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Anyone with a driver’s license knows how dangerous the roads can sometimes be. As a driver, weather and road conditions, signage and the rules of the road give you enough to worry about as it is. Add to that the sometimes-hectic dynamics of all the other drivers on the road and you’ve got a situation that requires a high level of skill to be navigated safely. This is especially true in Waukegan. Dealerships like us then, are grateful for the Toyota Teen Safe Driving Program, now in its tenth year of furnishing young people with the skills they need to drive safely each time they take to the roads. more To date, Toyota Driving Expectations has benefited approximately 30,000 teens and parents thanks to annual events held in Torrance, California (May 4-5 at Toyota headquarters), Denver (May 18-19 at Bass Pro Shops) and San Antonio (June 8–9 at Toyota Texas Plant). The 2.5-hour program teaches young people defensive driving skills, crash avoidance and the perils of distracted driving. For the people that can’t make it to one of these three events, Toyota has also made driving resources available for free online at ToyotaTeenDriver.com. Additionally, the program has worked over the years to establish teen driving assemblies in high schools and dealerships across United States to reach as broad an audience as possible with the message of safe, smart driving. The Toyota line of vehicles, with top safety picks like the 2013 Toyota Sienna, prides itself on the principles of safe driving for the entire family. Naturally, we’re thrilled about the ongoing success of the Toyota Driving Expectations program. It represents our nameplate’s sustained commitment to driving safe no matter which vehicle you choose.

Sales numbers are in for March and it’s clear that Toyota is continuing its upward trend. With the help of key models like the 2013 Toyota Avalon, the Toyota Division saw March 2013 sales 182,152 units,, a 3.1 percent increase (in terms of daily selling rate basis) compared to the same month last year.  Quarter 1 numbers are in as well, and combined sales across all divisions made Toyota the number 1 retail nameplate in the country. more I’ve already mentioned the impressive performance of the all-new 2013 Toyota, which saw March sales of 6,982 units, a 109.9 percent increase compared to the same month last year. Yet the Avalon wasn’t alone; it joined a solid list of Toyota vehicles that are in high demand: Corolla: 31,423 units (11.1 percent improvement) RAV4: Sales of nearly 16,500 units Tacoma and Tundra: Improved 21.2 and 7.9 percent, respectively Sienna: 12,062 units (17.8 percent increase) 4Runner: 4,609 units, (13.4 percent increase) The theme for quarter 1, 2013 is simple: provide our customers with a dependable, safe and affordable line of vehicles that won’t disappoint no matter which model you drive off the lot. If you’re looking for crossover dynamism, we’ve got you covered. If you’re looking for some of the best fuel-efficiency on the market today, we’ve got that too. Whatever your driving needs in Kenosha, Certified Toyota dealerships like us will be happy to help you find the right vehicle. In the meantime, be sure to peruse our online inventory, which includes photos, vehicle specifications and pricing information. If so inspired, you can even make an appointment for a test drive. We look forward to hearing from you. Happy spring!

Hello everyone! Fred Marks here continuing my monthly blog series dedicated to the latest news from Toyota. This month, I'd like to report on some recent awards that make me especially proud. Two Toyota vehicles recently made the U.S. News & World Report list of 2013's Best Cars for Families awards: the Toyota Prius for Best Hatchback for Families and 2013 Highlander Hybrid for Best Hybrid SUV for Families. While I am thrilled that our nameplate has been recognized, I am most proud of the ongoing commitment to safe, comfortable and efficient family driving that these awards indicate. more The recipients of this award were selected based on quality, space, reliability, seating capacity and cargo space, among other criteria deemed relevant to the driving needs of a family. With that in mind, I'd like to give a brief overview of the two award-winners bearing the Toyota name. 2013 Toyota Prius Hybrid Synergy Drive ® system Three driver-selectable modes: EV, ECO and POWER Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emission Vehicle (AT-PZEV) EPA-estimated 51 mpg city/48 mpg highway/50 mpg combined Available Solar Roof Dynamic Radar Cruise Control 5-Star NHTSA Safety Rating 2013 Toyota Highlander Hybrid 7-passenger seating 40/20/40 second-row seats 50/50 split third row seating Center Stow ™ seat beneath the center console Blue accent headlights, taillights and badging unique to the Highlander Hybrid ToyotaCare 2012 IIHS Top Safety Pick If you're looking for a family-friendly car in Gurnee, Toyota dealerships like us will be happy to show you some of the award-winning options that we offer. As the most recent recognition from U.S. News & World Report indicates, ours is a line of vehicles that is developed with the family driver in mind. So come in and see the Highlander Hybrid and the Prius today!

