PROFILE: SEAN HANLEY

TOYOTA'S HEAD OF SALES AND MARKETING ON WHY HE BELIEVES THE COMPANY'S ELECTRIFICATION STRATEGY IS THE RIGHT ONE

- KATHRYN FISK 

IT’S HARD to think of someone who could embody what Toyota Australia represents more than Sean Hanley.

Now Vice President for Sales and Marketing, he has dedicated his working life to serving what has become the country’s automotive market leader and it looks like he’ll be there ’til the day it’s time to hand back the keys and take the gold watch.

But one of Hanley’s current challenges revolves around perception. As one of Japan’s biggest companies, and indeed Australia’s top-selling car brand for 20 years, much has been said about Toyota’s contribution towards reducing global emissions and its preference for varied technologies – led by hybrids rather than purely battery-electric – to hit ever tightening targets.

In fact there has been no end of coverage of Toyota Australia’s views, voiced by Hanley as the most regular company spokesman, on the topic. But earlier this year it emerged the auto giant is facing investigation by Australia’s consumer watchdog over ‘greenwashing’ allegations by Greenpeace – denouncing Toyota’s claims on the environmental performance of its vehicles and net-zero ambitions. On this specific issue, Hanley couldn’t be led, but sticks by his guns on why Toyota’s EV approach is the right one.

Of Toyota’s local lineup, more than 60 percent offer a hybrid version, with the recently announced second-gen C-HR promising to only be available with such a drivetrain when it arrives in 2024. This, combined with the upcoming launch of the fully electric BZ4x and healthy order banks for hybrid models, will, Hanley says, help the carmaker to reach 50 percent electrified sales by 2025.