N Green Bay Road.

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2017 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro is Up for the Challenge

We've shared the recent good news about Scion merging back with Toyota, and the company isn't planning on slowing down. The next hot Toyota release is coming straight from the (currently) cold Chicago Auto Show. Classic Toyota is extremely excited about the reveal of the 2017 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro, the new Toyota car set on challenging harsh conditions and dire terrains. This new truck follows the line of the TRD Pro cars, started two years ago to celebrate Toyota's off-road heritage. This lineup includes the Toyota Tacoma, Tundra, and 4Runner. The Toyota Racing Department is set to include the latest developments and technological advancements in the 2017 model of the Tacoma. Aiming to make it even more adaptable to off-road conditions, the latest edition is for extreme off-road enthusiasts who seek to challenge difficult terrain. Expect it Fall of 2016. Sporting a tough look, the car will be available in three colors: Cement, Barcelona Red Metallic, and Super White. It also includes the dependable 16-inch TRD black alloy wheels with Goodyear Wrangler ® All-Terrain Kevlar ® -reinforced tires and projector-beam headlights with LED Daytime Running Lights. On the interior, expect a combination of sportiness and convenience with leather seats which are 4-way adjustable. The Entune™ Premium Audio with Integrated Navigation and App Suite system, Blind Spot Monitor and rear parking assist sonar round out its list of features. All this is driven by 2017 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro 's 3.5-l V6 DOHC 24-valve direct-injection Atkinson-cycle engine. Also, in addition to its powerful 4WD, it has Crawl Control, a system that modulates the throttle and brakes to help cross difficult terrain. Our Toyota dealership is very excited about the debut of the 2017 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro. It's shaping up to be a stellar vehicle to challenge off-road terrain. In the meantime, check out or offers on the Toyota Camry or used Toyota cars. Plan your visit to Classic Toyota soon, located at 515 N Green Bay Road.

Scion Brand Transitions to Toyota

Classic Toyota is excited to share big news regarding the Toyota company. Our Toyota car dealership also carries Scion cars, a marque that's been an extension of Toyota since 2003. Last week, Toyota announced that Scion cars will be rebranded in the near future as new Toyota cars, an important distinction that carries ramifications for the brand as a whole. Announced in a press release, the Scion brand merge with Toyota ends a 13-year-old period that's delivered valuable information for the Toyota company. Scion fulfilled a mission on two different levels: sales numbers and data about customers. "I was there when we established Scion and our goal was to make Toyota and our dealers stronger by learning how to better attract and engage young customers," said Jim Lentz, founding vice president of Scion and now CEO, Toyota Motor North America. "I'm very proud because that’s exactly what we have accomplished." Scion achieved more than one million in sales, but it also delivered a number of good data points to the company. It set out as a car make that's made to appeal for younger clients, and the statistics show that. Brand new customers composed 70 percent of Scion purchasers, and half of the drivers were aged under 35. Starting in August this year, some Scion cars will start to carry the Toyota mark on them. This list so far includes the MY17 Scion vehicles the FR-S sports car, the iA sedan, and the iM 5-door hatchback, as well as the tC sports coupe. We're looking forward to this change for Toyota, as we believe it's serving to make the brand stronger and better informed about its customers. Looking for new or used cars? Visit our Toyota dealership located at 515 N Green Bay Road

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Toyota Prius Takes Stage at Super Bowl 50

It's that time of the year again, where citizens of the United States steadily gear up for the most important holiday that happens right in their living rooms, featured on their LCD flatscreens. Super Bowl 50 is right around the corner, once again attracting attention countrywide, to be interrupted only by snack eating. What does our Classic Toyota dealership have to do with this sports event? TV ads are a huge part of Super Bowl, and Toyota is stepping in this year to make a big splash. The company is all set to feature a special 90-second advertisement for the 2016 Toyota Prius. We cannot reveal what exactly Toyota has in store for its play, but it's sure to awe the crowd and leave a memorable impression among other advertisements. The Toyota Prius started out in Japan in 1997, and it came overseas in 2000. It marked a new standard in quality for hybrid vehicles, and today's model impressively manages over 50 mpg in city driving. The latest iteration exceeds expectations with a sleek new look and stylish front and back LED lights. Redesigned seats, a moonroof, Smart Key System, and an enhanced parking system are just some of its features. Other than efficient driving performance, expect a roomier cargo and seating areas, a valuable reduction of carbon emissions, and improved safety features, such as Lane Departure Alerts and a Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection. We hope you're as pumped as we are for Super Bowl 50! Make sure to keep an eye out for the special Toyota Prius ad. Our Toyota dealership serving Chicago and Gurnee areas is looking forward your visit; check out our offerings on new Toyota cars or the certified Toyota Camry. Schedule a visit or drop by Classic Toyota anytime to view our deals!

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