(September 13, 2012) TORRANCE, Calif. — Toyota has announced that the Tundra pickup is slated to tow the space shuttle Endeavour during its final journey to the California Science Center on Oct.13 where it will go on permanent display. The Endeavour will travel 12 miles from Los Angeles International Airport on city streets to the Science Center, with the Tundra towing the last quarter mile.

Tested extensively prior to the announcement, the 2012 Tundra is slated to safely tow the 300,000 pound historic artifact down Bill Robertson Lane in Exposition Park, near downtown Los Angeles, on the final leg of its journey.

Endeavour will be towed using a stock 2012 Tundra CrewMax 1/2–ton pickup, identical to models currently found in Toyota dealerships, with no additional modifications made to increase towing capacity or generate more power. The Tundra CrewMax is equipped with Toyota’s 5.7-liter V8 engine, producing a maximum tow capacity of 10,000 pounds.

Toyota has done extensive testing and worked with The Sarens Group, a heavy lifting and engineered transport company, to develop a dolly specifically for hauling the Endeavour.



“There is no larger or more recognizable icon of the U.S. space program’s success than the shuttle, and to have it towed by the Toyota Tundra is not only an incredible example of the capabilities of the truck, but an honor to be part of history,” said Ed Laukes, Toyota Motor Sales vice president of marketing communications. “The entire journey is something the world will be watching, and gives us a chance to prove that the ‘overbuilt’ Tundra is built to do any job — even tow the space shuttle.”

Participation in the transportation of the shuttle is part of an ongoing partnership between Toyota and the Science Center in an effort to provide support and awareness of the space program and continuing education of the public through exhibits and programs. Toyota currently has a Tundra truck on display in a Science Center exhibit demonstrating the physics of leverage.

The tow Tundra will replace the existing Tundra and will be on display after the Endeavour exhibit opens on Oct. 30.

At the end of the Endeavour’s 12 mile journey from LAX to the Science Center, a “finish-line” celebration at Exposition Park is planned for the evening of Oct. 13, as the shuttle arrives at the Science Center, allowing the public to witness the finale of this historic voyage.

Toyota has developed a host of online resources and activities that provide behind-the-scenes videos, photos, activities for children and information about the Tundra Endeavour project and can be found at www.toyota.com/TundraEndeavour beginning Sept. 17. Visitors can share content, sign up for email alerts and participate in re-Tweeting information that will help contribute money to the California Science Center for further development of exhibits and displays.