California and Michigan design studios push for greater ingenuity and future innovations for Toyota and Lexus brands
NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. (May 5, 2025) – CALTY Design Research, Toyota’s North American design group with offices in Newport Beach, Calif., and Ann Arbor, Mich., announced executive changes, effective today.
As part of succession planning, and CALTY’s expanding role in bringing innovative product ideas to life, CALTY will be led by two executives, each overseeing a distinct area of CALTY’s design operation.
Kevin Hunter, who has been with CALTY for over 42 years and president for 18 years, is appointed executive design director Toyota North America, CALTY. Hunter will continue to oversee all aspects of CALTY’s Ann Arbor, Mich., design studio focusing on Toyota’s North American product development and production design, working with Toyota’s operations in Japan and North America. He will also serve as an executive advisor to CALTY.
Ian Cartabiano, formerly vice president, Advanced Design, CALTY, is promoted to president, CALTY, and will oversee the Advanced Design Studio in Newport Beach, Calif., working with TMC, for both Toyota and Lexus brand concepts. Cartabiano began his career at CALTY in 1997 and has held several positions including studio chief designer, CALTY, and president and director of design, Toyota Europe Design and Development.
Both Hunter and Cartabiano will report to Simon Humphries, chief branding officer and head of design, TMC.
CALTY has helped launch numerous new vehicles for both Toyota and Lexus and will further expand its role collaborating with Toyota’s R&D function.
About CALTY Design Research
CALTY designs innovative Toyota and Lexus mobility concepts and production vehicles for the North American and global markets. Headquartered in Newport Beach, Calif., CALTY also has a satellite design studio located in Ann Arbor, Mich. that focuses on North American production design. CALTY was founded in 1973 in Southern California by Toyota, the first automotive company to recognize the importance of “California car culture” and its powerful influence on national trends. Recently, CALTY has been credited with design contributions on the production versions of the 2018 Lexus LC500, 2020 Toyota Supra, 2023 Toyota Tundra, 2024 Toyota Tacoma and 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser. CALTY has also created numerous motor show concept vehicles, including the 2012 Lexus LF-LC, 2014 Toyota FT-1, 2017 Concept-i and 2021 Lexus Electrified Sport.
About Toyota
Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in North America for nearly 70 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our more than 1,800 dealerships.
Toyota directly employs nearly 64,000 people in North America who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of nearly 49 million cars and trucks at our 14 manufacturing plants. In spring 2025, Toyota’s plant in North Carolina will begin to manufacture automotive batteries for electrified vehicles. With more electrified vehicles on the road than any other automaker, Toyota currently offers 32 electrified options.
For more information about Toyota, visit www.ToyotaNewsroom.com.
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