Toyota VP Says "Expect More Risky Designs" In The Future From The Automaker

Karl Schlicht, executive vice president of Toyota Europe, has told us to “expect more risky designs” and has promised more “emotional surprises like the FT-1 concept,” as Toyota continues to morph its image from a producer of bland, sensible cars to a more aspirational brand.

“Toyota has really changed under Akio Toyoda [Toyota CEO] – he really doesn’t care about selling more cars than anyone else, in fact he’s paranoid about growing too quickly,” Schlicht told us. “He’s told everyone in the company not to chase the number one spot, but to do things right, make the best cars and the money will come.”

TheSteve - 2/24/2014 9:50:05 PM

+1 Boost

Does "risky" mean ugly, in Toyota-speak?

JDMUSMuscle - 2/24/2014 11:24:00 PM

-4 Boost

If it was Mercedes, then they call it beautiful.

If it was Toyota or Lexus, then they call it ugly.

Europe worshippers are really dumb.

Car4Life - 2/25/2014 2:14:30 PM

+3 Boost

Trust me I'm no worshiper of Europe, as I've criticized Audi for "same sausage different size" design language and Bimmer for product overlap i.e 3/4 series gran coupe.

But yes when it comes to Mercedes, they have mastered more risky designs without Nike Swoosh LED's (Lexus IS) or gaping grills

I commend Lexus for searching for their own identity, but sometimes less is more, and a design should read seamless, not forced.

DougS - 2/25/2014 8:11:05 AM

+2 Boost

Please Toyota change the 15 old style Prius. Its so stale its like looking back to the 20th century and vomiting. Hire a Kia or Hyundai design boss or one from Ford and fire the designers you now have. You will not aviate any of your current customers since they are diehard Toyota buyers that buy old stale looking cars anyway but you will add new young savy buyers like me. Open a new era with great styled vehicles and a new sports car.

Amclaussen - 2/25/2014 10:54:18 AM

+1 Boost

A present day Automotive company CEO saying “He’s told everyone in the company not to chase the number one spot, but to do things right, make the best cars and the money will come.” is like a USA president saying they will not go to another war... Is it believable?

In the unlikely case of it being true, that will put Toyota back into making reliable cars again, after performing one blunder after other.