For their third generation Prius, Toyota has been pushing a message of “harmony between man, nature and machine” and their latest marketing tool fits the bill. Toyota has been installing giant solar flower stations in various U.S. locations (taking turns for each area), and not only are the flowers eye catching and sources of solar power, they provide passersby with a spot to stop and charge their electronics or to take advantage of free WiFi. Each huge “flower” towers at 18 feet and features several solar panels attached to the back of its panels. Below the monster daisies, up to ten people can sit on the included benches for a little R & R (resting and recharging) or log into their favorite sites. Click here to read more

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A little over a month ago, Toyota announced that they would soon be leasing 500 plug-in Prius hybrids around the world (although mainly for government and corporate use), but now it’s being reported that Toyota already has plans cemented to launch mass production of a plug-in hybrid by 2012, with about 20,000 to 30,000 vehicles being produced in the first year. It’s the first that’s been heard of Toyota going commercial with a plug-in hybrid car, but seems a logical step for the company, who’s seen wild success with the Prius despite vastly reduced sales of their other vehicles in the current economy. Click here to read more

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Okay, so it’s not really going into competition with the Tata Nano (more likely it’ll be a competitor for mainstream petite vehicles like the Smart Fortwo) because it’s aimed at a different audience with different demands—heated door mirrors on the iQ3 versus no passenger door mirror whatsoever on the Nano—and a vastly different car budget, but the Toyota iQ3 that is now for sale in the U.K. could one day be headed across the pond as a premium small car for U.S. buyers and it’s already garnered plenty of excitement.

The Toyota Stop and Start system in the iQ3 offers increased fuel efficiency and lowered carbon emissions, which could help put the cute (or should we say QT?) car in competition with hybrid auto choices, but the hefty price tag it’s being sold at in the U.K. (about $19,000 USD) would likely be problematic if it were to come to America and be pitted against the Smart Fortwo, which starts at $11,990—even with the iQ3’s extra seats (one regular, one jumpseat). Click here to read more

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Even though it’s not an individual person, The Price is Right has a higher level of celebrity status than plenty of the actual people in Hollywood. It even survived the departure of the beloved Bob Barker and the less-than-warm welcome fans gave to new host Drew Carey (hell hath no fury like a Price is Right fan who doesn’t like their host). After 53 year on television, the show has definite staying power and most American can identify it within seconds of hearing it’s retro-cheesy music or seeing a clip of games like Cliffhanger. It’s just not the first thing you think of when you think of green.

When it comes down to it, The Price is Right is all about getting new stuff; often unnecessary stuff, like a second dinette set for your dining room, and that just doesn’t fit the reduce component of eco-friendly living. Last week for Earth Day, however, the money-minded game show went green for the day.

Many of the products featured had an environmental-bent, like a recycled reusable coffee mug, solar-charger bags and low-flow faucets, and the famous-for-being-green Ed Begley Jr. made a couple appearances, speaking briefly about his electric car (before presenting one to be won). Even the trips won in the showcase were going to be carbon offset. Click here to read more

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