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Looking for a reliable, durable vehicle that holds its value? Look no further than a Toyota. Toyota has a long-standing reputation for quality and dependability, and that translates to excellent resale value. Let's explore why a Toyota is a smart choice for your next car. Toyota's Legacy of Durability and Reliability It's not just hype – Toyotas are built to last. A significant percentage of Toyotas sold in the past two decades are still on the road today. This impressive track record speaks volumes about their durability. When you buy a Toyota, you're investing in a vehicle designed to withstand the test of time, saving you money and headaches down the road. Less time in the shop means more money in your pocket. Resale Value: A Key Advantage Toyota vehicles are known for their impressive resale value. When it comes time to trade in or sell your Toyota, you can be confident you'll get a fair price. This is due to a combination of factors: their reputation for reliability, their longevity, and the consistent demand for Toyota models. What Contributes to Toyota's Value? Several factors contribute to Toyota's strong resale value: Brand Reputation: Toyota has consistently been ranked among the most reliable car brands. This trust, built over decades, is a major selling point. Consistent Improvement: Instead of radical redesigns, Toyota focuses on incremental improvements, refining existing models and maintaining a familiar aesthetic. This "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" approach resonates with buyers. Popularity: Toyota's popularity plays a significant role. Recognizable models with established track records hold their value well. Safety First: Toyota Safety Sense Toyota prioritizes safety, and many models come standard with Toyota Safety Sense, a suite of advanced safety features designed to protect you and your passengers. While specific features may vary by model and year, these systems often include: Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection: Helps mitigate or avoid collisions with vehicles or pedestrians. Lane Departure Alert: Alerts you if you unintentionally drift from your lane. Automatic High Beams: Optimizes nighttime visibility by automatically switching between high and low beams. Dynamic Radar Cruise Control: Maintains a safe following distance by automatically adjusting your speed. Award-Winning Lineup Toyota's lineup has consistently earned awards and accolades. While specific awards change annually, Toyota models are frequently recognized for reliability, safety, and value. Check out the latest awards and recognitions on Toyota's official website. Beyond the Basics: Features that Add Value Toyota vehicles offer a range of features that enhance their value. From comfortable interiors to advanced technology, there's something for everyone. Features like smartphone integration, advanced infotainment systems, and driver-assist technologies make the driving experience more enjoyable and convenient. Be sure to check the specific features available on the model you're interested in. Affordability and Long-Term Savings Toyota aims to offer competitive pricing across its lineup. Combined with excellent fuel economy and lower maintenance costs due to their reliability, Toyota ownership can lead to significant long-term savings. Investing in a Toyota: A Smart Choice Whether you're looking for a sedan, SUV, truck, or hybrid, Toyota offers a wide range of vehicles known for their reliability, durability, safety, and excellent resale value. Visit your local Toyota dealer to explore the latest models and find the perfect Toyota for your needs. Do your research, compare models, and take a test drive to experience the Toyota difference firsthand.

2021 marked the last year the iconic Toyota Land Cruiser would be on the market. And while that exit left a gap in the Toyota SUV market for quite some time, Toyota was hard at work behind the scenes reshaping the Sequoia to fill that void. Announced in 2023 the Toyota Sequoia is a redesign that has been due for quite a while. Last redesigned in 2008, the SUV had stayed mostly the same while competitors had overhauled fan favorites, sometimes multiple times. From all we know about the 2023 Toyota Sequoia, the wait was worth it. The features and expectations centered around the 2023 Sequoia are impressive and innovative, leaving a lot of folks counting down to its release. Dealers like Mount Airy Toyota will be there to answer your questions and put you ahead of the curve in getting your hands on an SUV sure to shape the market. A Farewell to The Land Cruiser Before looking to the future, it’s important to talk about the past. Toyota’s choice to tap the Sequoia as the spiritual successor to the Land Cruiser shows an immense amount of confidence in the new model. The Land Cruiser has had a 60-year run in the United States. Likely older than most of the people reading this article. With such a long run, the Land Cruiser has cemented itself as the SUV of choice for many families across the country. In fact, following the announcement of the Land Cruiser’s discontinuation, sales sky-rocketed, selling more in January 2021 than any other month of the decade. Now, we have many people that are heartbroken about the discontinuation of an icon, though looking at the Sequoia, with all of its perks, has eased some of that grief. So, before we get any further, goodbye to the Land Cruiser, Toyota’s longest-running nameplate. A New Chapter The Toyota Sequoia is a new chapter in Toyota’s SUV sales. Understanding the need to deliver something with some power and awe, especially considering the delay of a bottom-up redesign of well over 10 years. Now, they’ve done just that. The 2023 Sequoia is an SUV suited for the future, and it’s dedicated to leading the way in innovation and harkening back to the features that made so many love Toyota’s older SUVs (looking at you, Land Cruiser.) Hybrid with Powerful Performance The imposing design of the Sequoia isn’t what you’re likely to picture when thinking of an electric vehicle. That means those who buy a Toyota can expect to save money at the gas pump, which means more trips and fun for you and your whole family. That hybridization provides fuel efficiency, but it also supports power that’s nearly unrivaled in the current SUV market. That power is evident in the numbers, boasting 437 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque. Interior Fit for Your Family The three-row Sequoia is engineered with a big group in mind, comfortably seating up to 8 people, the SUV can handle almost any family or friend group imaginable. As with most SUVs, the Sequoia has flexibility in that seating that lets you increase storage or seating space with ease. Those who choose the SR5 premium package and above can count on a hands-free liftgate, 120-volt power outlets, and the third row with