Toyota Announces Asia Roll Out of its First Global Corporate Initiative ‘Start Your Impossible’ in Singapore

• In Singapore, Toyota Motor Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd. and official distributor Borneo Motors (Singapore) partner celebrated local athletes, Toh Wei Soong and Joseph Schooling to champion social causes
• Toyota to support a total of 12 athletes from South East Asia, India and Pakistan in their journey to the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020
• The 'Start Your Impossible' initiative is inspired by Toyota's worldwide partnership with the International Olympic Committee and International Paralympic Committee

SINGAPORE - Media OutReach^[1] - 13^TH SEPTEMBER 2018 - Toyota Motor Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd. (TMAP), along with Borneo Motors (Singapore), today announced the Asia roll out of Toyota's first ever global corporate initiative, 'Start Your Impossible' (SYI), at a launch event held in Singapore.

(Left to Right) Hao Tien, EVP of Toyota Motor Asia Pacific; Tan Chuan-Jin, Speaker of Parliament & President of Singapore National Olympic Council; Susumu Matsuda, President of Toyota Motor Asia Pacific; Joseph Schooling, Olympic Games Rio 2016 Medallist; George Ashford, CEO of Inchcape Asia; Jasmmine Wong, Managing Director of Borneo Motors Singapore; Kevin Wong, Chairman of Singapore National Paralympic Council & President of Singapore Disability Sports Council; Samuel Yong, Marketing Director of Borneo Motors Singapore.

More than eighty years ago, Toyota decided to do what many thought was impossible at that time, to go from building weaving looms to building cars. The 'Start Your Impossible' initiative marks Toyota's commitment to transform into a mobility company, supporting the creation of a more inclusive, sustainable and mobile society in which everyone can challenge their impossible. SYIis also inspired by Toyota's Worldwide partnership with the International Olympic Committee and the International Paralympic Committee and the fighting spirit of Olympic and Paralympic athletes who are constantly challenging their "impossible".

At the SYI launch event, Toyota also announced its regionwide partnership with 12 Olympic and Paralympic aspirants across Asia including athletes from Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, India, Vietnam and Pakistan. In Singapore, Toyota is partnering celebrated athletes, Toh Wei Soong and Joseph Schooling in support of their journey to Tokyo 2020.

In spearheading the pursuit of "Mobility for All", Toyota believes that the freedom of being mobile is at the heart of being able to participate in society. "When we are free to move, anything is possible" has been the underlying philosophy behind Toyota's decision to be the first ever mobility partner of the Olympic and Paralympic Movement. 

Speaking at the occasion, Mr. Susumu Matsuda, President, Toyota Motor Asia Pacific said, "We are committed to making "Mobility for All" a reality as we seize the opportunity to transform ourselves from an automotive company into a mobility company, entering new and exciting territories. This would mean challenging our own "impossible" and expanding our capability into technologies that can help people move around town or across the room with a better experience.

For the roll-out of the 'Start Your Impossible' initiative in Asia, we are excited to begin our countdown to the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 along with our Team Toyota Hero athletes who are not only passionate about sports but also desire to be agents of change to create a better world", continued Mr. Matsuda.

'Start Your Impossible' in Singapore

In Singapore, Toyota, along with its official distributor Borneo Motors (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., has partnered with celebrated athletes, Toh Wei Soong and Joseph Schooling who will be supporting SYI by championing their hero projects of 'Equality of Opportunity' and 'Road Safety' respectively.

Wei Soong will be one of the motivational speakers that the Singapore Disability Sports Council (SDSC) will be working with in their ongoing school outreach programmes. The talks and programmes aim to inspire the young to pursue their sporting dreams, especially those with impairments. He also wants to empower those with impairments to find freedom of mobility in the water and will be part of SDSC's 'Learn-to-Play' swimming programme.

Toyota is also committed to support the 2018 Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon, proud title sponsor of the Ekiden relay -- a category which will see teams of 5 runners share the Marathon distance (42.195km). Toyota will also support the Wheelchair athletes in their quest of the first Marathon Wheelchair title. This engagement represents the company's commitment to create a more inclusive, sustainable and mobile society in which everybody -- no matter their physical conditions -- can tackle their own impossible and achieve their dreams. Beyond sports, Toyota will also play a pivotal role in fostering greater inclusiveness at the workplace for those with impairments to be given fair work opportunities and be a valuable member of society.

Joseph's social cause project will be focused on road safety awareness and education for drivers and children. Together with Borneo Motors (Singapore), Joseph will be encouraging safe and responsible driving by partnering with ComfortDelGro Driving Centre to help drivers hone their driving skills and improve the handling of road situations through its Drive Safe Courses. Joseph will also be raising awareness of road safety among children by partnering with the Singapore Road Safety Council and Traffic Police to inculcate better safety awareness among this target group. Borneo Motors (Singapore) will also be embarking on a company-wide initiative with Singapore Road Safety Council and its current partners to revitalize the Road Safety Community Park.

Borneo Motors (Singapore) has also entered into a new partnership with the Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC) and the Singapore National Paralympic Council (SNPC) to be their "Official Mobility Partner" supporting them in their local events including the 2019 Olympic Day and Singapore Sports Awards.

Present at the event, Ms. Jasmmine Wong, Managing Director, Borneo Motors (Singapore) said, "On the Olympics and Paralympics partnership front, we are delighted to support Singapore athletes, Wei Soong and Joseph as they advance towards the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games. Through their sheer determination to overcome challenges and realise their dreams, these hero athletes are the very embodiment of the SYI spirit. We hope that their dedicated examples will motivate others to challenge their own 'impossible' whether at work, in school or at play."

The Asia regional 'Start Your Impossible' launch event in Singapore was supported by the Singapore National Olympic Council and the Singapore National Paralympic Council.

For more information about the Asia roll out of SYI, refer to the attached media factsheet or log onto www.startyourimpossible.asia^[2]

Track SYI on social media using #StartYourImpossible

About Toyota Motor Asia Pacific

Toyota Motor Asia Pacific is incorporated in Singapore and is the regional headquarters of its sole shareholder, Toyota Motor Corporation, in respect of distribution in the Asia Pacific region and regional treasury activities. The principal activities of TMAP are marketing and sales of motor vehicles, components parts, service parts and accessories as well as mobility services and after sales customer service.

About Borneo Motors (Singapore)

Borneo Motors (Singapore), part of the Inchcape Group, is the authorised distributor of Toyota, Lexus & Hino, the world's leading automobile brands, and has been delivering on its promise of quality, durability and reliability in Singapore since 1967. With a strong belief that there is always a better way, Borneo Motors' team of employees constantly aim to exceed customer expectations and challenge conventional boundaries.

References

1. ^{^} Media OutReach (www.media-outreach.com)
2. ^{^} www.startyourimpossible.asia (www.startyourimpossible.asia)