The Friedkin Companies Set up Hurricane Disaster Relief Fund to Aid Toyota Associates and Their Families

HOUSTON--Sept. 1, 2005--The Friedkin Companies and the owners of Gulf States Toyota have dedicated up to $2 million in disaster relief funds in the Friedkin Disaster Relief Fund to aid Toyota associates and their families in the Gulf States region who have been affected by the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.

Gulf States Toyota is an independent distributor based in Houston serving 145 dealers in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma and Texas since 1969. Seventeen Toyota dealerships located in Louisiana and Mississippi are most directly affected by the hurricane. Damage at dealerships ranges from flooding and wind damage to total loss, thus impacting the livelihood of many Toyota associates.

Dan Friedkin, president and chief executive officer of The Friedkin Companies, in establishing this relief fund said, "Our family hopes these gifts to the Toyota families affected by Katrina will help them through this difficult period in their lives and aid them in restoring their homes and community."

The Toyota family of companies in the U.S., Toyota Motor Sales, Toyota Motor North America, Toyota Motor Manufacturing North America and Toyota Financial Services, along with Toyota Motor Company of Japan and Southeast Toyota Distributors, will make a $3 million donation to the American Red Cross for the hurricane relief effort. Toyota Motor Sales and Toyota Financial Services will also match dollar-to-dollar all donations made by Toyota associates to the Friedkin Disaster Relief Fund and the American Red Cross.

The Friedkin Disaster Relief Fund is a fund of a charitable foundation. Individuals and companies who would like to help the Toyota associates and families whose lives and property have been disrupted by the hurricane can make a tax-deductible donation. Those who want to contribute to the fund can make checks payable to Friedkin Disaster Relief Fund, and mail to 4550 Post Oak Place, Suite 100, Houston, Texas 77027. The fund will help individuals deal with immediate needs, as well as long-term rebuilding of lives in the aftermath of the storm.