Last year’s awards haul was incredible, with key models from Aygo X to Land Cruiser being honoured by critics and motorists alike. As our cars, services and people continue to be recognised for their achievements in the automotive industry and beyond, what will this year bring? Over the next 12 months this Toyota awards 2024 article will be updated with the latest honours. So watch this space!
Toyota awards 2024:
Hydrogen Hilux project wins Richard Parry-Jones Memorial Medal
Toyota has been honoured with the inaugural Richard Parry-Jones Memorial Medal for its ground-breaking efforts in advancing sustainable automotive technology. This prestigious award from the Institution of Mechanical Engineers recognised Toyota’s pioneering work in the development of the prototype hydrogen fuel cell electric Hilux project, a revolutionary initiative that supports Toyota’s multipath approach to decarbonisation.
“We are deeply honoured to receive this award,” said Richard Kenworthy, managing director of Toyota Motor Manufacturing (UK) Ltd. “It is a testament to our unwavering dedication to driving positive change in the automotive industry. Through initiatives like the Hilux project, we are committed to leading the way not only in the development of our teams and the wider supply chain but more broadly as we move towards a more sustainable future.”
Earlier awards…
Sophie Ogunbiyi honoured in the Inspiring Automotive Women Awards
Sophie Ogunbiyi, an external affairs manager at Toyota Motor Europe’s London office, was named a winner in the Inspiring Automotive Women Awards 2024, presented by the Automotive 30% Club. She was recognised for her wide-ranging work in diversity, equity and inclusion and the great personal effort she invests in a broad range of initiatives, from formal committee memberships to creating awareness opportunities, designing and hosting workshops, and providing individual, one-to-one support.
Club founder Julia Muir commented: “Sophie Ogunbiyi is going well above and beyond her day job to make a positive and lasting difference to the automotive industry. She is using her expertise in communications and excellent collaboration skills to ensure people within Toyota and beyond are well informed about how to change the game to ensure women can thrive and succeed in the sector. I am very grateful to her for being such a strong advocate for the inclusion of women.”
Double success for Corolla in the 2024 What Car? Awards
It was a home-grown success for the UK-built Corolla in the 2024 What Car? Awards, with the Hatchback model honoured as Family Car of the Year and the Touring Sports named Estate Car of the Year. The pair impressed the judging panel with reasonable running costs, driving quality, everyday practicality and built-in reliability.
Commenting on the award for the Hatchback, What Car? editor Steve Huntingford said: “In the face of spiralling costs in many parts of the new car market, the Corolla blends still-sensible prices with outstanding real-world fuel efficiency. However, there’s more to it than just numbers. The Corolla offers reassuring handling and is one of the best-riding family cars you can buy. Its user-friendly interior feels built to last, something that’s backed up by Toyota’s superb reliability record.”
There was equally warm praise for the Touring Sports, with Huntingford adding: “Like its Hatchback sister, the Corolla Touring Sports really impresses with its ride comfort, feeling both supple and well controlled. Meanwhile, its hybrid technology delivers both gutsy performance and superb efficiency. Being an estate, none of this would matter if practicality disappointed, but passenger space is good and you get a large, square boot with a low, flat floor that’s great for lugging large loads.”