Even though the weather might be saying otherwise, spring is on its way and with it all of the activity synonymous with warmer weather. The house needs fixing, the yard needs updating the kids need a ride to practice. Thankfully, the 2013 Toyota Tacoma is well equipped to help you meet all of the business that accompanies the coming of spring. Here is an overview of the versatile truck that is ready to help you spring into action this year. more The reason that the Toyota Tacoma has remained a popular choice for so many years is its toughness: it's a truck built to handle even the most challenging road conditions, from unpredictable Midwestern weather to a cab full of passengers and a bed full of cargo. Yet the Tacoma is also equipped with all of the modern innovations that the contemporary driver has come to expect, from passenger comforts to new technology. Here is an overview of some of the features that you have to look forward to in the 2013 Toyota Tacoma. Vehicle Overview: Available 4.0L V6 engine good for 236 horsepower 4WDemand allows driver to switch between 2WD and 4WD depending on the situation Durable SofTex ® seat material and heated seats Steering wheel-mounted controls Auxiliary input for mobile devices In-mirror backup camera Star Safety System ™ including six standard airbags As challenging as the weather has been lately, we promise that spring will eventually come. And when it does, you can rest assured that the 2013 Toyota Tacoma will be there to help you through the transition. If you're in the market for a new truck in Waukegan, new car dealers like us will be happy to show you all that the Tacoma, as well as the rest of the Toyota line, have to offer you. We look forward to hearing from you!

Toyota recently announced that its February sales were up 4.3 percent versus the same month in 2012. A key player in this ongoing success was the 2013 Toyota Avalon, which saw its best month since 2007 with a 63.1 percent increase in total sales. more Once you get to know the new Toyota Avalon like we have, it’s not hard to see why this model performed so well in February. The new Avalon features a refreshed, modern design that is both attractive and functional. Inside, the Avalon features high-quality materials and meticulous craftsmanship that set the mood for contemporary drivers, from families to daily commuters. Key Features: 3.5-Liter V6 powers Avalon, producing an impressive 268 hp Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV) certification Electric Power Steering gives you two steering modes: Normal and Sport Steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC) Backup Camera Blind Spot Monitor Automatic High Beam It’s clear that Toyota has this model headed in an exciting direction, one that gives a nod to modern luxuries without compromising on safety and longevity (nor style!). If you’re in the market for a 2013 Toyota Avalon in Chicago, Toyota dealers like us will be happy to introduce you this popular model. Be sure to head over the Classic Toyota new inventory page to see what we have in stock, see vehicle-specific information and set up a test drive. We’ll show you the line of vehicles that has Toyota headed in the right direction in 2013.

Hello everyone! Fred Marks here continuing my monthly blog series dedicated to the latest news from Toyota. This month, I'd like to highlight the prominence of the Toyota nameplate in the 2013 J.D. Power and Associates Vehicle Dependability Study and the implications that these honors have on our customers. In this study, seven models from Toyota and associated brands earned top honors in their respective categories. more To me, the most profound thing about this study is the fact that I would confidently endorse any of these vehicles to my customers. As the study shows, vehicles like the 2013 Toyota Sienna provide drivers efficiency, safety and drivability and do so for many years. And that's exactly what the modern driver looks for: a car that is going to meet their expectations long after they first drive it off the lot. Highlights of the Study Toyota ranked highest non-premium nameplate Toyota Prius -- top-ranked compact car Toyota RAV4 -- top-ranked compact crossover/SUV Toyota FJ Cruiser -- third-ranked compact crossover/SUV Toyota Sienna -- top-ranked minivan Do you notice a trend here? In each of the aforementioned segments, whether it be compact car, crossover or otherwise, a Toyota vehicle is recognized as a top performer. This is no coincidence: our engineers strive to maintain this solid reputation in the automotive industry. It is a reputation that translates into a fantastic end-product for our customers. So if you are looking for new or used cars in Round Lake, dealerships like us are proud to offer you a full-line of vehicles recognized by industry experts like J.D. Power and Associates as dependable, long-lasting buys. What more could you want from a vehicle in this day and age?

