Akio: Toyota's trailing in styling will be fixed

[JetFuelAbuser]

This is an except from an AutoNews article regarding Akio Toyoda, widely considered to succeed Watanabe as the next head of TMC:

Then he stepped onto the Toyota stand dressed to the nines. He wore a white silk suit, white socks and shoes, and one of those dress shirts that doesn't need a tie. No gray-suited, bland Japanese businessman here!

The rap against Toyota for years has been that it makes flawless appliances with no design pizzazz. Akio's dress sent the message that style matters at the new, global leader Toyota. Watch this space, he was saying. We're going to unveil styling that you won't believe.

More broadly, the message was that if Toyota trails in any segment -- styling, international outlook, whatever -- it will be fixed. Toyota will be the leader, full stop.

Akio Toyoda's handlers didn't understand. I didn't have a camera with me, and I asked a Toyota public relations staffer whether there was a camera to get a picture of Akio on the stand. Uh, no, she replied. After all, a photo of Akio out of staid corporate uniform didn't fit the message "We are a world-class company."

[trxr]

Well lets see what he's got. He cant just talk about style and not have a visual...

[TravisAe86]

well the new camry sport showed signs that toyota is stepping up there style game.

[toyotaholic]

The rap against Toyota for years has been that it makes flawless appliances with no design pizzazz. Akio's dress sent the message that style matters at the new, global leader Toyota.

more has been on its inability to stimulate the driver, they should focus on that cuz their current design is heading in the right direction

[Avalonman]

^agreed.