If automotive fans may construct their very own nation, Akio Toyoda would more than likely be unanimously voted as president. The previous Toyota CEO has been the driving pressure behind many enjoyable vehicles launched below the Gazoo Racing banner. Though the corporate founder’s grandson has been with Toyota since mainly ceaselessly, he enjoys vehicles from different manufacturers as properly.
Think about the confusion he created on the 2024 Tokyo Auto Salon the place Toyota’s sales space had a Suzuki. Not simply any Suzuki, however the Web’s favourite – the Jimny. It was one of many 5 automobiles on the so-called Morizo Storage earlier this month on the present held in Japan’s capital. If you happen to’re unfamiliar with “Morizo,” it is Akio Toyoda’s alter ego when he is racing vehicles. Toyota has a radical rationalization of the place that identify comes from in its Toyota Occasions journal.
As a lot because the chairman loves the Jimny, a badge-engineered model is not occurring. Toyota reportedly needed to promote its personal model of the lovable go-anywhere SUV, however Suzuki stated no. The smaller of the 2 Japanese automakers motivated its determination by saying the Jimny is deeply rooted in Suzuki’s DNA: “It’s like asking Toyota to allow us to badge engineer the Land Cruiser,” in keeping with an announcement by an organization exec in an interview with Autocar India.
Since 2017, Toyota and Suzuki have been working collectively on a number of initiatives as a part of a enterprise alliance to share prices. In actual fact, Toyota even owns a 4.9% stake in Suzuki after a reciprocal association that allowed Suzuki to accumulate a 0.2% share in Toyota.
The Jimny was showcased alongside a modified GR Corolla and the obscure iQ GRMN. The latter was solely offered in Japan the place 100 items have been inbuilt 2009. A few years later, the iQ GRMN Supercharged arrived with a (sure, you have guessed it) supercharger that bumped the 1.33-liter engine by 27 hp and 41 lb-ft (56 Nm) to a mighty 120 hp and 128 lb-ft (174 Nm).
42 Pictures
Launched on the Tokyo Auto Salon, the Lexus LBX Morizo RR Idea was the primary non-Toyota to make use of the turbocharged three-cylinder engine of the GR Yaris and GR Corolla. The 1.6-liter mill makes 300 hp and 295 lb-ft (400 Nm) delivered to the street by way of Toyota’s new eight-speed computerized transmission from the 2024 GR Yaris. The idea automotive is a one-off for now but it surely goes to indicate Akio Toyoda is eager on efficiency SUVs.
Talking of which, the Morizo Storage additionally hosted an intriguing Century SUV GRMN with minivan-like electrically sliding rear doorways. Toyota’s luxurious SUV has acquired the sporty remedy with a extra aggressive physique and carbon fiber. It’s unclear whether or not the corporate intends to place the mannequin into manufacturing. As a reminder, Akio Toyoda hit the observe just a few years in the past in a Century Sedan GRMN.
The Jimny wasn’t the one product outdoors of the Toyota/Lexus empire since moreover the 5 vehicles we talked about, there was additionally a Yamaha Vino scooter. Akio explains he truly needed a Vespa however these have been costly and determined as a substitute to accept a used Vino with worn tires and a cracked mudguard. Nevertheless, when he got here to select up the scooter, the seller had changed it with a brand new one.
Toyota’s chairman mentions he purchased all of his vehicles from dealerships like common of us, with out anticipating any particular remedy from the salespersons. Nevertheless, he later admitted he took benefit of his high-ranked place within the firm to chop in line and purchase the GRMN vehicles:
“I encourage them to get only one for me, and pressure my manner in. Let me abuse my privilege that a lot.”
Akio was requested what number of vehicles he owns, and whereas he by no means counted them, he did say he has just a few restricted version automobiles, particularly GRMN fashions.
You may activate the English subtitles within the video under.
