Go Car Shopping from Home

Think of it as window shopping without ever changing out of your pajamas. We know that searching for a new vehicle can be a stressful and lengthy process. With that in mind, our New Toyota models page can be a great resource in your search for a new Toyota.

All you have to do is grab your favorite chair, your favorite Snuggie and start your search for that car, truck or SUV you've been dreaming of; it's that easy. If you find a Toyota that you like, head on over to the dealership to take a test drive!

Just be sure to change out of your pajamas before you leave the house.

Turn Your Car Dreams into a Reality

According to a recent article* in National Geographic, people daydream less when they get older. That means we spend less time dreaming about flying through the clouds and going on global adventures as the years progress. We even stop dreaming about that new car we've been itching to get for years.

Well, to help make your dreams a reality, we have some great vehicle specials on your favorite Toyota models. Visit Merced Toyota's website to learn more about our current offers.

And after you're finished dreaming about cruising down the coastline in your new Corolla, stop by and take one for a test drive!

*Five Surprising Facts About Daydreaming

Survive the Zombie Apocalypse with an FJ Cruiser

As we watched Brad Pitt fight zombies in this summer’s movie blockbuster, World War Z, we got to thinking… How could the FJ Cruiser help you survive the zombie apocalypse? After some careful thought and deliberation, here are our top three benefits:

1. Two words. Off. Road. – When zombies take over the city, it’s time to head for the mountains. FJ’s elevated air intake and protected electrical components can defy currents up to 28 inches deep, helping you cross safely to dry land.
2. 260 Horsepower – You’ll need to get somewhere safe as soon as possible, and this Toyota has plenty of power to get you there. The FJ Cruiser’s V6 engine pumps out 260 horsepower and 271 lb.-ft. of torque.
3. Side-Impact Door Beams – The roads will definitely be perilous when the zombie apocalypse hits, so accidents are bound to happen. The FJ Cruiser is equipped with side-impact door beams designed to absorb vehicle impact and help prevent intrusion into the cabin.

 If you don’t have a FJ Cruiser yet, visit the Merced Toyota website for more information and stop by today to take one for a test drive! Or at least before the zombies arrive.

Worldwide Prius Sales Top 3-Million Mark

Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) announces that as of the end of June, worldwide cumulative sales of the iconic Prius gasoline-electric hybrid vehicle passed the 3-million mark.

In 1997, TMC launched the Prius, which was the world’s first mass-produced hybrid passenger car. The second generation followed in 2003, and the third generation in 2009. From the first to third generation, TMC greatly reduced the cost of the hybrid system by two-thirds while improving the EPA-estimated ratings for combined driving by nearly 22 percent. In addition, TMC applied for 1,261 patents relating to the third-generation Prius, achieving progress worthy of the Prius name (derived from a Latin word meaning “to go before”).

Since the development of the first-generation Prius, TMC has positioned hybrid technology as a core technology required for the development of various types of environment-friendly vehicles and has placed emphasis on the development and production of core components such as motors, inverters, batteries and electronic control units (ECUs), giving rise to substantial investment in Japan.

TMC will continue to conduct R&D and invest in facilities in Japan for the development of hybrid and other cutting-edge technologies and achieve sustainable growth by deploying these Japan-developed technologies across the globe.

In the fiscal year ending March 2014, TMC expects to spend a consolidated 890 billion yen (790 billion yen unconsolidated) on environmental technology development, as well as on strengthening new platform and major component development.

In the same period, TMC also plans to make consolidated capital expenditure investments of 910 billion yen (up seven percent year-on-year), with 440 billion yen invested in Japan (up nine percent year-on-year).

Investments in R&D infrastructure include a new R&D facility (651 hectares) and the Powertrain Development and Production Engineering Building (a 12-story structure with a total floor area of 100,000 m²) in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture, that will serve as a next-generation powertrain development base, as well as the Aerodynamics Laboratory (capable of producing winds of 250 km/h) located in the Honsha Technical Center.

Future capital investments by consolidated subsidiaries include an investment by Primearth EV Energy Co., Ltd. (PEVE) for expanding battery production capacity at its Omori Plant in Kosai City, Shizuoka Prefecture.

Courtesy of Toyota Pressroom 

Toyota chosen as best global green brand for 3rd straight year

Toyota Motor Corp. was selected as the "best global green brand" for the third consecutive year in 2013 for producing fuel-efficient vehicles such as the Prius hybrid, U.S. consulting firm Interbrand Corp.

Courtesy of ecnmag.com

Shuttle-hauling Tundra finds permanent home in science exhibit

The idea of lifting a full-size pickup truck completely off the ground by hand might seem as likely as, say, said pickup truck towing a 150,000-pound space shuttle, but... hurray, physics! The same Toyota Tundra that towed the Space Shuttle Endeavour to its final resting place at the California Science Center is now on permanent display there as an exhibit that shows how a lever works.

Like all levers, this exhibit uses a fulcrum allowing people other than Superman to lift the 5,625-pound pickup (plus an extra 1,000 pounds for the rig). That's almost as impressive as the Tundra pulling 17 times its rated towing capacity back in October. Regardless, Toyota is once again cashing in on the publicity stunt and visitors to the science center get a live demonstration of a simple machine – we call that a win-win.

Courtesy of Autoblog.com

Happy Monday fans, here's your car care tip of the week: keep your eyes on the road!

No matter where you are, keep in mind that your children are seeing their first and most frequent example of how to become a good driver. Put down the phone and focus! By showing a good example it is an easy way to create aware drivers and reinforce the practice in yourself.