Morizo's Identity Uncovered
Toyota President's Journey to the Nürburgring: A Tribute to His Mentor
Akio Toyoda, the President of Toyota Motor Corporation and the grandson of the company's founder, Kiichiro Toyoda, has a unique alias - "Morizo". This pseudonym, adopted to avoid conspicuousness and criticism, was inspired by his relationship with Hiromu Naruse, a renowned chief test driver at Toyota who passed away in 2010.
Naruse, a veteran in the automotive industry, joined Toyota in 1963 and was instrumental in shaping the company's sports cars. Known for his philosophy that "Roads make cars", Naruse used the challenging Nürburgring race as an opportunity to train both people and cars.
Akio Toyoda, who was already over the age of 40 when he started training under Naruse, confessed to a lack of driving knowledge despite his high position. Naruse, unimpressed, shared shocking words with Akio, expressing his displeasure at the president's lack of expertise.
This encounter motivated Akio Toyoda to improve his driving skills and evaluate cars correctly. Under Naruse's guidance, he began to understand the true limits of a car and the issues that don't normally appear on standard test courses.
Together with Naruse and their fellow test drivers, Akio Toyoda formed GAZOO Racing. This team, now expanded and playing a central role in making "ever-better cars" at Toyota, continues Naruse's legacy.
Akio Toyoda, under the alias "Morizo", participated in the 2007 Nürburgring 24-hour endurance race with GAZOO Racing. After Naruse's death, he debuted under the name "Morizo" at the 24 Hours of Le Mans race, paying tribute to his mentor.
The Nürburgring course, known as the world's most challenging amateur race, tests the limits of a car and reveals issues that don't normally appear on standard test courses. Akio Toyoda often uses the phrase "let's make ever-better cars" in his management, a sentiment he inherited from Naruse.
Today, Akio Toyoda serves as Toyota's "master driver" or chief test driver, responsible for "seasoning" Toyota's sports cars, just as Naruse did before him. The use of "Morizo" now allows Akio to express his true feelings as a "car lover" or a "car guy".
In memory of Hiromu Naruse, Akio Toyoda continues to strive for excellence in the automotive industry, driven by the spirit of the Nürburgring and the lessons he learned from his mentor.
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