All The Car

Toyota and Lexus are Presenting Sponsors of the Environmental Media Awards. This star-studded gala event recognizes the creative teams behind television, film and music productions that raise public awareness of environmental issues by incorporating positive environmental messages in their work. Previous honorees include Daryl Hannah, Edward Norton, and Cameron Diaz, and programs such as Grey''s Anatomy, The Simpsons, and Lilo & Stitch.

"Entertainment is a potent vehicle for raising awareness of environmental issues," said Dian Ogilvie, senior vice president and chief environmental officer of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. "The creative teams who are honored with an Environmental Media Award are inspiring people to think and act in ways that benefit our planet."

Toyota, the world leader in hybrid technology, also provides a way for people to act through an everyday choice: the vehicle they drive. Toyota and Lexus combined offer five hybrid models in the United States in the mid-sized sedan, SUV and sports car segments. In all, Toyota''s hybrid vehicles have saved million gallons of gas in the United States, and avoided Y of Co2 emissions. Hybrid sales are led by the Prius, which topped 500,000 worldwide in April. This year, Toyota will sell more than 100,000 Prius in the U.S., which features Toyota''s Hybrid Synergy Drive.

Hybrid Synergy Drive is also featured on the Highlander Hybrid and the Camry Hybrid which debuted in April. Both hybrids are over 70% percent cleaner for smog-forming emissions the average new vehicle on the road. Camry Hybrids are built at Toyota''s manufacturing facility in Georgetown Kentucky, Toyota''s first hybrid built in the U.S.

Last year, Lexus introduced the RX 400h, the world''s first luxury hybrid. The RX 400h combines luxury, performance and cleaner emissions in a sleek package. In April, Lexus launched the GS 450h hybrid luxury sports sedan, the world''s first front-engine, rear-wheel full hybrid.

"Worldwide, Toyota plans to offer hybrid engines in many of our products and we''ve set a goal of one million hybrids by 2010," said Dian Ogilvie. "We''ve made a very big commitment to this technology because it gives people a way to drive what they want, but produce fewer emissions and get higher fuel mileage at the same time."

Toyota''s commitment to the environment goes beyond the hybrid story. The company''s initiatives in North America include recycling, reducing landfill waste, conserving natural resources, using renewable energy, and nurturing strong partnerships with organizations like the U.S. National Parks Service, National Public Lands Day, National Arbor Day Foundation, Audubon Society the American Lung Association, and EMA.

The Environmental Media Association is a non-profit created in 1989 by producers Norman Lear and Alan Horn and their wives Lyn Lear and Cindy Horn. EMA is guided by top Hollywood talents and leading environmentalists. Proceeds from the EMA Awards secure the future of the organization and its work within the entertainment industry to encourage TV and film producers to weave environmental messages into scripts as well as utilizing celebrity as role models.

Wednesday, November 08, 2006 1:50 AM | Comments