Toyota Announces Fun & Innovative Prius Event

LOS ANGELES, March 23, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. today announced that the Toyota Prius, the iconic hybrid that has been setting records for over a decade, has inspired an unprecedented, live and interactive event which attempts to set as many Universal Record Database (URDB) world records as possible in and around the vehicle. The event will take place on March 30 and 31, 2011 at www.toyotapriusprojects.com for two 10-hour record-setting webcasts.

Following the Prius family of vehicles announcement at this year's Detroit Auto Show, Prius Records sets forth to reach new heights with Prius while inspiring others in the community to do the same. Four Prius hybrids—including the Prius Plug-in Hybrid and the larger, more versatile Prius v—will be paired with a dedicated team of record-setting experts who will attempt what has never been done before. The public is also invited to tweet and engage in their own record-breaking ideas. The ultimate Prius Records goal: to set 200 records in two 10-hour days.

"Toyota Prius Records gives us the opportunity to engage our incredibly loyal Prius owners and enthusiasts in a highly unique way," said Bob Zeinstra, national manager, advertising and strategic planning for Toyota. "The live streaming, record-breaking approach leverages interactive technology and provides a great catalyst for community participation."

For the event, Toyota is partnering with URDB World Records, an organization with the philosophy, "everyone can be the world's best something." The www.URDB.org site has a record-setting approach that is inclusive, inventive and, most of all, fun. The URDB hosts will officiate each of the records as they are attempted live for the online audience.

The Toyota Prius challenge team is currently developing world record ideas that fuse creativity and ability with hilarity to bring forth pure record-setting entertainment. Some possible records may include:

• Largest mural created during a 3-hour Prius Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle charge.
• Most pool noodles fit inside the cargo area of a Prius v.
• Farthest launch of a gumdrop using the windshield wiper of a Prius.

For a further taste, check out www.toyotapriusprojects.com/#/010.

The Prius community is challenged to tap into their unique passions and greatest talents to create, break and document world records with a Toyota Prius. Toyota Prius owners, enthusiasts and anyone with a record-breaking vision can participate in the live action by tweeting @Toyota using #PriusRecords, as well as posting their own challenge recommendations to www.toyotapriusprojects.com. Surprise guests will also be onsite at the Prius Records event to contribute their own record-setting ideas.

After the records have all been set, video footage of each will live on a dedicated Toyota channel on www.URDB.org. Toyota then invites the community at large to attempt to break these records by uploading videos of their own Prius record-setting attempts to the URDB World Records website for recognition and online bragging rights.

The Prius Records online interface on www.toyotapriusprojects.com will feature real-time record-setting stunts, a running count of records set and videos of the records for viewers to share. Tune in on March 30 and 31 to see the spectacle unfold.

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

Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc. is the marketing, sales, distribution and customer service arm of Toyota, Lexus and Scion.  Established in 1957, TMS markets products and services through a network of nearly 1,500 Toyota, Lexus and Scion dealers which sold more than 1.76 million vehicles in 2010.  Toyota directly employs nearly 30,000 people in the U.S. and its investment here is currently valued at more than $18 billion. For more information about Toyota, visit www.toyota.com or www.toyotanewsroom.com.

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