Featured

Toyota Tundra Adds To Its Versatile Lineup With Two New TRD Packages

Toyota is reporting to TundraSolutions.com the following.

Toyota’s 2009 Tundra full-size pickup truck will enhance its on- and off-road appeal with the addition of two new option packages from Toyota Racing Development (TRD).

A new TRD Rock Warrior Package is specially tuned and equipped with dynamic appearance features for off-road adventure and a powerful look, while a new TRD Sport Package is optimized for an aggressive street appearance.

“Tundra continues to be among the leaders in the full-size pickup truck segment in performance, durability, functionality, safety and value,” said Don Esmond, Toyota senior vice president, automotive operations. “These attributes, along with two new and exciting TRD packages and 45 different model configurations allow the Tundra to help meet the needs of a diverse group of truck buyers.”

The TRD Rock Warrior and Sport packages add to Tundra’s versatile lineup offerings by appealing to image-conscious truck buyers. In addition to the demand for traditional truck attributes, these buyers like to reflect their personal tastes through a truck with a strong street or off-road image.

The TRD Rock Warrior Package enhances the performance of the Tundra 4×4 with the addition of a tuned suspension and many performance and styling enhancements, inside and out. The TRD Sport Package adds an array of unique exterior and interior features to give the Tundra 4×2 the look and feel of a custom street truck. In addition to their styling and performance attributes, both packages are built off of the value-driven Tundra grade, providing buyers with an attractive price.

TRD Rock Warrior will be available exclusively on the Tundra grade 4×4 Double Cab (standard bed) and CrewMax equipped with the 5.7-liter V8 engine. In addition to its tuned suspension, the Rock warrior is equipped with Bilstein® shocks, TRD 17-inch forged alloy wheels with BF Goodrich® All-Terrain T/A tires, color-keyed front bumper and grille surround, matte-black rear bumper, fog lamps, black cloth interior with manual bucket seats, accessory shift knob and pedal covers, and TRD Rock Warrior side panel graphics. The Rock Warrior will come in two exterior colors, Black and Super White.

TRD Sport will be available on the Tundra grade 4×2 Regular Cab and Double Cab (standard bed) with the 5.7-liter V8. The Sport is equipped with color-keyed front and rear bumpers and grille surround, color-keyed heated outside mirrors, color-keyed door handles, fog lamps, black cloth interior with manual bucket seats, accessory shift knob and pedal covers, accessory 20-inch machined star five-spoke alloy wheels and TRD Sport Edition side panel graphics. The TRD Sport package will be available in two exterior colors, Black and Radiant Red.

Pricing for the TRD Rock Warrior and Sport packages will be announced closer to their launch in November 2008.

Photos courtesy of Toyota.

Dealer News

Ed Sheehy Promoted to SET President

TundraSolutions.com was notified on Thursday with a release from SET (South East Toyota) distributors of an executive promotion.

Colin Brown, president and CEO, of diversified automotive company JM Family Enterprises, Inc. (JM Family), has announced the promotion of Ed Sheehy, 47, to president, Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (Southeast Toyota), executive vice president, JM Family and president, JM Lexus. Southeast Toyota, a subsidiary of JM Family, is the world’s largest independent distributor of Toyotas and Scions. JM Lexus is the largest volume Lexus dealership in the world.

In his new role, Sheehy will be responsible for supervising the overall operations of Southeast Toyota and its divisions, including three vehicle processing facilities, parts supply and distribution and Southeast Transportation Systems, Inc., an auto transport company. He will also oversee the operation of JM Lexus in Margate, Fla. Sheehy remains a member of JM Family’s Executive Management Team which oversees the development and implementation of the company’s long-range planning and strategies for future growth.

“This promotion is a testament to Ed’s valuable contributions to our company and his proven leadership abilities over the past nine years,” Brown said.

