Toyota’s North American operations are getting a new leader for the first time in nearly seven years.

The Japanese automaker said current President and CEO Ted Ogawa will return to company headquarters as a senior fellow. He will be replaced by Mark Templin, currently the North American chief operating officer.

Ogawa, who joined the company in 1984, took the North American role in April 2020 in the early months of the Covid pandemic. Toyota said he guided it through the crisis while bolstering its “commitment to building vehicles where it sells them.”

It pointed out one major U.S. project in the 2025 completion of a battery plant in North Carolina, the automaker’s first in-house battery-making operation outside of Japan.

Toyota has also committed to spending up to $10 billion more on its U.S. operations over five years, including an expansion of its San Antonio vehicle factory.

Ogawa’s replacement will head its North American manufacturing, research and development, sales, marketing, product support and corporate operations.

Templin has been with Toyota Motor North America in various roles for 36 years, including about 11 in its financial services division. He started his career in sales and service with General Motors.

“Mark has the experience and vision to build on Toyota’s strong foundation in North America,” Ogawa said. “As the automotive industry continues to evolve, he will strengthen our competitiveness, support our team members, dealers and suppliers, while delivering products and mobility solutions that meet our customers’ diverse needs.”

Templin’s replacement as COO is Hiroshi Nambu, current president of Toyota’s business planning and operation division. He’s been with the company since 1993.

The leadership changes take effect on Jan. 1. Ogawa will serve as an adviser through next March to aid in the transition.