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Toyota Research Institute (TRI) is furthering its support of open source platforms by donating $100,000 to the Computer Vision Center (CVC) to accelerate its development of an open source simulator for automated driving, Car Learning to Act (CARLA). “Technological advances and growth are made possible through collaboration and community support,” said Vangelis Kokkevis, director of Driving Simulation at TRI. “Fostering the development of a common open simulation platform will allow TRI and its academic and industrial partners to better exchange code, information and data.” CARLA is hosted on Github, and its development is directed by the CVC at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) in Spain. The non-profit, open source simulator is for the development, training and validation of automated urban driving systems. It is designed to ensure the stability of automated vehicles in myriad situations that are not always testable in the real world. With flexibility and realism in mind, CARLA offers a multitude of environmental conditions and is designed to be extended and easily modified to fit specific project needs. The team behind CARLA plans on using TRI’s gift to expand its engineering team and the simulator’s capabilities. more Dr. Antonio López, responsible for the project at CVC, said “CARLA is born to democratize research on automated driving, supporting training and testing of AI drivers beyond real-world limitations. The joint work of CARLA engineers, artists and scientists is making this possible. Obviously, we need to keep working to allow CARLA reach its full maturity, and this is why the sponsorship from Toyota is highly valuable.” CARLA is another major commitment by TRI to an open source platform. TRI has made significant donations for two consecutive years to the Open Source Robotics Foundation (OSRF), which offers the global robotics community access to open source robotics software and development tools. TRI is also the primary contributor to Drake, an open source C++ toolbox created by the MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab (CSAIL) for analyzing the dynamics of robots and building control systems.

In a recent address, Akio Toyoda spoke of transforming the company that bears his family name from an automaker into a mobility company. While that official change in direction was a recent announcement, Toyota’s engineers and scientists have been expanding their research and development efforts to include mobility solutions and technology for several years. The results of their continuous improvement of existing technology and innovation of new solutions has resulted in many advances. It has also generated a lot of patents. A lot. How many is a lot? In 2017, Toyota was awarded 2,015 patents by the United States Patent and Trademark Office– the most of any automaker. In fact, this is the fourth year in a row that Toyota has been awarded more patents than anyone else in the automobile manufacturing space. But it’s not only the auto industry that Toyota is leading. more One of the top patent awardees in any industry. Toyota’s engineers, researchers and scientists are constantly at work developing everything from breakthrough mobility technology to advanced fuel cell systems. This work, and the resulting patents, make Toyota one of the top 14 most innovative companies on the IPO list, putting them in the company of technology leaders like IBM, Apple and Microsoft. A history of innovation Toyota has always been an innovative company. In fact, Toyota’s origin story begins when Sakichi Toyoda, father of Toyota founder Kiichiro Toyoda, was awarded the first Toyoda patent in 1891 for a weaving loom design. By 1984, the first year IPO published its Top Patents list, Toyota was already in the top 25. Over the years, Toyota’s place on that list has varied, but 2003, Toyota has been awarded more patents (14,215) than any other automaker. While having the most patents is a great achievement, it is not Toyota’s goal. Their goal remains the same today as it was when Sakichi Toyoda received the company’s very first patent- To build things that improve society. Patents are simply evidence of the hard work and innovation along the way.

