Toyota's Performance Sub-Brand Gets a Different Name in the US
Toyota recently introduced a new performance sub-brand for foreign markets, and it will be coming to North America, but with a different name.
Last week, Toyota introduced its new GR brand, rolling out several models featuring high-performance accessories and styling modifications. The name comes from Toyota’s motorsports and sports car division, Gazoo Racing. For our market, however, Toyota will leverage a brand name that is more familiar with North American enthusiasts, Toyota Racing Development, or better known as, TRD.
According to an Automotive News report, Toyota executives see no need for new branding in the U.S. since TRD is already established. It’s also being reported that U.S. executives privately loathe the name Gazoo because it has no obvious tie-in to Toyota.
SEE ALSO: Toyota Launches its New Performance Sub-Brand
So what will North America get from Toyota’s new performance sub-brand? Details of that are still scarce, but the president of Gazoo Racing Co., Shigeki Tomoyama, promises the treatment seen in the GR cars will be applied to future TRD models and even production cars in North America.
More excitingly, the sub-brand’s next phase is a designated sports car platform before they eventually introduce “a pure, genuine sports car, which can compete against top-class world competitors.”
Hopefully, we will get a better picture of Toyota’s sports car plans once the new Supra debuts, possibly at the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show.
[Source: Automotive News]
Discuss this story on our Toyota Forum
Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.
More by Jason Siu
Comments
Join the conversation
I'm happy about that. But I still want them to call it Toyota GRRRRR.
Gazoo? Now all they need is a band with tissue paper over their combs playing, Born to be Wild."