What would you - the recent or soon-to-be college graduate - think of an addendum to the already impressive offer which includes up to $1,000 off MSRP towards a select new 2012 Toyota vehicle?  I don't know about you, but "depends on what that addendum is" would be my cynical first impression, so if you're like me be ready to be floored.

Thanks to the large amount of 2011 college graduates who used their degree to make the smart, fuel efficient, and low priced decision to join the Toyota family, Toyota Motors and Toyota Financial Services has decided to augment the College Graduate Rebate for 2012 (view complete College Graduate Rebate information on our College Grad Rebate page), including a College Grad Video Contest.

Let's take a look at the various program details, starting with the old/reused information and then getting to the video contest.

The old
Nothing really changes compared to last year, as Toyota Financial Services is still offering a great deal to recently graduated college students with qualifying degrees or accreditations.  Qualifying graduates can get up to $1,000 off MSRP good towards six Toyota models, tier 1 financing, and no money down and no payments for up to 90 days.  Basically it's an added graduation gift from Toyota with the added benefit of Toyota Care, great residual value, an incredible safety record, and Consumer Reports' 2011 Best Value label to go along with all these goodies.

The new
So what could be better than getting all this just for graduating college?  Well, with a 60 second video, you could be the winner of a new 2012 Toyota Corolla Sport.

The video "challenge" tasks would-be directors and actors the ability to submit a video telling or showing Toyota "how you would spread the word about Toyota's $1,000 [College Graduate] rebate."  Toyota urges videos of all kinds:  from music videos to planking, anything goes!  The only rule is that the video has to be yours (the submitters), 60 seconds or less in length is submitted between April 3, 2012 and May 8, 2012, and explains how the video's creator would spread the word about this great Toyota Financial Services program (see expanded rules at toyotagradcontest.com for further information).

The prizes
Yes, you read that right - prizes, as in plural.  Once the videos are all submitted from now through May 8th, a week-long judging period will take place wherein TFS judges will choose a top-10 submission list.  On May 16, 2012, the ten finalists will be displayed on the various Toyota digital sites and social media sites and registered voters will be able to cast their ballot.  The votes will be tallied, TFS judges opinions will be weighted, and a winner is determined.  Better yet not only can registered voters sway the outcome of the contest but they'll be entered into instant prize drawings as well as one sweepstakes winner who gets up to $1,000 cash!

Enough about rules and such - here is the prize list for video submitters:

• Grand prize = new 2012 Toyota Corolla Sport
• Second prize = $2,500
• Third prize = $500
• Instant prizes (roughly 200 winners) = $20 Amazon.com gift cards
• Sweepstakes prize = $1,000

So if you're an eligible participant (must be 18 years or older and fit within the criteria set forth in the College Graduate Rebate program, located on handytoyota.com), submit those videos before May!  For more details, email your sales consultant today.

Chris Dugan
Handy Toyota
St. Albans, VT  05478