His motto is “Thanks for breaking it.”

Chief Engineer Naohiko Saito, who is in charge of GR Yaris development, was facing not a car, but a pile of applications.

Repeating the cycle of driving, breaking, and fixing. TOYOTA GAZOO Racing, continually taking on the challenge of making ever-better cars through motorsports, was facing a challenge to foster the next generation of carmakers.

“There must be people with a serious commitment to building sports cars in the company.” Morizo’s words resulted in an in-house open call for applications. The program was called the GR Company Challenge Program.

“I slept in the garage so I could work on cars.” “I’ve been drifting since I was in high school.”

Chief Engineer Saito perused the application forms filled with passionate words, and his eyes sparkled as he said, “I want them all to come,” and “I never realized there were so many car lovers.”

After the document screening, applicants were interviewed and told again about the never-ending fight to continually improve. Chief Engineer Saito asked characteristic questions like, “Are you a masochist?”

On January 2025, the successful applicant made an appearance at the Tokyo Auto Salon. Before officially transferring to the new division in February, he attended as part of a training program to help him become an even more hardcore car lover.

The way he looks closely at the parts and structures is truly eccentric.

The successful applicant, with his elevated love for cars. His new role is to be team leader of that car.

GR looks to the future as it develops a new generation of carmakers, and the successful applicant leaps into a new field in his 40s. Watch as this new challenge begins for both parties.