1 post tagged “racing”
In what may not be too much of a surprise, Toyota has announced that it will be leaving Formula One racing at the end of the 2009 season. Toyota’s announcement follows similar announcements from other automakers that are exiting motorsports in order to save money.
Toyota has been very active in F1 racing in recent years, and the automaker has benefited from the research and development associated with the racing championship series. However, the abrupt economic changes were cited for Toyota’s reconsideration of its motor-sports activities.
Fans such as those visiting Toyota Shelbyville will no doubt be disappointed by Toyota’s withdrawal from F1 racing. The automaker has earned 13 podium and 87 point finishes since 2002. Despite its exit, Toyota Financing Tacoma says Toyota acknowledges that fans of the Panasonic Toyota Racing team remain highly appreciated by the automaker.
Although Toyota is leaving F1 behind for now, the automaker is by no means is abandoning performance and advanced research. An example of Toyota’s performance-orientated R&D is the all-new Lexus LFA super car. According to used car dealers Concord, Toyota also recently showed off an all-new sporty rear-wheel drive coupe that was co-developed with Subaru.
Despite Toyota’s exit from racing, the automaker appears to have performance still very much at the forefront of product development.
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Although F1 racing fans will be disappointed by the news, Toyota motorsports will continue.
