TOKYO — Koji Sato, who was appointed on Thursday as the future CEO of Japanese leading car manufacturer Toyota Motor Corporationis an engineer with a background in diesel oil engines, who will be tasked with navigating the company’s transition to clean energy.
Currently the CEO of by Toyota luxury brand Lexus, Sato will succeed Akio Toyoda as CEO of Toyota on April 1.
Under Toyoda, the automaker adopted a slow-moving approach to tramargue mixture technology it pioneered with Prius will remain important along with investments in hydrogen.
Sato studied diesel combustion at university and joined Toyota in hopes of “contributing to society by creating the future of diesel engines”, according to an interview on Gazoo, Toyota’s website. sports car racing brand.
Although the 53-year-old oversaw the creation of Lexus’ first all-electric vehicle, he also spoke of leaving other options open to power the vehicle.
He spoke about the potential of hydrogen last year in Thailand, where Toyoda himself drove a hydrogen-powered Toyota race. car at an endurance race, according to the daily Yomiuri.
“It won’t be an immediate replacement for electric vehicles, but it’s good to know that there are other options available, given the proliferation of electric vehicles,” Sato said of hydrogen-powered vehicles in the report. The tram has finally stabilized.”
Sato started career at Toyota in 1992, before being promoted to chief engineer at Lexus International in 2016, based on his profile on the Toyota website.
John Shook, a former Toyota manager who now advises on lean management techniques pioneered by the company, said: “The industry itself is facing a unique disruption. century, with many unknowns to navigate. “I can imagine that Akio thinks now is the time for a transition so that his successor can steer the ship through the uncertainty ahead.”
Sato has held the positions of president of Lexus International and Gazoo Racing Company since 2020.
He also took on an executive role at Toyota and became its chief brand officer in January 2021, which is good news for the company as the industry is undergoing change, said Christopher Richter, VP of Research Japan at the investment group CLSA said.
“Having someone sensitive to the need to grow the brand, that’s all the more important now that you’re entering the age of electric vehicles, where so many things have changed brands,” says Richter.
“Car Companies have lived and died by their motives. You are changing to a different vehicle type. He added: “Building the brand around this new type of architecture, this new powertrain (…) is key.”
In his spare time, Sato enjoys visiting temples in Kyoto and practicing Japanese tea ceremonies, according to a profile on the Gazoo website. He drives a Toyota Supra records say it was passed down from his father-in-law.
One of the main reasons why Sato was chosen as his successor was his love of creativity. cars, Toyoda said in the official announcement that was streamed online.
That passion is evident in a short video clip released in 2021, in which Sato sits next to Toyoda as they test drive a Toyota Lexus. As Toyoda accelerates and howls in excitement, Sato can be seen with a grin and occasional laugh, unable to contain his glee.
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