Prior to his promotion, Sheehy was senior vice president and assistant general manager of Southeast Toyota since 2007. He joined Southeast Toyota in 1999 as vice president of Marketing. In 2001, he became vice president of Sales and Marketing and was promoted to group vice president of Sales, Marketing and Market Representation four years later.

Previously, Sheehy served as director of marketing for Nissan Motor Corp. from 1997 to 1999 as well as numerous automotive sales, marketing and operational roles for Nissan from 1984 to 1997.

Sheehy graduated from Babson College in Wellesley, Mass., with a bachelor’s degree in marketing. He resides in Delray Beach, Fla. with his wife Sandy and their two children.

About Southeast Toyota Distributors

Ranked No. 1 in the National Automobile Dealers Association’s dealer attitude study, Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) (www.buyatoyota.com) is the world’s largest independent distributor of Toyotas and Scions. The company distributes vehicles, parts and accessories to 172 Toyota dealerships in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and North and South Carolina. SET dealers sell approximately 20 percent of all Toyotas sold in the country. Its vehicle processing facilities are located in Jacksonville, Fla. and Commerce, Ga. Headquartered in Deerfield Beach, Fla., SET is a subsidiary of JM Family Enterprises, Inc. (JM Family) (www.jmfamily.com), a $12.2 billion diversified automotive corporation ranked by Forbes magazine as the 22nd-largest privately held company in the United States. JM Family is currently ranked No. 23 by FORTUNE(R) as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For, its 10th consecutive year on the list. It is also ranked No. 7 on Computerworld’s list of “100 Best Places to Work in IT.”

About JM Lexus

JM Lexus (www.jmlexus.com), located in Margate, Fla., is the largest Lexus dealership in the world, generating the highest sales volume among all Lexus dealers. The dealership has state-of-the-art Service and Parts departments, as well as one of only a few Lexus Certified Collision Centers in the country. With its high customer satisfaction ratings year after year, the dealership consistently earns the Elite of Lexus distinction. In June 2007, the JM Lexus Certified Pre-Owned Superstore opened in Coconut Creek, Fla.

About JM Family Enterprises

JM Family Enterprises, Inc. (JM Family) (www.jmfamily.com) is a $12.2 billion diversified automotive company ranked by Forbes as the 22nd-largest privately held company in the U.S. It is currently ranked No. 23 by FORTUNE(R) as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For, its 10th consecutive year on the list. It is also ranked No. 7 on Computerworld’s list of “100 Best Places to Work in IT.” The company’s primary subsidiaries and divisions include: Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC, the world’s largest independent distributor of Toyota and Scion vehicles; World Omni Financial Corp., a diversified financial services company; JM&A Group, one of the largest independent insurance and extended warranty groups of companies in the U.S.; JM Service Center LLC, the company’s internal shared services center; JM Lexus, the largest volume Lexus dealership in the world; and JMsolutions, a dealer-focused technology products and services company. Headquartered in Deerfield Beach, Fla., JM Family has major operations in Jacksonville and Margate, Fla.; Commerce and Alpharetta, Ga.; Mobile, Ala.; and St. Louis, Mo.

Source: JM Family Enterprises, Inc.

Auto News

Toyota Reports September Sales

Toyota reported the following to TundraSolutions.com today.

Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., today reported September sales of 144,260 vehicles, a decrease of 29.5 percent from last September, on a daily selling rate basis. Calendar-year-to-date (CYTD) sales total 1,793,303 units, down 10.4 percent from the same period last year.

The Toyota Division posted September sales of 128,215 units, down 28.9 percent from last September. The Lexus Division reported September sales of 16,045 units, a decrease of 33.4 percent from the year-ago month.

Toyota Division

Toyota Division passenger cars recorded September sales of 78,912 units, a decrease of 23.7 percent from last September. Passenger car sales were led by Camry and Camry Hybrid, which posted combined September sales of 29,486 units. Camry Hybrid reported sales of 2,785 units for the month. Corolla recorded sales of 21,316 units for the month. With limited availability, the Prius mid-size gas-electric hybrid reported September sales of 10,873 units. Yaris posted September sales of 5,721 units, up 0.1 percent over the same period last year.

