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Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) and Amazon Web Services, Inc. (AWS), an Amazon.com company, are expanding their global collaboration, applying AWS’s vast portfolio of services to expand Toyota’s Mobility Services Platform (MSPF), an ecosystem to help Toyota engineers develop, deploy, and manage the next generation of data-driven mobility services for driver and passenger safety, security, comfort, and convenience in Toyota’s cloud-connected vehicles. Toyota’s MSPF leverages the reliability and scalability of AWS’s global infrastructure, as well as development expertise from AWS Professional Services, to meet the challenge of processing and analyzing data from operations within Toyota’s worldwide fleet of connected vehicles. The MSPF and its application programming interfaces (API) will enable Toyota to collect data from connected vehicles and apply it towards vehicle design and development, new contextual services such as car share, rideshare, full-service lease, and new corporate and consumer services such as proactive vehicle maintenance notifications and driving behavior-based insurance. more The collaboration between Toyota and AWS extends to Toyota’s entire enterprise, and will help build a foundation for streamlined and secure data sharing throughout the company and accelerate its move toward CASE (Connected, Autonomous/Automated, Shared and Electric) mobility technologies. In expanding Toyota’s relationship with AWS, Shigeki Tomoyama, Chief Information & Security Officer and Chief Production Officer at Toyota Motor Corporation, said, “Connectivity drives all of the processes of development, production, sales and service in the automotive business. Expanding our agreement with AWS to strengthen our vehicle data platform will be a major advantage for CASE activities within Toyota.” “Toyota is leveraging the unmatched breadth and depth of AWS services to transform how it develops and manages new mobility services across its entire ecosystem of connected vehicles around the world,” said Andy Jassy, CEO of AWS. “By running on AWS, with its high performance, functionality, and security, Toyota is able to innovate quickly across its enterprise and continue to lead the automotive industry in delivering the quality of experiences that customers expect.”

Named for California’s massive, majestic redwood trees, the Toyota Sequoia has always been about family adventure. With its robust body-on-frame construction, four-wheel independent suspension, generous ground clearance and 381-horsepower 5.7-liter i-FORCE V8 engine, the Sequoia is one of the most capable full-size SUVs on the market. With seating for up to eight (seven in TRD Sport, TRD Pro and Platinum and new Nightshade Special edition), the Toyota Sequoia makes a solid candidate for the ultimate family vehicle. It’s all there: roominess, luxury, off-road dexterity, high towing capacity, packaged in rugged yet elegant Toyota SUV design. Moving into 2021, the Sequoia will showcase a new ‘out of this world’ color on the TRD Pro model and takes on the night with the new Nightshade Special Edition. more TRD Pro Receives Cosmic New Color With a striking new debut, the Sequoia TRD Pro model will carry on the new color tradition with the introduction of Lunar Rock for 2021. Replacing Army Green in the TRD Pro color pallet, Lunar Rock will turn heads as customers enjoy all the on and off-road features offered in the lineup. Other available colors on the TRD Pro include: Super White, Magnetic Gray Metallic and Midnight Black Metallic. 2021 Sequoia Nightshade Edition: Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark With the close of summer comes shorter days and earlier sunsets – the perfect time for the Sequoia Nightshade Edition to make its arrival. While most Toyota Nightshade models are based on SE grade versions, the 2021 Nightshade Sequoia is built on the more luxurious Limited grade model with black leather-trim seating and slightly sinister looking black exterior trim. Sequoia Nightshade uniquely features darkened chrome ‘Sequoia’ badging, body moldings, and lower grille and fog light surrounds. The Sequoia Nightshade Edition will also offer the choice of 2WD or 4WD and will look particularly wicked in Midnight Black Metallic or Magnetic Gray Metallic. For more customization, the Special Edition will also be available in Blizzard Pearl. Sequoia: Also Big on Safety Features Sequoia is an SUV large enough to fit the whole family (and then some), and it’s also big on safety. Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P) comes standard on every grade of Sequoia, and this active safety system includes Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection (PCS w/PD), Lane Departure Alert (LDA) with Sway Warning System (SWS), Automatic High Beams (AHB) and Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC). It also includes Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA). The standard rearview camera on Sequoia helps when parking or positioning a trailer. The backup camera is displayed on the 7-in. high-resolution touchscreen display. The 2021 Sequoia is also equipped with Toyota’s STAR Safety System, which includes: Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), Traction Control (TRAC), and Smart Stop Technology (SST) brake override. On 4WD models, TRAC is replaced by A-TRAC (Active-Traction Control). All models have a direct tire pressure monitoring system.

