Magnussen's Toyota of Palo Alto

Toyota continues to break barriers in the automotive world, and their latest endeavor stretches to where hybrid technology and speed meet up. That's right, Toyota has recently announced plans to enter the Le Mans 24 Hours endurance race with a hybrid racer.

This isn't Toyota's first entry into the race, but Japanese car makers have yet to take home a victory, with the exception of Mazda way back in 1991. But this...

Already one of the top automakers in green car engineering, Toyota is taking their efforts to reduce CO₂ emissions a few steps further. As well as working to reduce the effects of the "urban-heat island phenomenon"¹, the Japanese automaker has recently turned their focus to bio-fuels. Toyota has begun pioneering research into something called cellulosic ethanol - a yeast produced from non-edible plants.

The recently developed yeast ferments xylose, the sugar produced by plant…

According to the Interbrand Best Global Brands 2011 Report, "Even though Toyota faced both an internal and an external crisis, the company forged ahead by focusing on safety and quality, modifying its leadership structure and capitalizing on its world-renown green efforts."¹ And, here at Magnussen's Toyota of Palo Alto, we think that says everything about why Toyota is a stand-out brand.

The annual report showcases the top brands in major industries. This year, Toyota gained...

Think you're interested in a Toyota, but don't know for sure? Maybe this will help you make up your mind. Three Toyota models have recently been earned awards from Consumer Reports magazine. The ever-popular Prius hybrid was named "Top Green Car", for the eighth consecutive year.  The RAV4 earned the title of "Best Value Small SUV". And, the Sienna minivan received the distinction of "Best Family Hauler". Plus, Toyota leads all automakers with…

Production shutdowns in Japan, due to the horrific earthquake and tsunami on March 11th, has not slowed down the popularity of Toyota Prius, available at Magnussen's Toyota of Palo Alto in Palo Alto, California.

The third milestone in the last six months Prius, worldwide sales topped the two million mark in October 2010, and Toyota's award-winning hybrid beat Japan's all-time domestic sales record for any vehicle with sales of 315,669 units…

With the display of Toyota's CNG-electric hybrid Camry at the Los Angeles Auto Show in 2008, Irv Miller, Vice President of Toyota Motor Sales' U.S. division stated, "With this concept, we are confirming our interest in pursuing CNG [natural gas]."¹ However, it seems that the automaker quickly lost interest in CNG with the rising popularity of their poster child, the Prius.

Although, according to a recent report, Toyota's interest in pursuing…

Due to the extent of damage assessed from the March 11th earthquake and tsunami, Toyota has issued a statement last week, advising the press that they will be forced to temporarily shut down its North American factories until parts inventory from Japan resume normal levels.

Toyota's North American plants have avoided being shut down, thus far, by using inventory they had in stock or parts that were shipped just prior to the disaster. However…