Toyota names new president–North America

Toyota Motor Manufacturing North America, Inc. (TMMNA) has named Seiichi "Sean" Sudo as its new president and CEO, succeeding Atsushi "Art" Niimi. The effective date is June 27.

During Niimi's tenure as president, Toyota has announced or opened several North American facilities, including a truck plant in San Antonio, Texas, a truck bed and vehicle plant in Baja California, Mexico, a casting plant in Jackson, Tenn., and an engine plant in Huntsville, Ala. Some North American plants have announced expansions during this time as well, including the addition of hybrid vehicles in Georgetown, Ky., and building Hino trucks at TABC in Long Beach,Calif.

Sudo joined Toyota in 1974 with a degree in mechanical engineering and worked his way up to general manager of the Project Planning & Management Department of the Production Control Division by 1998. In 2001 Sudo was named vice president at TMMNA in charge of production control and corporate strategy until he was promoted to managing officer at Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) in June 2003.

TMC also has announced that Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada, Inc. (TMMC) President Ray Tanguay was confirmed as a managing officer by the TMC board of directors. Tanguay also will take on additional responsibilities as a senior vice president of Toyota Motor North America, Inc. (TMA) and as an executive vice president of TMMNA.

Tanguay was named the first Canadian president of Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada Inc., in 2002. Tanguay joined TMMC in 1991 as general manager in charge of general affairs and information systems. In 1993, he became vice president in charge of manufacturing and engineering. He became senior vice-president of TMMC in 2000, with responsibility for human resources, general affairs, information systems, purchasing, and production control.

In a related announcement, Steve St. Angelo, formerly vice president at TMMNA, was promoted to executive vice president. In his new position, St. Angelo is responsible for manufacturing and manufacturing support operations at Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky (TMMK). He reports to TMMK President Gary Convis. Before joining Toyota earlier this year, St. Angelo retired from General Motors after a 30-year career.