A brief history of Toyo Tires
Toyo Tires has stood for innovation, quality, performance, and excellent service for over 75 years, including 40 years in Europe. Combined, the Toyo group of companies has development, manufacturing, testing, distribution, and marketing operations throughout the Americas, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Oceania.
As a result, Toyo Tires has built a solid reputation around the world. And who knows tyres better than the very people who manufacture and sell them every day? In Europe, Toyo Tires have been recommended in numerous magazine tests while in the United States, Toyo Tires has been named #1 Overall Brand by North American tyre dealers an unprecedented seven times since 2000.
Founding
The vision to manufacture great tyres began in August 1945, when the founding president, Mr. Rikimatsu Tomihisa, established the Toyo Tire & Rubber Co, Ltd. in Japan.
In 1975, Toyo Reifen GmbH was established in Germany, the first Toyo Tires European company. This was followed by Toyo Tyre UK in 1981 and Toyo Banden B.V in the Netherlands in 1989.
In 2005, Toyo Tire Europe was established as the headquarters of Toyo in Europe and parent to Toyo Tyre (UK) Ltd, Toyo Tire Benelux B.V and Toyo Tire Italia Spa. Toyo Tire Europe became responsible for all sales and marketing across Europe to importers and subsidiaries.
Applications
To meet the demands of consumers—and set a few trends in the process—Toyo Tires has also become a leader in fitments and dynamic tyre applications.
During the tuning market expansion in early 21st century, Toyo Tires responded with low profile, large rim diameter high performance tyres. The highly successful Proxes T1S was followed by the Proxes T1R, Proxes T1 Sport and 2017 sees the introduction of the Proxes Sport. The new tyre provides “A” grade wet grip across the entire range while still providing exhilarating cornering and braking for enthusiastic drivers.
SUV and Off-Road
Toyo Tires are specialists in SUV and 4×4 tyres. The road tyre range extends from Proxes Sport & Proxes Sport SUV Ultra High performance tyres for fast highway use to Open Country U/T, A/T and M/T tyres which perfectly complement working 4x4s and light trucks/pickups
In 4×4, Open Country A/T plus and for more serious off-road, Open Country M/T provide the mobility to take you further. Race versions of the Open Country M/T tyre have been used to win the FIA Cross Country Rally Championship 2 Wheel trophy, the FIA T2 Cross Country Championship, the Baja 1000 and several stages of the Dakar Rally.
Motorsports
Toyo Tires have been used in almost all forms of motorsport from grass-roots track racing championships, Rallycross, Hill Climbing, Le Mans 24hr and competitive drifting, to name but a few.
Built on the success of the Proxes R888, the improved R888R was introduced in 2015 offering even higher levels of grip, consistency and cornering power.
Today
Toyo Tire Europe GmbH has three subsidiary sales companies and distributors in every major European market.
Our tyre portfolio covers a broad range of applications—from the high-performance, racing-inspired Proxes line to the Open Country line for 4×4 and SUVs to the Environmental NanoEnergy range. No matter which car, 4×4, SUV, or van you drive, Toyo Tires has the right tyres for you.
The commitment of Toyo Tires to innovation, quality, performance, and excellent customer service is unwavering and ongoing.