Protect your car’s roof from scratches with an old blanket before tying lumber, bicycles, or luggage to your roof rack.

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Carolina Canines for Service in Wilmington, North Carolina, uses the Toyota Sienna Mobility they won to help partner talented service dogs with disabled individuals who need their help. These dogs can help do many tasks people take for granted, including going up stairs, opening doors and even doing the laundry.- Courtesy of Toyota Motors

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Toyota and Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) announced today a national partnership through the establishment of a college readiness initiative, which will help fund youth education and improve high school graduation rates. As a founding sponsor of D2D – Diplomas to Degrees, Toyota is providing a $1.5 million grant over three years to help provide tools, resources and support to Boys & Girls Club teens to help prepare them to move from high school to college graduation.
 

The announcement was made at an education celebration event on the campus of Bowie State University in Bowie, Md., where more than 150 local Boys & Girls Clubs teens from the Baltimore and Washington, D.C. region were joined by Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley, former NBA player and Boys & Girls Club alum A.C. Green, as well as representatives from Toyota and Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
 

“I am pleased to join Toyota and the Boys & Girls Clubs of America to announce a new national partnership to prepare our children for the future,” said Governor Martin O’Malley. “To move forward in this changing new economy, we must create jobs and expand opportunity – and education is the best tool we have.  In Maryland, we have set a goal to improve student achievement and school, college and career readiness by 25 percent by 2015 because we believe in giving our children the tools they need to succeed.  Together, with innovative partnerships like this, we can return to the urgent work of building up our children’s future.”
 

Studies have shown that students who fail to graduate high school prepared to obtain a postsecondary education are less likely to gain full access to our country’s economic, political and social opportunities. Therefore, Toyota and BGCA are dedicated to ensuring Club members receive the support needed to succeed in their academic careers and in life. 
 

Piloted in ten cities over the past year, D2D – Diplomas to Degrees will now be available in more than 1,000 Boys & Girls Clubs across the country. The program is designed to help youth develop short and long-term goals; explore post-secondary institutions to familiarize teens with the college lifestyle; pursue and secure essential financial assistance; and foster supportive relationships with caring adults who can provide ongoing advice and mentorship throughout the teens’ academic experience. 
 

“Toyota is committed to helping improve the quality of life in the communities where we live and work,” said Mike Groff, vice president, Sales, Marketing and Product Planning, Toyota Financial Services. “Our partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs is an extension of our focus on education and a key component of the new D2D program is engaging our associates to volunteer as mentors and college coaches through their local clubs. The ultimate goal of this program is to increase the number of youth who graduate from high school and enroll in a college, university or other postsecondary institution.”

In addition to D2D – Diplomas to Degrees, Toyota has provided close to $1 million in academic scholarships for more than 225 Boys & Girls Club alumni and staff and supported thousands of middle and high school youth with mentorships, internships and financial or career programs to help them become productive and caring adults. Toyota has worked closely with BGCA to support Boys & Girls Club of East Los Angeles, investing toward the local organization’s Formula for Impact Grant.
 

“BGCA is committed to working with youth to ensure they are prepared for post-secondary education, but we can’t do it alone,” said Jim Clark, president and CEO at BGCA.  “With the help of corporations like Toyota, we now have the opportunity to provide targeted programs for youth through key transition periods between high school and college.  Schools, families and community partners are all vital parts of the education equation and we must work together to improve the outlook for our nation and secure more great futures for our youth.”  – Courtesy of Toyota Motors

On April 5th Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. revealed the all-new 2013 Avalon premium mid-size sedan today at the 2012 New York International Auto Show. The new Avalon is re-conceived for the premium mid-size sedan segment with a progressive and emotionally styled exterior design.

When it arrives to dealerships late this year, the new Avalon will offer improved dynamic performance, a greater degree of refinement, and a highly spacious, comfortable interior experience with an abundance of outstanding convenience technologies.

The new 2013 Avalon is the result of a North American-focused design and engineering effort. The new sedan’s dramatic exterior and interior design was conceived by a youthful and talented team at the Calty Design Research Inc. facilities in Southern California and Michigan. The car’s engineering development was principally led by a passionate and dedicated group based at Toyota Technical Center in Ann Arbor, Mich. Continuing a North American focused theme, the 2013 Avalon will be assembled at Toyota’s facility in Georgetown, Ky. True to the future product mission set forth by Toyota Motor Corporation President, Akio Toyoda, the new Avalon’s more stylish, bold, sporty exterior design and luxurious interior styling are matched by an enhanced dynamic package, a combination that foreshadows the more compelling and passionate nature of future Toyota products.- Courtesy of Toyota Motor Sales

Easter approaches. What are your plans for Easter?

Compared to the 2012 model, the upcoming Avalon features a stylish interior that feels more like a German luxury car than its predecessor. While pricing details aren’t available yet, last year’s model started in the low $30,000′s so it seems reasonable to assume this car would stick in the same range.

An LCD screen that fits nicely into the redesigned center stack shows everything from infotainment options music selection to maps. A colorful gauge cluster with white numbers further compliments the redesigned interior which has more space than a BMW 5 Series. There’s also a charging station for mobile devices and captive-touch controls for climate settings.

Other features that were present in previous generations like a power rear window shade remain for rear-seat comfort as well.

“There’s also an unmatched list of technology-driven safety features, including a best-in-class 10 airbags, blind spot monitor with cross-traffic detection and pre-collision system,” said Toyota Motor Sales group vice president Bob Carter.

– Courtesy of Toyota Motor Corporation

Toyota’s $1,000 college grad rebate is one of the best in the market, but it is also one of the best-kept secrets. In order to let the secret out, the Toyota’s College Grad Video Contest is going to spread the word about Toyota’s $1,000 college grad rebate. So get your creative juices flowing and show us how you would spread the word to your fellow grads. The Contest Winner takes home a brand new 2012 Toyota Corolla S. To learn more about the contest, sweepstakes, instant win game and additional prizes, visit https://www.toyotagradcontest.com/ and read the official rules. Good luck!

Toyota Reports Sales of Over 200,000 Vehicles in March 2012

Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., today reported its best March results since 2008 with sales of 203,282 units, an increase of 11.2 percent compared to March 2011 on a daily selling rate (DSR) basis. On a raw volume basis, unadjusted for 28 selling days in March 2012 compared to 27 selling days in March 2011, TMS sales were up 15.4 percent over the year-ago month.

“Toyota dealers had their best-selling month outside of Cash for Clunkers since the pre-recession days of August 2008. Camry and Prius also continue to shine as both set records, including Camry’s best March ever and an all-time high for Prius sales,” said Jeff Bracken, vice president of Toyota Division sales. “With strong first quarter results and key economic indicators remaining upbeat, we see this momentum carrying into the months ahead.” – Courtesy of Toyota Motor Sales.

In this age of technology, the 2011-2012 Toyota Avalon has it all with USB, MP3 and iPod® input! What music would you load for your road trip? Here @