The automotive editors of Consumer Guide have recognized Toyota and Lexus with five prestigious “Best Buy” honors in their 2010 “Best Buy and Recommended Awards.”  The Toyota Prius mid-size hybrid, Avalon full-size sedan and Tacoma pickup took “Best Buy” honors in their respective segments, while the Lexus LS premium luxury sedan and RX premium mid-size SUV also captured top prizes.

No related posts.

Scotts Valley High School senior Julia Huggins couldn’t stop smiling on Friday morning.

Huggins was awarded a 2009 Toyota Scion xB in front of the entire school at the winter sports rally after winning the “Slow for the Cone Zone” sweepstakes sponsored by Caltrans.

Huggins took an online quiz after watching a safety video on the Caltrans Web site. Her name was drawn from about 6,000 entrants from across the state.

“I really didn’t take it too seriously,” said Huggins who shared a car with her mother before the sweepstakes win. “It was a very big surprise.”

Huggins was also awarded $1,000 and a year of roadside assistance from AAA.

Source

No related posts.

The “United By Individuality” campaign pays tribute to Scion owners and the broader Scion community. With the campaign’s creative approach ambitiously calling for hundreds of Scion owners to unite earlier this year with their xAs, xBs, tCs and xDs for a massive photo and film shoot in the Nevada desert, the results have debuted over the past several weeks in various integrated campaign elements, including a 60-second cinema/television spot called “Declaration,” as well as in print and online media.

The Scion United website ( http://www.scion.com/scionunited) went live with new content on Aug. 8, which was developed and produced by ATTIK. Using the campaign’s media and event imagery, the website further celebrates the owners and their roles in the campaign and the Scion community. The innovative interface presents visitors with a “pixelized” version of the campaign’s “Declaration” spot, with each pixel representing unique content available for review, downloading and sharing. The site allows owners to re-live their event experiences and download images of their personalized cars. Campaign print and broadcast elements are also integrated and available for download, along with other digital offerings like screensavers customized with owners’ cars. The ability to share content from the site presents visitors with unique opportunities to connect with each other.

“This is a real honor and I think both our internal team and our clients at Scion deserve a lot of credit,” said ATTIK co-founder and creative director Simon Needham. “Over the past two years, the ability to offer our own web development and production resources grew from an idea into a proven capability. We thank our clients for having the vision and bravery to allow us to produce this type of breakthrough work.”

In March of 2007, ATTIK earned its very first FWA Site of the Day award for its http://www.want2Bsquare.com site promoting the 2008 Scion xB. That distinction was followed by their http://www.littledeviant.com site for the 2008 Scion xD being named FWA Site of the Day on July 2, 2007. The latter site was also short-listed for this year’s annual Webby Awards, and at the 2008 Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival.

Based in England, FWA is the world’s most visited website award program, earning over a million visits per month (averaging 42,000 on weekdays) and over 40 million visits since its launch in May, 2000. The popular site attracts a new visitor every two seconds.

Along with Simon Needham, ATTIK’s project team for the “United By Individuality” campaign also included VP interactive media Justin Smyth, senior interactive account manager Robyn Glennon, and senior interactive art director Mike Daniel, among many others.

About ATTIK

ATTIK ( http://www.attik.com) is a global creative and brand-engineering agency committed to designing extraordinary creative experiences that inspire consumers through compelling communications. ATTIK’s strategic planning, design, advertising, production, client service and young-adult research expertise have driven success across an array of consumer product and service categories. ATTIK articulates corporate brand strategy, designs creative solutions for advertising, below-the-line and online media, ensuring target audiences are vitally connected to every facet of its clients’ brands. For inquiries, please call Ric Peralta (Ric@attik.com) at +1-415-284-2600.

About Scion

Scion is the newest line of vehicles from Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc. Developed with a new generation of youthful buyers in mind, Scion’s mission is to provide distinctive products, the opportunity to personalize, and an innovative, consumer-driven process at the retail level. The Scion brand features three ground-breaking models — the xD a subcompact five-door; the xB, an urban utility vehicle with an iconic shape; and the tC sports coupe. For more information, visit http://www.scion.com.

No related posts.

With automotive interiors taking a leading role in brand differentiation and in winning over the hearts and minds of consumers, the Interior of the Year awards continues to grow in popularity and prestige among the automakers. Many manufacturers showcase their awards in vehicle brochures and in national advertising.