Lease the 2018 Toyota RAV4 LE (Gas) for only $159 per month or Purchase with $1,500 Customer Cash or 0% APR for 48 months PLUS $500 Finance Cash. Click here to view all eligible Vehicles. more 36 MONTH LEASE, 12,000 MILES PER YEAR. PLUS DEALER PROCESSING FEE OF $300 (NOT REQUIRED BY LAW). TAX, TITLE, LICENSE, AND INSURANCE ARE EXTRA. DUE AT SIGNING INCLUDES $4,090 DOWN (AFTER APPLICATION OF $750 TOYOTA LEASE CASH INCENTIVE FROM TOYOTA FINANCIAL SERVICES), FIRST $159 PAYMENT, AND NO SECURITY DEPOSIT. DOES NOT INCLUDE $350 DISPOSITION FEE DUE AT LEASE END.  EXAMPLE BASED ON 2018 RAV4 LE FRONT WHEEL DRIVE MODEL 4430, MSRP $25,405 AND CAPITALIZED COST OF $24,282. CAPITALIZED COST IN EXAMPLE INCLUDES $650 ACQUISITION FEE.  YOUR PAYMENT TERMS MAY VARY BASED ON FINAL NEGOTIATED PRICE. OFFER AVAILABLE ON APPROVED CREDIT TO QUALIFIED CUSTOMERS FROM TOYOTA FINANCIAL SERVICES.  CUSTOMER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR EXCESSIVE WEAR AND EXCESS MILEAGE CHARGES OF $.15 PER MILE IN EXCESS OF 36,000 MILES.  NOT ALL CUSTOMERS WILL QUALIFY. OFFER MAY NOT BE COMBINED WITH OTHER OFFERS UNLESS SPECIFIED OTHERWISE.  VEHICLE SHOWN MAY BE PROTOTYPE AND/OR SHOWN WITH OPTIONS.  ACTUAL MODEL MAY VARY. DELIVERY MUST BE TAKEN FROM DEALER STOCK BY 6/4/18 AND IS SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY. SEE PASSPORT TOYOTA FOR DETAILS. 0% APR FINANCING UP TO 48 MONTHS AVAILABLE TO QUALIFIED BUYERS THRU TOYOTA FINANCIAL SERVICES.  TOTAL FINANCED CANNOT EXCEED MSRP PLUS OPTIONS, TAX, TITLE, LICENSE AND DEALER PROCESSING FEE OF $300 (NOT REQUIRED BY LAW).  48 MONTHLY PAYMENTS OF $20.83 FOR EACH $1000 BORROWED. NOT ALL BUYERS WILL QUALIFY.  BUYERS CAN ALSO RECEIVE A $500 FINANCE CASH INCENTIVE FROM TOYOTA IN ADDITION TO SPECIAL APR FINANCING IF VEHICLE IS PURCHASED AND FINANCED THROUGH TOYOTA FINANCIAL SERVICES.  INCENTIVE WILL BE APPLIED FIRST TO THE DOWN PAYMENT.  ONE INCENTIVE PER FINANCE TRANSACTION.  FINANCE INCENTIVE IS AVAILABLE ON APPROVED CREDIT TO QUALIFIED CUSTOMERS THROUGH TOYOTA FINANCIAL SERVICES. NOT ALL BUYERS WILL QUALIFY.   OFFER MAY NOT BE COMBINED WITH OTHER OFFERS UNLESS SPECIFIED OTHERWISE. VEHICLE SHOWN MAY BE PROTOTYPE AND/OR SHOWN WITH OPTIONS.  ACTUAL MODEL MAY VARY. DELIVERY MUST BE TAKEN FROM DEALER STOCK BY 6/4/18 AND IS SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY. CUSTOMERS CAN RECEIVE $1,500 CASH BACK FROM TOYOTA OR CAN APPLY CASH BACK TO DOWN PAYMENT. OFFER MAY NOT BE COMBINED WITH OTHER OFFERS UNLESS SPECIFIED OTHERWISE. PLUS DEALER PROCESSING FEE OF $300 (NOT REQUIRED BY LAW).  VEHICLE SHOWN MAY BE PROTOTYPE AND/OR SHOWN WITH OPTIONS.  ACTUAL MODEL MAY VARY. DELIVERY MUST BE TAKEN FROM DEALER STOCK BY 6/4/18 AND IS SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY. Expires 06/04/2018

The Taco vs The Taco Truck The 2018 Tacoma comes with Crawl Control. The Taco Truck comes with... Guacamole?

