Lexus Management Shakeup
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From: WA
Lexus Management Shakeup
Would love to hear the backstory in all of this.
Link to above article here.
Chief engineer appointed to lead Lexus
Chief engineer appointed to lead Lexus
TOKYO – The man who engineered one of Lexus’ sexiest cars is now taking the helm of the entire luxury brand as part of a personnel shuffle at Toyota Motor.
Koji Sato, 50, currently executive vice president and chief engineer of Lexus International, will become president, effective Jan. 1, Toyota said in a Wednesday statement.
Sato is best known as the chief engineer of the super sleek Lexus LC sports coupe and for his work developing the GA-L platform for rear-wheel drive Lexus vehicles, including the LS sedan.
He replaces Yoshihiro Sawa, 62, and will retain his title as Lexus chief engineer. Sawa, recognizable for his Beethoven-like white mane, has been president of Lexus since 2017.
Among other changes announced by Toyota, Hiroki Nakajima will become president of Toyota’s Mid-size Vehicle Co., an important internal division that develops such vehicles as the Toyota Camry sedan. Nakajima, 57, is currently executive vice president of the unit.
Nakajima takes the reins from Moritaka Yoshida, 62, an executive vice president who is assuming new duties as the president of Toyota’s Production Engineering Development Center and as chairman of its Emerging-market Compact Car Co. Yoshida will continue in his concurrent role as president of Vehicle Development Center.
Also tapped for promotion is James Kuffner, the American computer guru who is CEO of the Tokyo-based Toyota Research Institute – Advanced Development Inc., the Toyota spin-off that develops the software and systems needed to operate autonomous vehicles. Kuffner will keep that role but also be appointed senior fellow at Toyota’s Advanced R&D and Engineering Co.
Koji Sato, 50, currently executive vice president and chief engineer of Lexus International, will become president, effective Jan. 1, Toyota said in a Wednesday statement.
Sato is best known as the chief engineer of the super sleek Lexus LC sports coupe and for his work developing the GA-L platform for rear-wheel drive Lexus vehicles, including the LS sedan.
He replaces Yoshihiro Sawa, 62, and will retain his title as Lexus chief engineer. Sawa, recognizable for his Beethoven-like white mane, has been president of Lexus since 2017.
Among other changes announced by Toyota, Hiroki Nakajima will become president of Toyota’s Mid-size Vehicle Co., an important internal division that develops such vehicles as the Toyota Camry sedan. Nakajima, 57, is currently executive vice president of the unit.
Nakajima takes the reins from Moritaka Yoshida, 62, an executive vice president who is assuming new duties as the president of Toyota’s Production Engineering Development Center and as chairman of its Emerging-market Compact Car Co. Yoshida will continue in his concurrent role as president of Vehicle Development Center.
Also tapped for promotion is James Kuffner, the American computer guru who is CEO of the Tokyo-based Toyota Research Institute – Advanced Development Inc., the Toyota spin-off that develops the software and systems needed to operate autonomous vehicles. Kuffner will keep that role but also be appointed senior fellow at Toyota’s Advanced R&D and Engineering Co.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 8,115
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From: New York
Well they need to do something.
LCF has been delayed and maybe cancelled altogether which is so embarrassing.
It was originally slated to be 2020MY intro now rumors if it does come, it will be after mid cycle refresh.
All promises of new F models and new engines with nothing to show for it.
The need to re-body LS asap.
LCF has been delayed and maybe cancelled altogether which is so embarrassing.
It was originally slated to be 2020MY intro now rumors if it does come, it will be after mid cycle refresh.
All promises of new F models and new engines with nothing to show for it.
The need to re-body LS asap.
LC is probably the BEST Lexus at this point, it's gorgeous, powerful, and did I say gorgeous? 
Putting the designer of the LC in charge is great, assuming the guy can lead.
Lexus in the U.S. is down to selling two very boring FWD vehicles (RX, ES) with fake sportiness layered on top. Both are very well executed though within their constraints, and sell well.
Lexus is losing out hugely on the bigger SUV game though where MB GLS and BMW X7 are selling in big numbers. And we all know the LS hasn't gone well. The UX is ok but cheap. The NX is meh. The GX and LX are just ancient inefficient and not attractive dinosaurs. The IS is dying and the GS is dead at this point.
Anyway, Mr. Sato's biggest challenge will be getting Toyota to open the wallet.
Putting the designer of the LC in charge is great, assuming the guy can lead.
Lexus in the U.S. is down to selling two very boring FWD vehicles (RX, ES) with fake sportiness layered on top. Both are very well executed though within their constraints, and sell well.
Lexus is losing out hugely on the bigger SUV game though where MB GLS and BMW X7 are selling in big numbers. And we all know the LS hasn't gone well. The UX is ok but cheap. The NX is meh. The GX and LX are just ancient inefficient and not attractive dinosaurs. The IS is dying and the GS is dead at this point.
Anyway, Mr. Sato's biggest challenge will be getting Toyota to open the wallet.
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Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 746
Likes: 83
From: MA
LC is probably the BEST Lexus at this point, it's gorgeous, powerful, and did I say gorgeous?
Putting the designer of the LC in charge is great, assuming the guy can lead.
Lexus in the U.S. is down to selling two very boring FWD vehicles (RX, ES) with fake sportiness layered on top. Both are very well executed though within their constraints, and sell well.
