By MOTORING REPORTER
JOHANNESBURG –  Dr Johan van Zyl, Chairman of Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) and President and CEO of Toyota Motor Europe (TME), has been promoted to Senior Managing Officer at Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC).
The appointment will be effective April 1, becoming the first African to be appointed to the position at TMC.
Van Zyl started his career with TSAM in 1993 as the Director: Vehicles Sales and Dealer Network. This was the starting point of a great career with the company. Prior to Toyota South Africa, Dr van Zyl was mainly involved in education both as a lecturer and a student.
He was a lecturer before entering the motoring industry. He was promoted into the position of President and Chief Executive Officer of Toyota South Africa Motors in 2002. In 2009, Dr van Zyl was appointed as Managing Officer of Toyota Motor Corporation in Japan and in 2013, he added Chief Executive Officer for Toyota in Africa to his responsibilities.
His exceptional business acumen and knowledge of the industry have been strengthened over the years with travels to Japan, the United States and into Africa. The latest promotion comes exactly two years after Dr van Zyl was appointed CEO of TME.

– Guardian