Toyota ME.WE Concept

While a partnership between a French architect and Toyota designers sounds a little odd, the two have combined to design one unique vehicle. Jean-Marie Massaud is a renowned French architect who has been recognized for his many visionary design and architecture projects. Since 2011, he has been working with Toyota to create a vehicle that takes into account the current economic, and environmental challenges. While the ME.WE is a concept vehicle, it gives designers the chance to test new technology, allowing them to adjust many of these new components for use in future production models.

ME.WE interior

Massaud and Toyota determined three primary goals for the ME.WE’s design: pertinence, synthesis and modernity. Pertinence means the design of the vehicle needed to be elastic enough to appeal to a large and diverse group of consumers. The concept of synthesis means the design would be based more on the choices and personal needs of the individual consumer as opposed to designing a vehicle based on market averages. Modernity means the design needed to reflect and exceed the needs of those who want a vehicle that is cost-efficient and environmentally friendly taking the future EPA requirements into consideration. The final product of all these goals is a vehicle that appeals to a modern and more global group of consumers. The “anti-excess” ME.WE represents the future shift of consumers’ choices that will eventually go from “more” to “better”.

Toyota iQ

The ME.WE itself starts with a tubular aluminum structure with polypropylene body panels. The panels can be molded into an endless amount of colors and textures. The ME.WE also offers all the capabilities of a pickup, convertible, 4X4 and small city car all in one vehicle, allowing it to appeal to a wide range of consumers. It is electric-powered and uses the same in-wheel mounted motors and the Toyota i-Road and the same battery pack as the iQ EV. The placement of these systems allow the entire interior to be used for passengers or cargo. The floor as well as many other interior panels are constructed of Bamboo, which offers both a sustainable and attractive product that is very easy to maintain. The instrumentation in the ME.WE is minimal, but its ability to connect with a driver’s smartphone gives it the ability to use all navigation, music and other apps. Even the heating and system is low-energy as it depends more on the electric seat heaters and efficient heat to keep passengers comfortable than a traditional fuel consuming heating and air conditioning system. The video featured below gives you a closer look at the ME.WE.

Click here to see the video! Toyota ME.WE

While the ME.WE may never become a production vehicle identical to the concept, it uses many ideas that are both currently being used and others that have great potential to be used in future vehicles. If you want to get a jump on the future standards for vehicles, Dick Poe Toyota has a great selection of new fuel-efficient and emissions friendly vehicles, including its precedent-setting Prius. If it is time for you to start getting better fuel-economy, stop by Dick Poe Toyota and let one of our great salespeople help you find the perfect vehicle for you!

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With fuel prices around $3.50 per gallon and less that 14 percent of people using public transportation, 86 percent of the population are very concerned about their fuel consumption. With the average person spending five hours or more in their vehicle just driving to and from work a week, the comfort and convenience of a vehicle is important as well. These two factors are what AAA took into consideration in determining what vehicles would provide commuters with the best fuel economy and the most comfort. The Prius was selected for its hybrid fuel-efficiency as well as its compact design and maximum of standard features. Not only does the Prius save on fuel, but also its size makes it easy to drive in city traffic and park in spaces other vehicles may not fit. It also benefits from stop and go traffic as the regenerative braking system uses this to charge its battery system. Its standard features also contribute to the enjoyment of the ride with Bluetooth and USB port standard on all trim levels. AAA chose the Highlander not only for its fuel economy, but also for its ease of driving for its size. It provides passenger room without sacrificing maneuverability. This attractive crossover also provides families with the convenience of family-size vehicle that is fuel-friendly, instead of having to invest in a second economy vehicle to save the fuel budget.

If you are interested in seeing how the Prius or Highlander can save your fuel budget and make your commute better, please visit our website at www.DickPoeToyota.com, or just stop in and see us at 6330 Montana Avenue in El Paso. We have a great selection of both new and used Priuses and Highlanders as well as a full line of all other Toyota and Scion models. Dick Poe Toyota wants to help you save money and have a vehicle you can be proud of and enjoy!

