New Toyotas including the 2014 Prius and 2014 Avalon continue to leave customers in aw with their already impressive fuel economy, safety, and features. Now, there is another gadget to add to these already acclaimed vehicles. Inside there will be a Qi wireless charging system.

While some may look past this, many will finally be thankful that they can wirelessly charge their phones and other devices in their cars without having cords or plugs get in the way of driving. This is just another way that Toyota is showing its tech-savvy side.

In the Prius there will be a tray to put your phone on, and while on that tray any smart phone will charge wirelessly, as long as it has Qi capability.

People are already on a constant move, and sometimes having to charge a device with a wire can limit your mobility. Because of this the world is already turning into a wireless world, and now Toyota is during its part to contribute. It is believed that in the future all cars will possess this capability and hopefully all phones.

Check out Vann York Toyota’s website for more information on new Toyotas such as the Prius and Avalon, or come into the dealership for a closer look.

When Toyota decided to redesign the 2013 RAV4 they spent a lot of time talking to customers to get insight on what to build. Then, they listened and executed it. The RAV4 now features better fuel economy, bigger cargo space, a new design, and excellent safety features.

The 2013 RAV4 comes in three trim levels: LE, XLE, and Limited. Inside these you will find:

• 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with a six speed automatic transmission
• Eco and Sport modes
• EPA estimated front-wheel drive MPG of 24 city/31 highway, and all-wheel drive MPG of 22 city/29 highway
• Display Audio with a 6.1-in. touch screen and an integrated backup camera
• Dual zone climate control (available in the XLE, and Limited)

Because of the new designs for the 2013 RAV4, Toyota has seen a major increase in sales for this crossover SUV. In April alone sales were up 17 percent from last year’s same time frame, and nine percent for the year.

Bill Fray, group vice president and general manager, Toyota Division said it best, “We spent a lot time talking to customers to understand what they wanted and needed in a small SUV. We have met those needs and now, since its launch, the new RAV4 is one of the fastest selling vehicles in the Toyota line up.”

Seeing this evidence, it is clear that Toyota wanted to make the new RAV4 for their customers. Check out more information about the RAV4 on our website.

Toyota Motor Manufacturing, West Virginia, Inc. (TMMWV) celebrated its plant’s production of their 10 millionth unit. This plant is the first plant outside of Japan to produce 10 million units.

The feat of 10 million powertrain units is one that most have not reached yet and in addition to that the plant has also reached an astounding 1 billion horsepower produced. In North America every 20 there is a car rolling off an assembly line that has a TMMWV powertrain unit in it.

TMMWV President Yogi Suzuki said,”From the very beginning, our mission was to support Toyota’s growing North America operations by building high-quality powertrains for our customers.” This shows the dedication and perseverance this plant has and how they got to where they are.

To celebrate this remarkable event, TMMWV donated $32,500 to 13 schools in local counties to increase their Advanced Manufacturing Technician (AMT) program at Bridgemont Community and Technical College.  The AMT program provides students with paid work experience and instruction in business principles and best practices from a world-class manufacturer, and, upon completion, they earn an associate’s degree.

Toyota once again earns the title of World’s Largest Automaker, even after they lost it to GM in 2011. That year there was a disaster that caused for a big production loss in Asia. In 2012, however, Toyota retook the crown, and production is back in full force.

In the first quarter of this year Toyota has been able to produce a number of 2.43 million vehicles sold, with GM in a close second at 2.36, and VW right behind that with 2.27. The race is still tight, but Toyota is prevailing.

China is predicted to be the determining factor in the final race. Toyota is down 13 percent in China, while GM is still on a steady upward swing.

Although this is a big feat, each automaker has stated that they do not care to win or lose this title. A spokesperson for Toyota, Shino Yamada, said, “Rather than pursuing numbers, we try to sell one car at a time, producing good cars. We aren’t focused on being number one.”

The same kind of statement was made by GM spokesperson Jim Cain, “A day doesn’t go by that we don’t try to increase our sales all over the world.”

Even though being named world’s largest automaker does have a nice ring to it, Toyota is just here to sell the best car to the right person.

Toyota announced yesterday that its line of hybrid cars have made a difference for consumers and the atmosphere. Toyota and Lexus have sold nearly 2 million hybrid vehicles in the U.S., which is providing cleaner air and less gasoline used. Toyota Hybrids and Lexus Hybrids make up 70 percent of the U.S. auto industry’s total hybrid sales, which sets the standard for the future of hybrid sales.

