by Davy James from the South Brunswick Patch

When Somerset resident Neschelle Martin attended Dayton Toyota's Extravaganza Bonanza event on June 2, she hoped at the very least to find some leads on a new car for her daughter. But thanks to a lucky coincidence, Martin was able to walk out of the dealership with much more than a lead.

"I've been looking for a car for my daughter because she's in college and just got her license in February," Martin said. "She works hard and I've been trying to get a car for her but we didn't have the funds. So we saw an ad for the giveaway at Dayton Toyota and said okay, we'll check it out."

Martin, her mother and fiancé attended the event and like many others, got in line to get a ticket for the free car giveaway. But while standing on line waiting to pick up a ticket, another customer cut in front of Martin and got in between her and mother.

"Once that happened, we didn't really pay attention that they cut in front of us," Martin said. "But in the end, my mother had ticket 095, in between was ticket 096, and I was the one that got the lucky number."

The event at Dayton Toyota allowed the dealership to pass along savings on cars that were to be sent to auction, according to Finance Manager Derek Kochie.

"Everybody thinks of a car dealer as somebody who just wants to rip people off, but we don't always make money on what we do," Kochie said. "Since we were going to lose money on these cars by sending them off to auction, this gave us the chance to give a car to people who live around here, or give them the option to buy a car at a low price. Something like this helps out everybody in the tough economy we're in."

In addition to the giveaway, the dealership had horse rides, a dunk tank, free hot dogs, miniature golf and other games for a carnival-like atmosphere.

"It was just a fun day in general and a great community event," Kochie said. "We had the dunk tank set up so it wasn't a typical day at the dealership."

Bur for Martin, the real fun started when her lucky number came up.

"You would've thought I won a million dollars or something," she said. "I was screaming and jumping up and down. I've never won anything before so we were extremely happy."

After choosing a 1997 Toyota Carolla for her daughter, Martin picked up the car that same day and her daughter had an improbable surprise gift waiting for her.

"She just loves the car and it's such a blessing for this to fall into our laps," Martin said. "It's exactly what we needed and we are so appreciative. Sometimes you see these free car giveaways in the newspaper and think that nobody ever wins those things. You think it's just a gimmick to get people into the dealership. But the surprising thing is that people do really win. I'm proof of that, I'm a winner."

See the full article and all the photos here! 

Federal highway safety officials on Tuesday absolved the electronics in Toyota Motor Corp.vehicles for unintended acceleration, and said driver error was to blame for most of  the incidents.

The findings of a 10-month-long study conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration identified three main causes for sudden acceleration in Toyota and Lexus models. Two of them, sticky accelerator pedals and floor mats that trapped the throttle in an open position were the subject of a series of Toyota recalls. The third and most common problem was drivers hitting the gas when they thought they were hitting the brake, which the NHTSA called "pedal misapplication."
 
The report came as Toyota said its profit fell 39% in the December-ended quarter, as the yen's persistent strength and a slip in sales in Japan weighed on its bottom line. Its sales have been stung by the recalls, and continued worries about its vehicles have Toyota fighting to maintain its title as the world's largest car maker by unit sales.
 
At a Congressional hearing last year, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood had suggested that consumers should stop driving their Toyotas. On Tuesday, he said: "We feel that Toyotas are safe to drive."  In addition to Toyota, the report is a boon for the rest of the auto industry, because it could blunt efforts by plaintiffs' lawyers, safety advocates and lawmakers to attack the safety of electronic systems widely used in the auto industry.

Electronically controlled throttle, braking, steering, safety and vehicle stability systems are critical to modern vehicles?especially hybrid and electric cars. Auto makers have increasingly used computer-controlled electronic systems to replace mechanical connections to save weight, improve fuel economy and enable advanced safety systems such as automatic braking.