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The Dick Poe Family of Dealerships has been providing for the automotive needs of the El Paso, Texas, Southern New Mexico and surrounding area since 1928, when A.B. Poe, grandfather of Dick Poe, opened the original business. Dick Poe’s mission statement states that they will provide their customers with a shopping, service and ownership experience that consistently satisfies each individuals’ need and exceeds their expectations in a comfortable and supportive environment. The entire Dick Poe Family of Dealerships follows this statement and provides the best quality services and products to their customers. Dick Poe has seen generations of families purchase vehicles from his dealerships and plans to see many more in the future.

If you want to see what makes Dick Poe Toyota so special, why not stop by and see the great vehicles we have as well as the great staff we have to take care of you. Even if you are not in the market for a vehicle, stop by, say, “Hi, Dick”, and congratulate him on receiving this great award from Toyota for his dedication to success. We would also like to thank all of our customers for their business and hope to see you and your family and friends and be able to take care of all of their automotive needs as well. For more information about Dick Poe Toyota, visit our website or come see us at 6330 Montana Avenue in El Paso.

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Do Not Overdo the Extras to Increase Value

What usually draws you to a new vehicle in most cases is what it has, not what it does not. While many standard features on today’s vehicles used to be extras, there are still many options that you can choose to add or decide you can live without. While the trend is for technological gadgets, the current smartphone wars are a prime example of how fast technology changes and the current items are outdated. With a majority of people owning smartphones, you should look for options or features that allow you to integrate your smartphone with the vehicle. Something that is the latest technology today may be “old school” by the time you want to trade-in or sell the vehicle. It is much easier to upgrade a smartphone then replace or upgrade technological components installed in a vehicle. Add-ons such as bedliners, bumper protection or paint protection do more to help your vehicle retain its value and appearance than the tech gadgets.

Keep Your Vehicle as Healthy as You Keep Yourself

There cannot be enough stress put on the important of regular maintenance and repairs. While it may seem inconvenient at times with a busy schedule to make time for an oil change or other things you must do to keep your vehicle healthy and help retain resale value, these things pay for themselves. Whether you maintain your vehicle through the dealership, which is preferred (you will find out why later) or your local shop, keep all the receipts for anything from a flat repair to major work. When it comes time to trade-in or sell your vehicle, those receipts are as good as cash in your hand when it comes time to negotiate how much money you want. Proper maintenance can also help you keep from spending big dollars you will not recover on repairs that are required when an improperly maintained component fails.

Monitor Your Vehicle’s History

With the ability of any person to pay a small fee to get a vehicle’s complete history, you want to make sure that it says exactly what it should. The reason you should have your vehicle serviced at a dealership as noted above, is that dealer service is reflected on the vehicle history report. While you still want to keep your receipts, having all your maintenance listed on an independent report holds a lot of value with a prospective buyer. You also want to keep in mind that vehicle damage due to accidents will appear on the vehicle history report as well. While a minor dent or ding will not appear, any damage caused by a collision with another vehicle that required a claim to be filed with your insurance company will be noted. It will also note in most cases the area of the damage and provide a link to an accident report for an additional charge if it is available. Much like your credit report, run a vehicle history report yourself and make sure that all the information is correct, and if you find any errors contact the reporting company and have it corrected.

Do Not Rack Up the Miles

While most people are most comfortable driving their own vehicle as opposed to renting a vehicle, sometimes it makes more economic sense to rent one. If you job requires a lot of driving, you may want to consider buying a used vehicle for work purposes only that has already depreciated instead of throwing away cash burning up the odometer on your new vehicle. If you enjoy taking road trips with the family, if you average less than 13,500 miles per year during normal driving by all means, take the new car on the journey. If you average more than this, spend a little extra and get a rental. The extra you spend to put miles on someone else’s vehicle will put money back in your pocket when it comes time to sell or trade-in. Low mileage is a great selling point so the closer you can stay to average or below, the better off you are.

