Celebrating A New Milestone in Environment Corporate Social Responsibility

 Shah Alam – May 21, 2010: Some 88 secondary students, teachers and principals from eight schools today gathered at the UMW Toyota Motor’s 10th year anniversary green programme, the Toyota Eco Youth (TEY). 

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UMW TOYOTA MOTOR GOES GREEN FOR THE 10TH YEAR

 The environment programme was established in 2001 in tandem with the company’s corporate philosophy of improving the quality of life and contributing to the society.
Furthermore, it is in line with the government’s call for organizations to embark on CSR initiatives through various channels. 
 
The programme, being held for the 10th year, is a testimony of UMW Toyota Motor (UMW Toyota) being very genuine in its effort and commitment to reach out to the younger generation to empower them with environmental issues, to encourage them to save the environment by identifying areas within their schools where the eco project can be conducted.

Besides that, it will also help to develop team spirit among the participants and is a viable platform to create winning environmental solutions.

Commenting on this year’s championship, Mr. Kuah Kock Heng, President, UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd said, “We are very trilled to host this year’s programme, which is known as the Toyota Eco Youth 2010 – Battle of the Eco Champions.”

“For the first time, we will bring together winning schools of the previous Toyota Eco Youth programmes to pit their knowledge on environment issues and creative skills to develop an effective and sustainable method to solve environmental issues identified at their respective schools,” said Mr. Kuah Kock Heng.

The TEY, which is jointly organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Education has been widely accepted and has received overwhelming response through the years. It will be conducted over a period of six months at the respective schools.

The programme kicked off with a briefing cum workshop session with the eight participating schools. Following that, the participants will be required to begin their assessment in schools and implement it over a period of three months. At the end of the third month, on-site judging will be held at every participating school. This will be followed with the Toyota Eco Youth Convention and Exhibition as well the prize giving ceremony, which will be held in October.   

As part of this programme, participants will post the project updates and progress reports on to the TEY website.  The website is a viable platform for participants to keep track of the project’s objectives and directions.
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The eight schools that will battle it out at this year’s Toyota Eco Youth 2010 – Battle of the Eco Champions are: Sek Men. Keb (SMK) Labuan, Labuan; SMK. Sanzac, Sabah; SMK Dato’ Panglima Abdullah, Sabah; SMK Abi, Perlis; SMK Iskandar Shah, Melaka; SMK Seri Muda, Pulau Pinang; SMK Seri Kenangan, Johor and SMK. Dato’ Onn, Pulau Pinang.

The winner of the Toyota Eco Youth 2010 – Battle of the Eco Champions will walk away with prizes valued at RM7,000.

The Toyota Eco Youth 2010 – Battle of the Eco Champions was officially launched by Puan Roslina binti Roslin, Principal Assistant Director, Co Curriculum; Sports, Arts & Co Curriculum Division, Ministry of Education and Mr. Kuah Kock Heng, President of UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd.

The programme, which was first conceptualized in 2001, with the participation of 16 secondary schools throughout the country was well received.  Since the inception of TEY programme, it has attracted the participation of 145 schools, with 1,160 students and 290 teachers. The team members were specially trained in the programme.

The Toyota Eco Youth programme is part of the three social pillars of Toyota’s CSR initiatives.  The other two programmes are the Road Safety campaign dedicated to primary students and a philanthropy effort, which is the highly anticipated Toyota Classics concert.

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About UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd
UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd, is a joint venture between UMW Corporation Sdn Bhd and Japan’s Toyota Motor Corporation and Toyota Tsusho Corporation. It is primarily engaged in the assembly, marketing and distribution of Toyota and marketing and distribution of Lexus brands.
Excluding national makes, UMW Toyota Motor leads in the combined sales of passenger cars, commercial vehicles and four-wheel drives in Malaysia.  Well-known models under its banner are Toyota Camry, Prius, Corolla Altis, Vios, Fortuner, Hilux, Rush, Avanza and Innova under the Toyota brand while models under the Lexus brand are the LS 460L, LS 460, GS 300, RX 350 and IS 250 respectively.

The Toyota Guiding Principles, based on the thoughts of its founder, steers the company’s actions towards upholding its role as a responsible corporate citizen.  Toyota’s philosophy of improving the quality of life and contributing to the society where they operate their business is exemplified through innovative products and services, building and maintaining sound relationships with customers; business partners and employees, the preservation of the environment and honouring the language, law and culture of the society they live in.

UMW Toyota Motor currently has 91 sales and after sales outlets including dealers, throughout the nation.