Oculus Rift meets the 2014 Toyota Corolla

Tweet

If you grew up in the 90's, chances are you have fond memories for a lot of things—Pogs, Ecto Cooler, and Super Soakers, just to name a few. Remember visiting arcades and playing every single racing game there was? Cruisin' USA, Ridge Racer, Sega Rally Championship...the amount of great games (with equally impressive 3D environments, or so we thought at the time) seemed endless.

Those were certainly the days, and Toyota seems to have gotten a kick of that nostalgia recently, too. They tasked Ogeeku, a team of game developers, to re-create those memories using the Oculus Rift tool, a virtual reality headset for gaming. However, unlike most racing games where the goal is to accelerate as fast as possible, they wanted the emphasis to be on what it feels like to actually drive a car. To accomplish that, they modeled everything after the driving experience of the all-new, redesigned 2014 Toyota Corolla. The end result? A retro yet futuristic simulation they're referring to as "CorollaCade"!

The team put everything together in just under a month. Take a look at the video below to see how they did it-

Besides the amazing trip down memory lane, the other great news about CorollaCade being built is that Toyota hopes to make additional machines in the future (likely with more resources and development time) that the public could use to get the experience of a virtual reality test drive.

Think the CorollaCade takes four quarters to play? What Toyota should they feature for their next virtual reality simulation?

The Epilepsy Foundation Car Raffle

Tweet

If you follow us on Twitter, you've probably seen your fair share of tweets lately about the Epilepsy Foundation Car Raffle that Lou Fusz is taking part in. I thought I'd take this blog post to explain it a bit more in detail, and why you should get yourself a ticket!

Last year, we partnered up with the Epilepsy Foundation to sponsor their Seize the Day 5K race and raise awareness of epilepsy in children and adults alike. After meeting and hearing stories from several different families (including a very special young boy with epilepsy, Cameron, who quickly became friends with Patrick) the Fusz family was moved and wanted to get involved. We raised money to become an official sponsor of the race, and some of our staff showed their support by running in it. I had never participated in a 5K before, so it was definitely a new experience for me. I can say with confidence that crossing that finish line felt truly invigorating, something I think everyone should get to experience. It was made even better by the fact that volunteers were set up at several points throughout the race, cheering you on and encouraging you to keep running!  

Overall, the 5K was a great event that we were proud to be a part of. We plan on being there again this year, and want to make things even more exciting. That's where the idea of a car raffle came into play.

For $50, you can purchase a ticket and enter to win a brand new Toyota Corolla L, or if you've got your eyes set on a different car, you'll get a $16,000 credit towards any vehicle in the entire Lou Fusz network. Only 650 tickets in total will be sold, meaning that you have a fairly good chance of winning! Plus, the money being raised will go to support the Epilepsy Foundation. It's a win-win situation! The raffle will continue through November, and the winner will be announced at Busch Stadium on the 15th.

Visit http://www.firstgiving.com/efmk/car-raffle to order your ticket online. You'll also be able to get one during the race on June 22nd in Kirkwood park. We hope to see you there!

Why Your Kids Will Want a 2014 Toyota Highlander

Tweet

Who lives in a pineapple under the sea? Absorbent and yellow...with a new Highlander key?

One of the announcements that came from the New York Auto Show was that the 2014 Toyota Highlander SUV is being built with customer feedback in mind. Specifically, one with Spongebob Squarepants to help better showcase the Highlander as the perfect family vehicle! Toyota group vice president Bill Fay made the statement, saying that a marketing deal will be announced later this year.

While we don't know much yet about how the beloved Nickelodeon character will be involved (a commercial with the Highlander cruising underwater in a bubble? Spongebob jamming out to some "Best Day Ever" and showing kids the Entune entertainment system?) we do know that Toyota is going for a "bigger is better" theme with their new SUV. They've upped the cargo space behind the third row of seating by 34%, added three extra inches to the overall length of the vehicle, and increased seating in the vehicle from seven passengers to eight, thanks to additional seat space in the third row. The automaker also announced that the rear-quarter windows were slightly increased in size, which should help to improve visibility.

The 2014 Highlander will be powered by either a 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine or a 3.5-liter six-cylinder engine. Those who opt for the V6 will get an upgrade from the old five-speed transmission (seen in the 2013 model) to a new six-speed, that is said to improve acceleration and overall fuel economy.

One of the things that most customers might not know about this new car, which I personally think is a great selling point, is the fact that it's now being built exclusively here in the United States, over in Indiana. Those who might have previously overlooked the car for fear of "not buying American" can finally put that argument to rest.

