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Hello everyone! This month I would like to let our readers in on some of the fantastic efforts that Toyota is making to lessen its impact on the North American environment. The 2013 North American Environmental Report was recently released, which identifies Toyota as one of the most environmentally-friendly car manufacturers in the United States. more Perhaps this is because Toyota cars and the environment have gone well together as of late. Toyota and its affiliates eclipsed 2 million hybrid vehicle sales in the United States, and over 5 million across the globe. Toyota estimates that having these hybrid vehicles on the road has helped avoid approximately 34 million tons of CO2 emissions, a key pollutant that contributes to global warming. That is not all. Toyota has reduced energy use by 22 percent per vehicle produced since 2002; ten of its North American plants have achieved zero-waste-to-landfill status; and since 2002, Toyota has saved over 308 million pounds of wood and over 185 million pounds of cardboard thanks to its parts and accessories returnable container program. And Toyota TogetherGreen, now in its sixth year, has engaged approximately 500,000 people around the country in conservation efforts. That Toyota is the most fuel-efficient full-line automotive manufacturer in the United States bodes especially well for Gurnee car dealers. To us it means delivering to customers vehicles like the Toyota Prius c, which was named the Greenest Car of the Year by the ACEEE, and the 2013 Toyota Avalon Hybrid, which is the first Toyota vehicle to be completely built in North America. It is certainly a feat that we can all get behind.

The holidays are rapidly approaching and Toyota is on a roll. Gurnee Toyota dealerships like ours, among many others across the country, helped boost Toyota Motor Sales to November sales of 178,044 units, a 5.9 percent increase versus November of last year on a daily selling rate basis, and a 10.1 percent increase on a raw-volume basis. This is positive news both for the economy and our Toyota customers, as it represents a thriving line of vehicles that is fulfilling customer need across the country. Oh, and it made Toyota Motor Sales the number 1 retail manufacturer in the month of November. more This is evidenced by the strong performance by a handful of Toyota vehicles. No matter what kind of car you are in the market for, you will find a top sales performer on this list that is right up your alley: Toyota Avalon sees triple-digit sales gains for ninth consecutive month Toyota Camry eclipses 30,000 units in sales and is the segment leader The all-new Toyota Corolla posts sales of 22,434 units The hybrid family retains over half of the market with sales of more than 24,000 units The Toyota Prius family sees sales of 16,129 units Toyota Highlander sales increase almost 22 percent with over 11,500 units in sales Toyota RAV4 sales up almost 57 percent, the best-ever November for this popular vehicle Toyota division trucks see a 16 percent in sales with 72,000 units sold The all-new Toyota Tundra sees sales of 10,000 units, a nearly 21 percent increase If you are in the market for a Toyota car in Gurnee, you know that you are going with a nameplate that's played an impressive role in the auto industry this year. Perhaps it is because of the unique combination of performance, efficiency and style that the Toyota line brings to the table; perhaps it is the dynamism of the entire family. No matter what the answer, the proof is in the pudding.

The folks at Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana (TMMI) have plenty to celebrate as of late, with their nameplate having recently started the production of the all-new 2014 Toyota Highlander. Yes, some of them might be excited about the fact that this midsize SUV is receiving an exciting refresh. I would venture that they are more excited about the fact that the Toyota Highlander is responsible for $430 million in additional investment and more than 600 jobs at the Princeton automotive plant in Indiana. more The Princeton plant currently handles the production of the gas version of the Toyota Highlander. Its capacity will be expanded in the coming year to include the hybrid trim level of Toyota Highlander SUV. All of this has been spurred by the continued success of this line, and with the introduction of the brand-new 2014 Toyota Highlander. New features include: All-new exterior Three-row seating for up to eight passengers Increased cargo capacity Three available powertrains, including a four-cylinder engine, a V6 and a V6 powered Hybrid Synergy Drive Entune Audio with Bluetooth Integrated backup camera Expanded STAR Safety System Adjustable height power rear liftgate and flip-up rear hatch window Eight-way power driver seat By the end of next year, Toyota will directly employ 4,700 team members, the Princeton plant playing a key role. This plant also produces the Sequoia full-size SUV and the Sienna minivan, two prosperous lines that continue excel in markets across the country. The expansion of production capacities, as well as the introduction of brand-new models, means the expansion of our online Toyota inventory as well. Be sure to check it out for the latest information on all that we have in stock, including the 2014 Toyota Highlander.

