Toyota Camry Hybrid to Pace LENOX Industrial Tools 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway

LOUDON, June 26, 2009: The 2010 Toyota Camry Hybrid will serve as the official pace car for the LENOX Industrial Tools 301 on June 28 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

Earlier this season the gas-electric Camry Hybrid became the first hybrid vehicle to serve as a pace car for an entire NASCAR race, leading the way at both Lowe's Motor Speedway in Charlotte, N.C., and last weekend at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif.

"Toyota is the leading seller of hybrids in the U.S., with more than a million on the road, so it's appropriate the Camry Hybrid will pace the race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway," said Ed Laukes, corporate manager of motorsports operations, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. (TMS).

"Toyota is committed to turning hybrid technology into mainstream technology -- and what better way to showcase it, and reach a mainstream audience, than by pacing NASCAR races."

Toyota has sold more than one million hybrids so far in the U.S. The world leader in hybrid production, Toyota introduced the Prius, the world's first mass-produced gas-electric car, in 1997.

Aside from pacing races, Toyota plans to introduce plug-in hybrids for testing later this year. More than 10 new hybrid models are slated for introduction, including the Lexus HS 250h luxury hybrid.

Assembled at the Toyota Motor Manufacturing plant in Georgetown, Ky. (TMMK), the 2010 Camry Hybrid saves an estimated 220 gallons of gasoline a year compared to the average midsize car. It has an estimated city fuel economy of 33 miles per gallon. Outside of additional pace car safety equipment, the Camry Hybrid is the same as those available at Toyota dealerships.

Fans can see the 2010 Toyota Camry Hybrid pace the LENOX Industrial Tools 301 this Sunday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.