Japanese engineers find greener pastures with Chinese automakers

Growing carmakers snap up talent, while Honda and Nissan tighten belts

20210902N GAC logo

Chinese automobile maker GAC is tapping Japanese engineering talent to develop new vehicles. © Reuters

TAKASHI KAWAKAMI, Nikkei staff writer

GUANGZHOU -- The poaching of a former Toyota Motor ace engineer by a government-owned Chinese automaker took many in the industry by surprise.

Masato Katsumata had spent more than 30 years at Toyota, mainly in the engineering division. He oversaw a full revamp of the Camry sedan as its chief engineer and was involved in numerous overseas projects.

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