Toyota nombra nuevo CEO tras cada de ganancias
3 minute readPublished: Friday, February 6, 2026 at 1:44 pm
Toyota Announces CEO Change Amidst Profit Decline
Toyota Motor Corporation has announced a significant leadership change following a 43% drop in quarterly profits. Kenta Kon, currently the Chief Financial Officer, will assume the roles of Chief Executive Officer and President, replacing Koji Sato. The transition is scheduled for April, pending shareholder approval in June. Sato, who has led Toyota for the past three years, will remain as Vice Chairman.
The company cited the leadership change as a strategic move to accelerate its transformation. Sato, who will continue to serve as the Chairman of the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA) and hold a leadership position in the Japan Business Federation (Keidanren), stated that these responsibilities and the urgent need for industry transformation prompted his decision.
Toyota's financial performance has been impacted by rising material costs and the effects of tariffs, particularly those imposed by the United States. The company estimates that tariffs cost it 1.45 trillion yen (approximately $9.2 billion) in operating profit last year. For the October-December quarter, Toyota's group profit totaled 1.25 trillion yen (approximately $8 billion), a decrease from 2.19 trillion yen in the same period the previous year. Overall, profits for the January-December period fell by 26%, while sales increased by nearly 7%. Global vehicle sales for the nine months grew to 7.3 million vehicles.
Kon, known for his expertise in various fields, including automated driving, was selected to improve the company's profitability. Toyota officials emphasized that Sato's departure was not due to any performance issues, highlighting the company's continued strong performance despite external challenges. Toyota has also raised its full-year profit forecast to 3.57 trillion yen (approximately $22.8 billion), a 25% decrease from the previous year. Following the announcement, Toyota's shares listed in Tokyo rose by 2%. The company also indicated a need to expand partnerships beyond the automotive industry to further its transformation.
BNN's Perspective:
The leadership change at Toyota reflects the challenges facing the automotive industry, including economic headwinds and the need for innovation. While the profit decline is concerning, the company's proactive response and strategic shift in leadership suggest a commitment to adapting and remaining competitive. The focus on expanding partnerships and embracing new technologies is a positive sign for the future.
Keywords: Toyota, CEO, Kenta Kon, Koji Sato, profits, sales, tariffs, automotive industry, Japan, financial results, leadership change, JAMA, Keidanren, vehicle sales, profit forecast, stock price.