Even though the 2021 Toyota Sienna has yet to go on sale, the innovative engineering work for the new minivan conducted at Toyota Motor North America’s Research & Development Center in Michigan is already garnering awards. Altair Engineering has presented Toyota Motor North America with its prestigious Enlighten award. The award recognizes Toyota’s work, with the support of supplier partner BASF, in substantial lightweighting of Sienna’s folding third-row seats. The lightweighting effort was lead by Toyota Senior Principal Engineer for Body Design, Todd Muck. Working with BASF, Todd and his team reduced the heavy, 15-piece steel seat frame to a new one-piece resin seatback. The industry-first seatback is lighter, easier to assemble, and less expensive to produce. While all of the improvements are important, it is the seat’s lower weight that provides the most direct benefit to the customer. more “Reducing the seatback’s mass (weight) provides the customer with several benefits,” Said Muck. He continued, “Less weight can improve fuel economy. Or, we can use that saved weight in other areas, such as adding new features like the built-in refrigerator.” However, Muck says the most apparent benefit is the reduced effort it takes for customers to raise folded third-row seats to their upright position. “Our new design has made lifting the seats much easier,” he said. “With the previous design, it would take more than 24-kilograms (53 pounds) of force to raise the seat. The new design requires less than 9-kiograms (19 pounds) of force.” The all-new Sienna was designed and engineered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and is manufactured in Princeton, Indiana. It goes on sale later this year.

The Toyota 4Runner is the family-hauling, boat-towing, hill-climbing SUV that’s been getting it done since 1984. With its core DNA as a body-on-frame, do-anything vehicle fully intact, the 4Runner crosses into 2021 with a new Special Edition, several TRD Pro enhancements and LED headlights across the full lineup. Pricing for 2021 models has been announced, as well as some minor changes from the 2020 lineup. TRD Pro Receives New Look with Boots to Match With a striking new debut, 4Runner TRD Pro model will carry on the new color tradition with the introduction of Lunar Rock for 2021. Replacing Army Green in the TRD Pro color pallet, Lunar Rock will turn heads as customers enjoy all the on and off-road features offered in the lineup. The TRD Pro badge on any Toyota truck or SUV signifies the brand’s most off-road-capable vehicles. Adding to the 4Runner TRD Pro makeover, the 2021 model brings in new black TRD alloy flow form wheels wrapped in Nitto Terra Grappler tires. Stronger and more rigid, these wheels have taken DNA cues from the current style to retain the family look while offering a more aggressive spoke design and deeper dish. The switch to flow form also allows for unique adjustments in other areas to increase ride handling and performance, specifically shock absorber tuning. more Completing the list of changes for 2021, the 4Runner TRD Pro includes re-tuned 2.5-inch Fox Internal Bypass Shocks to help complement its already off-road-capable hardware. Delivering the best of both worlds, this tuning provides an improvement in trail driving isolation and high-speed performance without compromising on-road comfort and steering response. The front Fox shocks are paired with TRD-tuned coil springs, yielding an inch of front lift for improved trail-tackling capability. Out back, the 2.5-inch Fox shocks also feature piggyback-style remote reservoirs to maintain damping performance in the most demanding off-road terrain. Overall, Toyota’s mantra of “Let’s Go Places” really comes to life with this enhanced TRD Pro model. Being Seen in a New Light Some might say the eyes are the window to the soul, and the 2021 4Runner’s purpose and position has never been clearer with the introduction of LED lights to the lineup. A first for the 4Runner lineup, all grades will now have LED headlamps as standard equipment. Limited, Nightshade and TRD Pro grades will also receive LED high beams. All grades will also have LED fog lights as standard equipment, with TRD Pro maintaining its current RIGID LED fog lamps in 2021. 2021 Trail Special Edition: Carry In, Carry Out…In Style Toyota 4Runner buyers love the great outdoors, and in fact, sit at the top of their segments for participation in outdoor activities like camping, fishing, and hiking. To celebrate and support all that fresh-air fun, Toyota is introducing the 2021 4Runner Trail Special Edition. With an emphasis on extra storage, convenience and unique styling, the 4Runner Trail will be based on the SR5 grade model and will be offered in either 2WD or 4WD. Available Trail color choices include Army Green, Cement, Midnight Black, and Super White. All Trails feature black exterior badging, plus black seating with tan stitching. In all versions, standard all-weather floor liners help catch the outdoor elements that come in on occupants’ feet. The 4Runner Trail comes ready to carry campers into the woods with dark gray TRD Off-Road wheels, a Yakima LoadWarrior rooftop cargo basket for added utility and gear-hauling capability. Inside, it boasts a custom 40-quart cooler and sliding cargo tray. Custom-made for Toyota in the U.S., the 4Runner Trail’s cooler is quite a versatile piece of equipment, featuring: • Lockable lid • Freezer-grade gasket to provide an air-tight seal and keep ice frozen for up to seven days • Tie-down straps and special brackets on the sliding rear cargo tray to safely secure the cooler while driving • Two heavy-duty latches with integrated bottle openers • Two durable, ergonomic carry handles • Large built-in drain plug with lanyard • A flat top to allow the cooler to act as a table surface or an outdoor seat The cooler comes color-keyed with Cement or Army Green exterior 4Runner colors, while on Super White and Midnight Black 4Runner Trails the cooler is Cement colored.

