Toyo Tire & Rubber : Tires Begins Global Brand Ambassador Partnership Agreement with Ken Block

Osaka, Japan - 25 February, 2016 - Toyo Tire & Rubber Co., Ltd. (Takashi Shimizu, president) announces that it has executed a partnership agreement with renowned American racer Ken Block and his team, Hoonigan Racing Division.

Ken Block ;　Hoonigan Racing Division

The company has appointed Ken Block a Proxes brand ambassador and will roll out promotional activities to globally promote the exceptional quality of its ultra-high-performance (UHP) Proxes tires.

Ken Block is a race driver and athlete who has competed successfully in numerous sports. Today Block's focus is on rally competitions, and his highly-successful 'Gymkhana' video franchise. The franchise has received more than 350 million views to date and showcases his awe-inspiring driving.

Gymkhana EIGHT will debut on the Ford Performance YouTube channel on February 29th at 9 PM (PST). It will feature his all-new Ford Fiesta ST RX43 equipped with Toyo Proxes R1R tires. This video will provide car enthusiasts worldwide a close-up look at the Proxes R1R's superior traction in action under rigorous usage.

The first joint project between Toyo Tires and Ken Block is the Gymkhana EIGHT livery reveal video. Gymkhana EIGHT Livery Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-UEF6OJOT4

It gives fans their first official glimpse of Block's Fiesta in Gymkhana EIGHT trim but also their first official look of Block's car equipped with Toyo tires.

Toyo Tires will support Ken Block as a Proxes brand ambassador, and this partnership will boost the company's global brand recognition and image through visibility in the driver's videos and racing activities.