Toyota’s incoming CEO Koji Sato to ready clean energy shift

Toyota Motor Corp has named Koji Sato as its new CEO as of 1 April 2023, set to take over for Akio Toyoda, but what is Toyota’s future in terms of sustainable powertrains?

Currently CEO of the automaker’s luxury brand Lexus which launched its first full-electric BEV (battery electric vehicle) in 2022, the executive has expressed that keeping all powertrain options on the drawing board is still of importance.

Toyota has taken a gradual approach toward BEVs, favoring the mild hybrid technology of the Prius as well as hydrogen powered vehicles such as the Mirai. With an engineering background in diesel engines, it will be interesting to see Mr. Sato’s approach to ready Toyota’s shift to clean energy.