If car enthusiasts could build their own country, Akio Toyoda would most likely be unanimously elected president. The former CEO of Toyota has been the driving force behind many fun cars introduced under the Gazoo Racing banner. Although the grandson of the company founder has almost always worked at Toyota, he also likes cars from other brands.
Imagine the confusion it caused at the 2024 Tokyo Auto Salon, where Toyota’s booth featured a Suzuki. Not just any Suzuki, but the internet’s favorite: the Jimny. It was one of five vehicles displayed in the so-called Morizo Garage during the show in the Japanese capital earlier this month. If you’re not familiar with ‘Morizo’, this is Akio Toyoda’s alter ego when he races cars. Toyota has an extensive explanation of where that name comes from Toyota times magazine.
As much as the chairman loves the Jimny, there will be no version with badging. Toyota reportedly wanted to sell its own version of the likable SUV, but Suzuki said no. The smaller of the two Japanese automakers justified its decision by saying that the Jimny is deeply rooted in Suzuki’s DNA: “It’s like asking Toyota to let us design a badge for the Land Cruiser,” said a statement from a business leader in an interview with Coach India.
Since 2017, Toyota and Suzuki have collaborated on multiple projects as part of a cost-sharing business alliance. Toyota even owns a 4.9% stake in Suzuki, following a mutual arrangement that allowed Suzuki to acquire a 0.2% stake in Toyota.
The Jimny was on display alongside a modified GR Corolla and the obscure iQ GRMN. The latter was only sold in Japan, where 100 units were built in 2009. A few years later the iQ GRMN Supercharged arrived with a (yes, you guessed it) supercharger that boosted the 1.33-liter engine’s 27 hp and 41 lb-ft (56 Nm) to a mighty 120 hp and 128 lb-ft (174 Nm).
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Introduced at the Tokyo Auto Salon, the Lexus LBX Morizo RR Concept was the first non-Toyota to use the three-cylinder turbo engine from the GR Yaris and GR Corolla. The 1.6-liter mill puts out 300 hp and 400 Nm (295 lb-ft) on the road through Toyota’s new eight-speed automatic transmission from the 2024 GR Yaris. The concept car is a first for now, but it shows that Akio Toyoda loves performance SUVs.
Speaking of which, the Morizo Garage also housed an intriguing Century SUV GRMN with minivan-style power sliding rear doors. Toyota’s luxury SUV has been given the sporty treatment with more aggressive bodywork and carbon fiber. It is unclear whether the company plans to put the model into production. As a reminder, Akio Toyoda hit the track a few years ago in a Century Sedan GRMN.
The Jimny wasn’t the only product outside the Toyota/Lexus empire, as in addition to the five cars we mentioned, there was also a Yamaha Vino scooter. Akio explains that he actually wanted a Vespa, but it was expensive and decided to settle for a used Vino with worn tires and a cracked fender instead. However, when he came to pick up the scooter, the dealer had replaced it with a new one.
The chairman of Toyota mentions that he bought all his cars from dealers, like normal people, without expecting any special treatment from the salespeople. However, he later admitted that he took advantage of his high position in the company to queue up and buy the GRMN cars:
‘I beg them to get me one and force my way in. Let me abuse my privilege so much.”
Akio was asked how many cars he owns, and while he never counted them, he did say that he owns a few limited edition vehicles, mostly GRMN models.