Toyota President Akio Toyoda is not one your typical automotive CEOs, as believe it or not, the 56-year old grandson of the Japanese company’s founder actually likes cars […]. He is a full-time car guy and a weekend racer who has even competed in the Nürburgring 24 hour endurance race.
And like any other car buff, Toyoda’s list of favorite cars is not restricted to one brand. However, unlike other automotive executives, Toyoda has no problem revealing which cars he likes from Toyota’s domestic competitors in public.
According to Autonews, during his inauguration today as chairman of the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, Toyoda quoted some of his favorite nameplates from each of the four Japanese automakers that are represented in the board.
Not surprisingly, from Nissan, he chose the Skyline, which spawned today’s GT-R, while from Honda, the NSX mid-engined sportscar.
While most would expect the Lancer EVO lineup to be Toyoda’s first option when it came to Mitsubishi, the Toyota CEO selected the Pajero SUV. As for Mazda, his vote went to the company’s first rotary-engine-powered car, the Cosmo Sport Roadster.
Toyoda also made a reference to the Isuze Bellett, a popular subcompact model made from 1963 to 1973 that is said to have been the first Japanese car to receive a GT moniker in 1964 (the two-door version).
So there you have it. If you would like to tell us what you think about Toyoda’s choices, the comments area is all yours.
[Isuzu Photo Credits: Wikipedia]PHOTO GALLERY
