About

The Mexican subsidiary of the Japanese automobile manufacturer began retailing Toyota branded vehicles in the Mexican market in 2002. Due to significant company growth since then, the legal team was established by Luis Lozano, Toyota Motor México’s general counsel, compliance officer and legal director for government and industry affairs. Known internally as a business partner and not a “policeman” of company operations, the small team has implemented a tailored corporate governance structure that segments and isolates risks in projects. It also plays an important role in the company’s relationship with its large distribution network, which markets 15 different models with sales exceeding 60,000 units annually. When the company decided to expand its Mexican operations by building a new plant, the team was responsible for conducting all legal matters relating to the acquisition and conversion of a new $1bn facility known as Toyota Motor Manufacturing de Guanajuato (TMMGT). TMMGT President, Mike Bafan, said at the time that ‘TMMGT will afford us the opportunity to boost vehicle quality and appeal while achieving cost savings through production engineering innovations’. As Toyota Motor México looks to continue with its plans of constructing another plant in Baja, the legal team will look to continue its work in facilitating company growth by using their business acumen and working closely with different business areas.