"It does appear that this study, which was conducted by America's top scientists and engineers, should reassure the driving public that many of the more 'mediagenic' claims had no merit," said Wade Newton, a spokesman for the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, a trade group representing most of the major auto makers in the U.S. market. "We're pleased that this detailed report can be reassuring to consumers, and is similar to the extensive internal research and testing auto makers already do."

The exhaustive study should help Toyota fend off hundreds of lawsuits under litigation in federal court that blame unintended acceleration for accidents and could improve the company's quality image.

But critics contend the report didn't go far enough.

"Right now, we don't have any explanation for many of the problems, so what good did the investigation do?" said Sean Kane, whose  Safety Research & Strategies, Inc. led much of the early research into electronics as a potential cause of problems.

 Joan Claybrook, the president emeritus for Public Citizen, a consumer safety group that has been critical of Toyota, said the results of the government study weren't convincing.

"I think it's a failure of evaluation because there are so many cases where there was no problem with the floormat and it was clear the vehicle had runaway on its own," said Ms. Claybrook, also a former NHTSA secretary. "It has to be some vehicle related malfunction. The failure to find that is a failure of analysis."

But government officials said the evidence points to mechanical and driver problems. "Toyota's problems were mechanical, not electronic," Mr. LaHood said Tuesday.

NASA's lead engineer, Michael Kirsch, said an electronics failure couldn't be entirely ruled out. But it would be incredibly unlikely, he said, because it would require the simultaneous failure of two different systems, and would have left evidence in a car's computer system.

A lengthy investigation by the federal government into last year's Toyota recalls found that engine electronics played no role in incidents of sudden, unintended acceleration of its cars. Joe White has details.

"We hope this important study will help put to rest unsupported speculation about Toyota's [electronic throttle control system], which is well-designed and well-tested to ensure that a real world, uncommanded acceleration of the vehicle cannot occur," said Steve St. Angelo, the U.S. quality chief for Toyota.

In the few cases of prolonged, uncontrolled acceleration, NHTSA said slipping floor mats that trapped the gas pedal were likely the cause.

The agency had already fined Toyota $49 million for being slow to report known problems related other mechanical problems, including floor mats and sticky pedals.

The NASA/NHTSA study highlighted a delicate issue for auto makers and regulators: The vast majority of sudden acceleration incidents studied were determined to be the result of driver mistakes. The NHTSA said it will continue to study measures aimed at reducing the risks of unintended acceleration caused by drivers mistaking one pedal for another.

David Strickland, NHTSA's chief, said the agency is considering whether to require advanced  technology, including brake-override systems and "black box" event-data recorders, in all passenger cars without legislative order.

NHTSA said it will also evaluate how to make cars with so-called keyless entry, or push-button start systems, easier to turn off, and will study the design of accelerator and brake pedals to learn whether redesigning pedals will make mistakes less common.

The auto industry in December fended off proposed House legislation that would have added a host of new vehicle-safety requirements that were born out of Toyota's problems.

The news came the same day the Toyota City, Japan-based company reported lower profit than a year ago as sales in Japan slipped and the yen's strength cut its profits on exports.

It posted a profit of 93.63 billion yen ($1.14 billion) in the three months ended Dec. 30, down from 153.22 billion yen in the same period a year earlier.

However, the Japanese car maker was upbeat about its outlook for its full fiscal year ending in March, raising its profit projection to 490 billion yen from 350 billion yen owing to strong overseas sales and extensive cost-cutting.

"The fact that we were able to raise our forecast indicates that our cost-cutting efforts have exceeded our own expectations," Toyota senior managing director Takahiko Ijichi said. "We think that shows we're back on the road to recovery."

Toyota's incentive spending rose by a third in 2010, according to research website Edmunds.com, and the auto maker still lost two percentage points of U.S. market share.

It held the top spot for sales direct to consumers.

"I was leaning toward the Honda Accord," said Abdul Farukhi, 27, who bought a new Camry in late December. "It looked just as good as the Camry and didn't have this baggage with the accelerator, and I was a little concerned about the resale value down the road. But the incentives were just too good on the Camry and that tipped it in their favor,"

Toyota executives have predicted that it will regain lost market share in the U.S. this year with a host of new products, including a redesigned Camry and RAV4, which are two of its most popular models.