While there is no foolproof way to keep your vehicle from depreciating, there are things that you can do to help keep a little of that hard-earned money you spent on it. When shopping for a new vehicle, simply ask yourself, “Would I really miss this option if it did not have it?” and consider the usability of tech features even six months down the road. Being an educated, proactive vehicle shopper is easiest way to make sure you not only get the most for your dollar, but also keep more of them in your pocket. If it is time to look for a new vehicle, Dick Poe Toyota has a great selection of Toyota and Scion vehicles that are built to last, easy to maintain and have quality that helps them retain their resale value. Stop by our website or stop by in person and take a ride in a new Toyota or Scion, chances are you will be taking one home!

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You may remember back in November when we blogged about John Luciano, GM of Dick Poe Toyota Scion showing off just what the FR-S was capable of. It involved members of the U.S. Border Patrol, U.S. Customs Agents, a government helicopter and a Scion FR-S loaded with marijuana being chased around an empty Biggs Field in El Paso, Texas. While the show of force by the government agents was impressive, the show the FR-S put on was equally, if not more impressive. Toyota has been an innovator in many areas of the automotive industry and the Scion line of vehicles is no exception. The FR-S has joined the Tundra and Tacoma on U.S. News and World Reports “bests” list for 2013.

Each year U.S. News and World Report rates vehicles based on a number of criteria to determine the “best” in a number of categories. This year the Tundra was named the “Best Full-Size Truck for the Money” and the Tacoma was named the “Best Compact Truck for the Money”, so it is no surprise that the Scion FR-S joined them as the “Best Sports Car for the Money”. Since the FR-S was introduced in North America in 2012, it has gained quite a large following. While the model is not “new” to the automotive market, it is only available under the Scion name in North America. In other countries, the FR-S is known as the Toyota GT86, which is also enjoying quite a large following. The Scion FR-S has made a high performance sports car attainable for a larger audience than ever before, including the auto industry’s growing customer base, the younger buyer.

With all versions of the FR-S costing under $28,000, one would think that they would be very basic. This however is not the case as some of the standard features of the FR-S are only found in more expensive sports car models. It comes standard with 17-in aluminum wheels, a limited slip differential and a powerful 200hp 2.0-liter boxer engine. All of this is in a rear-wheel-drive package that can hold its own next to any other similarly powered sports car, without the high price. The only downside to the popularity of the FR-S is that once they arrive at dealerships they do not last long. Dick Poe Toyota can help you find not only the Toyota of your dreams, but the Scion as well. Toyota again tops the list when it comes to affordable fun and in this case, high performance.

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A 3.4-liter 530 horsepower V8 engine paired with a “super-capacitor” system powers Toyota’s TS030 hybrid racecar. This system adds an additional 300 horsepower from an engine that is charged through Toyota’s regenerative braking system. This particular racecar competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans and won five races in 2012 taking the wins at Sao Paulo, Fuji and Shanghai. As with all other Toyota hybrid vehicles, including racecars, they are continually being improved to make them more efficient and reliable. For 2013, Toyota has had to modify both the powertrain and chassis to comply with the 33-pound weight loss in the TS030 class. The Toyota TS030 hybrid’s biggest competition last year was the diesel hybrid racecars built by Audi. With the Audi finishing in the top spot last season, Toyota has its sights set on taking over that top spot.

The increase in hybrid technology in racing, especially endurance racing, is due to the same reason there are hybrid passenger cars – to use less fuel. Fuel consumption has always been an issue in endurance racing in which finishing the race can be harder than being the fastest. Other benefits to hybrid racecars are better acceleration out of corners due to the low torque and continuous power output by the electric motor. While a gasoline-powered engine requires more fuel to produce more power, the electric motor produces a steady amount of power not matter what speed the vehicle is traveling. With all the innovations Toyota has already had in hybrid technology, their presence in racing is sure to provide some stiff competition.

While you will never be able to buy an 830 horsepower Toyota TS030 racecar at your local dealership, you still can take advantage of the innovation in hybrid technology that Toyota offers. Whether you want the hybrid that started it all, the Prius, or need more room for the family that a Camry or Avalon can provide, or even an SUV like the Highlander, Toyota has a hybrid for you. Dick Poe Toyota has a great selection of hybrids as well as fuel-efficient gasoline-powered vehicles from which to choose. If you are looking for a hybrid, let Dick Poe Toyota be your first stop for your first, or next hybrid!

