Every American knows Toyota is reliable, long lasting, and gets great gas mileage. What they might not know and be thankful for is Toyota ranking top on the list for crash test performance. We’ve all seen pictures and videos of cars being demolished and thought how cool that looked. The other side of the reaction we don’t think about is what happens if I’m in the car when that happens.

Toyota, despite  all the bad press of late, still has its customers at heart. Any company can put better speakers or more comfortable seats in a vehicle, but not all of them care enough to make you safe when a truck tries to turn your car into a crumpled pop can.

If you’re in Champaign, Toyota dealers of central Illinois are ready and waiting to help keep you and your family safe on the road. If you head east through Urbana, Toyota dealers there will have the same goal and the cars you’re looking for.

Toyota cars look great on the road, feel great when you’re driving, and are easy on the wallet both with price and upkeep. It comes as a great comfort when the things you don’t think about are the things that may matter most when the worst happens. The solid fact is no one ever wants to be in an accident and certainly no one wants to have their car destroyed. If you had to choose, would you rather have no car and lose the things you care about, or be the guy in the television that comes back one last time to see the car that saved his life? Again, no one wants to lose their car, but I’m glad when my accident happened, I walked away.

The 2011 Avalon comes in two models, the base and the Limited.  Standard for both models are the eight-way leather-trimmed power driver seats, a reversing camera (something we all could get use of), and a large sun roof.  Improved comforts include dual-zone automatic climate control and enlarged and reshaped headrests. The Limited model is slightly more luxurious with rain-sensing wipers, Smart Key technology, and cooling leather seats for those hot Champaign summer days.

Both models have also been modernized with the best new technology.  For example, standard equipment includes Bluetooth, XM Satellite Radio, USB and auxiliary connections for iPods and other audio devices, all essentials for the modern day driver.

Under the hood the Avalon maintains its respectable 268-horsepower with a 3.5-liter V6 engine and six-speed automatic transmission.  Inside, the instrument panel has also been redesigned and has been described as “highly readable,” just to make sure things don’t get out of hand.

Altogether, the 2011 Avalon was described by Bob Carter, the Vice President of Toyota North America, as having “smooth driving dynamics and convenient new technology that premium, full-size sedan drivers really want.”  Visit your Urbana Toyota dealer, O’Brien Toyota of Urbana, today for pricing and a test drive.  Come from the Champaign area?  OB Urbana Toyota is conveniently located and serves as Champaign’s Toyota dealer as well.  Stop in today!

That number is approximately double the previous year’s production level of 500,000 units, which accounted for nearly eight percent of the car manufacturer’s total output. The decision will likely solidify Toyota’s position as the leader in the ever-growing hybrid vehicle market and ensure that these eco-friendly cars are a must-see on the roadway for all Urbana Toyota owners.

Accompanying this increase in production is an expansion of the Prius line, which will become more diverse with the addition of a compact offering. The FT-CH concept model, unveiled at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, demonstrates how this future Prius compact might look and function.

Despite its compact size, the FT-CH rivals the current hybrid offerings at preowned Prius Champaign dealers. Losing less than an inch in overall width, the concept is lighter in weight and more fuel efficient. It will also be more affordable than 2010 Prius Champaign models. With this price reduction, Toyota can bring the hybrid experience to a younger generation and lay the foundation for a future low-emission driving experience.

However, the FT-CH is merely Toyota’s first step in growing the Prius line. In addition, 10 new hybrid models are scheduled to enter into production next year. Although yet to be unveiled, each will boast the leading hybrid technology Urbana Toyota Prius owners have come to associate with Toyota’s low-emissions vehicles.

The two-fold production increase really demonstrates the public’s growing demand for eco-friendly cars. To accommodate, Toyota has already expanded its hybrid production sites beyond Japan to include China, the United States, Thailand, and Australia. In order to reach its 2011 goal, however, the automaker plans to open more sites this upcoming year.