TORRANCE, Calif., Oct. 16, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- On the green
carpet, automotive history will be made. Toyota and Lexus are again
presenting sponsors at the 24th annual Environmental Media Awards
on Oct. 18, at which one bidder will
win the Toyota Fuel Cell Vehicle (FCV). Toyota is the first major
auto manufacturer to give away a fuel cell vehicle to an individual
owner.
Hosted by the Environmental Media Association (EMA), the awards
honor individuals within the entertainment industry for efforts to
promote environmental messages. This is Lexus and Toyota's 14th
year as the award's presenting sponsors, and the first time
celebrities will rub shoulders with the zero-emission hydrogen
vehicle on the West Coast. The FCV will go on sale in California in late 2015.
"Toyota and Lexus are proud to support the broad, positive
environmental influence these individuals have through their work,"
said Bob Carter, senior vice
president, automotive operations, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. "The influencers at the EMA
awards lead not only Hollywood's
conversations about environmental issues, but the country's, and
we're looking forward to starting the fuel cell conversation."
Also featured at the ceremony will be the newest member of the
Lexus hybrid line up, the NX 300h, as well as the crowd
favorite ES 300h. The all-new 2015 NX 300h pairs athletic
styling with agile driving dynamics for a crossover that drives as
well as it looks. The highly capable NX 300h offers a
utility-focused alternative to a sport sedan with a versatile cargo
area. The ES 300h sedan is one of the most fuel-efficient luxury
sedans in its segment with a modern and progressive interior that
features 40 inches of rear seat legroom.
Hosted by actor, director and environmentalist Ed Begley Jr., the event will bring together
industry insiders who bring environmental issues to the forefront
of television and film. The 2014 honorees include Daniel Abbasi, Joel
Bach, James Cameron,
David Gelber, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jerry Weintraub and Maria Wilhelm who served as executive producers
for Showtime's "Years Of Living Dangerously." Award categories
recognize feature films, documentaries and TV episodes, as well as
individuals. Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. is a member of the EMA Corporate
Board.
California residents have the
opportunity to purchase tickets for the Fuel Cell Vehicle auction
by visiting www.biddingforgood.com. Each ticket costs $100 or $500 for
six, and the winner will be announced during the event. Proceeds
will benefit EMA programs. More information about the FCV is
available at www.toyota.com/fuelcell.
The Environmental Media Association, organizer and host of the
awards, is a nonprofit founded by Cindy and
Alan Horn and Lyn and Norman
Lear in 1989. EMA's mission is to mobilize the entertainment
industry in educating people about environmental issues.
For more information on Toyota and Lexus environmental
initiatives, please visit www.toyota.com/about/environment. The
Environmental Media Awards will be livestreamed at
www.facebook.com/EMAOnline and www.ema-online.org.
About Toyota
Toyota (NYSE:TM), the world's top
automaker and creator of the Prius, is committed to building
vehicles for the way people live through our Toyota, Lexus and
Scion brands. Over the past 50 years, we've built more than
25 million cars and trucks in North
America, where we operate 14 manufacturing plants (10 in the
U.S.) and directly employ more than 40,000 people (more than 32,000
in the U.S.). Our 1,800 North American dealerships (1,500 in
the U.S.) sold more than 2.5 million cars and trucks (more than 2.2
million in the U.S.) in 2013 – and about 80 percent of all Toyota
vehicles sold over the past 20 years are still on the road
today.
Toyota partners with philanthropic organizations across the
country, with a focus on education, safety and the
environment. As part of this commitment, we share the
company's extensive know-how garnered from building great cars and
trucks to help community organizations and other nonprofits expand
their ability to do good. For more information about Toyota, visit
www.toyotanewsroom.com.
About Lexus
Lexus launched in 1989 with two luxury
sedans and a commitment to pursue perfection. Since that time,
Lexus has expanded its line-up to meet the needs of global luxury
customers. Lexus is now going beyond its reputation for high
quality vehicles with the integration of innovative technology,
emotional exterior and interior designs, and engaging driving
dynamics and performance. With five models incorporating
Lexus Hybrid Drive, Lexus is the luxury hybrid leader. Lexus also
offers six F SPORT models and two F models, including the LFA
supercar, for top-of-the-line performance. In the United States, Lexus vehicles are sold
through 234 dealers who are committed to exemplary customer
service.
CONTACTS:
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Toyota
Communications
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Jana
Hartline
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(310)
468-7977
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Lexus
Communications
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Allison
Takahashi
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(310)
468-5315
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Media
website:
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http://www.toyotanewsroom.com
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Public
websites:
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http://www.toyota.com
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http://www.lexus.com
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SOURCE Toyota