Hello everyone! This month I would like to touch on the financial report recently released by Toyota Motor Corporation, which details financial results from April to September, 2013. Net revenue saw an increase of 14.9 percent compared to the same period last fiscal year, which bodes well for Toyota worldwide as it moves toward 2014. And while other areas of the globe experienced a good deal of adversity thanks to weakening currencies and a changing economic landscape in certain regions, sales in the United States remained strong. more In North America, vehicle sales totaled 1,298,044 units, an increase of 37,316 units versus the same six-month period in 2012. This is thanks in part to the continued popularity of the hybrid family, which includes the 2013 Toyota Prius c. The Toyota Prius c gives customers all of the style and strong fuel efficiency that the Toyota Prius family is known for, all at the competitive price of the compact category. It is a versatile, fuel-sipping vehicle that our customers continue to rave about. Our customers also continue to turn to the Toyota Camry Hybrid, a recent addition to the hybrid family that brings better fuel economy to a line of vehicles that has remained a cornerstone of the Toyota nameplate for decades now. Our customers love it for a unique combination of functionality, fuel efficiency and fun that is difficult to find anywhere in the market. So if you are looking for the 2013 Toyota Prius c in Gurnee, or any other member of the hybrid family for that matter, rest assured that these vehicles help comprise a nameplate that is thriving across the globe. Thank you for another great month at Classic Toyota!

The holiday season is rapidly approaching and all signs point to it being another big one for the Toyota nameplate. Thanks to the solid performance of models like the all-new 2014 Toyota Tundra, which saw a 23 percent increase in sales, and the all-new 2014 Toyota Avalon, which posted triple-digit gains for the eighth consecutive month, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. reported overall October sales of 168,976 units, a 4.8 percent increase over the same month last year. more The Toyota Division posted October sales of 146,257 units, a 4 percent year-over-year increase on a daily-selling-rate basis, and an 8 percent increase in terms of raw volume. See the list below for top Toyota performers in October. Toyota Corolla (23,637 units) Toyota Avalon (8th consecutive month of triple-digit gains) Toyota Camry (nearly 30,000 units sold) Toyota TMS hybrid (nearly 23,800 units sold) Toyota Prius family (15,623 units) Toyota RAV4 (a 60.8 percent increase and best-ever October) Toyota Sienna (a 10.1 percent increase thanks to sales of over 8,500 units) Toyota division pickups (over 22,000 units sold The numbers don't lie, and they are really impressive. Toyota has a lot of momentum going into the holiday season. This is thanks in part to an increased demand in fuel efficient, family-oriented vehicles, something Gurnee dealers are already well aware of. This explains the continued strong performance by the Toyota TMS hybrid line, as well as the ever-popular Prius family.   Yet these models are not alone. The Toyota Corolla, Toyota Camry and Toyota RAV4 all deliver the combination of performance, fuel efficiency and versatility that the Toyota nameplate has become known for. It is a powerful combination, because it gives you a line of vehicles that can take what you throw at it without hurting you at the pump. Isn't that what modern driving is all about?

Toyota recently unveiled the 2014 FJ Cruiser Trail Teams Ultimate Edition at a press conference for the 2013 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show. For as much buzz as this exciting model generated at SEMA, its release will be the final release for the FJ Cruiser line, a commemorative model designed to pay tribute to this longtime Toyota cornerstone. Only 2,500 will be built in 2014, the final year that this car will be offered, and they will be the toughest 2,500 FJ Cruiser vehicles yet. more When you look at the list of standard and available features, it is obvious that Toyota put a lot of effort toward making the Ultimate Edition the toughest FJ Cruiser yet, one that pays homage to the 60's-era Land Cruiser FJ40 that spawned this line. This is thanks to features like: Race-inspired Toyota Racing Development (TRD) off-road suspension TRD Bilstein race shocks with increased damping, articulation and high speed stability 66mm front shock assemblies with new TRD race coil springs 50mm rear shocks equipped with remote reservoirs to decrease damping fade TRD front skid plate, made from one-quarter-inch thick aluminum plate TRD 16-inch bead lock wheels with BF Goodrich A/T KO tires Rock rails and roof rack Of course, the FJ Cruiser comes 4x4 with Active Traction Control (A-TRAC), Crawl Control, Vehicle Skid Control (VSC) and the renowned Toyota Star Safety System standard. This means that, whether off-roading or doing the weekend getaway, the FJ Cruiser will keep you safe while providing all the performance you could need, a combination that Toyota dealerships in Libertyville are proud to offer their customers. So, we bid farewell to an iconic Toyota vehicle, but we do so in style with the commemorative 2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser Trail Teams Ultimate Edition.

