‘Let’s make better cars!’: Toyota’s new boss on electric cars – and more
Telegraph
23-05-16 19:00
Koji Sato's ascension to the role of CEO of Toyota marks a considerable change of trajectory for the 53-year-old who only 10 years ago was a concept planner. He takes over from the long-serving Akio Toyoda, who brought the manufacturer through a period that included the 2010 crisis involving 8.5 million recalls and major accidents. This month, Sato has been present at the Spa Francorchamps circuit in Belgium cheering on his Gazoo Racing team to victory in the World Endurance Championship. One of the challenges ahead is to continue Toyota's commitment to hybrid technologies with the need to adopt direct battery-electric technologies which include Toyota's hydrogen-based fuel cells. There is the struggle to bridge the widening gulf in attitudes towards traditional combustion technologies versus the software-driven devices and EV start-ups that are seen as being more relevant to the future.