powered seats. Those outlets span across the interior, letting everyone riding along take advantage of them. The touchscreen at the front of the vehicle supports both Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ letting either side of the phone war play whatever music they desire. Maps, traffic information, voice assist, and wi-fi hotspots are other perks included in the entertainment portion of the vehicle. There’s so much to do that you’ll be surprised when nobody asks, “Are we there yet?” Brand New Design The 2023 Sequoia also looks much different from prior iterations. With a design similar to the new Tundra but in SUV form, the design is both sleek and imposing. The colors the Sequoia is slated to come in are as follows. All Sequoia models come in: White, Wind Chill Pearl, Celestial Silver, Lunar Rock, Magnetic Gray Metallic, Blueprint, Army Green, Midnight Black Metallic, Smoked Mesquite, Supersonic Red, and the TRD-exclusive Solar Octane. The premium paint colors are as follows: Wind Chill Pearl and Supersonic Red are available, and the premium color Solar Octane is exclusive to TRD Pro models. Whatever color you end up choosing, they all look great and reflect a modern design meant to accentuate the Sequoias frame. Towing In Style The power of the Sequoia we discussed earlier isn’t just for getting the SUV itself around, it’s also capable of towing whatever your family may be bringing along. The Sequoia has power that rivals any truck, so those who were wary of an SUV's ability to tow before, are likely having those worries calmed. The Sequoia can handle up to 9,000 lbs, which is enough for nearly every camper and boat out there. So if you’re loading up your family and camper or boat for a fun weekend, take the Sequoia instead of the truck. It keeps you and those riding with you happy and can meet any challenge in towing that a truck can. Off-Road Potential If you go with the TRD Off-Road Package, which is only available in 4WD on the SR5 and other limited models, you’ll be able to go off-road in a way that Sequoias have never before. This option for off-roading is one of the many ways the Sequoia is filling the gap left by the off-roading Land Cruiser. The power already in the Sequoia, accompanied by 4WD makes any terrain easy and conquerable. Allowing you to explore with confidence in your ride. Toyota’s Safety Sense Like all new Toyota models, the Toyota Sequoia comes with Toyota’s patented Safety Sense. Safety Sense makes Toyota one of the top car manufacturers when it comes to safety. Consistently being ranked as such, by consumers and boards alike. This technology, alongside the Sequoia’s size and performance, creates a vehicle sure to be safe for you and your family. Details of The Sequoia’s Release If you’re excited by the details surrounding the Sequoia, the natural next question is, “When and where can I get it?” The Sequoia will hit dealerships in the Summer of 2022, so at the time of this article, their release is just around the corner. While most Toyota dealerships will have the vehicle available, finding the right dealership is important and Mount Airy Toyota is prepared to help with everything related to the new Sequoia. Toyota hasn’t yet released the official pricing for the Sequoia, though we can expect some official news very soon. The basic trim is anticipated to cost roughly $53,000 with the most advanced trim at $69,000. I encourage you to follow Toyota’s news closely for the official price announcement. Why Mount Airy Toyota? Mount Airy Toyota isn’t like every other dealership, they’re committed to customer satisfaction and reflect that in every aspect of their practice. With every testimonial on the website being positive, you’re nearly guaranteed to leave with a similar impression. They’re also well-stocked on new vehicles, so you’ve got a much better chance at getting the coveted Sequoia before they run out. Mount Airy Toyota also offers specials that are competitive with even the best deals out there, so when the Sequoia hits the dealership, you have a chance at receiving it at a great cost. If you’re still unsure about joining the Toyota family, Mount Airy Toyota has a model showroom that gives you a comprehensive understanding of every new vehicle and the Sequoia is sure to get that treatment. So for the SUV lovers, be ready for an SUV designed for the future, be ready for Summer and the launch of the 2023 Sequoia, and consider choosing Mount Airy Toyota as your partner in the search for the Sequoia.

In 2015, Toyota discontinued the Venza. Now, it’s back and better than ever. Though the price doesn’t reflect it, the 2021 Venza Limited emits grandeur from the inside out. Toyota has coined the term “Elegance elevated” to sum up the reborn SUV, and we couldn’t agree more. In a segment that includes more than enough crossovers, the Venza shatters the competition in efficiency and reliability, and it holds its own in appearance, comfort, and technology. If you’re in the market for a midsize SUV, you’ll likely check out quite a few makes and models before making your decision. We’ve done some of the work for you. Below, we’ve compared the 2021 Toyota Venza Limited with the 2021 Volvo XC90—a vehicle considered to be one of the nicest luxury SUVs available. Let’s see how the Venza stacks up: 2021 Toyota Venza Limited The 2021 Venza Limited isn’t technically in the luxury segment, but someone forgot to tell Toyota that during the designing process. Here’s the skinny on this two-row beauty: Performance All Venza models are hybrids, which is something that can’t be said for any of the other automakers in the midsize SUV class. The powertrain consists of a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gas engine combined with three electric motors. Together, you get 219 horsepower. That may not sound like a lot of power, but the Venza gives you more oomph than expected, especially considering the impressive off-the-line acceleration from the electric motors. The engine setup is matched with a continuously variable automatic transmission, and all-wheel-drive is standard. All and all, the Venza provides a smooth and even ride that would rival any luxury SUV. Fuel Economy No competitor comes close to the Venza when it comes to fuel efficiency. Rated at 40 mpg in the city, 37 mpg on the highway, and 39 mpg combined, the Venza even doubles many competitors. Interior The interior of the Venza is something to behold, particularly the Limited grade. It will comfortably seat four adults, as it offers plenty of leg- and headroom in both rows. It technically seats five people, but there’s a drivetrain hump in the floor in front of the middle seat, which may compromise comfort for a six-footer. The cabin itself is exquisite. It’s clear that Toyota had no intentions of making the Venza Limited sporty; instead, it whispers luxury with its SofTex seats to go with soft-touch surfaces and woodlike trim on the center console. Brown piping runs along the doors and dash, which adds an upscale aesthetic. Technology The 2021 Venza Limited offers no shortage of the latest tech available to car buyers. Coming standard is a 12.3-inch touchscreen display to go with the Entune infotainment system and in-dash navigation. You will also get Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa connectivity, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The Venza Limited comes standard with Toyota’s Safety Sense 2.0, which is an industry-leading suite of safety technologies. A few of the many features include lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist, automated braking with pedestrian detection, and adaptive cruise control. 