Are you excited for the 2014 Highlander? What do you think a commercial with Spongebob will be like?

What are the Safest Family Vehicles?

Tweet

Every parent out there knows that you need a certain kind of car to accommodate for your little ones, especially if you haven't changed your ride since college. Raising children is like that pivotal moment in your life where having a two door coupe suddenly seems more of a liability than it does being cool. Let's be honest- trying to cram baby seats into the back of a sports car isn't very fun. When your car vocabulary starts changing from words like "powerful" to "practical" and you get a sudden interest in the number of air bags the vehicle comes equipped with, you know you're ready for a family car.

To better prepare for this stage of our lives, U.S. News and World Report comes out with an annual list of the best family vehicles, highlighting the best cars, vans, and SUV's for shoppers. The vehicles are rated based on overall quality, safety, and family friendly features. This year, they put the spotlight on both the Toyota Prius and Toyota Highlander Hybrid, which were awarded "Best Hatchback" and "Best Hybrid SUV"!

According to the report, the Prius was chosen because "it has the best combination of quality, size and family-friendly features in its class."

What does this mean? Since the vehicle is a hatchback, it will easily seat a family of four or five, with plenty of cargo space for storing all those blankets, books, toys, and diapers you've got. The Prius has a whopping 21.6 cubic feet of cargo space, whereas most other hybrid vehicles only have 10-15! It's also a top safety pick, with some of the highest scores in front, side, rear, and roof impact/crash/strength test results. Last but not least, the Prius gets amazing gas mileage, making it able to travel hundreds of more miles on a single tank than a non-hybrid vehicle. At 50 miles per gallon, the family road trip can actually be an affordable option despite the price of gas being higher than ever.

The Highlander Hybrid, on the other hand, was picked because it delivers great power in the form of a 3.5-liter V6 engine, outputting a total of 280 horsepower split between two electric motors. It has a driving experience that is both comfortable and controlled, which are exactly the kind of words a new parent wants to hear when transporting small children! One of the reviews from which U.S. News and World report garnered their data on the Highlander Hybrid was from Kelley Blue Book, who noted that it "attains best-in-class fuel economy without sacrificing power or interior space" by seating seven and getting a combined 28 miles per gallon. For a vehicle of its size, 28 is on the very high spectrum of fuel efficiency.

What features do you think are most important for a family vehicle? Leave a comment below with your top choice! 

Caffeine and iQ: the Perfect Combo

Tweet

Who is Jason Bowes? A crafty entrepreneur out of the United Kingdom who's taking the idea of mobile business to a new level! Now, we're all familiar with food trucks, those delicious meals on wheels that have been getting more and more popular the past few years. The variety of food trucks that have popped up are astounding. You can get everything from Korean tacos to specialty cupcakes these days, and just about every city across the country has been seeing an increase in trucks, even in my hometown of St. Louis!
But what about a nice hot espresso? Can there be such a thing as a beverage vehicle? Jason saw this opportunity and decided to build his own coffee company...using a Scion iQ!

How'd he end up choosing the iQ, which is known as the Toyota iQ overseas? In an interview with the Toyota.co.uk blog, he said: "What’s great about the iQ is that even though it’s small, it easily carries everything I need. I carry a table and sign on the roof rails, and the coffee beans, cups, the chiller for the milk, the sugar, hot chocolate, cutlery and till all fit around the coffee machine or on the passenger seat."

With help from his dad, they installed the coffee machine by building a frame in place of the rear seats of the vehicle. It took quite some time (nearly a month) but Jason says that the design of the Coffee2Go car has gotten a great response since he launched it, and that he's been booked multiple times for events already. Plus, despite the weight of the machine and all the equipment, he still gets great gas mileage, since the iQ is one of the most efficient non-hybrid vehicles out there, with a EPA rated 37 MPG.

You can see the iQ coffee car in action below-

Would you like to see a portable pick-me-up service like this in your town? Or does a similar one exist? Leave a comment below with your thoughts!

5 hybrids with the best MPG in 2013

Tweet

I read an article online about gas prices, and in the comments section, a lady was reminiscing about when it only cost $1.50 a gallon. Could you imagine filling your tank up for less than twenty bucks? It almost seems like ancient history (and in fact, 2003 was the last time gas was round $1.59/gallon).

With prices dancing near the four dollar mark, now is certainly not the best time to own a gas guzzler, especially if the car you're driving is your daily vehicle that has to travel 40 or more miles round trip in a day. So what do you do if you want to get the absolute best efficiency possible out of your car? Consider switching to a hybrid.

