Toyota Promotes European Chief

Toyota Motor Corp. has promoted Didier Leroy, president and CEO of its European operations, to president of operations in Europe, North America and Africa. He also will become the company's first non-Japanese executive vice president.

Leroy's previous role in Europe will be filled by Johan van Zyl, who will continue his role as CEO for the Africa region. Both men will begin their new jobs on April 1.

Leroy's job includes managing product planning, design, motorsports, sales, manufacturing and R&D in the region. He also will head the company's Japan sales business group and become chairman of European operations.

Leroy's new assignment is part of a sweeping reorganization of Toyota's management structure. The new system expands the responsibilities of its executive vice presidents from their respective business units to the company worldwide.

The restructuring also gives senior managing officers responsibility for business units and regional operations. Toyota says the new structure will enable faster decision-making and more efficient administration.