It’s well-known that the Toyota Sienna is one of America’s most beloved vehicles. But for consumers with disabilities, the Accessible Sienna, equipped with modifications such as ramps and wheelchair lifts, has become a lifeline. The vehicle has provided over 20,000 people with the freedom to move, granting them greater independence and the ability to accomplish their goals. First introduced in 1998 as a family-friendly vehicle, the Sienna’s shape and size made it well-suited for conversion to provide individuals with disabilities solutions to meet their various mobility needs. But how is a Sienna converted and tailored? Since 2005 and 2012 respectively, BraunAbility and Vantage Mobility International (VMI), have been modifying Siennas for the disability community and adding accessible features tailored to each customer’s needs. In addition to being the only two companies that work with Toyota to convert the Sienna, they share Toyota’s mission and vision of “mobility for all” and equality of access through mobility. more Toyota provides BraunAbility and VMI early access to new model designs, specs and vehicle prototypes and opportunities to ask Toyota engineers about the Sienna’s design. This behind-the-curtain peek allows VMI and BraunAbility engineers to understand the structure and dimensions of the vehicle as they begin to plan the design for modifications. The access to the vehicles allows BraunAbility and VMI to make more thorough and comprehensive design changes and accelerates the availability of the modified Siennas to shortly after Toyota launches the new model year. These Toyota Siennas offer many of the same top-of-the-line, advanced technologies, multimedia and connected tech and state-of-the-art exterior designs as the models seen at traditional dealership showrooms. The modified Siennas offer features like wheelchair accessibility via side-entry fold out or in-floor ramps or rear-entry ramps – with each option customizable to meet the needs of each individual or family. Both companies have engineered solutions to increase space within the cabin and allow many of the largest power chairs plenty of room to maneuver in the interior of the Sienna, which allows wheelchair-bound passengers the ability to rotate their chair 360 degrees without obstruction. The modifications available are designed in part through feedback from the community. For instance, BraunAbility and VMI both conduct clinics to solicit input as part of its design process and sends out surveys to request suggestions and comments about potential modifications, as well as about barriers the disability community faces in society. VMI invites customers to test the vehicles at events and trade shows and takes into account their suggestions on improvements. As July marks the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Toyota is extremely proud of the role of the Sienna to help advance the mobility of people with disabilities. Toyota thanks the great teams at VMI and BraunAbility for their work and commitment to the community. What began nearly two decades ago has grown into a robust program dedicated to converting the Sienna for wheelchair accessibility. Just as the Sienna continues to improve with each new model offering, we look forward to the new ideas that BraunAbility and VMI bring in order to provide the most advanced and reliable vehicles to the disability community for years to come.