Toyota’s newest, stylish, and most technologically-advanced small car, the all-new 2019 Corolla Hatchback, takes to the streets on the coast of San Diego County. Yup, the Hatch is back! Don’t let its diminutive dimensions fool you – the hatchback, in either SE or XSE grades, is all about making a huge impression. With its lengthy list of standard features that includes Entune 3.0 with Apple CarPlay and Amazon Alexa Connectivity; a revised sport-tuned suspension and new Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform; and the first North American application of Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, Corolla Hatchback strikes a resounding chord with drivers who value authenticity, utility, practicality, and style. more Hot hatch? More like Haute Hatch. Indomitable Style Corolla Hatchback has flair extraordinaire. With a theme of Shooting Robust, along with a design goal of Agile, influencing their every pen stroke, designers created a form that is simultaneously distinct, dynamic, muscular, and sophisticated. Shooting references the design’s sport coupe traits implemented in all facets. With those concepts in mind, Corolla Hatchback is a meticulously mixed cocktail of emotive lines, creases, and surfaces. It’s lower (by 0.4 in.), wider (by 0.6 in.), and shorter (by 0.6 in.) than its predecessor, Corolla iM. It also has wider front and rear tracks, and a longer wheelbase. Its hood sits two inches lower than before, affording passengers excellent forward visibility. The new frontal styling with a rounded nose and trapezoidal-shaped under grille is a further evolution of Toyota’s Under Priority Catamaran and Keen Look design philosophies, both of which emphasize Corolla Hatchback’s increased width. Slim, J-shaped Bi-Beam LED headlamps wrap deep into the front fenders and accent the front in both stylishness and precise illumination. Front overhang has been cut by 0.8 inches; at the rear, it’s 0.8 inches longer. Chiseled character lines at its profile link both ends’ protruding flanks making for an active, well-planted expression that is uncommon amongst its peers. Wheel sizes range from 16-inches to 18-inches in diameter. Its new rear style articulates Corolla Hatchback’s overarching emphasis on athletic presence. The relationship between front and rear design is closely aligned given the rear’s more rounded physique that encompasses simple, condensed, yet powerful, three-dimensional landscapes. Its hatch – now made from TSOP (Toyota Super Olefin Polymer) and ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) – is not only lightweight to aid fuel efficiency, it is set at a steeper angle (moved 14 degrees forward) for that ultimate sporty look. The rear all-LED taillamps feature a diffusing inner lens designed to highlight the hatchback’s stout stance. And the rear bumper styling echoes the frontal Under Priority Catamaran design with its thin lower lip and chrome diffuser. Differentiation between SE and XSE is distinct. Both grades receive LED headlamps and taillights, chrome rear diffuser, and alloy wheels. XSE ups the ante with 18-inch wheels, LED fog lights, chrome front grille surround, and an available innovative Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS). AFS – available only on XSE CVT – allows for the focused distribution of light in an area that matches the vehicle’s speed and steering angle. The Bi-Beam LED units move vertically and horizontally to provide optimal light output by analyzing steering angle, vehicle speed, and the vehicle’s longitudinal axes angle to adjust lamps. Corolla Hatchback’s color range includes the new-for-2019 color Blue Flame, as well as Blizzard Pearl, Silver Metallic, Midnight Black, Galactic Aqua Mica, Scarlet, and Oxide Bronze. Click here to read the full article.

