UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) has officially launched the 19th edition of the Toyota Dream Car Art Contest (DCAC) — a celebrated global initiative that encourages children to imagine the future of mobility through art and creativity. Running from 1 October 2025 to 8 February 2026, this year’s contest invites young Malaysians to design their “Dream Car” — a vehicle that not only redefines transportation but also contributes to a better, safer, and more inclusive world.
The annual contest serves as a creative platform for children to express their ideas about what future cars could be — whether they protect the planet, bring communities closer, or create opportunities for all. Since its inception in 2004, the Toyota Dream Car Art Contest has inspired nearly 9.4 million children from 144 countries and regions, reflecting the global reach of Toyota’s mission to nurture imagination and hope through art.
“Every great idea begins with imagination,” said Datuk Ravindran K., President of UMW Toyota Motor. “Through the Dream Car Art Contest, we aim to inspire children to dream fearlessly about the future of mobility and show how their creativity can spark real-world solutions for a better planet. This contest reflects Toyota’s commitment to nurturing creativity and strengthening our bonds with communities across Malaysia.”
The 19th Toyota Dream Car Art Contest is open to children across Malaysia in three age categories:
- Group 1: 7 years old and under
- Group 2: 8 to 11 years old
- Group 3: 12 to 15 years old
Each group will feature five outstanding winners, including Gold, Silver, and Bronze awards, along with two consolation prizes. From these, nine Malaysian representatives — three from each category — will advance to the World Contest in Japan, where they will compete among some of the most imaginative young artists globally. National winners will be announced in April 2026.
In the previous edition, the contest received an impressive 665,326 submissions from 90 countries, proving that creativity knows no borders. This year, participants are encouraged to express their vision through both hand-drawn and digital artwork, using diverse materials and techniques. Entries can be submitted on A3-sized paper or in high-resolution digital formats (JPG or PNG).
“Through the Dream Car Art Contest, we see creativity as the first step toward mobility — not just the movement of vehicles, but the movement of ideas and people,” added Datuk Ravindran. “It’s a celebration of how imagination can drive inclusion, sustainability, and innovation, the same principles that guide Toyota’s pursuit of Mobility for All.”
The initiative embodies Toyota’s global vision of “Mobility for All”, empowering children to think beyond conventional ideas and envision how technology, compassion, and creativity can transform the world. By nurturing innovation and imagination from a young age, UMW Toyota Motor aims to cultivate a generation of future designers, engineers, and changemakers who will redefine the role of mobility in society.
For UMW Toyota Motor, the Dream Car Art Contest is more than just an art competition — it is a celebration of imagination as the foundation for progress. It reminds us that the journey toward a more sustainable and inclusive future begins with a child’s dream and a blank canvas.
As Toyota continues its mission to create happiness for all through mobility, initiatives like the Dream Car Art Contest highlight the brand’s enduring belief that the future is built not just by technology, but by the dreams of those who dare to imagine it.
For more details and submission guidelines, visit the official website at: https://www.toyota.com.my/en/discover-toyota/toyota-dream-car-art-contest.html
