In what many would find bizarre, Toyota chairman Akio Toyoda was featured in a social media video waving Nissan flags and urging customers in Japan to buy the Nissan Murano. Aren't Toyota and Nissan rival brands?Well, yes, they are, but unlike traditional brand rivalries, where one automaker bashes the other on social media and on large motorway hoardings, Toyota appears to be taking things a little less seriously, knowing that supporting its rivals is unlikely to affect its own sales, especially when it comes to a vehicle like the Murano, which carries special significance.Toyoda's friendly gesture came from last weekend's 24-hour endurance race at Fuji Speedway, where he waved flags in front of the Murano and endorsed the car. Motor1 translated the Toyota chairman's statement:AdvertisementAdvertisement"This is an American-made car that we brought over to Japan. I really hope our Japanese customers will use it, too. It's the Nissan Murano!"Screenshot of video uploaded by Toyota Motor Corporation on XNot only that, but Toyota's official account posted the video on X, stating:"Here's a video of the new Nissan Murano, made in a U.S. factory, that our chairman Akio Toyoda(After practice laps at the Fuji 24 Hours race) discovered"To everyone at Nissan, thank you so much for letting me film it!" [Text translated by X]米国の工場で作られた新型・日産ムラーノをうちの会長の豊田章男(富士24時間レース練習走行後)が見つけた時の動画です日産の皆さま撮影させていただきありがとうございました!#豊田章男 #モリゾウ pic.twitter.com/Hl9Pkzlc4R— トヨタ自動車株式会社 (@TOYOTA_PR) June 5, 2026The caption suggests that Toyoda's gesture was not a planned PR exercise but a spontaneous encounter at the racetrack.What is so Special About the Murano?Speaking of the car in question that Toyoda endorsed, the Murano will be manufactured in the U.S. and will be exported to Japan in early 2027 as a result of a new trade agreement between the two countries.AdvertisementAdvertisementThis means the cars will not have to undergo local crash testing, as the made-in-America vehicle will be fully compliant according to Japanese safety standards.However, the exported Murano will be left-hand drive, while vehicles in Japan are typically right-hand drive because they are driven on the left side of the road.Whether that would be a serious obstacle for potential buyers is something that remains to be seen. Notably, Toyota will also be exporting cars manufactured in the U.S., including the Camry, Highlander, and Tundra.