Toyota could soon have a new performance division tweaking its models in a similar vein to Mercedes-AMG and BMW M.
As it stands, the Japanese company already offers a host of performance models from its TRD sub-brand (Toyota Racing Development). However, there’s a possibility that the firm’s Gazoo Racing motorsport arm will be expanded into an even more comprehensive tuning arm.
Gazoo Racing already sells modified Toyota models in Japan and handles the brand’s activities in the World Rally Champion and World Endurance Championship and according to Autocar, is looking to extend its road car brand.
In an interview, Gazoo Racing and Toyota’s powertrain division boss, Koei Saga, said that he wants to see Gazoo expand its road presence outside of Japan, potentially turning the motorsport division into a company like BMW M.
“In Europe, the challenge is bigger because we have more competitors here, and it is also an issue of cost. However, I am very much working on that so we can have a brand like the M brand,” Saga said/
It isn’t known if top executives at Toyota are in favor of the plan and Saga refused to comment about Gazoo Racing’s potential involvement in the next-generation Toyota Supra and BMW Z5.
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