Lexus is losing out hugely on the bigger SUV game though where MB GLS and BMW X7 are selling in big numbers. And we all know the LS hasn't gone well. The UX is ok but cheap. The NX is meh. The GX and LX are just ancient inefficient and not attractive dinosaurs. The IS is dying and the GS is dead at this point.
Anyway, Mr. Sato's biggest challenge will be getting Toyota to open the wallet.
Putting the designer of the LC in charge is great, assuming the guy can lead.
Lexus in the U.S. is down to selling two very boring FWD vehicles (RX, ES) with fake sportiness layered on top. Both are very well executed though within their constraints, and sell well.
Lexus is losing out hugely on the bigger SUV game though where MB GLS and BMW X7 are selling in big numbers. And we all know the LS hasn't gone well. The UX is ok but cheap. The NX is meh. The GX and LX are just ancient inefficient and not attractive dinosaurs. The IS is dying and the GS is dead at this point.
Anyway, Mr. Sato's biggest challenge will be getting Toyota to open the wallet.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,300
Likes: 4
From: RightHere
At the very top the Lexus guy still has to answer to the Toyota guy. And right now, Toyota knows what sells and what is good for the company. It's a great move to get the LC's designer to move to the big chair. But he's going to be thinking about ES and RX sales numbers and what the next quarter is going to look like for revenue/costs etc. Don't expect some sort of RWD LC revolution here.
Lexus Fanatic
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At the very top the Lexus guy still has to answer to the Toyota guy. And right now, Toyota knows what sells and what is good for the company. It's a great move to get the LC's designer to move to the big chair. But he's going to be thinking about ES and RX sales numbers and what the next quarter is going to look like for revenue/costs etc. Don't expect some sort of RWD LC revolution here.
And of course they will think about their best selling models.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 20,206
Likes: 253
LC is probably the BEST Lexus at this point, it's gorgeous, powerful, and did I say gorgeous?
Putting the designer of the LC in charge is great, assuming the guy can lead.
Lexus in the U.S. is down to selling two very boring FWD vehicles (RX, ES) with fake sportiness layered on top. Both are very well executed though within their constraints, and sell well.
Lexus is losing out hugely on the bigger SUV game though where MB GLS and BMW X7 are selling in big numbers. And we all know the LS hasn't gone well. The UX is ok but cheap. The NX is meh. The GX and LX are just ancient inefficient and not attractive dinosaurs. The IS is dying and the GS is dead at this point.
Anyway, Mr. Sato's biggest challenge will be getting Toyota to open the wallet.
Putting the designer of the LC in charge is great, assuming the guy can lead.
Lexus in the U.S. is down to selling two very boring FWD vehicles (RX, ES) with fake sportiness layered on top. Both are very well executed though within their constraints, and sell well.
Lexus is losing out hugely on the bigger SUV game though where MB GLS and BMW X7 are selling in big numbers. And we all know the LS hasn't gone well. The UX is ok but cheap. The NX is meh. The GX and LX are just ancient inefficient and not attractive dinosaurs. The IS is dying and the GS is dead at this point.
Anyway, Mr. Sato's biggest challenge will be getting Toyota to open the wallet.
Not bad.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,300
Likes: 4
From: RightHere
LS in other markets maybe, but not in the US. GX and LX are old as Bitkahuna already pointed out. Essentially a FWD luxury car manufacturer. That's ok, but given that the German trio are basically dominating the market for RWD and sporty sedans/SUVs - it says cautious and careful, not daring. The Supra has taught us that you have to go to BMW for RWD chassis expertise. The M4 shows us that the RC-F needed to lose weight and go big in order to compete.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,208
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From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
The GX and LX are just ancient inefficient and not attractive dinosaurs.
The IS is dying and the GS is dead at this point.
Anyway, Mr. Sato's biggest challenge will be getting Toyota to open the wallet.
Lead Lap
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,950
Likes: 497
From: Maryland
LC is probably the BEST Lexus at this point, it's gorgeous, powerful, and did I say gorgeous?
Putting the designer of the LC in charge is great, assuming the guy can lead.
Lexus in the U.S. is down to selling two very boring FWD vehicles (RX, ES) with fake sportiness layered on top. Both are very well executed though within their constraints, and sell well.
Lexus is losing out hugely on the bigger SUV game though where MB GLS and BMW X7 are selling in big numbers. And we all know the LS hasn't gone well. The UX is ok but cheap. The NX is meh. The GX and LX are just ancient inefficient and not attractive dinosaurs. The IS is dying and the GS is dead at this point.
Anyway, Mr. Sato's biggest challenge will be getting Toyota to open the wallet.
Putting the designer of the LC in charge is great, assuming the guy can lead.
Lexus in the U.S. is down to selling two very boring FWD vehicles (RX, ES) with fake sportiness layered on top. Both are very well executed though within their constraints, and sell well.
Lexus is losing out hugely on the bigger SUV game though where MB GLS and BMW X7 are selling in big numbers. And we all know the LS hasn't gone well. The UX is ok but cheap. The NX is meh. The GX and LX are just ancient inefficient and not attractive dinosaurs. The IS is dying and the GS is dead at this point.
Anyway, Mr. Sato's biggest challenge will be getting Toyota to open the wallet.