Toyo Tires continues to reinvent the wheel with their high performance and reliable rubber for racers and tuners alike. This time around, Toyo collaborated with StanceNation to host a show and shine at the Fort Worth Convention Center in Fort Worth, Texas.
We asked Stan Chen, senior manager of events and sponsorship at Toyo the inspiration behind the event. “If you look back at the history of the Toyo Tires brand we have always supported the niche enthusiast markets and even developed products and sizes specifically for them,” he said. “The ‘stance’ culture is one of those niche markets. It has continued to be popular and whether it’s at an event or on social media, StanceNation is doing a great job bringing those enthusiasts together.”
StanceNation began in 2010 and has only grown over the years. Champions of aggressive wheel fitment and insanely low cars, StanceNation has developed a reputation that resonates both in the states and abroad. Whether it’s a trend or not, stance has hit the world by storm, where its style is being refined in every facet. Originating from the older Japanese Domestic Market (JDM), stance saw a resurgence and has become a phenomenon.
The booth setup was strategically placed and boasted a plethora of items that embodied the stance culture. “We had our lifestyle rig out there which includes a photo kiosk, charging lounge and video screens playing our latest videos,” Chen said. “The photo kiosk was extremely popular. Attendees who posted a photo on Instagram or Twitter with #TagToyo could then come over to our booth and print the photo. It increases our branding and engagement on social media and they walk away with a nice souvenir from the event.”
What’s more, Chen said several of the cars were sponsored by Toyo, which included the Audi S5 and Lexus LS, handpicked at the show and invited to join their booth. “We want to have our brand in front of all aftermarket build styles. It’s definitely not for everyone, but that’s what makes it fun,” Chen said. “Everyone can build up their cars to their liking and Toyo Tires will be there to help with their tire needs.”
Making tires for off-road and high performance applications, Toyo is aiming to cater to all automotive enthusiasts, regardless of the arena. When we asked what Toyo has in store for the future with StanceNation, Chen replied, “There’s always something in the works with the Stancenation team. You’ll just have to keep an eye out for the next big thing.”
As the stance scene continues to flourish across the country, it has developed its own style where its principles are form over function. Appreciating the magic of the automobile, the stance scene is much like the rodding scene, it has its own flair and artistic aesthetic. Spanning from clean and simple setups to wildly colorful paints and lavish rim colorways, the stance scene is loud and raucous for all of the right reasons.
What are your thoughts on this style of customization? Where do you stand, form over function or function over form? Be sure to share your opinion below in the comments.