Toyota Japan's official X account has shared an unexpected video featuring Akio Toyoda.
The chairman urges Japanese buyers to consider the Nissan Murano.
Similar to the Camry, this U.S.-built Murano heads to Japan soon.

Automotive rivals need not always clash as bitter foes. Even as industry competition intensifies, Toyota's chairman extended a cordial nod to a fellow Japanese maker. In fresh footage captured during last weekend's 24-hour endurance event at Fuji Speedway, Akio Toyoda brandishes Nissan flags with a Murano positioned in the background.

The clip quickly spread widely on X because such direct promotion of a competitor's model is uncommon. Although our grasp of Japanese is limited, translation of the roughly minute-long post from Toyota Japan's verified account revealed Toyoda's remarks:

'This American-built vehicle arrives in Japan for local use. We hope Japanese buyers will enjoy it as well. Meet the Nissan Murano!'

U.S.-Built Vehicles Arrive in Japan

Viewers may question the motive behind Toyoda's endorsement of the Murano. Just as Toyota plans to import the U.S.-produced Camry, Highlander, and Tundra, Nissan prepares to ship its Tennessee-assembled Murano to Japan starting early 2027 under a bilateral trade pact that waives duplicate safety tests.

Left-hand-drive examples will reach a market driving on the left, leaving open how many customers accept that setup for the Murano.

Toyoda Shows Broad Interests

This marks another instance of Toyoda praising vehicles outside the Toyota lineup. During the 2024 Tokyo Auto Show he displayed his personal Suzuki Jimny at the Toyota exhibit next to a Yamaha scooter. Months afterward Toyota joined Mazda and Subaru on efforts to prolong gasoline engine relevance via carbon-neutral fuels.

Toyota and Hyundai later co-organized the Hyundai N x Toyota Gazoo Racing Festival celebrating road and track cars from each brand, complete with prototypes shown at Everland Speedway in South Korea.

Photo by: Jeff Perez / Motor1

What do you think?

Motor1's Take: Greater openness among top automotive leaders like Akio Toyoda could improve the sector overall. His gestures signal mutual respect and affirm space for multiple players.

Now in his seventies, the former president and CEO stays deeply engaged. As grandson of founder Kiichiro Toyoda he propelled Gazoo Racing forward, recently elevating GR to an independent performance division.