Oakley partners with Toyota
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The Oakley Tacoma. Courtesy of Oakley.
Press Release:
OAKLEY PARTNERS WITH TOYOTA TO INTRODUCE THE OAKLEY SURF TRUCK
Radically Customized Tacoma Truck to Chase Swells and Service Oakley Surf Team; Follow #OakleySurfTacoma on Twitter
Foothill Ranch, Calif. (June 6, 2012) – Oakley, one of the leading sports brands in the world, and Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. (TMS) today introduced the Oakley Surf Tacoma into service. The highly customized vehicle, complete with detailed features designed to serve as a surfer’s dream station, will service Oakley’s world-class team of surfing professionals.
The truck will drop into action on major swell-chasing trips and at contests as a means of transportation, pre-heat preparation and post-event activities. It will also make special appearances at various sports events throughout North America.
“We’re honored to have the support of one of the world’s leaders in motorsports and consumer vehicles,” said Patrick McIlvain, Oakley’s vice president of global sports marketing.
“The surfing lifestyle-friendly design of the Toyota Tacoma truck, coupled with our world-class pro surf program, was a natural fit, and we couldn’t be more stoked on the incredible custom features the Oakley Tacoma carries to support our athletes.”
“It’s the ultimate surf truck for a Baja (Mexico) Surf Trip,” added Ronny Nelson, Oakley’s global surf manager.
“With a barbeque grill; ice chest; 30 gallon bladder full of fresh water for showers or drinking; onboard compressor so you can deflate the tires and drive through deep sand, then when you get back on the road, you can blow the tires back up (then use the tool to blow away sand and debris); full off-road lights to drive at any time of the night in any kind of darkness on any terrain; epic stereo system and TV; a converter for our videographers and photographers to charge their batteries while they’re filming the team all day long in the field; overhead rack system for attaching multiple surfboards; pull out awning to make shade; and Wet Okole neoprene waterproof seats so you can get in with wet boardshorts and not have to worry about ruining your chairs or getting that funky stink – the features are just amazing. We’re just stoked on the fact that our riders can be serviced to the fullest by our own truck.”
Aside from the specially designed amenities featured on the branded Oakley Surf Truck, the Tacoma’s original design was identified as a solid fit for surfers and their lifestyle needs. From the vehicle’s dimensions to allow for easier parking in bustling coastal cities to its many options available to consumers, the Tacoma was chosen for its overall appeal to swell-chasers far and wide.
“We’re pleased to outfit the Oakley surf team with this customized Tacoma, fully equipped with all the features needed for the ultimate surf trip,” said Jim Baudino, engagement marketing manager, Toyota. “We’re excited to hear more about their adventures.”
Follow the #OakleySurfTacoma
Surfers, Oakley fans, Toyota fans and the general public may follow the Oakley Surf Truck on its many coming adventures with the Oakley Surf Team by following #OakleySurfTacoma on Twitter.
The vehicle, in addition to servicing pro riders at contests, will be engaged in a variety of activities throughout the summer and beyond, including, but not limited to:
• Hurricane Chase: June 1 – Oct. 15 – The Oakley Surf Program will constantly track Hurricanes/weather systems throughout the continental United States and Baja California, Mexico – then chase any resulting swells with the Oakley Surf Truck.
• Baja Run: June 1 – Oct. 15 – Oakley Surf Team Riders will embark on a raucous romp through Baja California, Mexico – off-roading and finding new breaks to surf from just south of Tijuana, all the way down to Cabo San Lucas.
• Off-Road: July 1 – Aug. 25 – With the Tacoma’s off-road capabilities, the Oakley Surf Team will charge various dirt locations such as Glamis and Pismo Beach in California.
The Oakley Surf Truck will also make appearances at various sports events such as:
• Oakley Surf Shop Challenge: Apr. – Aug. – Multiple stops throughout the United States
• The Pro Junior Circuit: June – Sept.
• The U.S. Open of Surfing: July 28 – Aug. 5
• Hurley Pro at Trestles: Lower Trestles, Calif. – Sept. 15 – 23
• Monster Energy Supercross: Anaheim 1 – Jan. 5
Additional information on the Oakley Surf Truck may be found at https://www.oakley.com/sports/surf, on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/oakley or on Twitter @OakleyAction.
About Oakley, Inc.
Established in 1975 and headquartered in Southern California, Oakley is one of the leading sports brands in the world. The holder of more than 600 patents, Oakley is continually seeking problems, solving them with inventions and wrapping those inventions in art. This philosophy has made Oakley one of the most iconic and inimitable brands on the market, with innovations that world-class athletes around the globe depend on to compete at the highest level possible.
Oakley is famed for its insuperable lens technologies such as High Definition Optics® (HDO®) which is incorporated into all Oakley sun and prescription eyewear, and goggles. Oakley has extended its leadership position as the world’s leading sports eyewear brand into apparel, footwear and accessories collections. Laser focused on the consumer, Oakley has both men’s and women’s product lines that target Sports Performance, Active and Lifestyle consumers. Oakley is a subsidiary of Luxottica Group. Additional information is available at www.oakley.com.
About Toyota
Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc. is the marketing, sales, distribution and customer service arm of Toyota, Lexus and Scion. Established in 1957, TMS markets products and services through a network of nearly 1,500 Toyota, Lexus and Scion dealers which sold more than 1.64 million vehicles in 2011. Toyota directly employs nearly 30,000 people in the U.S. and its investment here is currently valued at more than $18 billion. For more information about Toyota, visit www.toyota.com or www.toyotanewsroom.com.
