Sheikh Mourns End of Oil Heyday in Tale as Old as Time

It’s no secret that the US’s slow divorce from oil dependence is a transition frowned upon by some. But to joke about it? Publicly? Quel faux-pas.

That’s why we dig Toyota Prius’ ballsiness. This ad, put together by Saatchi & Saatchi in Poland, throws an ice breaker into the discourse. It doesn’t make the Prius any prettier, but it certainly makes the brand more appealing.

Something about the sheikh’s despondent expression brings to mind those sad westerns in which ways of life get torn asunder, and natives cruelly displaced, by the new guys in town. Oh sheikh, don’t mourn too long for the past. We’d pat your shoulder, but we probably wouldn’t recognize you through the tinted windows of the gold-encrusted Hummer.

Check it out. There’s some cool prizes and they’re only selling 999 tickets. It’s a good cause the prizes rock.

Don’t miss your chance to win a Prius. If you buy a ticket your odds, at the very worst are 1 in 999. Not bad odds for a raffle. And your ticket money goes a good cause.

Click here or click on the ad banner to the right to win a Prius. Your money goes to help build a community health center and pool and you might win a Prius or some other, very cool prizes.

You can click on the ad to the right to visit their site and score your chance to win a Prius. It’s a great investment with excellent odds (at least compared to most raffles) and it all goes to a very worthy cause.

Please check it out.

Now, for full disclosure. I’m an RGM owner. I’m a friend of Roland’s. However, long before either of those of was true, I was a believer in his work.

If you have any interest in fine wristwatches I highly recommend you check out his site

http://www.rgmwatches.com/

and if you’re not familiar at all with better watches, these are mechanical watches. No batteries. You either wind them up or they wind themselves using movement. These watches are made to last for generations. So, while they are expensive, they are an effective use of resources (and quite beautiful).

If you’re looking for a watch, I hope you will consider RGM.

Thanks.

First, today is the last day to get an awesome deal on Nokian Tires from Tiresbyweb. Click on the banner to the right and use the coupon code “PRIUSOG” to save 10% off your purchase and get free shipping. Nokians are generally acknowledged as some of the best tires you can put on your Prius. They’re produced by a company that takes great care to make their product in an eco-friendly manner and their performance is second to none. Do yourself and the environment a favor, check out a set of Nokinas from Tiresbyweb.

We’ll also have news about our next Prius Road Trip in July. There are tons great events. Sadly, we can’t be at every one of them but we will be attending some of them and as usual, look for detailed reporting here.

Finally, next month we’ll be rolling out some new POG features. I’m working feverishly on a new POG interview which I hope we’ll release early next month. We’ll be offering all kinds of great Toyota and Prius parts and accessories at prices that meet or beat anyone else on the web. So if you need anything for your Prius, from oil filters to OEM painted body side moldings, check back with us soon for awesome deals.

Since a lot of us will be on the road this holiday weekend, please take a moment to drive just a little more carefully. Be safe and have a great holiday!

As always, thanks for visiting.

Happy motoring!
-russell

Come for the fun, prizes, food and Prius fellowship. You’l save money on your admission and take home lots of great Prius swag.

Click on the banner to learn more!

The Tour de Sol is one of this country’s premier events for fuel efficient, alternate fuel and electric vehicles. It’s a week of rallies, exhibitions and competitions. It’s open to anyone, even people like me, whether you have an off the showroom Prius (that’s me) or a one-of-a-kind, hand-built, computer designed solar/electric vehicle. In other words, there something here for everyone. It’s not just a chance for those brilliant engineers to show off their creations, those of us (like me again) who just drive a car, can still come and have a blast.

Toyota has been kind to be the prime POG sponsor for this event. Many thanks to our friends at Toyota who not only make a wonderful vehicle but put their money back into the community of Prius owners. We have other great sponsors who are also doing their part. Stoner Solutions, the car care products company has been quite generous as has WeeBee Audio/Video of Lancaster, PA. Both have donated many great prizes that POG reader will win just for coming.

Finally, the great folks at the NESEA have welcomed the Prius community with open arms. What’s more, they’ve really gone out of their way to work with us and create an attractive package for you.

So what’s the deal?

This Road Trip can be whatever you want it to be.

You can come for all, or just part of the events. Whatever you decide to do, if you register through the POG there are a whole host of cool things coming your way as well as some discounts.

Let’s keep it simple, if you want to come along on this second official Prius Owners Road Trip, it’s easy. Just send me an email. I can answer your questions and let you know specifics. What else do you have to do? Not much really, just drive in to Saratoga Springs, New York and attend the events you want. The POG will get you the information you need as well as exclusive POG discounted rates on admission and we’re providing the first 50 people who register through us with an awesome gift bag, filled with amazing stuff as well as a commemerative t-shirt, cap.

