If automobile fans might construct their very own nation, Akio Toyoda would more than likely be unanimously voted as president. The former Toyota CEO has been the driving drive behind many enjoyable automobiles launched underneath the Gazoo Racing banner. Although the corporate founder’s grandson has been with Toyota since mainly endlessly, he enjoys automobiles from different manufacturers as properly.

Imagine 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 Internet’s favourite – the Jimny. It was one of many 5 automobiles on the so-called Morizo Garage earlier this month on the present held in Japan’s capital. If you are unfamiliar with “Morizo,” it is Akio Toyoda’s alter ego when he is racing automobiles. Toyota has an intensive rationalization of the place that title comes from in its Toyota Times magazine.

As a lot because the chairman loves the Jimny, a badge-engineered model is not occurring. Toyota reportedly wanted to sell its own version of the lovable go-anywhere SUV, however Suzuki mentioned no. The smaller of the 2 Japanese automakers motivated its choice by saying the Jimny is deeply rooted in Suzuki’s DNA: “It’s like asking Toyota to let us badge engineer the Land Cruiser,” based on a press release 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 truth, 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 bought in Japan the place 100 items had been inbuilt 2009. A few years later, the iQ GRMN Supercharged arrived with a (sure, you’ve got 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).