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The Land Cruiser 300 GR Sport, fitted with Open Country M/TR tires and driven by Team Land Cruiser Toyota Auto Body (TLC) has won the production category of the 2024 Dakar Rallye.

(Miura and Barbel collect their trophies)

Toyo Tires has been supporting TLC's participation in the Dakar since 2021, and last year the two parties renewed their partnership, continuing support for TLC's participation in the rally. Utilizing the off-road rally technology and experience cultivated with TLC, Toyo Tires have produced tires for two Land Cruiser 300 GR Sport cars. The cars were equipped with Open Country M/TR in a Dakar Rally 2024 specification.  Toyo Tires developed and supplied this new spec product which improves running performance on rough roads such as rocky areas and deserts, while also employing sustainable materials for 50% of the total weight to reduce environmental impact.

The Dakar Rallye 2024 started from Al-Ula in northwestern Saudi Arabia and headed to the goal in Yanbu on the west coast via 12 special stages. The team completed a total total distance traveled, including liaison sections, of around 8,000km. The course included multiple stages through the sand dunes with steep slopes, stressing both the vehicle and tires. The high performance of the Open Country tires on rough roads supported the driving, with both TLC vehicles successfully completing the race. The car of Akira Miura and co-driver Mayeul Barbet took first place, with the car of Ronald Basso & Jean Michel Polato in second. With this win, TLC achieved their 11th consecutive victory in the class.

TLC Director,Yuji Kakutani said, "In order to complete the race as the competition becomes more and more difficult every year, we need tires that can make the most of the vehicle's performance. Everyone on the team, including Toyo Tire's engineers, I'm really happy that we were able to work together to achieve our 11th consecutive victory in the production car category.'' In addition, driver Akira Miura, who won the class, said, "The Dakar Rallye 2024 was the toughest course I have ever experienced in a competition. Among these, the Open Country M/TR was a great tire for its high durability and running performance. They supported us and gave the drivers confidence,'' he said, looking back on the rally.

Toyo Tires use the experience participating in off-road races, in harsh environments to improve the performance of our tires for pickup trucks and SUVs. In addition, in order to contribute to the realization of a next-generation mobility society, we will strive to develop products and materials, strengthen technology, build product and raw material recycling technology, and develop alternative materials for environmentally hazardous substances.