On a recent trip to the mountain for some snowboarding, I had the opportunity to ride in the passenger seat for once. During this time away from the wheel, I was able to observe all of the vehicles that people depend on to handle mountain conditions. To be brief, most of what I saw was trucks and SUVs. Which led me to an interesting question: are there mountain-ready hatchbacks out there for the drivers who don’t want an SUV or truck? And I immediately thought about the 2013 Toyota Matrix S AWD. more This year’s iteration of the popular Toyota hatchback is specifically designed to meet the active lifestyle. The interior can be adjusted to accommodate cargo of all sizes, the six-speaker sound system bumps just fine and the All-Wheel Drive system keeps you in control no matter what the conditions. 2.4L 4-Cylinder Engine good for 158 horsepower and 162 lb.-ft. of torque All-Wheel Drive (AWD) with active torque-control Toyota Care: Complimentary maintenance plan and roadside assistance for two years or 25,000 miles, whichever comes first Cargo area: 20 cubic feet, water-resistant 60/40 split fold-down rear seat and Fold-down front passenger seat Star Safety System™: Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control, Traction Control (TRAC), Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist and Smart Stop Technology® Extreme, ever-changing weather conditions are nothing new to the Midwest. Wouldn't it be nice to know that, no matter what the jet stream throws at you, you’ll be safe on the road? Plus, when you do head out for that weekend adventure to the mountains like I did, you’ll know that your Matrix is equipped with all that you need to get up and down safely. If you’re in the market for a 2013 Toyota Matrix in Kenosha, Toyota dealerships like us have it in stock and ready to drive. So come in today and find out all of the innovative ways that the Matrix meets the challenges of an active lifestyle.

While we don’t have an exhaustive list of everything that the 2013 Toyota Tundra can do, we know one immense thing it is capable of: On October 12, 2012, the Toyota Tundra towed the retired Space Shuttle Endeavour across the freeway in Los Angeles. Yet along with impressive towing capacity, the Toyota Tundra brings a wide range of dynamic capability to the everyday driver, the kind of things one looks for when they are ready to get it done in 2013. more Let’s start with performance. There are three engine choices available in the Tundra: 5.7-liter V8 engine good for 381 horsepower 4.6-liter V8 engine good for 310 horsepower 4.0-liter V6 engine good for 270 horsepower It’s clear that no matter which engine you choose, you’ll have the power you need to push through even the toughest of jobs. Yet in addition to impressive power, the Tundra comes equipped with plenty of other elements engineered to make it worthy of any test you might throw at it. Available integrated towing hitch receiver 10.5-inch ring gear to accommodate high stress transfers of weight to the rear axle TOW/HAUL Mode for optimal performance while towing/hauling Available navigation system including a 6.1-inch to 7-inch, high-resolution touch-screen display Available Entune® multimedia system 2012 IIHS Top Safety Pick Star Safety System ™ including eight standard airbags Few would argue that the Tundra is a tough, well-rounded truck. If you’re in the market for a 2013 Toyota Tundra in Kenosha, be sure to check out what we have in stock. We keep our online inventory up to date so that you can easily read up on all of the ways that our flagship truck can help you and your family get it done this year.

Hello everyone! Fred Marks here continuing my monthly blog series dedicated to the latest news from Toyota. As you know, I’m inclined toward writing about all of the good philanthropic work that our nameplate does in communities across the country. Already this year, Toyota has collaborated with the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center to donate 10,000 child car seats to families in need. The donation is part of a broader, nationwide campaign to raise awareness about child passenger safety. As one of many Waukegan car dealers, we here at Classic Toyota understand the importance of such campaigns, as well as some key points about child car safety that are often overlooked. more This campaign is in response to an alarming trend: motor vehicle crashes are still a leading cause of death for 1-12 year-olds. This statistic can perhaps be attributed to the fact that, in the United States, three out of every four child car seats are not installed correctly. The trend is even worse when you consider that 50 percent of child victims to fatal car accidents are not restrained at all. By educating families and donating car seats to those in need, Toyota hopes to curb this trend and reinforce the importance of securing children each and every time you take them for a ride. While I am certainly behind the importance of this initiative, it is not the only thing that Toyota does to keep drivers safe. Nearly every new Toyota comes equipped with the Star Safety System™ and LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren), standard features that have helped cars like the 2013 Toyota Camry earn 5-star overall safety ratings from the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety. So, whether it is in the community or out on the roads, you can count on Toyota to remain committed to driver safety. See you next month!

