Rick Hendrick Toyota's Blog

Toyota Recalls

2010-02-06T07:05:00.001-08:00

For more information on Toyota Recalls go HERE

Toyota Recall Customers

2010-02-06T06:49:00.000-08:00

Mr. Costello,

I know Toyota is having a hard time right now both in the media and on the stock market. However, I have not lost my trust in the company and especially in Rick Hendrick. I have had numerous interactions with your staff and I have always been treated with professionalism and respect. This is what make a great company not just the product that it sells. I currently have a 2007 Rav4 and if I had to do it over again, I would come back in there and buy the same car. It has been the best car I have ever owned and the service provided by your staff has been outstanding. I believe my opinion is held by most people who own Toyota cars. Additionally, I believe the current blip on the radar screen will only make Toyota a stronger company. Regards and continued success.

Mr. Evans

Thank You Mr. Evans ... Tom Costello

Toyota Fans ROCK!!!

2010-02-04T13:21:00.000-08:00

Thank you, Toyota!

By Greg Brown, columnist

I am not an employee of Toyota, neither am I an investor. I am simply one of those millions of Americans’ who drive a Toyota, and am red, white and blue proud of it.

I do happen to have social networks in Alabama, Indiana, Texas, Mississippi and Kentucky who benefit from Toyota manufacturing in their states. And though I have no friends in West Virginia, I am sure there are plenty of Americans there, as well, who are proud to build Corollas and Camrys, make good salaries and pay plenty of taxes.

I not only have one Toyota, silver Camry. I have two. One of them is afflicted with the viral accelerator pedal … the deadly pedal on 2.1 million vehicles that has resulted in six (yes, six) accidents. That’s right, I said six … sechs, seis, sei, sest. Whether pronounced in German, Portuguese, Spanish or Italian, the number still denotes a five-fingered hand plus one. Even if you’re an enemy of Toyota, it’s difficult to clap with that.

I still remember where I was when I became a fan of Toyota. It was 1997 and I was tromping around in the desperate terrain of Uganda, negotiating the landscape between Kampala and “The Bush.. Riding on roads that most bicycles could not safely traverse, I saw one Toyota after another, not just surviving, but quite apparently, thriving in the bucking rodeo of Uganda’s twisted roads. How those cars and trucks survived the rising and falling slopes, the dark contorted pot holes, I will never know. I still remember my pained hips, my twisted back and bruised skull, from riding on those roads with 20 other people stuffed in a van. I wrote in a prayer journal one night, that the skeleton of a man was no match for the chassis of a Toyota truck. I asked our Ugandan translator why the only truck I seemed to see in the bush was a Toyota. Revealing the reach of Darwin, he simply said: “Survival of the fittest.”

When I came home, I told my wife that the next car I was going to buy was a Toyota. I have been faithful, and I have not been disappointed. In fact, I am not bothered a bit by this national, knee-jerk reaction. I wish the congressional committee forming to investigate would summon me. I am humored by it. Selfish human that I am, I also calculate that if the skeptics are successful, I will just get a better deal on the next Toyota I buy … a little discount, maybe.

I write this article today, because I am bothered by the media hype surrounding the recent recall. The last TV hype that matched this was two weeks ago, when a weather report from Atlanta zoomed in on snow flakes collecting on the top rail of a bridge, somewhere near Buford. I mourn, not only, for the loss of good sense in the public discourse, but for the financial injury done to good, decent, hard-working people. Like those folks who work for Toyota.

So, I want to say thank you. A hearty thank you. You guys are doing a great job. Keep doing it. All I have done in the last 14 years with my Camrys is take them in for normal service. That’s all. And the service at my Toyota dealership is so professional, so inexpensive, so dependable and so good, I would get my lawnmower and bicycle tuned up there, if I could.

Toyota Recall

2010-02-01T15:33:00.000-08:00

We currently have approximately 15 Camrys not affected by the recall available for sale at Rick Hendrick Toyota For more information call 910-860-8555

Customer Confidence

2010-02-01T15:15:00.000-08:00

Rhonda Thompson (Hendrick Toyota Facebook Fan) wrote....

Hendrick Toyota Facebook Page

Rhonda Thompson I have a Toyota, bought from Rick Hendrick and I have had no problems. I would buy a Toyota again. They have been Great to me.If my car had a problem they would fix it for me.

