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TOYO TIRE Corporation (Headquarters: Itami, Hyogo Prefecture; President: Takashi Shimizu) is supporting Toyota Motor Europe’s challenge at the Dakar Rally 2027, which will take place in Saudi Arabia in January 2027. The company will supply its OPEN COUNTRY M/T-R pickup truck and SUV tires for the hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicle DKR GR FC Hilux, which Toyota Motor Europe will enter in the Dakar Future Mission 1000 category.

Dakar Rally and “Dakar Future Mission 1000”

First held in 1978, the Dakar Rally is regarded as one of the world’s toughest long-distance off-road rallies. Weather and terrain conditions change continuously along the route—from cold mountain regions to scorching deserts. Drivers must negotiate trackless terrain with the utmost precision and accurate navigation.

The Dakar Future Mission 1000 category serves as a proving ground for experimental vehicles, assessing the performance and durability of future technologies such as hydrogen powertrains and electrified drive systems under extreme conditions. In a dedicated competition format, participants race against the clock over a total of 1,000 kilometers across ten stages.

DKR GR FC Hilux as a Technology Demonstrator

The DKR GR FC Hilux is based on the DKR GR Hilux, proven in the Dakar Rally’s top category, and is equipped with Toyota’s hydrogen fuel cell system. Through its participation in Dakar Future Mission 1000, Toyota aims to demonstrate the performance, safety, and reliability of fuel cell technology. The entry forms part of Toyota’s commitment to carbon-neutral motorsport activities and to further exploring the potential of hydrogen technologies.

OPEN COUNTRY M/T-R for Extreme Conditions

The OPEN COUNTRY M/T-R supplied by TOYO TIRE was developed to deliver high off-road performance, along with enhanced durability and wear resistance. It also incorporates sustainable materials that help reduce environmental impact. By reliably supporting the DKR GR FC Hilux in the extreme conditions of the Dakar Rally, TOYO TIRE is helping to explore the broader potential of fuel cell technology.

For Reference: OPEN COUNTRY M/T-R

This product was specially tuned for use in the top classes of the world’s leading rally-raid competitions, including the Dakar Rally. Drawing on insights gained from previous rally campaigns, its off-road performance and resistance to external damage have been further enhanced for high-speed driving in challenging conditions—from hard rock and soft sand to slippery mud.

This product also uses sustainable materials*. They account for 23.8% of the product’s total weight and include materials such as recycled bead wire and recycled carbon black.
* TOYO TIRE defines recycled and renewable raw materials as sustainable materials.