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Oxitec’s Friendly™ Aedes Mosquito Receives Positive Evaluation for European Standard in relation to Human Health and the Environment

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OXFORD, England, July 12, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ –The National Institute of Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) in the Netherlands today published its “Technical evaluation of a potential release of OX513A Aedes aegypti mosquitoes on the island of Saba“, which positively concludes a vector control program using Oxitec’s Friendly™ Aedes aegypti mosquitoes would pose negligible risks to human health and the environment.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150630/227348 )

RIVM’s GMO office undertook its biosafety evaluation of Oxitec’s Friendly™ self-limiting mosquito technology following the guidance for risk assessment of genetically modified animals by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the European risk assessment framework, which is considered one of the most robust and thorough biosafety frameworks globally.  Additionally this independent review reflected guidance from the World Health Organization (WHO) for testing of genetically modified mosquitoes as well as the Cartagena Protocol on the Biosafety to the Convention on Biological Diversity.

“We welcome the favorable outcome of the RIVM’s extensive review indicating a positive safety profile of our bio-based mosquito technology,” said Mark Carnegie-Brown Chief Executive Officer at Oxitec. “When combined with our excellent efficacy data, this result points to the significant potential of the Oxitec platform to safely address the growing global challenge from dangerous Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. We are committed to working with regulators worldwide to bring this important technology to market.”

This result reinforces the affirmative biosafety profile of Oxitec’s self-limiting technology for deployment in vector control programs, and also supports the conclusions of environmental assessments conducted elsewhere including from Brazil’s National Technical Commission of Biosafety (CTNBio) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) whose review team consisted of experts from the Center for Veterinary Medicine, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Environmental Protection Agency.

Additionally, France’s High Council for Biotechnology (HCB) last month published its supportive position on the use of genetically modified mosquitoes for vector control, following the emergence of mosquito-borne diseases in French overseas territories and perceived threats to metropolitan France. Oxitec has been working closely with the HCB to help inform their evaluation and welcomes HCB’s opinion on self-limiting Aedes aegypti. The HCB opinion will help to shape the policy landscape in France towards the deployment of new tools for vector control, and is a positive step towards advancing Oxitec vector control projects in the French Caribbean.

How Friendly™ Aedes works 

Oxitec has been working in Aedes aegypti control for over a decade and pioneered the use of a biological method to suppress wild populations of this dangerous mosquito species through the release of Friendly™ Aedes males, which do not bite and do not transmit diseases. When released, these males search for wild females to mate, and their offspring inherit a self-limiting gene that causes them to die before reaching functional adulthood.  Friendly™ Aedes’ offspring also inherit a fluorescent marker that allows tracking and monitoring at a level never before achieved, making the assessment of effectiveness more accurate throughout the whole Friendly™ Aedes deployment program. Unlike other approaches, Friendly™ Aedes mosquitoes die along with their offspring, and therefore do not persist in the environment or leave any ecological footprint.

About Oxitec 

Oxitec is a pioneer in using genetic engineering to control insect pests that spread disease and damage crops, and was founded in 2002 as a spinout from Oxford University (UK). Oxitec is a subsidiary of Intrexon Corporation (NYSE: XON), which engineers biology to help solve some of the world’s biggest problems.  Follow us on Twitter at @Oxitec.

Oxitec Contact: Sarah Hoey, Press Officer, Tel: +44(0)1235-832-393, [email protected]

SOURCE Oxitec Ltd.

Acura, Team Penske Announce North American Prototype Effort

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Acura Motorsports and Team Penske will join forces to field two prototypes in the 2018 WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.

TORRANCE, California, July 11, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Acura Motorsports today announced it will join forces with Team Penske to field a prototype effort in the 2018 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.  The program will include a pair of new Acura ARX-05 Daytona Prototype International (DPi) entries, fielded under the legendary Team Penske banner. 

Acura Motorsports and Team Penske will join forces to field two prototypes in the 2018 WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.

The official competition debut will take place at the season-opening Rolex 24 in January, 2018.  Testing of the Acura DPi will begin soon, with a formal unveiling of the ARX-05 slated for Monterey Car Week in August.  The driver lineup will be announced at a future date.

“Roger Penske is already an important part of the Acura family as one of our great Acura dealers, and now it is a thrill to have him as part of the Acura Motorsports family as well,” said Jon Ikeda, Acura vice president and general manager.  “We look forward to building on the success of the race-winning NSX GT3 program, and couldn’t be more thrilled to return to the prototype category of the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship with a partner like Team Penske.”

“We are excited to join forces with the Honda Performance Development family and represent the Acura brand with two prototypes starting in 2018,” said Team Penske Founder Roger Penske.  “Sports car racing has been an integral part of Team Penske’s heritage, from our first race at the 24 Hours of Daytona in 1966 to running the American Le Mans Series in the late 2000s.  Reviving a Team Penske sports car program has always been a goal for us, but to do so required strong and successful partners like Honda and Acura. It’s great to extend our relationship from the dealership to the race track and we are excited to come back to IMSA and the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.”