The technology for all electric (also called "Plug-in") vehicles is still quite a ways off when it comes to achieving good mileage on a single battery charge, leaving hybrid vehicles as the most accessible choice. Whether you need something compact, or prefer a roomy and spacious ride, there's a hybrid for your needs!

Here are the five most efficient hybrids currently available, with most priced under $30K:

1. 2013 Toyota Prius C - 50 combined mpg (53 city/46 hwy)

This is Toyota's most efficient Prius on the market. It's smaller and lighter than the original Prius, with a body style similar to that of a Toyota Yaris. The base model of the Prius C is priced just over $19,000, making it the most affordable hybrid on the market.

2. 2013 Toyota Prius - 50 combined mpg (51 city/48 hwy)

Toyota's flagship hybrid, the original model Prius continues to remain on top, only beaten out slightly by its smaller cousin. The Prius is known for it's unique look and incredibly quiet driving experience. Compared to the C, it's slightly better for long trips on the highway, but not as efficient in traffic. The 2013 "Two" model is available for around $25,289.

3. 2013 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid - 45 mpg (45 city, 45 hwy)

Who would have ever guessed a luxury brand like Lincoln would have one of the more efficient cars on the market? The MKZ is priced around $36,800 and has a stylish exterior.

4. 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid - 45 mpg (42 city, 48 hwy)

The Jetta Hybrid is Volkswagen's second hybrid sold in the U.S., and the German automaker is trying hard to move away from being only known for selling efficient diesel vehicles. The Jetta Hybrid features a turbocharged engine and outputs 170 HP with a price tag of around $24,995.

5. 2013 Honda Insight - 42 mpg (41 city, 44 hwy)

The Insight gets praise for being one of the cheapest hybrids available, with a starting cost of around $18,600 for the most basic model. While the MPG numbers aren't as high as the Prius or Prius C in terms of  it's still a practical choice.

Do you drive any of these vehicles? What are your impressions of them? 

Toyota on top in Consumer Reports 2013 survey

Tweet

Consumer Reports comes out with an annual Car Brand Perception Survey that compares each major automotive brand in seven overall categories: quality, safety, value, performance, design, tech innovation, and eco-friendliness. The survey is conducted by phone among several thousand random households nationwide and scores the brands based on how often the survey takers mention them. For the 2011 and 2012 reports, Toyota took top honors, and has since showed no signs of slowing down. In fact, they haven't been slowing down for awhile...Toyota had top marks in 2009 and 2010 as well! We're happy to say that they've again held on to the title of most favored brand by consumers. It's no surprise, considering the popularity of vehicles such as the Camry, which Consumer Reports gave a "recommended" review of in their February issue last year.

According to the findings, some of the other big names that consistently rank well include Ford, Honda, and Chevrolet. The scoring tends to be pretty close and is averaged out using a point system. Factors such as quality, safety, and value are weighted more heavily over the others, which helped to give Toyota the boost it needed to remain on top.

Each automaker was scored by the number of times survey takers mentioned their specific brand when answering a question, weighted by category importance, and divided by the total unaided awareness of the brand.

Toyota vehicles have always been known for having a strong resale value and bang for your buck in terms of MPG. Vehicles such as the Corolla, which gets 34 highway MPG for under $20k, or the Prius, which Consumer Reports named as their choice for "best overall value", definitely contributed towards the high ratings Toyota received.
What's surprising is that technology and innovation ranked among the bottom of the weighted categories, even though smart phone connectivity and infotainment systems are becoming more and more popular. We're getting to a point where it's hard to find new cars that don't have these features (or perhaps consumers take these tech features for granted).

Do you agree that price and safety should be the most important aspects to consider when buying a new car? How do you think automakers can continue to innovate in the next year to make the list again?

2013 RAV4: What's New?

Tweet

Waku-doki. Say it loud three times fast. That's the Japanese slogan behind the redesigned, 2013 RAV4, which roughly translates to "a heart fluttering with anticipation", or in more plain English, "an adrenaline pumping experience". Now granted, this is a SUV we're talking about, not a Supra or FR-S. But who's to say you can't have a good time while being practical? I think that's exactly the kind of experience Toyota is hoping to capture with the new RAV4. They've made some design changes reflecting that sort of philosophy in order to up the fun factor for everyone, whether you're rocking the LE, XLE, or Limited trim models available.

