Toyota ex-chief Okuda, pioneer of the Prius, dead at 93

Shoichiro Toyoda, a pivotal figure in Toyota's global ascent and the driving force behind the revolutionary Prius hybrid, has died at the age of 93. Toyoda, who served as chairman of Toyota Motor Corp and was the son of the company's founder, Kiichiro Toyoda, passed away on Tuesday.

Under his leadership, Toyota transformed from a domestic Japanese automaker into one of the world's largest car manufacturers. His tenure was marked by a commitment to innovation and quality, principles that became hallmarks of the Toyota brand.

Toyoda's most enduring legacy is undoubtedly the Prius. He championed the development of the world's first mass-produced hybrid vehicle, a groundbreaking initiative that anticipated future environmental concerns and set a new standard for automotive technology. The Prius, launched in 1997, became a symbol of Toyota's forward-thinking approach and its dedication to sustainable mobility.