Hello everyone! Fred Marks here continuing my monthly blog series dedicated to the latest news from Toyota. This month I would like to share some exciting news about the Toyota Corolla, a longtime cornerstone of the Toyota line of vehicles. This past month, Green Car Journal named the eleventh-generation Corolla to the list of finalists for the 2014 Green Car of the Year award, as well as the list of top 5 Green Cars for 2014. The Corolla also earned "Green Car Product of Excellence" from this publication. more I am always proud to report on the 2014 Toyota Corolla, one of my favorite vehicles offered here at Classic Toyota. The Corolla combines dependability, efficiency and, now, style in a way that view models can. Perhaps that's why this vehicle has remained an American favorite for so long now--and the reason that 80% of all Corolla models sold in the past twenty years are still on the road. And environmentally-friendly features? The new Corolla is exceptionally efficient. See for yourself: L: 27 city /36 highway / 31 combined LE: 29 city / 38 highway / 32 combined LE Eco: 30 city /40 highway /34 combined S: 29 city / 37 highway / 32 combined This most recent recognition represents the ongoing commitment of the folks at Toyota to churn out a fuel-efficient line of vehicles. This includes the Toyota Corolla, the Camry Hybrid, and the Toyota Prius Family, which continues to expand and take hold of the American market. All of these gas-conscious models, including the 2014 Toyota Corolla, are available at Gurnee dealerships. They are models that we here at Classic Toyota are proud to offer our customers, because we know that they represent the evolving needs of the modern driver.

The automotive world has come a long way since the plug-in concept was first introduced. Back then, many people doubted the viability of a plug-in vehicle, and few would have predicted that the plug-in hybrid concept would take off in the United States like it has. Even fewer people believed that plug-in driving would one day become affordable, with prices akin to its traditional, gasoline-consuming competitors. But that day has come. Toyota recently announced that the based 2014 Toyota Prius Plug-in hybrid will be offered for under $30,000. more What does this mean to our customers? It means that all of the benefits of plug-in driving--the savings on gasoline, the low impact on the environment and the latest in automotive technology--are accessible to more drivers. It means that more people will benefit from the 1.8-liter HSD/E-CVT engine which, in EV Mode, gets an EPA-rated 95 mpge. If the electric charge does run out, the Prius Plug-in shifts to hybrid mode, which will earn you an EPA-estimated 50 mpg. You'll also benefit from new features like heated cloth front seats, remote activation of the climate control system and extended range when driving in EV mode. If you opt for the Prius Plug-in Advanced, you'll enjoy features like premium HDD Navigation with Entune® App Suite, a head-up display and Safety Connect. Gurnee dealerships are certainly looking forward to welcoming the 2014 Toyota Prius Plug-in. This car is part of a family of Toyota vehicles that dealers are proud of--that it will become more affordable to drive only sweetens the deal. So come in and check out the Prius Plug-in today and see how far hybrid driving has come.

Per usual, the Toyota Camry was number one in overall sales for Toyota in September. American drivers continue to turn to this cornerstone sedan for its dependability, efficiency and, now, more stylish design. Yet the 2014 Toyota Corolla also hit showrooms last month, its sales numbers indicating that this year's model was highly anticipated. These strong performances helped Toyota along to total sales of 164,457 units, marking an increase of 4 percent over September 2012 based on the daily selling rate (DSR) metric. more Yes, the all-new Toyota Corolla was all the news, with September sales of 23,251 units. Joining it was the Toyota Camry which, as I mentioned above, continued its ongoing momentum with sales of nearly 32,000 units. Joining these two Toyota cornerstones was the all-new Toyota Avalon, which enjoyed triple-digit gains for seventh month in a row, the all-new RAV4, which saw a 15.5 percent increase during its best-ever September, and the Toyota Sienna, which sold over 9,000 units, a 4.5 increase. As September demonstrated, the Toyota Corolla and Toyota Camry aren't the only two powerhouses on which the Toyota nameplate depends. The Toyota Prius family, which continues to expand to offer efficient driving to more types of drivers, saw sales of 15,890 units. And Toyota division pickups, among some of the most sought after in the industry, posted sales of more than 20,000 units. Whether you are looking for a member of the Toyota Prius family, or the all-new 2014 Toyota Corolla in Gurnee, you know that you are in the market for a nameplate that remains one of the most dependable, popular choices on the market. No matter which vehicle you choose, you'll have the comfort and peace of mind that comes with owning an automobile that is built to last.

