Lehigh Valley Auto Dealers

Have you been looking forward to the option of leasing a plug-in Toyota hybrid? If so, your dream may become a reality sooner than you think!

Toyota announced earlier this month that it was going to start leasing plug-in hybrid vehicles by the end of 2009. The leases would be available in the United States, Europe and Japan. The United States and Europe would receive 150 of these units each and Japan would get 200 of the plug-in units which will all be mostly used for special government-endorsed programs.

The plug-in batteries for these Toyota cars will be lithium-ion. This is the first time Toyota will use this type of battery which has already proven successful in gadgets like laptops and cell phones. The lithium-ion batteries produce more energy and they are more efficient, but the engineers at Toyota had to overcome some technological hurdles before these batteries could be used.

When these models become available, you will be able to recharge the battery using a normal household outlet. If the electricity runs out while you are on the road, the car will run on the fuel supply just like a normal hybrid so you will never be stranded (unless, of course, you run empty on fuel, too).

So get ready for the plug-in revolution. It’s coming fast!

Your Toyota cars dealer has been discussing some of the exciting new features that are available on the 2010 Prius. We got a good start with the last two blog posts, but that’s not enough to describe all the great features on these new Toyota cars. Here are a few more exciting things to look forward to.

• Remote Air Conditioner System – With this exciting feature, you can activate your Prius’s A/C unit from your keychain. While you’re standing in line at the supermarket, you can simply activate the air conditioner and get into a nice, cool Prius for a comfy ride home.
• DVD Navigation System – Never get lost again with the voice-activated touch-screen DVD navigation system. Simply tell it where you want to go and follow the turn-by-turn directions to reach your destination.
• Backup Camera – Prevent rolling over anything valuable when backing out of your driveway with this feature. It helps save lives, too!
• Traction Control – When going over slippery or rough terrain, the 2010 Prius offers traction control so you are not slipping and sliding all over the place.
• Pre-collision System – This optional feature prepares the 2010 Prius for a collision when the system determines the car is about to hit another car or some other obstruction.

Can you imagine all of these features with these hybrid Toyota cars? It’s almost like the car of the future is here now!

As promised on Monday, today we are going to continue our discussion of some of the features on the 2010 Prius. The optional powered sunroof, which is part of the Solar Powered Ventilation System, provides several functions. It can tilt and slide to let air into the Prius on those sunny and breezy days. It will also protect the interior of the Prius from getting too hot when the sunroof is closed. The climate control feature also lets you use the Solar Powered Ventilation System to cool the interior when it reaches 86 degrees.

One of the bonuses of this system is that it automatically comes on and it does not use power from the engine or hybrid battery. It collects energy from solar panels built into the car. That energy then powers the fan that helps cool off the inside of the vehicle. That makes it nice on those hot summer days because you can enter a cool car instead of one in which the temperature is excruciatingly hot from sitting in the sun for a couple hours.

How attractive does the 2010 Prius sound now? That part about keeping the car cool while I’m in the store doing some grocery shopping is worth the price to me! Come check out these Toyota cars and you’ll wonder how you ever lived without them!

We all know that the Prius, one of the many but also the leader in hybrid Toyota cars, is the most efficient car in its class when it comes to gas mileage. But did you know the 2010 Prius also uses plants and other recyclable materials on the interior to make it even more eco-friendly?

These Toyota cars use Eco Plastics that engineers get from plants. In addition to that, the 2010 Prius also has an Eco Mode that is designed to give the car even better fuel economy than previous generations.

The Tracer Display on the dashboard is also an attractive feature of the 2010 Prius. This feature allows the driver to control the vehicle’s functions with controls mounted the steering wheel “while the Tracer Display superimposes these buttons over your dashboard.” As a result, drivers can focus on the road and their speedometer while looking for a good song on the radio.

The graphic overlay of the feature is sharp so you can see it clearly and there is no guesswork on the driver’s part. You can also adjust the lighting.

On Wednesday, we’ll discuss the powered sunroof and the 2010 Prius’s Solar Powered Ventilation System. Be sure to come back for that!

If the old fashioned lifestyle is attractive to you, why not take a tour of Pennsylvania’s covered bridges in your Toyota cars this summer? Throughout Columbia County, there are a total of 11 covered bridges along a 52-mile stretch that you can visit and cross.

Pennsylvania’s Columbia County has “the third richest concentration of covered bridges…with 20 of the classic structures spanning its waters.” This makes the area unique and offers a step back into time for the entire family.

The loop tour swings north from I-80 at Bloomsburg, PA and has several side trips that range between several hundred feet and 11 miles. Just east of Forks, you will find the country’s one and only twin covered bridges. Named East and West Paden, these two bridges are found at Twin Bridges County Park.

Besides the covered bridges along the route, the Ricketts Glen State Park offers a nice visit with trees that are at least 500 years old and more than 20 breathtaking waterfalls throughout the area. You can also go hiking, swimming, fishing, boating and picnicking throughout the park for a fun afternoon and the perfect ending to a day of quality time with the family.

With the price of gas starting to creep up and everything costing more these days, many families are choosing to stay close to home this summer. But just because you choose to stay in Pennsylvania or New Jersey does not mean you cannot appreciate the travel season. There are many scenic roads in the region that you can enjoy in just a daytrip or in a few hours. Monday we discussed the National Historic Road. Today we would like to introduce you to a drive through the Lancaster Valley Amish Country.

