Toyota Executive Expresses Gratitude for His "Privileged Life as a Toyota Exec"
Toyota's Pioneer of Hybrid Technology, Takeshi Uchiyamada, Bids Farewell
Takeshi Uchiyamada, the man often referred to as the "father of the Prius," has stepped down as director at Toyota Motor Corporation after a distinguished 25-year career with the company. His departure was met with resounding applause from shareholders, a testament to his significant contributions to Toyota's success.
Uchiyamada joined Toyota early in his career and rose through the ranks to become the company's chairman. Throughout his tenure, he was deeply involved in Toyota’s technological innovation and environmental strategy. His reputation is particularly tied to pioneering the development of the Prius hybrid system in the 1990s, leading Toyota’s entry into environmentally friendly vehicle technology.
The creation and launch of the Toyota Prius, released initially in Japan in 1997 and internationally later, marked a turning point in the automobile industry. The Prius became the best-selling hybrid car globally, symbolizing Toyota's leadership in hybrid technology and environmental sustainability. Uchiyamada's work on the Prius catalyzed the hybrid vehicle market and influenced the entire automotive industry towards electrification.
Under Uchiyamada's leadership, Toyota solidified its commitment to carbon neutrality and innovative mobility solutions, shaping Toyota’s corporate direction even after his direct involvement. Uchiyamada’s legacy includes fostering Toyota’s monozukuri (craftsmanship and manufacturing excellence) spirit, contributing to Toyota’s global image as an innovator and leader in hybrid technology and quality manufacturing.
During his time at Toyota, Uchiyamada had a close working relationship with Chairman Toyoda, offering understanding and unbiased advice. Akio, in turn, acknowledged Uchiyamada's support by bowing deeply to him as a gesture of appreciation. Uchiyamada's role as a supporter of Toyota's efforts to make better cars was both public and private.
Uchiyamada's career at Toyota spans 25 years as a director, with the first half of his tenure focused on Toyota's globalization. The second half was about structural reforms. Despite his retirement as Chairman in April, Uchiyamada's influence on Toyota's future remains significant. The financial independence Toyota has achieved under his leadership allows the company to take a longer-term perspective in business decisions and make swift investments in a rapidly changing environment.
As Uchiyamada bids farewell to Toyota, he expressed gratitude for his 54 years at the company. His ambition since junior high school was to work for an automobile company and design cars, a dream he fulfilled with Toyota. Uchiyamada attributes Toyota's success to the support of global customers and shareholders, emphasizing his role as a supporter of Toyota's efforts to make better cars.
In conclusion, Takeshi Uchiyamada's career at Toyota is marked by his visionary leadership in hybrid technology, especially as the architect of the Prius, which drastically changed the automobile industry's approach to sustainability. He held senior leadership roles culminating in the chairmanship and retired from directorship by 2024 but remains recognized as a pivotal figure in Toyota’s success and hybrid technology innovation.
