DEEPX Partners with Hyundai to Power Next-Gen AI Robots Ahead of IPO 
Elon Musk's Terafab Foundry Courts Top Chipmaking Giants for AI Self-Sufficiency Push 
NiSource Signs Long-Term Energy Deals with Alphabet and Amazon to Power Indiana Data Centers 
Japan Opens Arms Export Floodgates: New Policy Draws Global Defense Interest 
Qantas Raises Fuel Cost Forecast Amid Middle East Oil Crisis 
Uber Bets Big on Autonomous Vehicles with $10 Billion Commitment 
Pentagon Taps Auto Giants to Supercharge U.S. Weapons Production 
TSMC Posts Record Q1 Profit Fueled by AI Chip Demand 
KKR's $820M Investment Fuels Samsung SDS AI Expansion, Sending Group Shares Soaring 
Netflix Q2 Profit Warning Sends Shares Tumbling as Reed Hastings Exits 
Amazon in Advanced Talks to Acquire Globalstar in Starlink Rivalry Move 
ASML Raises 2026 Revenue Outlook as AI Chip Demand Surges 
Japan to Subsidize Sony's Image Sensor Plant in Kumamoto with $380 Million 
Elliott Investment Takes ~3% Stake in Daikin, Pushes for Buybacks and Strategic Overhaul 
SK Hynix Shares Hit Record High Amid AI Memory Demand Surge 
Sam Altman Moves to Dismiss Punitive Damages in Sister's Sexual Abuse Lawsuit 
Samsung Races to Deliver Next-Gen HBM4E Memory Samples to Nvidia 
Toyota Motor North America announced it has made some changes in its executive roles. The automaker also revealed it appointed its first female president who will lead its SA production facility.
The leadership shift in Toyota Motor’s North American business unit mainly involves the promotion and retirement of senior executives. The change will have a direct impact on the management of its manufacturing plants in San Antonio.
Executive Reshuffle for Growth
The vehicle manufacturer said the changes in executive posts in its operations in North America come as it is elevating its former Alamo City plant leader. ABC’s Ksat12 News reported that the changes are also part of the company’s efforts to drive growth while advancing the electrification of vehicles.
Moreover, Toyota Motor North America (TMNA) said it is committed to electrifying its vehicles as it prepares for the future of mobility. The shifts also give Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Texas (TMMTX) crucial flexibility when various supply chain issues threaten to significantly disrupt the business flow.
Confirmed Promotions and Retirement
Toyota Motor North America promoted Kevin Voelkel as the new senior vice president of its manufacturing plants. He will be managing the North American productions in five key facilities, including the Toyota Motor Manufacturing Baja California (TMMBC), Mississippi (TMMMS), Canada (TMMC), Texas (TMMTX), Guanajuato (TMMGT), and Indiana (TMMI).
Voelkel will report directly to Takefumi Shiga, the executive vice president of production, engineering, and manufacturing. Prior to this promotion, he was the president of the Texas plant and the group VP of Toyota’s North American Truck Manufacturing.
With Voelkel vacating his post due to the promotion, Susann Kazunas will take over his role as president of the San Antonio production facilities. She is the first female executive to be appointed in this position in the company’s expansive South Side campus. All the new appointments are effective immediately.
Meanwhile, as mentioned in the press release, Brian Krinock is leaving the company as he is retiring on March 31. He is a senior executive who has been with the company for more than three decades today.
Photo by: Toyota Motor Newsroom
