Toyota Celebrates Children’s Visions of the Cars of the Future
Awards in 10th Dream Car Art Contest include a “best finalist” prize for the UK’s Denisa Rissa
Vibrant colours, detailed designs and unrestrained imagination were richly represented in the winning entries in Toyota’s 10th Dream Car Art Contest. More than 850,000 submissions were received from youngsters around the world, providing a fantastic insight into the visions children have for the cars of the future.
The finalists were Toyota’s guests this week in Japan for the awards announcements and presentations. They included 11-year-old Denisa Rissa, from Luton, whose designs for a Camouflage Car were rewarded with a “Best Finalist” prize.
Children’s concerns about the environment were reflected in the gold award winners in the eight to 11 and 12 to 15 years categories: Jaruptichaya Malakul, 11, from Thailand offered a car designed to protect endangered coral reefs from pollution; and 15-year-old Gabriele Castro de Souza, from Brazil, produced a high-concept Wisdom Tree Metamorphosing the Reality, a car that will “bring nature closer to people and bring harmony and peace”. For the seven years and under section, Phakwaran Kaewkhao invented the Dinosaur Car: Guardian of the Earth, with vehicles equipped with brontosaurus-like necks that could be used to rescue people from tall buildings.
Toyota President Akio Toyoda presented his personal award to six-year-old Elinkanika Phat from Cambodia for her Friendship Car – a vehicle powered by honesty. The Engineering Inspiration Award for the entry which most inspired Toyota’s vehicle production staff went to 11-year-old Nattapol Komalarajun, from Thailand. His drawing of a Rescuer Car was reproduced as a 3D model by Toyota’s Prototype Production Division, complete with moving arms and feet.
New for this year, the Make Me Smile Award went to Cagin Akay Yazici, 9, from Turkey, for The Song of Peace, decided by a public vote by visitors to Toyota’s official website.
ENDS
Note to editors
For more information about the Toyota Dream Car Art Contest, please visit http://www.toyota-global.com/events/dream_car_art_contest/
