TOYOTA ANNOUNCES RETURN OF DREAM CAR ART CONTEST

TORRANCE, Calif., Oct. 1, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Toyota Financial Services (TFS) announces its fifth year of hosting the worldwide Toyota Dream Car Art Contest in the United States, which is designed to inspire creativity in youth and encourage an interest in the automotive industry. Now through Monday, February 1, 2016, U.S. youth, ages 4-15, can submit hand-drawn artworks featuring unique concepts of their "Dream Car." Applicants are sorted into three age categories (4-7 years; 8-11 years; 12-15 years). Judging is based on three criteria: execution of concept; uniqueness; and artistry. For official rules and required entry forms, visit www.TFSintheCommunity.com/DreamCar.

"Every year, it's exciting to see how youth around the world envision the future of transportation," said Mike Groff, President & CEO of Toyota Financial Services. "I find it inspiring to see young people incorporate social responsibility into their designs, dreaming of cars that help clean the ocean, end homelessness, and provide mobility to those who are physically challenged."

In the spring of 2016, nine U.S. winners will be selected. Once accepted and awarded, their artwork will be submitted, along with entries from over 80 countries, for consideration in the World Contest. Thirty World Winners, plus their parents or guardians, receive a trip to Japan to participate in an awards ceremony in August 2016, during which four additional awards are announced per age category: Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Best Finalist. This past year, 11-year-old Michael Zhou of Ann Arbor, Michigan, whose artwork "Handicap-Friendly Cleaning Car" won the U.S. Gold Award, was selected as one of 30 World Winners to go to Japan. He ultimately placed as "Best Finalist" in his age category for the ninth World Contest.
 
As in years past, Toyota divisions and affiliates are encouraging young people across the country to participate. In addition, this year, multiple exhibitions featuring artwork by past U.S. Dream Car finalists are touring California, Arizona, and Texas. Confirmed venues are John Elway's Crown Toyota Scion in Ontario, California (Thu 8/20/15 through Mon 2/1/16); Downtown Artwalk's Edison Gallery at MALDEF presented by Katalyst Foundation for the Arts (Thu 9/10/15 through Sun 9/20/15); Phantom Galleries LA in Hawthorne, California (9/23/15 through Sat 10/24/15); Redondo Beach Public Library presented by Redondo Beach Art Group (Thu 10/1/15 through Sun 11/22/15); Plaza de la Raza's Margo Albert Theatre Lobby (Tue 10/22 through Sat 12/19/15); Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum in Arizona (Tue 10/27/15 through Mon 2/1/16); and ArtCentre of Plano in Texas (Fri 12/18/15 through Fri 1/29/16).
 
About Toyota Dream Car Art Contest: Last year, over 875,000 entries from more than 81 countries were submitted by youth, ages 4-15, around the world to their local presentations of the Toyota Dream Car Art Contest. Of these, over 700 artworks were submitted for World Contest judging in Japan. The first global contest started in 2004, and was held by Toyota Motor Corporation in Japan, with the dual goals of inspiring children to understand the importance of having a dream while, at the same time, encouraging them to become interested in cars by designing "Dream Cars" of their imagination. 2015 marks the tenth World Contest and the fifth year of the National Contest in the U.S. that is run for Toyota by TFS.
 
About Toyota Financial Services: TFS is the finance and insurance brand for Toyota in the United States, offering retail auto financing and leasing through Toyota Motor Credit Corporation (TMCC) and Toyota Lease Trust, and extended service contracts through Toyota Motor Insurance Services (TMIS). Lexus Financial Services is the brand for financial products for Lexus dealers and customers. TFS currently employs approximately 3,300 associates nationwide, and has assets totaling over $110 billion. It is part of a worldwide network of comprehensive financial services offered by Toyota Financial Services Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Toyota Motor Corporation. TFS announces material financial information using the investor relations section of its website (www.toyotafinancial.com) and SEC filings. These channels, press releases, and social media are used to communicate about the company, its services, and other issues. While not all information posted on social media is of a material nature, some information could be material. Therefore, those interested in the company are encouraged to review its posts on Twitter at www.twitter.com/toyotafinancial. For more information, visit www.toyotafinancial.com.