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Three Toyota models have been selected as among the Best Family Cars of 2012 by Parents magazine and Edmunds.com. This is their fifth annual list. Toyota earned picks across three categories including Prius v in the high-mileage category; Camry in the sedan category and the Sienna minivan in the large vehicle category. Click here to read the entire story

According to Bloomberg, Toyota Motor Corp.’s U.S. sales of Prius hybrids reached a record in March and in the first quarter, propelled by higher gasoline prices and two new models. Toyota, the largest seller of gasoline-electric autos, sold more than 25,000 units in March of the Prius “family” now comprised of a plug-in Prius and c subcompact, along with the original hatchback and v wagon. The vehicle accounts for half of U.S. hybrid sales. Click here to read the full story!

Toyota Financial Services has created an engaging online contest asking recent grads to submit videos that “tell us or show us how you would spread the word about Toyota’s $1,000 rebate.” We welcome all submissions – music videos, body painting, planking – I’m sure this social-savvy demographic will come up with some great ideas. Beginning April 3 and running through June 4, this playful video contest will be featured. How will the contest work? Recent college grads can submit a video of 60 seconds or less either showing or telling how they would spread the word about Toyota’s $1,000 college grad rebate. The video submission period runs through May 8, and during that time, registered users can rate their favorite videos. There will then be a week-long voting period where TFS judges will select the top 10 video submissions. On May 16, the 10 finalists will be featured on the contest site, and registered voters will then have the chance to vote for their favorites. A combination of voter results and judging feedback will determine the winners. All registered users will also be eligible to win a final sweepstakes prize of $1,000. And participants who vote on the final 10 are also eligible for instant win prizes. Prizes Include: Grand prize = 2012 Corolla S Second prize = $2,500 Third prize = $500 200 Instant Win prizes - $20 Amazon.com gift cards Sweepstakes prize = $1,000 Eligible Participants: Must be 18 years and older Graduated from a two- or four-year college within the past 2 years (similar to rebate criteria) Complete rules are posted on the contest web site – www.toyotagradcontest.com

Toyota kicks off Earth Month by expanding its partnership with the Wyland Foundation to encourage residents nationwide to preserve our natural resources by taking an online pledge to conserve water. Click here to read a full story about this wonderful partnership. Click here to learn about the Wyland Foundation: Save Water, Win a Prius C. For more details, visit: http://www.mywaterpledge.com

Toyota is serving as a major sponsor of a new, once-in-a-lifetime exhibit at Washington, DC’s National Gallery of Art that opens Friday. Celebrating the 100th anniversary of Japan’s gift of 3,000 cherry blossom trees to the nation’s capital, the exhibit brings one of Japan's national artistic treasures to the U.S. for an extraordinarily rare visit. The exhibit, Colorful Realm of Living Beings, features thirty intricately painted silk scrolls created more than 250 years ago by revered Japanese artist Ito Jakuchu. This is the first time these works will be shown outside of Japan in their entirety. The National Gallery’s exhibit is open from March 30 to April 29. Toyota will also be sponsoring legacy tree plantings throughout the national capital region and at several of its manufacturing facilities to mark the cherry blossom centennial, an enduring symbol of the powerful partnership between the U.S. and Japan. Click here for the full story.

Vincentric released its eighth annual Best Value in America awards Wednesday, March 14th and highlighting the list of winners was Toyota, whose brands combined to take home 13 awards. The Toyota division was named the best value for passenger car brands, and the automaker’s three divisions were represented in 12 of the 39 individual vehicle awards. Four of those wins were in the hybrid categories, officials noted. Among the vehicle winners was: Scion iQ, Toyota Camry, Camry Hybrid, Avalon, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, 4Runner, Sienna & Tacoma. Click here for the full story!

As drivers endure the steady ascent of fuel prices nationally, Toyota, the most fuel-efficient full-line auto manufacturer in the United States, has strengthened its portfolio of efficient cars with five recently introduced vehicles that offer an average combined fuel economy of 44 mpg. Click Here to read the entire story! Here is the Fuel Economy Website the Government has: http://www.fueleconomy.gov/

Max Paul’s Ardmore Toyota would like to congratulate Jim Lentz on becoming president and CEO of TMS. Mr. Lentz is the first American to be named CEO of TMS. Jim Lentz was so kind to be part of the Grand Opening of Ardmore Toyota as seen in this photo from the grand opening celebration. Congratulations once again to Jim Lentz, on behalf of Max & Brad Paul and the entire Paul family and organization.

Cars.com announced its “Best Bets” for 2012 models and 16 Toyota, Scion and Lexus vehicles made the list. The cars and trucks met four criteria: average or better fuel economy for its segment, average or better reliability, average or better scores in crash tests, and endorsed by Cars.com editors. The 16 vehicles include: Toyota RAV4, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Venza,Yaris, Camry, Avalon, Tacoma and Tundra; Scion xD; and Lexus RX 350, RX 450h, ES 350, IS 250, IS 350, LS 460. Click Here to read the full story!

How important is Consumer Reports to you when deciding which car to purchase? We want to hear from you. The USA Today reported that Toyota is the first brand to earn half of the top 10 spots in nearly a decade in Consumer Reports’ 2012 Top Picks. The redesigned Camry Hybrid and Highlander edged out the competition to become Top Picks in the Family Sedan and Family SUV categories, respectively. For the 11th time and ninth consecutive year, the Toyota Prius earned the top spot in the Green Car category. Both records have not been claimed by any other model in the history of the Top Picks. RAV4 (Small SUV) and Sienna (Family Hauler) are best in their categories. “Every year, the competition grows tighter,” according to Consumer Reports Automotive Editor Rik Paul. “In recent years, as many as nine different brands have taken the top spots. Combined with the i mproved Camry, Toyota’s ability to maintain a competitive lead among hybrids and SUVs is a big factor in its strong presence on this year's list.” Click here for the full story!

The February 27th, 2012 issue of Fortune Magazine did a special on Toyota and the grandson of the founder of Toyota, Akio Toyoda. The University of Michigan's Jeffrey Liker, a leading Toyota scholar, told me, "Akio has reenergized the company. He's promised to be the closest president ever to the gemba ." Does it make sense for the head of a company as large as Toyota to spend so much time evaluating its products and micromanaging small details? Well, it worked for Steve Jobs, and Akio believes it is an essential component of his leadership. Click Here to read the full article!

CarInsuranceQuotes.net recently wrote a blog about the safest Hybrid cars on the Planet. Looking for the perfect balance of intelligent design, eco-friendliness, and safety features? There are plenty of new vehicles that boast fuel economy and profitable driving experiences. The Camry Hybrid, Prius and Lexus RX450h were three of the 5 safest vehicles. Safety or gas Mileage? What is more important to you when you are looking to buy a new car? Let us know what you think by clicking here and telling us your opinion! Click here to read the full blog story!