Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research Will be Powered by the World's Largest Auto Manufacturer

TOYOTA to sponsor sixth-generation Clemson vehicle prototype

GREENVILLE, S.C. (Feb. 10, 2014) — Toyota Technical Center (TTC), the North American Research and Development arm of Toyota Motor Corporation headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, is proud to sponsor the sixth generation innovative Deep Orange program, a vehicle prototype designed and conceived by automotive engineering students at the Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research (CU-ICAR) in partnership with the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California.

Deep Orange 6 is hands-on project-based learning initiative. CU-ICAR graduate automotive engineering students have the opportunity to create and manufacture a new vehicle prototype during their master’s degree study.

“The students’ task is to develop a utility/activity vehicle concept that not only expands Toyota’s model range, but also addresses important issues such as creating desirability and relevance among youth consumers,” said Paul Venhovens, BMW Endowed Chair in automotive systems integration at CU-ICAR, leads the Deep Orange program. “Throughout this process, Clemson students work directly with automotive OEMs, suppliers and entrepreneurs to develop and implement novel ideas”.

“Innovation is a high priority for Toyota and this project is an excellent opportunity to involve the engineers of tomorrow in some of the key challenges of today,” said Jeff Makarewicz, VP of the TTC Corporate Strategy Office. “We are honored to partner with Clemson and look forward to seeing their fresh and innovative ideas”.

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About Clemson

Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research
The Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research is an advanced-technology research campus where academia, industry and government organizations collaborate to create a global venue for the automotive industry. The 250-acre campus in Greenville, S.C., is composed of five technology neighborhoods, each designed uniquely for optimizing an innovative and collaborative environment. CU-ICAR is home to Clemson's department of automotive engineering, which offers master's and Ph.D. programs and is conducting leading-edge applied research driven by industry needs.

About Toyota

Toyota (NYSE:TM), the world's top automaker and creator of the Prius, is committed to building vehicles for the way people live through our Toyota, Lexus and Scion brands. Over the past 50 years, we’ve built more than 25 million cars and trucks in North America, where we operate 14 manufacturing plants and directly employ nearly 40,000 people. Our 1,800 North American dealerships sold more than 2.5 million cars and trucks in 2013 – and about 80 percent of all Toyota vehicles sold over the past 20 years are still on the road today.

Toyota partners with philanthropic organizations across the country, with a focus on education, safety and the environment. As part of this commitment, we share the company’s extensive know-how garnered from building great cars and trucks to help community organizations and other nonprofits expand their ability to do good. For more information about Toyota, visitwww.toyotanewsroom.com.

Suzanne Dickerson, 864-901-4796 or [email protected]
Peter Hull Media Contact, 843-730-5073 or [email protected]
Toyota: Cynthia Mahalak, 734-788-3214 or [email protected]