{"id":411350,"date":"2026-05-04T13:52:18","date_gmt":"2026-05-04T13:52:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/411350\/"},"modified":"2026-05-04T13:52:18","modified_gmt":"2026-05-04T13:52:18","slug":"supercars-news-will-a-fourth-manufacturer-join-ford-gm-and-toyota","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/411350\/","title":{"rendered":"Supercars news: Will a fourth manufacturer join Ford, GM and Toyota?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"POLL:
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWill a fourth marque join Ford, Toyota and GM? Image: Supplied <\/p>\n

RACE chairman and acting CEO Barclay Nettlefold has made no secret of an ambition to add a fourth player off the back of Toyota\u2019s early success.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s been a swift and notable change in tack from the ousted James Warburton\u2019s uncharacteristically conservative position on the matter.<\/p>\n

Warburton had declared late last year that three brands is a \u201ccomfortable number\u201d<\/a>, noting the challenge of parity and limitations to the size of the grid.<\/p>\n

However, Nettlefold is now planning to use Toyota\u2019s early success to spruik the benefits of Supercars to potential new players.<\/p>\n

He\u2019s even suggested the two Teams Racing Charters held by Supercars could be released if it helps bring another brand to the grid.<\/p>\n

Toyota is the first marque outside of Ford and General Motors to compete in the championship since Nissan departed at the end of the 2019 season.<\/p>\n

Nissan\u2019s exit after seven seasons closed the book on a Car of the Future era that also saw Mercedes-AMG (through Erebus Motorsport) and Volvo briefly join the fray.<\/p>\n

While Volvo made a flying start to what proved a three-year foray, all three found it tough going to be consistently competitive.<\/p>\n

Supercars has lowered the barriers to entry with its control specification Gen3 car and poured huge resources into aerodynamic and engine testing in the pursuit of parity.<\/p>\n

The participation of Australian sales leader Toyota undoubtedly increases Supercars\u2019 relevance in the market, but there is no indication on whether any other manufacturers are indeed interested.<\/p>\n

European brands have largely scoffed at the traditionally tribal category in the past, while the Korean marques have oft been linked to potential campaigns without actually making the leap.<\/p>\n

Supercars\u2019 best bet may well be China, from which a plethora of car brands have already flooded into the Australian market, albeit largely with a focus on electric platforms.<\/p>\n

Among the Chinese giants is GWM, which last week raised eyebrows when it previewed the basis of a V8-powered supercar that it intends to take GT3 racing<\/a>.<\/p>\n

What do you think? Will Supercars land a fourth manufacturer in the years ahead? Let us know in this week\u2019s Pirtek Poll.<\/p>\n


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\n \"Pirtek
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