Akihiro Sarada

Scrapped at the product decision meeting

The 16th generation began with a plan for a minor change of the previous model about two years earlier. At the meeting that makes the final decision on commercialization, President Toyoda looked at the design proposal and frowned, and the plan was scrapped. It was the first time in Toyota's history that a plan was scrapped at that meeting. Filled with determination to create a new Crown right down to the front line of development, the team centered on chief engineer Sarada moved quickly from there.