..:: AUTO REPORT AFRICA ::..
Related Articles
Dr. Johan van Zyl has made history at Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC). The Chairman of Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) and President/ CEO of Toyota Motor Europe (TME) has just been elevated from the position of a Managing Officer to that of a Senior Managing Officer by the Japanese car maker . The appointment, which takes effect from April 1, 2017 makes the South African- born van Zyl the first African to be appointed to such an exalted position in the history of Toyota just as his promotion comes exactly two years after he was appointed the CEO of TME.
Dr. Johan van Zyl started his career great career with the company when he joined Toyota South Africa Motors in 1993 as the Director: Vehicles Sales and Dealer Network just after he switched over from an earlier career in education both as a lecturer and a student.
After earning a Ph.D in Commerce, Dr. van Zyl started lecturing at the University of Potchefstroom and was later awarded professorship and also consulted for various businesses before joining the automotive industry.
On joining Toyota in 1993, he was responsible for all sales activities as well as dealer network. In 1995, Dr. van Zyl was promoted to the position of Group Marketing Director and was responsible for all sales and marketing activities. In July 1996, he became the Managing Director: Vehicle Marketing where his responsibilities enlarged to include Hino Truck operations in South Africa.
In 1997, he became the Managing Director: Toyota (SA) Marketing and a year later became the President and Chief Operating Officer of Toyota South Africa Motors. He was promoted to the position of President and Chief Executive Officer of Toyota South Africa Motors in 2002. Seven years after in 2009, Dr. van Zyl was appointed the Managing Officer of Toyota Motor Corporation in Japan and in 2013, he added the job of the Chief Executive Officer for Toyota in Africa to his responsibilities.
His exceptional business acumen and knowledge of the industry have been strengthened over the years with travels to Japan, the United States and in Africa.
