When it comes to building long-lasting partnerships, our work with Toyota is arguably best-in-class example. As one of the most revered companies and brands in the world, a market leader and trend-setter, Toyota has countless stories to be told.

The company’s commitment to international motorsport over the years has seen involvement in the FIA Formula One World Championship, the FIA World Rally Championship and most recently the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), including the 24 Hours of Le Mans – one leg of the prestigious triple crown of motorsport.

The corporation’s R&D and motorsport division – TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Europe – applies the experience and technologies developed through its racing activities to Toyota’s effort to make more efficient, more environmentally friendly, and ever-better road cars.

Our objectives

Three key objectives were identified in our support of Toyota Motor Europe and TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Europe:

1. In the short term, Toyota wanted to significantly grow its motor racing fan base – not simply the numbers, but their passion and enthusiasm for the racing too
2. In the longer term, the goal was for this to translate into selling more cars
3. Overall, Toyota wanted to evolve and elevate its brand, so the public more closely associated it with high performance racing and technological excellence

Toyota wanted to engage with everyone: its various partners, its own employees, its current customers, the automotive media and of course motorsport fans. Most of all, it wanted to connect with the many potential customers who were perhaps only vaguely aware of the significance of Le Mans, WEC, or indeed Toyota’s powerhouse credentials in both.

From a messaging perspective, the link between the hybrid technologies in Toyota’s race and road cars needed to be made real, an understanding that its road cars have serious racing pedigree. Most importantly, it would be critical to make clear that motorsport was not simply an element of Toyota’s business strategy, it was part of their core DNA, and they were fully committed to it for the long term. 

Our solution

We established a very close and collaborative relationship with both Toyota Motor Europe and TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Europe marketing teams. A social media engagement strategy was developed, for the execution of which we provided Toyota with ongoing support on message development, content creation and social outreach, including during race events.

Using social media as the primary platform allows Toyota to engage directly with all its audiences. As a medium, it also provides the best opportunity to transfer some of the drama and energy during race events, with real-time updates promoting a more emotional connection with their viewers.  And it provides their distribution partners with exciting material that can be used to amplify Toyota’s core messaging in local sales markets across Europe.