Want to come along with us and have a great time May 12th and/or May 13th?

I hope so.

Send your email today to:

click here to get more information

We have discounted rates at local hotels, a discounted rate to show your Prius (along with the other POG members) at a special area, just for Prius owners, at the Saratoga Auto Museum car show that runs concurrrently with the Tour de Sol. The POG is providing a great gift bag to everyone who registers through us as well food and refreshments the day of the exhibition. Did I mention prizes? We’ve got ‘em! And you have to qualify for them is come along with us! There will be prizes for longest drive, best mileage and prizes just for coming along. Everyone will take something home. On top of that, if you wish to compete in the Tour de Sol’s competitions, you have a chance to win some of their prizes could mean as much as $5,000.

Don’t wait and miss this.

I’ve rambled about their stuff enough here. It’s great stuff and I use all their products on my Prius. Suffice to say, as clumsy a “detailer” as I am, Stoner Solutions still keeps my Prius looking showroom.

Click the banner here or the link to the right and remember, coupon code 63PR7.

Check out their stuff. I promise you won’t be disappointed.

That’s a great deal top shelf stuff.

I use and highly recommend their professional kit (yes, that is actually my kit above). It packaged in its’ own suitcase and makes detailing your Prius quick and easy. And speaking as someone who has not yet found the zen of care detailing, I welcome that.

Click the banner here or the link to the right and remember, coupon code 63PR7.

So check back over the next few days, starting tomorrow night, we’ll be posting updates on the trip.

And one more thing, please take a moment to check out some of the link to our sponsors on the right. They helped make this trip possible and will also help make the upcoming POG Road Trips fun for everyone by helping to defray the expenses and provide prizes to those who are involved (and yes, we’ll set it up so even if you can’t attend, you can be involved).

Thanks, as always, for making the POG part of your day.

We have some driving to do but we’ll see you later.

-russell

“The year’s off to a respectable start, with hybrids and fuel-efficient vehicles leading the way,” said Jim Press, TMS president and COO. “January’s bright job-market outlook and the uptick in consumer confidence bode well for the industry, as do signs the economy has bounced back from the Gulf Coast hurricanes.”

The Toyota Division recorded best-ever January sales of 140,967, an increase of 14.9 percent. The Lexus Division posted January sales of 19,658 units, up 7.7 percent over last January.

Toyota Division
Toyota Division passenger cars led the way with best-ever January sales of 77,638, up 11.9 percent. The Prius gas-electric hybrid mid-size sedan posted best-ever January sales of 7,654, up 37.5 percent.

Scion reported best-ever January sales with 10,701 units sold. The xB urban utility vehicle recorded a best-ever January with 3,836 units, up 13.6 percent. The tC sports coupe had best-ever January sales of 4,807 units, up 25.4 percent. The xA subcompact posted a best-ever January with 2,058 units sold, an increase of 19.0 percent.

Toyota Division light-truck sales reported a best-ever January of 63,329 units, an increase of 18.8 percent. The Tundra full-size pickup posted a best-ever January with 9,459 units sold, an increase of 8.5 percent. Sales of the Tacoma compact pickup truck recorded 12,410 units sold, up 31.5 percent over the same period last year. The all-new RAV4 posted best-ever sales of 9,382 units, a 120.4-percent increase. The Highlander Hybrid gas-electric mid-size SUV reported January sales of 2,263 units. Combined January sales of the Highlander and Highlander Hybrid totaled 8,748 units.

Lexus Division
Lexus passenger cars experienced a best-ever January with 10,979 vehicles sold, an increase of 36.9 percent. The all-new IS luxury sports sedans, which debuted in October, reported record January sales of 4,073 units, a 799-percent increase over last January. The IS 250 reported sales of 2,767, with the IS 350 selling 1,306 units. The GS 300 sedan posted sales of 1,699 units, a best-ever January, and a 291.5-percent increase over the same period last year. The GS 430 reported January sales of 279 units, a 310.3-percent increase over last January.

Lexus light trucks earned January sales of 8,679 units. The RX 400h luxury hybrid SUV reported January sales of 1,477 units. The RX 330 and RX 400h posted combined January sales of 6,189 units.

Sales of North American-built vehicles accounted for 59 percent of total January sales. There were 24 selling days both this month and the year-ago month.

