Happy New Year to everyone who has finally reached the finish line of the Dakar Rally and welcomed the new year.

Thank you very much for your hard work on the 7500km long, 15-day drive.

To all those who challenged the Dakar Rally with hydrogen-engine buggies
Last year you completed the rally by running 90% of the distance.
This year, you completed 100% of the roads and finished the Dakar in the truest sense of the word.

I believe that you were able to show the evolution of the hydrogen engine to the world again this year.

Let's create a future together where everyone can be excited by the sound of engines.

Thank you so much for another year of crazy challenges!

Akio Toyoda, Chairman, Toyota Motor Corporation

Dear HINO TEAM SUGAWARA
Congratulations on your 13th place in class and your 34th consecutive Dakar finish!

Drivers can drive comfortably...
and reach their destinations safely and with less burden...
Such trucks support the world's logistics.

I hope you will continue to take on the challenge of achieving this goal!

Akio Toyoda, Chairman, Toyota Motor Corporation

Dear Team Land Cruiser Toyota Auto Body
Congratulations on your 12th consecutive win.

When Team Land Cruiser won its eighth consecutive Dakar Rally in 2021, I mistakenly sent you all the following words:“You did it! Congratulations on your 12th consecutive victory! Congratulations on your hard work...”

Mr Miura was quick to point out my mistake, saying: “It was HINO which won 12 consecutive titles.”

But I responded: “I am saying V12 in many places, so please make it V12! Win four more times!”

I was well aware of the tremendous pressure this “terrible” exchange was putting on Team Land Cruiser.

Overcoming this pressure year after year, they drove through the grueling roads and won V9, V10, V11.

And this year, you finally made the promised V12 a reality.

Let me say it again: “Congratulations on your 12th consecutive victory! Congratulations on your hard work...”

I finally got to say these words. Thank you for giving me this opportunity!

When I asked Mr Miura to win four more times, he replied: “I'm quite happy because I want to rally as much as I can.”

I think it has been a difficult four years. However, I believe that the Land Cruiser has become an “ever-better-car” year after year thanks to his continuous efforts.

Coincidentally, the year the team achieved victory number 12 was our last year in the production class.

Even though the team have fulfilled the promise of V12, will everyone's feelings remain the same, will they say “I want to rally as much as I can”?

If your feelings remain the same, I hope that you will continue to hone Land Cruisers in the future.

There is no goal in making ever-better cars!
Thank you, adventures, for keeping your word.

Morizo