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When you’re looking to buy or lease a new Toyota from Markquart Toyota, know that we understand that keeping that new-car appearance is important to you after you drive off the lot. It is important to us, as well, which is why we offer AutoArmor’s Entire Car Protection Plus, to protect your car from the outside in and from top to bottom. Introducing the next generation in protection. ECP Plus protects your vehicle’s interior and exterior from every day wear and tear so that it can continue to look as good as the day you bought it. From harsh weather conditions to bird waste and insects, the outside of our cars are put through the ringer every day, as is the inside with dinners on the go, taking kids to and from school and hosting weekly carpool rides. With ECP Plus, you’ll get environmental paint protection through NANO Paint Protection with Increased Gloss and Durability, which will protect your vehicle from weather-induced fading, chalking and loss of gloss. You’ll also receive headlight lens protection, as the lenses can dull, yellow or fade from the sun’s UV rays, and black molding and trim protection, as that can fade and discolor over time. These protections help arm your car in the fight against accelerated appearance depreciation. For those who prefer alloy wheels, ECP Plus provides protection for factory alloy-wheel repairs for minor scratches or scuffs, and provides a protective barrier that makes brake dust removal easier. ECP Plus also offers interior protection against rips, tears, punctures and burns with their Fabric Protection New Breakthrough Technology and Leather & Vinyl Protection with Increased UV Inhibitors. Not only will you keep your car looking sharp with ECP Plus, but you will increase the value of your vehicle at trade-in time. AutoArmor’s ECP Plus is product driven, professionally applied and available with the purchase or lease of a new Toyota from Markquart Toyota. Call us or stop in today to Markquart Toyota, located right outside of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, to see our great selection of Toyotas and talk to one of our friendly sales members.

Lee Markquart knows what it takes to run a successful business and it is reflected in the 44 years that Markquart has been in the Chippewa Valley. “The basic principles of a successful business have not changed in many years and probably won’t change for a long time,” said Lee, who is retiring this year after being in the automotive business for 70 years. According to Lee, these principles are based on people, character, endeavor and communication. These principles were instilled into Lee since he was a child. A Jackson, Minnesota native, Lee grew up in the automobile business and knew what hard work meant. At the age of 12, Lee went to work at his dad’s gas station pumping gas. At that time, gas was five gallons for a dollar. The station pumped gas, repaired tires and cars, and eventually started selling Hudson cars in 1946. Over the years, Lee graduated from Macalester College, joined the South Dakota Air National Guard, flew as a Radar Observer, and worked at the family business. In the mid-1950s, Lee attended the General Motors Institute in Flint, Michigan, and brought back the knowledge he had gained to help improve his dad’s then-Oldsmobile franchise. Lee wasn’t all business though. After graduating from GMI, Lee met Mary Hagberg on a blind date and four months later, they were married! It didn’t take long for Mary to learn about the realities of business. Soon she was helping support her father-in-law’s car dealership by teaching at Sherburn High School and using her paychecks to pay off loans at the bank. The Jackson dealership prospered during the 60s and Lee began to look for bigger opportunities. In 1970, Lee bought the Pontiac, Oldsmobile, and Cadillac dealership on Clairemont Avenue and moved to Eau Claire, Wisconsin. At that time, Markquart Motors had 10 employees. Forty-four years later, Markquart Motors and Markquart Toyota are the largest new-vehicle dealerships in the Chippewa Valley. We’d like to congratulate Lee on all that he has accomplished and thank him for all that he has done for us. We wish him the very best in his retirement, and will uphold the Markquart name with pride.