This year’s roster of nominees includes the following categories and vehicles:

Economy-Priced Cars (Under $16,999)
Ford Focus
Chevy Aveo
Scion xD
Suzuki SX4 Sport

Popular-Priced Cars ($17,000 – $29,999)
Chevy Malibu
Mazda 5
Hyundai Sonata
Nissan Altima Coupe
Toyota Corolla
Saturn Astra
Honda Accord

Premium-Priced Cars (over $30,000)
Volvo C30
Cadillac CTS
Acura TSX
Mercedes C300
Audi A5
Jaguar XF

Sports Cars (over $30,000)
Subaru WRX STI
Mitsubishi Lancer Evo GSR
Audi TT Coupe
BMW 135i
Pontiac G8

Popular-Priced Trucks (under $34,999)
Nissan Murano
Saturn Vue
Ford Escape
Subaru Forester
Dodge Jouney
Scion xB
Toyota Highlander

Premium-Priced Trucks (over $35,000)
Infiniti EX35
Buick Enclave
VW Touareg
Subaru Tribeca
Lexus LX570
Chrysler Town & Country
Mazda CX-9

Changes this year include creation of a new category — Sports Cars over $30,000 — because of the growing number of these vehicles being offered by automakers. Likewise, the CUV category has been consolidated into the overall Trucks category along with pickups, SUVs and minivans, reflecting the decrease in the number of new models in these categories.

“In the years since we’ve been holding this competition, we’ve seen marked improvements in the overall design and quality of all automotive interiors, even in the economy segment. With great new features, materials and styling in all segments across the board, consumers now have a fairly level playing field in vehicle interiors, whether they select imports, new domestics or vehicles from U.S. automakers,” said Drew Winter, editor-in-chief of Ward’s AutoWorld magazine.

“It’s no longer acceptable to have a cheap looking interior, even in economy-priced vehicles. This is great for consumers, but it makes our job a lot more challenging.”

Over the next four weeks, members of the editorial staff of Ward’s will be living with each vehicle to evaluate its interior. A special voting procedure has been adopted by Ward’s editors to ensure the integrity, transparency and objectivity of the competition.

Ward’s editors evaluate vehicle interiors on eight specific categories. These include material selection; ergonomics; driver information; safety; overall value; comfort; fit and finish; and aesthetics and design harmony. Within each of these categories are 4-6 specific criteria the editors must rate. Winners are decided by overall points earned. To be eligible for the competition, the vehicle or its interior had to be new in 2008.

A special awards ceremony for the Ward’s Interior of the Year awards is set for June 4 at 1:15 p.m., on the show floor at Cobo Center and will be attended by news media and OEM and supplier design, sales and marketing executives. All of the nominated vehicles are expected to be on display at the show.

To register to attend the Auto Interiors Show, go to:
http://www.autointeriors.com
For media registration, send an email to:
mhedge@hedgeco.com or phone 248-789-8976.

About the Auto Interiors Show
Now in its 15th year, The Ward’s Auto Interiors Show is presented by Ward’s Automotive Group and is the industry’s only trade show and conference focused specifically on vehicle interiors. It spotlights the latest innovations in vehicle technology and design to help suppliers respond to increasing OEM demands and changing consumer preferences. It features exhibits of leading suppliers who showcase trendsetting products and materials with a view to the future of vehicle interiors. For complete information on the 15th annual Ward’s Auto Interiors Show, go to:
http://www.autointeriors.com

No related posts.

Delivering the perfect mix of fun, fuel efficiency and usefulness the Scion xB eclipsed the competition to capture MotorWeek’s coveted “Best of the Year” 2008 Drivers’ Choice Award. The honor was announced today at the Chicago Auto Show. Without abandoning its roots as a funky, compact urban utility vehicle, the xB offers more versatility, more power, unique customization options, a thrifty sticker price and frugality at the pump. MotorWeek’s Drivers’ Choice Awards have been presented since 1983, and are among the auto industry’s most prestigious honors.

“Our Scion owners asked for a bigger and better ‘box’ and we responded with the 2008 xB,” said Jack Hollis, Scion vice president. “We’re flattered MotorWeek finds the xB just as appealing as our Scion enthusiasts and has named the xB ‘Best of the Year.’ ”

“Scion has made an interesting first concept into a great second generation car,” said John Davis, MotorWeek host and executive producer. “With the xB, Scion has broadened its appeal to every intelligent consumer out there. It’s amazingly roomy, stylish, fuel efficient and entertaining to drive. A compact this versatile should be in everyone’s garage. The Scion xB is a smart choice, a great value and a fun one too. It appeals to the young, and the young at heart.”

Recognized as the best overall among winners in 14 categories, the xB is the first Scion to win a Drivers’ Choice Award. Scion, a marque of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. Inc., began its national rollout of vehicles in 2004. The entire winners’ list will be featured on a special MotorWeek episode airing on PBS beginning February 9 (check local listings) and on cable’s SPEED beginning February 11. The Drivers’ Choice Awards and MotorWeek are nationally sponsored by Cars.com, Valvoline and Goodyear.

Full Article

No related posts.