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Toyota News

Toyota Announces $2.5 Billion Expansion of North Carolina Plant with 350 Additional Jobs and BEV Battery Capacity

Toyota’s global investment climbs up to $5.6 billion, supporting electrification efforts

LIBERTY, N.C. (Aug. 31, 2022) – Toyota announced an additional investment of $2.5 billion in its newest North American facility, Toyota Battery Manufacturing North Carolina (TBMNC). This investment adds capacity to support battery electric vehicle (BEV) battery production and adds 350 jobs, bringing the total employment to approximately 2,100. Scheduled to begin production in 2025, the facility will produce batteries for hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) and BEVs.

Last year, Toyota Motor Corporation announced a global investment of approximately $70 billion (8 trillion JPY*) for electrification efforts. Today, as part of this aspirational goal, TMC announced a future battery production commitment of up to $5.6 billion (730 billion JPY), which includes the new North Carolina investment.  

“This marks another significant milestone for our company,” said Norm Bafunnosenior vice president, Unit Manufacturing and Engineering at Toyota Motor North America. “This plant will serve a central role in Toyota’s leadership toward a fully electrified future and will help us meet our goal of carbon neutrality in our vehicles and global operations by 2035.” 

In 2021, Toyota, in partnership with Toyota Tsusho, announced the new Liberty location with an initial investment of $1.29 billion for battery production and the creation of 1,750 new jobs. With today’s announcement, TBMNC’s total investment is $3.8 billion. 

“This is an exciting time for Toyota, the region and the many North Carolinians we will soon employ, said Sean Suggs, TBMNC president. “This incremental investment reflects our continued commitment to ensuring jobs and future economic growth for the Triad region.”  

Join the Team
Toyota North Carolina is seeking motivated individuals to join its leadership team. To view and apply for open positions, visit www.toyota.com/careers. Production and maintenance employee positions will be available in early 2023. 

* Based on December 2021 Yen-Dollar exchange rate 

About Toyota  

Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in North America for more than 60 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our more than 1,800 dealerships.   

Toyota directly employs more than 48,000 people in North America who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of nearly 43 million cars and trucks at our 13 manufacturing plants.  By 2025, Toyota’s 14th plant in North Carolina will begin to manufacture automotive batteries for electrified vehicles.  With more electrified vehicles on the road than any other automaker, more than a quarter of the company’s 2021 North American sales were electrified. 

Through the Start Your Impossible campaign, Toyota highlights the way it partners with community, civic, academic and governmental organizations to address our society’s most pressing mobility challenges. We believe that when people are free to move, anything is possible. For more information about Toyota, visit www.ToyotaNewsroom.com.

Source Article: Toyota Newsroom

Categories
Texas Toyota

4 Tips to Keep Your Car Looking Great

Whether you’re a car enthusiast or simply a daily driver, keeping your car clean is always a must. While it may seem like a daunting task to keep your car clean, it truly isn’t, especially with our Toyota of Abilene helpful car cleaning tips.

As with any chore, the more you keep up with cleaning your car, the easier it is to maintain. That is why we recommend regularly cleaning out your car, vacuuming it and keeping it free of trash and debris.

When it comes to keeping the exterior of your car looking great, regular washes and waxes will go a long way. Maintaining your car’s paint is a great way to ensure your vehicle won’t have rust or peeling problems. The best part is that it keeps your car looking great too.

With this list of helpful tips, you’ll have all the tools and knowledge you need to keep your car looking just as great as it did the day you bought it.

Clear it Out

The first step to cleaning your car like the pros is pretty simple — clear it out! Trash, debris, last week’s hamburger wrapper, you’ll want to get rid of it all. Clearing out the clutter from the interior of your car instantly makes it look better and a lot less “lived in”. Plus, if you had enough stuff in there, you could consider it as fuel savings to clean it all out.

Not only is interior clutter unsightly, but it can also be dangerous. If you’re ever in an accident, every item you have on the interior will be tossed around becoming a hazard to you. Plus, who wants to be coated in a two-day-old soda after getting in an accident?

Cleaning out the interior of your car is the easiest step, all you need are some trash bags and you’ll be clutter-free in no time. Once you’ve cleaned out the interior of your car, you can move on to our next step detailed below.

Scrub it Out

Just like the carpet and flooring in our homes, the floor mats in our cars can get pretty dirty. That’s why it’s important for you to pull them out of the car and give them a good scrubbing. Getting your floor mats nice and clean doesn’t just look good, it also will help cut down on airborne bacteria and irritants too.

Before you get to scrubbing, you may also want to give your floor mats thorough vacuuming. This will get the dirt and debris that has found its way into your car and been compacted down. Once you’re done vacuuming you can get to scrubbing.

