"Chairman Toyoda Encourages Meisters to Strive for a 100-Year Obsession"
Toyota's Meister System: A Journey Through Chairman Akio Toyoda's Vision
In an upcoming program, we delve into the life of Chairman Akio Toyoda and his connection with the iconic Century car. This week, the focus is on how the Century has shaped Chairman Toyoda's journey and influenced the design of Toyota's latest offering, the New Century.
The Meister system, introduced with the release of the New Century, is a skilled craftsman certification and development program designed to recognize and cultivate top-level technicians and artisans within Toyota's manufacturing and service operations. Only 0.6% of people working at dealerships in Japan have been certified as Meisters, a testament to the program's rigorous standards.
The Meister system is not about building and selling cars in the same way as others or prioritizing a large quantity. Instead, it is about mastery of skills, continuous improvement, and the passing down of expert knowledge, reflecting Toyota's broader philosophy of craftsmanship and quality rooted in respect for people and kaizen (continuous improvement).
Chairman Toyoda has often emphasized the importance of craftsmanship, hands-on expertise, and nurturing talent within Toyota to maintain the company's high standards of quality and innovation. His symposiums typically stress the connection between traditional craftsmanship values and modern manufacturing excellence, reinforcing Toyota’s commitment to develop skilled individuals (Meisters) who embody both technical proficiency and the company's cultural values.
During the symposium, Chairman Toyoda shared personal memories of the Century, a car that held significance since his birth. However, a difficult childhood memory involving the Century and his father, Honorary Chairman Shoichiro Toyoda, made the Century a car that Chairman Toyoda felt he must not get involved with or ride. Despite this, Chairman Toyoda has had ideas about chauffeur-driven cars for over twenty years.
In a moving message to the Meisters, Chairman Toyoda encouraged them to maintain their interest and curiosity about the Century for continuous learning. His message was clear: "Take my place." The program aims to offer an enjoyable ride, embodying the Meisters' commitment to craftsmanship and quality.
For more precise, updated insights from the symposium or official Toyota sources, we recommend consulting Toyota’s official communications or transcripts from Akio Toyoda’s talks. The current search results do not provide those details.
In the Meister system, a significant endeavor at Toyota, the focus is not solely on the manufacturing and sales of automotive vehicles but also on the mastery of skills, continuous improvement, and the passing down of expert knowledge, particularly in the automotive industry and transportation sector. Chairman Toyoda's vision for the Meisters extends beyond traditional roles, as he encourages them to maintain their curiosity and learning, not just about the every-day aspects of vehicles, but also about iconic models like the Century, in finance, as well as other areas of interest.
