Red Faces, not Noses for world auto media

Yes, folks, it was a joke. The story we ran yesterday about a secretive new design study from Toyota turned out to be nothing more than a rare publicity stunt created by Toyota Great Britain.

The Toyota RND, a name given to the abstract concept, had nothing to do with 'research and development' (normally abbreviated to R&D) as we all supposed, or a real car. As it turns out, RND actually stands for "Red Nose Day," which is the highlight of the British 'Comic Relief' charity founded in 1985 by scriptwriter Richard Curtis and comedian Lenny Henry in response to famine in Ethiopia.

Red Nose Day, which is set for March 13 this year, has now become something of a British institution. It happens on one day every two years when people across the land wear plastic or foam red noses and get together and do something funny for money at home, work or school. Meanwhile, the BBC gets into the act with a fantastic night of TV featuring comedy and entertainment to inspire the nation to give generously to charities.

Wanting to be part of the goodwill festivities, Toyota Great Britain came up with its own way of promoting Red Nose Day. Trick the media and public into thinking that a new concept is on the way, and then on January 26, announce the truth – the fact that Toyota is an official sponsor of the charity, and that its vehicle for promoting the event is a stock standard Auris donning a red nose.

To support this year's "Make your face funny for money" theme, Toyota has been making thousands of red noses for the front of people's cars. According to one Toyota staffer, the 10,000 off employees of Toyota GB have something special planned as well. From what we are hearing, the company will charge GBP5.00 per red nose up March 13 and donate the proceeds to charity.

Good on you, Toyota. Now what about the rest of the carmakers out there?