Toyota Motor Corporation announces leadership changes

Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) has announced that, effective from 1 April 2026, it intends to implement changes to its executive structure.

This will see Koji Sato, who is currently the President and CEO of TMC and Member of the Board of Directors, assume the position of Vice Chairman and the newly established role of Chief Industry Officer (CIO). Following this, Kenta Kon, who is currently the Chief Financial Officer, will take over as President and CEO.

This change in roles is intended to accelerate management decision-making in response to changes in the internal and external environment. As the automotive industry faces a challenging business environment, there is a growing need to accelerate practical initiatives for industry collaboration to strengthen international competitiveness.

Therefore, Sato, in his additional roles as Chairman of Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association and Vice Chair of Keidanren, is also expected to promote policy proposals centred of monozukuri (manufacturing) and advance industry collaboration to enhance Japan's industrial competitiveness.

Speaking on these changes, TMC has said that the company's earning power forms the foundation for the continuation of making ever-better cars, and together with the lowering of the break-even volume, are considered immediate priorities. Therefore, TMC stressed that it is necessary to lead reforms across the entire company by addressing the value chain as a whole.