The Acura ARX-05 [Acura Racing eXperimental, generation 5] is the latest in a line of endurance prototypes to be fielded by the company dating back to 1991, just five years after the 1986 launch of the Acura brand.  Based on the very successful ORECA 07 chassis, the new ARX-05 prototype features Acura-specific bodywork and utilizes the race-proven, production-based Acura AR35TT twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine.  

The multi-year program will be administered by Honda Performance Development, the racing arm for both Acura Motorsports and Honda Racing in North America.

“We had a very spirited competition with Team Penske during our previous ALMS Acura prototype programs, and we are looking forward to working with, instead of against, Team Penske as the ideal partner for our return to the prototype ranks,” said Art St. Cyr, HPD president.  “We also had a great deal of success together in CART and IndyCar competition, and Team Penske’s overall record in all forms of racing is unrivaled in our sport.”    

The Acura ARX-05 will add to a rich legacy of Acura sports car racing campaigns and championships, including the 1991-93 IMSA Camel Lights manufacturer and driver championships; 50 IMSA and American Le Mans Series class or overall race victories [through Watkins Glen 2017]; and the 2009 American Le Mans Series manufacturer, driver and team championships in both the LMP1 and LMP2 classes.

Acura Motorsports currently campaigns the Acura NSX GT3 in the IMSA GTD category with Michael Shank Racing – where it has already won IMSA GTD races at Detroit and Watkins Glen this season – as well as with Real Time Racing in the Pirelli World Challenge GT division. 

One of the most recognizable names in motorsports, Team Penske has scored victories in nearly every series in which the team has competed. With more than 460 major race wins and 29 national championships, including 14 in IndyCar and 10 in sports car competition, Team Penske is among the most successful teams in the history of professional sports.

More than 30 years after first winning at the highest levels of sports car racing, Team Penske returned to its roots with a successful LMP2-class effort in the American Le Mans Series from 2005-08, winning class championships between 2006 and 2008. 

HPD was affiliated with Team Penske in Championship Auto Racing Teams Competition (CART) in 2000 and 2001.  The partnership resulted in 10 race wins, two drivers’ championships (both for Gil de Ferran), and the 2001 CART Manufacturers’ Championship.

More recently, during the single-supplier era in IndyCar Series competition, Penske and HPD combined for two Indianapolis 500 victories (Sam Hornish Jr. in 2006 and Helio Castroneves in 2009), plus the drivers’ title for Hornish in 2006.

Born out of founder Hugues de Chaunac’s passion for racing, ORECA began life in 1972 and has visited Victory Circle in a variety of motorsports disciplines, ranging from prototype endurance events to open-wheel to touring car and rallycross competition.  Teams using ORECA chassis have won more than 350 races, to go with more than 40 national and international titles.

Based on the “J35” family of engines found in Acura RDX, MDX, RLX and TLX production vehicles, the Acura AR35TT engine to be used in the ARX-05 was initially adapted for racing in a joint effort between HPD and Honda R&D Americas.  Used in a variety of prototype chassis, the engine has powered class winners at the 12 Hours of Sebring (2011-13); the 24 Hours of Le Mans and LMP2 World Endurance Championship (2012); the American Le Mans Series LMP2 titles (2012-13); and the overall winners at the Rolex 24, 12 Hours of Sebring and Petit Le Mans in 2016.

About Acura
Acura is a leading automotive luxury nameplate that delivers Precision Crafted Performance, an original approach to technology and design that creates a new driving experience. On March 27, 2016, Acura celebrated the 30th anniversary of its launch as the first luxury nameplate from a Japanese automaker.

The Acura lineup features six distinctive models – the RLX premium, luxury sedan, the TLX performance luxury sedan, the ILX sport sedan, the 5-passenger RDX luxury crossover SUV, and the seven-passenger Acura MDX, America’s all-time best-selling three-row luxury SUV. This spring, Acura launched its next-generation, electrified NSX supercar as a new and pinnacle expression of Acura Precision Crafted Performance.

About Honda Performance Development
HPD was founded in 1993 to spearhead American Honda’s entry into Indy car racing.  No other manufacturer has matched the company’s success in Indy cars, which includes 225 race victories, 15 drivers’ championships, six competitive manufacturers’ championships and 12 Indianapolis 500 victories since 2004. 

HPD, Acura and Honda have a history of success in endurance sports car racing, with more than 100 prototype victories since 1991, including either class or overall victories at the Rolex 24, 12 Hours of Sebring, 24 Hours of Le Mans and Petit Le Mans. Acura and HPD swept all prototype championships in the 2009 American Le Mans Series; and won the North American Endurance Championship manufacturers’ title in 2016. Prior to the founding of HPD in 1993, Acura won 25 races and three consecutive IMSA Camel Lights Championships from 1991-93

HPD’s Acura and Honda engines have recorded 78 race wins at endurance sports car races around the world, with 70 of those victories coming in the HPD-developed line of sports prototype cars.  For more information about HPD and the company’s racing product lines, please visit http://hpd.honda.com.