It has actually been quite awhile since the RAV4 got a redesign. In fact, the last big overhaul it got was in 2006, when an electric power steering system was added. So, what's changed for the 2013 model? Here are some of the changes, in no particular order:

1. The spare tire hanging on the back of the vehicle is no more. Whether you liked having the hump on the back or not, it's now safely tucked away under the cargo floor inside the vehicle.
2. Can't decide between transmissions? For 2013, the RAV4 is only available in a 176 horsepower, 2.5 liter four-cylinder engine. The option for the V6 is gone (supposedly less than 10% of previous RAV4 buyers opted for the V6) but it has been upgraded from a four speed automatic transmission to six, improving the fuel economy and making for a smoother overall driving experience. 

3. Better MPG- The 2012 RAV4 had an EPA rating of 22 city/28 highway, while the 2013 gets 24/31. Over the course of the year, it will add up to some noticeable fuel savings.
4. Sport button- Just below the radio controls, you can press this button to firm up the steering and give your ride more throttle response. This video explains things nicely.

5. Slightly resized. The new RAV4 is two inches shorter in length (179.9), approximately an inch lower (65.4), but also close to an inch wider (72.6) than before.
6. No more third row of seats. While you can now only sit 5 instead of 7, the removal of the third row seating frees up some extra cargo space in the back- about 1.2 cubic feet more than before. Most importantly? Less complaining from friends who would have been crammed into those extra seats.
7. Powered liftgate. For those moments when your hands are full, the Limited model offers a remote powered liftgate to open the back.
8. New seats. All trims of the 2013 RAV4 come with SofTex seats, a light-weight synthetic leather Toyota has been using for newer vehicles that helps the material "breathe" more easily, and is also more comfortable. In the Limited model, the two front seats also have the option of being heated.

Want to see full specs on the 2013 RAV4? You can grab the PDF here, or if you're simply interested in more photos, you can check out the official Toyota site or their new spot featuring Big Bang Theory actress Kaley Cuoco.

What do you like about the redesigned RAV4? Leave us a comment below! 

Dealership New Owner Events- Worth Your Time?

Tweet

Have you ever bought a brand new car? Think back for a moment and try to remember what the dealership did after you signed the paperwork. Surely you were happy to drive off with your shiny ride, and they're of course thrilled to have sold a vehicle, but did they send you a thank you card? Maybe a gift basket with some treats? How about an invitation to an open house event with other new owners, where you're treated to dinner and a Q&A session with mechanics and certified experts?

That's what we did recently, as we invited new owners out on a chilly January night for an evening of information, food, and freebies.

Salesman John chatting with one of his customers.

So what happens at a New Owner Event? Why would you go? Here's a rundown of what we typically do, and what you can expect if you attend a similar event in the future.

• Welcome guests and offer dinner. For this event, we catered with Pickleman's Gourmet Cafe, a nearby sandwich shop. Our guests enjoyed salad, sandwiches, and cookies while getting to re-connect with their salesmen and chit chat for awhile.

Our buffet line. Those cookies go fast.

• Brief introduction and schedule of events. Our manager, Patrick Fusz, greeted everyone and talked a bit about Lou Fusz and how they got into business (the building that is our showroom now used to be a grocery store, believe it or not!)

Patrick Fusz introducing some of our staff.

• Meet the staff Q&A's with mechanics, our service department, and body shop. Not everyone knows, but the dealership can actually be the same (if not cheaper) price than going to a local body shop for repairs and service such as oil changes! In addition, if you need custom work, whether adding something like leather seats or a sun roof, we can do it. These kinds of topics were covered as our certified technicians and representatives were on-hand to answer frequently asked questions and what-if scenarios.

Taking a look under the hood of a Camry. 

• How to take care of your car- for Prius and non-hybrid owners, with strategies for keeping your car in tip-top shape, such as how many miles to go between oil changes (in most newer Toyota vehicles, it's 10,000). Last but not least, we offer our guests some freebies. For this event, it was a voucher for a free tire rotation.  

Mike Hecht explaining lesser known features of the Prius.

If you get the opportunity, these kind of events are definitely a great way to learn more about your local dealership and how you can keep your car running optimally when your odometer starts climbing towards six digits...or further! We typically hold ours several times a year, in addition to other events that existing owners can attend, such as our hybrid clinics.

What kind of information or items would you like to see at a New Owner Event? 

Have You Fallen Asleep While Driving?

Tweet

Keep your eyes on the road and your hands upon the wheel! It would seem that not everyone is a fan of taking the advice from "Roadhouse Blues", the classic hit song by The Doors. A new study from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention surveyed over 147,000 people, of which 4.9% on average claimed that they've fallen asleep at least once while driving.

