Toyota 2014 Annual Report Download - page 4

ANNUAL REPORT 2014
President’s MessagePresident’s Message
Overview of
Four Business Units
Overview of
Four Business Units
Special FeatureSpecial Feature
Review of OperationsReview of Operations
Consolidated Performance
Highlights
Consolidated Performance
Highlights
Management and
Corporate Information
Management and
Corporate Information
Investor InformationInvestor Information
Financial SectionFinancial Section
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spanning more than five decades, Toyota believes that its operations
in North America will benefit through this “One Toyota” concept. By
undertaking a thorough review of its business structure and working
beyond the boundaries of established manufacturing, sales and
marketing, and corporate and financial services, we are better placed
to pursue sustainable growth.
Toyota is equally committed to innovation, the wellspring for new
technologies and future growth. Moving forward, we will maintain our
commitment to the environment by strengthening and developing our
hybrid technologies. In addition to efficient gasoline engines and fuel
cell vehicles, we will endeavor to develop and commercialize safety
technologies that offer safe and responsible ways of moving people.
Taking each of these factors into consideration, Toyota will actively
direct resources toward next-generation mobility and IT infrastructure
innovation.
As I have already mentioned, my goal is to ensure that Toyota
evolves into a company that is capable of sustainable growth. Even in
the face of a situation like the recent global financial crisis, Toyota
must not only be resilient, but also be well-equipped to succeed
against adversity.
Toyota marked its 75th anniversary in 2012. It is important to
remember that the many fruits that we are able to harvest today
were sown and cultivated by our hard working predecessors. It is
imperative that we, too, place similar importance on our responsibili-
ties to plow, plant, and cultivate the seeds of the future. In this
manner, future generations can benefit from the work we do today.
Early in April 2014, we articulated a new internal slogan: “Work
Today, Smile Tomorrow: in Pursuit of True Competitiveness and
Innovation.” This new slogan encapsulates my strong belief that our
continued growth must be informed by a strong sense of history. At
the same time, it is a forward-looking statement that paints a picture
of how Toyota should look both a decade and century from now.
What is the engine for sustainable growth? We have learned from
experience that we can achieve sustainable growth only if we create
attractive and appealing cars that bring smiles and if we foster the
human resources needed to make this a reality. At the same time,
ever-better cars can be produced only through efforts made by
employees on the front line. Individuals must take ownership of their
work and place the utmost emphasis on local manufacturing, swift
decision making, and immediate action. As we continue to grow,
however, tasks that were once routine may become increasingly diffi-
cult to perform. We also have to remember that actions taken during
a crisis may not be practicable at other times.
As I see it, Toyota’s current situation is particularly critical as we
are now entering another expansion phase. This is why I believe it is
important to put in place independent business units to carry out all
appropriate activities on the front line.
All 330,000 Toyota employees around the world are doing their
best to bring happiness, safety, and peace of mind to customers and
communities. As we work to achieve these goals, I would very much
appreciate your continued support.
July 2014
Akio Toyoda
President