Toyota Australia has announced it will join Supercars from 2026 with Walkinshaw Andretti United defecting after less than two full seasons as a Ford team.
WAU, the former Holden Racing Team factory outfit, sought to convince big-name manufacturers to join the category for the Gen3 era that began last year before ultimately making the dramatic move to Ford.
But they have now achieved their goal following Toyota’s confirmation on Wednesday that it will enter Supercars with the GR Supra, naming WAU as its homologation team.
Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today 
Toyota described joining Supercars as “a dream come true” and confirmed a minimum five-year commitment.
“At Toyota, we have been toying with the idea of competing in Supercars for more than 20 years,” Sean Henley, Toyota Australia’s vice-president of sales, marketing and franchise operations, said.
“And now with the right car, the right team, and a very strong partnership with the Supercars Championship, the time is definitely right.
“This is truly a historic moment!”
Toyota Australia has already designed a prototype GR Supra clay model and confirmed the car will be powered by the company’s own quad-cam V8.
Toyota has been linked with Supercars through the 86 Series support category, which could now become a formal factory-backed pathway for drivers and teams.
The likes of Broc Feeney and Will Brown raced in the series on their way to the top level.
Supercars itself had been dominated by Holden (now Chevrolet) and Ford for years before Nissan and Mercedes entries arrived and then departed within the 2010s decade.
Toyota’s arrival will throw a spanner in the works for Supercars after the first two years under the Gen3 ruleset were embroiled by parity debates.
But it is a genuine coup for the category to break the Holden/Chevrolet and Ford duopoly with the country’s top-selling car brand.
“This is an incredible honour, to welcome Toyota to the Supercars Championship from 2026,” Supercars chief executive Shane Howard said.
“This is a landmark moment for Supercars, solidifying an iconic global automotive brand on our grid from 2026.
“It’s a testament to the immense popularity and international appeal of our sport that a powerhouse like Toyota has chosen to join our grid.
“We congratulate Toyota on its commitment to Supercars and are proud to be in such esteemed company as it continues its global motorsport legacy.”
WAU director Ryan Walkinshaw said it is “a fantastic honour and privilege” to link up with Toyota as the homologation team.
“Toyota’s commitment to our team and to the sport is a historic moment, and one that shouldn’t be underestimated,” he said.
“We have developed a fantastic relationship with Toyota Australia through the Walkinshaw Group, and we are delighted to extend that partnership into Walkinshaw Andretti United.
“We can’t wait to share success together in 2026 and beyond.
“While the future is certainly exciting, our immediate focus is on the remainder of 2024 and the 2025 seasons, winning races, and sending off our relationship with Ford the right way.”
WAU’s current drivers Chaz Mostert and Ryan Wood have been confirmed as sticking around to drive the new GR Supra in Toyota’s 2026 debut.
The Supercars season resumes next month with the Bathurst 1000, live and free on Seven and 7plus.
