Comment from President Akio Toyoda
Concerning the Outcome of the 2017 Dakar Rally

The 2017 Dakar Rally which had started off the New Year has now come to an end.

Team Land Cruiser Toyota Auto Body has once again emerged victorious for the fourth consecutive year within the Production Division category.

Hino Team Sugawara also came in first for the eighth straight year with their Hino Ranger in the Truck category (10-liter or smaller class).

I am incredibly pleased with these victories, and wish to congratulate everyone who has been part of this rally.

Overall, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing South Africa came in 5th, and Overdrive Toyota came in 4th respectively.

I would also like to thank all our fans who have supported the Toyota teams and vehicles during their challenge at the Dakar Rally this year.

I am proud of all Toyota entrants challenging in this demanding rally, and have conquered the grueling terrain with their Toyota-badged vehicles.

This year, out of the 79 vehicles which had participated in the Car category, 36 were made up of Toyota vehicles, such as the Hilux, the Fortuner, and the Land Cruiser, among others.

The Dakar Rally is notoriously tough, and we are therefore pleased and humbled by the number of teams that have placed all of their trust into their Toyota vehicles.

We are very grateful, and in response to these expectations held of Toyota, we have once again come to the renewed recognition of the need to continuously make ever-better cars.

Challenging difficult roads and courses help in the development of our people and to improve our products, which contribute to the making of ever-better cars.

Going forward, the whole Toyota Group will strive to continue to make ever-better cars by experiencing the diverse roads and terrains across the world.

I would like to thank you for your continued support.

Thank you very much.

January 15, 2017

Akio Toyoda
President
Toyota Motor Corporation