Toyota Motor North America (TMNA) announced the appointment of Takefumi Shiga as executive vice president, Production Engineering and Manufacturing, effective Jan. 1, 2023.

Shiga will succeed Toshio Niimi who has been leading Toyota’s North American manufacturing operations since 2020 and is taking on a new role at Toyota Motor Corporation in Japan. Shiga will report to Ted Ogawa, CEO, TMNA.

In his new role, Shiga will have responsibility for all aspects of TMNA’s production engineering operations and 14 vehicle and unit plants in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. He will also oversee the development of Toyota Battery Manufacturing, North Carolina (TBMNC).

Shiga currently serves as the Chief Project Leader in the Production Group. After joining TMC in 1992, he had numerous roles in engineering and manufacturing including production engineering at New United Motor Manufacturing Inc., General Manager, Body Design #1, Vice President and Chief Project Leader of Value Chain of Toyota’s Vehicle Development Center.

Shiga graduated from Kyoto University with a master’s degree in Metallurgy.

Did you know that Toyota celebrated 50 years in North America earlier this year? In 1972, the automaker announced its first manufacturing investment in North America. On September 22, 2022, the automaker’s Long Beach, California, operation, TABC, Inc., celebrated 50 years of advanced manufacturing. Those who operate work trucks will understand the value of this, TABC is a primary supplier of parts for Tacoma Trucks. 

The automaker has also been commiting funds to education and workforce readiness - In March it committed $110 million to education and career readiness, and in September two schools were awarded $500,000 each to help strengthen STEAM education programs for career readiness.