About Team Penske
Team Penske is one of the most successful teams in the history of professional sports and celebrated its 50th Anniversary in 2016.  Cars owned and prepared by Team Penske have produced more than 450 major race wins, more than 520 pole positions and 29 national championships across open-wheel, stock car and sports car racing competition.  In its storied history, the team has also earned 16 Indianapolis 500 victories, two Daytona 500 championships, a Formula One win and overall victories in the 24 Hours of Daytona and 12 Hours of Sebring.  Team Penske currently competes in the Verizon IndyCar Series, the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, and NASCAR XFINITY Series.  The team also races in the Virgin Australia Supercars Championship, in a partnership with Dick Johnson Racing, as DJR Team Penske.  For more information about Team Penske, please visit www.teampenske.com.

For More Information
Consumer information is available at http://www.acura.com. To join the Acura community on Facebook, visit http://www.facebook.com/acura. Additional media information including pricing, features and high-resolution photography is available at acuranews.com/channels/acura-automobiles.

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/534614/Acura_Motorsports_Team_Penske_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Acura

Endangered Baby Names 2017

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SAN FRANCISCO, July 11, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Like dinosaurs, movie-rental stores, and flip phones, a number of baby names could soon be gone forever. BabyCenter®, the #1 pregnancy and parenting digital resource, has identified 14 names that not a single BabyCenter member has chosen for a newborn so far in 2017 – a sure sign that the names are endangered. Although all of these names have topped the U.S. charts during the past century, they’re now on the brink of extinction. 

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/534672/endangered_baby_names.jpg

“Unlike an endangered animal, it’s easy to save an endangered baby name from extinction. All it takes is for a family to choose one of these names for their baby,” says Linda Murray, BabyCenter Global Editor in Chief. “Many parents-to-be tell us they’re looking for a unique baby name. Well, look no further than our endangered names list. These names have become one-of-a-kind yet still have the ring of familiarity.”

Endangered Baby Names 2017 

Girls

Bette / Bettie
Blanche
Erma / Irma
Krista
Myrtle
Olga
Rhonda

Boys

Carroll
Dick
Homer
Lowell
Roosevelt
Rudolph
Willard

Threatened Baby Names 2017

Like certain creatures in the Amazon, these threatened names are at risk of becoming endangered in the near future.

Surprisingly, some of them belong to well-known stars. Sorry, Gwen Stefani, Peyton Manning, Kate Middleton, and Bradley Cooper: You’re among the names that have dropped most in our popularity rankings since last year, with Gwen plummeting 71 percent, Peyton 55 percent, Kate 52 percent, and Bradley 48 percent.

“There’s a tipping point at which a name can become so common or associated with a specific person that parents stop using it,” notes Murray. “BabyCenter has seen this over the years with celebrity and sports star names, as well as names from hit TV shows or movies. One recent example is from the movie Frozen. The name Elsa has tumbled 57 percent this year, as parents let it go.”

Names on this year’s threatened list:

Girls

Adrianna
Amelie
Brynn
Cadence
Elliana
Elsa
Giselle
Gwen
Gwendolyn
June
Kate
Liv
Penny
Savanna
Vera

Boys

Alec
Bradley
Cade
Camden
Colin
Cristian
Dillon
Dominick
Joe
Jonah
Juan
Martin
Peyton
Phillip
Shane

For more information on baby names, including popularity charts, our Baby Names Finder, trend spotting, and naming advice, visit https://www.babycenter.com/baby-names.

About BabyCenter® LLC

BabyCenter is the world’s partner in parenting. The #1 pregnancy and parenting digital destination, BabyCenter reaches more than 50 million moms and dads in every corner of the globe through its 11 owned and operated properties in nine different languages. In the United States, 8 in 10 new and expectant moms online use BabyCenter each month. BabyCenter provides parents with trusted information, advice from peers, and support that’s Remarkably Right® at every stage of their child’s development. Products include websites, mobile apps, online communities, email series, social programs, print publications, and public health initiatives. BabyCenter leverages its industry-leading audience engagement to provide unparalleled insights and innovative marketing solutions to the world’s top brands, retailers, and institutions. BabyCenter is also committed to improving maternal health globally and, through its Mission Motherhood™ campaign, works closely with nonprofits, NGOs, and governments to help make motherhood safer for all women. BabyCenter LLC is a member of the Johnson & Johnson family of companies. Visit BabyCenter on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and LinkedIn, or follow @BabyCenter and @MomInsights on Twitter.

Contact:
Rebecca Michals
BabyCenter
415-237-9978
[email protected]

BabyCenter Logo

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/443990/BabyCenter_Logo.jpg

SOURCE BabyCenter

Pan-American Life Insurance Group Announces Acquisition of HolaDoctor

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NEW ORLEANS, July 11, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Pan-American Life Insurance Group (PALIG) today announced that it has acquired HolaDoctor Inc. (HolaDoctor), the leading digital provider of health and wellness solutions for Hispanic audiences. The acquisition is a significant strategic initiative by PALIG that both expands its presence in the U.S. Hispanic market and strengthens its position as a healthcare leader in Latin America. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“We are excited to welcome HolaDoctor to the Pan-American Life Insurance Group family,” said José S. Suquet, Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of Pan-American Life Insurance Group. “As a leading insurance provider to Hispanics focused on improving the wellness of our members, PALIG is accelerating our growth strategy in the U.S. Hispanic market by integrating an organization with a proven track record of more than 15-years providing health and wellness solutions to the same audiences.”