You’ll want a good brush with semi-firm bristles to attack carpet floor mats, and a good cleaning agent as well. If you have rubber or “all-weather” floor mats, you can skip the vacuum step and just give them a good spray down with your chosen cleaning agent.

Vacuum it Out

If you have been following our steps thus far, you should have your vacuum out still, so why not tackle the rest of the interior with it? Thoroughly vacuum all carpeted surfaces in your car, including the passenger and rear-seat floorboards, especially if they see high traffic.

While you have the vacuum out, it’s probably a good idea to run it over any non-carpeted surfaces that accumulate dust and debris like the dashboard. You can even hit the vents as dust accumulates there and can cause allergies or irritation.

A solid vacuum job should leave your car’s interior looking fresh and smelling even better — so why not take the time and do your car a favor?

Wipe it Out

A final step to cleaning your car like a pro is wiping it out. Pick up some interior cleaning and detailing wipes and get to work! We recommend starting from the driver’s seat, hitting all the instrumentation and surfaces you touch most.

From there, we say no amount of attention to detail is too much. Dig into those cracks and crevices, don’t be afraid to really get in there. You can use things like Q-Tips to get into tight spaces like between the air vents or radio controls. Work your way throughout the front first, then make a move to the back of the car — don’t forget the cupholders!

Get to Cleaning

Now that you have read our list of tips to keep your car clean like the pros, it’s time to grab your cleaning supplies and get to work. Whether you’re going for full interior and exterior detail or keeping it simple with a wash and wax, this list of tips is sure to get you started on the right path.

If you’re not feeling the whole DIY car detailing process, that’s okay too, we can always help you out at our reconditioning department. All you have to do is book an appointment online or by calling 325-550-2122 — stopping by works too.

Categories
Texas Toyota

Is Buying a Car in 2022 Worth It?

With the COVID-19 Pandemic coming to a close, consumers are once again demanding a large supply of new vehicles. One that cannot yet be fulfilled by the world’s manufacturers due to a massive shortage of semiconductors with no end in sight.

This shortage has dealerships all over the country scrambling to find a way to put customers behind the wheel of a new vehicle. With the ongoing shortage and rising prices, you may be wondering if now is the right time to buy a new vehicle at Toyota of Abilene, and this blog just may help you decide.

At Toyota of Abilene, the shortage isn’t stopping them from stocking the Abilene, TX area’s best selection of new, pre-owned and certified pre-owned Toyota vehicles. Whether you’re looking for a new or pre-owned vehicle, Toyota of Abilene has plenty of options for you to choose from. Don’t let the shortage hold you back, stop by and see why Toyota of Abilene is Abilene’s favorite Toyota dealer today!

Rising Prices, Dwindling Inventory

As the world slowly returns to form after the COVID-19 Pandemic, the global supply chain is struggling to keep up after such a long period of disruption. Back in 2020, with the world at the height of the pandemic, factories all over the world shut down to stop the spread, while subsequently stopping the production of goods.

During the global shutdown, inventory began to pile up on dealership lots all throughout the United States. With each passing day, the cost of insurance and interest on this sitting inventory totaled in the hundreds of thousands, causing dealership owners a slight panic. This time of uncertainty and panic was not here to stay long, as a bigger problem awaited dealership owners in the near future.

Fast forward a year to 2021, dealerships throughout the U.S. are struggling to keep up with demand for inventory as manufacturers struggle to produce new vehicles. This struggle is largely due to a semiconductor shortage that was sparked by the worldwide lockdowns that took place during the pandemic. With factories shut down and semiconductors not being made, new vehicles ceased to be produced and vehicle manufacturers found themselves struggling to fulfill dealership orders.

In response to the growing supply chain issue, dealerships began to turn their focus toward to used vehicle market, encouraging customers to sell their used vehicles or complete trade-ins. With used vehicles more desirable than ever and equipped government-backed stimulus checks, consumers throughout the United States flocked to dealerships to trade in their old vehicles in favor of new ones.

The rush by dealerships to find ways to supplement the shortage of new vehicles only further exacerbated that shortage, leaving dealerships in a pickle. Now dealerships have droves of customers clamoring to trade-in their vehicles, with no new vehicles to sell those customers, resulting in long waiting lists and disgruntled customers.

With this shortage, you may be wondering if now is the right time to start the search for a vehicle. The answer here at Toyota of Abilene is a resounding, YES! Despite the supply chain issues and a shortage of new vehicles, there has never been a better time to trade in your old vehicle in favor of purchasing a new one. Keep reading to find out why!

