Toyota Launches TeenDrive365 to Help Families Navigate One of the Most Dangerous Years of a Teen's Life

Inspiring Teens and Parents To Be Safer Drivers Together with Online Resources, Events, Social Media and More

 

The first year a teenager gets their driver’s license will be one of the most dangerous of their lives and while cars today are safer than ever, automobile crashes are the leading cause of death for teenagers.

Today, Toyota launched TeenDrive365, a driving safety platform to help families navigate the critical first year of a teen’s independent driving. Designed to amplify the teen driving programs and resources Toyota has offered for over a decade, the initiative aims to help foster an ongoing dialogue between parents and teens through engaging online tools, expert advice and tips, local events and social media.

One of TeenDrive365’s goals is to inspire parents to model safer driving behaviors for their teens. This premise of bringing parents and teens together to encourage safe driving is based on scientific research from a national study Toyota conducted with the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute. The study found a significant correlation between how parents and their teens drive, suggesting that parents are the biggest influence on how a teen will behave behind the wheel.

The study was sponsored by Toyota’s Collaborative Safety Research Center (CSRC), which works with leading institutions on auto safety research, including projects designed to better understand teen drivers’ risks and behaviors and identify effective recommendations to help keep them safe.

“We like to say that driver’s education begins the day a parent turns their child’s car seat around to face forward,” said Dr. Tina Sayer, Toyota Collaborative Safety Research Center Principal Engineer and teen safe driving expert. “It’s so important that parents understand that the actions they take and the expectations they set for young drivers each day are powerful factors in encouraging a lifetime of safe behavior behind the wheel.” 

Browse our current selection of vehicles by visiting the Day Toyota Scion website. 

The HorseBikeCar: Toyota's Latest Concept

Toyota is always pushing the envelope when it comes to the integration of technology in our daily lives. Such is the case with their newest concept, the FV2.

The vehicle is somewhere in between a car, a bike and a horse. 

Scheduled to debut at the Tokyo Motor Show later this month, the FV2 will offer an entirely new operating experience. When parked, it looks fairly similar to a motorcycle. But power her up, and the canopy sweeps open exposing the cabin which consists of a simple standing platform. Imagine standing up on an ATV, except you won't find a steering-wheel or pedal anywhere. Instead, the operator will have to rely on some fancy technology to make it go. 

The idea behind the concept is to seamlessly connect driver and machine. Essentially, the FV2 will just be an extension of the human body. Simply lean in the direction you want the vehicle to travel, and it will swiftly oblige. The functionality has been likened to that of a Segway. While that sounds like it may be dangerous at high-speeds, Toyota has a solution. Adhering to their concept of seamless integration, the FV2 will have 'Driver Assist Mode' capabilities. The highly-advanced HUD (Heads Up Display) projected onto the windscreen will provide traffic and weather conditions, warn of potential collisions and even maintain driving logs so that it can better adapt to your operational style. 

Perhaps the craziest feature about the FV2 is its ability to detect your mood and use that information to protect you and other motorists. For example, if you start to get angry at the guy tailgating you, the FV2 will use its voice and visual sensors to immediately determine your mood. It will then use lights on the outside of the car to indicate to the inconsiderate driver behind you that you're getting upset. 

All in all, the FV2 makes use of some serious innovations and should be fun to finally see when the Tokyo Motor Show kicks off on November 22. 

What do you think about the concept? Let us know!

The All-New Toyota Corolla: Elevate Your Style

We all know about the Toyota Corolla, it has been an extremely popular model since its inception in 1966. [See photo] It is getting our attention today because Toyota has released the all-new 2014 model, and you’re in for a treat.

• All-new exterior styling – Toyota has been spending some quality time with its design team to come up with drastically sportier, classier, and more fun Corolla. If you are a new Corolla owner, you will happy to have Standard LED Headlights, making it a great deal safer to drive at night. Once you get used to night-driving with these, you just won’t want regular halogen lights again.
• Newly designed interior - We all have spilled drinks on a car seat, and so Toyota developed a solution for us humans. The Corolla comes with available SofTex® seats, Toyota says it is a true blend of “science and luxury.” SofTex® seats are water- and stain-resistant, and supportive for long road trips. New Piano black accents are now used in the dashboard, taking the interior quality to a whole new level. Available moonroof, for you to enjoy on those beautiful sunny Sunday afternoons. Lastly, the available gated shifter will give you incredible feel during your manual shifts.
• Technologic – The Corolla can now be had with a backup camera, standard Bluetooth, available Entune entertainment system (welcoming navigation and third-party apps), an advanced voice recognition module, steering wheel controls and a standard USB port.
• Safety first – The 2014 Corolla has 8 airbags and every Corolla has our Star Safety System which is packed with technologies to keep you safe and sound at all times.

