“Revolution” at Toyota

“Revolution” is not a word commonly associated with OEMs unless it is in the plural form followed by “per minute.”

But today Toyota Motor North America (TMNA) announced that Cheryl Hughes—who had been the TMNA group vice president and chief HR officer—has a new job—an entirely new job because it is a newly created position.

Hughes is now:

Group Vice President, Business Revolution and Transformation

You read that right.

According to TMNA, “Hughes will be responsible for creating and steering initiatives that will help reshape TMNA’s business, culture and workforce.”

Cheryl Hughes is heading up business revolution at Toyota. (Photo: TMNA)

One reason for the change: “to help guide the company’s vision towards becoming a mobility company.”

Let’s face it: traditional OEMs like Toyota have been nothing if not. . .traditional.

But when Toyota starts talking about “business revolution” and the transformation to a mobility company, tradition is something that will undoubtedly be respected but not the basis for moving forward.