Better keep those Mercedes Benz E-Class radiators cooled down because something hot will soon arrive in your town! Watch out for Toyota as they tour around the US with a program entitled, 'Highway to the Future: Mobile Hybrid Experience'!

Toyota's Mobile Experience allows everyone to experience the feel inside the Hybrid Synergy Drive! Toyota’s next stop will be at the Wisconsin State Fair in West Allis, Wisconsin. Yeah, I’m calling out all car enthusiasts especially Toyota fans in Wisconsin to participate in this activity because this is one hell of an experience - and you can’t afford to miss it! This will happen on August 2-12, 2007.

The tour aims to offer consumers the opportunity to have a firsthand experience and learn about automotive hybrid technology and learn through a variety of interactive educational exhibits! The tour started last January 11, 2007 at the San Jose International Auto Show and it will run continuously for 18 months.

Toyota’s hybrid experience will not only provide fascinating educational activities - Toyota’s “Highway to the Future: Mobile Hybrid Experience” was designed and planned to work out on its own environmental impact. Part of the program will be the planting of more than 50,000 trees in union with the National Arbor Day Foundation. The trees will be the equalizer to the "carbon footprint" left by the trucks transporting the tour across the country. These trees will surely benefit and maintain a harmonious balance in the environment in the future!

"Most people have heard of hybrid technology and probably have a vague idea of how it works, but few have actually driven a hybrid and or taken an up-close look at its operation. This tour allows consumers to learn more about the technology behind this system and the benefits of hybrid vehicles," said Celeste Migliore, Toyota's National Manager for Advanced Technology Vehicles.

These are the four distinct interactive learning areas within the exhibit provided by Toyota’s 'Highway to the Future: Mobile Hybrid Experience':

• "Alternative Fuels: Fueling the Future," recognizes the dissimilarities in different types of alternative fuels and how they are produced.
• Environment and Resources: Small Steps, Big Difference," shows visitors what they can do to make a difference to the environment.
• The Prius Driving Experience" Simulates the current Hybrid Synergy Drive technology allowing visitors to interact with system while on-screen instructions offer driving tips.
• "Hybrid Technology: Not All Hybrids are Created Equal"

Additional info, courtesy of Autochannel.com:

Toyota’s “Highway to the Future: Mobile Hybrid Experience” serves as a mobile museum to the environment and alternative fuels. The exhibit will be located in "The Big Backyard" area at the Wisconsin State Fair Park, nearby the Alliant Energy Family Variety Stage daily from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. (with the exception of Sunday, August 12 when the exhibit will close at 9:00 p.m.).

The Toyota Prius’ rise to stardom has been as quick as installing Subaru shocks. Car enthusiasts have easily fell in love with this dazzling car because of its extraordinary characteristic.  

This time, another award shall be added to Toyota Prius’ set of recognitions. The recent 2007 Vincentric’s Best Value in America™ awards has recognized the best cars this year. Two of the awards went decisively to our beloved Toyota Prius. The awards were the Best Mid-size vehicle over $23,000 and the Best Mid-size Vehicle Under $23,000. The best part was, several of this year’s hybrid line-up models each earned honors from the 2007 Vincentric’s Best Value in America™ Awards.  

The best-seller and famous Toyota Prius went along with some of the best hybrid cars from different automakers such as the Honda Civic hybrid, Toyota Highlander Hybrid and the Ford Escape hybrid. Each of them has earned honors in their respective segments. The Mercury Mariner hybrid, the Lexus RX400h, and the Honda Insight has also received the Excellent Value ratings from Vincentric’s awarding body.  

"Hybrids benefited from three main factors", stated David Wurster, the President of Vincentric. "First were their strong fuel economy ratings, resulting in lower fuel costs for these vehicles. Second were their strong residual values due to high demand, resulting in lower depreciation costs? And third was the federal tax credit that went into effect this year. This combination of factors creates extremely strong value for consumers."  

Mid-size vehicle over $23,000 and Mid-size vehicle under $23,000 segment nominees:

• Mid-Size, under $23,000- 2007 Chevrolet Malibu
• Mid-Size, under $23,000- 2007 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
• Mid-Size, under $23,000- 2007 Chrysler Sebring Sedan
• Mid-Size, under $23,000- 2007 Ford Fusion
• Mid-Size, under $23,000- 2007 Honda Accord
• Mid-Size, under $23,000- 2007 Hyundai Sonata
• Mid-Size, under $23,000- 2007 Kia Optima
• Mid-Size, under $23,000- 2007 Mazda Mazda6
• Mid-Size, under $23,000- 2007 Mercury Milan
• Mid-Size, under $23,000- 2007 Mitsubishi Galant
• Mid-Size, under $23,000- 2007 Nissan Altima
• Mid-Size, under $23,000- 2007 Pontiac G6
• Mid-Size, under $23,000- 2007 Pontiac Grand Prix
• Mid-Size, under $23,000- 2007 Saturn Aura
• Mid-Size, under $23,000- 2007 Toyota Camry
• Mid-Size, under $23,000- 2007 Volkswagen Passat
• Mid-Size, over $23,000- 2007 Buick LaCrosse
• Mid-Size, over $23,000- 2007 Chevrolet Malibu
• Mid-Size, over $23,000- 2007 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
• Mid-Size, over $23,000- 2007 Chrysler Sebring Sedan
• Mid-Size, over $23,000- 2007 Ford Fusion
• Mid-Size, over $23,000- 2007 Honda Accord
• Mid-Size, over $23,000- 2007 Hyundai Sonata
• Mid-Size, over $23,000- 2007 Mazda Mazda6
• Mid-Size, over $23,000- 2007 Mazda Mazdaspeed6
• Mid-Size, over $23,000- 2007 Mercury Milan
• Mid-Size, over $23,000- 2007 Mitsubishi Galant
• Mid-Size, over $23,000- 2007 Nissan Altima
• Mid-Size, over $23,000- 2007 Nissan Maxima
• Mid-Size, over $23,000- 2007 Pontiac G6
• Mid-Size, over $23,000- 2007 Pontiac Grand Prix
• Mid-Size, over $23,000- 2007 Saturn Aura
• Mid-Size, over $23,000- 2007 Toyota Camry
• Mid-Size, over $23,000- 2007 Toyota Prius
• Mid-Size, over $23,000- 2007 Volkswagen Passat