Hello everyone! Fred Marks here continuing my monthly blog series dedicated to the latest news from Toyota. This month I'd like to touch on the exciting news that recently came out of Tupelo, Mississippi. There, before a crowd of around 9,000 people, the all-new 2014 Toyota Corolla rolled off the line. Why is this special? Because the 2014 Toyota Corolla is assembled by 2,000 team members at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Mississippi, Inc, located in Tupelo. more This is exciting news for a number of reasons. To begin with, the production of the all-new Toyota Corolla in Mississippi represents the Toyota nameplate's commitment to creating jobs and stimulating the economy in the United States, where it has sold many cars to many drivers. And create jobs they did. Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Mississippi, Inc. has 2,000 team members assembling the Toyota Corolla, with another 1300 people employed in five "near-site" Toyota suppliers. This milestone also indicates the ongoing success of the Toyota Corolla line. The Toyota Corolla is in its 11th generation, having last month sold its 40-millionth unit worldwide. As anyone in the industry will tell you, the Toyota Corolla is one of the world's most popular compact sedans. Toyota remains committed to the communities in which it operates. The recent celebration in Tupelo was also Team Mississippi Appreciation Day, and Toyota Mississippi team members and their families, suppliers and invited guests turned out in great numbers to celebrate the achievement. And special guests Miss. Lt. Governor Tate Reeves and Congressman Alan Nunnelee even joined to show their support. If you're looking for the 2014 Toyota Corolla in Libertyville, you can rest assured that you are getting a customer favorite that has been successful for years and is built right here in the United States. In the automotive market, that is peace of mind that you can rest your hat on.

For years, Toyota has remained a cornerstone of the minivan category. The nameplate has continued to innovate, including the latest and greatest in terms of safety, technology and efficiency. The 2014 Toyota Sienna continues this tradition, including All-Wheel Drive, something that no other minivan sold in the United States can offer. Here are some more details. more All-Wheel Drive comes in handy for family drivers, especially when paired with a 3.5-liter V6 engine, good for 266 horsepower, which comes standard on every trim level. This means all-terrain control, and sufficient power to get the job done with a full load, whether it is merging, passing or climbing up the hill. What’s more, the 2014 Toyota Sienna gets an EPA-estimated 18 mpg city / 25 highway, which means fewer stops at the pump. Inside, the new Toyota Sienna features versatile seven- or eight-passenger configurations that allow you to fit a lot of people, a lot of things or an eclectic combination of both. No matter who is riding along, they will be entertained thanks to an available Entune® Multimedia and Split-Screen Rear Seat Entertainment System. If you’re looking for the 2014 Toyota Sienna in Chicago, you know that a minivan isn’t complete without strong safety features. The Sienna features the Toyota Star Safety System™, which includes Anti-lock Brakes (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), enhanced Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRAC), and Smart Stop Technology (SST). And this robust safety package is just part of what sets the Toyota Sienna apart from its competitors.

In terms of the economy, the past few years have been rough. Jobs are hard to come by, expansion has halted and the automotive world has seen vast changes. Perhaps no city in America has been more impacted than Detroit, Michigan, home to some of the world’s most well known nameplates. One of those nameplates, Toyota, is battling through these economic downtimes. Recently, the Toyota Technical Center (TTC) announced an investment of over $28 million that will expand powertrain operations at the two Toyota facilities in Ann Arbor, Michigan. more Toyota dealerships in Kenosha are all abuzz about the expansion. The investment will support powertrain development, including the design and evaluation of new engine and transmission projects. This investment is the latest in a long tradition of Toyota investment in North America. For over 10 years, Toyota manufactured engines and transmissions here in the U.S.., including nearly $2 billion invested in North American manufacturing facilities in the past 20 months. It is estimated that these investments have created 4,000 new jobs. The addition of jobs, and the expansion of large companies, in the United States is always welcome news. It’s especially welcome to Kenosha Toyota dealers, who have always maintained a vested interest in their communities. And their showrooms benefit from the innovation and invention that takes place at places like Ann Arbor Michigan, where the nuts and bolts of the next generation of Toyota vehicles are matched. To see the fruits of these labors, be sure to check out our online inventory to see all that we have stock. You’ll soon realize the very high level of quality that the folks at Toyota hold themselves to, and continue to strive toward.