Toyota Ranked Among Most Valuable Auto Brands

 

How do you value a brand -- not a company, not a world-renowned CEO, but a brand? Marketing research firm Millward Brown knows, and its recent rankings of international brands puts BMW, Toyota, and Mercedes-Benz at the top of the automotive sector.  

Millward Brown starts with quantitative data, looking at how much money brands have made and how much they're likely to make in the future. The firm is careful to strip away distractions related to marketing, product placement, and such to calculate the earnings that can be tied back solely to the brand itself.

Then, the firm looks at things qualitatively, asking consumers to express their feelings about various brands. Do they love them? Hate them? How much? Combine the two, and you've got brand value. (Methodology fans, there's a much fuller explanation here.)

Millward Brown just released the data from its 2012 BrandZ Top 100 Most Valuable Global Brands study (PDF). The tip-top of the chart is dominated by a bunch of likely suspects: Apple, IBM, Google, McDonald's, and Microsoft. But a bit further down the line -- around #23 -- we start seeing automakers. Here's a list of the top ten, with overall rankings in parentheses for those brands that landed in the BrandZ Top 100.

1. BMW (23)

2. Toyota (28)

3. Mercedes-Benz (46)

4. Honda (65)

5. Nissan (81)

6. Volkswagen (96)

7. Ford

8. Audi

9. Hyundai

10. Lexus 

In its comments, Millward Brown gives some interesting perspective on the auto sector as a whole.

As we know, the strength of auto markets varies wildly from country to country. However, consumer demand in the U.S. has been huge, hitting heights not seen since 2006. That's due in part to the increased availability of high-tech, inexpensive vehicles.

In fact, Millward Brown says that's causing problems for luxury automakers. Conveniences once available only in the cushiest of rides are now found on vehicles that cost less than $20,000. Lexus and its ilk are going to have to engage in some major innovation to differentiate themselves from the mass-market pack.

Two other factors at play in the auto sector are fuel-efficiency and Generation Y. The increased importance of the former explains how Toyota has been so quick to recover from the recall fiasco of 2010 and from the natural disasters that curtailed production in 2011. Thanks to the company's Prius lineup, when consumers think of fuel-efficient vehicles, they often think first of Toyota.

And as for Generation Y, Millward Brown believes -- as we've mentioned before -- that those young whippersnappers are forcing automakers to think very differently about the vehicles they make. Millennials are more interested in gadgets than gears, so finding effective, cost-efficient ways to turn 18-to-35 year-olds into car buyers will be key going forward.

Source: The Car Connection

America's Best-Selling Car Tuned Up for 2013 NASCAR Season

Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. (TMS) and TRD, U.S.A. (Toyota Racing Development) today formally introduced the new 2013 Toyota Camry that will compete in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) beginning next season at TRD’s Salisbury, N.C. facility.

The introduction of the new 2013 Camry for NASCAR competition marked the culmination of an aggressive redesign to provide the 2013 Camry with an updated and more-unique identity. TRD worked together with Calty Design, part of Toyota’s global network design team, to create an on-track Camry that incorporates design elements which give America’s best-selling car its distinct character.

“We’re thrilled to finally unveil our new 2013 Camry and we think NASCAR fans will really appreciate that our new on-track Camry looks like the one in their driveways,” said Ed Laukes, TMS vice president of marketing communications and motorsports. “Our 2013 Camry looks more like the production vehicle than ever before, and we hope this helps revitalize the long-standing relationship between fans and manufacturers in NASCAR. Never before have we had a Camry competing in NASCAR that looked so similar to its production counterpart.”

A new front grill-area that matches the production model, distinct character lines down the side of the vehicle and an updated rear bumper make the redesigned 2013 Camry stock car more relevant than ever before to its showroom sibling.

“We’re extremely proud of the new Camry and the development of the car was truly a unique process,” said Lee White, president and general manager of TRD. “NASCAR and all four manufacturers were brought together to guide the direction of the new cars. We all worked together to put the ‘S’ back in NASCAR -- we all wanted race cars that look more like our stock, production models -- and together we accomplished that. Our new Camry for 2013 is a great looking race car. Everyone at Toyota is eager to have our drivers in a race car that more resembles the street Camry.”