Now that glow of the new year is beginning to wear off, it's time to make good on some resolutions. If you're anything like me, then perhaps you vowed to be more efficient in 2013, whether it be at work or out on the asphalt. In the latter regard, the 2013 Toyota Yaris has you covered. This fun little subcompact has established itself as a leader in the category thanks to practical features, strong fuel economy and a hip, modern design. Read on to find out how the Yaris can help you do 2013 right. more On-the-go drivers need an on-the-go car, and the 2013 Toyota Yaris delivers. Whether you are zooming around the city doing errands or stowing bags for a weekend trip, you can count on innovative design to get you through. The Yaris surmounts its subcompact label with an impressive list of features that make every square inch count. Overview: 1.5-Liter 4-cylinder good for 106 horsepower and an EPA-estimated 37 mpg highway Rear spoiler, 16-inch alloy wheels Eight colors to choose from, including Absolutely Red and Waveline Pearl Steering wheel-mounted audio controls Six-speaker audio system with SiriusXM Radio, an auxiliary audio jack, hands-free phone capability and iPod interfacing Lift-back access for convenient storage capability Available 60/40 Split Fold-Down Rear Seat Standard safety: Nine standard airbags, Star Safety System™, Whiplash-Injury-Lessening Front Seats, Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) and Lower Anchors and Tether for Children (LATCH) As a Waukegan new car dealer, we're proud to call the Toyota Yaris part of our line this year. Our customers love it for its versatility, the kind of pocket-sized dynamism that is geared toward the modern, practical driver. Add to the mix an affordable price tag and you've got a strong formula to help you achieve all of your goals this new year.

December figures are in for Toyota and, apart from the steady performance of the Corolla, the Prius family made a considerable splash last month. Overall, the Prius family saw a sales increase of over 73 percent compared to December 2011. The introduction of the 2013 Toyota Prius v certainly played an important role in the family’s December momentum. Here is an overview of this exciting, fuel-efficient addition to the Toyota line. more What’s unique about the Prius v is its combination of passenger, payload versatility and the kind of fuel efficiency that has put the Prius family on the map. Think of it as a hybrid crossover, bringing you the best of both worlds. Highlights: Ample space: With rear seatbacks down, you get 67.3 cubic feet of cargo space (34.3 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats with seatbacks up). The 60/40 split sliding reclining fold-down rear seats give you many options Stay connected: The Entune ® system, a collection of popular mobile applications and data services, lets you do it al Panoramic View Moonroof Hybrid Synergy Drive ® It’s easy to see why the Prius v is playing such an active role in the ongoing success of the Toyota nameplate. As of late, the success has been significant: Toyota’s overall December sales were up 13.2 percent compared to December of 2011. Look for the upward trend to continue as more and more people discover all that the 2013 Prius family has to offer. If you’re in the market for a Toyota Prius in Gurnee, be sure to check out our online inventory for the most up-to-date information. When you find something you like, give us a ring—we’ll be happy to answer all any questions

Hello everyone! Fred Marks here continuing my monthly blog series dedicated to the latest news from Toyota. We have had a lot to report on this month, including strong November sales numbers and the introduction of the 2013 Toyota Avalon. This month I'd like to add the 2013 Toyota Camry into the mix of good news. This ever-popular sedan is on the way, and we think that our customers have a lot to look forward to. more There is a certain formula that has kept the Camry popular in the United States for so long, a formula that Toyota strives to maintain. For our customers, this means the same efficiency, dependability and high safety standards that they have come to depend on. Yet each year Toyota finds a way to make some key changes to the Camry. Here are a few of them: Key Additions: Camry L and Camry Hybrid LE: Display Audio now standard Blind Spot Monitor: Now includes Rear Cross Traffic Alert (available on the Camry SE) Upgraded interior trim across all models Apart from these upgrades, you can still count on standard features like ten airbags, a 60/40 split fold-down rear seat, USB port with iPod ® connectivity and a hands-free phone system. You can still count on all of the staples that make the Camry such a strong all-around value. I'm looking forward to welcoming the 2013 Toyota Camry in Chicago --I am confident that the latest iteration will continue the longstanding Camry tradition. Be sure to stay tuned to our blog for the latest news from Toyota. We'll keep you updated on the new Toyota Camry, as well as new developments for the entire Toyota family. Happy holidays!