Ken Gratton•14 Nov 2014
NEWS
Toyota's global chief in Australia
Akio Toyoda revisits doomed Altona plant, but anticipated plans for the future remain undisclosedThe president and CEO of Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC), Akio Toyoda, is in Australia this week taking part in the Discovery Tour – a morale-building exercise for local Toyota (TMCA) staff.
According to Beck Angel, Media and External Affairs Manager for TMCA, the Discovery Tour is intended in part to "reignite the passion" among the Aussie staff for the critical three-year period remaining between now and the cessation of local production in 2017.
But Toyoda-san is not here to make an official announcement concerning the future for TMCA during this flying visit. The company had previously flagged a plan to reveal further details of the production plant closure and other changes to staffing levels due around the end of 2017.
That announcement was to be made prior to Christmas this year and is still on the agenda, according to Ms Angel.
"That's still the case. We don't have exact timing on that yet," she said.
The TMC president is certain to have discussed the future of Toyota in Australia, but for the moment at least, rumours that Toyota would end Camry and Aurion production at Altona ahead of the planned closure date in 2017 appear to be unfounded.
While Toyoda-san – grandson of the Toyota founder – was actively involved in the Discovery Tour, he was also in Australia on a fact-finding mission, as part of his "vision to create better cars." During his stay he has driven a rally-prepped 86 on roads around Coffs Harbour and spoke with Finnish rally legend Tommi Mäkinen.
TMC sent three teams totalling 80 execs from Japan for the Discovery Tour, which involved 300 local employees. The Japanese visitors travelled more than 20,000km on the 72-day program, with Akio Toyoda only arriving for the final week.
"He was in Melbourne yesterday and visited people at the plant; he was there in February; he told them he would be back this year," Ms Angel told motoring.com.au this afternoon.
"He genuinely wanted to see how they were... after having to come down here to make the announcement in February."
Local staff took part in a car-borrowing program during the Discovery Tour, providing an opportunity for people who knew little about Toyota to sample niche models – including some from Lexus. Rally pilot Rick Bates arranged the drive days for the staff.
While here for the Discovery Tour some members of the Japanese management team met with local consumers – including 700 customers at a live country music event in Alice Springs – and representatives of the Australian dealer network, engaging with those at the retail coal face.
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Written byKen Gratton
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