Toyota has raised its full-year profit outlook for three straight quarters, from an initial estimate of 310 billion yen in May. The revised number for the year ending in March is still far below that of rival Honda Motor Co., which expects a 530 billion yen profit for this fiscal year, but above that of Nissan Motor Co.'s 270 billion yen estimate. Nissan reports its latest earnings on Wednesday.

The upward revision is the latest indication that the strong local currency isn't as big a threat to profitability as initially feared by Japan's auto industry. A stronger yen eats into profits Japanese car makers earn overseas when repatriated and makes made-in-Japan vehicles less price-competitive.

1. Less IS more. An extra 100 pounds can reduce a typical car's fuel economy by up to 2%.  A loaded roof rack or carrier creates wind resistance and can decrease fuel economy by 5%.

2. Care for your car. Regular maintenance and tune-ups, and changing the oil can improve fuel economy, extend the car's life and increase resale value.  Check and replace air filters regularly. Replacing clogged filters can increase gas mileage up to 10%.  Fixing a serious maintenance problem, such as a faulty oxygen sensor, can improve mileage by as much as 40%.  It can also reduce traffic congestion due to preventable breakdowns and it could reduce your car's emissions by more than half:

• Get car emissions inspected regularly    
• Use the recommended octane and oil viscosity.  Improve fuel economy by 1-2% by using the manufacturer's recommended grade of motor oil.  For example, using 10W-30 motor oil in an engine designed t use 5W-30 can lower gas mileage by 1-2%. Using 5W-30 in an engine designed for 5W-20 can lower your gas mileage by 1-1.5%.  Also, look for motor oil that says "Energy Conserving" on the API performance symbol to be sure it contains friction reducing additives.

3. Check tire pressure and alignment.  Low tire pressure home increase the car's road resistance.  You can improve gas mileage by approximately 3.3% by keeping tires inflated to the proper pressure.  Under-inflated tires can lower gas mileage by 0.4% for every 1 psi drop in pressure of all four tires.

4.  Don't top off the tank.   This practice will release gas fumes into the air and cancel the benefits of the pump's anti-pollution devices. Stopping short of a full tank is safer and reduces pollution.

5.  Use recommended fuel.   A vehicle engine will give the optimum engine performance when using the fuel specified by the manufacturer. The Owner's Manual lists the applicable fuel.

6.  Think clean.   Keeping the vehicle washed and waxed improves aerodynamics and, therefore, affects fuel economy.

7.  Consider weather effects.  Note that road and weather conditions have a role, too, in the fuel economy of your vehicle.  Driving into a 20-mph headwind can reduce fuel economy by as much as 6%. Driving up a mountain road with a 7% grade can cut fuel economy by as much as 25%.  Driving on gravel and in slush and snow requires a bit more fuel too.

8.  Avoid rush hour.  Staggering work hours to avoid peak rush hours will lessen fuel consumption.

By Roy Exum
The Chattanoogan.com

There was little surprise Tuesday when the powerful and almighty United States government announced that a lengthy, multi-million-dollar inquiry has revealed there were no electric flaws - none according to top NASA engineers - that would cause sudden acceleration in a Toyota car or truck. Those of us better acquainted with Toyotas and Lexus cars have known that since the start.

But in the same edition of the Washington Post, there appeared a story that was headed, "Romania may get tougher on witches," and to read first one, and then the other, left a delightful parallel that was best tied in a knot by Stelian Tanase, a well-known Romania political commentator.

"The government doesn't have real solutions, so it invents problems," said Tanase. "This is the government that this country deserves."

Just like Romania's witch hunt, the government's bashing of Toyota has just been proven to be nothing more than smoke and mirrors. Transportation secretary Ray LaHood, in a prepared statement, said, "Today, we can say clearly and affirmatively that NHTSA, America's traffic safety organization, was right all along.

