Toyota's new chief Koji Sato vows to get serious about EVs

TOKYO -- Koji Sato said "yes" to the question, but his answer may have been barely audible over the roaring race car engines and cheering fans. It was mid-December at a motor sport circuit in Thailand and Sato had casually been asked whether he would take over as president of the world's biggest carmaker, Toyota Motor, where he has worked since 1992. Waiting expectantly next to him was his mentor and third-generation scion of Toyota's ruling dynasty, Akio Toyoda, who was planning to step down in April after 13 years at the helm.