Toyota Motor Europe Wins Global Reuters D.R.I.V.E Awards for Commitments to DE&I and Women’s Empowerment

Toyota Motor Europe (TME) has recently been honored with the Global Reuters D.R.I.V.E awards for their innovation, commitment, impact, and leadership in fostering Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) as well as women's empowerment.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

The Japanese multinational automotive manufacturer – alongside Mazda UK, Winnebago Industries, AutoTrader, and Pave - has been voted industry leader for driving DE&I within the automotive industry.

Since 2017, TME has actively promoted DE&I, initially focusing on gender diversity and later expanding its efforts to encompass a wider spectrum of diversity and inclusion across Europe. With a clear goal to become the global benchmark for Toyota by 2030, TME's COO, Matt Harrison, prioritized DE&I as a key business objective for the Europe region. The company aims to create an environment where all individuals feel respected, valued, and empowered to maximize their potential.

TME's DE&I strategy rests on three pillars: leadership, diverse talent, and an inclusive culture. Each pillar is supported by specific goals, organizational initiatives, and performance measurement mechanisms. TME has made notable progress in integrating DE&I across the organization, with all entities actively advancing DE&I and utilizing a comprehensive scorecard to ensure measurable progress. Additionally, inclusive leadership development has been provided to 98% of TME's leadership, fostering a culture of inclusivity within the company.

This is why the judges at Reuters Events highlighted TME's commitment as substantial rather than mere rhetoric, stating:

“You covered all the bases, but more importantly, it is apparent that it’s not lip service. Toyota understands what it means to be an equitable workplace and it shows.”

Women’s empowerment

Dr. Isotta Cerri, TME’s Head of Material Engineering, was also honored with the Empowering Women award for her outstanding leadership, vision, and dedication to the automotive industry, alongside Lauren Tedesco (APMA), Laura Brailey (Mazda UK), Kristen Siemen (General Motors), and Angela Zepeda (Hyundai). With a background in Chemical Engineering, Cerri is spearheading advanced research and pre-development of materials for European vehicles in line with TME's sustainabile mobility goals. Beyond her immediate responsibilities, she also actively participates in initiatives such as the Gender Diversity Network and the Toyota 'Girls STEM the Future' program, inspiring and mentoring women in the automotive industry. “Dr. Isotta Cerri’s efforts to empower women in the automotive sector are highly commendable and demonstrate a significant impact and scalability”, said the judges.

Kylie Jimenez, Chief Diversity Officer, said:

“This recognition reflects our unwavering dedication to fostering a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and the outstanding work of individuals like Isotta Cerri, who exemplifies our commitment to creating an inclusive and empowered workplace for all. Toyota remains dedicated to leading by example and continuing our journey towards a more diverse and inclusive future".

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