Thank you for your comments Rhonda

USAA Pricing

2010-02-01T14:40:00.000-08:00

Aspects liked the most: The negotiation was painless... Hendrick Toyota honored the USAA Car Buying Service offer. Best car buying experience I've ever had.

Thank you for your comments Jeffrey

Toyota Customer Comments

2010-02-01T14:37:00.000-08:00

Comment: I had a Toyota prior to this purchase and the Jason in the service department is always very Pleasant and helpful. I am always fully explained what needs to be fixed and it is always done in a timely manner. The Service department is why I continue to be a faithful Toyota owner!

Aspects liked the most: The fact that the pricing and how to determine the range I wanted to stay in was kept within the parameters I requested. The 0% APR offered also played a big role!

Aspects that could have been improved: I would have like to see more activities in the children's play area than what was offered as it was a long process and I had a young child with me.

Thank you Amber

Toyota recall : Toyota Announces Comprehensive Plan to Fix Accelerator Pedals on Recalled Vehicles and Ensure Customer Safety

2010-02-01T05:12:00.000-08:00

http://pressroom.toyota.com/pr/tms/default.aspx

See the most updated 2/1/2010 information concerning the toyota recall here

New car Warranty

2010-01-29T14:35:00.000-08:00

effective 1/26/2010 for a limited time* Rick Henedrick Toyota Scion at 1969 Skibo road in Fayetteville, NC will be giving away a 5 year / 60K mile bumper-to-bumper warranty with the purchase of any new Toyota

Rick Hendrick Toyota Update Regarding Recalls

2010-01-29T14:33:00.001-08:00

Rick Hendrick Toyota Update Regarding Recalls

Nothing is more important to Rick Hendrick Toyota than doing the right thing for our customers -- and restoring their confidence in the safety of our vehicles. We deeply regret the concern that our recalls are causing for our loyal customers, and we are making an all-out effort to develop and implement effective remedies as quickly as we can.

Our staff at the dealership, including sales and service, is well informed about all aspects of the recall and how it may affect our customers and/or their vehicles. Whether you own or are considering owning a Toyota product and have a concern related to the recall please call our dealership, we are here to help. Please also note that many models are unaffected.

Our highest priority is to fix the accelerator pedal problems for our existing customers. We want to reassure our Toyota owners that instances of sticking pedals are rare and generally do not occur suddenly. Toyota is currently in the process of recalling vehicles to remedy the issue of pedal entrapment and we have begun sending instructions to customers about how we will fix their vehicles. Customers who have any questions or have experienced any issues with their accelerator pedals should visit Toyota.com, contact the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331, or call their local Toyota dealer.

The engineers at Toyota have identified the cause of the problem and are focusing all of their energy and resources on developing and thoroughly testing remedies. The engineers have been working around the clock and we’ve been in direct communication with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) throughout this process.

Toyota has taken the unprecedented step of stopping production to help serve our customers quickly and ensure that all new Toyota vehicles going forward do not experience this problem.

Toyota Camry recall

2010-01-28T12:29:00.000-08:00

We currently have over 20 Camry models on our lot not affected by the current recall for sale at our dealership http://www.rickhendricktoyota.com/

Toyota Rav-4 recall

2010-01-28T08:34:00.000-08:00

Rick Hendrick Toyota we currently have 4 Rav-4s not affected by the current recall for sale at our dealership right now for sale.

Corolla recall

2010-01-28T08:30:00.000-08:00

We currently have 6 corolla LE models not affected by the current recall for sale at our dealership

Toyota Recall

2010-01-28T05:57:00.000-08:00

I don't care what the media has to say about Toyota, and I am confident that all these issues with accelerators will be fixed. I will never lose my confidence in Toyota or Rick Hendrick Toyota organization. I am a customer for life. ......Mr. Stevens

Thank you for your kind words, loyalty and confidence from all of us here at Rick Hendrick Toyota

BOWLIN' THE NEW YEAR

2009-12-16T06:29:00.000-08:00

Fort Bragg, N.C. - Fort Bragg Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation's Airborne Lanes invites you to Bowlin' the New Year! The doors open at 6 p.m. and the celebration will begins at 8 p.m. on Thursday, December 31. This Family friendly New Year's Eve celebration will include Extreme Bowling, breakfast, party favors and a champagne toast at midnight. Tickets are on sale now for the following rates:

adults (16 years and older) $20, children (4-15 years) $11, and non-bowlers $8. For more information, please call 432-6899.