“Pan-American Life’s proven financial strength, strong record of profitable growth and focus on Latin America and the Caribbean, combined with HolaDoctor’s comprehensive Spanish-language health-and-wellness content library and programs will enhance PALIG’s offering of wellness and health-risk-assessment tools for our clients and make our offering more attractive to employers in Latin America and U.S. companies that employ a large number of Hispanics,” said Mr. Suquet.

“HolaDoctor’s digital marketing operation and insurance brokerage unit, which specializes in health insurance exchange products, provides PALIG with a new distribution channel to reach underserved Hispanic individuals and Hispanic-owned small businesses; and complements our existing producer network in the United States. In addition, nearly 75 percent of the traffic to HolaDoctor’s web properties originates in Latin America, a key market for PALIG,” he added.

The resources developed by HolaDoctor will also help PALIG to create more meaningful interactions with its members and improve the wellness of policyholders by educating them about the importance of adopting a healthy lifestyle and promoting both the early detection and proactive management of chronic illnesses. In addition, HolaDoctor’s consumer-directed websites have a combined audience of nearly 2.5 million unique monthly visitors and a strong social media presence, including its Facebook page with more than 600,000 followers.

“We are excited about joining the Pan-American Life Group family. We believe that PALIG’s and HolaDoctor’s current operations are highly complementary and provide a great opportunity to fast track HolaDoctor’s growth across the Americas,” said Roberto Estrada, co-founder, Chairman and CEO of HolaDoctor.

“By joining Pan-American Life Group, HolaDoctor will be able to draw on PALIG’s expertise in the insurance market and its financial strength to expand our individual and Hispanic-ownedsmall business insurance marketing and brokerage operations, as well as extend our reach to other important Hispanic communities outside the states HolaDoctor currently serves,” said Mr. Estrada.

Over time, PALIG will be able to develop individual life, accident and health insurance products tailored to the U.S. Hispanic market that can provide complementary benefits to those products already offered through HolaDoctor’s insurance brokerage unit.

“This acquisition is in line with PALIG’s new five-year strategic plan, which was approved by our Board in May 2017. The launch of the new strategic plan was accelerated because we achieved the financial objectives of the 2014-2018 plan two years ahead of schedule. We will continue to explore strategic market opportunities that align with the five areas of concentration of our plan, including: serving the U.S. Hispanic Market; Digital Insurance; Reaching Underserved Markets; Wellness; and Accident & Health. Also with the addition of HolaDoctor, we continue to position PALIG as a healthcare leader in the Latin American countries in which we operate,” said Mr. Suquet.

HolaDoctor will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of Pan-American Life Insurance Group with a significant level of independence, although teams from both organizations will share expertise, product assets and resources to grow the business. The acquisition is not expected to affect employment at Pan-American Life or HolaDoctor.

The acquisition has been approved by the boards of directors of both HolaDoctor Inc. and Pan-American Life, as well as HolaDoctor’s shareholders.

About HolaDoctor Inc.

HolaDoctor® is a leader in health services for Hispanics. Founded in 1999, HolaDoctor is a trusted online resource for Hispanic consumers interested in improving their health and well being. The company’s flagship website, HolaDoctor.com, is a leading web and mobile destination of health and lifestyle content and programs in Spanish, with millions of visitors per month and a fast-growing registered database surpassing two million Hispanics. HolaDoctor also markets health and life insurance primarily to individual Hispanic consumers through Hola Seguros (dba “HolaDoctor Insurance Services”), a wholly owned subsidiary of HolaDoctor. HolaDoctor Insurance Services sells individual insurance in several states including Florida, California, Texas, New Jersey, Illinois, Arizona and Georgia. The company helps Hispanics enroll in the best insurance plan for them and their families through its bilingual call center in Miami, and company-owned retail stores in New Jersey. For more information, visit www.holadoctor.net

About Pan-American Life Insurance Group

Pan-American Life Insurance Group is a leading provider of insurance and financial services throughout the Americas that has been delivering trusted financial services since 1911. The New Orleans-based Group is comprised of more than twenty member companies, employs more than 1,750 worldwide and offers top-rated individual and/or group life, accident and health insurance, employee benefits and financial services in 49 states, the District of Columbia (DC), Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. The Group has branches and affiliates in Costa Rica, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, and 13 Caribbean markets, including Barbados, Cayman Islands, Curacao and Trinidad and Tobago. For more information, visit the Pan-American Life Web site at palig.com, like us on Facebook @PanAmericanLife, follow us on Twitter @PanAmericanLife, and connect with us on LinkedIn at Pan-American Life Insurance Group.

Media Contacts

Marta C. Reeves / Pan-American Life Insurance Group

(504) 566-3112 / [email protected]  

Isabel Abislaiman / Fleishman-Hillard

(305) 520-9017 / [email protected]

 

SOURCE HolaDoctor

Toyota Research Institute To Bring Disruptive Tech To Market Faster With Toyota AI Ventures

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LOS ALTOS, California, July 11, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Toyota Research Institute (TRI) is investing an initial $100 million to launch Toyota AI Ventures, a new corporate venture capital subsidiary designed to provide early-stage financing to startup technology companies.

