Toyota Launches Parts & Service Campaign For National Car Care Month

TORRANCE, Calif., Sept. 30 -- Better car maintenance is credited with improving highway safety, air quality and fuel conservation. That's why motorists across the nation are being encouraged to observe National Car Care Month by having their vehicles serviced in October. Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A. is taking the campaign one step further by offering customers a chance to win a "Get the Feeling of Winning a Dream Vacation!" prize by visiting their local participating Toyota dealers.

Twelve vacation packages will be awarded in Toyota's National Car Care Month Sweepstakes. The packages include airfare and five-night's hotel accommodations for two at any of more than 400 participating five-star hotels in the continental United States and Hawaii. Another 1,000 Toyota owners will win free oil changes for three years. Some Toyota dealers will be offering additional car care specials throughout October.

"The month-long promotion is intended to focus attention on the need for proper vehicle maintenance with an eye toward ensuring safety and top performance," explains Bob Waltz, TMS vice president, dealer operations-Toyota Customer Services. "In addition to the benefits of regular maintenance, October is a great time for people to prepare their vehicles for winter."

Toyota's National Car Care Month Sweepstakes will be widely advertised during October in 60-second national radio spots, 10-second traffic sponsorships and full-page ads in Friday editions of USA Today.

National Car Care Month began in 1980 as a statewide program by the Ohio Department of Energy. The following year, the Car Care Council ( www.carcarecouncil.org ), an organization providing automotive maintenance information, was asked to coordinate a nationwide campaign and continues to promote the program annually. According to the Car Care Council, car neglect costs consumers $2 billion annually. Of all motor vehicle accidents, 5.2 percent are caused by car neglect.

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

Established in 1957, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. is the sales, marketing, distribution and customer services arm of Toyota in the United States. Based in Torrance, Calif., TMS employs approximately 6,700 employees nationwide. Last year, it sold more than 1.7 million vehicles through approximately 1,400 Toyota and Lexus dealers in the 49 continental states. ( www.toyota.com )