Toyota announced today that it has formed a new North American Quality Task Force to be led by senior automobile manufacturing executive Steve St. Angelo, who is Executive Vice President of Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America.
St. Angelo will guide the implementation of regional improvements in concert with the Special Committee for Global Quality led by Toyota Motor Corporation President Akio Toyoda.
“Mr. St. Angelo was appointed to the new role of Chief Quality Officer for North America,” Toyota said in a statement. “He will serve with counterparts from the other regions on Mr. Toyoda”s committee, which meets for the first time on March 30 in Japan.”
“We are making fundamental changes in the way our company operates in order to ensure that Toyota sets an even higher standard for vehicle safety and reliability, responsiveness to customers, and transparency with regulators,” Mr. St. Angelo said. “The new organization will open the lines of communication globally and enable us to respond faster here in North America to any concerns about our vehicles. In keeping with Akio Toyoda”s mandate, North America will have greater autonomy and play a critical role in decision making on recalls and other safety issues.”
Each regional quality task force is specifically charged with executing a six-point action plan outlined by Mr. Toyoda on February 5. It includes improved quality assurance, enhanced customer research, strengthened quality management training, incorporation of best practices through outside professionals, closer cooperation with regulatory authorities, and improved regional autonomy.
- By: Omar Rana
