Shoichiro Toyoda, former president and the son of Toyota Motor Corp’s founder, passed away on February 15 at the age of 97 due to heart failure, according to a statement released by the company.
Toyoda joined Toyota in 1952 and held various leadership roles during his tenure, including president from 1992 to 1995. He was credited with leading Toyota’s global expansion into manufacturing in the United States, as well as the launch of the luxury Lexus brand and the development of the Prius hybrid.
A pioneer in quality control in manufacturing, Toyoda helped establish the Toyota Production System, a model that emphasized continuous improvement and efficiency. This system has been studied and adopted by companies around the world.
In addition to his contributions to the automotive industry, Toyoda was known for his philanthropic work. He established the Toyota Municipal Museum of Art and supported various cultural and educational initiatives.
His passing comes less than a month after his son, Akio Toyoda, announced his transition from president to chairman of Toyota. The Toyoda family has played a significant role in the company’s history and culture, with three generations of the family leading the automaker.
The news of Shoichiro Toyoda’s passing has been met with tributes from industry leaders and members of the Toyota family. In a statement, Akio Toyoda described his father as a “warm and gentle person” and credited him with instilling in him the values of “making things that are truly useful and of service to society.”
Shoichiro Toyoda’s legacy will undoubtedly continue to shape the future of Toyota and the automotive industry as a whole.
SEO: Shoichiro Toyoda, former president and the son of Toyota’s founder, passed away on February 15 at the age of 97. He played a pivotal role in Toyota’s global expansion and quality control in manufacturing, and helped establish the Toyota Production System. His passing comes less than a month after his son, Akio Toyoda, announced his transition to chairman of Toyota. Shoichiro Toyoda’s legacy will undoubtedly continue to shape the future of Toyota and the automotive industry as a whole.