Camry

2018 Toyota Camry Upgrades

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The Toyota Camry has long stood as the industry’s best-selling mid-size sedan. With more than a decade at the top spot under its belt, the popular model is due for a redesign, and that’s exactly what it’s getting. The 2017 model looked good, but the 2018 Toyota Camry exceeds expectations. Now entering the 8th generation, the successful model receives a variety of updates.

The 2018 Camry rolls out on the Toyota New Global Architecture platform and the result is glorious. The new model brings an adventurous style with an eye-catching design that’s sure to inspire drivers of all ages.

As far as measurements, the 2018 Toyota Camry is less than an inch wider and longer than the outgoing model. While crossovers are selling like hotcakes due to a higher ride height, the new Camry heads in the other direction, as the hood drops by more than one and a half inches, although a redesigned interior offers a more open cabin with a sporty feel.

The new Camry features three powertrain options: a 3.5-liter V6, a 2.5-liter four cylinder, and a hybrid version of the 2.5-liter four-cylinder. As for technology, drivers can expect a new and improved infotainment system which offers a built-in 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot with connectivity for up to five devices.

We here at Krause Toyota can’t wait for the arrival of the 2018 Toyota Camry!

Allentown, Off-Road

Off-Roading Trails in Allentown, PA

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Off-Roading Trails in Allentown, PA
Break in your new Toyota truck by taking it off-roading on one of these trails!

Taking your new Toyota truck off-roading is the perfect way to break it in for the upcoming seasons. Fortunately, there are a few off-roading trails in Allentown, PA that offer a perfect challenge for beginners and experienced off-roaders alike. Here are a few off-roading trails in and around Allentown, Pennsylvania that offer perfect weekend adventures as suggested by us here at Krause Toyota!

  • Rausch Creek Off-Road Park – Enthusiasts interested in riding the trails across more than 3,000 acres should pay a visit to Rausch Creek Off-Road Park in Pine Grove. Located about an hour away from Allentown, the off-road park boasts easy, intermediate, and difficult trails packed with obstacles like rocks, hills, and bowls. On-site camping is free, but there’s a two-vehicle minimum in the name of safety. The park also only allows trucks and SUVs, making the Toyota Tacoma perfect for a weekend adventure!
  • Lake Nockamixon Area Trail – Located just outside of Allentown, Nockamixon State Park stretches a massive 5,286 acres and includes a 1,450-acre lake. The park is also home to the Lake Nockamixon Area Trail. The five-mile loop holds a moderate rating and is best for drivers who have been off-roading before. The trail sees some traffic and is open to all off-roading vehicles, including full-size trucks like the Toyota Tundra.
Awards

Krause Toyota Wins Prestigious Leadership & Small Business Awards

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top work places 2017 - krause toyota

The Breinigsville community is proud to present Krause Toyota with not one, but two awards, which they well deserved; one for their excellence in leadership and the other integrity in running a small business. These are important awards because they are based on the honest opinions of their employees and customers.

 

Joe Harris

Joe Harris has been working in the automotive sales business for 31 years now, working at many different dealerships. Krause Toyota has been the best of them all according to him. “I never worked for an owner that appreciated me until I worked here, and that is because the owners are actually here every day working,” Harris said. “They see everything we go through on a daily basis.”

Vicki Phillips

Another employee, Vicki Phillip, who is an office associate, knew she would love this place during her interview to be hired. She remembered the occasion saying, “The women in accounting were the first people I saw. I knew right away that I would fit in with them. They were absolutely warm and welcoming. Everybody here is compassionate. They truly care about you and appreciate you and what you do for them. It’s very nice to feel appreciated. People aren’t down in the dumps here. When you come into work, you know you’re going to have a good day.”

Krause Toyota Found in The Morning Call
Krause Toyota Found in The Morning Call

Overall Caring Environment

In an industry that is putting more pressure to sell more and more, Krause Toyota makes it a point for their employees to have a balanced life. Most places in the area require employees to work on Christmas Eve at some capacity. Krause Toyota is closed for the holidays so they can spend time with their family.

It seems like one of the few places where all 39 employees work together to give the best experience not only for the customers but themselves as well. If you look around the dealership you will see so many smiling faces, and you can tell the people are happy to be there. It is because of this, that they have earned the Leadership Award, as well as the Small Business Award.

 

We recommend you experience this for yourself. Stop by Krause Toyota in Breinigsville, PA and see all the smiling faces. You will be glad you did.

