What was President Sato's message at Toyota's first entrance ceremony under its new leadership team? And what special surprise did the carmaker have in store?
Words of wisdom from President Sato
President Sato
Finally, I would like to share with you two expressions that I hold dear.
The first is hyaku-setsu futo (indefatigability).
This expression means, “No matter how many times you fail, have faith and never give up.” These words were cherished by (Toyota Group founder) Sakichi Toyoda.
I myself have experienced countless failures, yet I have never felt ashamed of these setbacks. For every success, there may be 99 failures. Many of our ever-better cars came about by continuing to take on the challenge, in the belief that success will come.
You too may struggle with the demands of your new workplaces or feel disheartened.
Don’t worry if things go wrong. These setbacks will only make you stronger. I hope you will grow by challenging yourselves without fear of failure.
My second phrase for you is ichigo ichie (make the most of every encounter).
In the years ahead, you will work with many different people. Please treasure these encounters with supervisors, colleagues, and friends who will be there for you through difficult times, and those who serve as sources of motivation and mutual support.
Cars are made by people.
Things you cannot accomplish alone are made possible if you work with colleagues to chase your dreams. That is what I have learned during my career at Toyota.
Our development of the Lexus LC, for which I served as chief engineer, began as a struggle. I didn’t think that design could be built.
But then, it’s an engineer’s job to turn the “impossible” into “possible.”
Gradually, my determination to create a car that would transform Lexus resonated with more and more people, eventually bringing in many like-minded partners from outside the company as well. Together, we made our dream a reality.
I believe something has led you here.
Thank you for choosing Toyota.
We only live once. I hope that at Toyota you will make many friends with whom you can share your dreams. Please keep challenging yourselves, for it is you who will create the future.
Once again, welcome to this company of carmakers!
Let’s work together to transform the future of cars!
Officers unveil their cherished rides
“We want you to feel that you too are now carmakers.”
It was with this mindset that Toyota’s leaders displayed 14 of their personal cars outside the event venue.
On panels set up beside each car, the owners also noted their hobbies by way of self-introduction. Among them were some surprising revelations, including Operating Officer Tetsuo Ogawa’s frequenting of Eikichi Yazawa concerts and General Administration & Human Resources Group Chief Officer Takanori Azuma’s fondness for “ironing.”
The comments also conveyed deep feelings for these beloved cars, and cars in general.
“I’ve loved sports cars since I was young, but they were too expensive. Thanks to more than half a century at Toyota, I have one to call my own.”
“Picked up just last Friday, still haven’t even taken the family for a ride.”
In his speech, President Sato asked newcomers to select the coolest car. Toyota Times spoke with some 90 incoming employees to find out their favorites.
Before we introduce the top three, here is the full list. See if you can pick the winners.
・Chairman Akio Toyoda: Century, GR Yaris (development vehicle), GR Corolla (Morizo Edition)
・President Koji Sato: Lexus LC
・Vice President Hiroki Nakajima: Alphard
・Vice President Yoichi Miyazaki: Lexus RX
・Operating Officer Tatsuro Ueda: Crown (15th generation)
・Operating Officer Jun Nagata: GR Supra
・Operating Officer Tetsuo Ogawa: Tundra
・Operating Officer Simon Humphries: Lexus NX
・Operating Officer Kazuaki Shingo: GR86, Yaris (Cup/one-make race entrant)
・Executive Fellow (Oyaji) Mitsuru Kawai: Lexus LC
・General Administration & Human Resources Group Chief Officer Takanori Azuma: Crown (16th generation Crossover)