What Is Deference ...

[Twincam.GTi]

Sorry for being a little thick but what is difference between TRD (Toyota Racing Development) and TTE (Toyota Team Europe)? As both appear to be offical Toyota accesory 'brands'. I remember TRD from years ago but recently I see more of this 'TTE' mentioned.

Also can there items be bought through Toyota UK dealers?

[Fidgits]

TRD = Toyota Racing Development - the Japanese tuning arm of Toyota

TTE = Toyota Team Europe - The European Toyota Racing team (F1 and rallying) that also do modification parts.

[Twincam.GTi]

Fidgits Posted Today, 09:55 AM

  TRD = Toyota Racing Development - the Japanese tuning arm of Toyota

TTE = Toyota Team Europe - The European Toyota Racing team (F1 and rallying) that also do modification parts.

Cheers boss!

It's just it appears a little confusing because they both appear to do 'mod' parts. E.g. one minuite you see TRD 'quickshift' and then next you see TTE front grill and rear spoiler.

Seems weird (if not counter productive) to have two tuning/accessory divisions from the same company, i.e Ford had AVO and then later SVE, BMC/ Leyland had 'Special Tuning'.

Strange.

[Fidgits]

not really.

You see, you have to look at it from a business perspective.

TRD is responsible for all the japanese (and US) racing , and has been for a long time. So they tuned the Supras for the Jap touring cars etc..

Now, the NRE for those parts is huge, but once its developed, then it makes sense to spend a little more to comercialise it, and recoop some costs.

Now, when Toyota decided they wanted to tackle the WRC - they did not have the expertise in TRD in Japan or the US, as this is not their motorsport - so they created TTE - which was a European operation (with the technical know-how) for rallying. (same reason Subaru went to Prodrive in Oxford).

Once again, TTE spent a lot of money on NRE for performance parts for the Celica - so why not make the money back and commercialise it. Of course, this in turn makes a commercial division, who then take the development of some parts, and modifiy them for other models..

Now, F1 - again, where is the majority of the experitise - Europe, so they get the F1 contract - and feed the technology back (see the SMG gearbox in the new MR2)..

[Twincam.GTi]

Fidgets: Yes I now see your point (and Toyotas!), also I have to agree completely

Thanks once again (as it was confusing me)

[Bibbs]

And then you have TOM's .. two ex Toyota mechanics that only make Toyota mods for their race cars ;)

[Twincam.GTi]

I've just had a browse around the net!

And found...

TTE

http://www.tte.de/tuning/website/complete-...o-external.html

&

TRD

http://toyota-trd.jp/en/

Would I be able to walk into my local Toyota Dealership and buy these products (as stated on these websites)?

...and if I could afford them

[PaulT]

Would I be able to walk into my local Toyota Dealership and buy these products (as stated on these websites)?

←

Well my Corolla is going in for a dealer service next week and I asked if they could fit TTE lowering springs ... but unfortunately the dealer said that er they come from Germany and we don't have any.

I think if I order them myself I can probably exhort the dealer to fit them. They are supposed to be Toyota warranted parts, hence the blurb on the site that comes with each part, but I imagine they have to be dealer-fitted.

Paul.