Toyota GR86 Takes Home 2022 SEMA Award

The GR86 Earns the 2022 SEMA Sport Compact of the Year, Giving Toyota Back-to-Back Recognition at the Show’s Signature Event

LAS VEGAS (Nov. 1, 2022) – SEMA member companies selected the Toyota GR86 to receive the 2022 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Sport Compact of the Year Award. This prestigious award marks back-to-back SEMA recognition for Toyota, which last year received SEMA Sport Compact of the Year and SEMA Mid-Size Truck of the Year awards for the GR Supra and the Tacoma, respectively.

“SEMA congratulates Toyota on having the GR86 selected by SEMA Show exhibitors to win the Sport Compact of the Year Award,” said Mike Spagnola, SEMA president and CEO. “This year’s recognition and last year’s Toyota Supra and Tacoma awards validate Toyota’s reputation for quality performance vehicles and its commitment to the specialty market, once again proving Toyota’s collaboration with the aftermarket continues to create more options for consumers.”

Toyota is displaying an array of featured vehicles and build concepts, along with a variety of production cars, SUVs and trucks in its SEMA Show exhibit (Central Hall, Booth No. 22200) at the Las Vegas Convention Center Nov. 1-4, 2022. This new and expanded space further demonstrates Toyota’s belief in the automotive aftermarket and devotion to on- and off-pavement performance, excitement and adventure.

“We are honored to receive this significant SEMA Award, and it’s a great testament to not only our thrilling GR86 sports car but also the thousands of Toyota employees who work hard every day to deliver GR86s to our loyal customers,” said Lisa Materazzo, group vice president – Toyota Division Marketing. “It’s wonderful to earn back-to-back SEMA awards. Our relationship with SEMA and its member companies remains strong.”

On display are two special vehicles representing the GR86. At SEMA for the first time is the Toyota GR86 Cup Car, the dedicated steed for the all-new single make Toyota GR Cup racing series that debuts in 2023. Toyota also is showing the Toyota GR86 Daily Drifter, photographer Larry Chen’s vision of a drift car that resonates with fans of the purpose-built race cars competing in pro series like Formula Drift.

About Toyota
Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in the U.S. for more than 60 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our nearly 1,500 dealerships.

Toyota directly employs more than 39,000 people in the U.S. who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of nearly 32 million cars and trucks at our nine manufacturing plants. By 2025, Toyota’s 10th plant in North Carolina will begin to manufacture automotive batteries for electrified vehicles. With the more electrified vehicles on the road than any other automaker, a quarter of the company’s 2021 U.S. sales were electrified.

To help inspire the next generation for a career in STEM-based fields, including mobility, Toyota launched its virtual education hub at www.TourToyota.com with an immersive experience and chance to virtually visit many of our U.S. manufacturing facilities. The hub also includes a series of free STEM-based lessons and curriculum through Toyota USA Foundation partners, virtual field trips and more. For more information about Toyota, visit www.ToyotaNewsroom.com.

Connor Hoffman
Toyota Product Communications
[email protected]