Following Kalle Rovanperä's decision to become a full-time racing driver, Jonne Halttunen found himself in a challenging situation regarding his professional future. Despite initial uncertainty, Halttunen has secured a prominent position within the rally industry, as he continues his work with the Japanese manufacturer Toyota on exciting new projects. This transition marks a significant shift for Halttunen, who has now embraced a leadership role in a new segment of rallying.

Halttunen has recently been appointed as the head of Toyota's American Rally Association (ARA) project, which involves overseeing Toyota's efforts in the ARA rally series. He expressed enthusiasm about the role, stating that he will be making about ten trips to the United States each year. Toyota is set to compete in the ARA series with the GR Corolla RC2, featuring American rally driver Seth Quintero as the main driver and Topi Luhtinen as the co-driver. This new project presents Halttunen with the opportunity to leverage his extensive experience from the World Rally Championship (WRC) to enhance Toyota's presence in the U.S. rally landscape.

As Halttunen embarks on this new venture, he acknowledges the challenges ahead, including the need for significant groundwork and adjustments at the project’s start. His primary responsibility will be to effectively lead the project, ensuring its success in the competitive American rally circuit. Halttunen's transition highlights not only his resilience in adapting to change but also the strategic expansion of Toyota's operations in the United States, signaling the brand's commitment to strengthening its foothold in the rally racing scene.