Comments on: Toyota pledges to stay… in NASCAR

By: 4kBeast

4kBeast — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 05:31:12 +0000

Toyota doesn’t think F1 is garbage. Their operations in NASCAR is kind of a separate gig. If they were making enough money worldwide in todays car market they’d still be in F1 – but the reality is that Toyota isn’t going to take government bailouts or tax incentives from the US government. Toyota is scaling its operations to match what they can afford. I’m not happy with the decision, but I know that it is the thing to do to ensure Toyota survives.

Toyota is still in the growing phase in NASCAR, and I think Toyota does realize a greater return in their major market per dollar spent in NASCAR vs F1. Simple as that, but don’t be confused. Toyota has a different corporate structure, and a couple of different racing divisions. Let me explain:

To my understanding, TTE – Toyota Team Europe headed up our WRC and F1 efforts over the years, and NASCAR is run by TRD, a US version of TRD Technocraft in Japan. I can’t remember if TRD reports back to TMC (Corporate Japan) or if they report to TMS (US Corporate). Additionally, they have Toyota Motorsports. Fact is that our F1 and NASCAR efforts are not really related, which is why F1 being cut doesn’t mean more money for NASCAR.

By: 4kBeast

4kBeast — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 05:03:56 +0000

The US is rumored to only be getting around 200 of the 500 units planned for production … I think you’re spot on that F1 has made a major influence on the design of this car. And yes, no car of tomorrow technology could be found under that sleek, carbon fiber bonnet. :)

By: SR

SR — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 14:16:58 +0000

For the most part you are correct…BUT Toyota is about to release a $400,000 V10 supercar…I’m not sure there’s going to be a whole lot of “the-car-of-tomorrow” built into that beast. I’ll give you one guess where they got the basics of that V10 from… I don’t think you’re going to see any LF-A advertisments at Talledaga. Many industry insiders are also saying that a hi-tech replacement for the Supra is on its way, F1 is the perfect marketing vehicle for both those cars…

By: Vaibhav Pareek

Vaibhav Pareek — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 09:43:51 +0000

But now I think Toyota has understood the fact that if they want to be popular in market F1 is not the place for them because their road cars are not comparable to them, unlike Ferrari, Mclaren, Mercedes, BMW etc coz they have a different market, a different approach and a different culture in their company.

By: Tim Dev

Tim Dev — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 02:50:40 +0000

They Toyota budget is roughly $10,000,000 per car in Cup. So two F1 team budgets could fund the ENTIRE Cup field.