Specialist industry publication gives no context to report; brand also tight-lipped.

INTEREST in the boss of New Zealand’s strongest new car brand having taken personal leave from the end of last week has been raised by an on-line industry magazine.

The AutotalkNZ website has given no context to its three-sentence report in respect to Toyota New Zealand chief executive Neeraj Lala, published on June 27.

The story was subject to a further brief statement from the Palmerston North-based brand today.

In speaking to the Autotalk report, a TNZ spokesman today said that “as of June 27 Neeraj Lala is taking a personal leave of absence from his duties as CEO of Toyota New Zealand.”

It confirmed that during this period Tatsuya Ishikawa will assume the role of acting CEO.

The Japanese national has been with TNZ since March 2023 as chief co-ordinating officer and is based in NZ.

The brand was today asked if it could enlarge on the publication’s comment that “TNZ has not confirmed the length of Lala’s absence.” 

TNZ did not respond to this.

Lala’s appointment dates to November of 2020. He was announced then as being the fifth local Toyota CEO since its establishment 50 years ago, steeping up from being chief operating officer and succeeding Alistair Davis.

A Wellington-born married man and father of three, Lala expressed excitement then to take the helm as Toyota transitioned from being a traditional car maker into a mobility company focused on future technologies. 

That process has expanded into it becoming a keen advocate of the Clean Car strategies imposed by the previous Labour Government and now seemingly being diluted, if not wholly dismantled, by the current National-led coalition.

 A Toyota statement at time of Lala’s appointment said: “Toyota New Zealand is a wholly owned subsidiary of Toyota Motor Corporation, Japan and prefers to promote from within and maintain stability through long tenure Chief Executives.”