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Johannesburg, Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM): Excitement and cheer filled the room as the winners of the 17th Toyota Dream Car Art contest were announced at a ceremony recently.
The art contest - which continues to be one of the largest international art competitions that gives children not only the opportunity to share their ideas about the future of mobility, but also encourages them to pursue their dreams - welcomed entries from all children who are under the age of 15 years from 20 November 2023 until the closing date of 16 February 2024.
“The Toyota Dream Car Art contest has been around for a considerable number of years and its evolution is evident. Looking at the winners across all the category age groups is testament that innovation within the automotive industry is showing a new curve and the future is looking ever so bright,” says Glenn Crompton, Vice President of Marketing for TSAM.
Seven-year-old Theraya Lakhan took first place in the under 8 category for her Toyota Catter-Fly Rescue Car – “which will be used to help places that have had their crops destroyed by floods. It has a greenhouse to help people replant crops and a water purifier for clean water.”
In the 8-11-year-old category, ten-year-old Phoenix Berardone took home the first prize for the Toyota Monarch, an invention she fondly describes as “marrying eco-innovation with futuristic design, featuring butterfly wings that filter and purify air as it moves. It’s an economical vehicle that contributes to a greener environment by reducing pollutants, embodying the grace and environmental focus of the Monarch butterfly. It’s wings, beyond a visual statement, actively cleanse the urban landscapes, making it a vehicle that doesn’t just navigate the future but paves the way for a cleaner world.”
The dashing Time Turner, “a car that takes you on a journey through time and space, enabling you to visit a moment in the past or find out what happens in the future,” by twelve-year-old Emily van Dyk won first prize in the 13-15-year-old category.
“I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the parents, teachers and our dealer network who tirelessly support this contest by motivating young learners to enter their creative pieces. We all have a shared vision that the future of mobility within the automotive sector lies in the hands of this generation of gamechangers,” adds Crompton.
With over 15 800 entries, the contest also recognised four runners-up in each category and ensured they did not walk away empty-handed.
The prizes across all three categories:
5th place winners received a gift voucher to the value of R2 000.
4th Place winners received a Samsung Tablet to the value of R3 000.
3rd place winners received an HP Laptop to the value of R 5 000.
2nd place winners received an Xbox One to the value of R 7000.
1st place winners received a PS5 Gaming console worth R15 000 as well as a WRC Game.
Additionally, the Dream Art Car contest awards cash prizes to the schools that collect the most amount of entries. Out of over 230 schools that participated across Southern Africa, the top three performers were Cresslawn Primary School (1st prize – R15 000 for the consecutive year), Addington Primary School (2nd prize – R10 000) and Tyburn Primary School (3rd prize – R5 000 for the second consecutive year).
Final placings for the Toyota Dream Car Art Contest can be found below:
