It’s time for Africa!
In late August, Toyota will kick off the fifth leg of the 5 Continents Drive Project-1 in Africa, which is the fourth of five legs. Following Australia in 2014, the Americas-2 in 2015 and 2016, and Europe in 2017, Toyota heads to Africa this year.
In addition, members from Suzuki Motor Cooperation, Hino Motors Ltd., and Toytota Auto Body Co., Ltd. will also join the project.
By experiencing the unique culture (“Team Africa”), climate, and harsh conditions in which vehicles are used, the project seeks to enable participants to better understand customer needs, and to consider what sort of vehicles will be most suited to the Africa of tomorrow.
The 5 Continents Drive is being carried out under the umbrella of Toyota Gazoo Racing.
Toyota employees from Japan and local affiliates (in this instance, Toyota South Africa staff members) ‘take the wheel’ of the cars themselves and drive the roads used daily by customers, with the aim of making “ever-better cars”. The project sees the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 as a milestone, and will endeavour to continue its activities until the games.
For the purpose of the 5 Continents Drive Project, North America and Latin America are categorised as one continent (“the Americas”).