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What would a premium midsize sedan look like if it covered an incredibly wide gamut of customer choices, from the silken yet spirited character of a 301-horsepower V6 to the manufacturer-projected EPA-estimated range rating of 44 miles per gallon fuel efficiency of a hybrid version, and from the traction of available new all-wheel drive to the track-tuned handling of a model developed by the motorsports division? It would look exactly like the 2021 Toyota Avalon. The Avalon line offers all of those variants in a striking, coupe-inspired design with cavernous interior room, coddling luxury, and Toyota Safety Sense driver-assist technology with automatic emergency braking. Toyota introduced the fifth-generation Avalon for 2019 and continues pushing the boundaries on this flagship sedan. The first-ever Avalon TRD performance model debuted for 2020 for drivers who want more aggressive road grip and arresting style. Now, for 2021, Avalon’s first-ever all-wheel drive option arrives for drivers who want more grip and driving confidence in slippery driving conditions. more In the Avalon Hybrid, which recently accounts for about a third of Avalon sales, a new Lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery pack replaces the previous Nickel-metal hydride (Ni-MH) battery. In addition, a new Vehicle Approach Noise system helps to alert pedestrians of the car’s presence at low speeds. The Avalon Hybrid achieves a remarkable manufacturer-projected EPA-estimated range rating of 44 combined MPG. The 2021 Avalon also joins a growing list of Toyota models that offer a Nightshade Edition, a kind of factory custom without the custom price. No other sedan in Avalon’s class offers such a wide range of choices. The 10 Avalon variations for 2021 include: V6 gas engine: XLE, XSE Nightshade, Limited, Touring and TRD grades Hybrid: XLE, XSE and Limited grades All-Wheel Drive: XLE and Limited grades Since the model was launched 26 years ago, the Toyota Avalon deftly balances premium midsize value with genuine luxury. The current Avalon mixes a bevy of Toyota-firsts such as available Dynamic Auxiliary Turn Signals and aluminum and authentic Yamaha wood cabin accents. Athletic handling imbues the Avalon with a sporty demeanor while preserving its luxury feel. This combination is made especially vivid with Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS), standard on the Touring grade model. Going for A Custom Look For the Avalon’s fifth generation design, Toyota steered its flagship sedan down a more emotional road, with taut lines and a sleek, coupe-like silhouette made possible by the low-slung TNGA platform architecture. Compelling colors bring out the design’s natural yet sophisticated drama. For the Avalon TRD performance model, a two-tone paint option features a black roof paired with either the Windchill Pearl or new Ice Edge body colors. Ice Edge replaces Supersonic Red, which now becomes available for the other Avalon grades. Midnight Black Metallic continues as a third choice for the 2021 Avalon TRD. Elsewhere in the Avalon line, the new Blueprint color replaces Parisian Night Pearl. Colors continuing for 2021 include Opulent Amber, Harbor Gray Metallic, Celestial Silver Metallic, and Ruby Flare Pearl. New interior colors include Cognac with Black in the XSE Hybrid and Touring, and, in the Limited, Black replaces Beige. Avalon drivers seeking a more extroverted look will find it in the new-for-2021 XSE Nightshade Edition based on the sporty 2020 XSE grade. To the XSE black grille, mirror caps, rear spoiler and name badges, the 2021 XSE Nightshade Edition adds black-painted 19-inch alloy wheels, black window trim and door handles and a black shark fin antenna. The Avalon XSE Nightshade is available in conjunction with the Midnight Black Metallic, Wind Chill Pearl and Celestial Silver Metallic exterior colors. Click here to read the full article.

