Toyota Appoints Dr Shuhei Toyoda As President Of Its European Manufacturing Operations

Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) has appointed Dr Shuhei Toyoda as President and Chief Executive Officer of Toyota Motor Europe Manufacturing (TMEM) as well as Chairman of Toyota Motor Manufacturing UK (TMUK) effective 11 July 2001.

Dr Toyoda is also a member of the Board of Directors at TMC in Japan. Before this he was Chief Engineer responsible for the development of Toyota’s small car, the Yaris.

He has previous experience in Europe having worked in TMUK from 1992 to 1996 when he was responsible for Purchasing. In addition he obtained his doctorate from Leeds University in England.

In his new function, Dr Toyoda will be responsible for all of Toyota’s European manufacturing operations, this includes its vehicle and engine plants in the UK and France (engine assembly to start in 2003) and Toyota’s future transmission plant in Poland.

Dr Shuhei Toyoda said: “Our European operations are expanding rapidly and with this comes the need to develop our overall European organisation and effectiveness. I very much look forward to the challenge of continuing the excellent work already started, enhancing Toyota’s presence in the competitive European Automotive Industry.

“I am also delighted to be renewing my involvement with Toyota Motor Manufacturing UK – I have many fond memories of my time in the UK and I am delighted to be renewing acquaintances with many former colleagues.”

Mr Toshio Mizushima, the existing President of TMEM and Chairman of TMUK, will return to Japan where he will take up a new position within TMC.

Mr Mizushima has been President of TMEM since its foundation in 1998 and has been responsible for establishing the European Manufacturing Head Office. As Chairman (and previously Managing Director) of TMUK for the last five years he has been responsible for expanding the plant to allow the start of both Corolla and Avensis production.

Mr Mizushima said: “I am very proud of all that we have achieved so far in European Manufacturing, but there is still much to be done. In handing over to Dr Toyoda I know that we will see further development and strengthening of Toyota’s position in Europe.

“On a personal note it is with mixed feelings that I return to Japan. Throughout my time in Europe I have been impressed with the hard work, dedication and professionalism of our employees. I have also been delighted by the warm welcome of the local community who have made all of us at Toyota feel very welcome.

“I am confident that under the leadership of Dr Shuhei Toyoda, our activities in Europe will go from strength to strength.”

ENDS

Notes To Editors: Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) is the third largest car manufacturer in the world, producing almost six million vehicles per year, equivalent to one every six seconds. It owns controlling interests in Daihatsu, Hino trucks as well as telecommunications, housing and industrial equipment businesses.

Cars are produced in 26 different countries outside Japan. Localised vehicle production is an important way in which Toyota makes a contribution to countries by providing mutually beneficial, long-term relationships with local companies and a commitment to the employment of local labour.

Toyota Motor Europe Manufacturing (TMEM) is the umbrella organisation responsible for all of TMC’s vehicle production in Europe. There are two plants in the UK, one in France and one being built in Poland.

Toyota Motor Manufacturing (UK) Ltd (TMUK) has two plants in the UK: Burnaston, Derbyshire, employing around 2,500 people and the engine plant in Deeside, North Wales employing around 400. The plants represent over £1.5 billion invested in Britain by Toyota to date. They will have the capacity to produce 220,000 cars and 400,000 engines in 2002. Of all the vehicles produced in the UK 75 per cent are exported to Europe, 20 per cent are sold in the UK and 5 per cent are exported to the rest of the world.

Toyota (GB) PLC (TGB) is the importer and distributor for Toyota and Lexus vehicles in the UK and is responsible for sales, marketing, after-sales and customer satisfaction. TGB employs approximately 500 employees at the new headquarters in Burgh Heath, Surrey. Sales are managed throughout England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland by a network of over 220 Toyota dealers and 47 dedicated Lexus sales centres.

Resume – Shuhei Toyoda:

President Toyota Motor Europe Manufacturing, Member of the Board of Directors of Toyota Motor Corporation

Shuhei Toyoda joined Toyota in 1977 on earning a doctorate in Tribology from the University of Leeds. Prior to his studies in the United Kingdom, he completed undergraduate and graduate studies at Tamagawa University. His career at Toyota has involved him in a broad range of work, including production, purchasing, and product development.

Dr Toyoda spent four-and-a-half years in the mid-1990s at Toyota Motor Manufacturing (UK) Ltd, where he supervised purchasing. Returning to Japan in 1996, he joined a project team that was developing a next-generation small car. He became the chief engineer for that project in 1997. Named to the Board of Directors in 1998, he continued to supervise development work on a new generation of small cars. Until now, Dr Toyoda headed two production plants in Japan for the Company. As from July 2001 he is heading Toyota’s European manufacturing operations as President Toyota Motor Europe Manufacturing (TMEM).

A native of Toyota City, Dr Toyoda was born there in 1947 and continues to make his home there. His interests apart from work include playing backgammon and astronomy. He and his wife, Yoko, have two sons and a daughter.