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Toyota’s Collaborative Safety Research Center (CSRC) today announced four new research projects and three new research partnerships aimed at advancing the development of innovative vehicle safety technologies across the automotive industry. The CSRC pursues automotive safety research through a collaborative model that prioritizes sharing Toyota’s talent and technology with a broad range of institutions. Click Here for the full story!

Too often, we hear about concussions on the football field and in other athletic venues. Toyota is directly involved to help research and study brain trauma. Do you know someone who has had a concussion before? Toyota has a history of collaborative research programs with universities. One program involving Toyota, Virginia Tech and Wake Forest School of Medicine was honored on Monday at the Brain Trauma Foundation’s (BTF) Honors Dinner, where Toyota was recognized for helping significantly advance the understanding of brain trauma. Using accelerometers attached to the helmets of football players, university researchers collected data that has led to the first safety ratings system for football helmets. The data will be also used by Toyota to enhance its “THUMS” virtual human model and will contribute to new vehicle safety technologies that help reduce the occurrence and severity of head collisions. “We are confident our research advancements will help reduce the risk of traumatic brain injuries in both automobile crashes and the football field,” said Dr. Stefan Duma, Principal Investigator for Virginia Tech. “We are grateful to Toyota for its support of this important, lifesaving research and to the BTF for its recognition.” “We are proud at Toyota to have been able to help contribute to the growing body of knowledge in this research area and are honored to be recognized for our work with Virginia Tech and Wake Forest School of Medicine,” said Mr. Gulash. More information about all of CSRC’s research projects can be found at www.Toyota.com/CSRC.

Who is concerned about safety? Where does it rank when you go and buy a family Sedan? For most people it is at the top. That being said, there is great news from the U.S. Government. The All New 2012 Toyota Camry is one of three vehicles thus far that has received the 5 Star Safety Rating! The redesigned 2012 Camry earned a five-star overall rating, getting four stars in the frontal test, five stars in the side-crash test and four stars in the rollover test. Check out the article below that was in the USA Today:

We are really impressed with this new Scion. Take a minute and read this post and check out the images of the 2013 Scion FR-S Sports Car. What are your thoughts on the 2013 Scion FR-S Sports Car? With the introduction tonight of the 2013 Scion FR-S, the triumvirate of oh-so-similar sport coupes born of the joint venture between Toyota and Subaru is complete. With its introduction, the FR-S also marks the return of some excitement to Toyota's lineup of products in the U.S., even if it is branded as a Scion. The Japanese automaker hasn't offered a true performance machine in the U.S. since the MR2 Spyder ended production in 2007. The more hardcore Supra disappeared from American soil almost a decade earlier in 1998. Click here for the full story. To check out the photo gallery, click here. What do you think?

How annoying is it when your check engine light comes on? Well, this past weekend CarMD came out with some great news about check engine lights and Toyota's. Guess what? Toyota had the lowest percentage of red light reports/problems seen. The first annual CarMD Vehicle Health Index ranked vehicles using real-world, statistically-based data for the fewest average repair incidents and lowest average repair costs for model-year 2001 to 2011 vehicles in the U.S. Click Here for the full story! Plus, Click Here to check out the CarMD Website. Do you have questions about check engine lights? Let us know and we would be happy to help.

Are you driving a Toyota? Then we have some great news for you! Toyota is the manufacturer with the highest resale value. That means when you go and trade in your car for another vehicle (hopefully a Toyota at Ardmore Toyota!) You will get more value on your car than any other manufacturer. That is also great news when researching a new car to buy! How important is resale value to you when looking to purchase a car? Some Highlights: -Toyota was named the top brand in 2012 Kelley Blue Book’s 2012 Best Resale Value Awards. -All-New Camry Wins Best Resale Value in Mid-Size Car Class. Click Here for the full story! Click Here for more from Kelley Blue Book.

NEW YORK – November 9, 2011 – Toyota, the most fuel-efficient full line auto manufacturer in the United States today reaffirmed its commitment to sustainability throughout its operations and beyond as it released its 2011 North America Environmental Report.  The report details the substantial success that Toyota has had in meeting or exceeding the goals of its aggressive, five-year Environmental Action Plan (EAP). Among the key achievements outlined in the 2011 report are: Major developments in advanced technology vehicles, including the launch of an expanded family of four Prius vehicles, a new partnership with California’s Tesla Motors to produce an electric, zero emission version of the RAV4 crossover SUV, and the opening of the first pipeline-fed hydrogen filling station in the U.S. Significant improvements in fuel economy across Toyota’s fleet over the past five years, including a 12% improvement in Corporate Average Fuel Economy (or CAFE standards) for U.S. cars and a 10% improvement in U.S. truck CAFE standards Near zero-landfill status at each of Toyota’s North American manufacturing plants as well as a 35% decrease in the amount of nonsaleable waste per vehicle produced Expanded local partnerships to improve the environment, including helping towns and counties reduce energy use, donating used plastics that are recycled to fund a local program for the disabled, and working with dealerships and suppliers to build “greener” facilities. Click here to read the full story. We are interested in hearing from you. What types of things do you do in your own home to be more sustainable & help the environment?

We want to know your thoughts? Is being Green important to you? What have you done to help our world be a more "Green" Place to live? Toyota was honored by the National Audubon Society on Wednesday November 2nd, for its leadership in environmental advocacy and conservation. Yoshi Inaba, president/COO of Toyota Motor North America and chairman/CEO of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., accepted the Audubon Keesee Conservation Award, which is given annually to environmental leaders in their respective fields who exemplify conservation excellence and have committed time and resources to connect new and diverse audiences to nature. Toyota and Audubon launched the Together Green initiative in 2008 to fund conservation projects, train environmental leaders and offer volunteer opportunities that significantly benefit the environment. It is funded by a $20 million Toyota gift to Audubon, the largest in the conservation group’s history. Now marking its fifth year, the partnership had funded 160 Fellows, and launched the Pennies for the Planet initiative. Click Here for the Full Story!

Do you have a Scion? How about a Toyota? Some great news came out today. Scion is ranked #1 most reliable car and Toyota is not far behind in 6th place. This is GREAT news for all Toyota & Scion owners and potential customers. Click here to read the USA Today Story Click here to read the New York Times Story Do you know someone who is interested in a Scion or Toyota? If so, tell them about the Consumer Reports rankings and if you refer them to Ardmore Toyota, we will give you a referral check for bringing them in. Email us at contact_us@ardmoretoyota.com if you want to refer someone.

Looking ahead, all automotive forecasts say the industry will move towards smaller and more fuel-efficient vehicles, which should work in favor of Toyota because of its established image as a fuel-efficient make. And, with its strong customer loyalty numbers, Toyota will be seeing many more returning hybrid drivers than its competitors. Click here for the full story.

We are really excited for the Launch of the all-new 2012 Camry. It's Ready...Are You??? The New York Times wrote up a great article that explains how Toyota plans to launch the New 2012 Camry with its amazing Marketing campaign. Don't miss out on reading about the Camry Launch. Click here to read the article!

Are you a teacher? Do you have a family member or friend who is a teacher? If so, this is something you want to read. Twenty-six U.S. teachers have been selected to travel to Costa Rica through the Toyota International Teacher Program. Taking place November 19 - December 3, 2011, the program will provide educators with unique learning experiences to help them encourage and inspire their own students to become more involved in environmental, cultural and world studies. Funded by Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., and administered by the Institute of International Education (IIE), the Toyota International Teacher Program advances environmental stewardship and global connectedness in U.S. schools and communities. Click here for the full story. Learn more about the Toyota International Teacher Program.