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Toyota's Transformative Ex-President Hiroshi Okuda Dies at 93
🇰🇷 South Korea /Elections & Politics

Toyota's Transformative Ex-President Hiroshi Okuda Dies at 93

From Dong-A Ilbo · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Sources not specified Outcome reported
  • Hiroshi Okuda, the former president credited with transforming Toyota into the world's largest automaker, has died at age 93.
  • Okuda, who was not from the founding family, took over Toyota in 1995 and initiated significant changes, emphasizing speed and innovation.
  • He championed the early development and launch of the hybrid Prius, a key factor in Toyota's global success.

Hiroshi Okuda, the transformative former president of Toyota who steered the company to become the world's largest automaker, has died at the age of 93. Okuda, a figure known for his bold leadership and a departure from Toyota's traditionally conservative approach, is widely credited with revitalizing the company and setting it on a path of rapid global expansion.

The worst thing for Toyota from now on is to change nothing.

— Hiroshi OkudaOkuda's declaration upon taking over as president of Toyota in 1995, signaling a new era of change.

Okuda's ascent to the presidency in 1995 marked a significant shift for Toyota, as he was the first leader not from the founding family in 28 years. His tenure began with a clear mandate for change, famously stating, "The worst thing for Toyota from now on is to change nothing." At a time when Toyota was already recognized for quality but facing stagnant growth and a challenging Japanese economic climate, Okuda challenged complacency within the organization.

We have a pride that if Toyota changes, Japan will change.

— Hiroshi OkudaOkuda's statement reflecting his belief in Toyota's influence on the broader Japanese economy.

He initiated sweeping reforms, including a major generational shift in management, replacing 17 out of 19 executives to bring in younger talent and foster quicker decision-making. Okuda's management style was characterized by speed and decisiveness; anecdotes suggest he could approve plans in the time it took to ride an elevator. This accelerated pace was crucial for Toyota's international expansion, leading to the swift construction of factories in the United States and France.

Even if you are clumsy, just start moving quickly.

— Hiroshi OkudaOkuda's emphasis on rapid action and decision-making in business.

Perhaps Okuda's most defining legacy is his gamble on the early development and launch of the hybrid vehicle, the Prius. Introduced as a concept at the 1995 Tokyo Motor Show, the Prius was a pioneering effort in combining internal combustion engines with electric motors. Despite a challenging development process, Okuda's commitment to this forward-thinking technology positioned Toyota as a leader in sustainable automotive innovation, a strategy that proved instrumental in the company's enduring success in the 21st century.

Luck does not come if you do nothing. It comes when you search in many places, meet various people, and have many experiences.

— Hiroshi OkudaOkuda reflecting on the nature of luck and the importance of proactive effort.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Dong-A Ilbo in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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