Toyota to Use NBA and WNBA For Advertising

NEW YORK--March 14, 2005--Toyota, the National Basketball Association and the Women's National Basketball Association have reached a new multi-year marketing partnership focusing on enhancing brand affinity among the leagues' desirable fan base. The partnership will feature innovative ways of showcasing Toyota vehicles, enabling consumers to "experience" product lines through branded entertainment in NBA media, emerging technologies, and events.

A highlight of the partnership will be the creation of a new television series centered around The Finals that is expected to air on NBA TV this spring. For the 2005-06 NBA season, Toyota will receive product integration in NBA Entertainment produced programming scheduled to air on one of the NBA's television partners and in a series of shows scheduled to air on NBA TV. Toyota, the world's second-largest automaker, will also maintain a branded feature on NBA.com and be incorporated into the NBA's new digital platforms.

Toyota will interact with consumers and showcase new vehicles at several marquee NBA events including NBA All-Star, the NBA Playoffs, The Finals, and the NBA Draft. The 2006 NBA All-Star Game will take place at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Toyota will also go on the road as the Official Vehicle of NBA Rhythm 'n Rims, the league's interactive basketball and music tour that delivers basketball activities and live musical performances to over one million fans around the U.S. The WNBA will team with Toyota to support the WNBA Read to Achieve program, which features WNBA players promoting the importance of reading to young fans and the creation of reading and learning centers in WNBA cities.

"The NBA connects with a spirited, dynamic fan base," said Jim Press, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Toyota Motor Sales USA. "We are creating initiatives with the NBA that are designed to speak to these fans on their terms."

"To work with an organization like Toyota, which combines marketing prowess and branding excellence with cars and trucks renowned for quality, dependability, and technological innovation, is an extraordinary opportunity for the NBA," said NBA Commissioner David Stern. "Our fans are young, active and passionate. They appreciate excellent performance and love to see people who are passionate about what they do. We are confident that Toyota will create a compelling emotional connection with our fans."

Toyota and its local dealers currently have partnerships with 14 NBA teams and three WNBA teams. Toyota is also the presenting sponsor of ESPN's NBA Halftime Show on Wednesday and Friday Night.

Toyota will execute national NBA-themed promotions, air media during nationally-televised NBA games and conduct local events in markets where Toyota has existing NBA team relationships. For the WNBA, Toyota will have a significant presence in WNBA games on ABC, ESPN2, and NBA TV as well as on WNBA.com.

About Toyota

Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc. is the marketing, sales, distribution and customer service arm of Toyota, Lexus and Scion in the United States, marketing products and services through a network of 1422 Toyota, Lexus and Scion dealers in 49 states. Established in 1957, TMS and its subsidiaries also are involved in distribution logistics, motorsports and general aviation. The company's main Web site is http://www.toyota.com.

About the NBA

With 30 teams in the United States and Canada, NBA games and related programming are broadcast to 214 countries in 43 languages. The NBA is a recognized leader in sports marketing currently maintaining its longest-ever list of fully integrated domestic and global marketing partnerships with the most recognizable brands in the world. NBA players are the most recognizable and successful product endorsers in sports with dozens of players appearing in national and international promotions each season. For more information on the NBA, visit NBA.com.

About the WNBA

In 2004, for the sixth consecutive season, more than 2 million fans attended WNBA games and three consecutive WNBA Finals sellout crowds - a league record - witnessed the Seattle Storm defeat the Connecticut Sun to capture its first WNBA Championship. The WNBA will tip off its ninth season Saturday, May 2, 20051, 2005 with a full slate of exciting match-ups, including ABC's broadcast of the defending WNBA champion Seattle Storm against reigning MVP Lisa Leslie and the Los Angeles Sparks at Key Arena beginning at 4 p.m. EDT. Opening day will also pit the 2004 WNBA runner-up Connecticut Sun vs. the Detroit Shock at the Palace of Auburn Hills, the Houston Comets vs. the San Antonio Silver Stars at the SBC Center, the Phoenix Mercury against the Sacramento Monarchs at America West Arena and the Charlotte Sting hosting the Washington Mystics at the Charlotte Coliseum.