For 10 straight years, and 14 of the past 15 years, the Toyota Camry has been the best-selling car in America. Built at Toyota manufacturing facilities in Georgetown, Kentucky and Lafayette, Indiana, the 2012 Toyota Camry was recently named the ‘Best Redesigned Vehicle’ by Kelley Blue Book. In addition, the Camry has been named the ‘Most American Car’ by Cars.com’s American-Made Index for three consecutive years.

In an effort to create more distinct and stock vehicles for the race track, NASCAR worked together with the four series manufacturers to determine what areas were either ‘locked in’ or ‘open’ for unique design. NASCAR also allowed for the exchange of glass for solid body pieces.

“When everyone at Toyota first saw the design of the 2013 Camry, the first reaction was, ‘They’re actually going to let you race a car that looks like that?’,” said Andy Graves, TRD’s vice president of chassis engineering. “That just demonstrates how excited everyone was about the new design of the Camry stock car.”

The new 2013 Toyota Camry will make its NASCAR Sprint Cup Series debut at Daytona International Speedway’s ‘Speedweeks’ in February.

Article and image courtesy of Toyota News.

Vehicle Spotlight: 2008 Toyota Prius Touring Sedan

Get a great deal on this used 2008 Toyota Prius Touring Sedan with only 57,719 miles on it for just $20,499!

Call us at 877-GO-BIG-LOT to speak to a sales consultant today! Or, click here for more information.

Toyota Hits Four Million Unit Global Sales Milestone for Hybrids

Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) in Japan announced its global hybrid vehicle sales totaled four million units through April 2012.

Toyota currently sells 18 hybrid passenger vehicles in 80 countries and regions around the world. This year, hybrid vehicle accounted for 15 percent of TMC’s global vehicle sales. Prius, Toyota’s first hybrid passenger car, went on sale in Japan in 1997. Hybrid technology was later introduced to the U.S. in 2000 with the arrival of the Prius.

Since then, the Toyota Division of Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A. sold 1.5 million hybrid vehicles in the U.S., accounting for 65 percent of all hybrid vehicles sold in the region. Prius, the iconic hybrid brand, comprises half of all hybrids on the road in the U.S. with sales totaling 1.2 million units through April 2012.

The expansion of the Prius has been successful in the U.S. since the Prius v was introduced in to the market in November 2011 followed by Prius c and Prius Plug-in during the first quarter 2012. In that time, Prius family sold 60,859 units in the U.S.

"All of us at Toyota would like to sincerely thank our customers, who have made Prius the best-selling hybrid in the industry," said Bob Carter, group vice president and general manager, Toyota Division. "While we're proud of this accomplishment, we are not stopping here as hybrids will continue to be a core technology for Toyota."

In addition to the Prius Family, Toyota’s other U.S. hybrid models include versions of the Camry and Highlander, which feature larger displacement applications of Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive.

Toyota calculates that the total number of its hybrid vehicles sold globally since 1997 have produced to approximately 26 million fewer tons of C02 emissions than would have been emitted by gasoline-powered vehicles of similar size and driving performance. 

Article courtesy of Toyota News.

Toyota 100 Cars for Good: The Click Song

A lot of clicks go to waste, but now your clicks can give cars to nonprofits in need. Every day until August 21, cast your vote for Toyota's 100 Cars for Good at Toyota's website.

Video courtesy of Toyota's Youtube channel.

Referral Rewards Program

At Germain Toyota of Naples we realize that our best form of advertising is you, our satisfied body of customers! Realizing this, we have developed a program to thank you for sharing your positive experiences with others and recommending us to them. Our commitment is to treat your referrals with the same level of respect and dedication to satisfaction we gave you.

The sales staff at Germain Toyota of Naples is excited about having you endorse or "Hunt" for us with your friends and family, and we are committed to making your "Hunting" season as fun and rewarding as you hope it will be.

Just think, successfully referring a couple of "Birds" (friends, family, co-workers) per month and you could receive $3225 or more (depending on the pay scale) per year as our way of saying,"Thank You" !   What would 4 "Birds" per month reward you? You won't believe the possibilities!

Just click here to "Start Hunting" and you will see how easy it is!

