Toyota Leads All Automakers in 2012 U.S. Patents Issued

The United States Patent and Trademark Office issued more patents to Toyota’s innovative designers and engineers in 2012 than to any other automaker, according to a recently-released survey by the Intellectual Property Owners Association (IPO).  The 1,491 patents issued to Toyota companies demonstrate Toyota’s commitment to ever better cars that achieve new environmental, safety and technological advancements.

“Since the days of Toyota’s founding, innovation has been a cornerstone of Toyota’s success,” said Kristen Tabar, vice president, electrical systems engineering, Toyota Technical Center (TTC), a division of Toyota Engineering and Manufacturing, Inc. (TEMA).  “We’re driven to listen to our customers and develop new ways to improve their experience.”

Toyota companies received thirty percent more patents in 2012 than the previous year, illustrating the company’s increasing success in fostering ingenuity and keeping a keen focus on the customer.
Whether it’s creating “smart materials” that can help cars resist insect splatter or improving vehicle communication systems, Toyota leads the way in anticipating and engineering the cars of tomorrow for today.

The Toyota Technical Center, located in Ann Arbor and Saline, Michigan, recently held their annual patent awards ceremony to honor last year’s patent recipients. Two team members each received their 20^th patent in 2012, Minjuan Zhang, manager, Toyota Research Institute NA (TRINA) and Charan Lota, manager, electronic systems at Toyota Technical Center (TTC).

“Toyota is a great place to be an inventor,” said Ms. Zhang.  “Everyone here is passionate about improving the customer’s experience and it shows in the product.”

“You can tell a lot about a company by the new ideas they generate,” said Mr. Lota.  “And, what these patents show about Toyota is that we are never going to stop trying to make better cars.”

Courtesy of Toyota

Summer Car Care Tips

 

Cars are more likely to overheat in the summer. But it’s not just the hot temperatures that cause overheating. Heavy driving can also cause your engine to overheat. Prepare for hot days and long trips by giving your car a thorough systems check. An oil check is a good place to start. If the oil is a dark color or there's a lot of dirt and grime present, it’s time for an oil change and filter replacement. Many technicians recommend an oil change every 3,000 miles, though some manuals extend that to 7,500 miles. Check your owner's manual for guidance.

Courtesy of Ameriprise

4th of July Road Trip Tips

Taking a road trip this 4th of July? According to AAA, 84% of Americans will hit the road this holiday weekend. Although this is a slight decline from the 41.1 million people that traveled in 2012, roads will still be crowded. Here are Central Collision Center’s tips to make your road trip easier:


1. Prepare your vehicle ahead of time.
There’s nothing worse than having car troubles in an unfamiliar area. Be proactive and do a routine maintenance check before you hit the road. Things to check: tire pressure, washer fluid, wiper blades, oil and lights (headlights, taillights and turn signal).

2. Plan your stops.
Instead of stopping at the first gas station you see, use the free app GasBuddy to plan your stops for gas. GasBuddy finds the cheapest gas near you. The app can also find the cheapest gas by city or zip code. Bonus: you earn rewards for reporting gas prices.

3. Prepare snacks ahead of time.
Bring a variety of snacks to eliminate unnecessary stops and unhealthy purchases. Pack snacks that will travel well and will please all of your travelers. Some healthy suggestions include granola bars, pre-cut vegetables and hummus, string cheese and trail mix. Granola bars, hummus and nuts are packed with protein, which will keep your travelers fuller longer.

4. Clean as you go.
Don’t wait until you’re packing up to come home to clean your car out. Make cleaning easy by giving each row of seats its own garbage can. Place a small garbage or grocery bag in a plastic tupperware container to make mini garbage cans. The container traps smells and is easy to empty each time you stop for gas.

5. Bring in-car entertainment.
Keeping children entertained is key to a successful road trip. Instead of relying on iPads and other electronics, create interactive games. For example, give each of your children a map to decorate as you travel. Each child can draw his or her favorite site for each state. At the end of the trip, each child's map will be different. Bonus: the maps make great keepsakes and cute additions to photo albums of the trip.

Courtesy of Chicago Tribune