Vice president of Beijing Benz to move to Toyota China

Gasgoo.com (Shanghai March 15) - A source within Toyota's Chinese division confirmed that current vice president of Beijing Benz, Dong Changzheng, would take his place as Toyota China's vice president this April, auto.163.com reported today. Mr. Dong would be responsible for Toyota's Chinese business strategy and other related work. According to the source, Mr. Dong was selected due to his experience in working at Beijing Benz and Daimler AG, "[something] which Toyota needs to expand its business in China this year."

Toyota officially unveiled its strategic plan for 2015 last week, proclaiming that it would increase its market share by 50 percent by focusing on "environmentally friendly vehicles" and "emerging markets." Toyota also announced its intent to undergo management restructuring, including adjustment of its Chinese executive staff.

Last year Toyota sold 8.42 million vehicles worldwide, maintaining its position as the world's largest selling automobile manufacturer. However its chief rival General Motors was not far behind, having sold only 30,000 less units than Toyota. The Japanese automaker hopes to achieve sales of 10 million by 2015, with primary growth concentrated in the so-called emerging markets.

China, of course, would be the ideal 'emerging market' for Toyota to gain from, with annual automobile sales having already surpassed the US. However, Toyota has so far lagged behind VW, GM, Nissan and other manufacturers in Chinese sales. Toyota said that it will work to increase its Chinese sales by 15 percent, constituting about one-third of its 'emerging markets' sales volume.