Thousands Honor Toyota's Chairperson, Celebrating His Strides towards a Global Toyota Empire
Toyota Bids Farewell to Honorary Chairman Shoichiro Toyoda
Tokyo, Japan - On April 24, Toyota Motor Corporation held a series of farewell events for Honorary Chairman Shoichiro Toyoda, who passed away in February at the age of 97. Approximately 6,000 guests attended the events, which were held in Tokyo and four other locations, including Toyota City.
The events were a poignant celebration of Toyoda's life and contributions to the company, showcasing a lifetime of artifacts and cars belonging to the Honorary Chairman. The venue for the event featured a display showcasing Toyoda's legacy, including significant cars from his life.
Chairman of the Board of Directors Takeshi Uchiyamada delivered a condolence message at the event, emphasizing the guidance he received from Toyoda when developing the first-generation Prius. Uchiyamada shared memories of Toyoda during the event, highlighting his focus on "making products (monozukuri)" and developing people.
Akio, speaking on behalf of the family, delivered an address in which he quoted the words of Honorary Chairman Shoichiro Toyoda, promising that "Toyota will carry on making products (monozukuri) and developing people."
Visits were made to places of special significance during the event, including Toyota City, where Toyota Motor Corporation was founded. The displays at the event included original footage looking back on Toyoda's early years, his appointment as the first post-merger president of Toyota Motor Corporation, and father-son talks with Akio.
Shoichiro Toyoda's contributions to Toyota's growth include his leadership in quality and innovation, global influence and recognition, vision for safety and technology, and legacy and cultural impact. Toyoda received the Deming Prize in 1980 for quality control, helping Toyota establish a global standard for vehicle quality. He was also honored by many countries for his contributions to industry and diplomacy, highlighting his role in expanding Toyota’s international reach and partnerships.
Toyoda was a strong advocate for road safety, aiming for zero accidents and casualties, a mindset that has permeated Toyota’s approach to autonomous driving and safety technologies. A bust commemorates him at Nagoya University, reflecting his passion for innovation and education, and his spirit continues to influence Toyota’s evolving mobility solutions.
The events marked a significant moment in Toyota's history, as the company moves forward under new leadership. While details of the leadership change were not provided, Toyota's commitment to Toyoda's vision remains steadfast.
[1] Toyota Motor Corporation [2] Toyota Motor Corporation [3] Nagoya University [4] The New York Times
- In the ever-evolving landscape of the business world, Toyota Motor Corporation continues to uphold the legacy of Honorary Chairman Shoichiro Toyoda, who significantly contributed to the industry's finance sector through quality control and innovation.
- The interactions between Toyota Motor Corporation and Nagoya University, under the guidance of Shoichiro Toyoda, have fostered a culture of innovation and education, shaping the future of the global finance and business industry.
