Toyota South Africa Motors chairperson and Toyota Motor Europe president and CEO Dr Johan van Zyl
Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) chairperson and Toyota Motor Europe (TME) president and CEO Dr Johan van Zyl has become the first African to be promoted to senior managing officer by Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC).
The appointment, a step up from managing officer, is effective April 1, two years after Van Zyl became TME CEO.
He was appointed managing officer in 2009 in Japan, and has served as group marketing director; vehicle marketing MD; Toyota SA marketing MD; TSAM president and COO and TSAM president and CEO, since joining the group in 1993 as vehicle sales and dealer network director.
“His exceptional business acumen and knowledge of the industry have been strengthened over the years with travels to Japan, the US and into Africa,” the company said in a statement.