1 Owner 2011 Lexus Is350 Awd Navigation Backup Camera Warranty Loaded! on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Toyota's 'green bond' an industry first, quickly rises to $1.75 billion

Toyota is greasing the skids for more green car purchases with the announcement of a $1.75-billion bond designed to finance the purchase of high-efficiency Toyota and Lexus models. The Asset-Backed Green Bond is a first for the automotive industry and is making a lot of money available to buy or lease the following vehicles: any of the four Prius variants, Camry Hybrid, Avalon Hybrid, RAV4 EV, Lexus CT 200h and Lexus ES 300h. Originally, the bond was set at $1.25 billion, but Justin Leach, manager of public relations for Toyota Financial Services (TFS), told AutoblogGreen that demand was high and it was quickly oversubscribed. TFS has been looking at more ways to diversify its portfolio after a Diversity & Inclusion Bond that was announced in early 2013 and, with the new Green Bond, TFS is offering something for the "number of investors out there who are looking for investment opportunities in green." The way the money from the bond is used, basically, is that TFS takes the $1.75 billion and uses it to finance the purchase or lease of the nine vehicles listed above. As of right now, all the eligible vehicles are plug-in or hybrids, but the rules simply say that the cars in the program have to meet certain "powertrain, fuel efficiency and emissions" criteria. That means: Minimum EPA estimated MPG (or MPG equivalent for alternative fuel vehicles) of 35 city / 35 highway California Low-Emission Vehicle II (LEV II) certification of super ultra-low emission vehicles (SULEVs) or higher, which would include partial zero emissions vehicles (PZEVs) and zero emissions vehicles (ZEVs). TFS raises plenty of billions in other ways for the rest of the lineup, and got into asset backed securities in 2010, Leach said. Given the success of this first Green Bond, Leach said he expects TFS to keep this idea in its arsenal. "This one was so well received, I would be surprised if we didn't see it again," he said. "If anyone was going to do it, it should be Toyota, right?" Toyota Financial Services (TFS) Issues Auto Industry's First-Ever Asset-Backed Green Bond Bond Proceeds to Fund Consumer Loans and Leases for Toyota's Leading Portfolio of Green Vehicles TORRANCE, Calif., (March 24, 2014) – Toyota Financial Services (TFS) issued the auto industry's first-ever Asset-Backed Green Bond in the amount of $1.75 billion.

What's in a trademark? Sometimes, the next iconic car name

The United States Patent and Trademark Office is a treasure trove for auto enthusiasts, especially those who double as conspiracy theorists.
Why has Toyota applied to trademark "Supra," the name of one of its legendary sports cars, even though it hasn't sold one in the United States in 16 years? Why would General Motors continue to register "Chevelle" long after one of the most famous American muscle cars hit the end of the road? And what could Chrysler possibly do with the rights to "313," the area code for Detroit?

2018 Lexus LS 500 gets the F Sport treatment

Lexus has used this year's auto show season for a continuous rollout of its all-new flagship sedan, the 2018 LS 500. It debuted in Detroit, followed by the hybrid LS 500h in Geneva. For New York, the updated LS gets the F Sport treatment, which includes design touches, chassis tuning and added stopping power. The 2018 Lexus LS F Sport, whether in gas-only or hybrid trim, receives a set of 20-inch alloy wheels and larger, six-piston caliper front and four-piston rear brakes. Up front, the F Sport grille is refined beyond that of the standard LS, and Lexus notes that it took CAD designers five months to get the desired look, with its 7,100 individual surfaces. Other visual changes include an enlarged side grille, unique rocker panels, trunk moldings, and, of course, F Sport badging. The Ultra White exterior is exclusive to the F Sport version. Inside the car, F Sport front seats offer more support for spirited driving. The driver commands the car through an F Sport steering wheel, aluminum pedals, and a perforated shift lever. Details like the Ultrasuede in the seats and headliner and brushed aluminum trim add to the interior's sporty refinement. For a bolder look, Lexus offers the F Sport-exclusive Circuit Red interior. Just one version, though – the rear-drive, gasoline LS 500 – will offer a handling package for more prowess on curvy roads. It features Lexus Dynamic Handling, which includes variable ratio steering, and active rear steering to help guide the rear wheels around corners. The sport tuned air suspension includes the Active Stabilizer system for flatter cornering. The powertrain and its output figures remain unchanged from the standard version. The new Lexus LS is set to go on sale in early 2018. Related Video: Featured Gallery 2018 Lexus LS 500 F Sport: New York 2017 View 15 Photos Related Gallery 2017 Lexus LS 500 F Sport View 27 Photos News Source: LexusImage Credit: Live photos copyright 2017 Drew Phillips / Autoblog.com New York Auto Show Lexus Luxury Sedan f sport