2021 Volvo XC90 There’s no getting around the fact that the 2021 Volvo XC90 is a nice vehicle. Let’s discuss what it has to offer in terms of performance, fuel economy, interior, and technology: Performance Every XC90 model comes with a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine. The base Momentum pairs a 250-hp turbocharged engine with front-wheel-drive, while a 316-hp supercharged version with all-wheel-drive is available. An eight-speed automatic transmission comes with both engines. Fuel Economy The 2021 XC90 achieves about the same fuel economy as most of its competitors. The turbo engine provides 21 mpg city and 30 mpg highway, while the supercharged version drops to 19 mpg city and 28 mpg highway. Interior The interior is perhaps where the XC90 shines brightest. A clean, attractive design is matched with quality materials, and the three-row SUV provides seating for seven passengers unless you opt for captain’s chairs in the second row, which brings it to six passengers. A wide and boxy frame lends a considerable amount of cargo space. Technology All XC90 trims come standard with Volvo’s Sensus infotainment system and a nine-inch tablet like touchscreen that allows you to tap, pinch, and swipe for controls. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability is standard as well. Like Toyota, Volvo is known for prioritizing safety in the design of its vehicles. Not surprisingly, the XC90 provides many standard safety features, including forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. The Bottom Line When it comes to value, this is no competition: The 2021 Venza Limited simply offers more for the money. Starting at $39,800, the Venza Limited looks and feels like it belongs in the luxury market, and drivers won’t be missing out on comfort, technology, or safety. Also, the Venza naturally comes with unparalleled efficiency and reliability. The XC90 is a respectable SUV with an attractive design, and it too offers plenty of safety features. If you need a larger SUV, the XC90 is a good choice, as long as you are willing to pay anywhere from $49,695 and $77,395 as a starting price. After a six-year absence, the Toyota Venza has returned. And Mount Airy Toyota is the place to come if you want to get your hands on one. Be sure to give us a call or come by our dealership to discuss details!

In the early 1960s, the hatchback vehicle was introduced to America and we fell in love with it…at least for a time. Though it lost some of its luster throughout the years, the hatchback’s innovative design has been a major influence on what we see on the roads today. Maybe this is why we are currently experiencing a strong reemergence of the hatchback vehicle—is it time for a blast from the past? At Mount Airy Toyota, we like the prospect of seeing more hatchback vehicles on the road, and we have plenty on our lot to offer, so we thought a little history lesson on the cool-looking car could benefit us all. Characteristics of the Hatchback The original hatchbacks were simple cars fitted with a rear door, hinged to the roof, that opened upwards much like a—you guessed it—hatch. These vehicles were rather squatted with a two-box body style. “Two-box” means the trunk and passenger area can easily consist of one volume of space by folding seats down, while the engine is separated into its own volume that can only be accessed by popping the hood. Most vehicles today are designed to be either a two- or three-box system. The original appeal of the hatchback car was not just its sleek, new (at least for its era) look. Car buyers simply loved the fact that you could fold the back seats down to create a massive trunk space, and that the vehicle often came with a removable rigid parcel shelf or a roll-up Tonneau Cover. These were features new to the car industry and they were quite impressive. There is also what’s known as a liftback, which is a hatchback with a single slope from the roofline to the bumper (picture a 1969 Ford Mustang) that has a more horizontal angle than the standard hatchback. Both versions were incredibly popular upon their arrival in the 1930s and 1940s, and the hatch-like door for which the vehicle gets its name can be seen in just about every SUV made today. Of course, nowadays we don’t even have to touch the hatch for it to open; just swing a leg under the back bumper and it magically rises on its own. Oh, how far we have come! The Early Stages of the Hatchback In 1938 Citroen produced the first hatchback, called the 11CV Commerciale. This large hunk of a machine possessed a tailgate that came in two pieces: a top door hinged from the roof, and a bottom door hinged from below. The car sold well enough for Citroen to continue marketing them, and soon after World War II they designed a version of the 11CV Commerciale that had one door hinged from the top only. Though this car was big and bulky and came with a massive rear hatch, it lead to later designs such as the 1949 Vagabond and Traveler vehicles that were more sleek and small, like a modern sedan. It is these models of the hatchback that have been described as the major influences for the hatchbacks manufactured in America sometime later. America’s Version of the Hatchback Just like our current obsession with crossover vehicles (a morphing of the modern sedan and SUV) when the hatchback hit the States, most Americans were quite impressed. Once they noticed their popularity in Europe, big car companies like Chrysler, Ford, and GM immediately went to work on designing a model of our own. Though the first models of the hatchback in the 1960s did well, like the Ford Pinto and Ford Bobcat, it was the Dodge Omni and the Plymouth Horizon, both released in 1978, that set the standard for America’s version of the vehicle. Then later, in the 1980s, the Dodge Shadow and Dodge Lancer managed to keep America’s love affair with the hatchback alive. Despite the decades of progress and popularity with the hatchback, its inclusion into modern life in the late 80s and into the 90s began to wane. We started to want bigger cars with more space and room to move around. Station wagons provided this, as did the entry of the Sport Utility Vehicle and, as fads