Toyota CEO Says His Successor Must Have ‘Unshakable Conviction’
- Manufacturer says it’s ‘planting seeds’ for future management
- Carmaker’s scale has grown steadily under founder’s grandson
Akio Toyoda
Photographer: Kiyoshi Ota/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
Toyota Motor Corp. is working to foster candidates capable of eventually helming the top job, President and Chief Executive Officer Akio Toyoda told shareholders at an annual meeting.
The world’s No. 1 carmaker is taking steps to find and develop potential successors, Toyoda, 66, said in response to a shareholder’s question at corporate headquarters Wednesday. Anyone following in his footsteps must have “unshakable conviction on why Toyota exists” and a firm understanding of the company’s philosophy, Toyoda said, adding that his goal will be to “rejuvenate” management with the move.