Why You Should Trade In Your Car vs Selling It Yourself: Looking to sell your vehicle? Trade it In or Sell it to us instead! Before you place that classified ad, read below and see why it actually SAVES you money and time to sell it to Passport instead! Trading A Car Can Save You Money: In many states, you only pay sales tax on the “Price Difference” as opposed to the full selling price when you buy without trading. For example, if you buy a new car for $25,000 and trade-in your old car for $8,000 you will only pay $1,200 in taxes vs $1,500 if you did not trade-in your car. more Trading A Car Helps Protect Your Privacy and Your Safety: In today’s complex society with identify theft and so many other hazards, selling your car yourself can be potentially dangerous. The process of selling a vehicle privately can expose you and your family to identity thieves, fraud, counterfeiters, or possibly carjacking. If you do choose to sell your vehicle yourself, be extremely careful and take the proper precautions to insure your personal and financial safety. When setting up appointments with potential buyers that you don't know, only schedule meetings when a friend or family member can be there with you, and ALWAYS meet in a well-lit, crowded, public place OTHER than your home. Trading or Selling to a reputable dealership like PASSPORT is simple, easy, and helps protect you and your family. Trading A Car Saves You Time and Effort: Selling a car requires significant effort on your part. In order to sell your used car, you'll have to do things like running and paying for classified ads, taking professional photos of your vehicle, taking and handling phone calls and allowing complete strangers to test drive your car! Then of course, you'll have to negotiate for your final price, and most customers need financing, so that adds another layer to the transaction. Trading or Selling your car to Passport Saves You Time, Effort, and Aggravation! Trading A Car Helps You Avoid Costly Last-Minute Car Repairs: If you decide to sell your car, you will need to ensure it is well-maintained and all parts are working. You must also ensure that all recalls are performed and that any special requirements are met for your state. If you trade the vehicle to a reputable dealership like PASSPORT, we will gladly take care of ALL reconditioning and then we assume ALL liability for reselling the vehicle. Making sure your car is mechanically sound and ready for market only adds extra worry and expense on your part, including fixing brakes, tires and other pricey items. Trading or Selling your car to Passport gives you peace of mind, and helps remove legal complexity and potential legal pitfalls from your life. Trading Or Selling Your Car To Us Lets You Walk Away Hassle and Worry Free: When you trade-in or sell your car to a PASSPORT dealership, you'll prevent any issues with a dissatisfied customer later on. What happens if the engine light comes on, or if the transmission or brakes go out? If you sell your car privately, the new owner knows where you live and may contact or harass you, or even obtain legal representation and potentially sue you in small claims court. When you trade-in your vehicle or sell it to a Passport dealership, we assume all of the responsibility and you can walk away hassle and worry free. When you add up the potential liabilities and the exposure to your privacy, it just makes sense to protect your privacy and save yourself time, effort, and money and sell or trade your car to a Passport dealership. Contact us today and let us show you how easy it can be to get rid of your old vehicle for a fair, easy price. We will make you a customer for life at Passport Auto Group!

Toyota owners have long relied on Yakima to carry their favorite outdoor gear. Thanks to a new partnership announced today, Toyota customers now can purchase Yakima’s vehicle racks, bike, ski and boat mounts, cargo boxes, and other cargo management accessories directly from participating Toyota dealers nationwide. Yakima Products, Inc. designs and manufactures top-quality racks and carriers that can transport any lifestyle. “Toyota customers have long been adventurous with active lifestyles, which makes them the perfect fit for Yakima products,” said Paul Holdridge, vice president of guest experience and retention for Toyota. “This partnership expands the locations our customers can purchase and install Yakima products, while providing them the opportunity to further personalize their vehicle purchase within our dealerships.” more In addition to giving consumers the opportunity for easy, one-stop shopping for a full range of Yakima products when they purchase their Toyota vehicle, they can also wrap their Yakima purchase into the new vehicle financing. According to SEMA, nine out of 10 consumers purchase accessories for their vehicles; with six out of 10 spending at least $1,500 on accessories. Additionally, the majority will buy accessories within the first 90 days of purchasing their vehicle and most would prefer to buy accessories at the dealership—yet fewer than five percent do, due to lack of availability. This new, integrated sales experience enables both Toyota and Yakima to meet that consumer need. “Yakima and Toyota have been great partners since 2016, and we’re thrilled to elevate that relationship with our new accessories partnership,” said Ryan Martin, CEO of Yakima. “At Yakima, we believe in connecting people, their friends, family and all their favorite gear to their desired destination or activity. Integrating Yakima products into the Toyota purchasing process is a natural step, making it simpler than ever for people to maximize their lifestyle with their Toyota.”