The Time Is Now

If you’re wondering if it’s a smart idea to buy a car in 2022, the answer is YES! Now, you may be doubting that because of what you just read above…but fear not! There truly has never been a better time to buy a new car, truck or SUV — and here are some reasons why.

Interest Rates

One of the biggest reasons you should be buying a car right now is because of the incredibly low-interest rates that are available. Right now, banks are loaning out money at record-setting rates in attempts to reinvigorate the struggling, post-pandemic economy. With rates as low as 0.99% APR available, it’s a no-brainer to buy a new vehicle right now as rates like this aren’t typically available.

If you want the best interest rates on the widest selection of new and pre-owned Toyota vehicles, stop by Toyota of Abilene located in Abilene today!

Your Car Is Worth More Than Ever Before

Yeah, you read that right…your old car is worth more than ever before thanks to the shortage of new inventory. Typically, all cars begin depreciating the moment they leave the dealership lot. However, in this whacky post-pandemic economy, some vehicles have actually gained value as they aged.

As dealerships all over the country make a push to purchase used vehicles and increase trade-ins, the value of used vehicles has increased astronomically. That means there has never been a better time to purchase a new vehicle, as your trade-in is worth more than its ever been. If you’ve been tossing around the idea of buying a new car, you’ll want to act now before the value of your used car plummets back to pre-pandemic prices and you lose out on thousands.

You can get the best value for your used car, truck or SUV at Toyota of Abilene located in Abilene, TX. At Toyota of Abilene, they have the Abilene area’s best selection of new and pre-owned Toyota vehicles, so stop by and check out their inventory today!

Customize Your New Vehicle

Due to the semiconductor shortage, chances are you will be waiting on a new vehicle to be built and shipped to the United States before you buy it. This wait may seem like nothing but a hassle when in reality it is the best thing that could happen. Wondering why it’s the best thing that could happen? Keep reading to find out why!

While it may not seem ideal to buy a car that hasn’t yet been built, there are some advantages to doing so. A car that hasn’t been built yet means you can tailor to fit your exact needs and specifications. That means you can forego features you won’t use and add features you may not have been able to find on a specific trim of that vehicle. With the added flexibility that comes with ordering a new Toyota vehicle, it truly makes right now better than ever to buy a new vehicle.

Stop by Toyota of Abilene located in Abilene to place an order for your new Toyota vehicle today!

Reasons You Should Avoid Buying a Car in 2022

This blog would not be complete without a good counterargument. So, let’s talk about a few reasons why you may want to avoid buying a new car, truck or SUV in 2022.

Seemingly Endless Waiting Lists

One good reason to avoid purchasing a new or pre-owned vehicle in 2022 is the waiting game. Let’s face it, nobody wants to spend their hard-earned money on a vehicle they have to spend months waiting for. However, the reality of this post-pandemic world is filled with long waiting lists for new vehicles of all shapes and sizes.

If you’re considering purchasing a new car, truck or SUV, make sure to inquire about the average waiting time at your dealership of choice. Another thing to keep in mind is delays do happen, especially with the rampant issues in the global supply chain. That being said, if you place an order for a new vehicle, be prepared to be patient.

Patience is a virtue they say, and if it’s a virtue that escapes you, perhaps its best to look into a pre-owned vehicle instead. If a pre-owned vehicle is something you would consider, Toyota of Abilene has plenty of them to choose from at their Abilene location — stop by today!

Record-High Prices

An unfortunate consequence of the vehicle shortage has been the steep rise in the prices of new vehicles. With incredibly high demand and constrained supply lines, the cost of new vehicles is rising to record highs in a staggeringly short amount of time. Many new vehicles are flying off of dealership lots, sometimes for prices above the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP).

Although interest rates are at all-time lows, it still may be wise to refrain from purchasing a new car, truck or SUV in 2022 thanks to the rising cost of new vehicles. If you want to save money and can keep driving your current vehicle, it just may be best to wait out this influx of pricing on new vehicles.

Fewer Options

Yet another drawback to purchasing a new vehicle during this shortage is the lack of available options. Due to the semiconductor shortage, vehicle manufacturers are opting to only produce certain types and trims of vehicles, leaving less variety to choose from. This is being done in an effort to keep profits where they need to be while dealing with a constrained supply of vehicles and parts.

During this shortage, you run the chance of walking onto a dealership lot and not being able to find a vehicle to fit your wants or needs. Many vehicles that are being produced right now are coming loaded with options and features, which increases the cost and makes them less appealing to budget-conscious consumers.

If you’re considering purchasing a new vehicle in these times, keep in mind that you may not get exactly what you want in a vehicle. This can be prevented with a little patience, all you have to do is simply wait out this global semiconductor shortage which should be over soon. Getting the vehicle of your dreams is still possible despite the worldwide shortage of vehicles, so don’t lose hope!