"Our conclusion - that Toyota's problems were mechanical, not electrical - comes after one of the most exhaustive, thorough, and intensive research efforts ever undertaken," our transportation secretary said. But there is just one problem there. Toyota can't find any mechanical flaws, either, so don't let me delay any further suspense. The real culprit: human error.

I love it when government officials call their studies "exhaustive," because the car people know better than anyone exhausts emit hot air. The best example was a year ago when the same LaHood blurted, "We need to fix the problem so people don't have to worry about disengaging the engine or slamming the brakes on or put it in neutral...If anybody owns (one) of these vehicles, stop driving it and
take it to a Toyota dealer."

LaHood quickly apologized for his "misstatement," yet today in Romania, the fortune tellers and seers are saying much the same thing. "They can't condemn witches, they should condemn the cards," Queen Witch Bratara Buzea told The Associated Press.

The rub in Romania is that a besieged government is in dire financial straits and now, in the superstitious land that once gave us Dracula, the politicians now want to tax the fortune tellers and send them to jail if their predictions end up to be false.

In America, nobody is going to jail for the grossly-unwarranted Toyota bashing, but perhaps they should. There is widespread belief that the Toyota smear was union based. Much of General Motors and Chrysler's problems can be traced to the United Auto Workers Union, while Toyota is union free.

How else can you explain the wrath of Congressman John Mica (R-Fla) who, when screaming at Toyota leaders last year, spewed, "This is appalling, sir. I am embarrassed for you, sir!"

Others feel the buyout of America's auto industry, which laughingly changed GM's designation to "Government Motors," was the stimulus behind the government's attack on Toyota, which is today the largest automotive manufacturer in the world.

What our government did to Toyota was awful. Governor Mitch Daniels (R-Ind.) was very clear about it. "Let's recall. Let's fix it?If a fine is in order, then fine, but they have gone so far beyond that. It's very, very suspicious in view of the government conflict of interest," Daniels added,

"These Congressmen running this committee have their own agenda and it is a discriminating agenda in this case. They didn't do this the last several hundred recalls," he said last year and the study released yesterday reflects terribly on the political intent, whatever stirred it.

Yes, Toyota is still having massive recalls. These are done at no expense to the customer and any Toyota dealer nationwide will tell you the Toyota commitment to consumer safety - unequaled in the industry - means you check a part that could be faulty but the huge percentage of what's in question arrives with no need to repair whatsoever.

Just last week Ford Motor Company recalled 365,000 F-150 pickup trucks. A F-150 is the best-selling pickup truck in the world. Very little problems will eventually be found, but there were no congressional hearings, rants by poorly-informed politicos, or a heavy sludge of media mirth. No one can explain a marked lack of America's greatest attribute - fairness.

If you'll recall (pun intended), Toyota sales rebounded back to No. 1 in the country within three months because the public was not deceived by the vicious attacks. Over 250,000 Americans are Toyota workers. They were fervent in their loyalty and their belief the Toyotas manufactured in the United States are the best and most reliable vehicles on the market.

Another exhaustive study confirmed that a full 80 percent of Toyotas built 20 years ago are still being driven regularly today. That's a fact. A Toyota "master mechanic" told me personally, "If you just change the oil every 5,000 miles, our engines will easily stand up for over a half-million miles"

But in Romania, where the witches are now all a-brew, political pundit Tanase just said it best. "Maybe (the witches) should put a spell on (Prime Minister Emil) Boc and (President Traian) Basescu, so they can find the solutions."

Oh, if that would only work. Don't you wish we still had a coven or two in Salem?

Unplugged and Ready to Roll

The fuel efficient, third generation Toyota Prius melds economy and safety with innovative technology.  Going green doesn't just mean great gas mileage anymore-it's about truly encompassing every aspect of efficiency. And that is what the third generation Toyota Prius stands for. Gas prices will continue to rise, and people will no doubt complain about them, but Toyota Prius owners don't seem to be fazed by it. With its 1.8 liter four cylinder engine, the Prius offers 51 miles to the gallon on the highway.

