Rana Entertainment Inc. (Headquarters: Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Genki Nishimura) announces the launch of the official website for its miniature car brand "EBBRO" and the signing of an ambassador contract with racing driver Nobuteru Taniguchi.
EBBRO has, to date, commercialized numerous miniature cars, primarily focusing on vehicles emblematic of Japanese motorsports and commercially available sports cars. Its lineup, especially precision reproductions of racing cars, including SUPER GT machines, and road cars seen on the streets, has long been supported by collectors both domestically and internationally.
Meanwhile, EBBRO is embarking on new challenges following a turning point for the brand. In addition to the conventional miniature car market, it is expanding its activities into the e-motorsports field, including forming and participating in the "EBBRO RACING TEAM" in the Japanese e-motorsports league **JEGT (Japan Electronic sports Grand Touring)**, thus promoting motorsports culture from both real and digital aspects.
It was during the advancement of these new initiatives that we encountered Nobuteru Taniguchi, a racing driver who has been active in SUPER GT and other series for many years. Mr. Taniguchi's career significantly overlaps with the history of Japanese motorsports that EBBRO has commercialized, making him an individual who resonates with the brand's journey. Furthermore, Mr. Taniguchi is also active as a race commentator in JEGT, and is known for his involvement in both real motorsports and e-motorsports.
Moreover, Mr. Taniguchi's beloved car, a Toyota AE85, is a vehicle with a unique concept called "85-modified-86," created by incorporating the philosophy of the Toyota AE86 into an AE85 base. It possesses both the classic charm symbolizing 1980s Japanese car culture and an individuality that connects with modern JDM culture.
EBBRO was greatly attracted by the story behind this vehicle and Mr. Taniguchi's car sense, and believes that he will bring new perspectives to future brand developments. Therefore, we have decided to sign an ambassador contract with him.
This project is positioned as one of the initiatives that connects EBBRO's established history of motorsport miniature cars with the dissemination of new car culture, and will be one of the projects symbolizing future brand development.
Furthermore, as part of its brand relaunch, EBBRO has launched its official website. We will sequentially provide the latest brand news, product information, and future project details.
Nobuteru Taniguchi (left) and Genki Nishimura (right), Representative Director of Rana Entertainment Inc., in front of Mr. Taniguchi's beloved AE85.
◆Actual Car Images
This vehicle is a special "85-modified-86" specification, based on an AE85 and incorporating the philosophy of the AE86, which was completed after approximately two years of restoration and tuning. After completion, it underwent shakedown runs at Fuji Speedway and has attracted much attention from fans as a vehicle symbolizing racing driver Nobuteru Taniguchi's car life.
◆Product Development
EBBRO is currently planning and developing miniature car products that simultaneously convey the classic charm symbolizing 1980s Japanese car culture and the appeal of modern JDM culture, using the Toyota Sprinter Trueno AE85, known as Nobuteru Taniguchi's beloved car, as a motif.
If this product is officially commercialized, it is planned to be sold on "GRIDMODELS", the official EC site for EBBRO products.
◆Comment
Racing Driver Nobuteru Taniguchi
"I have known EBBRO miniature cars for a long time and believe they are a brand that has preserved Japanese motorsports as models. As someone involved in racing, it's very gratifying to have the cars and eras we raced in preserved as miniature cars, and I felt it was an important presence for transmitting motorsports culture to the next generation.
I am very honored to be involved as an ambassador this time. EBBRO has modeled many Japanese racing cars and sports cars to date, but when I heard about their new initiatives, I really wanted to do something interesting together.
Regarding this AE85 project, I'm purely happy that my beloved car will be modeled, and I hope it becomes a project that car enthusiasts can enjoy. The AE85 itself is a car made with a slightly unusual concept, so it's interesting to have that story expressed through a miniature car.
I believe miniature cars are not just models, but something that preserves car culture and the atmosphere of an era. I hope to create projects and initiatives with EBBRO that will excite car enthusiasts."
