The deal sees Toyota become a partner in the mobility category, covering vehicles, mobility services and solutions, with their rights set to include the IPC, all National Paralympic Committees (NPC) from 2017 and future Paralympic Games from Tokyo 2020.

Hailed by the IPC as a “ground-breaking partnership” it is the first to encapsulate the IPC, all NPCs and future Paralympics Games under one agreement.

Additionally, it is claimed to be the first time an International Olympic Committee (IOC) TOP Partner has shown widespread support to the Paralympic Movement through funding and global promotional reach.

The announcement was made at the 2020 Paralympic Games host city Tokyo by IPC President Sir Philip Craven and Toyota President Akio Toyoda.

“We at Toyota share the IPC’s commitment to help create a society where we all have access to the same opportunities,” said Toyoda, a vice-president of Tokyo 2020.

“Sir Philip has noted the importance of mobility in promoting social participation for people with an impairment, we don’t want mobility to be an obstacle, but rather an opportunity for people to achieve their dreams.

“At the most difficult times, sports can offer hope and purpose and inspire us all to never give up and sport has the power to unify us all.

“Through the Paralympic Games, we want to make the power of mobility and the power of sport available to all.”

The IPC already have partnerships with IT services company Atos, German prosthetics company Ottobock and Samsung Electronics, with the latter being a partner in the Wireless Communications Equipment category.

Their current list of Worldwide Paralympic Partners is completed by electronic giants Panasonic and financial services company Visa.

Speaking at the announcement, Sir Philip claimed it was a “monumental day for the entire Paralympic Movement” with the IPC, all NPCs and future Paralympic Games being involved in the partnership.

“We are very excited about our long-term partnership with Toyota as we share similar values and a passion that mobility for all drives social inclusion,” he said.

“Today the Paralympic Games are the world’s number one sporting event for driving societal transformation and in partnership with Toyota, we believe we can energise and activate the whole Paralympic Movement to further our impact on society, enriching millions more lives.

“We aspire for Toyota to become a front runner and champion of the Paralympic brand and become the first IOC TOP Partner to build a complete and holistic partnership with the Paralympic Movement.”

The partnership will not be in force globally until 2017 with Nissan holding the rights to the automotive category for the Rio 2016 Paralympics.

Toyota, however, they will hold sponsorship rights in Japan throughout next year.   

Tokyo 2020 chief executive Toshiro Muto congratulated the IPC and Toyota on reaching the agreement, stating the company would help them to deliver a successful Games.

“As an IOC TOP Partner and an IPC Worldwide Paralympic Partner, I am confident that Toyota will make a significant contribution to the success of the Tokyo 2020 Games by providing vehicles, mobility services and mobility solutions,” he said.

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