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In the new commercials, Cuoco grants wishes to a family, one involving the Toyota RAV4. Since its inception, the spare tire on the RAV4 has been mounted on the rear cargo door to allow for more interior space. RAV4 owners were asked what was the one thing you would like to see changed about the RAV4 and one of the number one answers was to move the spare tire. Toyota listened to its buyers and found a way to reposition the spare tire under the floor and not compromise the cargo room of the popular SUV. The “Wishes Granted” campaign is a testament that Toyota has a genuine interest in what their customer base wants as well as Toyota’s devotion to building the vehicles their customers are looking for.

The “Wishes Granted” campaign featuring Cuoco is also targeted toward the growing number of younger buyers that are purchasing Toyotas. The RAV4 has everything that younger consumers are looking for including versatility and room for a growing family. While Cuoco does have sex appeal, it is more of her “home town”, approachable nature that makes her a great spokesperson. With nearly 13 million people tuning in to watch The Big Bang Theory every week, it looks as if Toyota has made a wise choice for an actress that represents the younger generation. Toyota’s fun new commercials help younger buyers to see that Toyota has the vehicles and knowledge to provide them with what they are looking for.

While the new RAV4 with its redesigned components is just one of the vehicles Toyota has debuted recently, it is the one of the changes being marketed to the younger car buyers. While the RAV4 is a great choice for a single person wanting an SUV or a new family, Toyota has many other vehicles that fit what younger people are looking for which is fuel economy, affordability and versatility. The Toyota Matrix, Corolla, Yaris and Prius c all provide a lot of car for not a lot of money and help you save a lot of money on fuel as well. Dick Poe Toyota has a full line of all of these vehicles, as well as both pre-owned and certified-pre owned vehicles. Their knowledgeable staff can help you find the right vehicle to fit you family and your budget. Let Dick Poe Toyota grant your wish for a great new vehicle!

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While this is not the first customized Sequoia to become a media sensation, it is by far the most unique. For those of you who are Toyota Sequoia fans, last October, Antron Brown created a 650 horsepower “DragQuoia” out of a 2012 Toyota Sequoia for the 2012 Toyota Dream Build Challenge. While he was not the winner, his creation, as well as the other three customized Toyotas proved that even a Prius hybrid is a great candidate for customization. Brown’s “DragQuoia” takes the family-size SUV to a whole new level with a full roll cage, racing seats (including one child racing seat), and a rear-mounted parachute to make sure you can stop when you make that quick trip to drop the kids at school or go to the grocery store.

While Antron Brown took a Sequoia to a new level for charity, Lexani Motorcars created their customized Sequoia with nothing but luxury and protection in mind. While from the outside it appears to be your typical Sequoia, it is covered in Kevlar, ceramic composites and ballistic steel. The windows are replaced with laminated armor glass and the underbody is armor plated and reinforced as well. Lexani claims that it can withstand an attack from M80 NATO ammunition and the floor is strong enough to withstand the force of twin hand grenades simultaneously detonated. While the vehicle may never be subjected to any of these weapons, it sounds more than adequate to protect its occupants from zombies, uninvited guests, aliens. . .well, you get the idea.

While the exterior of the Lexani Toyota Sequoia is impressive, it is only when you open the door you see the true excess that has been instilled into this “family” SUV. From the state of the art luxury chairs, wine cooler (a dedicated refrigerator, not the ones in the bottle), multiple retractable flat screen TVs and décor that is nicer than a living room in a millionaire’s home, you might have to make up a reason to just hang out in it. The TV cabinets double as dividers and the TVs double as monitors to give you a complete view of anything going on outside your armor-plated castle. While only serious buyers can get a price quote on a new Lexani Motorcars creation, a three-year-old armored SUV is going for around $130K.