The survey, which was done from 2009-2010 and included drivers from 19 different states, found that Texas and California were among the states with the biggest problem of drowsy drivers. 6.1% of drivers in Texas and 4.8% Californians in the study admitting to falling asleep. Oregon, on the other hand, was found to have the least, with only 2.5% of drivers. My home state of Missouri fared well, with only a 3.3% rate which landed it closer towards the bottom of the list.

What were some of the key takeaways? Drivers were more likely to fall asleep if:

• They had snoring problems
• Less than six hours of sleep in a day
• Fell asleep during the day
• Were male
• Between the ages of 25-34

Uh oh. Based on those stats, I'm in the prime demographic for falling asleep while driving! As much as I hate to admit it, I've made the mistake in the past myself, having attempted road trips that began at night. At a certain point, it seems that no amount of Arizona Tea, Monster Energy, or novelty concept items like Le Whif can stop you from nodding off every few seconds. At least until you're jolted awake by the sound of your car rubbing up against the rumble strips on the highway.

Anne G. Wheaton, an epidemiologist and the lead author of the CDC report, said that long commutes and a higher percentage of shift workers can increase the likelihood of sleepy driving. "This percentage we reported is people that actually recognize that they had fallen asleep while driving," she said. "A lot of people, if they fall asleep for a second or two, don't even realize it."

What do you do to combat sleepiness when you have to drive somewhere for an extended amount of time? Do you think we're simply becoming more sleep deprived nowadays?

Toys in a Toyota Tundra for Tots

Tweet

On the topic of holiday toy drives and getting into the Christmas spirit while at work, most people are genuinely excited. Others take on slightly more of a Grinch attitude. But that all changes when you combine a toy drive with an employee barbecue! At Lou Fusz Toyota, we pulled out all the stops. Granted, with how much some of our employees (such as John and Dan) can eat, we kind of had to. Burgers, brats, Italian sausage, you name it. Everything was made in the giant grill below thanks to our grill master pal Terry Weir from our Ford store! To top it off, our lovely manager Karen picked up potato salad, slaw, chips, and at least three different cakes. It was a feast that any tailgating party would have been proud of. The leftovers didn't even make it to the next day! Believe me, I checked the break room fridge.

To fund the BBQ, our staff contributed donations for the event, and when all was said and done, we collected over three hundred dollars that we knew we wanted to put towards a great cause- specifically, Toys For Tots. Our GM Phil Fusz matched the amount we raised and then some. With money in hand, we set out on several shopping sprees to pick up toys, giving ourselves a little bit of extra time as a buffer so we could play around. Browse any toy aisle and try not to, I dare you!

After our shopping trip, we loaded up a Toyota Tundra in our showroom that already had some donated toys in it. Here was the finished result-

Nice haul, right? We then waited until our official pick up day, and helped carry all the toys into a large moving truck that was gathering up donations from all of the Fusz stores.

We had a great time collecting all the toys, and hope they go out to some deserving families in St. Louis and everywhere else! Happy holidays! 

Cars + Christmas = Toyotathon

Tweet

How many non-traditional holidays have you celebrated this year? Did you take part in the madness that is Black Friday? How about national "Talk Like a Pirate Day"? Or maybe the delicious chance to overindulge known as " Cookie Day", that Cookie Monster from Sesame Street supposedly created in 1980? One of the funny (and great) things about the internet is you can literally look up any day of the year, and chances are, someone has created a pseudo holiday for that day to celebrate.

Well, Toyota's in on the make-a-holiday game too. That's why they invented Toyotathon. It's not just a one-time deal either- it goes on through the beginning of January! And while it may not be an excuse to eat tons of sweets, you're certainly welcome to visit the dealership and chow down on cookies and ice cream while you ogle some brand new cars. The purpose of Toyotathon is pretty simple- the end of the year is approaching and Toyota wants to sell cars, so they figured they'd offer some nice incentives to anyone in the market for a vehicle.

What can you look forward to? The deals vary depending on where you're located, but some of the ones in the St. Louis area are:

• 0% APR financing for 60 months on a 2013 Corolla
• 0% APR financing for 60 months on a 2012 RAV4
• 0% APR financing for 60 months on a 2012 Avalon
• 1.9% APR financing for 60 months on all certified used Toyota vehicles
• $1000 Cash back on a 2012 Avalon
• $500 Cash back on a 2013 Corolla
• $1500 Cash back on a 2012 Tacoma, $750 on a 2013
• $4000 Cash back on a 2012 Tundra, $3000 on a 2013
• $500 Cash back on a 2013 Highlander
• $1000 Cash back on a 2012 RAV4
• $500 Cash back on a 2013 Venza
• Lease a 2012 Camry LE for $219/mo
• Lease a 2013 Tundra Double Cab for $269/mo

You can view all of the incentives at Toyota's website, or you can give us a visit or call to learn more!

