Toyota Avalon Hybrid Named 2013 "Best Green Car" At Atlanta International Auto Show

ATLANTA, March 19, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The all-new Toyota Avalon Hybrid was named the "Best Green Car" at the 2013 Atlanta International Auto Show by the Greater Atlanta Automotive Media Association (GAAMA).

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130319/CL79578 )

The group of automotive journalists has been awarding "best of show" vehicles for four years running, said Davis Adams, president of GAAMA. "The Avalon is an impressive option in the green car category, with size, luxury and fuel efficiency that make it a standout in a segment otherwise crowded with smaller economy cars," Adams said.

The Avalon's Hybrid Synergy Drive uses a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that employs the Atkinson cycle to postpone closure of the intake valves and delay the compression cycle, helping reduce intake and exhaust energy losses to improve fuel efficiency. Reduced weight, clean aerodynamics and an efficient Hybrid drivetrain combine to give this sedan a combined 40 mpg EPA-rating (40 city/39 hwy). Taking the Avalon's 17-gallon fuel tank into consideration, the Avalon Hybrid can offer a range of more than 600 miles per tank.

"The 2013 Avalon was built to be a world-class sedan, with new levels of excitement, dynamic capability and refinement," said Bryan Robinson, area sales manager for Southeast Toyota Distributors, who spoke to media at the show. "Toyota wanted to make a big statement with this car, and awards like this and the sales numbers tells us that we've made the right combination of superior styling, exciting design and comfort, all in a very 'green' vehicle."

Designed, developed and assembled in the U.S., the new Avalon Hybrid shares the same passionate styling, innovation, and an elevated level of craftsmanship as the gas-only Avalon. So far, the Avalon has been a hit with consumers. Toyota's flagship sedan saw its sales increase by 63 percent in February, with sales of 5,703 Avalons over the month.

About Toyota
Toyota (NYSE:TM) established operations in the United States in 1957 and currently operates 10 manufacturing plants.  There are nearly 1,500 Toyota, Lexus and Scion dealerships in the United States, which sold more than 2 million vehicles in 2012. Toyota directly employs over 31,000 in the United States and its investment here is currently valued at more than $19.5 billion, including sales and manufacturing operations, research and development, financial services and design. Toyota's annual purchasing of parts, materials, goods and services from U.S. suppliers totals over $26.1 billion.

For more information about Toyota, visit www.toyota.com, www.toyotanewsroom.com or www.toyotainaction.com.

SOURCE Toyota