Eighteen years ago Didier Leroy left his job as deputy plant director at Renault's Le Mans facility to join Toyota to help the Japanese automaker launch its greenfield plant in Valenciennes, France. Since then, the French engineer has become one of Toyota's most powerful executives. Although he has a global job now, Leroy still plays a major role in the company's European operations. He recently shared his bullish outlook for Toyota's European sales with Automotive News Europe Editor Luca Ciferri.