What is your favorite non-traditional holiday of the year? 

Another Reason to be Thankful For Owning a Prius

Tweet

What are the reasons people tend to buy hybrid vehicles? For some, it's a personal effort to be "greener" and help play a role in reducing carbon emissions worldwide. There's also that desire to be on the cusp of technology and to drive the newest and latest innovations that go into the entertainment features and design of a hybrid. For others, it's the fact that the Prius is built to handle long drives, with gas mileages that can travel ridiculous distances. Take for example this Prius C that went on a 437 mile trip with just a 9.5 gallon tank.

Well, you can now add another factor to the list of reasons why someone might choose a Prius. According to the National Crime Insurance Bureau, the Prius has a much lower theft rate than many other vehicles, despite being one of the most popular on the road. It also has one of the highest recovery rates, with 96.7% of Prius vehicles being returned to owners. Either thieves don't know what to do when they attempt to steal one, or they really just don't like super efficient vehicles (after all, if you're committing grand theft auto, you're probably not caring about how good of gas mileage you're getting. And let's be honest- a Prius is definitely not the fastest vehicle for going 0-60 out there!)

Perhaps there's a better reason. John Abounader, executive director of the International Association of Auto Theft Investigators, says in a Bloomberg interview that “It’s a one-model car; the parts on it won’t fit anything else but a Prius. If you use a Camry, for instance, the engine might fit in another car. On a Prius, the engine is so different because they’re hybrid.”

The average rate of theft for 2008-2010 model vehicles is one in 78. For Prius models, it's one in 606. If we do the math, that's approximately an eight times greater likelihood of having your vehicle stolen if it's not a Prius!

100 Blog Posts for Good

Tweet

There's been a lot of chatter here on the Toyota Talk blog. A hundred blog posts worth of content, to be precise! While I could reflect on all the writing I've done over the past year and do like a lot of different forms of media tend to do (condense everything into a "best of" segment, minus the laugh track) I think I'd prefer to talk about an initiative that we at the dealership have been proud to take part in for the second year in a row.

So what's the scoop? It was a tweet that started it all, actually. This past summer, I noticed a local charity, Haven House St. Louis, had mentioned a contest they were involved in with Toyota called 100 Cars for Good. I immediately recognized it because we helped out the fine folks at Mission St. Louis, who were selected as a winner last year. After seeing HavenHouse tweet about how they needed a vehicle to transport patients, I knew we had to get involved and help them win!

Patrick handing the "key" to Kathy Sindel from HavenHouse.

The 100 Cars for Good initiative is a big deal. Toyota gives away vehicles to deserving non profit organizations around the country each year. To enter, each non profit must submit a video explaining how a new vehicle would benefit them, and then win the vote of the public on their designating voting day. Well, that day came and we spread the word like wildfire among the Fusz network and our social networks. There's a reason they call it the information super highway...word travels fast!

HavenHouse took the majority vote, was announced a winner, and graciously allowed us to be the dealership to present the new Toyota Sienna minivan they would be receiving. To make their delivery day more exciting, we held a fundraiser and collected money to literally fill the entire back of their new vehicle with supplies. We're talking things like toothpaste and hand sanitizer they could use for all the traveling guests that stay at HavenHouse's facility. We also made some customized HavenHouse decals and put them on their vehicle, and got our Allstate office inside the dealership to make a donation as well. When the day came, we had representatives from Toyota and families from HavenHouse come out to celebrate!

The best part about this morning was seeing the mobility seat of the Sienna in action. HavenHouse specifically picked this minivan because it is the only one of it's kind in America that comes with a built in seat that can accommodate passengers with disabilities.

Check out the AutoAccess Seat video below-

Congratulations again to HavenHouse St. Louis- we hope you love your Sienna, and we can't wait to see it on the road! 

Fun Facts About Fusz

Tweet

To commemorate my 50th blog post, I thought I'd write some fun facts you may not have known about Lou Fusz and our employees! 

