Dream Cars Fly Two Canadian Youth To Japan For Toyota Dream Car Art Contest Global Awards Ceremony

TORONTO, ON., August 26, 2015 – What does it take to bring dreams to life? For Toyota, the answer comes through the inspiration and creativity behind the imagination of youth around the world in the Toyota Dream Car Art Contest. Youth aged 15 and under are invited to share ideas about the future of mobility by drawing their dream cars.

This year, two Canadian winners of the Toyota Dream Car Art Contest were selected among the top 30 global finalists from about 875,000 entries submitted by youth from 81 countries and regions.

Eleven-year-old Noelle saw piles and piles of fallen leaves on the road every Fall and she began to wonder if all those leaves could be recycled. She visualized a “Leafmobile” that collected the leaves to turn them into plant fertilizer.

Fifteen-year-old Grace, an immigrant from Korea, had always lived far from her extended family and her dream was for everyone to live together one day. Inspired by a village where her entire family would live in a “Dream Society,” Grace designed a hot-air balloon-shaped car to carry that dream everywhere.

“Grace and Noelle have demonstrated that Canada is home to youth with world-class creativity, artistic talent, and innovative thinking,” said Seiji Ichii, President and Chief Executive Officer, Toyota Canada Inc. “Toyota Canada is proud of both winners and hope they continue to nurture their creativity as part of the next generation of inventors, thinkers and dreamers.”

Both pieces of art were awarded silver, placing among the top three in their respective age categories. Grace was also awarded the Akio Toyoda Award, a special award chosen by Toyota Motor Corporation president Akio Toyoda.

“This artwork really conveys a sense of caring for one's family and having love for one's community,” commented Akio Toyoda, President, Toyota Motor Corporation. “It has a lot in common with Toyota's desire to contribute to society by making cars. I hope we will keep making ever-better cars that make our customers smile.”

As global finalists, Noelle and Grace – who are both from the Lower Mainland in B.C. – were invited to an all-expenses-paid trip to Japan for the awards ceremony. Along with their parents, the week also includes the opportunity for all participants to explore the cultures of traditional and modern Japan.

“You have to believe in miracles,” Henry, Noelle’s father, shared. “We told the girls that as long as you work hard and do the best, the rest will be well taken care of. So just keep your spirits and miracles will happen in life.”

Grace’s mother, Esther, was also encouraged by her daughter’s participation in the art contest.

“The Toyota Dream Car Art Contest provided Grace with the valuable opportunity to gain confidence in her own abilities,” she said. “It is my hope that Grace will become an artist who can beautifully illustrate the world through her artwork.”

The goal of the Toyota Dream Car Art Contest is to inspire creativity among youth and reinforce the importance of having a dream, while encouraging an interest in cars. Reflecting Toyota’s commitment to fostering long-term innovation, the contest is open to children aged 15 and under in three age categories: under 10 years old, 10-12 years old, and 13-15 years old.

For more information on Canadian submissions to the Toyota Dream Car Art Contest and to view Noelle and Grace’s artwork along with the other entries that were chosen to represent Canada, please visit http://www.toyota.ca/dreamcarartcontest. For more information on the global contest and to view the artwork of all global finalists, please visit http://www.toyota-insidedreams.com/dreamcar-collection.

About Toyota Canada Inc.

Toyota Canada Inc. (TCI) is the exclusive Canadian distributor of Toyota, Lexus and Scion vehicles. Toyota has sold over 4.6 million vehicles in Canada through a national network of 285 Toyota, Lexus and Scion dealerships. Toyota is dedicated to bringing safety, quality, dependability and reliability in the vehicles Canadians drive and the service they receive. TCI’s head office is located in Toronto, with regional offices in Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal and Halifax and parts distribution centres in Toronto and Vancouver. Toyota operates two manufacturing facilities in Canada. Having produced more than six million vehicles, popular Canadian models built at these facilities include Toyota RAV4, Toyota Corolla, Lexus RX 350 and RX 450h hybrid.

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