Toyota NZ boss celebrates 25 years with company

Toyota NZ CEO, Neeraj Lala is celebrating 25 years with the company. Photo: Toyota NZ

Toyota New Zealand Chief Executive Officer, Neeraj Lala, has attributed the company’s strong internal, people, and customer-first culture as the major factor contributing to the quarter of a century he has spent at the company. 

This month, Neeraj celebrates 25 years with the company and believes his long-term service, and that of many other employees is a result of a number of factors.

Lala says it’s the company’s supportive and nurturing approach to its staff and the belief that staff is the most valuable asset to the company’s success.  

Lala started as a marketing graduate fresh from his degree at Victoria University of  Wellington and was offered career development opportunities throughout the company. That included frequent changes in responsibilities, completing an MBA with full support from TNZ, and including a three-year stint with Toyota USA before becoming the company’s Chief  Executive. 

“When I first began my journey with Toyota, I was excited to be working for a car company that was focused on making a traditional Japanese car company into a genuine and most loved and admired New Zealand company,” he says.

Now 25 years on, Lala says he’s excited about the “low emission powertrains we offer, along with our stable of the very best GR and Lexus sports cars. As an industry, we are at the intersection of retaining the passion of enthusiasts and transitioning to a more sustainable future”.  

“Moving our business from a car company to a mobility company is a great honour, along with  committing to our sustainability objectives and championing women in leadership.”

Lala says Toyota Motor Corporation has a unique culture that is a mix of the Toyota Way.

“Textbooks have been written about the Toyota Way and its 14 principles – which include  Continuous Improvement and Respect for People. The principles are the foundational  platform of how the company operates in New Zealand and underpin why so many people  choose to stay with the company.”