Friday, August 30, 2013

The Next Generation Car Buyer!


A new AutoTrader.com study finds that millennials -- those 16-32 years old -- like kicking tires on dealership lots until they've had a chance to interact with salespeople. Get the full story here.

Friday, August 9, 2013

The history of Lexus.

In 1983, Toyota chairman Eiji Toyoda determined that the time was right for Toyota to produce a luxury automobile. He decided that this new vehicle would be the finest luxury car in the world, offering speed, safety, comfort, elegance, dignity and beauty. This ultimate automobile also had to be accompanied by unprecedented levels of customer service that greatly exceeded the expectations of current luxury car buyers. The first Lexus, the flagship LS 400, was introduced in fall 1989, setting a new standard for luxury cars around the world. Since that historic launch, Lexus introduced the ES, SC, GS and IS. In the following years, Lexus introduced the LX, GX and RX Luxury Utility Vehicles. Always a leader in technology, Lexus launched the world's first luxury hybrid, the RX 400h, and has since expanded its line of hybrids to include the GS, LS, ES and CT models. Lexus has more recently become a dominating force in the performance category with its F line—including the high-performance IS F sedan and world-renowned LFA supercar, multiple F SPORT models and a comprehensive line of track-proven F SPORT performance accessories. With a complete line of automobiles that are unsurpassed in their respective classes and a philosophy that puts the customer first, Lexus will continue to forge ahead pursuing perfection to set new precedents, and carry out the legacy first established by Eiji Toyoda more than 50 years ago.

Click here to check out our inventory of excellent Lexus vehicles! 

Thursday, August 1, 2013

Here are the top 3 car washes in the area!



Nobody likes driving around in a dirty car!  We did some research to find the top rated car washes in the area.  Keep your car looking brand-new with one of these local washes!
1.  Bill's Car Wash & Detailing
     12180 E Colonial Dr
     Orlando, FL 32826 

2.  VehicleSpa
     25 W Jersey St
     Orlando, FL 32806

3. Waterways Car Spa
     1325 State Rd 436
     Casselberry, FL 32707

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Is your car in need of a check-up?

Approximately 77% of cars on the road need servicing or new parts.  It's important to periodically get your car checked to ensure there is nothing vital that needs to be addressed.  Take the time to come by Lexus of Orlando soon and make sure your vehicle is in tip-top shape!

Click here to schedule a service appointment with us.

Monday, July 15, 2013

Third Annual Toyota 100 Cars For Good Program Continues to Impact Nonprofits’ Work

TORRANCE, Calif. (July 15, 2013) – For the third year in a row, Toyota’s 100 Cars for Good philanthropic program will invite the public to select another 100 worthy organizations nationwide that will receive a Toyota vehicle. Beginning July 22, registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations can apply online at www.100carsforgood.com explaining how a new vehicle would support their work. Based on individuals’ votes, Toyota will give away two cars per day for 50 days to selected organizations.

Since 2011, 100 Cars for Good has put 200 cars on the road to benefit organizations and causes that touch real lives – from transporting disabled adults and taking zoo animals to schools, to restoring homes flooded by Superstorm Sandy.

Key dates and facts for the 2013 program:


  • July 22 to Aug. 5 – Up to 2,500 applications will be accepted.
  • Aug. 19 – The 250 finalists will be announced and will receive promotional materials to help raise awareness for their organizations during the voting period and in their work beyond.
  • Oct. 1 – Voting will begin and continue for 50 consecutive days on Toyota’s Facebook page, granting consumers two votes each day to select two separate winning organizations.
Each day, the two winners will be eligible to choose a Highlander, Prius, Sienna, Sienna Mobility or Tundra, which will also come with a six-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty from Toyota Financial Services. The remaining three runners-up every day will earn a grant of $1,000 from Toyota to recognize their efforts and encourage further good work.

“The 100 Cars for Good program elevates the positive impact nonprofits have on their communities,” said Michael Rouse, vice president of diversity, philanthropy and community affairs for Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. “The program creates awareness by involving the public in the voting process, and the extra vehicle mobility helps to advance the goals of the selected organizations. This is a wonderful opportunity for Toyota to give back and demonstrate our commitment to communities across America.”

Each entrant is encouraged to post photos that highlight the group’s community work. As a result, nonprofits organizations across the country have the opportunity to raise their social profiles and gain more advocates for their causes.

