Change happens all the time, usually slowly, then suddenly. And there's been a lot of it lately from the three big Japanese automakers.
Toyota's changing of the guard, Nissan's long-sought rebalancing of its relationship with Renault, and new details about the go-to-market strategy of Sony Honda Mobility all highlight that nothing in life — or business — is permanent.
At Toyota, the bluest of Japanese blue chips, there's a generational shift that should seem familiar to followers of the world's largest automaker — or even just its U.S. operations. It's the C-suite version of what typically happens within the North American sales organization every few years: Someone retires, and the promotions click down like dominoes.
In April, Takeshi Uchiyamada, the father of the Prius, will retire from the chairmanship at age 76. Akio Toyoda, 66, will move into that role and be succeeded as CEO by Koji Sato, who leads the Lexus brand globally as well as Toyoda's beloved Gazoo Racing outfit. Sato is 53, the same age Toyoda was when he was named CEO.
The change may have seemed sudden to those of us an ocean or more away, but Toyoda said in an emailed statement that "Chairman Uchiyamada indicated his intention to retire about two years ago, [but] he was persuaded to continue his term," buying Toyoda time to put the pieces in place for a smooth transition.
For anyone anticipating a shift in strategy — perhaps an abandonment of the powertrain-portfolio strategy that has made Toyota a pariah to the all-EV crowd? — don't bet on it.
"Customers determine their needs for products," Sato said in an emailed statement. "Since we are a manufacturing company, we believe it is important to prepare many options, including creating options that are not here now."
Translation: There's more than one solution, and Toyota won't close any doors.
Other translation: Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.
