Jim Lentz Talks About Leadership and Being CEO of Toyota - North America

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 is all new and perhaps the best-looking RAV4 ever. The RAV4 is new inside, outside and even the platform it is based upon is new. That is why the 2019 RAV4 has a longer wheel base than last year and is a bit wider too. This translates into more room inside for driver, passengers and all the stuff they want to bring along and makes it even more fun to drive. The new look of the 2019 RAV4 has a more aggressive Tacoma-like resemblance. You could say that the 2019 Toyota RAV4 has a little more SUV in its compact crossover shape this year. Especially, with the available Adventure trim level. Due to the platform change, the 2019 RAV4 has more ground clearance too and will also have an off-road traction control system. This opens a whole new world of possibilities for Toyota's top-seller. Last year, more than 400,000 RAV4s were sold in America. If that sounds like a lot, you're right, it is! What that means for you is that Toyota can afford to put more differentiation between trim levels and give each buyer even more choices. That will translate to even more sales of this popular crowd pleaser. more The outgoing 2.5-iiter inline-four engine has been replaced with Toyota’s all-new Dynamic Force 2.5-liter I-4 with direct and port injection and VVT-iE. The six-speed automatic is out and is replaced with an eight-speed. These changes are possible because the RAV4 is no longer on a small car platform but rather the same platform as the Camry and 2019 Avalon. Your phone will love the wireless charging on a rubberized mat near the driver's USB port. It is one of five USB outlets, including two for rear passengers. The front passenger also has a shelf with good grip to hold their phone. But wait, there's more. A 7.0-inch infotainment screen is standard with Entune 3.0; upgraded systems have an 8.0-inch screen, satellite radio, and navigation. The RAV4 joins the new Avalon and Corolla Hatchback in offering Apple CarPlay. For 2019 the RAV4 also has Alexa connectivity and Wi-Fi, an evolution of the system introduced on the Camry. There are 11 speakers with the JBL sound system. There is a lot more we could say about some of the great safety features on the new RAV4 but maybe we should save that until you get a chance to stop by our showroom at DELLA Toyota in Plattsburgh. We will be glad to share all the details we have. Give us a call or visit our website 24/7 at DELLAToyota.com.

If you’re familiar with Frontier Town in North Hudson, NY (about an hour outside of Plattsburgh, NY), you’ll be excited to hear it’s getting a makeover. The abandoned theme park which closed in 1999, will now be the site for the “Gateway to the Adirondacks,” a new world-class tourism destination. New York State will invest $2.8 million in the tourism hub and expects to create new jobs for the area. Gateway to the Adirondacks will include: Equestrian camping and trail riding area Adirondack Park Visitor Information Center A campground and day use area along the Schroon River Interactive exhibits in historic structures highlighting the past, present, and future of the Adirondack forest products and local food industries Event center with tourist accommodations Adirondack craft beer experience at Paradox Brewery “The Gateway to the Adirondacks will be a world-class tourism hub at a strategic location to attract new visitors to the Adirondack Park and drive economic growth in the North Country,” Governor Cuomo said. “The Master Plan, developed with key community partners, builds on our comprehensive efforts to protect the Adirondack Park while attracting tourists to experience the wide array of outstanding recreation options this region has to offer.” It looks like construction of this project isn’t due to begin until 2019, but check back for updates on the DELLA Toyota in Plattsburgh blog! "Governor Cuomo Announces Master Plan for $32 Million "Gateway to the Adirondacks" at Northway Exit 29." Governor Andrew M. Cuomo. N.p., 26 Jan. 2017. Web. 01 Feb. 2017. < https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-cuomo-announces-master-plan-32-million-gateway-adirondacks-northway-exit-29 >.

In one of our earlier blogs, we announced that the Toyota brand has been awarded more Top Safety Pick ratings than any other brand! And they aren’t done, as the 2017 Toyota Highlander has been named a Top Safety Pick+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. To earn this award, a vehicle must complete five IIHS crashworthiness tests (roof strength, side, small overlap front, head restraints, and moderate overlap front) and achieve a “good” rating on each one. It must also achieve an acceptable headlight rating along with an advanced rating for front crash prevention. The 2017 Toyota Highlander managed to do all of this, and even more impressively, with only its standard features! Most vehicles require optional features to achieve this rating. “Toyota is firmly committed to a wide range of initiatives further enhancing the safety of Toyota vehicles and peace of mind for our customers,” said Jeff Makarewicz, Toyota’s North American Vehicle, Quality & Safety Engineering Group Vice President. “This sincere dedication to safety by our engineers resulted in another IIHS Top Safety pick for Toyota.” Check out the list of Toyota Top Safety Picks below and schedule your test drive at DELLA Toyota in Plattsburgh today! 2017 Toyota TOP SAFETY PICK+ winners: Toyota Highlander Toyota Prius (built after Aug. 2016) Toyota Corolla Toyota Camry Toyota Prius v Toyota RAV4 2017 Toyota TOP SAFETY PICK winners: Toyota Yaris iA Toyota Avalon "IIHS Top Safety Pick+ Award Comes Standard on the 2017 Toyota Highlander." Toyota. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Jan. 2017. < http://toyotanews.pressroom.toyota.com/releases/2017+toyota+highlander+iihs+top+safety+pick+award.htm >.