Toyota aligns with city of Jyvaskyla (Finland) for groundbreaking new WRC development hub
TMF chairman Akio Toyoda, deputy chairman Shigeru Hayakawa, Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team CEO Yuichiro Haruna and Mayor of Jyväskylä Timo Koivisto met today (Thursday) to sign a Letter of Intent (LOI). The agreement seeks to foster a carbon-neutral, sustainable and diversified society through community development that harmonises with people and nature.
At the heart of the initiative lies the establishment of a brand-new TGR-WRT Development Center in Jyväskylä, Finland. Situated in the picturesque Finnish lake district, Jyväskylä has been home to Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team since 2017 and also forms the base of this week’s ninth round.
The TGR-WRT Development Center will not only serve as a central hub for the squad’s WRC activities but also as a European base for developing 'ever better cars.' Embracing sustainability as a core aspect, it will collaborate closely with the City of Jyväskylä and TMF to lead initiatives focused on decarbonisation and emissions reduction.
“In realising our new TGR-WRT Development Center here in Jyväskylä, we also want to be a good neighbour to the local community,” Haruna explained. “Through the guidance of our Chairman, Akio Toyoda, we began discussions with the City of Jyväskylä and TMF to explore ideas in support of positive community development. With the signing of this LOI today, we start working together to plan, develop and realise these goals.”
Koivisto emphasised the significance of the partnership, saying: “This opens up new opportunities where the pursuit of sustainable development, a carbon-neutral future and data-driven mobility is concerned. In terms of its size, location and institutions of higher education, its competence base, Jyväskylä is an ideal partner in regard to the development of future solutions. We are also genuinely proud of the fact that one of the world’s largest car manufacturers, Toyota, is strengthening its presence in our city.”
Hayakawa added: “TMF is very much honoured to have been given the opportunity to participate in the Community Creation Project here at Jyväskylä, where our World Rally Team is located.
“We sincerely hope to work together and realise the project that best fits with the characteristics of the City of Jyväskylä, the capital of sports, the culture and art, full of beautiful lakes and forests, and many promising students.”
