Toyota Tops Automotive Environmental Award Competition for Third Consecutive
Year
Torrance, CA— Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.,
has again topped the Automotive Market Environmental Superiority (AMES)
Awards with 11 winners.
The awards were created in order to encourage consumers
to purchase an AMES awarded vehicle to help assist in the reduction of
fuel consumption and the emission of greenhouse gases. The AMES awards
criteria is based upon emissions, fuel economy and use of innovative technology
to develop a vehicle's total environmental superiority rating.
The top Toyota winners for the AMES awards this year
included the Toyota Corolla and Prius electric-gas hybrid in the subcompact
car category. The Toyota Camry won the mid-size car category for the fourth
consecutive year. In the premium and luxury car categories, the favorites
were the Lexus ES 300 and the LS 430, respectively. In the sport car class
Toyota has two champions, the Lexus SC 430 and the Toyota MR2.
Toyota was the victor in the full-size pickup category
with the Toyota Tundra. Winners in the sport utility vehicle (SUV) category
include the Toyota RAV4 in the compact SUV class, and the Toyota Highlander
in the mid-size SUV category. The Lexus GX 470 topped the full-size luxury
SUV segment.
In 2004, Toyota will introduce an all-new second-generation
Prius that is sure to be an award contender. When the 2004 Prius arrives
in dealerships this fall, it will mark the debut of the Toyota Hybrid
Synergy Drive system, a major breakthrough in global-friendly powertrain
technology. The new Prius will feature increased interior space, moving
from a compact to the midsize class. Its new Hybrid Synergy Drive system
will supply significantly more power and performance, best-in-class fuel
economy, and best-in-market emissions performance. |
