Nobuaki Katayama

Nobuaki Katayama is a Japanese automotive engineer and former racing driver who was the chief engineer for the first generation Lexus IS, the Toyota Altezza in Japan, the first generation Lexus SC 400/SC 300, and the 4th generation of the Toyota Supra. Previously, he was an engineer on the AE86 project, and also worked for four years on Toyota Motorsports' World Rally Championship and Le Mans programs.

Career Katayama joined Toyota Motor Corporation in 1970, where he spent years working in manual transmission design.

With the first generation Lexus IS, Katayama aimed to build a smaller, more compact Lexus intended for volume sales in the large entry-luxury market, with a front engine/rear drive design.