Toyota 'iQ' in Good Design Award 2008 Best 15

JCN Newswires, Oct 8, 2008

Aichi, Oct 8, 2008 - (JCN Newswire) - TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION (TMC) announces that its new "iQ" ultra compact-a vehicle that dispels conventional notions about small cars-has made the Good Design Award 2008 Best 15* list and is in the running for this year's Good Design Grand Award*, to be announced on November 6.

Additionally, the Lexus "IS F" and the Toyota Partner Robot "MOBIRO" mobility robot and "Winglet" personal transport assistance robot have each won a Good Design Award, while the "Crown Comfort" has received a Good Design Long Life Design Award.

Good Design Award Best 15

Each year, the most-outstanding designs among the entries for the Good Design Award (see below) are named to a top-15 list. From among those, seven become candidates for the Good Design Grand Award. This year's seven include the iQ, which is scheduled to be launched in Japan this month.

Good Design Award

This award recognizes products or corporate activities that feature outstanding designs, as judged by a panel of experts. This year's winners include TMC's Lexus IS F, launched in October 2007; Toyota Partner Robot MOBIRO, unveiled in December 2007; and Toyota Partner Robot Winglet, unveiled in August 2008.

Good Design Long Life Design Award

This award recognizes exceptionally notable products that have been produced and sold for 10 or more consecutive years, while meeting other conditions such as retaining their original concept. Among this year's winners is the Crown Comfort, launched in December 1995.

*Administered by the Japan Industrial Design Promotion Organization

About Toyota

Established in 1937, Toyota Motor Corporation (TSE: 7203; NYSE: TM), which celebrates its 70th anniversary this year, has developed into one of the world's best known automobile manufacturers. The Toyota Group sold over 8.5 million vehicles under the Toyota, Lexus, Daihatsu, and Hino brands in more than 170 countries and regions in fiscal 2007. Further, the Company's production is firmly rooted in local communities, with 52 companies manufacturing vehicles and parts in 26 countries and regions. Toyota had approximately 300,000 employees on a consolidated basis at the end of fiscal 2007. The company is headquartered in Aichi, Japan. For more information, please visit www.toyota.co.jp/en/index.html .

Source: Toyota

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