always do, the American hatchback slowly lost its tracking. But just as fads fade away, it only takes a handful of years before they reemerge into popular culture, often with a new take on an old idea. And if you have been paying much attention to what’s new in the world of vehicles, it seems the hatchback is on its way back into our lives. A New Savior? It’s tough to say why things come back into fashion. Have we run out of ideas? Is there really nothing new under the sun? Just look at the fashion industry and you can see just how circular trends can be. Despite the dubious nature of American trends, there could be an easy explanation for why the hatchback is reemerging. There’s no disputing the fact we see more SUVs and crossovers on the road than sedans these days, as the car industry has had a massive drop in sedan sales over the last decade. With this in mind, it could be said the arrival of modernized hatchbacks is an effort to popularize the sedan again (or at least a modernized version of it). According to an article from USA Today, “In 2017, compact and subcompact car sales are down 25%.” Though this may not seem like much of a drop in number, even the smallest fluctuation in sales, either up or down, can have drastic repercussions. The article goes on to say that “Hatchbacks in those classes have risen 16%.” So with one (the sedan) going down, and the other (the hatchback) going up in sales, it’s safe to say the projected models of hatchbacks to come out in the next few years will test the market strength of this new style of sedan. Actually, that 16% figure already indicates an interest in the hatchback design by American car buyers, and the hope is this number will continue to rise. And judging from what we have seen in sales at Mount Airy Toyota, an increase does indeed seem probable. The Modern Hatchback So if you are in the market for a new car, and are considering a hatchback—as many car buyers these days are—there are a few things to consider. In fact, we’ve come up with a list of five tips to think about before you get too far along in the process. Here they are: Fun or Family? Today’s hatchbacks typically come in two styles: compact and midsize. The compact is closest in form to its ancestors, except that it has much more power and pizazz. These are sporty, fun-to-drive cars with two doors and the iconic scrunched rear. Though they’re small, they are the perfect weekend ride. The midsize is a four-door wagon-like car that maintains the hatchback look (as it does have the hatch in the back), but it is considerably larger than the compact model. This car could actually serve as a nice family vehicle with plenty of room to stretch and store goods. A New Crossover? Not all, but some hatchbacks coming out are large enough to be considered a small SUV, or a large sedan. But unlike the sport utility vehicle and the sedan, new hatchbacks still allow for the rear seats to fold down in order to provide even more cargo space. This might seem like a minor detail, but once you actually lay eyes on the space created from losing the back seats, you’ll realize this is a big selling point. An Easier Drive. Since the hatchback integrates the trunk space into the rear of the car more so than any other, it is shorter in length. This means it is easier to park and maneuver around tight spaces. This is great for big cities and congested areas and can make your life so much better. And the ease doesn’t stop there. Take any modern hatchback and compare its turning radius to that of a typical sedan of the same price range and you’ll notice a big difference. Hatchbacks make sharp turns simple, quick, and fun. And you can’t help but feel a little safer knowing that. Low Cost, Big Results. Because they are smaller in nature than a sedan (and definitely smaller than an SUV or crossover), hatchbacks don’t cost as much. Not only that, but they also do better on fuel, and that’s not even considering the hybrid and all-electric versions of the hatchback—yes, the modern hatchback can come as gas-powered, hybrid, or electric! Rise in Popularity. Don’t believe the naysayers who love to hate on the hatchback, whether old or new. The truth is, the American hatchback is on its way up! That 16% rise in sales mentioned earlier is just the tip of the iceberg. Hatchbacks are back and they’re here to win America’s hearts all over again. Toyota’s New Hatchbacks Currently, Toyota has some impressive hatchbacks to offer, two of which we find to be our favorites: one in the Corolla and another in the Prius. Let’s have a look at some of the specs for each. Corolla Hatchback: Comes with a starting MSRP of $20,140 Offers 30/38 estimated miles-per-gallon Has three trim levels—SE (L4 2.0L, 6MT); SE (L4 2.0L, CVT); and XSE (L4 2.0L, 6MT) Available with a dynamic force engine; optimized suspension; leather-trimmed sport seats; 6-speed intelligent manual transmission; rear window spoiler; and wearable connectivity It also comes with a chrome grille surround, LED taillights, LED fog lights, 18-inch alloy wheels, and piano-black accents and soft-touch materials throughout Prius C: Comes with a starting MSRP of $21,530 Has an estimated 48/43 mpg Available in seven different colors—Tide Pool Pearl, Blizzard Pearl, Classic Silver Metallic, Magnetic Gray Metallic, Black Sand Pearl, Absolutely Red, and Blue Streak Metallic Offered in an L or LE trim level Features the following: pre-collision system with pedestrian detection; lane departure alert; automatic high beams; a sporty exterior shape; 15-inch alloy wheels; versatile design; 60/40 split rear seating; and a premium interior And as far as technology goes, there is a standard backup camera, a smart key system with a push-bottom start, and a multi-information display See to Believe There are plenty more specs to both Toyota hatchbacks, but this is one type of vehicle you really have to see to believe. There’s just something about its performance, its comfortable-cool atmosphere that just can’t be explained. Like it or not, the hatchback is about to experience its own renaissance and we couldn’t be more excited. Just take a look at what we have on our lot right now— 2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback (SE CVT) in Blizzard Pearl for only $21,842 2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback (XSE CVT) in Blizzard Pearl for only $26,681 2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback (SE CVT) in Classic Silver Metallic for only $21,692 Come in today and test drive the all-new Toyota hatchbacks. Mount Airy Toyota is confident you will be impressed with this blast from the past and, as always, you simply won’t find better pricing anywhere else. See you soon!     -Andrae Bergeron *Sources: https://www.globalcarsbrands.com/history-of-hatchbacks-and-the-best-hatchback-cars/ https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/cars/2017/05/28/hatchback-cars-stage-comeback/102258000/ https://www.toyota.com/hatchback-cars/

