Yoshinori Futonagane, chief engineer for the new generation Toyota RAV4, revealed he test-drove a Chinese vehicle during the SUV's research and development. While he didn't name the model, Australian media speculates it was likely from BYD, a Chinese brand with strong sales in Japan and the world's largest Chinese automaker by sales.

Futonagane expressed particular admiration for Chinese automakers' software development. He noted their integration of numerous modern technologies and features, especially in driver assistance and autonomous driving. "Their software is very advanced. Honestly, their cars are not bad," he stated through an interpreter. The Toyota engineer also remarked on the high level of autonomous driving technology achieved by Chinese brands.

Chief engineer for Toyota RAV4, Yoshinori Futonagane. *Photo: Drive.*

Futonagane, however, stressed that Toyota would not adopt every technology trend if it compromised the brand's core values. He affirmed Toyota's ongoing commitment to safety, reliability, and product quality, requiring thorough evaluation of all new technologies before implementation. "We are closely monitoring developments in China, but we must consider which technologies truly fit Toyota's standards," he noted.

The rapid expansion of Chinese carmakers is exerting considerable pressure on traditional Japanese manufacturers. In 4/2026, prior to his departure as Toyota's CEO, Koji Sato cautioned that the company might "not survive" without adapting to the evolving competitive landscape. Toyota is also reassessing some stringent quality control standards to minimize production waste.

Beyond Toyota, a growing number of Japanese automotive engineers are publicly acknowledging the strengths of Chinese vehicles following test drives. Kaoru Sawase, a Mitsubishi representative, highlighted the BYD Shark 6 plug-in hybrid pickup's effective electric motor control and off-road capabilities, though noting its thermal protection system's limitations under sustained heavy loads. Sawase suggested Japanese automakers could learn significantly from Chinese manufacturers' approaches to electric vehicle and control software development.

By Ho Tan (via Drive)