February 13, 2004

CAA Presents Toyota, Ford, and DaimlerChrysler with 2004 Pyramid Awards

Toronto - The Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) announced the winners of its prestigious Pyramid Awards during a special presentation held at the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto Thursday.

And the winners are ... from left to right: Alain Batty, President and CEO, Ford of Canada, accepts the 2004 CAA Pyramid Award for Safety Innovations; Stephen Beatty, Managing Director, Toyota Canada Inc. holds the 2004 CAA Pyramid Award for Environmental Initiatives; David Flewelling, President, Canadian Automobile Association (CAA); and John Mann, Director of Engineering and Regulatory Affairs, DaimlerChrysler Canada, accepts the 2004 CAA Pyramid Award of Recognition. Click image to enlarge

Toyota Canada was presented with the Pyramid Award for Environmental Initiatives and Ford of Canada was granted the Pyramid Award for Safety Innovations. DaimlerChrysler Canada was presented with a special Pyramid Award in recognition of their Fit For A Kid program.

"The CAA has long been a credible national voice on traffic safety and environmental issues," said David Flewelling, President of CAA. "The Pyramid Awards allow us to celebrate those automobile manufacturers that not only share our vision but have made significant inroads on either traffic safety or environmental initiatives. We appreciate our winners' commitment to the safety of motorists and their efforts to help protect our environment, and encourage other manufacturers to follow their lead."

CAA solicited entries from all vehicle manufacturers in Canada to find the most significant safety innovations and environmental initiatives. The submissions were then reviewed by an expert panel and the winners were chosen. While an impressive selection of entries was received, the submissions from Toyota and Ford stood out from the rest and the judging panel decided that the submission from DaimlerChrysler also deserved recognition.

Toyota Canada was given the Pyramid Award for Environmental Initiatives in recognition of the new 2004 Toyota Prius. Toyota's effort in taking the hybrid concept to the next level was deemed to be the most significant initiative seen during 2003. The new Prius is both more powerful and more environmentally friendly, while providing more utility and a virtually seamless hybrid powertrain. Toyota has also shown continued dedication to giving back to the Canadian environment through a number of sponsorship programs.

Ford of Canada was chosen for the Pyramid Award for Safety Innovations for their Canadian Driving Package available on the new Ford Freestar minivan. This package gives Canadian consumers the chance to add numerous cutting-edge safety features including stability control, reverse sensing, Brake Assist, and traction control to a family vehicle at a very reasonable price. The innovation in this case was viewed as Fordıs commitment to putting advanced safety technology within the reach of Canadian families without a large price increase.

DaimlerChrysler Canada was selected to receive a Pyramid Award of Recognition for their part in the Fit For A Kid program. This program provides the facilities (participating Five Star Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep dealerships across Canada) and trained personnel to instruct parents on proper usage of child safety seats and to provide inspections to all vehicles, not just Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep vehicles, to help ensure children are kept safe. The program goes so far as to provide a loaner seat in case a damaged or recalled seat is found. While the Pyramid Award for Safety Innovations is designed to recognize vehicle-specific features and technology, this program deserves recognition and CAA is pleased to do it with this special award.

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