TOYOTA RETAIL SALES
(INCLUDES FLEET & HAWAII)
January, 2006

—– CURRENT MONTH — — CALENDAR YEAR TO DATE –
DSR % DSR %
2006 2005 CHG 2006 2005 CHG

ECHO 6 321 -98.1 6 321 -98.1
COROLLA 24,887 24,174 2.9 24,887 24,174 2.9
CELICA 4 427 -99.1 4 427 -99.1
CAMRY 27,440 28,367 -3.3 27,440 28,367 -3.3
AVALON 6,946 1,491 365.9 6,946 1,491 365.9
MR2 SPYDER 0 112 -100.0 0 112 -100.0
PRIUS 7,654 5,566 37.5 7,654 5,566 37.5
SCION xA 2,058 1,730 19.0 2,058 1,730 19.0
SCION xB 3,836 3,377 13.6 3,836 3,377 13.6
SCION tC 4,807 3,833 25.4 4,807 3,833 25.4
TOTAL TOYOTA
DIV. PASS. CAR 77,638 69,398 11.9 77,638 69,398 11.9
ES 330 3,333 4,487 -25.7 3,333 4,487 -25.7
LS 430 1,190 2,117 -43.8 1,190 2,117 -43.8
SC 430 405 462 -12.3 405 462 -12.3
GS 300 1,699 434 291.5 1,699 434 291.5
GS 430 279 68 310.3 279 68 310.3
IS 300 4,073 453 799.1 4,073 453 799.1
TOTAL LEXUS
PASS. CAR 10,979 8,021 36.9 10,979 8,021 36.9
TOTAL TOYOTA
PASS. CAR 88,617 77,419 14.5 88,617 77,419 14.5
SIENNA 11,774 9,279 26.9 11,774 9,279 26.9
RAV4 9,382 4,256 120.4 9,382 4,256 120.4
4RUNNER 8,512 8,607 -1.1 8,512 8,607 -1.1
HIGHLANDER 8,748 8,947 -2.2 8,748 8,947 -2.2
LAND CRUISER 290 465 -37.6 290 465 -37.6
SEQUOIA 2,754 3,604 -23.6 2,754 3,604 -23.6
TOTAL SUV 29,686 25,879 14.7 29,686 25,879 14.7
4X2 TACOMA 7,390 5,511 34.1 7,390 5,511 34.1
4X4 TACOMA 5,020 3,924 27.9 5,020 3,924 27.9
TOTAL TACOMA 12,410 9,435 31.5 12,410 9,435 31.5
TUNDRA 9,459 8,715 8.5 9,459 8,715 8.5
TOTAL PICKUP 21,869 18,150 20.5 21,869 18,150 20.5
TOTAL TOYOTA
DIV. LT TRUCK 63,329 53,308 18.8 63,329 53,308 18.8
LX 470 544 788 -31.0 544 788 -31.0
GX 470 1,946 2,560 -24.0 1,946 2,560 -24.0
RX 330/400h 6,189 6,879 -10.0 6,189 6,879 -10.0
TOTAL LEXUS
LIGHT TRUCK 8,679 10,227 -15.1 8,679 10,227 -15.1
TOTAL TOYOTA
LIGHT TRUCK 72,008 63,535 13.3 72,008 63,535 13.3
TOTAL TOYOTA
DIV. 140,967 122,706 14.9 140,967 122,706 14.9
TOTAL LEXUS 19,658 18,248 7.7 19,658 18,248 7.7
TOTAL TOYOTA 160,625 140,954 14.0 160,625 140,954 14.0
MEMO:
DOM. COROLLA 23,244 22,925 1.4 23,244 22,925 1.4
DOM. CAMRY 24,864 27,548 -9.7 24,864 27,548 -9.7
DOM. PICKUP 21,869 18,150 20.5 21,869 18,150 20.5
DOM. RX 330 3,354 4,016 -16.5 3,354 4,016 -16.5

SELLING DAYS 24 24 24 24

TOYOTA DIV.
IMPORT CAR 22,584 17,434 29.5 22,584 17,434 29.5
LEXUS
IMPORT CAR 10,979 8,021 36.9 10,979 8,021 36.9
TOYOTA DIV NA
BUILT CARS 55,054 51,964 5.9 55,054 51,964 5.9
TOTAL TOYOTA
CARS 88,617 77,419 14.5 88,617 77,419 14.5

