Toyota chairman Akio Toyoda revealed a secure of his favourite automobiles on the 2024 Tokyo Auto Salon. As you’d count on, 4 of the six automobiles onstage on the automotive present have been from Lexus or Toyota, however there was one car that stood out by advantage of each its greatness and the notable undeniable fact that it isn’t made by Toyota, and, but, occupies a spot in “Morizo’s garage:” a Suzuki Jimny.
It appears the Jimny is such a beautiful machine that Akio, who’s develop into largely synonymous with Toyota — his household being the namesake of the auto large, in any case — selected to characteristic the Suzuki amongst his most beloved automobiles. The blue Jimny onstage on the Toyota Gazoo Racing Booth is Akio Toyoda’s private mannequin and one among his favourite automobiles, because the chairman explains in a Toyota Times video report:
Tokyo Auto Salon attendees have been confused concerning the Jimny’s presence at Toyota’s presentation. Some questioned if there was a GR Jimny on the best way, and as a lot as I’d love for that to occur, it’s inconceivable — if not unattainable.
During a later interview with Toyoda, panelists requested the chairman if the Jimny was onstage as a result of “Toyota owns Suzuki.” While that’s not solely true, there may be some accuracy to the assertion since Toyota purchased a minority stake of shut to 5 p.c of Suzuki in 2019, as Reuters and the Wall Street Journal report.
The working relationship between Toyota and Suzuki might’ve had one thing to do with how Toyoda ended up getting a Jimny in any respect, which is in such excessive demand that it’s not straightforward to seek out the off-roader at dealerships. Akio explains:
The Jimny is a well-liked mannequin, and it’s troublesome to seek out “the one” at any dealership.
I regarded loads however couldn’t discover one, so I requested President Suzuki of Suzuki Motor Corporation. Is there a industrial one I might have?
I requested him if I might have only one once they change over fashions. Though I needed to wait, I received that stunning one. [gestures to Jimny]
He then went on to verify that he purchased the Suzuki Jimny used, which it seems is just not uncommon for Toyoda. The solely different non-Toyota car on the Gazoo Racing sales space was a Yamaha Vino, and the chairman says he purchased that one used, too. He advised the panelists he truly needed a Vespa, however Vespas are costly.
He additionally advised a comic story about how the used Vino had its worn tires and cracked mudguard all of the sudden changed when he returned to select up the scooter after its registration on the supplier.
I encourage you to look at the entire Toyota Times video — simply flip the closed captions on. In the tip, it might have been fairly straightforward for Akio to ask for any variety of Land Cruisers or Prados, however, no, Toyoda needed a base mannequin Jimny. And with the best variety of doorways, no much less.
Source: jalopnik.com