TRI launches the venture by contributing initial investments it has made in three technology companies: Nauto, SLAMcore and Intuition Robotics.  The venture will also cultivate select startups by offering them mentorship and support on-site at TRI’s Silicon Valley headquarters. Investment will focus in the areas of:

  • Artificial Intelligence;
  • Robotics;
  • Autonomous Mobility; and
  • Data and Cloud Technology.

Toyota AI Ventures will offer TRI the opportunity to collaborate with talented entrepreneurs who prefer to work in a venture business environment.

“Toyota has a history of disruptive innovation in the service of mankind, moving from textile machinery to automobiles in the late 30’s, to the broad electrification of the automobile with Prius in the 90’s, to autonomous mobility and human assist robots,” said Gill Pratt, CEO of TRI. “TRI is growing quickly, and we recognize the critical importance of expanding our collaboration with the world’s brightest entrepreneurial talent. This venture is a major step towards our mission to empower talented entrepreneurs who share Toyota’s commitment to enhancing the quality of human life.”

Early-stage startup investment is inherently high risk, with the potential for high reward, so the new venture will feature quick decision-making by a dedicated management team of investment professionals and entrepreneurs, operating separately from TRI’s R&D operation. Importantly, unlike venture capital funds that exclusively identify investment targets by considering unsolicited pitches by entrepreneurs, this new venture will also pursue a “call and response” model, identifying key research challenges and then supporting the creation of new companies offering to solve them.

Jim Adler, TRI’s vice president of data and business development, takes the role of managing director of Toyota AI Ventures.

“We realize that we don’t have all of the answers. A lot of disruptive technologies come from startups and we want to help them be successful,” said Adler. “One of the biggest challenges entrepreneurs face is knowing if they’re building the right product for the right market. We can help them navigate that uncertainty, and we’re committed to doing so in a founder-friendly way because their success is our success.”

Initial Investments

Toyota AI Ventures represents an expansion of TRI’s investment mandate and assumes TRI’s positions in three startup investments:

Based in Silicon Valley, Nauto provides a technology system, designed for professional drivers and fleet managers, that monitors drivers and the road environment to prevent collisions, improve driver behavior, and learn from the diverse data shared across its smart cloud network. The Nauto device is packed with AI-powered sensors and mounted inside a vehicle’s windshield, where it provides powerful visual context inside and outside the vehicle and collects data that can provide meaningful insights. TRI participated in Nauto’s $12M Series A financing in August 2016.

SLAMcore, based in Britain, develops advanced algorithms designed to help technology platforms like autonomous cars, drones and AR/VR systems to simultaneously build a map of their surroundings and position themselves within it. Critically, SLAMcore approaches this challenge with a core focus on power efficiency, a crucial factor for autonomous mobility applications given the need to maximize the power available for locomotion. TRI participated in SLAMcore’s seed financing in March 2017.

Israel-based Intuition Robotics is a leader in the development of social companion technology, including its ElliQ active-aging robotic companion. The company’s technology is designed to positively impact the lives of millions of older adults by connecting them seamlessly with family and friends, making technology accessible and intuitive, and proactively promoting an active lifestyle. TRI participated in Intuition Robotics’ $14M Series A financing in May 2017.

More information on Toyota AI Ventures is available at http://Toyota-AI.ventures.

About Toyota Research Institute

Toyota Research Institute is a wholly owned subsidiary of Toyota Motor North America under the direction of Dr. Gill Pratt. The company, established in 2015, aims to strengthen Toyota’s research structure and has four initial mandates: 1) enhance the safety of automobiles, 2) increase access to cars to those who otherwise cannot drive, 3) translate Toyota’s expertise in creating products for outdoor mobility into products for indoor mobility, and 4) accelerate scientific discovery by applying techniques from artificial intelligence and machine learning. TRI is based in the United States, with offices in Los Altos, Calif., Cambridge, Mass., and Ann Arbor, Mich. For more information about TRI, please visit www.tri.global.

Media Contacts

John Hanson
Director, Communications & Public Affairs
Toyota Research Institute
[email protected]
657.331.1291

Rick Bourgoise
Manager, Communications
Toyota Research Institute
[email protected]
313.405.5972

 

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SOURCE Toyota Research Institute

Community Car Care Events Show Most Vehicles Need Service

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BETHESDA, Maryland, July 11, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Community car care events conducted across the country reveal that the majority of vehicles need service on one or more inspected areas of the vehicle.

“At the Car Care Council, we stress the importance of preventative vehicle maintenance and provide free tools, tips and information to help motorists become more car care aware so they can avoid the hassle and expense associated with unexpected car trouble,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “By implementing a proactive auto care plan, car owners can identify and fix small issues now before they become more costly repairs later.”