Rockvember video

2009-11-24T08:35:00.000-08:00

Official video is now on YouTube

Michelle Obama on Iron Chef America?

2009-11-23T11:13:00.000-08:00

WHAT is going on JANUARY 3rd on Iron Chef America, did you see the previews during The Next Iron Chef? Mario Batali & Emeril (bam) will challenge Bobby Flay and Whte House Executive chef will battle in kitchen stadium on January 3rd. For a bit of a twist there will also be a special quest. I'm thinking it will me Michelle Obama. The reason why I say that is there is a picture of the four chefs leaving a garden with vegatables in their baskets. I did see on the nees a few months ago that 1st lady Michelle Obama had planted a garden at the White House. Of course Food Network did a great job at plugging the commercial inbetween "The Next Iron Chef" and their play on words hinted toward a big time "special" guest. This should keep them up in the rating, but htis time of year that should not be hard with Thanksgiving right around the corner and Christmas on the rise. I guess time will only tell as to who this mystery guest will be.

The Next Iron Chef

2009-11-23T10:29:00.000-08:00

The grand finale, Chef Garces was crowned as the nest Iron Chef. During judging you could tell by the comments that chef Mehtag was not going to win. His dishes seem to be a bit rushed and too much. Even when chef Morimoto pointed out that chef Mehta's dishes seem to focus on doing too much rather than focusing on the main ingredient. Chef Mehta's tartar with guacamola sorbet happen to be the best dish enjoyed by the judges. That one dish could not overpower the five great dishes that chef Garces made.

Clearly chef Garces's dishes were clean and tasteful, but most said it lacked that "pop" in presentation. But when it came down to who they believe they could mold into a champion "Iron Chef" it was clearly chef Garces.

I believe one of the things that might have played against chef Mehta was how many times they had to censor his language ON NATIONAL TELEVISION. I am not that old fashion, just look at just about any reality show now-a-days and there are F-bombs everywhere. It really has become disturbing to watch television now a days. That's why I gravitate towards more of the HGTV, FOOD NETWORK, Travel Channel type of shows. But I bet as the Iron Chefs that were sitting there saw this type of language I am sure it played through their mind for judging. Judging should be all about the food and it was, but you are also on the biggest job interview you could ever be on.

Let's chalk it up to nerves and pressure of the challenge for the language. But it looked like chef Garces was a smooth operator around the kitchen stadium. Chef Mehta seems to create quite a mess and has proven to be like a ping pong ball in the wind during challenges. You can not mistake that chef Mehta's meals were full of taste throughout this challenge but did not land him his dream job

2010 Camry : ride quality

2009-11-19T03:43:00.001-08:00

I had to got to Charlotte, NC for training. So I got a 2010 Camry LE from our Rick Hendrick Toyota Rental Department. Since I currently drive a Camry SE I really did not expect much difference in my trip to Charlotte. The reason I bought my Camry SE is because my wife wanted a sportier looking mid-size sedan. Our SE came standard with the wrap-around spoiler package, larger alloy wheels, sporty honeycomb grille, and the dark charcoal interior. I really liked this car at the time because it was the car I was going to be driving after my wife got that itch for a new car, smart on my part. The Camry SE has that aggressive look and stance to it. We opted for the 6-disc with bluetooth and all the other gadgets.

Back to why I am writing this. The drive from Fayetteville to Charlotte was incredible in the new 2010 Camry LE. only used 4 gallons of gas (1/4 tank) to drive 156 miles, not bad. Toyota has not change much on the Camry since the newer 2007 body-style. But the difference in ride quality was so noticeable. I am not saying the Camry SE ride quality is bad, it is what it is a SPORT edition Camry.

(FLASHBACK) I remember a local college professor buying a Camry from me back in 2007. He called me at the dealership and said, "I want to trade my car in, but I don't think you can help me". Me being the patient sales person that I was, asked him what type of car he had? He said, "a brand new Black 2007 Camry SE with 1100 miles on it, I have only made one payment on her". I let him know that it should not be a problem and set the appointment for him to meet me at the dealership. Long story short, it was the ride quality he was after not the sport feel, but the sporty look he had to have. I explained the difference in the SE's sport tuned suspension and the stiffer roll bars and frame braces, along with taller alloy wheels and smaller tires was not giving him what he wanted in ride quality. I test drove him in a Camry LE and man you see a huge sigh of relief when he was behind the wheel

I had that sigh of relief a little myself on my drive to Charlotte. Not saying I no longer like my SE but after owning the SE for 3 years now I think I'm feeling the itch too. There is no mistaking the beauty of a SE Camry it is just a sexy car no matter how you look at it. But my wife just got an Avalon and now I am driving the SE (as I planned I would 3 years ago). I feel I am getting more into the ride quality than appearances now.