1957 — the BJ-era Land Cruiser rolled into civilian life as the FJ25 Cruiser setting up Toyota to expand across foreign markets. The FJ25 had working doors, roll-down windows, and air conditioning, and its military design made it unique. It was innovative for its time, having been manufactured in such a way that it could be produced for either right- or left-hand driving. The Land Cruiser evoked the rough and tumble maneuverability and look of the all-American Jeep but appealed to those who wanted something new and different. At Mount Airy Toyota, we can’t wait for the 2019 Land Cruiser to be released. Expected to hit the market later in 2019, the Land Cruiser will be, as it has been, a classic. If you want to strike out on a long, cross-country adventure; if you want to climb up mountains and roll over deserts; if you want to ride astride a myth, a legend of a vehicle, the Land Cruiser is what you’ve been searching for. Think khaki-clad photographers stalking the elusive white rhino. Think camping in the deserts of Arizona. Think scouting trips in the Adirondacks. Think Bear Grylls. The 2019 Land Cruiser is your ticket to adventure and breath-taking views. Or maybe you’re taming the parking lot jungle, navigating soccer mom terrain, and scouting for the hottest new place to have dinner. The steering wheel is heated and wrapped in leather, the read-seat DVD entertainment system features two 11.6-inch screens, and the standard 14-speaker JBL Synthesis audio system include an 8-inch subwoofer and a 605-watt amplifier. “Of course, nobody buys a Land Cruiser because it has a touchscreen and can cool your pants through its leather seats. There are plenty of choices that can do that while offering a more sumptuous and compliant ride,” writes Kirill Ougarov for Automobile Magazine. “No, the special sauce here is the Range Rover-level capability that comes with it—highlights include full-time 4WD, crawl control, locking limited-slip center differential, the suspension’s ability to disconnect the anti-roll bars, and the Multi-Terrain Select system.” The Details What will power all that adventure, all that thrill-seeking? A 5.7-liter, V-8 engine with 381 horsepower, driving the all-wheel drive with 8-speed automatic transmission. That includes 401 lb.-ft of torque. Toyota has 60 years of global adventure backing its design for the 2019 Land Cruiser. The 2019 Land Cruiser has maintained its sturdy body frame from 2008, tried and true, made of a high-tensile steel ladder frame to ensure durability and reduced flex. The independent front suspension has sway bars built in, which keep the vehicle from swaying too much in tight turns or twists. In fact, the Land Cruiser has an independent double-wishbone suspension system, to ensure each wheel moves independently but in unison with the others, for maximal control. But it does not sacrifice wheel articulation in the process. Rough terrain is no match for its fantastic maneuverability and control on the road, and off. The Land Cruiser offers Standard Crawl Control (CRAWL), which assists the driver in controlling acceleration and baking on difficult terrains. You can go off-roading and be assured you can control your Land Cruiser at low speed, on rough terrain, without fear of safety concerns. Tighter turning radiuses becomes possible, with CRAWL, when navigating rugged terrains. And Multi-terrain Monitor helps you cut a path of adventure, cuing your Land Cruiser for whatever landscapes beckon you. That system collects the feeds from all the vehicle’s exterior cameras. A simple press of a button toggles between views, so that backing-up or continuing onward doesn’t come with any surprises. Multi-terrain Select is an innovative system that controls wheelspin and brake lockup, so driving performance stays on point and remains optimal at all times. No matter the kind of surface you’re driving on, Multi-terrain Select responds nicely, keeping you in control of your adventure. Part of the safety features include powerful LED lighting, so that whether on high or low beams, you have strong and bright lights to help you guide your way into the unknown. LED fog lights will turn on in the event of unfavorable weather. You can adventure far and near without the worry of safety getting in the way. The Land Cruiser sports features from the Toyota Safety Sense suite: pre-collision warning system, automated emergency brakes, and adaptive cruise control are some of its many offers. Off-roading on rough terrain has never been safer. The traction control system in place can handle any terrain you put your Land Cruiser on, so get ready to push its limits. And its safety features are on point: emergency braking is standard, along with blind-spot monitors. Whether out in the wild or braving the city streets, Toyota has you covered for power, drive features, and safety. The interior’s onboard electronics and dashboard has all the bells and whistles you seek. There are several exterior cameras to aid in backing up (front, side, and rear views) and a 9-inch screen loaded with Toyota’s Entune infotainment system. 14 JBL speakers immerse you in sound and the Entune App Suite along with Integrated Navigation ensure great navigation, smooth tunes, connectivity options and beautiful sound. The interior is wrapped in leather, and heated and ventilated seats come standard. There is four-zone climate control with 28 vents throughout the cabin ensure you can keep a controlled environment. The Land Cruiser even includes Positive Temperature Coefficient, which is a system that heats air quickly in the cabin for very cold days. “All-day seat comfort and a quiet ride are two of the Land Cruiser's strongest points. Considering its capabilities off-road, this Toyota is surprisingly comfortable on the road,” reports Edmunds.com. The dashboard sets many controls at your fingertips. A high-resolution screen and intuitive controls onboard set you up for a successful, comfortable journey. These are just some among the many other luxury touches that maintain a high-level creature comforts. The cabin has two rear-seat DVD screens connecting the entertainment system throughout the SUV. And the entertainment can be personalized for each of passengers. The two 11.6 inch screens have great picture quality along with the latest movies, TV shows and game at your fingertips. The tried-and-true Land Cruiser has held its field among the high-end, large-class, rough-and-ready SUVs. It rivals the Range Rover and can match the luxury of a Lexus. It brings forward a long legacy of 60 years of off-roading, adventuring abroad, and maintaining the spirit of a pioneer. That 60 year legacy will push forward into the future as the 2019 Land Cruiser revs on, blazing a trail for years to come. Look for the Land Cruiser and other Toyota SUVs at Mount Airy Toyota. Visit us online at mountairytoyota.com or call us at 336.786.2118.

