Toyota GR-4 Yaris debut delayed

The global debut of the Toyota GR Yaris hot hatch prototype, which was to have taken place this Sunday near Coffs Harbour, has been postponed.

Toyota Australia issued a statement this afternoon confirming world premiere of the first Yaris hot hatch has been abandoned due to the cancellation of Rally Australia amid the unprecedented NSW bushfires.

“… the inevitable cancellation of Rally Australia due to the fires around Coffs Harbour, NSW, had also forced the postponement of the global reveal of Toyota GR YARIS prototype,” said Toyota.

“Plans for the reveal will be announced later.”

As we’ve reported, the Toyota GR Yaris prototype -- a teaser image of which was revealed last week on Toyota GAZOO Racing’s Facebook page wearing GR camouflage and GR-4 badging – was to be unveiled at 11:00am this Sunday (November 17) at the Wedding Bells rally stage near Woolgoolga.

We understand the turbocharged all-wheel drive road-going rally rocket was to be driven on the final day of the final round of the 2019 World Rally Championship by a senior Toyota representative, which could have been anyone from multiple Aussie rally champ Neal Bates to Toyota Motor Corporation CEO Akio Toyoda.

Toyota Australia expressed its concern and support for communities affected by the devastating fires and praised the “tireless and courageous work” of emergency services and military support battling the catastrophic conditions.

Coffs Harbour Toyota dealer principal Warren Skinner, who said several of his staff had been directly affected by the fires, urged members of the public to donate money to support affected communities throughout NSW and Queensland.

"Toyota Motor Corporation Japan and Toyota Australia have kicked off our fundraising drive with a joint donation pledge of $250,000, to go directly to the Salvation Army," he said.

"All donations will go to the Salvation Army Australia to assist their efforts both during the immediate crisis and over the longer term to help local communities recover.”

Toyota Australia president Matthew Callachor said the company and its dealers have a strong connection to regional and rural communities who have supported and been supported by Toyota for more than 60 years.

"The Toyota team is devastated to see this disaster in our communities and want to ensure we lend a hand to support those who are affected at this time, which is why we and our parent company in Japan are pleased to provide a quarter of a million dollars to the Australian Salvation Army," he said.

"We have the highest admiration and respect for the Salvation Army and the many other organisations and individuals who are rallying to support everyone in need."

Toyota WRC drivers including Jari-Matti Latvala and newly-crowned world champion Ott Tanak, whose father is a firefighter, have donated to the appeal and expressed their concern for locals via local media.

Donate to the Salvation Army Disaster Appeal here.