This weekend, SA automotive industry legend Dr Johan van Zyl passed away at 63 due to complications related to COVID-19. Commonly referred to as “The Doc”, Dr van Zyl’s passing comes as a massive loss to the industry having achieved the top echelons within Toyota Motor Company.
Dr Johan van Zyl began his career with the company in 1993 as Director for Vehicle Sales and Dealer Network. He was appointed President and COO of Toyota South Africa in 2002, and went on to become President and CEO in 2003. In June 2009, Dr Johan van Zyl was appointed as a Managing Officer, Toyota Motor Corporation, CEO of Africa Region in April 2013 and Senior Managing Officer in April 2017.
In 2015 he took on the role of President and CEO of Toyota Motor Europe until his retirement in early 2021. It is understood that he left an indelible mark there too as, under his tenure, sales in Europe passed the one-million mark in 2019 for the first time in 10 years. On his return to South Africa, Dr Johan van Zyl remained chairman of Toyota South Africa.
Billy Tom President and CEO of Isuzu Motors South Africa says “The passing of Dr van Zyl is a great loss to the automotive industry, as he not only contributed to the success of Toyota both locally and internationally, but played a pivotal role in growing and evolving the automotive industry as a whole.”
Dr Johan van Zyl is survived by his wife Santie, daughters, Nadia and Karla, son’s-in-law, Dirk and Brent, and his grandchildren.