Our Service Department at Markquart Toyota near Eau Claire, offers a variety of auto repair services for your vehicle. Whether your vehicle is in need of scheduled maintenance, such as an oil change or tire rotation, or more complicated repairs, such as an engine or transmission replacement, you can count on our highly skilled technicians to get the job done. No one is more qualified to work on your Toyota than a factory-trained technician like the ones here at Markquart Toyota. They each have a degree from a technical college and maintain their ASE Certification, but their education doesn’t stop there. At Markquart Toyota, our technicians are continually going through Toyota factory training through e-training and taking e-modules online in order to keep up with the ever-evolving automotive technology. Plus, at Markquart Toyota, we have Master Toyota Technicians who have completed every course available through Toyota and have a minimum of 60 months of experience working on Toyotas. If you are coming to Markquart Toyota for the first time to get your car serviced, there are a few things you should know about our process. As soon as you arrive, pull up to one of our automatically opening Service garage doors and pull in. A Service employee will meet you at your car to gather some information from you before taking you to your Service Advisor. The Service Advisor will go through what repairs need to be done to your car, and what future maintenance they think your car will need. While your car is being worked on, you can pass the time in one of our comfortable waiting rooms, take the free shuttle to a destination of your choice, or get a free loaner vehicle if you need more flexibility. Once your car is finished, your Service Advisor will go over everything that was done to your car and answer any questions you may have. The Service Cashier will help you with your paperwork while your vehicle is pulled into the Service Garage where you began. You vehicle is ready to go and so are you! If you live near Eau Claire and need auto repair or service done on your car, schedule an appointment with Markquart Toyota online or call our friendly Service team to get you set up. Don’t forget to check out our website for Service coupons and rewards! We look forward to serving you!

One of the great things about Markquart is that people who are hired here tend to stay awhile. Because of this, you may see a lot of familiar faces when you buy a car with us or bring your car in for service. One of those familiar faces is Jeff Webber, the Service Manager at Markquart Toyota. This month Jeff is celebrating his 30-year anniversary with Markquart. Jeff, an Eau Claire, WI native, first got his start with cars by working at his dad’s gas station from ages 14 to 19. His next job was at an automotive warehouse, delivering auto parts around the state. In 1984, Jeff found his way to Markquart. Jeff began as a shuttle driver and later became one of our first Lanes Crew members—the person who greets you at your vehicle when you pull in for service. Jeff served in several other service and auto body positions before becoming Service Manager for Markquart Toyota in 1995. Jeff has done a great job and has earned the confidence of customers and his co-workers alike. When asked what his favorite part of the job was, Jeff said it was the customers. It must be true because Jeff has gone to great lengths over the years to help customers who found themselves in difficult situations. Jeff, we appreciate everything you have done and continue to do for Markquart. You are a valued member of the Markquart family and we hope you will continue on for many years to come!

Finally, the moment you’ve all been waiting for: the 2014 Toyota Highlander has arrived at Markquart Toyota near Eau Claire! The 2014 Highlander has been completely redesigned from the inside out. Its striking new exterior gives it a prominent stance, while the interior is nothing but luxury. The new Toyota Highlander includes a power-opening rear lift-gate, a panoramic moonroof (available on Limited models only), seating for eight and enhanced safety features, which is important when you have precious cargo. With three new colors to choose from, Alumina Jade Metallic, Moulin Rouge Mica and Crème Brulee Mica, the all-new Toyota Highlander was about as much fun to design as it is to drive! So, if you’re in the market for a new car or SUV, come to Markquart Toyota, located off Highway 53 between Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls, to test drive the exciting new 2014 Toyota Highlander. It is ready and waiting for you!

Toyota vehicles are built with you in mind and that is why they are both safe and dependable. To keep your Toyota vehicle in great condition, proper vehicle maintenance is needed, which is why brand-new Toyota vehicles come with ToyotaCare, a no-cost maintenance plan that includes roadside assistance. With ToyotaCare, our trained service technicians at Markquart Toyota, located in Western Wisconsin, will take care of your vehicle and keep you in the loop about what maintenance is being performed and what maintenance needs to be scheduled in the future. Some of the aspects that ToyotaCare Scheduled Factory Maintenance covers are: Tire rotation Multi-point vehicle inspection Inspection of and adjustment to all fluid levels Replacement of engine oil and oil filter If you’re like most people, you have a lot going on in your life, and sometimes things can slip away from you. Toyota will make sure to send you reminders before scheduled maintenance needs to be done, so you have one less thing to worry about! Plus, when you’re out and about, you can rest easy knowing that should something come up, such as locking your keys in your car or getting a flat tire, you are covered by ToyotaCare’s 24-hour Roadside Assistance. Aside from lockout protection and tire service, the roadside assistance covers: Battery jump starts Emergency fuel delivery Towing Winching So, next time you are in the market for a new vehicle, stop in to Markquart Toyota, located off Highway 53 between Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls, or check out our inventory of new Toyotas online at www.markquarttoyota.com. You know you’ll be in good hands when you purchase a Toyota because Toyota cares and it shows with ToyotaCare.