Gazoo Racing Masters of Nurburgring, Toyota, Toyota Yaris GRMN

Performance-Focused Yaris GRMN Set to Debut in Geneva

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If you’re not obsessed with Toyota, the name “Gazoo Racing Masters of Nurburgring,” shortened to GRMN, might sound unfamiliar to you. This performance division of Toyota has been restricted solely to Japan for years, never quite making its way into other markets. That time seems to be coming to an end with the upcoming debut of the performance-focused Yaris GRMN. Toyota is bringing this amped-up variant of the popular Toyota Yaris to the Geneva Motor Show for a worldwide introduction.

Performance-Focused Yaris GRMN
Image attributed to: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Toyota_Yaris_Logo.jpg

 The lightweight, subcompact hot hatch will be powered by a supercharged 1.8-liter inline-four-cylinder engine that cranks out 205 horsepower, which is more than enough for the little Yaris. The Yaris GRMN will also feature other upgrades such as track-ready brakes, a tuned suspension, and cool wheels. Competitors at the Geneva show include the Ford Fiesta ST and VW Polo STI – however, the Yaris beats them when it comes to engine power, so it’s already set to take the world by storm.

 Krause Toyota doesn’t have any word on performance specs yet, but we look forward to the information being revealed at the upcoming auto show, when we’ll get a glimpse of the new performance-focused Yaris GRMN with its slick style and sharp graphics. Stay tuned for more info on different models and features for the production version.

Toyota

2018 NASCAR Camry Make Debut in Detroit

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At the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) held last month in Detroit, Toyota showed off both the production version of the all-new 2018 Camry and the 2018 NASCAR Camry.

2018 NASCAR Camry

2018 NASCAR Camry

The race car version of the Camry bears a lot of resemblance to its showroom counterpart. It also comes with a striking, sharp new design. The car will begin racing this year as Toyota defends its NASCAR Premier Series manufacturer’s championship. Its racing debut will be on February 18th in The Clash at Daytona. Then, it will defend its Daytona 500 title on Sunday, February 26th.

Ed Laukes, Vice President of Integrated Marketing Operations for Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., said, “Reimagining both the Camry race car and its production counterpart has been a tremendous undertaking and our goal has been to maintain parallel design characteristics so our fans can enjoy driving a Camry that closely resembles the one their favorite NASCAR driver races each weekend.”

Toyota and NASCAR

Toyota first entered the NASCAR ranks in 2000 as part of the Goody’s Dash Series. Since then, it has seen a lot of success; Camry drivers have won 95 NASCAR Premier Series races over the past 10 seasons. Toyota won its first driver’s championship in 2015 and its first manufacturer’s championship in 2016.

If you’re anxious to drive something similar to what you see on the track, the production version of the 2018 Toyota Camry will be coming to Krause Toyota later this year.

Highlander

The Standard Safety in the 2017 Toyota Highlander Gets High Rating

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2017 Toyota Highlander

Toyota is a popular automobile manufacturer for a reason. Toyotas are comfortable, reliable, and safe. Really safe. For some time, Toyota has offered one of the safest overall lineups, earning more Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick + awards than any other manufacturer. The 2017 Toyota Highlander is one of many Toyotas on the list.

 The Top Safety Pick + award is the highest one given by the IIHS. To qualify, an automobile must pass five different crash tests with good ratings. These tests examine a vehicle’s front end, its sides, its roof strength, and its head restraints. A vehicle must also have acceptable or good headlight ratings. If a vehicle can pass all of these standards, then the IIHS rating will indicate that it is one of the safest options in its vehicle class.

 With so many advanced safety features and technologies, there are many automobiles who receive these awards from the IIHS. However, Toyota’s mid-size SUV is an exceptional example. Where most other vehicles only meet these safety ratings with the addition of optional features, the 2017 Highlander is safe and secure from the get-go, no matter which trim you choose. It’s the standard safety in the 2017 Toyota Highlander that makes it a Top Safety Pick plus. The Highlander is one of many Top Safety Pick Toyota vehicles, and one of many ways in which Toyota continues to put the customer’s best interest first.

Electric Cars, Toyota

Toyota CEO to Run Electric Car Division

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Electric Car DivisionToyota has been largely opposed to battery-powered electric cars, instead focusing on developing hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles, like the Mirai. Now the Japanese automaker is shifting its gaze to mass-market electric cars and their pick to head up the segment is evidence enough to how serious the company is. Akio Toyoda, Toyota CEO, will take the helm of the brand’s electric car division.

