With a struggling Formula One team and a NASCAR program that went winless in its first year, Toyota is now setting its sights on the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
According to Automotive News, the company is developing an environmentally friendly race car (an oxymoron if you ask us) that could compete in the series. Having learned its lesson in F1 and NASCAR, Toyota won't enter a race until it is confident of its ability to win.
Toyota would use the endurance race to further develop and showcase its hybrid efforts as well as influence sales - they're hoping that 'win on Sunday, sell on Monday' is still relevant.
There is no word on what vehicle would form the basis of such an effort. With a target of the 2009 race, Toyota would have to rush to get the FT-HS or Lexus LF-A off the ground.
Source: Automotive News (subscription required)