“Our Sienna Mobility van supports our core mission to provide individuals in wheelchairs with opportunities that help them fully experience their communities,” said Chris Adams, executive director of Ohio-based Stepping Stones. “We hope more organizations like ours will take advantage of this wonderful Toyota program and benefit from the inspiring support of their communities like we did.”

Empowering Communities

The 100 Cars for Good program is the first Toyota initiative that engages the public to determine how its philanthropic donations will be awarded. Over the last 20 years, Toyota has contributed nearly $700 million to nonprofits throughout the U.S., with core priorities on safety, education and the environment.

For the Massachusetts-based nonprofit All Hands Volunteer, its new Toyota Tundra was essential when disaster struck the Northeast.

“Within 48 hours of Superstorm Sandy, our volunteers were in the new truck driving south toward Staten Island to help affected families,” said David Campbell, executive director of the organization, which used its vehicle to help clear homes after the devastating storm. “By establishing 100 Cars for Good, Toyota helps identify groups like ours with huge needs for vehicles. It makes so much more possible.”

Last year, the 500 finalists inspired thousands of people to go online and select winners. Those who voted learned about organizations around the country and their unique approaches to making communities better places to live.

“For us, the Toyota vehicle helps our staff members drive animals to classrooms so kids can feel the snake’s scales or touch a parrot’s feathers,” said Thane Maynard, director of the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden that won a Prius v last year. “That authentic experience can open a world of curiosity, and ultimately, foster a greater appreciation for nature and wildlife. The Prius v helps us get there to open minds.”

For a full list of rules and to learn more about 100 Cars for Good, visit www.100carsforgood.com.

Courtesy of Toyota USA Newsroom

Thursday, July 11, 2013

Complete training facility in Orlando NXT step for WWE

Opening this summer, the WWE state-of-the-art Performance Center will serve as the new home to WWE’s talent developmental system, recently re-branded NXT and create nearly 100 high-wage jobs in Orlando.

Officials from WWE, Full Sail University, NXT and Florida government participated in a wallbreaking ceremony on Thursday, April 18 in Orlando. Fittingly, with Paul Triple H Levesque helping lead the charge, several grabbed sledge hammers -- instead of shovels -- to christen the area.

With 26,000 square-feet, seven training rings, a world-class strength and conditioning program and cutting-edge edit and production facilities, the new Performance Center will give WWE the ability to train more potential performers than ever before through a comprehensive program including in-ring training, physical preparedness and character development.

The new center will be the training ground for talent that includes former professional and collegiate athletes, Olympians and entertainers. It will also offer a best-in-class sports medicine program creating a central location for all WWE talent to receive the best care both in and out of the ring.

“Our economy has created nearly 300,000 new private sector jobs in just over two years, meaning that thousands of Florida families now have the opportunity to pursue their dreams,” Florida Governor Rick Scott said. “WWE could have chosen anywhere in the world to house this new global performance center – and they chose the Sunshine State. [The] announcement that WWE will create nearly 100 more jobs for families in Central Florida is further proof that everything we do is geared toward job creation, and it’s working.”

Teresa Jacobs, Mayor of Orange County which includes Orlando, added: “We are so excited that WWE has chosen to establish its training and talent development operations in Central Florida. In addition to strengthening our burgeoning entertainment production industry, the WWE Performance Center brings high-value jobs, capital investment and continued economic expansion to our area.”

The announcement solidifies WWE’s presence in Orlando and evolves WWE’s partnership with Full Sail University in Winter Park, just outside Downtown Orlando. Last year, WWE and Full Sail announced an innovative partnership that moved live tapings of WWE NXT series -- WWE’s weekly one-hour show that broadcasts on WWE.com and in more than 60 countries worldwide -- to Full Sail Live, the university’s state-of-the-art performance venue.

The partnership, which created a new student scholarship fund, allows students of the university’s entertainment-focused degree programs, including Film, Show Production, Digital Arts and Design, Internet Marketing and Entertainment Business, to gain real-world experience alongside WWE production staff during WWE NXT tapings.

“The WWE Performance Center and our partnership with Full Sail University are critical to the future of our company,” said Paul Triple H Levesque, Executive Vice President, Talent and Live Events, WWE. “Orlando is now the [official] home to the next generation of WWE Superstars.”

Garry Jones, President of Full Sail University, said: “Collaborating with WWE has elevated the education experience here at Full Sail University by creating many opportunities for our students to gain hands-on experience by being mentored by some of the best minds in the entertainment production industry. We are excited to welcome WWE to the neighborhood and can't wait to see what the future holds for this evolving partnership.”

