[John Paul]

Toyota sent out a press release this morning announcing they'd be "auctioning two of the first i-FORCE MAX Tundras at Barrett-Jackson in Scottsdale, Arizona.

They go on to say to say the vehicles going up for auction are "a Tundra Capstone with VIN 001 and a Toyota TRD Pro VIN 002" which certainly sounds like they'd be the first two off the line, but I don't actually know how VINs work. They're putting in the weasel wording about these being "two of the first i-FORCE MAX hybrid models assembled at Toyota Motor Manufacturing San Antonio" (emphasis mine), so maybe they've technically built some already - for sure, you'd expect they'd be building prototypes, but I'm guessing the VIN matters more than the technicality. Again, someone please jump in and educate me on this part of it.

In any case, the auction is this weekend and the proceeds from these two first-of-their-kind Tundras will benefit the Toyota U.S. Paralympic Fund. They even stress they'll be donating 100% of the hammer price -- meaning they're giving the trucks away completely and Barrett-Jackson isn't taking a fee (or maybe just that Toyota will cover that fee), but whatever these trucks cross the block for, that's what's getting donated. I like that they were clear about that point.

If you want to follow along this weekend, the Tundras are Lot #3005 and are scheduled to cross the block around 6:30 pm MST on Friday (Jan. 28, 2022).

You can read more on Toyota's press page here: Toyota to Auction 2022 Tundra Capstone, TRD Pro for Toyota U.S. Paralympic Fund at Barrett-Jackson Auction - Toyota USA Newsroom

Happy bidding!

 

[TundraTime]

The two trucks raised a total of $1.2 million for the Paralympic Fund!

Toyota Tundra Capstone with VIN 001 sold for $700,000. The Toyota TRD Pro with VIN 002 sold for $550,000.

Two First-Production 2022 Toyota Tundras Auctioned at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Help Raise More Than $1.2 Million for Toyota U.S. Paralympic Fund - Toyota USA Newsroom

PLANO, Texas (Jan. 31, 2022) – Toyota auctioned two of the first i-FORCE MAX Tundras at Barrett-Jackson in Scottsdale, Arizona, over the weekend, resulting in more than $1.2 million going to benefit the Toyota U.S. Paralympic Fund.

pressroom.toyota.com

PLANO, Texas (Jan. 31, 2022) – Toyota auctioned two of the first i-FORCE MAX Tundras at Barrett-Jackson in Scottsdale, Arizona, over the weekend, resulting in more than $1.2 million going to benefit the Toyota U.S. Paralympic Fund.

The Toyota Tundra Capstone with VIN 001 sold for $700,000. The Toyota TRD Pro with VIN 002 sold for $550,000.

The Toyota U.S. Paralympic Fund is a first-of-its-kind program launched by the company in an effort to further support Team USA’s Paralympic athletes as they pursue their sport dreams. To date, more than 430 U.S. Paralympic athletes and hopefuls have received direct support from the Fund, with contributions from across the country, including from Toyota dealerships. With proceeds from the Toyota auctions at Barrett-Jackson, the Toyota U.S. Paralympic Fund has now raised more than $4.9 million.

U.S. Paralympian Kaitlyn Verfuerth, who received support from the Toyota U.S. Paralympic Fund, joined Toyota on the auction block both nights.

“I never thought in my wildest dreams that I would help Toyota auction off a Tundra for $550,000!” says Verfuerth. “These funds will go directly to help Paralympic athletes train, have proper equipment and have access to the best coaching. This type of support is life-changing, and I cannot thank Toyota enough for helping me go more places than I’ve ever imagined.”

Each winning bidder will also receive:

• A Toyota-hosted trip for two to Park City, Utah, for an exclusive program to cheer on the Team USA athletes who will be competing at the Paralympic Winter Games.
• A Tundra engine cover signed by chief engineer Mike Sweers.
• An exclusive framed print of the original Tundra styling sketches from Calty (Toyota’s North American design studio), signed by Calty president, Kevin Hunter, and Tundra exterior designers, Adam Rabinowitz and Chung Lee.

Vehicle specs for each truck auctioned off can be found here.