TOYOTA DIV. IMPORT
LT TRUCK 26,932 22,275 20.9 26,932 22,275 20.9
LEXUS IMPORT
LT TRUCK 5,325 6,211 -14.3 5,325 6,211 -14.3
TOYOTA DIV NA BUILT
LT TRUCK 36,397 31,033 17.3 36,397 31,033 17.3
LEXUS NA BUILT
LT TRUCK 3,354 4,016 -16.5 3,354 4,016 -16.5
TOTAL TOYOTA
LT TRUCK 72,008 63,535 13.3 72,008 63,535 13.3

SPORT UTILITY
VEHICLES 38,365 36,106 6.3 38,365 36,106 6.3
Memo: Lexus Sport
Utility 8,679 10,227 -15.1 8,679 10,227 -15.1

SMALL VANS 11,774 9,279 26.9 11,774 9,279 26.9
PICKUPS 21,869 18,150 20.5 21,869 18,150 20.5

* NORTH AMERICAN BUILT VEHICLES
COROLLA 23,244 22,925 1.4 23,244 22,925 1.4
CAMRY 24,864 27,548 -9.7 24,864 27,548 -9.7
AVALON 6,946 1,491 365.9 6,946 1,491 365.9
SIENNA 11,774 9,279 26.9 11,774 9,279 26.9
PICKUP 21,869 18,150 20.5 21,869 18,150 20.5
SEQUOIA 2,754 3,604 -23.6 2,754 3,604 -23.6
RX 330 3,354 4,016 -16.5 3,354 4,016 -16.5
TOTAL 94,805 87,013 9.0 94,805 87,013 9.0
N.A. VEHICLES
% OF TOTAL 59.0 60.6 59.0 61.7

SELLING DAYS 24 24 24 24
DSR = DAILY SELLING RATE

Toyota Canada: All-Time Sales Record in 2005
Demand for Toyota and Lexus Vehicles at All-Time High, with Lexus Surpassing 10,000 Mark for the Very First Time

TORONTO, Jan. 4 /CNW/ – Toyota Canada Inc. (TCI) closed the year with an all-time sales record of 175,787 units, a 3.3 per cent increase over the
record set in 2004. Strong performance across the board contributed to TCI’s sales success:

– A new record for Toyota brand, with 165,679 units — an increase
of 2.3 per cent over the previous year. December sales for Toyota
were 10,928, down marginally by 1.9 per cent over last December.
– A new record for Toyota cars, with total annual sales of 128,331
beating 2004 by 5.6 per cent.
– Toyota sold 37,348 trucks, a decline of 7.4 per cent for the year.
– Record annual sales for Lexus brand, with a total of 10,108 luxury
cars and trucks, 21.5 per cent higher than the 2004 record. Lexus
also achieved a record December with sales of 933 units, up 55.5
per cent over last December.
– Record annual sales of 4,511 Lexus cars, an impressive 41.5 per cent
increase over 2004.
– Record sales of 5,597 Lexus trucks, 9.1 per cent better than the
previous year.

“Toyota Canada’s record sales in 2005 represent a tremendous vote of
consumer confidence in our products,” said Tony Wearing, Managing Director of TCI. “Building on the momentum of 2005, we are adding even more excitement to our showrooms with the launch of several important new vehicles in the early part of the New Year, including the all-new much anticipated Yaris Sedan.”

“This is truly a banner year for Lexus, as we surpass the 10,000 unit
mark for the first time in Canada,” said Stuart Payne, Director of Lexus in
Canada. “Exceptional vehicles like the IS luxury performance sedans and the
sporty GS lineup have had an enormous impact, enhancing the Lexus reputation
for luxury, performance, and unbeatable quality.”

Vehicle highlights for 2005 include:

– The all-new Yaris Hatchback, which outperformed the launch of its
popular Echo predecessor, reaching 6,177 units in just over two
months of sales.
– A record year for the Canadian-built Matrix, as 24,048 units surpassed
last year’s record by 20.1 per cent.
– A strong year for Corolla, with 46,533 units up by 4.4 per cent.
– Strong performance from Tacoma pickup trucks, with total sales
of 6,388 units up by 125.2 for the year.
– A strong year for the Lexus IS, with sales of 861 units, up 92.2
per cent.
– A new record for the GS sedans, with total sales of 824, up
significantly over 2004.
– A record year for the RX lineup, with combined sales of 4,857 units,
up 12.8 per cent.
– Enthusiasm from environmentally conscious drivers for the diverse
range of Toyota and Lexus hybrid vehicles, which totaled 3,375
vehicles in 2005 (see breakdown below).

< <
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TCI Hybrid Model December 2005 2005 Year-To-Date
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Toyota Prius 179 1,956
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Toyota Highlander Hybrid 67 609 (launched June 16)
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Lexus RX 400h 78 810 (launched May 4)
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