Earth Day Network, Toyota Kick Off Earth Day; Celebrity-Supported Toyota Prius Available for Auction on eBay

    WASHINGTON, D.C.--April 17, 2002--Earth Day Network announced today that Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., has donated a celebrity-supported Toyota Prius to be auctioned on eBay Motors. Proceeds from the auction will be given to Earth Day Network to support its global campaigns.
    "Toyota's generous donation underscores its growing commitment to creating affordable alternatives to gasoline-fueled vehicles and supporting reduction of greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming," said Kathleen Rogers, president of Earth Day Network. "The auction will provide a valuable source of funds to support our global grassroots organization," she added.
    "It's with great conviction that we team with Earth Day Network in support of environmental stewardship," said Steve Sturm, vice president of marketing, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. "Earth Day Network's passion strengthens Toyota's resolve to develop alternate fuel vehicles."
    Named the Official Car of Earth Day Network, the Toyota Prius is the world's first mass-produced gasoline/electric hybrid sedan. With its powerful gasoline-fueled internal combustion engine and a clean electric motor, the Toyota Prius is certified as a Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV), making the Prius nearly 75-percent cleaner than the standard for Ultra Low Emission Vehicles (ULEV).
    Visitors to eBay can bid on the exclusive celebrity-supported Toyota Prius, April 17-27 by visiting www.ebaymotors.com. Autographed by Leonardo DiCaprio, Kevin Bacon, Kyra Sedgwick, Susan Sarandon, Tim Robbins, Peter Max and Kim Williams, the Prius features a special celebrity-supported plaque displayed in the car.
    Donations to the Earth Day Network will be accepted through www.earthday.org. Detailed information regarding the technology behind the Toyota Prius is available at www.toyota.com.
    Additionally, Earth Day Network and Toyota will partner for an Earth Day celebration at New York City's Grand Central Terminal where a Toyota Prius will be on display.

    About Earth Day Network

    Earth Day Network, comprising more than 5,000 organizations in 184 countries, and more than 90,000 educators in the United States, serves as the hub for worldwide Earth Day organizing. Earth Day Network promotes a peaceful, just, sustainable world through education, community empowerment, capacity-building, campaigns, events, and publications. Earth Day Network's theme for Earth Day 2002 is Protect Our Home.

    About Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

    Toyota Motor Sales (TMS) is the sales, marketing, distribution and customer service arm of Toyota in the U.S. and is a subsidiary of Toyota Motor Corporation. Through a network of nearly 1,400 Toyota and Lexus dealers, it has achieved sales of more than 1 million vehicles annually over the past 11 years. TMS' goal is to become the "most successful and respected car company in America." Toyota Motor Corporation and its manufacturing subsidiaries produced more than 5.8 million vehicles worldwide in calendar year 2000. Toyota vehicles are manufactured in 25 countries and are renowned for their quality, reliability and value. Toyota is the world's third-largest vehicle manufacturer and the fourth-largest automaker in North America.

    About eBay Motors

    eBay Motors (www.ebaymotors.com), a part of eBay Inc., The World's Online Marketplace, is the Internet's largest marketplace for buying and selling all things automotive. The site offers everyday cars for everyday drivers, as well as collector cars, motorcycles, auto parts and auto memorabilia. Consistently ranked the No. 1 automotive site on the Web by Jupiter Media Metrix, eBay Motors expects more than two billion dollars worth of cars and parts to be sold on its site this year.