Lexus chief to take over Toyota as founder's grandson steps down

The 53-year-old chief branding officer and president of Toyota Motor Corp's Lexus brand, Koji Sato, will take over from April 1 when Akio Toyoda becomes chairman, it said. He has held positions as the president of Lexus International and Gazoo Racing Company, Toyota’s motorsport brand, since 2020. The 53-year-old chief branding officer and president of Toyota Motor Corp's Lexus brand, Koji Sato, will take over from April 1 when Akio Toyoda becomes chairman, it said. He has held positions as the president of Lexus International and Gazoo Racing Company, Toyota’s motorsport brand, since 2020. He also took on an executive role at Toyota and became its chief branding officer in January 2021.