Akio Toyoda sent tremors throughout the automotive world last January when he announced that he’ll step down as Toyota Motor Company president this coming April.
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Toyoda, 66, said that his successor should be “physically, mentally, and passionately fit” to face the challenges posed by the growing electric vehicle (EV) market.
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Akio Toyoda is the grandson of Kiichiro Toyoda, the industrialist who founded what is now the world’s largest carmaker.
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Born in 1956, Toyoda studied law in Japan and business administration in the US. He joined Toyota in 1984 and held many positions before becoming president in 2009.
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Toyoda created the revolutionary gazoo.com in 2000. It introduced the now-common practice of showing product images online to Japanese automakers.
Image credit: Gazoo
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Responding to claims that Toyota cars were boring and lacked character, Toyoda pushed sleeker styling over traditional production efficiency.
Japan awarded Toyoda with the Medal with Blue Ribbon 2017. This prize recognizes people who made big contributions to the nation’s education and public welfare.
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Toyoda was honored by the World Car Awards in 2021 for keeping Toyota running smoothly during the pandemic.
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Auto racing is Akio Toyoda's passion. He founded Gazoo Racing (GR), Toyota’s motorsport and performance road car brand.
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Toyoda drove in many races under the pseudonyms “Morizo Kinoshita” and “Mr. Morizo.” He wasn’t allowed to use his real name when he raced lest it reflect badly on Toyota.
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Mentored by legendary test driver Hiromu Naruse, Toyoda drove the prototype of the future Lexus LFA at the ADAC Zurich 24 Hours of Nürburgring in 2009.
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While Akio Toyoda will pass the presidency to Lexus chief Koji Sato, the so-called Master Driver will keep influencing the world’s largest carmaker for years to come.
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