Toyota Kicks Off 4-Day Safe-driving Event in Guangzhou, China

Tokyo, Japan, Nov. 14, 2006 - (JCN Newswire) - Toyota Motor Cororation marked the start today of a four-day Toyota Driver Communication (TDC) safe-driving event at the former Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport in Guangzhou, China.

More than 100 people attended the ceremony, including officials from the Guangzhou Public Security Bureau, representatives from Toyota and course participants. In his speech to the attendees, TMC Executive Vice President Mitsuo Kinoshita said, "TDC courses allow participants to really get behind the wheel for a first-hand experience. We look forward to the event increasing - through the use of the safety tips taught - awareness of the importance of safe driving."

The event is being held in conjunction with the Guangzhou Public Security Bureau. With the cooperation of the bureau's traffic police department, TDC instructors from Japan will teach various safe driving skills from November 14 to 17 to a total of approximately 200 people from taxi companies, driving schools and Toyota dealers as well as others for which road safety is an important theme. The curriculum includes instruction in defensive driving, initial vehicle inspections, proper driving position, blind-spot awareness and emergency braking on dry and slippery road surfaces. Participants are using a total of 12 Camry Guangzhou-built sedans.

In 2004, the Chinese Ministry of Public Security began taking comprehensive measures to prevent traffic accidents in major cities throughout China, with an emphasis on teaching drivers safe driving techniques. TDC courses are recognized as being very effective with respect to initiatives regarding safe driving instruction and education, which the Chinese Ministry of Public Security is strongly emphasizing. As such, a similar TDC event was held in Beijing in October 2005.

Based on the conviction that promoting safe driving is part of its social responsibilities, TMC has been holding TDC courses in Japan since 1987, and has actively taken numerous measures to reduce accidents. In April 2005, TMC opened the TOYOTA Safety Education Center "mobilitas", a safe-driving training facility at Fuji Speedway in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. In China, Toyota also seeks to be a good corporate citizen and plans to contribute to in the fields of environmental conservation, traffic safety, and personnel development.