It received little more than passing mention in the Lavishly Expensive Roadster Edition of Wheelies, but something significant happened a couple of weekends ago. It wasn’t earth shattering, but it was noteworthy: RM Auctions sold a 1967 Toyota 2000 GT for nearly $1.2 million. It ended up being one of the higher priced cars in a batch that included Ferraris, Porsches and one-off concept cars like a 1954 Chrysler GS-1 Special that sold for $616,000.
According to the figures David Kinney – publisher of Hagerty’s Price Guide – came up with, the yellow ’67 is not only the most expensive production Toyota in history, but also the highest-priced Asian production car ever.
But 2000 GTs were never cheap cars. An article in the February 2009 issue of Automobile magazine puts the list price of one when new at $7,230, which is more than $50,000 in today’s dollars. By comparison, a Chevrolet Corvette sold for $4,663 and a Jaguar E-Type for $5,559. Even a Porsche 911 was only $6,190.
The 2000 GT saw only limited production. Although the exact number of cars built varies from source to source, RM Auctions claims Toyota built 351 of the curvaceous little sports cars from 1967 to 1970.
Although the 2000 GT was a short-lived nameplate, it left a lasting legacy. It was the car that showed Japanese car manufacturers that they were capable of building more than just stodgy family cars that many considered knock-offs of European designs. Toyota, and later other Japanese automakers, knew they could do sporty, and they knew they could do beautiful.
For full Story in the New York Times, Click Here.
Toyota is the top Full Line Automotive Brand of the Year, according to the latest Harris Poll EquiTrend study, which assesses companies based on familiarity, quality and purchase consideration.
“Understanding the health of your brand is a critical component in determining the business priorities for companies in any industry,” said Aron Galonsky, senior vice president at Harris Interactive. “The higher scores point to increased consumer affinity and likelihood to purchase from these companies.”
To view the Harris Poll EquiTrend results, please click here.
Hymie’s Deli of Merion uses Max Paul’s Ardmore Toyota as their official vehicle of transportation for their World Famous Deli. To learn more about Hymie’s click here.
Question of the day: What is your favorite Deli meal?
On Thursday May 2nd, Sales Associate Bobby Tahmas was surprised by his customers Candy & James when they came to pick up their new 2013 Toyota Rav4. They arrived at the dealership with 2 freshly baked Cakes and cupcakes with a Toyota Theme! Check out the pictures of the tasty treats that they had for Ardmore Toyota employees.
Thank you Candy & James for a wonderful treat, and more importantly we wish you all the best with your new 2013 Toyota Rav4 on behalf of your sales associate Bobby!
Philadelphia Inquirer-Camry hybrid rolls on
On Tuesday April 30th, The Philadelphia Inquirer published the following story that was written by Emma Jayne Williams of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Last year, Toyota introduced the redesigned midsize Camry Hybrid sedan, which came as part of the makeover of the entire Camry line.
The hybrid got a revised Synergy Drive system, with a new 2.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine and improved fuel economy. Changes to the hybrid were part of an overall Camry makeover, including the gasoline-only models. Click here for the full story.
Toyota ranks 48th on the 2013 DiversityInc list of Top 50 Companies for Diversity and is the only automobile manufacturer to make the list. Toyota also is the Top Company for Employee Engagement and No. 8 on DiversityInc’s list of Top 10 Companies for LGBT Employees.
DiversityInc praised Toyota for its mentoring program, resource groups and increasing charitable donations to multicultural organizations by 24 percent. More than 40 percent of Toyota’s philanthropy supports racial/ethnic, LGBT or disability nonprofits. In addition, DiversityInc said Toyota’s Diversity Advisory Board continues to “move the needle on setting metrics and goals.”
DiversityInc assesses companies based on four key areas of diversity: CEO commitment, human capital, corporate and organizational communications and supplier diversity.
On Saturday April 20th, 2013 Ardmore Toyota & Central City Toyota participated in the 32nd Annual 5K Run for Clean air. In observance of Earth Day, we had a Toyota Prius V on hand for participants and guests to see and to learn about. Our Technology Genie Peter was on hand answering questions for everyone about the Prius and the amazing technology in this Toyota Hybrid? Want to learn more, or see our selection of Hybrids? Click here.
Over the past 32 years, the 5K Run for Clean Air has grown into Philadelphia’s largest Earth Day Celebration, become a certified green event, added a 3K walk, and more. Located on the beautiful banks of the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia, the Run is a celebration of sustainability, clean air, and improvements in the region’s environmental health. To learn more about the event and to see the results, click here.
On Thursday April 18th, 2013, Ardmore Toyota & Central City Toyota hosted a celebration for all new owners. With a fully catered buffet from Hymies, customers had the opportunity to meet the Service Directors of both Ardmore & Central City, as well as the Technicians and advisors. Some customers won prizes and all left with a goodie bag. Customers learned about vehicle maintenance and technology during the celebration. Do you want to attend a future New Owner Celebration? Email us at events@ardmoretoyota.com to find out more. Thank you to the over 60 new owners of Toyota models who came to the celebration!
Toyota and Lexus in the U.S. Accounted for Nearly 2 Million of Total 5 Million Global Hybrid Sales Revealed Today
Nearly 2 million (1,951,243) Toyota and Lexus hybrid vehicles have been sold in the United States, significantly reducing CO2 emissions and fuel consumption. The announcement was made today by Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A, Inc. in conjunction with Toyota Motor Corporation’s announcement in Japan that it has sold 5 million hybrid vehicles worldwide.
Teen Vogue and Toyota Partner on Safe Driving Campaign to Help Educate and Empower Teenage Girls
In conjunction with Distracted Driving Awareness Month in April, Teen Vogue and Toyota announced on April 4th, 2013 “Arrive in Style,” a safe driving campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of distracted driving among teenage girls and inspire them to make a mutual commitment with their mothers to drive safely.
In conjunction with the launch of “Arrive in Style”, Toyota released new findings from the Study regarding driving behaviors of teen girls:
•Sixty-two percent of teen girls report using a cell phone while driving (handheld and/or hands-free).
•Nearly one in three girl teens (30 percent) reads a text or email once or more every time they drive.
•Almost a quarter of girl teens (23 percent) respond to a text once or more every time they drive.
•Almost one in five (19 percent) of teen girl drivers report that they have extended conversations via text message while driving.
•More than half (51 percent) of girls say they search for music on a portable music player, such as an iPod, while driving.
•Twelve percent of girls report that they update or check social media, such as Facebook or Twitter, while driving.
•Seventy percent of teen girl drivers report they drive with two or three teen passengers and no adults in their car, which is associated with a doubling of a driver’s risk of being killed in a crash, as compared to having no passengers
Click Here to watch a Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UaqlN3EN4Us&feature=share&list=UUr7ZFxNlDvb3waeoTN1_3mA
Click Here for the Full Story: http://pressroom.toyota.com/releases/teen+vogue+toyota+partner+safe+driving+campaign+april4.htm?view_id=39839
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