Between Morgantown and Lancaster, Pennsylvania, there is a 73-mile drive that curves through the popular Amish Country. Most of this roadway takes you into the heart of the Amish area without the busyness of the tourist areas. There are, however, a number of shops and other attractions you can enjoy along the way.

The drive begins in Morgantown and works its way southwest through Lancaster County, which is the oldest Amish settlement in America. Along the drive you will share the road with authentic Amish buggies being pulled by clip-clopping horses. There are also many breathtaking tapestries of farms, farmhouses and much more that goes along with a real Amish village.

Bring your Toyota cars along for the ride and see a completely different culture that will amaze you!

Taking a road trip in your Toyota cars is a great way to enjoy the summer and get away from all the things going on in the world. One thing you must fit into your vacation agenda is to take in some of the scenery that our beautiful state of Pennsylvania has to offer. Today we are introducing you to Pennsylvania’s National Historic Road.

The 90-mile Historic National Road is one of country’s first highways funded by the federal government. As the United States began to expand westward, this road provided transportation for people and goods. As you drive along this byway, you will notice a number of historic relics that have been around since America won its independence from Great Britain. As America’s first Main Street, you can experience old homes, trading posts, diners and motels that served the nation’s most heroic and historic legends, including George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and several others.

Some of the historic towns you will drive through on this road include Addison, Uniontown, Washington and Claysville. There are also several Industrial Revolution sites. You may recognize the Wharton Iron Furnace, the Summit Inn Resort and other businesses that helped shape the nation into what it is today. Just imagine the juxtaposition of driving your new Toyota cars through a rich piece of American history!

Are you considering getting a Toyota Tacoma after reading about the packages and options in Wednesday’s blog? Here are some more exciting features you can expect to find on these popular Toyota trucks.

• The inner bed has fiber-reinforced sheet-molded composite materials with steel outer panels for optimum protection and utility.
• The truck bed comes complete with storage compartments, removable tailgate and rail caps.
• The rear doors have dual hinges for easier access.
• The new Tacoma includes color-keyed hood scoop, front and rear mudguards, and a chrome rear bumper.
• The X-brace-tuned suspension system has gas-filled Bilstein shock absorbers along with a rear stabilizer bar for increased safety on rough terrain.
• Depending on the version you purchase, you can choose between 15-inch and 16-inch styled steel wheels or alloy wheels. Some versions even offer the option of 17-inch alloy wheels.
• The Double Cab and Access Cab versions come with a 115V/400-watt deck-mounted power outlet for added convenience.
• Black overfenders give the Tacoma a unique and stylish appearance.
• Fog lamps are ideal when you need to light up an area for any reason.
• Variable speed windshield wipers come in handy so you do not need to constantly turn them on to clear the windshield.

These are just some of the exciting features you can find on some versions of these Toyota trucks. Be sure to check one out today while they last!

As one of the most popular Toyota trucks on the market today, there are several options and packages available to go along with the full-size Tacoma. Here are some of the features you can add on to these Toyota trucks when you decide to purchase one.

Enhancement Extra Value Package – This package offers buyers a CFC-free air conditioner with a state-of-the-art air filter, 15-inch steel wheels and a sliding rear window.

SR5 Extra Value Package – This package is available on the Tacoma Double Cab 4×4 Long Bed version of these Toyota trucks. It comes with JBL Satellite Audio and Bluetooth capabilities in addition to a six-disc CD-changer, six speakers, MP3 inputs, a free 3-month subscription to XM Satellite Radio and remote keyless entry.

SR5 Extra Value Package – This particular package comes with the Tacoma Regular Cab 4×4 with the five-speed manual transmission. The SR5 Extra Value Package includes a chrome grille surround, color-keyed front bumper, metallic-tone instrument panel trim, SR5 badging and a CFC-free air conditioner with a cabin air filter.

Convenience Package – This package is available on some versions of the Tacoma and includes a remote keyless entry system, cruise control, power mirrors, sliding rear window with privacy glass and audio controls mounted on the steering wheel.

These are just a few options and packages you can expect to consider when purchasing a Toyota Tacoma. Check one out today just in time for your summer road trip!

If you want to travel this summer in your Toyota cars without going too far from home, look no further than Massachusetts. The scenic views of Cape Cod are only a few hours away from Philadelphia and the best way to experience the awe-inspiring nature is from your Toyota cars.

Located along Route 6A, Cape Cod is one of the more peaceful places to visit on the East Coast. The scenic drive along the route takes you through some of the oldest villages and areas in the United States. In fact, a large number of homes along the drive are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

In addition to the historic homes, you can also see the water along the route. Several beaches are located along Route 6A, including Sandy Neck and Sandwich Town Beach. Nickerson State Park is one of the main attractions along the way in Brewster, Massachusetts. This park consists of large hilly and wooded areas as well as beaches and dunes. There is something for everybody at Nickerson State Park!

Finish the day off at Hallet’s Store and Soda Fountain for a step back in time. You have probably heard of the old soda shops from your grandparents’ era. Well, this former drug store is probably as close as you will find to those old hangouts.

Keep coming back for more ideas on how to enjoy the summer with your Toyota cars without even going too far from home.