PLANO, Texas (July 22, 2025) – Toyota Motor North America (TMNA) today announced that F. Norman (Norm) Bafunno, III, senior manufacturing executive, TMNA, will retire effective Friday, September 5.
During his nearly 29-year career with Toyota, Bafunno served in a variety of leadership roles in manufacturing, providing strategic direction in the areas of safety, environment, facilities, logistics, vehicle and powertrain manufacturing and engineering. Bafunno also oversaw the company’s North American unit plants, which produce a variety of automotive components, including engines, transmissions, hybrid systems and vehicle parts.
“Norm’s unwavering commitment to quality, safety, and continuous improvement has been foundational to our success in North America,” said Takefumi Shiga, executive vice president of Production Engineering and Manufacturing, TMNA. “We are grateful for Norm’s leadership, vision, and dedication throughout his remarkable career. While we will miss his presence and expertise, we wish him all the best in this exciting new chapter.”
Bafunno joined Toyota Indiana in 1997 as part of the plant’s startup team in the role of general manager, Production, and eventually held titles as senior vice president, Production, Manufacturing Planning, Administration and Quality.
He also served as vice president, Production Engineering at Toyota Motor Engineering and Manufacturing supporting Toyota’s North American manufacturing facilities. In 2010, Bafunno was named President, Toyota Indiana, the first time an American led that facility. Prior to his current role, Bafunno was TMNA’s One Toyota North American Competitiveness Officer, leading four regional executives representing R&D, Sales & Marketing, Planning & Finance, and Manufacturing in creating and implementing actions to improve North America’s global competitiveness.
Bafunno supported the site selection process for Toyota’s first battery manufacturing plant in the U.S. – Toyota Battery Manufacturing, North Carolina – and led the project’s kickoff operations and guided its direction, including strategy, administration, and competitiveness.
Bafunno served as executive advisor to numerous Business Partnering Groups while at Toyota and also served community and industry organizations including the American Red Cross, Indiana Manufacturers Association, and the National Foreign Trade Council.
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 2025, Toyota’s plant in North Carolina began to manufacture automotive batteries for electrified vehicles. With more electrified vehicles on the road than any other automaker, Toyota currently offers 30 electrified options.
For more information about Toyota, visit www.ToyotaNewsroom.com.
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