Are ties between Toyota and Hyundai going to trickle down to Malaysia anytime soon? We don’t think so.
In an unprecedented collaboration, rival automotive giants Hyundai Motor Company and Toyota Motor Corporation joined forces to deliver the first-ever ‘Hyundai N x TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Festival’ at Korea’s Yongin Speedway, marking a significant milestone in Asian motorsport history.
The sold-out event showcased both manufacturers’ high-performance vehicles and racing prowess, featuring an impressive lineup of World Rally Championship (WRC) cars and production models. In a remarkable display of corporate camaraderie, Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Euisun Chung and Toyota Motor Corporation Chairman Akio Toyoda participated together in show runs, with Chung joining Toyoda in a Yaris WRC for an exhilarating performance.
Star-Studded Driver Lineup
The festival brought together an exceptional roster of driving talent. Hyundai N’s contingent included current WRC drivers’ championship leader Thierry Neuville, alongside veterans Dani Sordo and Andreas Mikkelsen. Toyota’s roster featured WRC driver Takamoto Katsuta and team principal Jari-Matti Latvala.
High-Performance Showcase
Hyundai’s display included impressive demonstrations of their i20 N Rally 1 Hybrid and two i20 N Rally 2 competition cars. The Korean manufacturer also showcased their consumer-focused N lineup, including the innovative IONIQ 5 N and Elantra N models. Toyota responded with dynamic runs of their GR YARIS Rally 1 HYBRID, GR Yaris Rally 2, GR Supra and GR86.
Interactive Customer Experience
The festival prioritised fan engagement through various interactive programmes. Sixty high-performance vehicle owners – split equally between Hyundai N and Toyota GR models – participated in an exclusive track day event at the Yongin Speedway circuit. The ‘WRC Taxi’ experience offered attendees the unique opportunity to experience rally-style driving in actual WRC cars.
Future Technology on Display
Both manufacturers used the event to showcase their vision for the future of high-performance motoring. Hyundai’s exhibition featured their innovative ‘Rolling Labs’, including the RN24 test vehicle and the hydrogen fuel cell hybrid N Vision 74. Toyota displayed their forward-thinking ORC ROOKIE GR Corolla H2 Concept and the AE86 H2 concept, demonstrating their commitment to hydrogen-powered technology.
Community Impact
In a gesture of commitment to Korean motorsport development, both companies announced that all proceeds from ticket sales would be donated to the Korea Automobile Racing Association (KARA). This initiative aims to foster domestic car culture and expand motorsport participation in South Korea.
Any Malaysian Significance?
In Malaysia, Sime Darby Motors is currently the principal of Hyundai. Sime Darby Motors also completely owns UMW, which is a majority stakeholder of Toyota’s operations in Malaysia. While the current arrangement is such that Sime Darby Motors doesn’t directly meddle with the operations of Toyota Malaysia, there’s a possibility of some synergies between the two brands in the future. Perhaps the Toyota Gazoo Racing Festival will feature some Hyundai N vehicles on display next year?
