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Toyota's Vision for Community Engagement

In a bid to reinforce its commitment to community service, Toyota held its Ordinary General Shareholders' Meeting on June 16, 2021, in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture. The meeting, held with precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19, marked a significant moment for the automotive giant.

At the helm of Toyota Motor North America, CEO Tetsuo Ogawa, based in Plano, Texas, reported on the company's business activities in the United States. Ogawa emphasised Toyota's efforts to build strong relationships and establish itself as a needed presence in local communities.

Similarly, Tatsuro Ueda, CEO of Toyota's China Region, discussed the company's aim to be a useful asset for China. Ueda highlighted Toyota's goal to address local issues in China using its technology, irrespective of future circumstances. Notably, more than 80% of the vehicles produced by Toyota in China are made of locally manufactured parts.

President Toyota reiterated his vision for the company to become the most trusted and loved entity in the towns where it operates. This vision aligns with Toyota's long-standing approach of taking root in communities and contributing to their development as a good corporate citizen.

Akio, Toyota's Chairman, emphasised the company's aim to be the best in town, not the best in the world or country. His vision for Toyota involves a "give and give" mentality, not a "give and take" one. This philosophy is evident in Toyota's corporate social responsibility and good citizenship, which involves creating jobs, earning profits, and paying taxes to be needed by the community.

The meeting also incorporated learnings from Toyota's COVID-19 vaccination operations, with measures such as temperature checks, hand disinfectant, and the Toyota Production System implemented for a smooth reception process.

In a unique move, top executives of Toyota's overseas subsidiaries participated remotely in the Q&A session. Both Akio and Ogawa shared Toyota's unwavering desire to be a company loved and supported by the people it serves.

In the past, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang visited Toyota Motor Hokkaido, and President Toyoda gave a keynote speech at Tsinghua University in Beijing, discussing Toyota's desire to help with environmental issues in China. These initiatives underscore Toyota's commitment to its communities and its role as a responsible global citizen.

In Akio's vision for Toyota, the company is not just a business entity but a part of the community, repeatedly doing good without expecting anything in return. This approach, which has been Toyota's hallmark for years, sets it apart as a unique company.