Mark Toyota

Did you know that most hybrid and electric automobiles use rare earth materials like dysprosium and neodymium? It's true, these materials are used in motor magnets for many popular new models, like the Toyota Prius, as well as other EVs and hybrids from competing automakers and manufacturers.

The problem with these materials? They've been limited by the Chinese government, which supplies 90 percent of rare earth materials to the world. As the supply for them dwindles, the prices soar, which is bad news for the forward-thinking vehicles that already cost a bit more than standard gasoline autos. The…

We all know the Toyota Prius in an incredible, fuel-saving vehicle, but Mark Toyota can't exactly imagine it tearing up the race track. It seems as if Toyota can see the Prius on the racetrack, as they're reportedly preparing to race it in Japan's Super GT Series.

The edge-of-your-seat racing series is imposing some new limits on performance this year, and Toyota sees it as the perfect opportunity to shatter the old…

Toyota realizes there are people around the country in need, and that couldn't be more true at this time of year. Thinking with their hearts, the Japanese automaker recently teamed with two automotive remarketing firms to give a generous sum of money to the 17 Boys & Girls Clubs in cities across the U.S., and Mark Toyota couldn't be more proud of them.

In total, the companies raised approximately $302,620 in contributions…

Toyota is at the forefront of today's marketing trends, and nothing proves it more than the company's new Google+ page. Toyota is actually among the first business to create an official page on the emerging social network, so it only makes sense that user activity is being closely monitored by the engineers and designers at Google.

In fact, the platform only launched in June of this year and up until recently, it has…

In an effort to further the development of in-vehicle interfaces, Toyota and Intel recently signed a memorandum of understanding. This means that they'll partner in the future to create a new infotainment system that offers drivers more of the information they need, while making it easier for them to digest it behind the wheel without having to take their eyes off the road.

While this represents a huge step in the right direction for…

With such a strong workforce, it shouldn't come as any shock that Toyota is now celebrating 15 years of solid production at Toyota Motor Manufacturing, West Virginia, Inc. (TMMWV). The Japanese automaker opened the plant's doors in 1996, and since then they've quadrupled the plant's size, growing its workforce from roughly 250 employees to over 1,000 today.

More impressive, however, than the sheer volume and dedication of the plant's…

The Toyota Prius family is expanding with new models like the 2012 Toyota Prius v and 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid. Another lesser-known model is on its way as well, and it's set to debut in December at the Tokyo Motor Show. We are, of course, talking about the compact hatchback version of the ever-popular Toyota Hybrid, the 2013 Toyota Prius C.

Previously, Mark Toyota had seen images of the Toyota Prius C as…

Who would ever suspect a bear of stealing a car? No one, that's who. Even the McCarthy family had a hard time believing their eyes as they woke up one night at their Lake Tahoe cabin home to find a black bear rummaging through their 2001 Toyota Prius. Unsure of what else to do, the family retreated into their home and called the police. But, once the authorities showed up on the scene, the…

Finding a product that is actually made in the U.S. can be quite a challenge these days. We realize the irony that we say this while writing on a blog for a Japanese automaker... But before you jump to any conclusions, we should note that one of Toyota's offerings just may shock you. In fact, we here at Mark Toyota are talking about the American-Made offering from Toyota that trumps all other models…

The incredible Toyota Yaris is a vehicle that tends to "Break the Mold. Not the Bank."¹ It is, after all, the tagline for the tagline for the vehicle the minimalist vehicle that sacrifices nothing in the way of safety. The Yaris' unique, peppy look has attracted a base of buyers that is as loyal as could be asked for.

And, now in the 2012 model-year, Toyota is planning to reward those loyal Prius drivers…