Effective 1 April, the changes are part of Toyota’s ongoing efforts to encourage sustainable growth and further improve its products and services around the world. They will build on changes made in April 2013, which created business units and reorganized the company’s regional operations.

As part of these changes, Didier Leroy, senior managing officer, TMC, CEO Europe Region, and president and CEO Toyota Motor Europe, will be appointed president of Toyota No.1 at TMC.

In this responsibility, Mr Leroy will oversee the R&D, manufacturing and sales operations for the North America, Europe and Africa regions; the Japan Sales Business Group; and the Product Planning, Design and Motorsports functions related to the Toyota No.1 regional scope. He will also become the first non-Japanese executive vice president of TMC, as well as member of the Board of Directors of TMC, pending formal approval at the 111th General Shareholders Meeting in June. Mr Leroy will be based in Brussels.

Following this change, Dr Johan van Zyl, currently managing officer, TMC, CEO, Africa Region, and president and CEO, Toyota South Africa Motors Ltd. (TSAM), will become CEO Europe Region and President and CEO, Toyota Motor Europe (in addition to his current responsibilities).

Mr Leroy will be appointed Chairman, Toyota Motor Europe.