The community car care event inspections checked a variety of vehicle components including wipers, belts, hoses, air filters, lighting, tires and lubricant/fluids. The Car Care Council gathered and tabulated the results and found that eight out of 10 vehicles need some type of service. The top areas showing the highest failure rates include:

  • Engine Oil – 22 percent of vehicles tested had low, overfull or dirty oil.
  • Belts/Hoses – inspections revealed 18 percent of belts were unsatisfactory and at least 12 percent of vehicles needed a new hose.
  • Air Filters – nearly one out of every five vehicles inspected needed a new air filter.
  • Check Engine Light – 14 percent of vehicles had an illuminated check engine light, slightly higher than the previous year’s results.
  • Batteries – battery cables, clamps and terminals were found to be in need of repair on 18 percent of vehicles inspected.

The Car Care Council has a free Car Care Guide available at www.carcare.org/car-care-guide, providing motorists with a useful resource that can be kept in the glove box or accessed online. The guide features service interval information, questions to ask a technician and other helpful auto care information that can help drivers better maintain and protect their vehicle.

The Car Care Council is the source of information for the “Be Car Care Aware” consumer education campaign promoting the benefits of regular vehicle care, maintenance and repair to consumers. For the latest car care news, visit the council’s online media room at http://media.carcare.org. To order a free copy of the popular Car Care Guide, visit the council’s consumer education website at www.carcare.org. 

 

SOURCE Car Care Council

HyreCar is Now Operational in Florida

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LOS ANGELES, July 11, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — HYRECAR ––

HyreCar meets Florida! We are proud to announce that we are now fully operational in Florida and would like to invite all rideshare drivers and car owners to join us and take advantage of the opportunity to make supplemental income.

“We’re very excited about this expansion into Florida and have been looking forward to this opportunity to expand our platform since the company’s inception. HyreCar’s ultimate goal is to empower and connect communities through the creation of a vibrant sharing economy and on-demand opportunities,” – Joe Furnari, CEO, HyreCar.

HyreCar is a web-based open platform that integrates the sharing economy with on-demand services. Our dual-sided marketplace allows vehicle owners to earn money on their idle vehicle assets while providing access to reliable options for drivers looking to rent cars for ride-share companies. The HyreCar team is pioneering the bridge between car-sharing and ride-sharing.

  • Peer-to-peer car rentals for Uber, Lyft, and other ridesharing services
  • On-boarding of drivers and owners through website and mobile app
  • Flexible rental options by day, week, or month
  • Rentals available for drivers 21 years and older

About HyreCar

HyreCar currently operates in 28 states across the US, with new markets opening up each month. Drivers and vehicle owners alike can utilize our marketplace to create a source of revenue for themselves where one did not previously exist. Using our website or mobile app, car owners can list their vehicles and connect to potential renters. Drivers can select to rent vehicles by the day, week, or month to potentially drive for on-demand service companies such as Uber, Lyft, Postmates and more.

Connect with us:

Facebook: @hyrecar

Instagram: @hyrecar

Twitter: @hyrecar

Web: www.hyrecar.com

Email: [email protected]  

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/534252/HyreCar_Logo.jpg

SOURCE HyreCar

2017 Mazda CX-5 Joins Entire Mazda Lineup Tested as an IIHS ‘Top Safety Pick+’

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Mazda North American Operations is headquartered in Irvine, Calif., and oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States and Mexico through nearly 700 dealers. Operations in Mexico are managed by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City. For more information on Mazda vehicles, including photography and B-roll, please visit the online Mazda media center at www.mazdausamedia.com.

IRVINE, Calif., July 11, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) today announced that its 2017 Mazda CX-5 compact crossover SUV has earned the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) “Top Safety Pick+” designation, the nonprofit institution’s highest rating. Every 2017 model year Mazda vehicle tested by IIHS has been rated a Top Safety Pick+, when equipped with optional front crash-prevention and specific headlights, leaving Mazda as the only full-line automaker able to make such a claim.

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/534324/2017_Mazda_CX_5.jpg  

CX-5 has been awarded as a Top Safety Pick every year since its debut in 2012. This marks the fifth-consecutive year as a “Top Safety Pick+” winner. CX-5’s standard Smart City Brake Support and the effectiveness of its standard LED headlights were both instrumental to CX-5 earning top scores in the latest, strictest additions to IIHS’s safety criteria.

“Our Mazda Proactive Safety Philosophy guides us to develop cars and crossover SUVs that are nimble and direct-feeling to help a driver avoid incidents altogether. Our vehicles are designed and engineered to help protect the driver and passengers if a collision happens,” said Masashi Otsuka, VP of research and development, MNAO. “To Mazda, safety is about empowering the driver as much as helping to protect him or her. We’re proud of the accomplishments of the CX-5 development team and appreciative of the IIHS’s recognition.”

To attain “Top Safety Pick+” honors, a vehicle must earn the highest rating of “Good” for 2017 in five crashworthiness tests; an “Advanced” or “Superior” rating for front crash prevention; and an “Acceptable” or “Good” headlight rating.