1. The Lou Fusz Motor Company was formed in 1956 by Lou Fusz Sr. We've been around in St. Louis for quite some time!
2. Lou Jr., who is the current CEO,  joined in 1969.
3. We have 16 stores in the St. Louis area.
4. The very first store the Lou Fusz group ever had was a Pontiac store, which eventually became the Toyota store.
5. When the Pontiac store first opened, there was a big celebration event, with a fabulous attendance prize: the chance to win a free pony!
6. Our dress code here is funny - on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, we wear blue, unless there's a Cardinals home game, and then we wear red.
7. One of our salesmen, Jim Donohue, once played baseball for the St. Louis Cardinals. It must run in the family because his dad Jim also played!
8. Another of our longtime sales staff, Nancy Shubert, has a son, Alex, who is a professional comic book artist in New York!
9. In 2011, we remodeled our showroom completely.
10. After months of renovations, we invited our customers and everyone to come out and celebrate our grand re-opening, and hired our first ever food truck to cater the food! (Our staff has since loved the idea of food trucks).
11. All of our customers get an Auto Awards membership, which gives them points towards future purchases and multiple free oil changes!
12. The Auto Awards membership also gives you a bunch of discounts with local restaurants and retailers, such as 15% off Ben & Jerry's ice cream. Yum!
13. Several of our employees have nicknames - Kris Portnoy, one of our salesmen, once mentioned how he watched Jersey Shore, and has since been affectionately referred to as "Snooki"!
14. Jeff Strum, who works in the pre-owned department, is originally from California, and carries a bit of that Golden state vibe in his speech and mannerisms. For that, his official catch phrase with all of us is "Excellent!"
15. If you ever drive down Manchester road and pass Bozzay Florist, you're actually passing by the family business of our salesman Dan Bozzay!
16. We love being part of the community - whether it's getting involved in events or sponsoring great causes. One of our first big contributions was starting the Lou Fusz Soccer Club.
17. Some of us recently took part in the Lake St. Louis Polar Plunge, to benefit the Special Olympics. Scroll down through the album to find our group dressed as Pac-Man characters!
18. Pat Huxen in our BDC department loves to make melted crayon art in his spare time. Yes, you heard right. You have to see it!
19. Our parts department is one of the largest in the Midwest. If there's something you need, there's a good chance we have it.
20. When the St. Louis Cardinals were playing in the World Series in 2011, we had special Rally Squirrel beads made just for our customers and fans!
21. In February, we sponsored a Hollywood style red carpet event, the Yelp St. Louis Black 'N Red Ball. We even had a photo backdrop commissioned just for the occasion.
22. Several Lou Fusz employees are musically inclined - Steve Bachesta and Brian Williams both play guitar, and Erik (yours truly) is a singer!
23. We are all experts at blowing up and tying balloons. If you look at our lot, we're constantly putting new ones up!
24. We just might be the only local car dealership with a Pinterest page.
25. If you have your photo taken with us during your new car delivery, we'll post it on our Facebook page. Strike a pose!
26.  Whenever we have food catered for our employees, it tends to be from this great local Italian place, Psghetti's (mostly because sub sandwiches on sweet Hawaiian bread are some of the most delicious things ever).
27. Our GM, Phil Fusz, is an avid golfer, and has played at a bunch of different courses, including Pebble Beach.
28. Patrick Fusz, Phil's nephew, trains for and participates in marathons in his free time.
29. During October of 2011, we had a pet costume contest on Facebook. The fan favorite was the "jailbird" pooch!
30. Penny, our office manager, owns 65 different pairs of shoes and counting. The average for most women is around 17!
31. Anne, who also works in the office, is part of the St. Louis Dragboat Association in her spare time (I asked her if she races the boats, and she laughed and shook her head instanteously).
32. We're very family oriented here. In fact, we have two couples who work together! Tom and Karen Capstick, and Jeff and Stacy Prince.
33. Several times a year, we hold New Owner Events, where our customers can eat dinner on us and learn more about their cars and proper maintenance.
34. When it comes to Mac vs PC, the Fusz family loves Apple.
35. We love to work with other bloggers!

New Portable Pick-Me-Up Could Make Tired Driving a Thing of the Past

Tweet

Did you know that driving while drowsy (having been awake for at least 17 hours without sleep) can have the equivalent effect of driving with a 0.05% blood alcohol level? Reaction times, attention to detail, and visual processing can all become impaired to the point where you're at risk of having an accident on the road.
While law enforcement are always on the lookout for drunk drivers, tired drivers are just as dangerous (and quite possibly more common, when you consider the fact that many Americans get less than seven hours of sleep a night). In fact, young men aged 16-29 and individuals who work overnight are at the highest risk for driving while sleep deprived.
Many of us try the same solutions: rolling down the windows, blasting the volume on the radio, and rubbing our eyes repeatedly, all in an attempt to stay alert. The only other option, besides simply taking a nap, is to stimulate our nervous system.
A Harvard scientist by the name of David Edwards may have found an interesting solution - he's created a caffeine inhaler that he's dubbed "Aeroshot Pure Energy". Mr. Edwards is known for coming up with crazy ideas for inventions (he previously created "Le Whif", a smokeable chocolate!)