WWE NXT is taped periodically at Full Sail University. NXT also travel throughout Florida and Georgia conducting fun, family-friendly house shows (no TV). The shows include current and future WWE superstars and divas.

Courtesy of The Miami Herald


Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/04/18/v-fullstory/3352197/complete-training-facility-in.html#storylink=cpy

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Toyota Partners with Tree of Life Clinic to Improve the Process of Providing Quality Free Health Care

TUPELO, Miss., July 9, 2013 – Mary Ware arrives at the Tree of Life Clinic in Tupelo at 6:40 a.m. to ensure she will have a place in line for treatment when the free medical clinic opens at 4:30 that afternoon.  Now, with the efficiencies instituted in the clinic – thanks to the partnership with Toyota – she can arrive later with assurance she will be seen that day.

Since January, members of the Toyota Production System Support Center (TSSC) and Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Mississippi have partnered with Tree of Life Clinic to provide on-site support – free of charge – helping to improve the clinic flow while preserving doctor/patient interaction time.  The improvements include increasing the number of patients seen while reducing waiting time for those patients by an average of 24 minutes and decreasing the length of the clinic workday for volunteers by an average of one hour.

Established in 2010, Tree of Life Clinic is a free medical clinic that provides basic medical and dental care for people in North Mississippi that is fully staffed by volunteers and 100% funded by donations.  Open two days a month (1st Wednesday and 3rd Saturday), the clinic sees approximately 80 patients on Wednesdays and 120 on Saturdays for those who do not have health insurance, cannot afford to pay for medical care or may not be eligible for Medicare/Medicaid.

“When we opened Tree of Life Clinic we knew there was a need for medical services for people with no health insurance and not eligible for Medicare or Medicaid, and we were overwhelmed with patients from the first day,” said Polly Bailey, clinic manager and co-founder with her physician-husband Dr. Joe Bailey.  “Every person on our staff is a volunteer.  We have always worked hard to ensure that we provide the best service with the increasing influx of patients. Now we want to take the concepts Toyota has shown us and incorporate them along with the philosophy of continuous improvement to provide the best care with the facilities and volunteer staff we have.”

Toyota, through its nonprofit arm, TSSC, shares its manufacturing know-how to help nonprofits and small to mid-size manufacturing companies optimize the way they work by making substantial ‘process improvements’ by increasing safety, quality, productivity and decreasing costs.  Nearly 200 organizations – including some of North America’s most successful enterprises – have used TSSC’s support.

Toyota Mississippi President Masafumi Hamaguchi added, “Toyota Mississippi partnered with TSSC and the Tree of Life Clinic to work on this project. It is Toyota Mississippi’s honor to help the clinic better serve their customers. We are happy to donate our time and energy to this important community project.”     

Lisa Richardson, TSSC’s project leader, explained, “Specifically, we worked on improving the patient and volunteer experience. On one hand the volunteers (doctors, nurses, pharmacies and support staff) work long hours and on the other patients are willing to wait for long periods of time to guarantee that they’re seen by the doctor. So we focused on several improvements to maximize everyone’s experience,” she added.  

Some improvements include:

  • Re-organizing the lobby to maximize patient flow
  • Improving the filing system helped reduce check-in process time (30% of files were purged and a new filing system was introduced);
  • Standardizing the quantity and location of supplies in the pharmacy and exam room.

By implementing these improvements, the Wednesday shift pharmacy staff  has finished as early as 8:30 p.m. where previously volunteers worked until 9:30 or 10 p.m.  And from the moment the patient checks-in until they leave, the average wait time reduction per patient is 24 minutes.

TSSC, a subsidiary of Toyota’s manufacturing & engineering headquarters in Erlanger, Ky., shares Toyota’s manufacturing know-how with nonprofits like Tree of Life Clinic by focusing on process improvement activities ‘doing more with less’ in a condensed manner.  TSSC’s on-site support typically lasts 3-6 months. The idea is for the leaders of the nonprofit to learn Toyota’s manufacturing know-how so they can teach it to their team and become self-reliant.  

“This project with Tree of Life has been fulfilling,” Doug Formby, Toyota Mississippi vice president, exclaimed. “Not only for the team that worked tirelessly on this project, but for other Mississippi team members that volunteer their personal time here. It is our intent to continue this relationship with Tree of Life Clinic.”

Additionally, Toyota provided a $20,000 grant for medications.

Courtesy of Toyota USA Newsroom