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Are you looking for the perfect SUV that fits everyone and everything but also saves on gas? Your search ends here, the all-new 2011 Toyota Highlander has arrived at Visalia Toyota, and it is exactly what Fresno Toyota shoppers have been looking for. The wonderful staff at Visalia Toyota dealership will assist you in customizing the Highlander to fit all your needs.

The all-new exterior design gives the car a complete makeover making this car sleek and luxurious. The Highlanders hood and bumpers have been reshaped, chrome accents adding, creating a polished style. The smart SUV is available in Base, SE, and Limited Grades offering the option of two-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive. The newly added to the line up is the Highlander Hybrid, which is newly available for 2011.

The new Hybrid version features a distinguished grille and bumper differing from the gasoline model. The Hybrid also gets 28 city and highway miles per gallon a slight improvement from the Base Highlander that gets between 20 and 25 MPGs. No doubt about it, the 2011 Highlander is one of the top cars in its class on gas and saves you money at the pump.

The new design also features a standard third row of seating with an added rear climate control system. The technology has also been updated for the SE and Limited (optional for the Base Model) which now includes a USB for your ipod, XM radio option, Bluetooth Capabilities, and the backup monitor in the rearview comes standard.

Toyota ensures protection with the Toyota’s Star Safety System that includes all standard safety features such as, Brake Assist, Anti-lock Brake System, Vehicle Stability Control, Electric Power Steering, and much more. Also standard on the Highlander is seven airbags and front active headrests to ensure ultimate safety.

When you purchase or lease a brand new 2011 Toyota Highlander, Fresno Toyota customers will also receive a free 2-year or 25,000 mile maintenance plan that covers factories scheduled service.

Come on down to Visalia Toyota serving Fresno Toyota shoppers, for a test drive or check out www.visaliatoyota.com to find out more information about purchasing the 2011 Toyota Highlander.

Visalia Toyota has some exciting news for Fresno Toyota shoppers. Learning how to drive safely is an important lesson for first time drivers. Toyota is offering an advanced teen driving skills program for Fresno Toyota owners.

The leading cause of death for teens between 15 and 20 is motor vehicle accidents and according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have accounted for 35% of teen fatalities.  In an effort to make the road a safer place for all drivers Toyota is offering free advance teen driving skills program at participating Bass Pro Shops throughout the country.

The program is called “Toyota Driving Expectations” and since its start in 2004 has been able to reach over 14,000 drivers with educating them on safe driving techniques also incorporating ways to stay focused on the road.  The program is extremely hands on and gives teens a chance to practice real life situations on a closed course.  The website describes the main purposes for the course:

• Learn defensive driving skills and accident avoidance techniques
• Identify the dangerous driving situations that they encounter daily
• Understand vehicle dynamics and safety features
• Experience firsthand the dangers of distracted driving and understand the relationship between distraction and reaction time

These skills are all vital for not only teens but anyone who gets behind the wheel.  A parent or guardian is expected to attend the class with their teen to engage in open dialogue about expectations and rules of driving.  Michael Rouse, Toyota’s vice president of philanthropy and community affairs summarizes Toyotas goal by having the program, “Toyota is dedicated to supporting both teens and parents in developing safe, responsible driving habits and protecting them on the road.”

The teens and parents attend separate seminars discussing various driving topics and then after getting some hands on experience with some hazardous road situations the teens rejoin their parent to have open discussion.

Stan Lippelman, spokesperson for Bass Pro Shops is enthusiastic about teaming up with Toyota, “Toyota has been a partner of ours for 6 years.  …  Similarly to Toyota, Bass Pro Shops is dedicated to teen safety –whether teens are behind the wheel of a vehicle or participating in recreational activities such as hunting or fishing, Bass Pro Shops believes education is the key to safety.”

Here are the dates of the programs for the month of October:

• Foxborough, Mass., October 2 – 3
• Clarksville, Ind., October 9 – 10
• Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., October 16 – 17

Make sure to sign up!  Visit Fresno Toyota dealer, Visalia Toyota, to get more information on when the program will be in the area. Visalia Toyota is working to make the road safer one driver at a time.

If you are a Fresno Toyota driver in the market for a new Toyota, please visit www.visaliatoyota.com and view Visalia’s latest inventory of new and used Toyota vehicles.