The invention works just like an asthma inhaler. You pull down on one end of the tube, and can inhale a puff of caffeine powder that packs a punch equivalent to drinking a 12 oz Cafe Mocha, which is approximately 100 mg of caffeine. The powder is calorie free, and each tube contains 6-8 shots.
Because the powder comes in a tube, it's incredibly portable and can easily be stored in a glove compartment, giving  tired drivers a boost to help keep them focused and less accident prone.

Would you consider buying a caffeine inhaler? What do you do if you need to drive late at night and stay alert?

Earthquakes and the Automotive Industry

Tweet

If we were to judge 2011 simply by natural disasters alone, this year would have to go down as one of the craziest in recent history. Magnitude 5.9 earthquakes shook up the east coast and cracked the Washington monument. Hurricane Irene came along and caused significant damage with its 135 mph winds. Tornadoes struck multiple parts of the country, including Joplin, Missouri. Overseas, one of the largest earthquakes in recorded history ravaged Japan on March 11. Business and production slowed tremendously as time and resources were allocated to disaster recovery. So how has the economy in the automotive industry been affected?

Here at Lou Fusz Toyota, you may have noticed our inventory of new vehicles has been lighter than normal. The disaster in Japan knocked out more than 650 Toyota part suppliers, which directly decreased the amount of Toyota vehicles available at dealerships across the country.

After March 11, Atsushi Niimi, head of production at Toyota in Japan, made a crucial decision for the company: pour resources first and foremost into the Prius, the world’s top selling hybrid vehicle. Within weeks, production rates were at 30-40% for the vehicle, and have grown since. 4,000 temporary workers were then hired in July to help get the ball rolling for over all production, and a full recovery has finally been made as of this fall.

Toyota’s decision to focus on hybrids is a good sign for the future of the automotive industry and the environment, as oil prices continue to climb and population rates increase worldwide.

With the capability to reach 50 miles per gallon, the Prius is one of the most efficient hybrids available. It is also a great step forward for automakers in reaching the White House’s proposed fuel efficiency standard of 54.5 mpg for vehicles by 2025.

Do you think we will see all vehicles reaching 50 plus miles per gallon in the next 15 years? 

Tech My Ride: Entune

Tweet

You gotta love technology. Not only does it help to simplify our lives, it keeps innovating and keeping us excited for what’s to come. Remember life before smartphones and GPS? Those were scary days, weren’t they?
That being said, Toyota is debuting a new navigation and infotainment system, Entune, which is currently outfitted in select vehicles, such as the 2012 Camry.

So, what does this thing do? Why should you care?

Entune works by syncing with your smartphone and giving you quick access to apps and information on the fly using its large display screen. When you purchase a new Entune equipped vehicle, your salesperson will help you setup the system so that is syncs specifically with your phone. What's cool is that when these apps and services on your phone update, such as Pandora, Entune will automatically sync to the latest versions as well. Even cooler is the fact that it’s an all-in-one system. You get a CD player, HD radio, DVD player, blue tooth capability, and USB/auxiliary ports, with a 7’’ LCD screen to navigate or access your content.

To put things in perspective, think of Entune as Inspector Gadget. It has tools for every situation! You can check the weather at your current location, or wherever you plan on being. If there's traffic ahead, such as a closed lane, Entune will alert you ahead of time. You can even have the system create a detour route for you on the fly in case of heavy highway congestion or road closures!

Along with those features, you can also use the built in gas app to search for nearby gas stations, and Entune will compare prices so that you can find the best deal. Want directions? There's a button that will let you speak out a business or address, and Entune will automatically find the best path for you to take.
Early next year, Toyota is hoping to add more voice recognition technology (similar to iPhone's Siri) so that you can utilize voice commands for just about anything, such as saying "I'm hungry" to pull up nearby restaurants.

 Entune-equipped vehicles come with 3 free years of service, and Toyota will add the service to more vehicles next year. Check out the Toyota website for more on Entune, or visit the Lou Fusz Toyota showroom to take a test drive and try it out for yourself.