Why Toyoda owns!
08-05-09 | 03:57 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 19,951
Likes: 171
Why Toyoda owns!
When Akio Toyoda jetted into Cherry Capital Airport in Traverse City, Mich., on Tuesday, there was the usual contingent of Toyota staff waiting to greet him, as well as a motorcade of company vehicles.
The plan, of course, was for Mr. Toyoda, the company’s new president, to ride to the Grand Traverse Resort in a Lexus. But another vehicle caught his eye: the Venza, a new crossover sedan built in Georgetown, Ky.
Mr. Toyoda, a racing enthusiast and car buff, immediately bounded over. “Venza,” he said, according to a member of Toyota’s staff. “Let me see.”
It was not just a cursory glance. Mr. Toyoda looked all over the Venza, which is sold only in the United States and is meant for buyers who have given up S.U.V.s but want a roomy, tall car.
Mr. Toyoda fished in his briefcase for his American driver’s license, which he obtained when he worked in the United States after earning his M.B.A. at Babson. Then he hopped behind the wheel next to an associate and drove off to the resort. (The staffer who had been assigned to drive him wound up riding in a Sienna minivan.)
He will be in the spotlight this morning as the keynote speaker at the annual Management Briefing Seminar, sponsored by the Center for Automotive Research. DealBook will bring you full coverage.
Update: Asked for his impression of the car before his speech, Mr. Toyoda nodded and gave a thumbs-up sign.
The plan, of course, was for Mr. Toyoda, the company’s new president, to ride to the Grand Traverse Resort in a Lexus. But another vehicle caught his eye: the Venza, a new crossover sedan built in Georgetown, Ky.
Mr. Toyoda, a racing enthusiast and car buff, immediately bounded over. “Venza,” he said, according to a member of Toyota’s staff. “Let me see.”
It was not just a cursory glance. Mr. Toyoda looked all over the Venza, which is sold only in the United States and is meant for buyers who have given up S.U.V.s but want a roomy, tall car.
Mr. Toyoda fished in his briefcase for his American driver’s license, which he obtained when he worked in the United States after earning his M.B.A. at Babson. Then he hopped behind the wheel next to an associate and drove off to the resort. (The staffer who had been assigned to drive him wound up riding in a Sienna minivan.)
He will be in the spotlight this morning as the keynote speaker at the annual Management Briefing Seminar, sponsored by the Center for Automotive Research. DealBook will bring you full coverage.
Update: Asked for his impression of the car before his speech, Mr. Toyoda nodded and gave a thumbs-up sign.
I think Toyoda will reinvent Toyota, and in a good way. He is acting in the same way I would if I was put in charge of Toyota.
p.s. Toyota is constructing testing site near their HQ where Toyoda wants to try out every one of Toyota's new models that are coming out world wide
08-05-09 | 04:12 PM
#3
He's an enthusiast.
He sounds very enthusiastic about business and cars.
ToMoCo has skewed towards business over cars in the past. Perhaps his passion will balance work/business with pleasure...
He sounds very enthusiastic about business and cars.
ToMoCo has skewed towards business over cars in the past. Perhaps his passion will balance work/business with pleasure...
08-05-09 | 04:19 PM
#4
Lexus Champion
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 8,695
Likes: 2
From: CA
I'm all for the execs getting to know the cars they sell better. That way they can be more responsive to customer needs. Now reading this would make me a bit curious about what Lexus model he did not ride in, instead of the Venza, but given that the Venza is U.S. designed and targeted, it makes sense for him to try that one out here.
08-05-09 | 04:48 PM
#6
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,323
Likes: 0
From: Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Hehe talk about exec perks! But it has a worthwhile use.
I'm all for the execs getting to know the cars they sell better. That way they can be more responsive to customer needs. Now reading this would make me a bit curious about what Lexus model he did not ride in, instead of the Venza, but given that the Venza is U.S. designed and targeted, it makes sense for him to try that one out here.
I'm all for the execs getting to know the cars they sell better. That way they can be more responsive to customer needs. Now reading this would make me a bit curious about what Lexus model he did not ride in, instead of the Venza, but given that the Venza is U.S. designed and targeted, it makes sense for him to try that one out here.
08-05-09 | 04:56 PM
#7
Thread Starter
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 19,951
Likes: 171
Hehe talk about exec perks! But it has a worthwhile use.
I'm all for the execs getting to know the cars they sell better. That way they can be more responsive to customer needs. Now reading this would make me a bit curious about what Lexus model he did not ride in, instead of the Venza, but given that the Venza is U.S. designed and targeted, it makes sense for him to try that one out here.
I'm all for the execs getting to know the cars they sell better. That way they can be more responsive to customer needs. Now reading this would make me a bit curious about what Lexus model he did not ride in, instead of the Venza, but given that the Venza is U.S. designed and targeted, it makes sense for him to try that one out here.
Trending Topics
08-05-09 | 06:58 PM
#10
Lead Lap
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 519
Likes: 1
From: ca
new toyota president
http://www.autospies.com/news/Toyota...rts-Car-46680/
http://www.detnews.com/article/20090...401/1148/rss25
Hope Better cars come out better quality then what we have now
http://www.detnews.com/article/20090...401/1148/rss25
Hope Better cars come out better quality then what we have now
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
GFerg
Car Chat
32
10-20-08 03:35 PM