As part of a Japanese automotive family, last month’s earthquake and tsunami hit us particularly hard here at your local Staten Island used Toyota dealer. Since our company was so closely affected, we didn’t hesitate to begin participating in relief efforts. In fact, Toyota as a whole stepped up to help in a really big way – to date, total contributions have come to over $8.6 million!

Donations are still rolling in, and are coming from a variety of sources. Our corporate offices at Toyota Motor Corporation have donated nearly $3.75 million to support the relief efforts, while the Toyota Industries Corporation contributed $1.2 million. Toyota’s North American associates and team members, dealers, suppliers, business partners and friends have also participated, giving more than $3.68 million to the cause in Japan.

Even though the earthquake and tsunami occurred over a month ago, everyone at Toyota knows that the work is not done! We are continuing to raise money to support relief efforts and are even taking donations through April 18. If you would like to help, the time to do so is now! There are several ways you can go about contributing:

• The “Hope for Japan” website was launched to enable our friends to contribute to the Red Cross relief efforts through monetary donations or even by sharing a personal message of hope. So far the site has received more than $7,800 in donations and countless messages of hope. To read these messages, write your own message, or make a pledge, be sure to visit the website - www.toyota.com/supportforjapan.
• Hudson Toyota associates, suppliers, business partners and friends can also make donations
  through this website.

While we are incredibly proud of how much has been given so far, we also know that there’s no such thing as too much. The people and communities in Japan still need assistance! Help us help our Toyota family members by donating to the American Red Cross’ relief efforts in Japan!

To learn more, come see us at Hudson Toyota. Staten Island drivers will also find a great selection of new and used vehicles here. No matter what you’re looking for, you can find it at Hudson Toyota so stop in today!

Have you been itching to get your hands on a Prius or other hybrid car, but just can’t seem to save up enough to afford it? Fear not, Toyota has unveiled a new sub-compact hybrid car at 2010’s Detroit Auto Show. This new hybrid vehicle will be smaller and significantly more affordable than Toyota’s original hybrid, the ever popular Prius.

Once these cars become available to the public, Hudson Toyota, the Newark new Toyota dealer, will surely be a go-to dealership to find more information, or to purchase the new sub-compact. The name of the car has not been revealed, but Toyota dealers will have all the information you need, as soon as these cars become available. Hudson Toyota is a great place to find Staten Island used Toyota vehicles as well.

Once Toyota releases the new sub-compact car, there’s no telling how popular the vehicle will be with drivers worldwide. Toyota is expecting the new hybrid to be a huge seller, and they anticipate producing at least 150,000 vehicles per year, at first. The sub-compact Prius sibling will get 50 miles to the gallon, much more fuel-efficient option compared to other sub-compact cars.

The Toyota Prius is the most popular hybrid car on the market, and by introducing a smaller and more affordable option, Toyota is making the hybrid more accessible to drivers everywhere. If you’re looking for one of the all-new sub compact hybrid vehicles, check out Hudson Toyota, NJ and NY’s new and used Toyota dealership. They serve Staten Island, Newark and all surrounding areas and provide unparalleled service to their customers.

Although Toyota will unveil the new vehicle during the 2010 Detroit Auto Show, we will have to wait quite a while before these cars hit dealerships worldwide. Toyota plans to begin production on the new sub-compact cars in Japan in 2011, and forecasts the release of the cars for purchase worldwide early in 2012. Check back with Hudson Toyota, your Newark new Toyota dealer and Staten Island used Toyota dealer for updates. Such an efficient and affordable car is worth keeping tabs on, don’t you think?

The day has finally come: hybrid fans will soon have the chance to get their hands on a lithium battery-powered plug-in version of the Toyota Prius, after much talk surrounding the vehicle’s limited release last year. The plug-in version of the Prius will be available for lease in 2010 to a very select (and very lucky) few. Toyota has just announced that they plan to make the vehicle available for purchase in 2011, and then you will be able to find them at Hudson Toyota, your Newark new Toyota dealer.

This new plug-in version of the Prius will allow drivers to run up to 14.5 miles on battery power only. Once the battery power has been depleted, the car will begin functioning like a regular Prius and rely on gasoline partially to power the vehicle. Toyota is reporting that the plug-in Prius could drive as many as 870 miles on a fully charged battery and a full tank of gas.

Although the highly coveted cars will be available for lease in 2010, only a few will make their way to the states. Approximately 150 of the 600 vehicles available for lease will be available in the United States this year.

Toyota plans to use these leased vehicles to collect data and gain insight over the next year in order to improve performance before releasing the vehicles for sale in 2011. With so much research and so many drivers testing the plug-in Prius vehicles all over the world, you won’t have to worry about plug-in parts until the new Prius version is released for sale next year, but you can always find Staten Island Toyota auto parts at Hudson Toyota, your Staten Island and Newark new Toyota dealer.

It’s been said that the leased vehicles will only be available to universities, corporations and government agencies. Contact Hudson Toyota, your Newark new Toyota dealer, and the place to find Staten Island used Toyota cars, to find out more about leasing and when you can get your hands on a plug-in Prius in 2011. If you need service or auto parts, Staten Island Toyota dealer Hudson Toyota has the best service and parts departments around.