Akio Toyoda: Really starting to like this guy!
 

Akio Toyoda::respekt:

I just watched a video of Akio unveiling a futuristic concept car resembling a giant smartphone (see the article below.) Have to say I'm really starting to like this guy.. He gets it! Now if his spirit and attitude can jump the shark to the rest of his company.. Really looking forward to seeing what they do with the FR-S 86 in terms of extra's.. Just because folks say that "Subaru" is this and "Scion" is that. Doesn't mean they have to stay that way, or that Toyota cant get out there and compete in the open market as far as adding a few bells and whistles before they hit the lots.. I understand the difference in market pricing and strategy as far as each company is concerned.

Been reading a lot of the board the last few days, trying to catch up on all of this.. Lots of knowledgeable folks on the board. But there are too many Sooth Sayers and Opinions of each company for me. In the end I'm going to have to check out both models and make my decision when the time comes, just like the rest of you. I can afford either one but if Toyota gives even a hint to extra's that are available, or the market flushes out with the Toyota like I'm hoping it will, to put The BRZ in it's place. I'm going to have to go with Toyota.. Maybe it's just brand loyalty but I like this company!

Toyota Unveils High-Tech Concept Car Ahead of Show

:laughabove:
That doesn't mean what you think it does :)

Glad I didn't have to call that one, I'm reading and "Wait, that's NOT what we want!" :bellyroll:

Also relevant repost.

The thread nearly "jumped the shark" ;)

LOL all righty then..;-)

It's 90% marketing. Designed to suck in the gullible.

Just assess the cars and ignore the bullshit.

Sounds like sage advice to me.. ;-)


Here's a good article with Vid of the aforementioned presentation..

http://mashable.com/2011/12/03/toyota-fun-viivideo/

It's a design study, not a finished idea. Not even the first step towards a finished idea.

But I like his thinking when it comes to bringing the mojo back to Toyota. Even the new Camry looks a tiny bit sharper. (Still a boring Camry)

Soravio,

Yea guess that's what I was trying to say, overall, his spirit and attitude shines through.. I like it! This is what attracts me to this car and Toyota right now more then anything.. It's his attitude's and spirit with what they are trying to do.. Just hoping it transfers through to the FR-S after the sale with how and what they do for there customers, like us that really could get into are cars more then the average joe..

Time will tell, and I'm wishing them the best of luck in this regard.. :burnrubber:

I like him and his enthusiasm, no homo.

No Homo..Nuff said! :party0030:

Akio's passion for "fun to drive" is what got us these cars in the first place. If people want to respect that by choosing Toyota over Subaru in significant numbers, the Camry/Corolla committee might notice and start jamming sportiness down the pipeline e.g. fund the TRD/Gazoo/F arms more seriously, develop special edition 86s, usher into a new dynasty in competitive motorsports.

If we buy significantly more BRZs, Subaru will have lots of money to make more... Subarus... without a strong visionary leader like Akio who delivers stuff like the LFA, IS-F, 86, and GRMN MR2 concept. The Toyota sports car movement will be a flop; it'll be a pathetic end to a short-lived manifestation. "Nice try, Akio."

Yes, Akio's stance happens to work nicely for PR. But behind that PR I see a movement being led by our stand up guy aiming his missiles at a wall built by the "committee" over these past few decades. Akio's efforts contradict Toyota's established marketing strategy. People who choose Toyota aren't necessarily suckers to marketing; they'll Occupy Toyota and the conscience of its committee. :clap:

I don't understand what he's saying but skip to 6:08 through the end ("ippo ippo" means something like "step-by-step"):
[u2b]4EVuxmM-FLA[/u2b]

Fuck that fun-vii video looks logans run meets tron meets surogates...
It's freaky that it's 2010's and the future projection hasn't changed..

Imagine this, your 86 (what year will that be? Time for 89? LoL!!??) sporting HUD on the screen, and I mean literally working across your screen for yor GPS pleasure of the track on a nice rally course or something like that? By that I didn't mean going all out on some back roads, I swear. XD

Anyway, cars that use these technologies don't have to be all smart and funky. If done right, they can help us drive our cars smarter. Because most drivers out there don't know how to drive you know. And I'm not trying to sound like Audi ad here.

with all due respect, this is aimed directly at you. it is people like you that give americans a bad and lazy name.
learn how to shift gears and drive a stick.. learn to drive without gps like your granpappi used to.. just in general learn something.. stop winging and DRIVE THE DAMN CAR, STOP LETTING IT DRIVE YOU..

I don't think he was trying to imply laziness at all, but merely just envisioning a future where technology can be used on a track course.

Not that I agree with having a HUD while driving on a Road Course, it's nothing more than an entertaining thought.

Are you seriously think that buying FRS, Toyota will earn more profit than the one who produces the car? Scion, Toyota, Subaru are made in Subaru plant. I'm not saying Subaru will make more profit, but it's more likely. Toyota and Subaru maybe have some deal with each other on making this car. Well, Toyota still have 16% Subaru share, so they still make profit from any Subaru models sold.

Let's assess Toyota as a whole then, rather than what they sell in Australia okay?

Toyota was making performance cars and winning car enthusiasts before Subaru.

Again, dont think Australia... think Globally and think before 2000s.

And oh, dont forget Lexus have Toyota engineering, I believe they have performance cars.


In the end, Toyota gives people what they are willing to pay for... sales show it.

They can EASILY make a 300kW Coupe, and put a Toyota badge on it, but the market has to be willing to pay PREMIUM for it and the market has to be sustainable...

this is business and money making... not show boating abilities. I gather you dont respect Toyota much in terms of performance cars, when really they are very capable.

And they have Lexus to show boat their capabilities anyways.

This won't be as high volume as Impreza or Corolla and probably costs more to produce so no huge profit margin on either side. But if sports cars do sell under the Toyota badge, Akio will have shifted Toyota's paradigm away from its old man pipe & slippers image. There will be a demand for TRD/Gazoo parts. There will be a demand for a 2nd gen 86 five years from now. In 10 years, there will be a demand for an upgrade (Supra successor). We may see more coupe versions of Toyota sedans maybe RWD or at least factory sport-tuned, or return of the Celica, MR2, etc. It's a halo car, not a profit generator. It, along with the LFA, is laying out the groundwork for a sportier future Toyota.

I don't see it's a good thing when Toyota's sale number is high, but Subie can't move any of them. Well balanced Toyota sale : Subie sale ratio close to 1:1 will be perfect for both companies. Both Toyota and Subaru will be happy and they will co develop new cars with new technologies again. I want to see everyone improves, not only Toyota.

Yeah if both sell well that would work even better for both companies! I was just trying to make a point that Toyota needs more momentum than Subaru to implement exciting performance in their lineup. The 86 is the spark to start that fire and we enthusiasts are the fuel.