Toyota's Former Leader Hiroshi Okuda, Who Championed Hybrid Cars, Dies at 93

Hiroshi Okuda, the visionary former leader of Toyota who played a pivotal role in transforming the Japanese automaker into a global powerhouse, has passed away at the age of 93. Toyota confirmed his death on Wednesday.

Okuda took the helm as president in 1995, breaking tradition as the first leader not affiliated with the founding family. During his tenure, he spearheaded the launch of the groundbreaking Prius hybrid in 1997, a vehicle that marked the world's first mass-produced hybrid car. Simultaneously, Toyota introduced the popular RAV4 SUV, further solidifying its market presence.

His leadership arrived at a critical juncture for Toyota, which was facing significant challenges. Okuda championed the expansion of Toyota factories overseas, a strategic move that significantly contributed to the company eventually surpassing General Motors to become the world's largest automaker by sales volume. Many credit Okuda with making Toyota a truly global giant.

Known for his outspoken nature and a distinct leadership style, Okuda once described his approach as making Toyota more "offensive" compared to its previously conservative image. Beyond his automotive career, Okuda also led Japan's largest business organization, Keidanren, and served as an advisor to the Japanese government.

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Everyone is different. But what I can say about Toyota is that the company was considered very conservative before I became president, and I have tried to make us more offensive.