The Answer Is

Now that both sides to the argument have been made, the answer to the question “Is Buying a Car in 2022 Worth It” still remains a resounding yes. This is because the power is still in the hands of the consumer, even with the reduced supply of new and pre-owned vehicles. Consumers are more powerful than ever in the post-pandemic world, and it’s because struggling companies need every dollar they can get. Keep this in mind when shopping for your next vehicle, whether it’s new or pre-owned.

If you’re still reading and have realized that now is better than ever to buy a new vehicle, then stop by Toyota of Abilene located in Abilene, TX today! At Toyota of Abilene, they stock the Abilene, TX area’s biggest selection of new, pre-owned and certified pre-owned Toyota vehicles and sell them at the best prices. Get the best deal on your next Toyota vehicle by shopping at Toyota of Abilene located in Abilene today!

Categories
Service Center

What is Synthetic Oil and How Often Should I Change It?

Some may say that the engine is the most important part of your vehicle, but the truth is, it isn’t the engine itself, but what runs through it that is the most important part of your vehicle. Engine oil is the most important part of your vehicle, as it protects vital components of your engine that keep your car running right. Through short trips, weekend joy rides, and long cruises, the oil in your engine heats up and cools off multiple times, and must not degrade during this process as that could cause engine wear and tear, and eventual failure.

To keep engine oil from degrading quickly, oil manufacturers turned to synthetic oil blends which degrade at a slower rate and even provide improved protection to the engine. Synthetic oil is far more refined than traditional oil, resulting in less engine friction, reduced sludge buildup, and even better engine performance.

If you’re located in Abilene or the surrounding areas and wondering when you should change your oil, you’ll want to read the rest of this blog!

What is Synthetic Oil?

Synthetic oil is an artificial lubricant that was designed to reduce friction and wear of internal combustion engines, as well as replace traditional motor oil. Developed from chemically modified petroleum instead of crude oil, synthetic oil provides better performance by reducing friction and wear of your engine, far better than a traditional motor oil can. Synthetic oil tends to degrade at a slower rate than traditional motor oil, making it an attractive choice to auto manufacturers attempting to keep their vehicle maintenance costs low.

One of the best benefits of synthetic oil that often goes overlooked is it’s reduced impact on the environment. With synthetic oil usage on the rise, the world’s reliance on crude oil has decreased, thus reducing the environmental impact that oil has. If you want to reduce your vehicle maintenance costs, wear and tear, and environmental impact, using synthetic oil in your car is the way to go!

Why Should I Use Synthetic Oil?

The use of synthetic oil isn’t just about reducing your environmental impact or stopping the use of crude oil throughout the world, its best trick is increasing the performance of your engine! Synthetic oil is great to use in your engine, as it can withstand a wider range of temperatures, is more stable, and causes less engine sludge. Using synthetic oil also means your internal engine parts will stay better lubricated, meaning less wear and tear on your engine and better performance too.

With a longer lifecycle, synthetic oil allows you to stretch the time between changes, as they last anywhere from 7,500 to 15,000 miles. This longer lifecycle means you can save money and not worry about your engine’s performance degrading or being at risk. If you own a newer car with a turbocharged or hybrid engine, using synthetic oil is a must as these engines have higher compression ratios which cause extreme wear and tear.

How Often Should I Change My Oil?

Each vehicle and engine has different requirements for oil change intervals, but its been a general rule of thumb to change your oil every three months or 3,000 miles. These days, however, oil change intervals seem to be growing, with most manufacturers making the switch to synthetic or fully synthetic oil. Since synthetic oil takes far longer to degrade and can withstand higher temperatures, you should be able to stretch out the time you take between oil changes.

With most synthetic oil manufacturers claiming to get tens of thousands of miles between each oil change, it’s easy to get confused about when you should be swapping out your oil. The best way to know when to get an oil change is to read your car’s owner’s manual, as it will list all the various service intervals needed to maintain your car properly. If you’re unsure of when to change your oil, simply call up the parts and service experts here at Toyota of Abilene, we’ll be happy to provide you with that information.

Where Can I Get Synthetic Oil?

You can purchase synthetic oil from your local auto supply store, or you could stop in here at Toyota of Abilene as we stock the widest variety of synthetic oils around. Not only will we have the exact synthetic oil and filter you’re looking for in stock, but we’ll have it at the best price as well.

Is it time to change your oil? Have it changed here at Toyota of Abilene, as we have the best team of expert mechanics and the lowest prices in the Abilene area. Don’t waste your precious weekend beneath your vehicle, let our certified mechanics here at Toyota of Abilene Service Center, located in Abilene, TX.