Toyota Announces Return of Dream Car Art Contest

Youth Invited to Draw 'Dream Car' to Win iPad and Possible Trip to Japan

TORRANCE, CA --Sept. 22, 2014: Toyota Financial Services (TFS) announces the U.S. launch of this year’s Toyota Dream Car Art Contest, which is designed to inspire creativity in youth and encourage an interest in the automotive industry. Across the nation, youth, ages 4-15, are invited to create and submit a drawing of their idea of a “Dream Car” during September 22 through December 13, 2014. Full contest details, along with official entry forms, are available online at TFSintheCommunity.

“Every year, it’s exciting to see how the Toyota Dream Car Art Contest inspires youth from around the world to design their vision for the future of transportation, and it’s inspiring to see so many also consider how technology can help address larger societal issues facing their generation,” said Mike Groff, President & CEO of Toyota Financial Services.

In the spring of 2015, nine U.S. winners will be selected. Once accepted and awarded, their artwork will be submitted, along with entries from approximately 80 countries, for consideration in the World Contest. Thirty World Winners plus their parents or guardians will receive a trip to Japan to participate in an awards ceremony in August 2015 during which four additional awards will be announced per age category: Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Best Finalist. This past year, two youth from the TFS-run contest were selected among the 90 World Finalists (Sarah Kong for her “Helping Car” and Lauren Park for her “Toyota Camera Car”).

Park was among 30 youth worldwide chosen as World Winners to go to Japan. In addition, two U.S. winners of a separate contest in Hawaii were selected to go to Japan: Teah Arlene Laupapa and Emma Hiilani Thain.

As in years past, Toyota divisions and affiliates are encouraging young people across the country to participate. At many locations, associates and dealerships are promoting the contest and hosting art workshops for youth. “Art is an integral part of our associate engagement,” said Groff. “Often, when volunteering or mentoring, our associates establish a rapport with kids using art as a means to connect.”

History: Last year, over 660,000 youth, ages 4-15 from around 80 countries submitted artwork to the Toyota Dream Car Art Contest worldwide. Of these, 630 entries were submitted to Japan for consideration in the World Contest.

The first international contest was held in 2004 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. This is the fourth year that the U.S. has held its National Contest.