While the armored and customized Sequoia is nice, they are not for everyone. Actually, they are only for a select few that really need them. While you will not find any armored rolling palaces at Dick Poe Toyota, you will find a great selection of new and used Toyota’s and an expert staff that will treat you like royalty. Stop by today and check out the Sequoia for yourself and see the versatility and spaciousness that makes them a great full-size SUV!

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With the updating of the Avalon, it only makes sense that one of Toyota’s most popular vehicles gets a makeover as well. While the new look of the Avalon is more appealing to the younger buyer, the Corolla has always been popular among the younger consumer due to its value and size. From the basic Corolla to the sportier S version, the Corolla provides younger buyers with a vehicle that is not only fuel-efficient, but is loaded with standard options and is economical to maintain. While the updated Furia will continue to attract younger buyers, it seems Toyota is trying to attract all buyers with the slightly larger, meaner looking Corolla.

The Furia made its debut in Detroit last week, and since the photos first appeared online, the interest in this “ferocious” Toyota is continuing to grow. Not only does the custom orange metallic paint, referred to as “Fuego Furioso” (“furious fire”), quickly catch your attention, a closer look reveals the underpinnings of the current Corolla with much more attitude. The Furia is shorter and wider, providing better handling and an increased aerodynamic stance than the current Corolla. While the concept Furia is equipped with 19-inch aluminum rims, this will be more than likely one of the components that does not carry over to the next generation Corolla. While the current Corolla is equipped with 15 or 16-inch wheels, the cost increase of the bigger wheels and tires would add more to the price tag, which Toyota wants to avoid.

The wider, longer stance also provides more interior room, which makes the Furia Corolla more appealing to those who require more back seat room for children or pets. The new look also adds a more refined look that will definitely appeal to the younger crowd, but carry over to the older crowd who may be looking for a smaller, more efficient vehicle than they are currently driving. While many components will more than likely be carried over from the current Corolla, a lot can be said about a little change in appearance and more cabin space.

While the Furia Corolla is still considered a “concept”, chances are it will soon be a reality at your local dealership. This is yet another example of Toyota’s mission to provide economic, efficient vehicles that appeal to the most basic senses of consumers. From the Yaris to the Landcruiser, Toyota’s selection of vehicles provides one that fits almost every budget and need. Even if your budget is on the smaller side, the S versions of the Corolla and Camry provide you with a sporty-looking vehicle that is affordable and efficient. Dick Poe Toyota has a great selection of both new and used Toyota’s, and while you may not see the Corolla Furia for a while yet, there are still great cars to fit any style. Toyota’s ability to provide the latest technology while still building vehicles with looks that appeal to their customers shows that they have found the formula to create a successful combination.

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If there is one aspect of being a parent that ignites fear and anxiety, it is the day their teen turns 16 and is ready to start the process of getting their driver’s license. Today, there are many more concerns when it comes to teenagers driving than there were even a few years ago. With today’s teens almost physically attached to their MP3 players and smartphones, there are more distractions to tempt teens to do everything besides keep their eyes on the road while driving. With the rising costs of auto insurance, adding a teenage driver to your policy can raise your rates significantly, even if they never file a claim or receive any violations. The vehicle you choose for your teen can make a big difference in not only your child’s safety, but the expense of another vehicle and driver as well. Finding the right vehicle for your teen driver can seem like a challenge, but the following tips can help make your choice easier.

Size and Features Make a Difference 

It takes time to realize how big or small the vehicle you are driving is, no matter how old you are. Even people that have been driving for ten years or more can find it a challenge when faced with driving a vehicle that is much larger or smaller than the vehicle they are used to driving. If you drive a compact or mid-sized car and suddenly face driving a large truck or van, it can make you feel like a new driver all over again. The same applies to those that drive larger vehicles and may have to borrow or rent a small vehicle. Imagine a teenager getting behind the wheel for the first time and trying to determine the size of what they are driving. Obviously, a parent is not going to buy their child a box truck to drive, but to your teen, it might feel like that is what they are trying to drive, no matter how small the vehicle is. The key is choosing a vehicle that provides your teen a level of comfort, good visibility and above all, safety. While you may want to pass down the 80s land yacht that has been in your family that “you drove when you were 16”, you may want to give up waxing nostalgic for the safety of your teen and to maintain the comfortable width of your wallet. 

