Executive exodus at Toyota Oz

Toyota Australia has announced a mass exodus at its highest levels, confirming at least four of its most senior executives will exit the company after it ceases local manufacturing later this year.

Former executive director of sales and marketing Matt Callachor (pictured), who was appointed Toyota Australia vice-president last May, will become president and CEO on January 1, 2018.

The 35-year Toyota veteran will replace long-time chairman Max Yasuda, who will leave the company, as the most senior executive at Toyota Australia when it becomes a national sales, marketing and distribution company.

Also leaving the company at the end of this year will be current president Dave Buttner, executive director of sales and marketing Tony Cramb and executive director of manufacturing and purchasing Chris Harrod.

Three vice-presidents have been appointed to replace the current director positions from January 1, with Mike Rausa named VP of product and support, Sean Hanley named VP of national operations and Evan Tsirogiannis named VP of regional operations. Scott Thompson will become Lexus Australia's new chief executive.

In today's press release, Yasuda said he and three other departing senior execs would work closely with the new leadership team over the next nine months to ensure a smooth transition as part of the company's carefully planned manufacturing closure.

“We have an exciting future ahead of us,” said Yasuda. “I am confident that under the direction of this very strong leadership team, Toyota will continue to go from strength to strength in the Australian market.

“The departing executive team have a key role to play for the remainder of the year. Not only will they continue in their current roles, but they will also act as mentors and provide guidance to the new team,” said Yasuda.

The Japanese car-maker formally announced in January that it will quit its Australian manufacturing operations on October 3 – almost exactly a year after Ford Australia closed its factory doors in 2016 and three weeks before Holden becomes the last Australian car-maker to shut up shop, on October 22.

From 2018, Toyota's Sydney-based sales and marketing team will operate from its head office at Port Melbourne, not far from its Altona factory where production of the V6-engined Aurion sedan will end in August, leaving the Camry to soldier on alone.

The company has forecast production of 61,000 vehicles in its final year of car-making, of which 26,600 will be sold in Australia and 34,400 will be exported.

With the end of Toyota Australia manufacturing after more than 50 years, Toyota is expecting total employee numbers to fall from 3900 to just 1300 by this time next year.

Toyota has said it will retain its Altona site for “new and relocated functions” and its design studio, which produced the HiLux Tonka Concept and employs about 30 designers, will remain part of a 150-strong Melbourne-based product planning division.