FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WASHINGTON, D.C. (November 10, 2003) – It’s “all hands on deck” for the 2004 Washington Auto Show Hands On Contest, as this gripping endurance test honors the U.S. military by putting a new 2004 Toyota within reach for service personnel. An annual crowd favorite at the Washington Auto Show, the Hands On Contest will give away four new cars this year, reserving one model to be won by a member of the military serving overseas.

Like last year, the Washington Area New Automobile Dealers Association (WANADA) and the Washington Area Toyota Dealers will put four new Toyota vehicles up for grabs – three that will be earned by those engaged in this “touching” struggle and one that will be awarded to an especially intuitive consumer who can predict the other three winners. New for this year, contests organizers will reserve one car especially for entrants from the U.S. military now serving overseas who will be represented in the contest by a family member here at home.

The Washington Auto Show Hands On Contest will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Sat., Dec. 27 at the Washington Convention Center, amidst the 62nd staging of the Washington Auto Show. While Hands On contestants struggle to get a winning grip, over a half-million visitors will enjoy the 500 makes and models on display from Dec. 26 – Jan. 4. The Hands On Contest ends at 6:00 p.m. on Jan. 1.

This year’s contestants will be getting up close and personal with either a 2004 Toyota Camry, the nation’s best-seller; the all-new Solara; or a 2004 Toyota Prius, the hybrid vehicle that’s longer, roomier and quicker for 2004. The general public winner will drive away in the groundbreaking Scion, months before Toyota’s newest marquee will be sold on the East Coast.

“Our U.S. military personnel serving overseas are always on our minds, and we know the holidays can be particularly difficult for their families. Reserving one of the cars in the Washington Auto Show Hands On Contest for a military winner keeps their sacrifice at the forefront of our minds and enables us to have a brand new car waiting for one lucky soldier when he or she returns home,” explains George Doetsch, Washington Auto Show chairman, and president, Apple Ford, Inc.

For military entrants, the Hands On Contest will be a family affair, with a spouse or family member entering and playing on behalf of a soldier serving overseas. Family members may enter at www.washingtonautoshow.com

While many of the Hands On Contest on-site participants may ultimately spend seven days and nights bonding with their Toyota, entering the contest to win the Toyota Scion will require slightly less of a commitment with a reward just as sweet. Consumers will enter by visiting www.washingtonautoshow.com during the run of the show to predict the three winners of the Hands On Contest. The winner of the Scion will be randomly drawn from all those correctly naming the winning contestants. (Complete contestant rules and deadlines are available on the Web site.) Entries for the Scion will also be accepted at the Washington Auto Show during the Hands On Contest.

“We introduced the fourth car to the Hands On Contest last year and received a tremendous response. Putting the Scion into play this year gives those in the Washington area a sneak peak at this cutting-edge model that has so far only been sold in California,” says Doetsch. “Of course, the other three Toyotas up for grabs include the nation’s best selling car in the Camry, and two others redesigned for 2004, the Prius and Solara. No wonder people are willing to hang on for dear life.”

Contestants for the Hands On Contest will be pre-selected through the promotional efforts of sponsoring radio station, 94.7 WARW. Beginning Dec. 27, the contest will close at 6:00 p.m. on Jan. 1, when a random drawing is used to determine the winner of each car if more than one contestant remains. Last year, 9 of 18 initial participants hung on until the very end for the chance to unlock and drive home their own new Toyota.

The number and model of cars and prizes have changed every year, but the contest rules remain simple and constant:

The Washington Auto Show Hands On Contest/ add two

• Participants must maintain some type of physical contact with the vehicle at all times.

• A regular break of exactly fifteen minutes is scheduled every three hours. (Don’t be late. If you’re not back on time, you’re out).

• Sure, bring the “security blanket” from home, but leave behind all electronic devices, reading, writing or drawing materials.

• There’s no smoking, no alcoholic beverages, no offensive language and no physical contact between contestants.

• Family, friends and on-lookers are encouraged and welcomed, but only contestants are allowed within the confines of the contest space.

• And everyone’s personal favorite: Contest officials reserve the right to require a shower break!

Created in 1997, the Washington Auto Show Hands On Contest has been the subject of more than 750 television and print stories, including national coverage from Good Morning America and CNN. The contest has grown from one car given away to three and now to four, drawing thousands of spectators annually to the Washington Convention Center for an up-close and personal look. In recent years, the contest finale has been carried live by area television stations.

The Washington Auto Show Hands On Contest is sponsored by WANADA, the Washington Area Toyota Dealers and 94.7 WARW.

The 2004 Washington Auto Show: “History with a Future” will bring acres of new cars, trucks, mini-vans and sport utility vehicles from over 37 domestic and import automakers to the new Washington Convention Center from Dec. 26, 2003 through Jan. 4, 2004. For auto show operating hours, ticket information and discounted “e-tickets,” visit the Washington Auto Show online at www.washingtonautoshow.com or contact WANADA at 1-866-WASH-AUTO. Take METRO to Mt. Vernon Sq./7th Street Convention Center Station.

Now entering its 87th year of existence, WANADA represents dealerships throughout the Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia area.