One of the number one causes of teen fatalities is motor vehicle accidents

With the dependence on distracting electronic devices, choosing a vehicle with Bluetooth capability or other systems that integrate a smartphone or MP3 player, you can take away one of the number one causes of fatalities for teenage drivers, distracted driving. While most adults have realized the dangers in texting and driving or having too many passengers, the common feeling of invincibility among teens can make them think they are capable of doing other things while driving that can cause an accident for even the most experienced drivers. Smaller vehicles can provide better visibility, and unlike the land yacht you learned to drive in, less space and seating for the ten friends they could probably fit in that vehicle, like some of us did back in the day. While an older vehicle that does not have a loan on it might mean a lower insurance rates, no matter how much you save, it will never make up for losing your child in a preventable auto accident. 

High Tech means More Savings 

With most vehicle owners concerned with gas mileage because of chronically high gas prices, automakers see the need for subcompact and compact vehicles on the rise. In turn, options that a few years ago were expensive “creature comforts” have now become standard options. For those that remember the early days of subcompacts, even having an automatic transmission was an additional option and features like ABS brakes and driver assist technology were unheard of. Today, even the least expensive subcompact that Toyota offers, the Yaris, is equipped with Toyota’s Star Safety System™ that includes vehicle stability control, ABS, brake-force distribution and other systems that make driving safer and help to reduce driver error. In addition, it is also includes Bluetooth and MP3 integration as standard features to allow your teen’s smartphone or MP3 player to stay safely out of their hands while driving. Of course, there should still be rules involving the use of electronic devices while driving, having the ability to integrate them into a safer driving plan can keep both you and your teen happy. Toyota’s Teen Driver website provides information and even a driving agreement that can help parents and teens see eye to eye when it comes to driving rules ad privileges. 

What teenager would not like a Corolla S?

While the Yaris is just one example of Toyota’s smaller, easy on the wallet vehicles, if your teenneeds more legroom, the Matrix and even the Corolla are good choices for your teen. While the Corolla is on the higher end of the compacts, even adding the option of the Entune navigation and entertainment system to the sporty S trim, you can still expect the price to be in the $20,000 range. Toyota Care on all new vehicles for the first two years or 25,000 miles also takes the worry out of your teen being stranded with its roadside assistance and helps keep the vehicle in the best running condition with the complimentary maintenance. This also means a savings for you when it comes to oil changes during the period the vehicle qualifies for the Toyota Care program. 

Newer Vehicle, Decreased Expense 

Newer vehicles can also provide savings in other areas, such as fuel cost and insurance. The new and newer subcompact and compact vehicles have some of the best fuel economy ratings ever seen. Although your teen may not drive as much as you do, any amount you can save on fuel expense can benefit everyone. Newer safer vehicles are also less expensive to insure. While there will never be such a thing as inexpensive insurance for high-risk drivers, any amount you can save helps. With the new regulations in most states that require much more driver education before teens are issued a license, adding the benefits of a vehicle with driver safety assist technology, the insurance bill may not be as much of a stress as it could potentially be. 

Handing over the car keys to your new teen driver does not have to be an overly stressful thing. By doing a little homework, you cannot only find a car that your teen will be safe in, but one that will keep your extra expenses to a minimum. Toyota offers a variety of sporty subcompact and compact cars that will help ease your mind and expenses, while still letting your teen feel like they have a “cool” car. Dick Poe Toyota has a great selection of new teen-friendly vehicles, including the Yaris, Matrix and Corolla. If a used Toyota is more appropriate for your budget, you can also find a large selection of those as well. You can browse online and if you need more information on a particular vehicle, you can contact one of our great sales staff to help you choose the right vehicle to keep you and your teen happy. Toyota even offers great information for you and your teen driver with their Toyota Driving Expectations program. Toyota offers information and options to help you keep your teen driver safe and your stress level low!

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