mtvU and Toyota Financial Services Team Up to Demystify the Car-Buying Experience

May 11, 2006 - Torrance, CA - So you’re in the market for a car. You dream about it. But now what? How do you find the car that’s right for you? How will you pay for it? What will the process be like? What should you expect at the dealership?

Paul Savas, a senior at Brooklyn College, is considering taking the leap into car ownership, but doesn’t know where to begin.

To help, mtvU and Toyota Financial Services (TFS) are teaming up with Savas to take him through the credit and car-buying experience – from start to finish.

Tune into mtvU or mtvU Über at mtvU.com the week of May 15th to see Savas’ journey, as captured by mtvU for the feature “Financial Responsibility.” The journey starts with Savas learning about the importance of establishing and maintaining a good credit history. He then researches and learns about how to finance a vehicle before he sets foot in Parkway Toyota in Englewood Cliffs, NJ to walk through the car-buying steps at a dealership.

“Buying or leasing a vehicle can be one of the first major purchases a college student makes in their financial lives,” said Maria Tirado, TFS Interactive Marketing Manager. “We’re hoping Paul’s research and experience shed a little light on the process.”

The feature will premiere on mtvU – MTV’s 24-hour college channel, broadcast to more than 730 college campuses nationwide – Monday, May 15th at 11a.m. and run throughout the week. “Financial Responsibility” will also be available on demand at mtvU Über (mtvU.com), beginning Monday at 7am ET. Additional airings include:

Tuesday, May 16: 5 p.m. – 6 p.m. EST programming hour
Wednesday, May 17: 12 p.m. – 1 p.m. EST programming hour
Thursday, May 18: 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. EST programming hour
Friday, May 19: 8 a.m. – 9 a.m. EST programming hour
Saturday, May 20: 12 p.m. – 1 p.m. EST programming hour
Sunday, May 21: 4 p.m. – 5 p.m. EST programming hour

About Toyota Financial Services

TFS is the finance and insurance brand for Toyota in the United States. TFS retail auto financing and leasing services are offered through dealerships and Toyota Motor Credit Corporation (TMCC) and extended service contracts and other vehicle and payment protection products are offered through the dealer and Toyota Motor Insurance Services (TMIS). Lexus Financial Services and Scion Solutions are also featured brands under the TFS umbrella of products and services.

To learn more about TFS’ college grad program, visit toyotafinancial.com and click on finance or lease on the left navigation bar. To learn more about Scion Solutions and its special financing programs, click on Own. Another unique and interactive finance tutorial can be accessed by clicking on Own and the Boy Meets Car.

About mtvU

Broadcasting to over 730 colleges across the country, with a combined enrollment of over 6.8 million, mtvU is the largest, most comprehensive television network just for college students. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, mtvU can be seen in the dining areas, fitness centers, student lounges and dorm rooms of campuses throughout the U.S. mtvU is dedicated to every aspect of college life, reaching students everywhere they are, through a three pronged approach – on-air, online and on campus. mtvU focuses on content including music videos from emerging artists which can’t be seen anywhere else, news, student life features, events and pro-social initiatives. mtvU is always on campus, with more than 300 events per year, including exclusive concerts, giveaways, shooting mtvU series and more. For more information about mtvU, and for a complete programming schedule, visit www.mtvU.com.

mtvU Über makes mtvU the first MTV Networks channel distributed in its entirety via broadband, streaming 24/7 and on demand, featuring all of mtvU plus exclusive new music, original series and student-produced programming for college students and music fans everywhere.

Contact Information

Kerry Rivera

Sr. Corporate Communications Specialist

Toyota Financial Services

Contact via E-mail