The seats in the SE holds you snug because they give you that race car feel. The seats in the LE on the other hand feel so warm and inviting. The 4-spoked steering wheel on the LE gives you that opening at the bottom for that one-handed driving experience on long trips, (kids don't try this at home; remember 10 - 2 o'clock hand placement). I now remember why I fell in love with the Camry. I see why millions of Americans love calling the Camry theirs. You should experience the Camry for yourself and find out which Camry fits you.

Camry, Camry LE, Camry SE, Camry XLE, Camry Hybrid: 5 winning choices, how could you lose

The Toyota logo

2009-11-16T15:43:00.000-08:00

combination of Three Ellipses: represents the unity of Toyota, its customers and its products. The Configuration of Verticle and Horizontal Ellipses: symbolizes the "T" of Toyota. Lastly the space within the logo:represents Toyota's ever-expanding technological advancement and limitless opportunities for growth

Black Friday car deals

2009-11-16T10:37:00.000-08:00

Our Black Friday promotions will be posted on-line first on our Rick Hendrick facebook site. So sign-up to be our FAN on facebook

2010 Trail Edition 4Runner

2009-11-16T09:57:00.000-08:00

Supposedly south eastern Toyota area will be receiving only 14% ratio of the new Trail Edition compared to the SR5 and the Limited 4runners for 2010. Many people have e-mailed me wanting to see my videos of the 2010 Trail edition and photos. It looks like this is going to be a very sort after vehicle.

We took the demo vehicle to the Uwharrie National Forest for our ROCKVEMBER 4x4 benefit show. There was a small trail at the Uwharrie Stables where we had the event. The 4Runner went up and down the trail with ease. Not sure yet on how many we are expected to receive before the end of the year but the first one we have coming in this month has already sold.

I like the Sport Edition 4Runners, they had charactor, but they must make way for the new Trail editions.

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The next Iron Chef (part 7)

2009-11-16T08:58:00.000-08:00

Bye bye chef Mullen. Last night's show was awesome. Three chefs left battling for their dream job with The Food Network as an Iron Chef. when it gets down to three people it gets harder and harder to eliminate someone. I believe the one thing that blew it for chef Mullens was his rice was not prepared well. When you battling in Japan, not getting your rice to the proper texture is crucial. Even one of the judges asked him, what is the ratio of rice to water. At that point chef Mullen's had to know that he was sunk.

Chef Mehta's presentation was over the top, one judge defended his presentation by saying it was an outward extension of who he is. While the other argued that this challenge was about restraint and he missed the mark regardless of how great his food tasted. There was no clear winner in last night's challenge but next week will be the deciding factor.

It is back to kitchen stadium for the last battle of the series. It will have to be hard for one person to have to walk away from kitchen stadium as a loser. But to the victor goes the spoils. my cellphones will be off, and I am pulling the house phone plug out the wall next Sunday night at 9pm

ROCKVEMBER links

2009-11-12T16:20:00.001-08:00

http://www.nc4x4.com/forums/showthread.php?t=75841 …. 7 pages full of pics on this one so make sure you go thru each page!!

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/south-east/45123-southeast-region-trail-meet-ure-nf-nov-6-8-a-11.html

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=rockvember&search_type=&aq=f This whole you tube page is our event…pretty cook stuff!!

http://s886.photobucket.com/albums/ac67/joeajones/

http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y239/AcRiteTeggy1/Rockvember%2009/?start=all

http://s128.photobucket.com/albums/p168/siegzook/?action=view&current=MOV01942.flv

http://s295.photobucket.com/albums/mm123/iciebluern/4%20wheeling/

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f59/i-wanna-see-your-muddy-jeeps-296058/index30.html

2010 4Runner videos

2009-11-12T11:07:00.000-08:00

Makes sure you take a look at our YouTube page so you can see the videos of the 2010 4Runners http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4A4CvpxG_I