Easter is a good time to enjoy all of your many meaningful blessings: family, friends and of course, chocolate molded into tasty bunnies.

Toyota is invested in this country. We put billions back into our economy every year. And we invest in things that can never be quantified. To follow our American journey, go to http://www.toyota.com/us

NASCAR kicked off the first-of-three race weekends in the annual NASCAR Goes West campaign, comprised of Las Vegas, Phoenix and Fontana, California where Toyota drivers picked up one victory and a pair of runner-up results at Las Vegas Motor Speedway over the weekend. MENCS Toyota drivers collected two top-five finishes at Las Vegas in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series (MENCS) race on Sunday with Kyle Busch (second) and Martin Truex Jr. (fourth), but neither could out duel eventual race winner Kevin Harvick. more Busch’s second-place finish moved him up six spots in the driver point standings to fifth, just one spot behind fellow Camry driver Truex who is in fourth after the first three races of the year. “The M&M’s Caramel Camry was good and Adam (Stevens, crew chief) and the guys did a great job this weekend,” Busch said, after the race. “We came here and prepared well. They did a good job through practice getting us a great race car. There was no catching that 4 (Kevin Harvick) – he was on rails today and lights out. I don’t know what we need to do to catch up and get better like those guys, but certainly we have some work to do especially here at Vegas and some other places we go to maybe we’ll get closer. It was a great day for us and we’ll go to Phoenix.” Later this year, NASCAR returns to Las Vegas to kick off the Playoffs, marking the first time the track will host two Cup weekends in the same season. For Busch, there’s gains to be made for the fall race. “Definitely take some notes,” he said. “This was a great run for us. Really fine tuning and figuring out what the race track needs in order to get better.” Toyota NHRA driver Antron Brown – who often exceeds 330 mph in his Top Fuel dragster – served as pace car driver for Sunday’s MENCS race, leading the field to the green in a Toyota Camry. NXS Camry driver Christopher Bell kicked off the NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) event in Las Vegas by capturing his second-consecutive pole position. The Oklahoma native also earned his second-straight top-five result of the season when he finished second on Saturday. He battled eventual race winner Kyle Larson in the closing laps. Both drivers have roots in midget car racing and Bell has won the last three most prestigious events that the duo has competed in – the 2017 and 2018 Chili Bowl and 2017 Turkey Night. Just one race before, Bell earned a third-place result in Atlanta and followed it up in Vegas with a second-place effort. “Let’s hope that means something for Phoenix,” Bell said while discussing the possibility of his current succession of finishes. “I had a really, really good Rheem Camry today and it was a lot of fun to race.” Brandon Jones (seventh) also earned his second top-10 finish in a Camry this season. NCWTS Once again, Busch attempted the triple when he competed in all three NASCAR national series races in his hometown of Las Vegas. Though he came up short of winning all three races, he was victorious in Friday night’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) race, lengthening his list of racing accomplishments. Not only did Busch become the first driver to win all three NASCAR national series races at Las Vegas, he has now won at all active NCTWS tracks and he earned his 50th career series triumph, just one shy of the series all-time wins record of 51. “We’ve raced and won all across the country, but I’ve just never been able to get back to Las Vegas to run a race,” Busch said whose only other NCWTS start at Las Vegas was in 1999. “This one’s pretty cool to be able to win in the hometown and finish my list of Truck Series facilities that I’ve raced at and I’ve won at.”

The 2018 Toyota Camry features a new Toyota technology: Intelligent Clearance Sonar with Rear Cross-Traffic Braking. Visit http://Toyota.com/Camry to learn more.