Interview with President Toda
We spoke with Kengo Toda, the President and Representative Director, about the past and future of Toda Racing.
What circumstances led to the relocation of the new headquarters from Tamashima to Yakage Town?
Toda (honorific omitted)
In the 2000s, the main factory in Tamashima became cramped, leading to plans for a new factory.
Initially, we hoped to build a new factory within Kurashiki City (the place of our founding), but due to the social conditions and regional circumstances at that time, it was very difficult to construct a factory in Kurashiki City.
While considering relocation sites, the fact that Yakage Town was very welcoming towards factory construction became a significant trigger for the move.
Since Yakage Town is close to our original base in Tamashima, the factory relocation to the current location was realized in 2007, and we have been based in Yakage since then.
Please tell us about your aftermarket business.
Toda
For many years, we have been manufacturing competition parts for sports cars (parts for motorsports such as circuit racing).
For cars that have been out of production for some time, the availability of genuine parts from the manufacturer has diminished, leading to a recent increase in demand for replacement parts.
A series of aftermarket parts such as pistons, connecting rods, and flywheels manufactured using high-performance machine tools form the foundation of our manufacturing.
These parts are highly regarded not only domestically but also internationally, and are widely distributed through dealers. Some customers have even sent engines from the United States to us for parts installation.
I have heard that you are also working on electric vehicle (EV) development in recent years.
Toda
We have been participating in the "Okayama Next Generation Automotive Technology Research and Development Center" (abbreviated as OVEC) led by the Okayama Prefectural Industrial Promotion Foundation since its establishment in 2011.
This is a project for EV development by Okayama Prefecture and automotive-related companies in the prefecture, where various companies collaborated to jointly develop in-wheel motors and inverters. The project was demonstrated by actually mounting them on test vehicles and conducting driving tests.
In-wheel motor
A motor incorporated into the wheel.
Inverter
A control device for driving the motor, also used in common devices like air conditioners.
The six-year project has concluded, and OVEC has disbanded, but we continue to aim for thinner and more compact in-wheel motors through ongoing improvements and developments.
Additionally, leveraging our past achievements in aftermarket parts sales, we also handle the sales of EV components that we have developed.
Please tell us about the current state of your motorsport activities.
Toda
Since our founding in 1971, our ongoing motorsport activities have become the core of the company's identity.
For many years, we have participated in F3 (currently Super Formula Lights: SFL), which serves as a gateway for young drivers, equipping our engines and accumulating achievements.
In addition to the SFL we are currently participating in, we will also challenge the "Super Formula," the highest level of domestic racing, starting in 2026. This is a significant step up, akin to "promoting from J2 to J1" in soccer.
Furthermore, we are advancing the development of "flying cars" and carbon propellers for drones by integrating carbon molding technology used in racing car manufacturing with the motor technology gained from the aforementioned EV development.
Additionally, through our racing activities, we play a role in nurturing drivers aspiring to become professionals and sending them to manufacturers and other teams, thus supporting the culture of motorsports in Japan.
Finally, please share a message for our readers.
Toda
While we are well-known among car enthusiasts, I would like those who are not yet familiar with Toda Racing to first know that "there is such a manufacturing company in Okayama."
Recently, there have been increasing cases of children who became interested in cars due to their car-loving fathers visiting us and saying, "I want to work at Toda Racing."
Moreover, it would be very encouraging if young people could learn about our existence, leading to encounters with future talent.
We take pride in "challenging the world from Okayama" and will continue to move forward with passion. I hope that through this article, our commitment to manufacturing reaches as many people as possible.
Conclusion
From listening to President Toda, I got the impression that rather than intentionally expanding the business, various products and services have emerged as a result of the core racing activities.
For Toda Racing, motorsports serve as a kind of "ultimate testing ground" to break through the limits of technology and return the know-how gained to products, testing devices, and even next-generation technologies such as EVs and flying cars.
Currently, the automotive industry is at a turning point from engines to electric power.
I hope that as a long-established company, you will continue to navigate the waves of change and keep racing on the circuit of challenges.
Data of Toda Racing Co., Ltd.
| Organization Name | Toda Racing Co., Ltd. |
|---|---|
| Industry | Research and development, manufacturing, and sales of racing engines and parts Research and development, manufacturing, and sales of automotive parts Research and development, manufacturing, and sales of prototype vehicles Research and development of engine combustion efficiency, fuel economy, and low emissions Manufacturing and sales of various test stands Research and development, manufacturing, and sales of in-wheel motors / onboard motors / e-Axles Manufacturing of aircraft parts / manufacturing of industrial machinery |
| Representative Name | Kengo Toda |
| Year Established | 1971 |
| Address | 640-1 Naka, Yakage Town, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 0866-83-1202 |
| Website | Toda Racing |