Toyota Division light trucks posted sales of 49,303 units, down 36 percent from the year-ago month. Light truck sales were led by the RAV4 compact SUV with September sales of 10,305 units. The Tundra full-size pickup reported September sales of 7,696 units. Tacoma recorded sales of 9,176 units for the month. Highlander and Highlander Hybrid posted combined September sales of 5,729 units. The Highlander Hybrid gas electric mid-size SUV recorded sales of 921 units for the month. Sequoia posted September sales of 2,030 units, up 27.4 percent over the same period last year. Sienna recorded sales of 9,647 units for the month, up 1.9 percent over the year-ago month.

Scion posted September sales of 8,112 units. The xB urban utility vehicle led the way with September sales of 3,038 units. The tC sports coupe posted September sales of 2,679 units. The xD reported sales of 2,395 units for the month.

Lexus Division

Lexus passenger cars reported September sales of 9,430 units, down 35.1 percent from the year-ago month. Passenger car sales were led by the ES 350 luxury sedan with September sales of 4,042 units. The IS entry luxury sport sedan reported combined sales of 3,044 units. The LS flagship luxury sedan reported combined sales of 1,238 units. The GS luxury sport sedan posted combined September sales of 977 units.
Lexus Division light trucks reported September sales of 6,615 units, down 31 percent from the same period last year. Lexus sales were led by the RX luxury utility vehicle which posted combined September sales of 4,639 units. The RX 400h hybrid luxury utility vehicle reported sales of 744 units for the month. The LX 570 recorded sales of 647 units, up 280.8 percent over September 2007.

TMS Hybrids

TMS calendar-year-to-date hybrid sales totaled 200,450 units. TMS posted September sales of 15,399 hybrid vehicles. Toyota Division posted sales of 14,579 hybrids for the month. Lexus Division posted September sales of 820 hybrids.

There were 24 selling days this month, compared to 25 selling days last September.

New Products

Toyota Introduces New 2009 Venza

Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., unveiled the new 2009 Venza at the 2008 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS). Venza will raise the average vehicle to new levels by combining a unique blend of sedan refinement and sport utility vehicle (SUV) functionality.
“The all-new Venza was developed as a vehicle that combines the styling, comfort and fun-to-drive performance elements of a five-passenger sedan with the surprising utility of an SUV,” said Bob Carter, Toyota Division group vice president and general manager.

All aspects of Venza’s engineering and design were targeted specifically for the North American market where it will be sold exclusively. Venza was primarily engineered at Toyota Technical Center in Ann Arbor, Mich., and designed at Toyota’s Calty design studios in Newport Beach, Calif. and Ann Arbor. Venza will be assembled at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky (TMMK), in Georgetown, Ky.
The development focus of the Venza design team was to create a new vehicle that shifted away from the more traditional SUV styling themes that tend to dominate the segment. Calty designers leaned more heavily on a sleek car concept with a wide stance that featured a sporty exterior and premium comfort interior but would also be equipped with important SUV attributes such as cargo space, towing capability and all-wheel-drive performance.

The exterior design of the four-door Venza begins with an imposing front end featuring a distinctive grille, headlights and fog lamps for an aggressive, yet classy appearance. The front conforms to a sleek and aerodynamic shape with short overhangs, crisp character lines, and a roofline and ground clearance that are lower than a typical car’s. From behind, Venza’s refined appearance is complete with an angled rear hatch, spoiler and wide wraparound tail lights that interconnect with the hatch door.

On the inside, Calty designers and TTC engineers made comfort, refinement and utility a priority for the five-passenger Venza. A sweeping rocker design will allow occupants to more easily step in and out of the vehicle than a typical car. Venza will also feature a higher ride height and slight line that will help provide significantly better driver visibility than most cars and easier ingress and egress than most SUVs.

