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Frankston Toyota were
delighted to receive the Automotive Services Award in the recent Leader Newspapers Business Achiever Awards 2007. The awards, now in their 12th year, invite readers to acknowledge business components
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champions in their local communities across specialised categories. Three components make up the awards: reader voting, a comprehensive questionnaire completed by finalists, and a mystery shopper evaluation by AC cmmmmmmomponents components
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Nielsen. Each category winner is determined by these components. We are particularly pleased with this award because of the key component of reader voting – to our thinking, the most important of the criteria.
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Did you know that Toyota has a model to suit virtually every motoring need? Whether you
are 18 or 80, a city or a country driver, a lawyer or a tradie, there’s a Toyota to suit you.
Over the next months we’ll be giving you a rundown on the whole Toyota range – obviously
there are so many we can’t do it all in a single issue of Inside Frankston Toyota. This month
we’re continuing our classes with the soon to be released, next-generation LandCruiser. |
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It’s been a busy year for new model launches at Frankston Toyota, with 10th-generation Corolla in April, then supercharged TRD Aurion mid-year, followed by new Kluger soft-roader. And the party’s not over yet - the 200 Series Landcruiser is on its way. Due in Australia toward the end of 2007, the all-new ‘Cruiser will employ a powerful V8 turbo-diesel |
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engine (with uprated petrol choices), a new six-speed Aisin automatic transmission and Australian suspension technology. Measuring 4.5 litres in capacity with a turbocharger for each bank of cylinders, the 200 will generate more than 200kW. But much more impressively, the torque fi gure will be 650Nm, a massive increase in pulling power.
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The 200 Series is based on a new separate-chassis structure, with double-wishbone front and live axle rear-end to retain that mountain-goat ability. Upper-specifi cation models also get the Australian-developed Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System, as used in top-class rallying and offroad competitions.
Secret Australian testing of the 200 Series fi tted with the Kinetic System has demonstrated an awesome ability to traverse rough ground comfortably at speed!
4WD enthusiasts will be rapt and interest will be high, so book your test drive now by phoning Ben Galea, New Vehicle Manager on (03) 8781 7740. Back to Top
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Ever wondered what makes Toyota vehicles so reliable? It has a lot to do with the Toyota Production System (TPS), a unique approach based on long-term thinking about the assembly line process pioneered by Henry Ford in 1913. And the TPS, in turn, also has a lot to do with the quality of service you find at Frankston Toyota.
While logically organised, assembly line manufacture at that time was quite rudimentary, as were the vehicles produced by it. As vehicles became more complex, the flaws in the system became problematical. Given lots of time and money, the old system will work – but nowhere near so efficiently or economically as the TPS. A way of ‘making things’ that’s sometimes referred to as a ‘lean manufacturing system’ or a ‘Just-in-Time (JIT) system,’ the TPS is now well known and copied worldwide.
The Toyota Production System is the result of many years of Kaizen, a daily continuous improvement activity that goes beyond simple productivity improvement. When done correctly, Kaizen humanises the workplace, eliminates overly hard work and teaches people how to use a scientific approach to identify and eliminate waste.
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The TPS is aimed at making the vehicles ordered by customers in the quickest and most efficient way, in order to deliver the vehicles as quickly as possible.
The TPS is based on two concepts - ‘jidoka’ (meaning roughly ‘automation with a human touch’) which requires that when a problem occurs, the equipment stops automatically, preventing defective products from being produced; and ‘Just-in-Time,’ in which each process produces only what is needed by the next process in a continuous flow.
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Based on these philosophies, the TPS efficiently and quickly produces reliable, quality vehicles that fully satisfy customer expectations right around the world.
At Frankston Toyota we’ve studied the TPS philosophy and apply it to all aspects of our daily work. Our supremely efficient Express Maintenance service is based on the TPS and the values of Respect, Kaizen and Teamwork all make great contributions to the building of the most committed Toyota group in Australia.
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Even with top grade tyres and ABS brakes in factory-fresh condition, it will take you around 45 meters to stop from 100km/h. When there are pedestrians and other cars about, every single meter counts, so the importance of having your braking system working at peak efficiency can’t be overstated.
Regular maintenance is the best policy and it’s cheaper in the long run. Buy cheap brake pads or let any pads - good or bad - wear completely down
and you will suddenly find yourself with no brakes as well as causing expensive damage to other parts of the braking system.
Take note of changes: of pulsing, grabbing, vibration, noises, a ‘soft’ pedal or any reduction in performance. Catching a problem early will save you money - and could prevent an accident.
Don’t overlook the hydraulic system either. Keep an eye on the brake fluid level (if you don’t know where to look, come and ask us!) when you check the oil level and the windscreen washer bottle, for
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example) and top up when necessary. Also make sure the fluid is completely replaced at the intervals specified in the owner’s handbook. Brake fluid absorbs moisture from the air; over time it becomes less effective, corrosive and even liable to boil, causing total brake failure.
Most cars on the road today have
disc brakes on the front and the majority of new cars have them all round. Disc brakes are more powerful and offer more consistent stopping power than the older-style drums.
However, to work effectively a disc rotor must be smooth and true. If it becomes scored or distorted,
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the surface layer of metal must be machined off. This is not difficult nor particularly expensive, but the more times a disc is machined, the less effective it becomes and the more prone to failure. Toyota disc rotors have a ‘scrap thickness’ stamped on them and it is a legal requirement to replace any rotor which has reached this thickness.
Brake pads last anything from 20,000km to 60,000 km depending on the vehicle design, vehicle weight and, most of all, driving habits. Braking smoothly and gently is safer and cheaper than screaming to a halt - and not necessarily any slower.
ABS antilock brakes prevent skidding, helping keep you in control. But caution is required: ABS does not make you immortal or your brakes self-servicing. Good brakes need good pads, high quality brake fluid, good rotors or drums and a skilled technician. So don’t risk a backyard job – make a booking with our Service Department on (03) 9783 8400.
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Ever wondered what the market
value of your vehicle is?
Exclusive to Inside Frankston Toyota readers, simply fi ll in your vehicle details below and we will provide you with an accurate market
appraisel of your vehicles current worth.
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