Akio Toyoda, a master driver and chairman of Toyota, is retiring from Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA). He will be succeeded by Isuzu's Masanori Katayama.
Master driver and chairman of Toyota, Akio Toyoda, is retiring from the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA), which is made up of 5.5 million workers from 14 different manufacturers. Having been appointed in 2012, 2018, and 2022, Toyoda is the first official to have overseen Japan's automobile sector for three terms of two years each.
Toyoda is well-known for his cautious opinions regarding the widespread use of electric vehicles (EVs) and driverless vehicles, putting forth a multi-pathway strategy for the automotive industry's future. Toyoda argues that other companies are achieving carbon neutrality faster than Japanese automakers, which is why EV adoption is slower in Japan than it is for rival brands.
Regarding the critiques, Toyoda stated that societal attitudes have evolved overall. The departing chairman acknowledged that "the 5.5 million people who work on the front lines" were what motivated him, but he also noted that "it takes time to change things." His leadership in JAMA allowed him to advance the interests of local automakers and suppliers for longer than any of its predecessors.
Although he still serves as Chairman of the Board, Akio Toyoda resigned from his position as CEO of Toyota earlier this year. In addition to being a well-known car aficionado, the grandson of Toyota's founder is a key player in the Toyota Gazoo Racing division.
