'Beyond Competition'... "Let's Continue the Thrilling Rivalry Next Year"
Expanding Collaboration Beyond Racing to Hydrogen and Other Sectors
Hyundai Motor Company has attracted attention for the spirit of friendly competition it has fostered in the racing sector, as it published an advertisement congratulating the 'Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team' on achieving a triple crown at the '2025 FIA World Rally Championship (WRC)'.
On the 22nd, Hyundai Motor Company ran a full-page advertisement titled 'Beyond Competition' in major media outlets in both Korea and Japan. The ad featured Akio Toyoda (driver name: Morizo), Chairman of Toyota Group, as well as S?bastien Ogier and Vincent Landais, among other TGR-WRT team members, celebrating on the Rally Japan podium in early November.
Full-page advertisement published by Hyundai Motor Company in major Japanese newspapers on the 22nd. Hyundai Motor Company
The advertisement also included an image of the two companies' racing vehicles-the Hyundai i20 N Rally1 (bottom left) and the Toyota GR Yaris Rally1-competing in this season's WRC.
Hyundai Motor Company explained that the advertisement was a sincere gesture to congratulate its rival Toyota for its outstanding performance in the spirit of friendly competition. Through both Korean and Japanese languages, Hyundai Motor Company conveyed, "Congratulations to driver Morizo and the Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team on achieving the triple crown in the 2025 WRC season."
Hyundai Motor Company further stated, "Both companies are rivals and partners growing together through passionate, friendly competition in motorsports," and added, "We look forward to creating another thrilling season next year that will move and excite fans."
This advertisement is in response to Toyota's congratulatory ad last year, when Thierry Neuville of the Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team won the WRC drivers' championship.
At the 'Hyundai N x Toyota Gazoo Racing Festival' held last year in Yongin, Chung Euisun, Chairman of Hyundai Motor Group (left), and Akio Toyoda, Chairman of Toyota Group, are greeting the audience. Hyundai Motor Company
Hyundai Motor Company and Toyota have recently continued to strengthen their relationship in the field of racing.
On October 27 last year, Hyundai Motor Group and Toyota Group co-hosted the 'Hyundai N x Toyota Gazoo Racing' festival at the Yongin Everland Speedway. At the event, Chung Euisun, Chairman of Hyundai Motor Group, and Akio Toyoda, Chairman of Toyota Group, rode together in a WRC vehicle, performing multiple high-level stunts such as 'donut driving.' The two leaders took to the main stage, embraced, and praised each other's passion for the motorsports industry.
Chairman Chung commented, "Together with Toyota, we will continue to take on challenges in motorsports so that more people can enjoy driving." Chairman Akio Toyoda responded, "I hope Toyota and Hyundai Motor Company can join hands to create a better society and shape the future of mobility together."
In June this year, at the 'N?rburgring 24 Hours Endurance Race,' Hyundai Motor Company and Toyota jointly operated a booth. The two companies' WRC race cars were displayed side by side, with Hyundai Motor Company showcasing the Rolling Lab RM19-known as a 'moving laboratory'-and Toyota presenting the GR Yaris M Concept, a mid-engine high-performance concept car.
A graphic image depicting the competition between the Hyundai i20 N Rally1 (right) and the Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 vehicles participating in the World Rally Championship (WRC). Hyundai Motor Company
Collaboration in the field of racing is expanding into other business sectors as well. A representative example is the hydrogen business, where Hyundai Motor Company and Toyota rank first and second globally. The two companies are joining forces to expand infrastructure in the emerging hydrogen industry, and in May this year, they co-established the 'Hydrogen Transport Forum' with BMW in Australia.
Jang Jaehoon, Vice Chairman of Hyundai Motor Group, emphasized at Hyundai Motorstudio Goyang on December 4, "We are actually collaborating with Toyota on many aspects," adding, "Discussions have even included hydrogen standards and tank standards."
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