Currently, Toyota partners with Subaru to create models such as the GR86 and the BRZ. Another noteworthy collaboration is with BMW, which has resulted in the development of the Supra and Z4 models. Future potential partnerships aim to bolster their sports car lineup further, ensuring a diversified range sustaining Toyota's market presence amid declining sports car sales globally.
Tomoya Takahashi, President of Gazoo Racing at Toyota indicated that due to unfavorable market dynamics for sports vehicles, individual efforts are insufficient. He shared at a recent Cars Guide interview that "the sports car market is shrinking in the future. We cannot maintain sports cars as one brand, Toyota. Collaboration between brands will increase in the future," signaling a strategic pivot towards joint ventures for sustainability.
Toyota also hints at exciting developments such as the Toyota GR GT3 race car, recently seen testing in late May 2024 at Spa-Francorchamps. This model is expected to evolve into a street-legal Lexus variant, potentially named LFR with V-8 engine possibly boosted by turbochargers. Moreover, speculation around resurrecting the Celica line continues after being teased last year by Chairman Akio Toyoda in October 2023.
Collaborative efforts extend beyond production; they are also about sharing overhead costs. Given Mazda's successful stint building Miata-based 124 Spider for Fiat underlines benefit-drawing from collective resources especially when contrasted against contrasting company scales like Mazda's smaller size versus Toyota.
Takahashi further emphasized that their strategic collaborations are not just for business viability but also to preserve enthusiast cultures saying it's "not for one manufacturer to survive, but to protect car enthusiasts."
Moreover, other notable ongoing updates within Toyota confirm its focus on refreshing its athletic models-the recently updated GR Yaris and an upcoming more powerful variant of Supra developed in partnership with BMW are cases in point.