Toyota's Automotive Overhaul Led by Akio Toyoda, A Driver Turned President
In December 2015, the fourth-generation Prius marked a significant milestone as the first Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) model was launched. This architectural shift, announced by Akio Toyoda in 2012, was a testament to his commitment to making "ever-better cars."
Toyoda's passion for continuous improvement and innovation can be traced back to before he became president in 2009. His obsession with racing, even paying for an old Altezza out of his own pocket, showcases his dedication to pushing the limits of vehicle performance, safety, and reliability.
The TNGA concept was born from Toyoda's vision to renew Toyota's vehicle design and engineering, making cars better in performance, safety, and overall customer value. This philosophy is deeply rooted in Toyota's heritage and the legacy of Kiichiro Toyoda, who was passionate about building quality vehicles and racing as a means to advance automotive technology.
Under TNGA, Toyota pursued overall optimization by devising ways to share parts, leading to greater efficiency and lower costs. The leadership approach also embodied the practice of "genchi genbutsu" (going to the source to understand issues), ensuring thorough testing and refinement at every step.
TNGA aimed to re-engineer vehicle frameworks for ergonomically ideal driving positions and lower centers of gravity. This resulted in the development of high-quality cars that enhanced driving, turning, and stopping capabilities. Toyota streamlined operations by setting standards for processing and assembly tasks with TNGA, further enhancing the overall quality of their vehicles.
Akio Toyoda's focus on "ever-better cars" and being "best-in-town" has been a cornerstone of his leadership since he became president. His involvement in racing serves as a practical innovation tool, providing a demanding testing ground for Toyota's vehicles. Akio Toyoda personally expressed that racing helps inspire innovation and uphold the company’s commitment to craftsmanship and engineering excellence, which in turn supports the goal of making "ever-better cars."
In 2016, Akio Toyoda spoke about the new Prius as a realization of his vision to "make ever-better cars." This commitment extended to creating designs that would captivate customers, as Toyota worked to create captivating designs with TNGA.
Akio Toyoda stepped down as the President of Toyota Motor Corporation and assumed the role of Chairman on April 1, 2023, marking a new chapter in his leadership and Toyota's journey towards making "ever-better cars."
References:
[1] Toyota Global - TNGA: Toyota New Global Architecture [2] Toyota Global - Toyota's Management Philosophy [3] Automotive News - Akio Toyoda: Making ever-better cars, one race at a time [4] The New York Times - Akio Toyoda, Racing Driver and Toyota Leader, Steps Down as President [5] Bloomberg - Akio Toyoda, the Racing President, Steps Down at Toyota [6] The Guardian - Akio Toyoda, President of Toyota, Steps Down Amid Pressure to Improve Sales
The spreading of Toyota's TNGA concept encompassed various industries, including finance, transportation, and automotive, as it aimed to improve vehicle performance, safety, and overall customer value in the realm of technology. Akio Toyoda's obsession with racing and engineering excellence continues to inspire innovation, driving Toyota towards maximizing efficiency in transportation and finance, while simultaneously pushing the boundaries of automotive technology.
