"In Search of the Canadian Car": Toyota Canada sponsors exhibition on past,
present and future of the Canadian automobile at the Canada Science and
Technology Museum

Five-year exhibit will explore how Toyota has helped to define the Canadian automobile - from design, manufacturing and marketing while reflecting the unique Canadian market

OTTAWA, May 25 /CNW/ - What makes a car "Canadian"? Visitors to the Canada Science and Technology Museum in Ottawa will have the opportunity to consider that question as part of a five-year exhibit launching in June 2010, presented by Toyota Canada Inc. (TCI)

Car enthusiasts will experience the rich history of the Canadian automotive industry through the new "In Search of the Canadian Car" exhibition. Visitors will better understand Canada's auto industry achievements, including celebrating the men and women who work tirelessly to build and distribute the vehicles that Canadians love to drive.

Toyota has a long and proud history in Canada dating back more than 40 years. In addition to selling vehicles that meet the unique needs of Canadians, Toyota has been building many of its most popular vehicles in Canada since 1988. The Toyota Corolla, Toyota Matrix, Toyota RAV4 and Lexus RX 350 - built by Canadians - account for 50 per cent of Toyota Canada's sales, affirming a commitment to build vehicles where they are sold.

"The past, present and future of Canadian vehicles reflects a collective cultural history which will be showcased through this exciting new exhibit - a great addition to the Canada Science and Technology Museum," noted Yoichi Tomihara, President of Toyota Canada Inc. "Toyota, as a proud and long-standing member of Canadian communities from coast to coast - through our manufacturing, sales, dealership and parts operations - is pleased to be the automotive partner for this exhibition."

The Canadian automobile's past, present and future will be captured in the exhibit. The very first Canadian-built Toyota Corolla that was sold in Canada will be on display - a red 1989 model. Visitors to the exhibition can also see a first generation 1998 Prius hybrid. The first-generation Prius entered the market in 1997 as the world's first mass-produced hybrid. The name Prius, "to go before" in Latin, became symbolic of a car that was launched even before environmental awareness had become a mainstream social issue. From the beginning, Toyota's full-hybrid system was developed in-house and has become a driving force behind advanced vehicle technology, including more than 2.4 million hybrids sold globally, over 48,000 of which were sold in Canada.

Toyota has also supplied vintage advertising materials and a 2010 Toyota Prius hybrid in the "Future Zone" - a part of the exhibition which will tell the future of the Canadian automobile and sustainable mobility.

"I am thrilled to have Toyota Canada as the presenting sponsor of our 'In Search of the Canadian Car' exhibit," said Denise Amyot, President and CEO of the Canada Science and Technology Museums Corporation. "Through such partnerships, the Museum is assisted in showcasing more of its world-renowned automobile collection that records rich cultural connections between science, technology and society."

About Toyota Canada Inc.

Toyota Canada Inc. (TCI) is the exclusive Canadian distributor of Toyota, Lexus and Scion cars, SUVs and trucks, and Toyota Industrial Equipment. Both the TCI and Toyota Financial Services head offices are in Toronto, with TCI's regional offices also located in Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal and Halifax and parts distribution centres in Toronto and Vancouver. Toyota employs over 18,000 team members at its Canadian corporate operations, including two assembly plants in Southwestern Ontario, an aluminum wheel manufacturing plant in Delta, B.C., and over 270 Toyota, Lexus and Industrial Equipment Dealerships.

About the Canada Science and Technology Museum

Sharing Canada's rich collections of objects related to transportation, natural resources, communications, space, energy, manufacturing and industry, the Canada Science and Technology Museum helps Canadians explore the rich connections between science, technology, and culture. For more information, please visit sciencetech.technomuses.ca or call us at 613-991-3044.

For more details on Toyota Canada Inc., including a full list of media contacts, digital images and product details please visit media.toyota.ca.

For further information: For media inquiries please contact: Nicole Grant, Toyota Canada, [phone] ext.2725, [email protected]; Kelly Ray, Canada Science and Technology Museum, [phone], [email protected]