Celebrities Get Their Motors Running to Support Environmental Awareness

TORRANCE, Calif., Nov. 15, 2004 -- Celebrity attendees of the 14th annual Environmental Media Awards (EMA) on November 17, 2004 are counting on actions speaking louder than words when they arrive at the ceremony in hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles.

To underscore the organization's dedication to recognizing environmentally conscious programming, a special "Prius Only" lane for high-mileage, super ultra low-emissions hybrid vehicles will be designated for attendees and presenters. Prius Privileges will be extended to attendees arriving in Toyota hybrids including: Woody Harrelson, Jeffrey Tambor of the Emmy winning series "Arrested Development," director David O. Russell and Jason Schwartzman of I Heart Huckabees, comedienne Sarah Silverman, actresses Sara Rue ("Less Than Perfect"), Poppy Montgomery ("Without A Trace"), Frances Fisher (House of Sand and Fog), Julie Warner ("Baseball Wives"), actors Peter Horton ("While I Was Gone"), Dean Cain, and Joshua Jackson ("Dawson's Creek"). Special honorees Daryl Hannah and Willie Nelson will also be driving alternative fuel vehicles.

By showing their support for fuel efficient cars to decrease our dependence on fossil fuels, reduce air pollution, and stem climate change, these attendees join the growing list of celebrities who already demonstrate their concern for the environment by owning and driving a Toyota Prius including Cameron Diaz, Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, Kirsten Dunst, Will Ferrell, Tim Robbins, and many more.

For the third consecutive year, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. is the Presenting Sponsor of the Environmental Media Awards. The awards recognize the creative teams behind television, film and music productions that raise public awareness of environmental issues by incorporating positive environmental messages in their work.

Toyota, the recognized leader in hybrid technology, is attracting a mainstream audience for its environmentally advanced vehicles. Sales of Toyota's gas-electric hybrid Prius recently passed 200,000 units worldwide, making Prius the world's best-selling hybrid. Sales in the U.S. are expected to be nearly 50,000 for 2004 and double that for 2005.

"As an automaker, we recognize the impact of our products and constantly search for ways to lighten our footprint," said Dian Ogilvie, senior vice president and chief environmental officer of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. "We must strive to be a solution to pollution if we want to continue to lead in this industry."

Toyota's commitment to the environment runs deeper than 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 EMA, the U.S. National Parks Service, National Public Lands Day, National Arbor Day Foundation, Audubon Society and the American Lung Association.