Sports activities automobiles not useless at Toyota, says new CEO
Just lately appointed Toyota CEO Koji Sato seems simply as dedicated as his predecessor to the Gazoo Racing division.
Sato-san even hinted to Autocar that Akio Toyoda, who’s now the chairman of Toyota, could have extra time on his fingers to assist develop automobiles for the division.
“The Gazoo model will probably be acknowledged for the long run – and possibly we will even pace it up,” stated Sato-san.
“Our Grasp Driver was additionally president of the corporate similtaneously he had a steering wheel in his hand for Gazoo. Now he’s solely chairman possibly he could have much more time to develop automobiles for them?”
Grasp Driver was one among Akio Toyoda’s titles at Toyota, the place he served as president and CEO from 2009 to 2023.
Koji Sato actually has expertise with sports activities automobiles, having headed each Lexus and Gazoo Racing earlier than taking the highest job.
It’s unclear what’s subsequent for the Gazoo Racing division. Toyota simply launched the GR Corolla this yr as a bigger sibling to the GR Yaris, whereas the GR86 and GR Supra are the 2 different autos bought below the Gazoo Racing banner.
Japanese outlet Best Car Web reviews Toyoda-san remarked at an occasion in March, “I really feel like I would like [a car called Celica] once more.”
“I ponder if the brand new president Sato will take over that development,” he added.
Toyota teased an unnamed small electrical sports activities automobile as one among a big selection of ideas late in 2021.
Akio Toyoda has spoken previously about eager to revive each the Celica and MR2, having beforehand resurrected the Supra after a prolonged absence.
With what seems to be seating for less than two, the unnamed idea could possibly be a non secular successor to the outdated MR2.
Abroad reviews recommend Toyota can be weighing a GR-fettled model of the bZ4X electrical SUV.
Gazoo Racing isn’t the one automaker tuning arm set to take its first steps into the electrical period.
BMW’s M division is known to be engaged on its first electrical car, whereas Hyundai’s N division is launching its first – the Ioniq 5 N – this yr.
As CEO, Toyoda-san pushed the automaker to be “enjoyable to drive, once more” and helped to push by means of a lot of area of interest sports activities automobiles — just like the 86 and Supra — which have small however enthusiastic fanbases, however are unlikely to be extremely worthwhile for the corporate.