The brand’s CEO taking the helm is no laughing matter, especially not for competing automakers. Given Toyota’s track record for developing popular, fuel-efficient cars like the Prius, an electric car could be a game changer.

Toyoda’s involvement should speed up the research and development of the brand’s first electric car. He isn’t new to the world of electric cars, either.

The Toyota CEO helped create a deal with Tesla back in 2010. The brand also invested in Tesla. Tesla, in return, developed an electric powertrain for the RAV4 EV, a model largely developed to meet California’s emissions mandate.

Reports indicate Toyota aims to debut its first mass-market electric car in 2020 in conjunction with the Tokyo Olympics.

We here at Krause Toyota can’t wait to see what comes out of the new electric car division, headed up by none other than Akio Toyoda himself!

Uncategorized

Thanksgiving Travel Tips

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The Halloween hype has come and gone and, with the kids out of costume, it’s time to start planning your holiday travels. Whether you’re flying across the country or driving to another city, there are plenty of steps you can take to reduce your stress level. Here are some fantastic Thanksgiving travel tips from us here at Krause Toyota. Happy holidays!

 

  • Packing – Travelers choosing to fly should pack light and avoid extra bags. Many airlines charge for extra baggage and that can add up quickly. Instead, consider mailing your extra clothes and belongings to your destination. It will be cheaper and save you the hassle of transporting multiple bags to the airport.

via GIPHY

  • Flying – No matter what airline you choose to fly on, sign up for email notifications about special deals, discounts, and holiday pricing. Arrive a few hours early, or more depending on the day of your flight, and plan ahead. Triple check that you have everything you need to travel as well.

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  • Driving – Those who choose to hit the open road will find it much more crowded than open. Traffic jams and other obstacles are prevalent during the holiday season. Make use of technology like navigation systems and apps, to avoid those obstacles and arrive at your destination safely and on time.

via GIPHY

Just For Fun

Halloween Safety Tips

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October has finally arrived and in just a few weeks the kids will be gearing up to collect some free candy! There’s a lot that goes into Halloween from a parent’s side, including costume preparation and supervising, so here are a few Halloween safety tips from us at Krause Toyota to make this year’s holiday one of the best!

  • Halloween Safety TipsCostumes – A costume is necessary for trick-or-treat night, unless you’re a teenager out for free candy. Make sure your child’s costume fits well and doesn’t drag along the ground. The last thing any parent needs is an injury due to tripping. Large masks can make it hard to see, so use makeup or face paint when possible. Attach a glow stick to your child’s costume to make them easier to spot as they walk back down the driveways with their loot!
  • Supervising – Supervising a large group of kids can be incredibly difficult, especially if they’re hyped up on candy. Kids older than the age of 12 can generally be out without supervision provided they stay to familiar areas and are in groups. Those under the age of 12 should be reminded not to run into the road and to stick to sidewalks. Make sure you aren’t distracted by a smartphone or other device!
  • Driving – Driving can be hazardous towards the end of the year. Check what time your area is holding trick-or-treat hours and avoid driving if possible. If not, keep a sharp eye out for children and drive slow!
Brakes, Safety/Car tips

Signs You Need New Brakes

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Once you take every safety system into account, the braking system likely tops the list. Although new technology has made driving much safer, many of the systems, particularly those involving collision avoidance, are useless without a proper functioning braking system. Take care of your brakes to ensure all your systems are good to go on the road. Here are some of the most obvious and common signs you need new brakes from us here at Krause Toyota.

Signs You Need New Brakes

1.Squealing – A hard-to-miss sign that your brake pads need to be replaced, a high-pitched squeal is caused by metal hitting metal. In this case, the built-in indicator strips in the worn brake pads are hitting the rotors, causing the annoying squealing sound. If you hear this, you should take your car in for service as soon as possible to have the pads replaced.

2. Pulling – If your car pulls to either side when braking, odds are the brake lines are wearing unevenly or there’s something in the brake fluid that shouldn’t be there. Take your vehicle to a dealership for a quick fix before it becomes an expensive repair.

3. Sight – One of the best ways to see if you need new brakes is to literally see them. Look through the wheel spokes and you’ll likely see the brake pad pushed against the rotor. If the pad has more than a quarter-inch on it, there’s no need to worry just yet. If there is less than that, though, make a service appointment in the near future for a new set of brake pads.

Your Allentown, PA Toyota Dealer