Take the best elements of the world’s best-selling hybrid, mix in the silent, no-gas EV mode when charged, top it off with Toyota value and durability and you have the Prius Prime. A plug-in-hybrid, the Prius Prime has an astounding 640-mile driving range. New for 2021, the Prius Prime upgrades from Toyota Safety Sense-P to Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 for 2021. This advanced suite of driver-assist technologies is highlighted by automatic emergency braking and includes: • Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian and Bicyclist Detection • Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control • Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist • Automatic High Beam • Lane Tracing Assist • Road Sign Assist • In addition, the Prius Prime LE model adds Android Auto compatibility for 2021. more Essentially, the Prius Prime takes everything people love about the world’s best-selling hybrid vehicle and adds an estimated 25 miles of EV driving range (when fully charged). That’s sufficient to handle daily commuting distances for many U.S. drivers. The fuel efficiency numbers are impressive. In hybrid mode, the Prius Prime LE stands out with an estimated 55 city/53 highway/54 combined MPG. Prius Prime has an estimated 133 MPGe when fully charged. And, with an estimated 640-mile total driving range, the Prius Prime keeps on going and going long after even the longest-range current EVs must stop to be recharged. Best of Both Worlds in One Car In EV Auto Mode, the Prius Prime will favor the electric capability as much as possible. But in situations where it is more efficient to run the gasoline engine – climbing steep inclines, for example – the extremely efficient gas engine will engage. Even with its super-high fuel efficiency estimates, the Prius Prime drives with unexpected verve in EV mode, including the ability to reach up to 84 mph on battery power alone (up to an estimated 25 miles). In addition, exclusive suspension tuning gives the Prius Prime an especially poised stance through curves. Best of all, when the battery reaches a certain reduced state of charge in EV mode, the Prius Prime automatically and seamlessly switches to hybrid mode. Then, like other Prius models, it combines the output of the gasoline engine and electric motor through a planetary-type continuously variable transmission. Notably, Prius Prime drivers do not need to invest in special, expensive equipment for home charging. Using the supplied cable, Prius Prime plugs into a standard household outlet. (Toyota recommends using a dedicated GFI 15A outlet.) Fully recharging the battery using a standard 120v outlet takes less than five-and-a-half hours. A 240v source can reduce that time to approximately two hours. As a plug-in hybrid, Prius Prime’s key advantage over an EV is that it does not need to be recharged to be driven. If you forget to plug it in, for example, and you have gas in the tank, the Prius Prime will simply function in hybrid mode like any other Prius. Click here to read the full article.

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We have all experienced it. The car in front of you on the road stops short, and your heart skips a beat as you have fractions of a second to respond. More often than not, your quick reactions and instincts prevent an accident, but, as we all know, sometimes things happen too quickly on the road, and you are unable to react fast enough to avoid a crash. Our solution: an industry-leading accident prevention package – Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) – equipped with Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB). Since being announced in 2015, TSS has become a safety trailblazer, helping pave the way for AEB to become available on many vehicles across the industry. In 2018, we introduced the second generation of TSS, with improved perception and performance, including the ability to detect bicyclists during the day and pedestrians in low-light conditions. In just five years after its introduction, TSS is now standard on 16 Toyota models, and Lexus includes Lexus Safety System+ (LSS+) as a standard feature on all models, both well ahead of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s September 2022 goal for AEB technology to be available on all vehicles. We are proud of our recent announcement, the launch of our third-generation safety package, anchored by AEB – LSS+ 2.5. The 2021 Lexus IS was revealed in early June and will include LSS+ 2.5 which expands the suite of safety technology systems such as helping to prevent additional types of collisions, additional emergency steering assist and more. We will continue to evolve TSS and LSS+ to help address traffic accidents and popularize new technologies and to lead the industry toward the goal of a world without traffic fatalities.

This SUV comparison video puts the RAV4 vs CR-V head to head as they measure up on key features. See how the Toyota RAV4 holds an edge over the Honda CR-V and is the better value in the end. Five key advantages in the 2019 Toyota RAV4 LE: - Standard Safety - More horsepower - Better EPA estimates - Bigger screen and Apple Car Play compatibility - More ground clearance Click here to browse out inventory.

A father is a source of strength, a helper, the finest kind of friend. Happy Father’s Day to all the great Dads out there.