Akio Toyoda, Chairman of Toyota Motor Corporation Group
Interview at WRC Japan Rally Site on the 24th
"Strengthening Hydrogen Infrastructure Cooperation with Hyundai Motor"
"Motorsports Competition is a Process for Making Better Cars"
"Active exchanges with Hyundai Motor Company are very positive for both Korea and Japan as well as the automotive industry. We will strengthen cooperation between the two companies, including hydrogen infrastructure."
On the 24th, Akio Toyoda, Chairman of Toyota, made these remarks to domestic reporters at the WRC Japan Rally held at Toyota Stadium in Aichi Prefecture, Japan. Chairman Toyoda said, "Today, at the garage, Hyundai Motor Company (including Chairman Chung Eui-sun of Hyundai Motor Group) observed Toyota's use of hydrogen," adding, "I think there will be cooperation in related areas going forward."
That morning, Chung Eui-sun, Chairman of Hyundai Motor Group, along with Hyundai Motor executives, toured the Toyota Gazoo Racing Team Service Park Center. Toyota has introduced facilities that utilize hydrogen energy to power the repairs of rally cars needed for this World Rally Championship (WRC) event.
Chairman Toyoda said, "Although we did not use it in this rally, I have personally driven a hydrogen car as a driver in endurance circuit races," and added, "Hydrogen has a strong negative image of 'exploding,' but I hope it will become a positive image that hydrogen will create the cars of the future."
Akio Toyoda, Chairman of Toyota Motor Corporation Group, is being interviewed by domestic reporters on the 24th at Toyota Stadium in Aichi Prefecture, Japan. Photo by Joint Press Corps
Regarding Toyota's continuous investment in motorsports, he mentioned it is an investment to make 'better cars.' He also emphasized that while competing in the mass production car sales market, Hyundai and Toyota are building a competitive system in motorsports as well, and both companies are working together to create cars that customers want to choose.
Chairman Toyoda said, "I hope the two companies can make good cars through motorsports," adding, "Toyota and Hyundai are brands that make mass production cars. Through motorsports events, we will both strive for victory and hone our technologies so that we can make cars that everyone wants to buy."
The Toyota Chairman is also a professional racer who is active under the nickname 'Morizo.' Despite being 68 years old this year, he still enjoys racing on circuits. At the 'Hyundai N x Toyota Gazoo Racing Festival' held in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, Korea, last October, he surprised spectators by personally driving the GR Yaris Rally Hybrid 1 racing car.
Finally, Chairman Toyoda said, "I want to make cars that have the 'joy of driving that never gets boring,'" and added, "I believe the meaning of motorsports is talent development. For automotive brands, the economic issues of motorsports will not be a major obstacle."
Akio Toyoda, Chairman of Toyota Motor Corporation Group, is warmly greeting the domestic press at Toyota Stadium in Aichi Prefecture, Japan, on the 24th. Photo by Joint Press Corps
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