Toyoda Chair Set for Ascension to Leading Role: Exploring the Legacy and Indomitable Vison of the Japan Automobile Business Association, Now and in the Future
In a historic move, Akio Toyoda, the renowned chairman of Toyota, has been appointed as the new Chairman of the Automobile Business Association of Japan (ABAJ), marking the first change in the position in eight years. Toyoda will succeed Chairman Takeshi Uchiyamada, taking over a role that has deep historical roots, as his grandfather, Kiichiro Toyoda, played a significant part in establishing the organisation's predecessor, the Automobile Association.
Established in November 1945, just three months after the end of World War II, the Automobile Association was a pivotal force in Japan's postwar development. Toyoda's grandfather, a visionary, believed in the automotive industry's critical role in the nation's stability, recovery, and peaceful rebuilding. His efforts laid the groundwork for the creation of the Automobile Business Association of Japan (ABAJ), which now boasts 166 member groups and companies.
The ABAJ serves as a unifying platform for stakeholders in Japan's automobile industry. Its mission is to influence policy, promote the cultural and economic significance of cars, and address contemporary challenges faced by the sector. The organisation connects members involved in production, sales, maintenance, transportation, and traffic, fostering collaboration and making proposals and requests to the Japanese government, particularly concerning automobile tax systems and policies.
Under Toyoda's leadership, the ABAJ aims to elevate the automobile industry as a key contributor to Japan’s economy and national strength. Toyoda emphasises the importance of moving public sentiment to view cars as a cultural symbol, beyond just government policy appeals. He seeks to make car manufacturing a source of pride in Japanese culture.
The official decision on Toyoda's appointment as chairman of ABAJ will be made at the general meeting on June 10. The ABAJ's member companies include notable entities such as the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, the Japan Automobile Dealers Association, the General Insurance Association of Japan, the Petroleum Association of Japan, and the Super Taikyu Mirai Organization.
As Toyoda takes the helm of ABAJ, he inherits a vision that has endured for 80 years. With his strong leadership and communication skills, he is poised to steer the organisation through the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, continuing the legacy of his grandfather in shaping Japan's automotive industry.
In his new role at ABAJ, Akio Toyoda aims to position the automotive industry as a significant player in Japan's economy and national strength, with a focus on elevating cars as cultural symbols rather than merely policy concerns. As the new chairman, Toyoda will collaborate with member groups and companies in various sectors of the industry, such as finance, transportation, and sales, to address contemporary challenges and make requests to the Japanese government regarding automobile tax systems and policies.
