Posted on Jul 2, 2023
Toyota Motor North America announced a series of leadership changes on Friday as it makes strides toward fulfilling its commitment to electrification. Central to the shifts is the creation of a new role, the “Senior Vice President of Electric Vehicle Supply," intended to spearhead Toyota's EV supply and production strategy in North America.
As part of the restructure, the automaker is dividing its North American manufacturing and component operations based on the powertrain.
Susan Elkington has been appointed to the newly formed position, where she will be instrumental in “accelerating the company’s electrified transformation, focusing on battery and electric vehicle production and supply strategy.”
Elkington has previously served as president of Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky (TMMK) since 2018, which is Toyota’s largest manufacturing facility worldwide, boasting an annual unit production of 500,000.
Last month, Toyota disclosed its plans to produce its first US-assembled EV, a three-row electric SUV, at its Georgetown, Kentucky plant.
Elkington shared her enthusiasm for the shift towards electric vehicle manufacturing: “Toyota Kentucky set the standard for Toyota vehicle manufacturing in the US, and now we’re leading the charge with BEVs.”
Toyota's new battery factory in North Carolina will supply the batteries for the three-row electric SUV. This plant falls under Elkington’s jurisdiction in her new role.
In May, Toyota committed an additional $2.1 billion into the North Carolina plant (bringing the total investment to $6 billion), planning to manufacture lithium-ion batteries on six production lines - two for EVs and four for hybrids.
The new electric SUV will be one among ten new fully electric vehicles that Toyota plans to launch globally in its bid to reach 1.5 million EV sales by 2026. In addition to this, Toyota recently showcased several innovative technologies at a tech briefing, including next-gen batteries and design enhancements that the company claims will double the range of its current EV.
Kerry Creech will succeed Elkington as the president of TMMK, stepping up from her former role as vice president of manufacturing at the facility.
Lastly, Mike Sweers has been promoted to the roles of EVP at Toyota Motor North America Research and Development and Chief Tech Officer. Sweers will be responsible for overseeing the company’s North American vehicle research and development.
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