But don't let the engine fool you. The Toyota Prius packs a lot of punch and offers the same, if not more, storage capacity than most other mid-size vehicles. Starting at $22,800, the Toyota Prius melds spectacular economy and safety with innovative technology that gives the driver peace of mind on the road.

Economy
The Toyota Prius takes economy to the next level. "The Toyota Prius is currently the leader in gas mileage when it comes to hybrid vehicles," says David Nappa, president of Dayton Toyota in South Brunswick."  And compared to gas-powered vehicles, Prius hybrids have helped reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 4.5 million tons since its introduction 10 years ago."  And more than 1 million Toyota Priuses have been sold-over half that amount in the U.S. alone.

Mr. Nappa says that despite the waning economy Prius sales are up. "We notice that as gas prices go up, so do Prius sales. And Toyota is predicting that the Prius will become the best-selling car in America over the next 10 years."

But it"s not just the fuel efficiency that attracts consumers to the Prius. The Prius combines a gas engine with an electric motor to achieve maximum efficiency. Sales professional Jeff Marcus sees firsthand how customers view the Prius. "We have people who are not only looking to save money on fuel, but they're also concerned about the environment. And the great thing about the Prius is that it doesn't have to be plugged in like other electric-powered cars."

And the Toyota Prius has a large following. "Prius enthusiasts are the most loyal customers. They know they're getting a great car, with more than enough room, without having to worry about breaking the bank at the gas pump," Mr. Marcus says. And when you get about 595 miles on a single tank of gas, it's no wonder the Toyota Prius was named the most fuel efficient mid-sized vehicle.

Ann Roman of Monroe Township loves the fuel economy of her Toyota Prius. "My 2008 Prius has about 100,000 miles on it, and I love it. I have six kids, and they all borrow the car-and I don't have to harass them to fill the tank. I feel like I can drive it forever without having to fill up, and when I do, it's far less expensive than any other car I've ever owned."

So what does Ms. Roman think of the rising gas prices forecasted for 2011?  "Gas prices can go up, that's fine. I never have to worry about gas prices with this car."

Safety
The Prius' fuel efficiency is only one of the many things that sets it apart. It also includes technology that helps maximize safety and comfort. As an option, drivers can enjoy the Prius' Advanced Technology Package and Safety Connect.

Safety Connect allows the driver to stay in touch with emergency services in the event of an accident by contacting police or paramedics immediately. In addition, Safety Connect offers Stolen Vehicle Location. This technology is able to locate the stolen vehicle by using GPS technology, thereby maximizing the likelihood of the vehicle being recovered.
Other safety options include Lane Keep Assist and Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, among others. Lane Keep Assist uses innovative technology to read lane markers and apply slight torque to the steering wheel to help keep the car in the center of the lane. So not only does the Toyota Prius help a driver after a collision, it also helps them avoid potential collisions by alerting drivers if they begin to veer into a different lane unknowingly.

Dynamic Radar Cruise Control is designed to assist drivers once they have engaged the cruise control. If the vehicle senses it's coming upon a mass (such as another vehicle) while the cruise control is engaged, the Prius will automatically slow down to avoid a potential collision.

Comfort
When drivers are able to seat five people comfortably in a vehicle that offers a smooth ride and lots of storage, you get passionate car owners. Eileen Spiewak of Perrineville loves her 2010 Prius for just that reason.

"I have back problems, so getting in and out of cars-and even sitting in cars for long periods of time-has always been a challenge for me. But our Prius is wonderful. My husband and I drove straight to Florida, only stopping once, and I had no issues."

Dayton Toyota experiences a lot of customers transitioning to the Toyota Prius from other mid-sized cars.  "On our trip, we were able to fit three weeks' worth of luggage in it," Ms. Spiewak says.  "And even better-we spent only about $75 in gas driving to and from Florida. My daughter was so impressed that she bought one too.'

