TUPELO - The Tupelo Automobile Museum announces the addition of two popular vehicles, the Toyota Camry Hybrid and the Toyota Prius, to its collection.
The Camry, donated by Toyota Motor Manufacturing, and Prius, loaned by Gulf States Toyota, the independent distributor of Toyota vehicles in a five-state region including Mississippi, will be on display beginning today.
Aother Toyota will be on display soon. The Tupelo-based Community Development Foundation has recently purchased a 1958 Toyopet Crown Deluxe, the first Toyota model ever imported to America. The Toyopet currently is being restored by the museum with financial support from several local businesses. This classic vehicle is one of only five known Toyopets in existence.
"We're very excited to showcase two of the most technologically advanced automobiles in the world at the museum," said Allen McDaniel, Tupelo Automobile Museum curator. "We are proud to have Toyota represented in the Tupelo Automobile Museum."
"I think a trip to any museum should be both entertaining and educational, and this display will be an example of that. It's interesting to note that 50 years ago no one realized their new 1950s model cars would someday be classics. Who knows what the classics of the future will be? One of them just might be a 50th Anniversary Edition Toyota Camry Hybrid or a Prius Hybrid built right here near Tupelo, Mississippi."
Toyota is building its newest North American vehicle plant in neighboring Union County. When the plant opens in late 2010, it will have capacity to build 120,000 Prius annually and will employ some 2,000 people.
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