Venza will provide a spacious interior providing extra room for all five passengers and abundant SUV-like cargo space behind the second row of seats. The rear hatch provides a very low cargo height that allows for easy loading and unloading of luggage and outdoor gear. One-touch levers, one on each side of the rear cargo area, allow the 60/40 split rear seats to fold flat, providing additional storage space for extra long items such as surf boards, skis, camping gear and gardening equipment. For added passenger comfort, the rear seats recline up to 14 degrees.

A creative interior design complemented with an array of comfort and convenience features provides Venza with a refined look and feel that is commonly reserved for a luxury vehicle. The flow of the instrumentation panel (IP) creates a unique 60/60 design that gives both driver and front passenger the look and feeling that 60 percent of the IP is accessible from their seating position.

An extra long center console extends from the IP and slopes down to a center compartment with a unique sliding console cover. Sliding open the compartment lid reveals a large storage well deep enough to hold a large purse. The compartment is also illuminated and equipped with an auxiliary audio jack and 12-volt power point. The upper portion of the center console houses the gear-shift lever for easy and comfortable driver access. Climate control functions are centrally located on the upper center console, providing easy accessibility for both driver and passenger. The center console also contains an iPod®/MP3 storage compartment with wire management and illuminated dual cup holders.

Venza models will be equipped with an array of standard features including auto dual zone air conditioning, AM/FM six-disc CD, tilt/telescopic steering wheel with audio controls, remote keyless entry, electrochromic rearview mirror with compass, a multi-function display, cruise control, Optitron gauges, rear wiper, privacy glass, and much more. On V6 models Venza will come standard with dual exhaust tips and will be the first Toyota model to ride on standard 20-inch alloy wheels. Four-cylinder models will come standard with 19-inch alloy wheels.

Chrome accents throughout give Venza a refined look and feel. Models equipped with an optional leather-trimmed interior will feature wood-grain-type trim and seats stitched with dark piping that is tastefully coordinated with Venza’s standard linear grain dashboard and steering wheel. An array of storage space will be available throughout the vehicle to accommodate passenger belongings. A large storage compartment with an additional 12-volt power point located on the passenger side of the front center console will be sizeable enough to contain maps and magazines.

A panoramic roof will be offered as an option and will be a first for the Toyota vehicle lineup. The roof will feature separate glass panels over the front and rear seats. The front glass panel will have a power tilt/slide function.

Venza will also offer an Automatic High Beam headlight system, another Toyota first. When high beam headlights are in use sensors in the Automatic High Beam system will detect oncoming traffic and automatically switch the headlights to low beam. When the Automatic High Beam sensors no longer detect oncoming traffic the system will switch the headlights back to high beam mode.

Additional optional equipment will include a navigation system equipped with a premium JBL Synthesis 13-speaker audio system with AM/FM six-disc CD changer, integrated satellite radio capability, music streaming via Bluetooth® technology and XM® “real-time” traffic; rear seat entertainment system with Surround Sound and 9-inch display; Smart Key System; back-up camera; power rear door; heated seats, mirrors and deicers; HID headlights; and towing package (3500 lb. max).

The sleek and sporty styling, refined interior and outstanding utility features are complemented with fun-to-drive performance attributes expected by owners with active lifestyles. Aggressive handling typically found in a performance coupe is well-balanced by the on-road comfort of an upscale sedan.
Venza will be available in front- and all-wheel-drive configurations. It will provide drivers and passengers the quiet comfortable ride expected from a full-size car along with the peace-of-mind that comes with all-wheel-drive.

Power will be generated by an available 3.5-liter V6 that will produce 268 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 246 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,700 rpm with a towing capability of 3,500 pounds. Standard power will come from an all-new 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine that will deliver capable performance and provide excellent fuel efficiency and low emissions. Both engines will be mated with a six-speed sequential-shift electronically-controlled automatic transmission.

Venza will be equipped with a comprehensive list of standard safety features. It will provide a total of seven airbags, including a driver’s knee airbag, front seat side mounted, front driver and passenger seat-mounted side and side curtain airbags for both rows of seats. Venza will also be the first car with Toyota’s STAR Safety System™, featuring anti-lock brakes, traction control, electronic brake-force distribution, brake assist, and vehicle stability control. Venza will also feature front active head rests as standard equipment.

“Venza will establish an exciting new niche that will combine the finest attributes of Toyota’s diverse vehicle lineup,” said Carter. “It will cater to buyers who are looking for the value and reliability of a Camry, the comfort and upscale refinement of an Avalon, and the utility and functionality of a Highlander SUV in one very stylish and sporty package.”

“When it goes on sale in late 2008, the Venza will represent Toyota’s latest commitment to driving change in the marketplace.”

2009 VENZA PRELIMINARY SPECIFICATIONS

POWERTRAIN
2.7-liter four-cylinder engine
Horsepower: TBD
Torque: TBD
Six-speed sequential shift automatic transmission
3.5-liter V6 engine
Horsepower: 268 @ 6,200 rpm
Torque: 246 lb.-ft. @ 4,700 rpm
Six-speed sequential shift automatic transmission
Drive System: Front- and All-Wheel-Drive

DIMENSIONS (inches)
Overall Length: 189.0
Overall Width: 75.0
Overall Height: 63.4
Wheelbase: 109.3
Ground clearance: 8.1
Wheels: 19-inch alloy wheels (four-cylinder only)
20-inch alloy wheels (standard on V6 and available on four-cylinder)
Tire Size: 20-inch: 245/50 R20
19-inch: 245/55 R19
Towing Capacity: 3,500 lbs. (V6 model)
Seating Capacity: 5

Photo courtesy of Toyota.

Fab Fours Tundra Replacement Winch Bumper

The innovative people at Fab Fours and shared this new product with us. Due to overwhelming demand Fab Fours has begun building ½ ton truck bumpers for 2008.

For our debut, we have developed the Toyota Tundra bumper. Designed with Fab Fours signature light housings, this bumper includes 90mm HELLA fog lights, and 60mm HELLA turn indicators, 1” D-ring mounts, and it is winch ready – all STANDARD and INCLUDED. This bumper can accommodate up to the 9500 lbs winches, and is currently available with a “pre-runner” tube set or just a base bumper. This bumper is designed “high and tight”, keeping close to the stock bumper envelope, yet providing far more tire clearance.

Material: 3/16 Steel
Tube: 1 ¾ .120 wall DOM tubing
Finishes:
-Powder Coat: 2 stage – Epoxy based primer / Black semi-gloss semi-texture top coat
-Raw Steel

Standard Features (included with every bumper at no additional cost):
-Winch Mount for 9500lb winches or smaller
-1” D-ring mounts
-90mm HELLA fog lights, and 60mm HELLA turn indicators
-Wiring Harness’s for all lights to wire to the factory harness and work with the factory switches
For more information contact Matt at 866-385-1905 ext. 1013

Fab Fours Tundra Replacement Bumper

The wonderful people at Fab Fours have shared this new product with us. Fab Fours has begun building ½ ton truck bumpers for 2008 Tundras.

Utilizing our proven design features from our 1 ton rear bumpers, Fab Fours has released the Toyota Tundra rear replacement bumper. Molded to match the unique lines of the Tundra, our debut into the 1/2 ton truck segment upholds our quality and delivery standards now recognized throughout the industry. Formed 3/16” is welded inside and out before being finished to achieve a machined appearance. Integrated steps and 1” D-ring mounts are standard. This bumper utilizes the stock receiver and wiring.

Material: 3/16 Steel
Finishes:
-Powder Coat: 2 stage – Epoxy based primer / Black semi-gloss semi-texture top coat
-Raw Steel

Standard Features:
-Integrated steps on either side of the tailgate
-Durable formed steel construction
-Retain OEM receiver hitch and wiring locations
-1″ D-Ring recovery points

For more information contact Matt at 866-385-1905 ext. 1013