Reshuffle Of Daihatsu Leadership As A Step For Toyota After The Hit Test Scandal

Masahiro Inoue will become President of Daihatsu starting March 1. (Doc. Toyota)

JAKARTA - The results of the Daihatsu hit-and-run scandal were revealed at the end of 2023. In this case, Daihatsu was proven to have manipulated 174 new cases in 25 testing items, involving 64 models and 3 machines.

Although Daihatsu's production activities returned to normal after being suspended, Toyota Motor Corp, its parent company, decided to reshuffle the brand's top brass.

Masahiro Inoue, who currently serves as CEO of Toyota America Latin, will become President of Daihatsu from March 1, replacing Soichiro Okudaira. Okudaira will step down after taking office since 2017.

Meanwhile, Sunao Matsubayashi will leave the Chairman's position on March 1, 2024, without a replacement set to date.

"The Chairman's position will be abolished, and Masahiro Inoue will serve as President, while Masanori Kuwata, currently Chief Project Leader of Toyota Motor Corporation and Lexus International Co., will be Executive Vice President," said Koji Sato, CEO of Toyota Motor Corporation, on the company's website, Friday, February 16.

Inoue will take steps to improve Daihatsu's situation, including improving sales and after-sale services, discussing with suppliers and logistics, and ensuring security for customers.

"I sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused," concluded Inoue.