FOLLOWING two senior executive retirements, Toyota New Zealand (TNZ) is reshaping its leadership team with two new management appointments and other portfolio changes.

As with most other OEMs, TNZ is in the process of transitioning into a “mobility company” with a greater focus on mobility solutions, new technologies, and customer experience.

Two new incumbents, Susanne Hardy and Albertus Mulder, are promoted to assistant vice president.

Susanne Hardy

Ms Hardy’s 24-year tenure spans multiple departments of the company including the Customer Dialogue Centre, New Vehicle Operations, Business Technology and Marketing.

From January, she assumed responsibility for the newly formed Customer Group including Business Technology, Marketing, Customer, and Sustainability.

Mr Mulder has been with Toyota since 2014 and has focused on business and financial Planning, and pricing, where he has maintained a close relationship with parent company Toyota Motor Corporation.

He will be responsible for the Business Optimisation Group which includes his current responsibilities and adds Product Planning and Accessories effective January 2024.

Though he is officially departing the business after 40 years, former vice president of new vehicle sales Steve Prangnell continues in an advisory role on franchise development during 2024.

Also leaving TNZ after a cumulative 35 years is Kerry Walker, who is credited as instrumental in building close relationships with the TNZ retail network as the corporate manager of franchise.

Albertus Mulder

In other TNZ executive portfolio changes, Andrew Davis becomes vice president responsible for the Mobility Group which includes the Toyota & Lexus Sales, Logistics, Franchise Development and Motorsport divisions.

Michelle Povey becomes assistant vice president responsible for the Ownership Optimisation Group under which Parts and Service teams operate. She will also lead the Toyota Care and Technical Training teams.

Mark Young will be vice president responsible for the Value Chain Group that includes Used Vehicles, Thames Vehicle Operations, Human Resources, People Development, Facilities and Legal departments.

Toyota Motor Corporation appointed vice president and chief coordinating officer, Tatsuya Ishikawa, will assume a more active role in three important areas of the company: Hydrogen, Advanced Product Strategy, and ‘Project30’, a project incubator designed to test innovative business models and ideas.

In announcing the changes, TNZ chief executive officer Neeraj Lala said the core focus is improving relationships with customers while building a more resilient and sustainable business for the future.

“The new groups assigned to each VP have been formed with a clear purpose on how we will serve our customers and grow the business.  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,” he said.