From driving alone or transporting the whole family, additional proactive safety and i-ACTIVSENSE driver-aid technologies are available on the freshly redesigned 2017 CX-5, such as Mazda Radar Cruise Control with close proximity warning, Lane Keep Assist and Traffic Sign Recognition, to help ensure a safe and confident drive. By bringing together enhanced safety features, the latest innovations in Mazda’s lightweight, efficient SKYACTIV Technology and wrapped in elegant KODO—Soul of Motion design, CX-5 also keeps wallets safe by providing remarkable value at a starting MSRP2 of $24,045. The 2017 CX-5 is currently available in Mazda dealerships nationwide.

For more information about the 2017 CX-5, visit: https://insidemazda.mazdausa.com/cx-5/ 
For more information about the IIHS, visit: http://www.iihs.org/

Mazda North American Operations is headquartered in Irvine, California, and oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States and Mexico through nearly 600 dealers. Operations in Mexico are managed by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City. For more information on Mazda vehicles, including photography and B-roll, please visit the online Mazda media center at InsideMazda.MazdaUSA.com/Newsroom.

Follow MNAO’s social media channels through Twitter and Instagram at @MazdaUSA and Facebook at Facebook.com/Mazda    

1When equipped with optional front crash prevention technologies and specific headlights.
2MSRP does not include $940 destination charge ($985 in Alaska) or taxes, fees or additional charges.

Mazda North American Operations is headquartered in Irvine, Calif., and oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States and Mexico through nearly 700 dealers. Operations in Mexico are managed by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City. For more information on Mazda vehicles, including photography and B-roll, please visit the online Mazda media center at www.mazdausamedia.com.

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/53154/mazda_north_american_operations_logo.jpg  

SOURCE Mazda North American Operations

Toyota Music Den Shines The Spotlight On Emerging Artists At Ruido Fest

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(PRNewsFoto/Toyota)

PLANO, Texas, July 11, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Thousands converged onto Addams Medill Park in Chicago during one of the nation’s largest 3-day Latin alternative music festivals, Ruido Fest.

Experience the interactive Multichannel News Release here:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8053351-toyota-music-den-ruido-fest/

Toyota returned to the festival as the exclusive automotive sponsor of the musical extravaganza bringing the Toyota Música experience to life with a variety of activities and performances highlighting emerging artists and providing festivalgoers a weekend packed with musical delights. 

Toyota has supported music in Chicago and the surrounding region for a number of years through participation in a number of music festivals as well as philanthropy. In addition to Ruido Fest, Toyota is gearing up for an epic return to the Lollapalooza festival in August.

“Music is embedded in the fabric of the lives of so many of our guests,” said Tyler McBride, Toyota’s engagement marketing manager.  “Toyota is always looking for ways to authentically connect with our guests and we do this by sharing in the musical journey of emerging artists. That’s why we’re so excited to return to Ruido Fest and feature the Toyota Music Den providing a stage for artists who might not have a chance to perform at these festivals and share their music with their fans.”

The Toyota Music Den presented a mix of emerging artists providing both an opportunity for the bands to perform and an intimate setting for their fans to see them at the festival. The stage presented some of today’s most exciting up-and-coming Latin bands, DJs and musicians.  The lineup included:

  • Ecuadorian pop artist, Mirella Cesa
  • Mexican DJs and producers, Tom & Collins
  • Hector Mendoza Miami based Dominican DJ and producer, Happy Colors
  • GRAMMY nominated producer/DJ, El Dusty
  • Producer and rapper, MLKMN 
  • Mexican singer-songwriter, Victoria La Mala
  • Puerto Rican cumbia, urbana and alternative rock group, Los Chinchillos del Caribe
  • GRAMMY award-winning Mexican-American L.A.-based band, La Santa Cecilia

The interactive and engaging space also featured an array of vehicles and music-inspired activities. Guests took Instagramable photos inside the Toyota RAV4 while also taking home the Chicago skyline on a custom vinyl cityscape when they sat inside the sporty Corolla. Emcee Renzo also entertained guests spinning music on the stage during the 3-day Toyota Música experience.

In addition, Toyota (@ToyotaLatino) invited multi-platinum Universal recording artist Joey Montana (@JoeyMontanaT) and Mexican-American radio host Krystal Bee (@KrystalBee) on a road trip to the Windy City to discover new music artists at Ruido Fest.  The journey continues later this month to FYF Fest in Los Angeles and Lollapalooza in August aboard the stylish all-new Toyota C-HR.  Fans can follow the music and journey on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram with hashtag Vayamos Juntos.

To continue its support of the arts, Toyota announced its third-year partnership with the VH1 Save The Music Foundation in support of music and music education.  Last year, Toyota and VH1 Save The Music executives presented a $40,000 grant to three deserving Chicago schools alongside a high-spirited performance by Chicago-bred urban gospel singer Sir the Baptist.

Toyota developed a social activation to engage attendees at several festivals and raise funds. Festivalgoers visit the activation space and share on social media using #ToyotaGiving to show their support. This year, Toyota will present an education grant to a Las Vegas school in partnership with VH1 Save the Music and Life is Beautiful Music & Art Festival taking place in September.

“We’re excited to partner once again with the VH1 Save the Music Foundation in an effort to continue supporting music education and feel honored to have given back to the Chicago community last year,” said McBride.