Visit the Day Toyota Scion website to see what we currently have in stock. Toyota of York will be happy to take you on a test drive and get you in that new Corolla.

Toyota and Discovery Education Are Calling All Teen Filmmakers

2014 Toyota Teen Driver Video Challenge Invites Teens to Make Original Videos to Inspire Their Peers to Become Safer Drivers

Do you think you know a teen who could be the next Spielberg, Scorsese, or Soderbergh? Then steer them to the 2014 Toyota Teen Driver Video Challenge, which invites burgeoning filmmakers and YouTubers to create original videos to inspire their peers to be safer drivers  for the chance to win $15,000.
 

While cars today are safer than ever, automobile crashes are the leading cause of death for U.S. teens and according to the National Safety Council, the year a teenager gets their license will be one of the most dangerous of their life.

“Safety is at the heart of everything Toyota does, which is why we are so excited about the Toyota Teen Driver Video Challenge,” said Latondra Newton, Toyota chief corporate social responsibility officer. “What could be more inspiring and impactful than harnessing the passion, creativity and talent of teens across the country to join us in making our roads safer for everyone?”

“That is why ToyotaTeenDriver.com is one of the most important educational resources we can provide high school students, educators and parents. The engaging multimedia resources on the site use interactivity to show students first-hand why distracted or impaired driving is such a dangerous activity and can help them to make positive decisions that will keep them safe behind the wheel.” 

So head on over to http://toyotateendriver.com to learn how to enter for an opportunity to win some huge prizes!

Visit the Day Toyota Scion Website to get more Toyota and automotive related updates. 

Toyota Corolla Nominated for Green Car of the Year

Named one of Green Car Journal’s ‘Top 5 Green Cars for 2014’

 

The 2014 Toyota Corolla has been elevated to “green heights.”  The Green Car Journal has named the eleventh-generation sedan a finalist for the 2014 Green Car of the Year award and one of its top 5 Green Cars for 2014. The Corolla also earned the magazine’s ‘Green Car Product of Excellence’ distinction.

Finalists were selected for “their achievements in raising the bar in environmental performance.”  One selection factor is the model’s availability to the mass market, giving it the potential to make a real environmental impact.

”The Corolla has been the world’s most popular name plate with over 40 million sold since 1966.  The Corolla’s environmental sensitivity has evolved with the market.  The new 11^th generation of Corolla, and the new LE Eco model in particular, offer increased levels of capability and fuel economy,” said Bob Carter, Senior Vice President, Automotive Operations, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

The Green Car of the Year will be announced during media days at the L.A. Auto Show, Nov. 20-21, 2013. 

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When It Gets Crisp in the Fall: 5 Superb Scenic Autumn Drives

"Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the Fall." 

With Fall now in full-swing, it's a great opportunity to get out of town and enjoy all the beauty that is the Autumn season. Soon enough, most parts of the East coast will be buried in with snow. If you don't get out now, you may end up with a mild case of cabin fever by Spring. For your convenience, we have compiled a handy list of some of the best Fall drives east of the Mississippi. 



1. Northampton to Dover

2. Beverly Farms to Holderness

 

 

3.  Blue Ridge Parkway, Virginia and North Carolina

 

 

 
4. North Conway to Mt. Washington, New Hampshire

5. Lewiston to Rangeley, Maine 

We hope these ideas give you some inspiration as to where to go this Fall. Don't miss out! Soon enough, the landscape will be mostly devoid of life.  

Share some of your favorite scenic routes with us on the Day Toyota Facebook page!  

100 Cars for Good: How You Can Make a Difference With Just a Click of the Mouse

Each year since 2011, Toyota has donated 100 cars to much-deserving non-profit organizations. They're at it again this year and it's up to you to decide which NPO's receive the cars.

This is how the program works: First, thousands of organizations around the country submit applications to be candidates for the program. Then, by August 5th, a panel of judges review the applications and select 250 finalists. The last step is where you come in. Toyota is relying on you to pick the most worthy finalists to receive their Car for Good. Each day, five finalists compete for your votes. At the end of the day, the two finalists with the most votes win a car. 

Winning organizations have the opportunity to choose from five different models: Highlander, Prius, Sienna, Sienna Mobility or Tundra. Each one has its specialized abilities and advantages.

The program has proven to impact thousands of lives in a positive manner. Just take one of last years winners, Family Promise of Grand Rapids, for example. This organization helps assist struggling families in Michigan. With the Tundra that was provided to them through the 100 Cars for Good program, they were able to help 30 needy families settle into their new homes. Without the Tundra, these families would never have been able to receive donated furniture and other housewares.

Voting has already started! Head over to the 100 Cars for Good Facebook App to learn more.