MONTVALE, N.J. -

From urban garden projects to car donations and facebook contests, OEMs are becoming more and more involved in their communities and with their customers. First up, Mercedes-Benz is looking for Facebook fan participation.

In an effort to market its new 2013 models to the brand’s social media followers, Mercedes-Benz is inviting its Facebook fans to what it is calling "Best Summer" — an initiative that is celebrating summertime moments surrounded by Mercedes-Benz events, including most recently Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim.

And this calls for customer participation.

The nameplate is asking its Facebook fans to post a “unique” photo at www.facebook.com/mercedesbenzusa, which will enter them into a sweepstakes for a chance to win a 13 month lease of a 2013 SLK250 roadster. 

“Fans are encouraged to capture their favorite summertime moments while incorporating a Mercedes-Benz vehicle or the Mercedes-Benz logo,” officials added.

The contest will run through Sept. 10. To enter, you must be 21 years of age with a valid driver’s license, the company explained.

Commenting on the initiative, Eric Jillard, manager of digital marketing for Mercedes-Benz USA, said, "The summer season is full of great memories that everyone wants to capture and celebrate. Through the ‘Best Summer’ campaign, we have created a fun way to bring this to life for Mercedes-Benz enthusiasts.

"Over the next several weeks, the Mercedes-Benz three-pointed star will play host to major events providing the perfect backdrop to capture the ‘Best Summer’ photos,” he added.

Mercedes-Benz “Best Summer” events include:

•    Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim: July 19 – 23
•    94th PGA Championship: August 9 – 12
•    Pebble Beach Concours: August 16 – 19
•    US Open: August 23 – Sept 9

And Japanese nameplate Subaru is continuing its own Facebook initiative, as well.

In its “Share the Love” event, Subaru of America Facebook fans will “take the wheel” today and select two charities to join three others for the automaker’s charity event.

“The ‘Share the Love’ event donates $250 for every new Subaru vehicle sold or leased from Nov. 21 through Jan. 2, up to $5 million total, and has donated nearly $20 million to charitable causes since the program’s inception four years ago,” officials explained.

For the second year in a row, Subaru in inviting Facebook fans to cast their vote to decide the final two charities to join the 2012 "Share the Love" roster.

Voting is open through Aug. 26 and fans may vote daily, officials noted.

"’Share the Love’ has always been about giving back to our communities in which we live and work," said Subaru director of marketing communications, Alan Bethke.

"Subaru ‘Share the Love’ charitable partners have always reflected the values and ideals of our owners.  Empowering our digital demographic via Facebook is a natural extension for Share the Love,” he continued.

Other organizations already chosen to benefit from the event include the ASPCA (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals),Make-A-Wish, and Meals On Wheels Association of America.

For more information on candidates or to cast your vote, see here.

GM and Toyota Work to Benefit Local Communities and Non-Profits

Late last week, General Motors unveiled its Cadillac Urban Gardens on Merritt, a community project where 250 shipping crates from Orion Assembly — home of the Buick Verano and Chevrolet Sonic — are converted into raised garden beds, officials explained.

The garden now sits on a once-abandoned southwest Detroit parking lot and “will now benefit nearby residents, providing them nutritious and locally grown food,” the company explained

"IInstead of recycling this material, we found a direct reuse, which saves energy and resources,” said John Bradburn, GM’s manager of waste reduction efforts.

“We seek opportunities for projects in our backyard that reduce environmental impact and strengthen communities,” he added.

This project is a result of collaboration with eight-time GM Supplier of the Year Ideal Group, and composting company Detroit Dirt, officials noted.
And the soil to start the garden came from a variety of community sources.

“The soil, supplied by Detroit Dirt, is sourced from local partners, including Detroit Zoo animal manure, Astro Café coffee grounds, and composted food scraps from the Marriott Hotel in GM’s world headquarters and GM’s Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly Plant, home of the Chevy Volt,” GM shared.

And the company also partnered with various community organizations to plan the garden, as well.

Detroit Dirt provided urban planning expertise, and Southwest Detroit Environmental Vision created the urban environmental plan; Rush Trucking delivered the GM-donated crates for volunteers from Ideal Group, Congress of Communities, Better Day Ministries and Southwest Detroit residents to begin planting.

“Our mission is to create a space that promotes the health and security of our community,” said Frank Venegas, Ideal Group chairman.

“Cadillac Urban Gardens is producing vegetables, community health and growth.  This vision came true with fast action on the part of our collaborative partners.  In four short months, we are well on our way to linking sustainability with producing community growth,” he concluded.

As for Toyota, the company is announced the third group of 25 winners in its Toyota’s 100 Cars for Good program, a nationwide philanthropic effort that allows the public to vote for the winning charity.

Late last week, Toyota revealed the next group of winners, noting that the majority of them provide services in areas including animal welfare, education, food banks and human services for children and adults. Each will receive a new Toyota vehicle.

"As we approach the close of 100 Cars for Good, it is exciting and humbling to see how many communities and organizations Toyota touches through this program," said Jim Lentz, president and chief executive officer of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. Inc.

"With hundreds of thousands of votes through the program thus far, it’s clear that the public is engaged and invested in seeing Toyota vehicles make their way into the community. We look forward to seeing what the last leg of the 2012 program will bring,” he added.

Winners numbered 50 through 75 are:

The Fix Is In Inc., Rhinelander, Wisc.

Wish Upon A Star Inc. , Evansville, Ind.

Family Crisis Center of East Texas, Lufkin, Texas

Heritage Hospice Inc., Danville, Ky.

K9 Specialty Services of Alabama, Columbiana, Ala.

Adelante Mujeres, Forest Grove, Ore.

Freedom Work Opportunities Inc. (FWO), Highland, Mich.

Creek Connections, Meadville, Pa.

Web of Life Foundation, Albuquerque, N.M,

Blessed Assurance Adult Day Care, Matthews, N.C.

Guardian Angel Service Dogs Inc., Orange, Va.  

West Alabama Food Bank, Northport, Ala.

Good Shepard Shelter, Los Angeles
 
Stepping Stones Center, Cincinnati

Mystic Farm Wildlife Rescue, Sagle, Idaho

Craighead Beringia South, Kelly, Wyo.

Appalachian Regional Healthcare, Lexington, Ky.

Mentors 4 Kids Inc., Benton, Ill.

Freedom Fences, Anderson, S.C.

American Red Cross, Minot, N.D.

Desert Arc, Palm Desert, Calif.

Paws to the Rescue, Mullins, S.C.

Bitter Root Humane Association, Hamilton, Mont.

Gould Farm (William J. Gould and Associates), Monterey, Mass.

All Pet Rescue Inc., Fort Pierce, Fla.  

The 500 finalists, from which the 100 winners are ultimately selected, were certified by an independent panel of judges who are experts in the fields of philanthropy and corporate social responsibility, Toyota reported.

Those interested may follow the contest on Facebook at https://apps.facebook.com/carsforgood/ and on Twitter at #100cars