The next time you wake up in the morning, head into the kitchen, and pop a piece of bread in the toaster, you’re going to think of two things that might surprise you — Mount Airy and Toyotas. The small North Carolina town and the Japanese auto maker share an interesting connection when it comes to browned bread. As industrialism re-aligned the American food chain with sliced bread in every kitchen, Toyota exported its first automobile to the U.S. Twenty years later, Mount Airy — home to Mount Airy Toyota — became known as the Toaster Capital of the World. A Short History of Toast Toasters, first invented in Scotland in 1893, took quite a few years to catch on in domestic life. General Electric built the first toaster for the home in 1909, but toasters’ signature pop-up feature didn’t come along until 1909. What really turned up the heat on the toaster market was sliced bread. First sold in 1928 as “the greatest step forward in the baking industry since bread was wrapped,” the new-fangled, pre-sliced loaves gave way to the saying “greatest thing since sliced bread.” Wonder Bread took a big hunk out of the bread basket when the company started marketing pre-sliced bread nationwide in 1930. World War II marked a turning point for sliced bread. Officials banned sliced bread in 1943 as a wartime conservation measure. The ban coincided with a 10-percent increase in flour prices and a presumed shortage of wax paper, which was wrapped around sliced bread to keep it from drying out. Americans were distraught, and a letter that appeared in the New York Times drove the issue home: “I should like to let you know how important sliced bread is to the morale and saneness of a household. My husband and four children are all in a rush during and after breakfast. Without ready-sliced bread I must do the slicing for toast—two pieces for each one—that's ten. For their lunches I must cut by hand at least twenty slices, for two sandwiches apiece. Afterward I make my own toast. Twenty-two slices of bread to be cut in a hurry!” After the war, as rationing had passed and pre-made, pre-packaged foods were a sign of prosperity, bread boomed. “Most consumers happily ate six slices of industrial white bread a day during the 1950s,” according to a Salon article from 2012. Compare that to today’s gluten-free menus and burgers wrapped in lettuce! Six slices of bread a day gave way to a demand for mighty little toasters designed for each and every home, so in the late 1950s, the Proctor Electric Company served up a thoroughly modern plant built specifically to produce electric automatic toasters in a tiny town called Mount Airy. During the initial excavation phase of the plant, a large Native American burial ground was found on the site, according to the Mount Airy Museum of Regional History. Newspaper accounts of the day report that archeologists believed the graves to be between 300-600 years old. Sadly, there was no oversight to protect these grounds and an open invite to “hunt relics” was even issued to the community at large. Mount Airy’s toasters shipped out across the nation. Just two years after the plant opened, it produced its 1,000,000 toaster. Close to 50 models were manufactured at the site and sold under the brand names of Sears, Montgomery Ward and Universal. In 1960, Proctor Electric Company merged with the Silex Corporation, and later with Hamilton Beach. A case study issued by the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources in 1995 reported that Hamilton Beach-Proctor-Silex was the world’s largest manufacturer of toasters and toaster ovens. The company’s Mount Airy facility employed 1,000 people and produced 35,000 toasters per day. By 1998 the plant was closed. Not that toasters have fallen out of style. From early models with two slots, to four-slotted models with a variety of settings, to novelty toasters that brand an image of Hello Kitty or Darth Vader, toasters continue to be a kitchen staple. Whether for breakfast pastries or waffles, bagels or strudels, wheat bread or white, the toaster is a reliable friend. Toyota’s Toaster Connection Just as Wonder Bread began selling sliced bread in the 1930s, Toyota started producing cars. A division of the Toyoda Automatic Loom Works was devoted to manufacturing automobiles in 1993. Toyota Motor Co. was established as an independent and separate company in 1937. The changed economic and industrial landscape of the 1950s brought about the toaster craze and the first Toyota to be sold in the United States. There’s a saying in the automotive business — that certain cars look like “a toaster on wheels.” Toyota’s now defunct sister brand, Scion, was one of the champion makers of toaster cars with its Scion xB, introduced in 2004. “The original xB is perhaps the most gleefully rational car design to come out in the past decade, and somehow that basic, unassuming design manages to be fun as well,” wrote Jason Torchinsky in Jalopnik. In 2007 the second generation xB, rounded out the five-door hatchback’s boxy corners. Improvements earned the xB a Top Safety Pick from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety for six years in a row. With a host of customizable looks and out-of-the-box boxy design, the xB appealed to a younger car buying market. Kia — a company with abysmal ratings in the mid-2000s — saw an opportunity. The Soul rolled out in 2009 complete with dancing hamsters who earned Nielsen’s most effective automotive ad award two years in a row. The term “toaster car” even has been attributed to Kia Motor’s chief designer’s 12-year-old daughter. The xB was discontinued in 2015 and, along with the Toyota Matrix, was replaced by the Scion iM. However, the Scion brand as a whole was scrapped and the iM turned into the Toyota Corolla iM for 2017. Toyota has plans to develop a new box on wheels. These “e-Palettes” are described as “fully-automated, next generation battery electric vehicle designed to be scalable and customizable for a range of Mobility as a Service businesses.” Or in other words, cute cargo containers. The e-Palettes conception includes partnerships with Amazon, Pizza Hut, and Uber. Might a roving, autonomous box deliver breakfast with a side of toast? We’ll see, as Toyota hopes to release the vehicles in time for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. Mount Airy and Toyota Today Though our town may no longer be the Toaster Capital of the World, we have other interesting claims to fame. Our address of 508 North Andy Griffith Parkway, Mount Airy, NC heralds the birthplace of Andy Griffith and his friendly town of Mayberry. Our dealership, Mount Airy Toyota, is Surry County’s flagship dealer with an award-winning sales team. In fact, you Mayberry well find our selection and service is even better than sliced bread.