Toyota back on top as world's largest car maker

Japanese brand reclaims crown from GM thanks to 2.49 million sales in first quarter of 2012

In a comeback for the ages, Toyota has reclaimed its spot as the world's largest automaker.

Initial sales reports for 2012 so far suggest that the Japanese brand, which was badly hit by natural disasters last year, is now outselling American rival General Motors.

Toyota was the world's largest automaker between 2008 and 2010, but lost its crown to GM after the Japanese earthquake and then flooding in Thailand seriously disrupted its production.

Now though, the brand is back on top, having sold 2.49 million between January and March, compared to 2.28 million by General Motors.

Volkswagen, the world's number three, sold 2.16 million, Bloomberg calculated.

Many observers consider Toyota to be in a better position now than it has been in years -- with global gas prices still high, demand for its fuel-efficient vehicles is soaring, especially for the Prius.

Demand for the model in the U.S. alone is outpacing the prediction of 220,000 vehicles sold in 2012, Toyota said this week, with the Prius comfortably selling more in April than competitors such as the Nissan Leaf and the Chevrolet Volt combined.

This week it unveiled its first all-electric vehicle, the RAV4 EV, at an electric vehicle show in Los Angeles.

The electrified SUV is a reprise of one of the world's first electric vehicles, the original RAV4 electric, with several new enhancements -- it's been developed with the help of leading electric automaker Tesla, and now features a 100 mile (160km) range and performance equivalent to the gas-powered RAV4.

Article and image courtesy of NY Daily News.

Your Monday Maintenance Tip: Keep an auto log

Keep a pad and pencil in the glove compartment and use them to record your gas fill-ups and mileage. If you notice that your gas mileage worsens, mention it to your service man. It may be an early warning sign that something is wrong with your car.

Your Monday Maintenance Tip courtesy of Reader's Digest.

2012 Venza: XLE Video

Options shown. Not all features available on all vehicles and model grades. Please see your Owner's Manual for further details and important safety information.

Video courtesy of Toyota's Youtube channel.

College Graduate Rebate Program

Southeast Toyota Finance is pleased to offer a special rebate program for recent college graduates, or students who will graduate soon. This is our way of helping you lease or finance a new Toyota or Scion to start your career with style.

$1,000 rebate when you lease or finance a new Toyota Camry (gas only), Corolla, Matrix, RAV4, Tacoma, Yaris, or any Scion model.

Click here or ask a sales consultant for complete details.

Swagger Wagon

Watch as the Sienna Family drops their hot new single, Swagger Wagon. This goes out to all you minivan families out there who get a Sienna SE for space but fill it with your family's swagger.

Video courtesy of Toyota's Youtube channel.

Your Monday Maintenance Tip: Fix small windshield chips

"Got a rock chip, crack, or ding in your windshield? Bring your car to a windshield repair shop. For far less cost than replacing the windshield, they can fix chips and cracks, even quite long ones. The repairs not only keep the chips and cracks from spreading and restore structural integrity, they also improve clarity."

Maintenance Tip courtesy of Reader's Digest.

Vehicle Spotlight: A brand-new 2011 Toyota Camry

Get a great deal on this new 2011 Camry for just $23,899! That's $866 under the MSRP!

Call us at 866-280-9465 to speak to a sales consultant today! Or, click here for more information.

Estimate your gas money budget for your vehicle with this online tool from Toyota!

Figure out your gas money budget using this handy mpg calculator, brought to you by Prius c.

MPG Calculator tool courtesy of Toyota's Youtube channel.

Vehicle Spotlight: A new 2011 Toyota Avalon

Get a great deal on this brand new 2011 Avalon for just $36,880! This includes a life-time warranty and 2-years/25,000 miles of complimentary maintenance!

Call us at 866-280-9465 to speak to a sales consultant today! Or, click here for more information.

Andrew Zimmernburns some rubber on an Alabama racetrack.

On the next episode of Appetite for Life, Andrew Zimmern rolls into Mobile, Alabama, in his trusty Toyota Venza. Check out our hungry hero as he satisfies his need for speed, zipping around the local NASCAR track in the Camry Pace Car:

Video courtesy of MSN.com.