Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda recently inaugurated a state-of-the-art R&D facility, the Shimoyama R&D center, with a dramatic flair. Standing behind him was a mangled GR Yaris rally car, a testament to his personal commitment to pushing boundaries.
Toyoda himself was at the wheel when the car flipped over during testing, but instead of scrapping it, he chose to showcase it as a symbol of the facility’s purpose: to drive innovation and improvement in Toyota’s carmaking.
Located in a scenic mountainous region, the 1,600-acre Shimoyama center serves as the new hub for GR and Lexus vehicles, housing 3,000 employees and featuring multiple courses, including a 3.3-mile road course inspired by the legendary Nürburgring.
This allows Toyota to conduct extensive testing in-house, expediting car development. Toyoda’s passion for racing and dedication to excellence are well-known, having participated in various motorsports events under the pseudonym Morizo.
By sharing his own experience of failure and recovery, Toyoda encourages his team to embrace the “Drive, break, fix” mantra, fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.
As Toyota continues to push the boundaries of automotive excellence, the Shimoyama R&D center stands as a testament to the power of experimentation, perseverance, and teamwork. With its cutting-edge facilities and talented team, Toyota is poised to shape the future of the automotive industry.