The Supra is coming back. Everybody clap your hands. A Little History Toyota launched the Supra in 1978 and it had a good run until 2002. Its design was derived from Toyota’s Celica, but in 1986 the A70 Supra was launched and distinguished itself from the earlier Supra version. Toyota’s race car designs go all the way back to the 2000GT. We saw the first generation A40, from ‘78-’81, followed by the A60 second generation that ran until 1986. The A70 hit the roads from 1986-1993, and its final run, the A80 and its fourth generation, saw the streets from 1993-2002. That was the last we saw of the Supra—until now. The fifth generation is on its way, and it will be all we could hope for. The good news is, the new Supra will debut to the public in February 2019 in Daytona, where we will see what Toyota has landed on with its design, its capabilities, and its final look. We got a peek of the Supra at the Geneva Motor Show, but that was just that—a peek. NASCAR's Daytona race will show us what the Supra can really do. The racecar we will see at Daytona will translate into a driveable sports car for America in 2019. Let’s look at what’s coming. Supra Racing Unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2018, and in partnership with BMW, Toyota’s GR Supra Racing Concept racecar was modeled on the 2014 FT-1 concept. But what we can all drive (the 5th generation Supra, proper) will launch in its newest form in the Spring. The Supra still has as much mystery attached to it as what we do know. Details are going to be a surprise, but we can confirm that a four-cylinder will be available along with 6-cylinder, as one would expect for a sports car. And Toyota may offer a manual option on the Supra, in addition to automatic transmission. In Madrid, Road & Track along with the Australian Car Advice asked assistant chief engineer Masayuki Kai about a manual transmission model. Kai told them “It purely depends on the reaction of the market.” So for those stick-shift enthusiasts that really want to put that horsepower to good use, we can only hope that we get that manual transmission. Kai assured that “If, for example, U.S. customers are demanding strongly that Supra needs a manual-transmission car, then we will plan for it.” For those longing for the versatility and full control of a manual transmission, we can only hope that Toyota finds in the American market a solid demand for the stick. What’s Coming Next They’ve been teasing America with the possibility of a new Supra for a few years now, but we are going to see it, finally. And it’s going to be a sexy revision of what they had years ago. We will see a new model with sleek lines, a low-to-the-road ride, and 225 to 320 horsepower. It will have a tighter, smaller frame (length at 172.4 inches, 73 inches in width, and standing 50.8 inches high) with a low center of gravity. Lower, in fact, than most of the other sports cars on the market. As a matter of fact, its center of gravity is lower than the Lamborghini Aventador. The only thing out there lower that the upcoming Supra, for its CG, is the Porsche 911 GT3 RS. The Supra will weigh almost 3,300 pounds and have a 97.2 inch wheelbase. With a pronounced nose and a ducktail spoiler, the Supra will breeze through air resistance and make for a dynamic driving experience. It has a 50:50 weight distribution. All in the package of a stiff A90 chassis. It will have rear-wheel drive, a great bonus from the collaboration between BMW and Toyota. Since 2012, the two companies have worked together to work on things like rear-wheel drive in sports cars, lithium batteries, and revamped engines. And the Toyota Supra will come out blazing as a brilliant product of this collaboration. Those wheels will be driven by a turbocharged, 3.0 liter, inline-six engine. And the price? Around $40,000 for a smooth, zippy ride. They are taking the vintage Supra of the late 1990s and revamping it. To hype up our sneak peek, they camouflaged it in their test drive reveal. The 5th generation of the Supra, when first revealed at its test drive, looked to battleships of the First World War for its camouflage design inspiration. Dan Beckett, Head of Art at Toyota Europe, said: “During our research we looked at the dazzle camouflage applied to battle ships in the First World War. The effect of these bold, intersecting geometric patterns was not to hide the boat’s existence but disguise its shape and even the direction it was facing.” The trick that the camouflage played on the eyes hid from us all that the Supra’s shape and design will promise, but we will soon see it in its full glory. Beckett continues, “But we also drew inspiration from the Toyota Gazoo Racing livery, which uses large black-and-red trapezoidal shapes set on a white background. And the most recognizable visual cue in motorsport—the waving chequered flag.” The response on social media and among Supra fans has been to ask for a camouflage paint option, when the Supra becomes available in 2019 to the masses. And Supra enthusiasts, who have moaned the loss of the model in 2002, can only cheer at its return. The Supra, historically, has been a more affordable sportscar positioned in contrast to the more expensive Italian rivals. So, the Supra’s return fills in a gap missing in the car market—and its one that needs to be filled. And though it will debut to the public in 2019, it may not be available for purchase until 2020. Those few privileged enough to test drive the protoype in Madrid have issued glowing reports. Botchi Santos at motioncar.com reports, “The Supra felt divine on all these roads. A quick spring to 240 km/h was indeed jail-baiting, but to my defense, I was simply keeping up with the general speed of traffic on the highway.” Think of it: divine driving. Speed, ease of driving, a responsive wheel—all things we value in a sports car. Santos still owns as 1996 Supra—a targa-top, twin turbo 6-speed model 2JZ-GTE engine—so what he says next should make us all really take note: “Neither does it feel like my Supra, which is heavy and somewhat sluggish in comparison. It feels alert, responsive and playful, without being frisky, edgy and nervous. You know it has your back.” The fifth generation Supra will squeal past its predecessor with ease and speed. Santos wraps it up nicely when he offers: “If there’s one thing you should keep in mind when considering the MKV Supra, it’s that you shouldn’t think of it as a reboot. Instead, think of it as a reset.” Though they wrapped the Toyota Supra in camouflage when we first saw it, the reveal at Daytona in a few months is going to be worth the wait. At Mount Airy Toyota, we are ready.

