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REDMOND, Wash., and TOYOTA CITY, Japan — April 6, 2011 — Microsoft Corp. and Toyota Motor Corp. (TMC) today announced they have forged a strategic partnership and plan to build a global platform for TMC’s next-generation telematics services using the Windows Azure platform. Telematics is the fusing of telecommunications and information technologies in vehicles; it can encompass GPS systems, energy management and other multimedia technologies. READ MORE. Click here to read the press conference excerpts.

When you go for that tune-up, your dealer mechanic will probably recommend that you buy synthetic motor oil. It’s significantly more expensive than regular oil, so you might think he’s trying to run up your bill. But he’s actually trying to save you money.  Synthetic oil comes from a laboratory, not the ground, so it’s free of the impurities that make the natural stuff break down under tough driving conditions.  It lasts longer, it contains additives that keep your engine running at peak performance, and it’s simply the best lubricant out there.  That’s why manufacturers build their cars around it. Today’s engines are precision-engineered, with little tolerance for the sludge and mineral build-up that natural oil brings. So listen to your mechanic. Spend a little extra now and you won’t have to see him again for a long time.

This weekend Toyota launched “Hope for Japan,” a website where visitors can contribute to the American Red Cross relief efforts and share a personal message of hope. We encourage you to visit the site and show your support at www.toyota.com/supportforjapan. Below is a short update on some of the additional steps Toyota is taking in North America and Japan to help support the relief efforts. Fundraising – More than $5 Million So Far Toyota-Dedicated Red Cross Fundraising Websites Have Raised Nearly $1.5 Million in North America – As of March 25 th, special fundraising websites set up with the Red Cross have raised nearly $1.5 million from Toyota’s employees, dealers, suppliers, business partners and friends across North America. Dollar-for-Dollar Match – Toyota’s North American affiliates are matching donations made by Toyota employees to the American Red Cross and Canadian Red Cross, dollar-for-dollar.  (The employee match is not included in the figure above.) Donation in Japan – In addition, Toyota in Japan has donated 300 million yen (about $3.75 million) to support the relief efforts. Other Major Fundraising – Walk-a-thons last weekend in San Antonio, TX and Lexington, KY brought out hundreds of Toyota team members and other local citizens, raising nearly $60,000 for the relief efforts in Japan. Relief Efforts in Japan Relief Convoys in Japan Continue – Toyota companies in Japan began sending truckloads of medical and emergency supplies – including food, drinking water, blankets, portable toilets and disposable diapers – to victims in affected regions on March 12, the day after the earthquake and tsunami. As of March 30 th, more than 60 trucks have made deliveries and six tankers have been sent to provide water. Emergency Housing – Toyota is moving to provide nearly 500 apartments in Aichi Prefecture for people evacuated from affected areas. Vehicles for Relief Efforts – Toyota is providing about 100 cars for local government authorities to use in four of the areas hardest hit by the disaster. Distribution of Emergency Supplies – Toyota dealerships in affected areas of Japan are using their sites as temporary distribution centers for drinking water, food, cold-weather gear and towels to victims of the disaster. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with our friends, our colleagues and the people of Japan.  We’ll be sure to provide updates as they become available.

On March 27th, Toyota Motor Corporation President Akio Toyoda visited the region of Japan most affected by the earthquake/tsunami, then issued a statement of support, followed by a commitment by the company to donate 50 vehicles to support relief efforts in the area. To All Those Affected by the Tohoku Earthquake I offer my prayers to all those who lost their lives in the March 11th Tohoku earthquake and its ensuing aftermath, as well as my sympathy to the survivors and their families. Not only is the struck region one of our production bases, those directly hit and vastly affected include our dealers, suppliers and numerous other partners. I went to Miyagi Prefecture on March 27th.  Seeing the devastation with my own eyes brought home to me the depth of destruction and the atmosphere of sadness caused by the disaster.  Seeing the situation for myself made me more determined to continue to provide useful support. I visited government offices in Ohira Village and in Taiwa Town, which have supported our business activities in their locales.  I also went to Sendai Port, to our dealerships and to our factories that produce vehicles and parts. Although time was limited, through visiting the affected area and seeing people there trying step-by-step to get over the agony of their losses, I became strongly determined to return smiles to the faces of the people in the Tohoku region by reviving manufacturing there as soon as possible. We believe that returning as quickly as possible to daily life can play an important part in bringing the hope of a better tomorrow at our plants, our team members once again working together, supporting each other and creating a positive atmosphere and, at our dealerships, warm and friendly staff once again welcoming customers. We at Toyota will continue doing all we can to be of assistance to the people affected. Akio Toyoda, President Toyota Motor Corporation

As long as people have been driving, they’ve debated the merits of leather vs. cloth interiors. Besides budget, the choice comes down to how you’ll use the car. Of course you can’t beat the look, feel, and smell of leather; but it does add to the price, and you might not want the maintenance required to keep it looking brand-new. A leather interior is sure to dazzle passengers, however, and it’s a major plus to resale value. Cloth, on the other hand, is known for comfort. Unlike leather, it doesn’t stick, burn, or get too cold. Though every new cloth interior is resistant to stains and odors, cleaning can be tough. As with almost everything else, the leather/cloth debate is a matter of taste and your pocketbook. Be honest about both, and enjoy the ride.

"Our dealership family was very saddened by this tragedy," said Central City Toyota Service Manager, Jamie Haberle.  "Many of our employees immediately looked for ways to help.  Working with the Pennsylvania Eastern Keystone Baptist Association, we're honored to sponsor four families who desperately need it." Click here to view the full article, or if you wish to help, contact:  Dr. Damone B. Jones, Sr., Senior Pastor at Bible Way Baptist Church at (215) 477-0778.

On March 16, 2011, Ardmore Toyota teamed up with the Penn Wynne Fire Company to conduct a safety class on emergency situations as it relates to vehicle accidents.  The fire department had the opportunity to learn more the Prius, Camry and Camry Hybrid. Safety is the number one concern for Ardmore Toyota and knowing that Toyota makes one of the safest cars in the world; we are proud to have our local fire department visit us here at Ardmore Toyota. Thank you to Anthony and everyone at the Penn Wynne Fire Company for coming to Ardmore Toyota!  We appreciate all of your hard work and devotion to our community.  You are the real heroes out there every day!

Sunday, March 13th was the Ardmore Toyota - Cantor Driving School Maintenance Class.  A special thanks to Ian for participating in this class for new drivers.  It was a success! The new drivers learned from our expert technician Ian how to do the following: - Change a tire, replace all bolts and use the jack properly and safely - Check and replace all fluids (washer fluid, oil, transmission fluid) - Change a windshield wiper the safe way and the right way - Check your gas cap - Check tire pressure levels - Check oil levels

Ethanol is a grain alcohol that’s been used in blended gasoline for decades. This renewable resource, produced by American workers, helps reduce carbon emissions and break our country’s dependence on foreign oil. So why haven’t you heard much about ethanol until now? Because in the past few years, car manufacturers have developed engines that accept higher percentages of ethanol than ever before. In the future, we can look forward to cheaper and greener cars that rely totally on ethanol. For now, every major automaker approves the use of ethanol “flex” fuels, which are available everywhere. So do you part for the environment, even as you gas up.