Janette Hostettler, group vice president at Toyota Motor North America (TMNA) and vice president of Manufacturing at Toyota Kentucky, will retire on September 15, 2025. Hostettler has overseen the management of vehicle manufacturing at Toyota’s largest global facility.
Hostettler joined Toyota in 2000 at the Indiana plant, working in Quality before holding several leadership roles in manufacturing, paint, plastics, plant engineering, and pilot production. She was promoted to general manager in 2017 and led final assembly for Sienna, Highlander, and Sequoia vehicles.
In 2018, she became senior vice president of manufacturing at Mazda Toyota Manufacturing in Huntsville, Alabama. There she was responsible for launching the Mazda CX-50 and Corolla Cross production systems. Her duties included overseeing start of production processes, quality control measures, hiring practices, and training programs for approximately 4,000 employees.
She was named group vice president at TMNA and vice president of Manufacturing at Toyota Kentucky in 2023. That same year she was inducted into the Women in Manufacturing Hall of Fame. In previous years she received other recognitions such as being a STEP Ahead honoree by The Manufacturing Institute and one of the Women Worth Watching.
Hostettler has also contributed to career development through nonprofit board service with organizations including the Society of Women Engineers and local educational initiatives like Evansville High School Engineering Development Program. She currently serves on the board of the Kentucky Chamber as well as The Manufacturing Institute.
Toyota employs about 64,000 people across North America who have been involved in designing and assembling nearly 49 million vehicles at its 14 plants. In 2025, its North Carolina facility began producing automotive batteries for electrified vehicles (https://pressroom.toyota.com/toyota-battery-manufacturing-north-carolina-expands-investment-to-support-electrification/). The company now offers thirty electrified models—more than any other automaker (https://global.toyota/en/newsroom/corporate/40071543.html).
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“Janette has been an integral part of our manufacturing operations for over two decades,” said Chris Nielsen, executive vice president of Supply Chain Management at TMNA. “Her leadership helped launch key products while supporting thousands of team members across multiple sites.”
“She leaves behind a legacy that inspires future generations to pursue careers in advanced manufacturing,” added Nielsen.