It’s not too often the case that someone hears the words “Toyota Corolla” and thinks, “Ohhh, exciting!” Long known as an entry-point to the car-maker’s reputation for reliability, the Corolla is the oldest name in Toyota’s current inventory, aside from the Land Cruiser. There have been close to 45 million Corollas sold worldwide — thus it is ubiquitous exactly because it is the most popular car line in history. But what was once a quiet, innocuous little sedan has gotten a tune up. “With the 2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback, the carmaker fashions a substantial reminder that a small car with a rear hatch and a little attitude can be immensely appealing,” writes Kelly Blue Book. Once known as the iM, the brand new Corolla Hatchback is designed to be fun to drive. The 168 hp engine with 155 lb-ft of torque features 6-speed Intelligent Manual Transmission with close-ratio gears down low for acceleration and taller gears up top for better fuel economy. The ground-hugging body is mounted on MacPherson struts in front and a trailing-wishbone rear suspension for better control and less body roll. Disc brakes, all-season tires, and active cornering assist add punch to the overall stop and go. A hatchback in and of itself has greater capabilities than a sedan. It’s more flexible in terms of what it can carry, provided more vertical trunk space without the restrictive back window shelf of a sedan. The 2019 Corolla Hatchback has 17.8 cubic ft. of cargo volume — the standard 2018 and 2019 Corolla sedans offer only 13.0 cubic ft. and compared to SUVs on the market now the 2018 Mazda CX-3 has a cargo volume of only 12.4 cubic ft. Another Corolla Hatchback cool factor is its wearable connectivity. Got a smartwatch? Why not use it to locate your vehicle, lock or unlock the doors, or even start the engine — features perfect for warming up the engine before work on a cold, mountain day. Of course, there are also available heated seats and an available 8-speaker, 800-watt sound system to make the ride even more fun. “The main creature comforts of the Corolla have been admirably handled. The interior feels good, with no demerits or obviously cut corners. Road noise is commendably attenuated, and the Corolla is comfortable even for 6-foot adults with a little meat on their bones,” reports Digital Trends. Toyota doesn’t sacrifice fun for function. The 2019 Corolla Hatchback comes with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which includes a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane-departure alert, and even road sign assist, which uses an intelligent camera to detect speed limit signs, stop signs, and yield signs and display feedback on the multimedia screen. “Overall, the 2019 hatchback model is a pleasantly surprising piece of work, roomy, premium and loaded with great features,” reports AutoGuide. The 2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback is just rolling out to dealer lots now — late summer 2018 — but if you’re eager to build your own, Mount Airy Toyota can make that happen. Give us a call at 336.786.2118 to discuss available features and, if a new car isn’t quite what you’re looking for, we can find the right used vehicle for you.

It was June 6, 1933 when the nation’s first drive-in movie theater opened. Originally called “park-in” theaters, the notion of moving going in an automobile came from Richard Hollingshead, a movie fan and a sales manager at his father’s company, Whiz Auto Products, in Camden, N.J. It was the worst year of the Great Depression and yet it was the first year for the Mount Airy Toyota car brand. According to the History Channel, Hollingshead's mother struggled to sit comfortably in traditional movie theater seats. He dreamed up the drive-in theater as a solution and tinkered with the concept in his home driveway, before earning a patent in May 1933 and opening Park-In Theaters, Inc. with an initial investment of $30,000. (As a sidenote: Toyota didn't release its first car until 1936.) Going to the movies was something at least relatively affordable for young folks and families. “Advertising it as entertainment for the whole family, Hollingshead charged 25 cents per car and 25 cents per person, with no group paying more than one dollar,” the History Channel writes on its blog. With the price of inflation, that single dollar amounts to about $18 today. Drive-in movie theaters may be responsible for helping drive the ability to listen to music in your car today. RCA developed the first in-car speaker in 1941. By 1949, Hollingshead’s patent was overturned, and drive-in theaters gained enormous popularity all over the country. “The popularity of the drive-in spiked after World War II and reached its heyday in the late 1950s to mid-60s, with some 5,000 theaters across the country,” writes the History Channel. “Drive-ins became an icon of American culture, and a typical weekend destination not just for parents and children but also for teenage couples seeking some privacy.” Two of the smallest drive-ins in the 1950s were Highway Drive-In in Bamberg, S.C., which had room for 50 cars, and Twilight Drive-In in Nakina, N.C., which had room for 60 cars. In comparison, theaters in Michigan and Texas held 3,000. Mount Airy once even had its own drive-in, the Bright Leaf, that opened in 1955 and held 300 cars. Today there aren’t many drive-in theaters left, but just about an hour away, in Eden, N.C. is one of the remaining few. The Eden Drive-In has been open since 1949. There’s parking for 200 cars, and visitors still pick up the movie’s audio on their FM radios. A little more than an hour in the opposite direction and across the Virginia border is Park Place Drive-In, which also features a miniature golf course and ice cream shop. We think that a trip to the drive-in is a great way to get the family together whether it’s in a 2018 Sienna or 4Runner, or perhaps just a trip for two in an all new, 86 or Tacoma. Can’t make it to the drive-in but still want a bit of cinema history? Mount Airy’s Earl Theatre was one of the premiere sites for Gone With the Wind in 1939 and Andy Griffith used to go to movies there as a child.