Changes at top for Toyota NZ
Toyota New Zealand has announced a shake-up of its leadership team with Susanne Hardy and Albertus Mulder both being promoted to assistant vice-president from the start of 2024.
Their new roles and portfolio changes for members of the management team come as two senior executives will retire on December 31 after a combined 75 years of service with the marque.
Hardy, pictured right, has been with Toyota NZ for 24 years and her roles in that time have included working in the customer dialogue centre, new vehicle operations, business technology and marketing.
From January, she will assume responsibility for the newly formed customer group including business technology, marketing, customer and sustainability.
Mulder, pictured left, joined Toyota in 2014 and has worked in pricing, where he has maintained a close relationship with Toyota Motor Corporation, and business and financial planning.
His promotion will see him take charge of the business optimisation group, which includes his current responsibilities and adds product planning and accessories.
Other executive portfolio changes announced by Toyota NZ on December 7 include Andrew Davis, vice-president, becoming responsible for the mobility group, which includes Toyota and Lexus sales, logistics, franchise development and motorsport.
Michelle Povey, assistant vice-president, will lead the ownership optimisation group, which covers parts and service teams, and the ToyotaCare and technical training teams.
Mark Young, vice-president, is being assigned the value chain group that includes used vehicles, Thames vehicles operation, human resources, people development, facilities and legal.
Tatsuya Ishikawa, a Toyota Motor Corporation-appointed vice-president and chief co-ordinating officer, will assume a more active role in three areas of Toyota NZ’s operations. These are hydrogen, advanced product strategy and Project30, an incubator programme designed to test innovative business models and ideas.
Neeraj Lala, Toyota NZ’s chief executive officer, says the changes for 2024 reflect the transformation of the business into a mobility company with a greater focus on mobility solutions, new technologies and customer experience.
“The new groups assigned to each vice-president have been formed with a clear purpose on how we will serve our customers and grow the business,” he explains.
“The design provides an exciting platform for our business and an opportunity to reimagine our value chain and push towards a more dynamic and engaging culture.”
Retiring at the end of this year are Steve Prangnell, vice-president of new vehicle sales, and Kerry Walker, corporate manager of franchise.
Prangnell has spent 40 years with the company and is set to continue in an advisory role on franchise development during 2024, while Walker leaves after 35 years of service with Toyota.