From the first night the Chippewa Valley Free Clinic opened its doors in 1997 at its location in Eau Claire, WI and treated eight patients, to the roughly 60 patients it sees per week today, it is easy to see how important the clinic is to the Chippewa Valley. Offering free, adult-based, basic health services such as vaccines, mental health care, medications and more, the clinic has garnered attention from all corners of the Chippewa Valley. For the free clinic in Eau Claire, WI to keep its doors open, it relies on donations from community members, businesses, services and churches, as well as the 200-plus people that volunteer their time at the clinic. Each week, a business or two from the Chippewa Falls and Eau Claire area that supports the clinic is named “Sponsor of the Week,” and Markquart’s is the week of December 23 through the 27. In our third year of sponsoring the free clinic, we are proud to support such a great organization that gives back so much to the community and encourage those that feel the way we do to give back as well. Visit the Chippewa Valley Free Clinic’s website to sign up for volunteering or donate, and find out more about how the free clinic has helped to make the Chippewa Valley a better place for everyone.

The all-new 2014 Toyota Highlander is coming and will make you do a double take.  With a dramatic new grille, a tapered-forward front end and larger rear windows, the 2014 Highlander has a sleeker and sportier look to it.  Its new exterior design isn’t just about looking good either; it is about being functional.  The larger rear windows create a feeling of openness and the front pillars come with a thinner design to allow for increased visibility.   The exterior isn’t the only thing that has gotten a new look, but the interior has been redesigned as well.  Chrome-plated accents adorn the dash, the seats are made up of softer materials and the third row has been widened for a more comfortable ride.  The second row comes equipped with simple-sliding tip-up chairs for easier access to the spacious third row.  And because Toyota knows how precious cargo room is to adventurous people, they have increased the Highlander’s rear overhang by three inches, giving you one-third more volume of cargo space than previous generations. The 2014 Highlander is making its national debut around the first of the year, and will be available near Eau Claire at Markquart Toyota then.  If your New Year’s resolution is to try new things, why not start with the 2014 Toyota Highlander?

Alaina (9), Evan (8), Logan (8) The Boys and Girls Club of the Greater Chippewa Valley, located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, has been helping children for almost a decade, affecting the lives of more than 1,000 children in and around the Eau Claire community since opening its doors in 2004. The Boys and Girls Club was established in 2001 and opened in 2004 as a place to “inspire and enable all youth, especially those who need it the most,” said Sara Antonson, the club’s executive director.  Mary and Lee Markquart, along with Ed Sturgal, the new car sales manager at Markquart Motors, had a hand in helping get the club up and running in Eau Claire, which is why it remains close to our heart.  Currently, the Eau Claire club has 800 members, ranging in ages from 8 to 18.  There is a Chippewa Falls chapter, which has 200 members, that is expanding into Menomonie. The club has over 40 programs for kids to get involved in and participation is mandatory to be a member of the club.  The five core programs of the Boys and Girls Club include the Arts; Education and Career; Character and Leadership; Health and Life Skills; and Sports, Fitness and Recreation. Andrea (11), Destina (12) The Boys and Girls Club is more than just a place for kids to go after school.  It is a place for the children to learn about themselves and the world, gain confidence, learn about respect, and learn how to make smart decisions in life. According to the Boys and Girls Club website, 89% of members say that club staff and members have helped them feel proud of themselves.  “We really want to make sure we help kids to be good citizens,” Antonson said.  Looks like they are headed in the right direction. It doesn’t take much to change the life of a child.  You can help members of the Boys and Girls Club by volunteering and being a positive role model, or you can donate money to help the club function.  If you or someone you know is interested in making a difference, go to the club’s website at www.bgca-chippewavalley.org to fill out a volunteer application or make a donation.

