Asahi Kasei has concluded an agreement to be an official partner of TOYOTA GAZOO Racing (TGR) for the 2020 FIA World Rally Championship (WRC). The WRC pits drivers and production-based cars against some of the toughest and most varied conditions on the planet and is the world’s premier rally series.

During the 2020 WRC, the Asahi Kasei logo will be displayed prominently on the A-pillars¹ of the competing Toyota Yaris vehicles as well as on the upper left arm of the all drivers’ racing suits. Asahi Kasei believes that its partnership with TGR together with its official partnership with WRC will have a significant promotional effect. Moreover, Japan is scheduled to host a WRC event this year after a 10-year interval, which is expected to draw attention from around the world.

Asahi Kasei has been an official partner of WRC since 2018. In 2020 as well, the Asahi Kasei logo will be displayed prominently in the windshields of the competing vehicles as well as along the route in the host cities and surrounding areas at WRC events. More information about WRC is available at www.wrc.com/en/.

Asahi Kasei is globally expanding its automotive-related business which includes engineering plastics to replace metal and enable vehicle weight reduction, microfiber suede for seats with superior comfort, and an in-car communication system utilizing audio and speech processing technology.

Its partnership with WRC will enable Asahi Kasei to enhance corporate brand recognition in Europe where there is a rich heritage of rally competition, while supporting the automotive industry’s effort to improve vehicle performance through motorsport competition under the most severe conditions.

• ¹The two support posts that are positioned on either side of the windshield of a vehicle