Toyota chairman Akio Toyoda surprised fans by waving Nissan flags and urging Japanese customers to consider the U.S.-built Nissan Murano, a symbol of new U.S.Japan auto trade ties.
In an unexpected show of cross-brand goodwill, Toyota chairman Akio Toyoda was captured on video last weekend waving Nissan flags and encouraging Japanese customers to buy the Nissan Murano. The footage, filmed at the 24‑hour endurance race at Fuji Speedway and shared on Toyota’s official X account, quickly drew attention because Toyota and Nissan are long‑standing rivals in the auto industry.
Toyoda’s lighthearted endorsement translated by Motor1 called the Murano “an American‑made car that we brought over to Japan” and expressed hope that Japanese buyers would welcome it. Toyota’s post noted that Toyoda noticed the Murano after practice laps at the Fuji event, underscoring the informal, friendly tone of the moment.
Why the Murano matters: Under a new trade arrangement, Nissan will export the Murano from U.S. factories to Japan beginning in early 2027. That status means the Murano will meet Japanese safety regulations without separate local crash testing, simplifying the approval process. However, the exported models will be left‑hand drive unusual for Japan, where cars are right‑hand drive and driven on the left raising questions about consumer demand for an imported LHD Nissan on Japanese roads.
Broader context: The incident highlights a shift in how automakers navigate competition and cooperation in a globalized industry. Toyota itself exports U.S.-made models such as the Camry, Highlander and Tundra back to Japan, so endorsing another U.S‑built vehicle is less of a market threat and more a practical recognition of evolving supply chains and trade ties. Toyoda’s friendly gesture at Fuji also reflects a more playful public face for auto executives who increasingly engage audiences on social media and at public events.
What to watch next: Observers will be looking for Nissan’s official launch plans for the Murano in Japan, consumer reaction to left‑hand‑drive imports, and whether other industry leaders follow Toyoda’s collegial approach during public events. For now, the clip stands out as a rare moment of good‑humored cross-brand publicity between two automotive giants.
