Carmaker Akio delivers final admonition to industry's prospective leaders during his final gathering as chairperson.
In the turbulent waters of the Great East Japan Earthquake, the rise of American tech giants, and the COVID-19 pandemic, Akio Toyoda, the outgoing chairman of Toyota, has rarely had a peaceful moment during his presidency. This week, Toyota Times News brings you a special feature on the 119th General Shareholders' Meeting, where Akio Toyoda reflected on his 14-year tenure with a sense of responsibility and a forward-looking mindset.
Regarding Toyota's BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle) strategy, Toyoda maintained the company's approach of cautious but steady progress while balancing various technologies to achieve carbon neutrality. He has historically advocated for a balanced strategy including hybrids, hydrogen fuel cells, and BEVs rather than focusing exclusively on BEVs. Under his leadership, Toyota has been evolving into a mobility company that integrates multiple powertrains and advanced technologies.
On Toyota’s future, Toyoda expressed confidence in the company's transformation into a broader mobility and technology firm beyond just a carmaker. He promoted innovations such as automated driving, new management structures, and cultural change initiatives within the company. The importance of collective effort from employees was highlighted, with Toyoda encouraging openness, transparency, and active participation, especially relating to improving certification processes and operational excellence.
During the meeting, Akio Toyoda, known as the "rearguard president," shared his thoughts and comments, engaging with shareholders in the midst of these challenges. In response to a shareholder question about Toyota's BEV strategy, the company's leaders presented a vision and specific targets. The focus of carmaking is shifting towards BEVs, as indicated by the involvement of BEV-loving engineers.
In his last shareholders' meeting, Akio Toyoda underscored a cautious but innovative approach to BEVs, expressed strong belief in Toyota’s future as a mobility company, and reflected on his long tenure with a focus on responsibility, transformation, and collective employee engagement. The article also looked back at the words Akio Toyoda shared as chairman of past meetings.
As the curtain falls on Akio Toyoda's tenure as chairman, Toyota Times News takes a moment to celebrate his contributions to the company. On June 14, 2023, Toyota held its 119th General Shareholders' Meeting, the last to be led by Chairman Akio Toyoda. The new Lexus model has been recently unveiled in Milan, Italy, with Akio Toyoda's assignment for the development team being to create "a car that I can use on the weekend, in my jeans and T-shirt."
As Toyota moves forward, the company will continue to face challenges and opportunities. But with a strong leadership team and a commitment to innovation, Toyota is well-positioned to navigate the future of the automotive industry.
- Akio Toyoda, with a focus on innovation, highlighted the importance of a balanced strategy that integrates various powertrains and advanced technologies, particularly promoting automation, new management structures, and cultural change initiatives within Toyota, aiming to transform the company from a traditional carmaker into a mobility and technology firm.
- In the future of the automotive industry, Toyota, under the leadership of a strong leadership team, is well-positioned to navigate the shifting focus towards BEVs, as indicated by the involvement of BEV-loving engineers, while maintaining a cautious but innovative approach, striking a balance between carbon neutrality and the integration of multiple powertrains.
