CAR’S CURVEBALLS
6 questions only we would ask
Tell us about your irst car...
‘It was a lime green Opel Ascona with a vinyl roof passed down by a family member. As a four-door it was good for carrying around friends but the [60bhp] 1.2 engine was awful.’
Which achievement makes you most proud?
‘I’m French but worked for 20 years in Germany so through my professional career I’ve been able to give my kids dierent life experiences. They now speak proper English, not like me!’
What’s the best thing you’ve done in a car?
‘I’m not going to tell you that [laughs]… or maybe a loop of the Nürburgring in a mid-’80s Toyota Supra. In how it has been developed the new one will be the last of its kind.’
Tell us how you screwed up…
‘For three or four months in 2011 I was in a bad situation, in charge of sales planning at Toyota’s European HQ. The brand had just had some recalls and the Japanese tsunami had aected manufacturing and the capability of our suppliers. It was really hard to deliver enough cars to customers.’
Supercar or classic?
‘It depends. Some supercars are interesting but overall I think classics are more emotional.’
Company curveball… Lexus launched in 1989 with the LS, but when was that project started and what was its codename?
‘1983, but I’m not sure of the codename.’ [Right year. The LS project was called F1 for Flagship No1.]