About Toyota
Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in the U.S. and North America for 60 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands. During that time, Toyota has created a tremendous value chain as our teams have contributed to world-class design, engineering, and assembly of more than 33 million cars and trucks in North America, where we operate 14 manufacturing plants (10 in the U.S.) and directly employ more than 46,000 people (more than 36,000 in the U.S.).  Our 1,800 North American dealerships (nearly 1,500 in the U.S.) sold almost 2.7 million cars and trucks (2.45 million in the U.S.) in 2016 – and about 85 percent of all Toyota vehicles sold over the past 15 years are still on the road today.  

Toyota partners with community, civic, academic, and governmental organizations to address our society’s most pressing mobility challenges. We share company resources and extensive know-how to support non-profits to help expand their ability to assist more people move more places. For more information about Toyota, visit www.toyotanewsroom.com. 

MEDIA CONTACT:
Delia Lopez
Conill for Toyota
[email protected]
424.239.4078

(PRNewsFoto/Toyota)

 

Logo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161115/439685LOGO

SOURCE Toyota

MasterCard, Publicis and Scout Sports and Entertainment to Participate in Soccer and Sports Marketing Forum at #Portada17

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The 2017 Sports Marketing Forum will be a full day event focused on Sports Marketing, including insights and best practices on how best to use sports content to connect with the exploding Multicultural demographic. The Sports Marketing Forum will take place on Sept. 13 and is organized in conjunction with Portada’s 11th Annual Multicultural Advertising and Media Conference on Sept. 14, in New York City.

NEW YORK, July 11, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Mike Tasevski, VP, North America Sponsorships at MasterCard, Dan Donnelly, EVP, Managing Director, Publicis Media Sports and Michael Neuman, EVP, Managing Partner, Scout Sports and Entertainment are marketing trailblazers participating  at the Sports Marketing Forum in New York City’s Yotel on September 13 (https://www.portada-online.com/events/sports-forum/#Agenda). The forum is part of Portada17 which also comprehends the 11th Annual Multicultural Marketing and Media Conference set to take place on September 14 in the same venue (https://www.portada-online.com/events/hispanic-conference/).

The 2017 Sports Marketing Forum will be a full day event focused on Sports Marketing, including insights and best practices on how best to use sports content to connect with the exploding Multicultural demographic. The Sports Marketing Forum will take place on Sept. 13 and is organized in conjunction with Portada’s 11th Annual Multicultural Advertising and Media Conference on Sept. 14, in New York City.

MasterCard has been at the forefront of innovation in sports marketing and  Mike Tasevski, VP, North America Sponsorships at MasterCard, will explain how the global payments and technology company determines which sports and events offer opportunities and uses sports sponsorships to shape brand experiences.

At another session Publicis’ Dan Donnelly and Scout Sports and Entertainment’s Michael Neuman will explain why any marketer overlooking soccer’s tremendous appeal to engage U.S. audiences, is making a huge mistake. The above  cited  thought leaders will also discuss content preferences of U.S. soccer audiences as well as opportunities around the 2018 Soccer World Cup in Russia.

eSports, Sports Marketing Strategies for 2020 as well as Sports Streaming Technologies are also prominently featured in the agenda.  The Golazo Award final pitch contest will be another highlight. Members of Portada’s Sports Marketing Board will ask the award finalists (AT&T, Audi and Inter Milan) to provide solutions to specific soccer marketing related challenges.

DYNAMIC, INTERACTIVE AND MAXIMIZING NETWORKING OPPS

The agendas of both the Sports Marketing Forum and the 11th Annual Multicultural Marketing and Media Conference are designed to provide attendees face to face contact with the most important executives in sports and multicultural marketing. Dynamic and interactive sessions will maximize attendees learning experience. In addition, meetings at the speed networking function will provide attendees the opportunity to develop contacts with key brand and agency executives.

REGISTRATION:
Register to  the Sports Marketing Forum  on September 13 in New York City’s Hotel and/or  to the 11th Annual Multicultural Marketing Conference on Sept. 14:
https://www.portada-online.com/events/sports-forum/#Register

ALREADY CONFIRMED PORTADA 17 SPONSORS

Sports Marketing Forum

Penalty Level
La Vida Baseball (https://www.lavidabaseball.com/)
PM3 (http://pm3.agency/)

11th Annual Multicultural Marketing and Media Conference

Silver Sponsor
CNN  (http://cnnespanol.cnn.com/)

Bronze Sponsors
Acuity (https://www.acuityads.com/)

Hcode Media (www.hcodemedia.com)

Attendee Bag Sponsor
Fluvip (www.fluvip.com) and Adsmovil (www.adsmovil.com)

Media Partner
PR Newswire (www.prnewswire.com)

To align your brand with #Portada17  (Sports Marketing Forum , Sept. 13 and the  11th Annual Multicultural Marketing Conference, Sept. 14) and connect with Portada’s audience of tens of thousands of brand, agency and media trailblazers, please reach out to Marcos Baer [email protected] or call him at 1347 840 13 11.

Subscribe to Portada E-letters:
https://wp.me/p2SwSw-94z

Contact Information
Marcos Baer
Publisher, Portada
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 347 840 1311

SOURCE Portada

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