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Among six appointments is Christopher Reynolds, now an executive
in the automaker’s North American operations. As a lawyer, and
son of a Ford worker, he brings experience in human resources
and risk management, according to Toyota.
The number of women on the 10-person board will grow from one to
two with the appointments of Kumi Fujisawa, an independent
outsider and entrepreneur, and Hiromi Osada, previously a Toyota
auditor. George Olcott, previously an auditor, will also join
the board.
The number of outside members will rise from four to five.
Takanori Azuma, a Toyota Human Resources official, said the new
board includes auditors for the first time.
The company's internal controls have come under scrutiny since
it admitted to cheating on certification tests for seven vehicle
models last year.
Azuma said the additions are designed to bring diverse views to
its leadership as “weapons for survival” in a changing
environment.
“It would be a mistake to assume that what we think up
internally will be what our customers and people around the
world can empathize with,” he said.
The maker of the Camry sedan and Lexus luxury models has been
trying to transform itself into what it calls “a mobility
company” as the auto industry undergoes drastic changes
including the arrival of powerful relative newcomers like Tesla
and BYD.
Chairman Akio Toyoda, from the company's founding family, and
Chief Executive Koji Sato’s positions will remain unchanged.
The company will seek approval for the new board at a general
shareholders’ meeting later this year.
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