At Markquart Toyota, we are proud to offer a wide selection of Toyota Certified Used Vehicles for you to choose from. If you’re in the market for a used Toyota, make sure you understand all the benefits of making it a Toyota Certified Used Vehicle. Toyota Certified Used Vehicles offer benefits that a non-certified used Toyota just can’t offer! From the dependable Toyota Camry, to the environmentally friendly Prius, to the affordable Corolla, we have a vast array of Toyota Certified Used Vehicles for value-conscious car buyers. Plus, if you need to move, haul, carry, go off-road, or just look good, we always have a great selection of RAV4’s, Highlanders, Tacomas and Tundras in stock and ready to roll. We can also special-order Toyota Certified Used Vehicles. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, contact our sales staff and let them know. We have great sources for one-owner used Toyotas that we can acquire just for you! If a used Toyota is right for you, make sure you check out the great selection of Toyota Certified Used Vehicles at Markquart Toyota, located off Highway 53 between Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls. Call us, stop in, or click the link below to check out our inventory of Toyota Certified Used Vehicles. View Toyota Certified Inventory

At Markquart Toyota, we’ll wash your car every time you come in for service as our way of saying thank you for choosing us for your service needs. There are a few things to keep in mind so that you can take full advantage of this free service. Our car wash is a touch-wash featuring soft-cloth brushes that do an outstanding job of cleaning your vehicle without scratching the paint. If, for any reason, you would prefer us not to wash your vehicle, let the attendant know when you arrive for service. It is our desire to wash everyone’s vehicle that would like to have it washed, but there are a few practical limitations to our offer. First, if a vehicle is covered in a thick coat of mud or if it has excessive rust on the body, it cannot go through our wash, as it is not good for the car wash. Also, if there is an exterior antenna that can’t be removed, or something is loose on the vehicle like trim or a mirror, we are not able to wash these vehicles because they could be damaged during the washing process. One final situation where we are not able to wash the vehicle is when weather conditions do not permit us to wash. Typically, it is when the temperature is 15 degrees or lower during the wintertime. In this case, we are happy to give you a rain check and you can stop by another time to have your vehicle washed. Satisfying our customers is our primary goal here at Markquart Toyota. If you have any questions or concerns about our car wash process, don’t hesitate to contact our service advisors or manager Jeff Webber at 715-552-4440.

Markquart Toyota, serving Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls, is excited to announce Toyota’s October Special Pricing Rebates.  Available from October 1 to November 4, all new 2013 Toyota Corollas come with a $1,000 rebate * and all new 2013 Toyota Camrys come with a $2,000 rebate **.  Both vehicles come with ToyotaCare †, which offers maintenance and 24-hour roadside assistance the first two years or 25,000 miles, and Toyota’s factory warranty of 36 months or 36,000 miles. A comfortable and reliable vehicle, the 2013 Toyota Corolla is also economical to own and drive.  Corolla retains an MSRP advantage over most of its leading competitors when similarly equipped and gets you 27/34 mpg city/highway.  With the $1,000 rebate*, you’ll begin saving money before you drive off the lot. It is easy to see why the 2013 Toyota Camry is the best-selling car in the U.S.  Equipped with Toyota’s Star Safety System™, optimized shock absorbers for a smoother ride, and an available Entune® multimedia system, the 2013 Camry is the complete package.  Throw in the $2,000 rebate** and you’ve got yourself one great deal! October is the time to buy, as these special rebates won’t last long.  The 2013 Camrys and Corollas are the essence of Toyota’s legendary quality and it shows.  Call us or stop in to Markquart Toyota today and let us put you behind the wheel of a Toyota. *Offer ends 11/4/13, cannot be combined and is subject to availability. Cash back from Toyota Motor Sales USA, Inc. Varies by region. See participating dealer for details. Does not include College Grad or Military Rebate. See participating dealer for coverage details. Does not include taxes, license, title fees, insurance and dealer charges. Excludes Matrix. **Offer ends 11/4/13, cannot be combined and is subject to availability. Cash back from Toyota Motor Sales USA, Inc. Varies by region. See participating dealer for details. Does not include College Grad or Military Rebate.  See participating dealer for coverage details. Does not include taxes, license, title fees, insurance and dealer charges. Excludes Hybrid. † Toyota Care covers normal factory scheduled service for 2 years or 25,000 miles, whichever occurs first. See participating dealer for coverage details.