VehiclesTEST adds Scion video road tests for dealers, consumers

Our VehiclesTEST.com production team recently added the three current-generation Scion models to our library of video road tests. The Maus Media Group in Orlando handled the production duties, and test driver and editor Charles Stafford did the on-camera work.

Click to watch VehiclesTEST Scion tC video road test

The three vehicles we tested–the Scion tC, xB and xD–are the most current offerings from Scion. The videos are now available to our VehiclesTEST Dealer Network of 76 Toyota dealers nationwide.

We completed all our testing at our VehiclesTEST Proving Grounds in Geneva, Florida, at a police test track operated by Seminole Community College. The actual testing–top-speed quarter-mile runs, acceleration tests, braking tests and performance manuevers took about three hours. We then shot the three vehicles in a variety of settings around Lake Mary, Florida, to compile the necessary footage to create our 4-minute video road tests.

Video road test: 2011 Toyota Highlander

Click to watch video!

In the world of crossover SUVs, the Toyota Highlander is a major player, loaded with creature comforts and downright useful gadgets. I learned plenty during my recent 2011 Toyota Highlander video road test, which is now live on Toyota dealer websites nationwide subscribing to our VehiclesTEST Toyota and Scion video feeds. The Highlander Limited model we tested had the keyless Smart Entry and Smart Start, along with a backup camera and super-nice leather interior.

The Highlander remains a popular family vehicle and caters to that market more effectively for 2011 with more standard amenities and user technologies. In particular, the Base and SE grades feature more comfort and convenience features than previously offered. A standard 50/50 split third-row seat and manual rear climate control have been made standard for all 2011 models.

Toyota Sienna video road test

Toyota Sienna

I am currently working with two Toyota dealers to integrate our VehiclesTEST.com video road tests into all their outbound emails to prospects. We are creating email templates in the dealer’s contact management programs so our video road tests will be pre-loaded for the salespeople–no more fumbling around to insert links and thumbnail images.

The salesperson chooses the proper template and writes the email, which includes a sentence like, “Before you come in for a test drive, be sure to watch this independent video road test of the Toyota Sienna mini-van–it’s loaded with information that will help you with your research.”

The dealers are also including a small thumbnail image of the video test–another visual element that helps get more video plays. We can then track the video plays based on dealer name or dealer idea, and give them a report at the end of the month.