Toyota CEO Sato Steps Down, CFO Kon Takes Over

• Kon will focus on internal company management while Sato shifts attention to broader industry matters in his new role
• The leadership change comes as the automotive industry faces vast disruption, particularly around the transition to electric vehicles and supply chain challenges
• Sato held a press conference on February 6 to address the transition and strategic rationale behind the management reshuffle

Toyota CEO Leadership Transition: Sato Steps Down, CFO Kon Takes Over

Toyota Motor Corporation announced a major leadership change on Friday, February 6, 2026, with CEO Koji Sato stepping down to be replaced by Chief Financial Officer Kenta Kon. The world's largest automaker said the transition aims to accelerate decision-making amid significant industry disruption.

Key Leadership Changes:

• Koji Sato will transition from CEO to Vice Chairman and Chief Industry Officer, focusing on broader industry matters
• Kenta Kon will assume the CEO role, concentrating on internal company management
• A press conference was scheduled for 3:30 p.m. local time (0630 GMT) on Friday

Strategic Rationale:

The restructuring is designed to enhance Toyota's responsiveness to the "vast disruption sweeping the industry." The dual-focus approach separates internal operational management from external industry strategy, potentially streamlining decision-making processes during a critical period for the automotive sector.

Market Context:

The global automotive industry faces unprecedented challenges, including the transition to electric vehicles, supply chain disruptions, and evolving regulatory requirements. As the world's largest automaker, Toyota's leadership structure must navigate these complexities while maintaining its market position.

Implications:

This executive shuffle suggests Toyota is adapting its governance structure to address rapidly changing market conditions. By dividing responsibilities between internal operations (Kon) and industry-level strategy (Sato), the company appears to be positioning itself for more agile responses to competitive pressures, particularly in the EV transition where Toyota has faced criticism for being slower than some rivals.

The appointment of a CFO to the top operational role may also signal a focus on financial discipline and operational efficiency during this transformative period.