It is estimated that Toyota’s 20 hybrid vehicles have resulted in approximately 34 million fewer tons of carbon dioxide emissions than gasoline-powered vehicles. They have also saved approximately 3 billion gallons of gasoline compared to gas-only vehicles.

As we all know, many environmental experts believe carbon dioxide emissions are a major cause of climate change occurring in the world today. Because of the hybrids that Toyota is developing, the carbon dioxide emissions being cut down can help to better the environment we live in.

The Toyota Prius is the vehicle making most progress on this, with over 1 million more units sold than its second place competitor. Also, the Prius is considered to be the cleanest sold in the U.S. based on emissions that could potentially form smog.

Find out more about Toyota and the Prius, and how you can help to contribute to making a difference.

With gas prices constantly fluctuating and getting more expensive, it’s important to try and save money when you can. So here are some tips as to how to get better gas mileage:

Remove Excess Weight

• Heavy, unnecessary items can decrease your gas mileage.
• Adding 100 pounds to your car can take away up to 2% of your mpg, based on size of car relative to items.

Avoid Excessive Idling

• Idling can use a quarter to half a gallon of fuel per hour.
• Turn off your engine when parked for an excessive amount of time.

Use Cruise Control

• Maintaining a certain speed can help to avoid variances in your gas mileage.

Use Overdrive Gears

• This will cause your engine speed to go down, saving gas and reducing engine wear.

Maintenance

• Keeping up with what is necessary for your car will always help to increase gas mileage. Having the right working parts, correct tire pressure, and changing your air filter can increase your mpg.

Carpool

• Of course, when you share rides with someone that helps to save gas money tremendously. Try to coordinate carpools when possible.

Toyota is and has been in the process of making its futuristic car, the Toyota Fun Vii. The Vii, standing for vehicle interactive internet, is a car that will do almost anything for you while running on electricity. What does it have to offer?

• A sleek new-age design
• Impact resistant body panels – transform the exterior and interior of the car into one big display
• Internet capabilities
• Biometric authentication – Facial recognition to unlock the car
• Wireless Car Charging
• And perhaps the most advanced feature: Autopilot on the road using communication with road infrastructure, controlling the acceleration, brakes, and the steering wheel

Not only can the Fun Vii offer safety and attractiveness, but it can offer so much more.

2013 New York Auto Show is the setting for the world’s debut of the all-new 2014 Toyota Highlander. With brand new sleek and dynamic exterior features, and premium interior with refinement and advanced technologies, this SUV is sure to be a best buy. The all-new 6-speed auto transmission w/ sequential shift technology along with the available dynamic torque control AWD makes the 2014 Highlander a must have.

The available blind spot monitor and rear cross traffic alert and new interior raises the bar of quality in the mid-size SUV category. The Toyota Highlander’s body structure includes high-strength steel on the front pillars along with greater visibility. With precise re-positioning of the front pillars, the rigidity is increased and the size of the rear quarter glass provides increased sight options.

Vibration looks to be minimized through the expansion of the silencer on the dashboard, body seal enhancements and 3 different hydraulic engine mounts. The 2014 Toyota Highlander is a must see.

With cutting edge technology like an EPA-rated driving range of 103 miles and the 41.8-kWh lithium-ion battery, the 2013 Toyota RAV4 EV is a great investment. And performance isn’t lacking either, with Sport Mode, the RAV4 can get from 0-60 MPH in 7 seconds flat.

The digital instrumentation provides the driver with clear and concise driving applications without deterring from safe driving. The Range Map is a premium Intellitouch Navigation with EnTune and EV Apps. The 2013 Toyota RAV4 provides a smooth ride with its aerodynamic styling, seating for five and 36.4 cubic feet of cargo space. It’s the most practical EV on the road.

Autoblog‘s Short Cuts takes us inside the cockpit of the Scion FR-S Race car. Before taking to the actual race, the Scion FR-S Pro/Celebrity Race car has to prep, and today it prepares around the Willow Springs track.

The Pro/Celebrity race as been taking place in Long Beach, California at the Toyota Grand Prix since 1977, hosted by Toyota. The event continues to raise millions of dollars for charity via the Hollywood celebrity vs. professional athlete venue.

This is the first year that Toyota will use their Scion FR-S to race. And in the video below, Toyota Motorsports invited Autoblog’s team to Willow Springs Raceway in Long Beach to take the helm behind the wheel.