And the comfort that the Toyota Prius provides extends to the temperature control offered by the vehicle. The power tilt/slide moonroof with Solar Powered Ventilation System ensures that a comfortable temperature is maintained in the car at all times.

The technology uses an electric fan to draw outside air into, through and out of the vehicle once the inside temperature reaches 68 degrees Fahrenheit. 'The great thing about this technology,' Mr. Marcus says, 'is that it is completely solar powered, so this feature does not use any electricity from the vehicle itself in regulating temperature. So the efficiency of this vehicle is enormous. There is no doubt in my mind that Prius sales will continue to rise.'

Dayton Toyota is approximately seven miles from Princeton, located at 2291 U.S. Route 130 in South Brunswick. If you have any questions or want to learn more about the third generation Toyota Prius, contact Jeff Marcus at 732-979-5336 or email him at JMarcus@DaytonToyota.com 

Dayton Toyota donates $1,000 to local food pantry South Brunswick Social Services, a local food pantry, was recently awarded a $1,000 gift from Dayton Toyota on behalf of its customers and associates. The donation came at a good time for the food pantry, which has seen an increasing need for donations. This holiday season, a record number of families have been forced to turn to them for help. Dayton Toyota President David Nappa realized their need for assistance.  "Many area families have had to rely on help from the food pantry, especially in times like these. At Dayton Toyota we are grateful that the support of our loyal customers allows us to do what we can to help."  Nappa said. Lou Anne Wolf, Social Services director for South Brunswick, expressed sincere thanks. "This very generous donation will help needy families in our community who often go without proper food, shelter and essential medical care." Dayton Toyota, New Jersey's first Toyota dealership, has consistently supported the community for the last 50 years. Pictured Left to Right: Hillari Yuengel and John Agnese of Dayton Toyota; David Nappa, president of Dayton Toyota; Lou Anne Wolf, South Brunswick Social Services director; and Tara Nino-Mancuso and Michael Hart of Dayton Toyota.

 

Dayton Toyota is celebrating its 50th Anniversary by giving back to their community and customers.

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ - Dayton Toyota, New Jersey's first Toyota Dealership, is celebrating 50 years of outstanding sales and service this May.

To show their gratitude for 50 years of local support, Dayton Toyota is reaching out to the community through a $1,500 donation to the South Brunswick Police Department for officer training.

Chief Raymond J. Hayducka gladly accepted the philanthropic gesture on behalf of the South Brunswick Township Police Department. Chief Hayducka described Dave Nappa, President of Dayton Toyota, as "an ambassador of good will and a valuable contributor to the Police/Community partnership." "Because of Mr. Nappa's support our ability to provide public safety will be significantly enhanced," he said.

Dayton Toyota is also giving back to it's customers with extended service hours. Starting May 6th, Dayton Toyota will be open from 7:30am to 8pm Monday through Friday and 8am to 5pm on Saturday. These extra service hours are a direct response to today's drivers keeping their vehicles longer, getting the most value from their investment. Dayton Toyota is also adding technicians and extending the hours of their popular no-appointment Express Lube.

Dayton Toyota is New Jersey's first Toyota dealership. Its associates have received Toyota's prestigious President's Award for ten consecutive years. Dayton Toyota is also the area's only Toyota Signature Certified dealership. In addition to it's recent donation to the South Brunswick Police Department, a portion of Dayton Toyota's customer's proceeds have been donated to: The South Brunswick Township SAFE Drug Abuse Program, The South Brunswick Township Charity Organization, The South Brunswick Family YMCA, The #1 South Brunswick High School Viking Marching Band, The Dayton Village Citizens Coalition, The Middlesex County Boy Scouts, The Middlesex County College Foundation and The Susan G. Komen Cancer Foundation.

For more information please contact Dave Nappa at 973-216-2962 or dnappa@aol.com.