Grateful Ex-Chairman Embraces Life's Bounty as a Toyota Exec
Toyota Bids Farewell to "Mr. Prius" Takeshi Uchiyamada
Toyota has announced the retirement of Takeshi Uchiyamada, a key figure in the company's history, who served as executive vice president and later as chairman for 25 years. Uchiyamada, often referred to as "Mr. Prius," is celebrated for his groundbreaking contributions to Toyota, particularly the development of the world's first mass-produced hybrid car, the Prius.
Uchiyamada's tenure at Toyota was marked by two distinct phases. The first half of his 25-year journey was dedicated to Toyota's globalization, during which he played a pivotal role in expanding the company's reach and establishing its reputation as a global leader in innovation and sustainability.
His most significant achievement during this period was the launch of the Toyota Prius in 1997. The Prius was a transformative innovation in the automotive industry, positioning Toyota as a pioneer in eco-friendly vehicle technology. Uchiyamada's leadership on the Prius development significantly advanced Toyota’s environmental commitments and boosted its competitive edge worldwide in hybrid and eco-friendly vehicles.
In the second half of his tenure, Uchiyamada focused on structural reforms aimed at increasing efficiency and adapting to environmental regulations. These reforms signaled a shift towards a more globally responsible and technologically advanced company. Uchiyamada also oversaw technological innovations at Toyota’s manufacturing and production levels, such as efforts to halve production processes by integrating craftsmanship with digital tools.
Uchiyamada's retirement comes at a time when Toyota is now able to self-fund its crisis response measures, R&D investment, and capital investment. This ability to self-fund is a key factor that allows Toyota to take a longer-term perspective in business decisions and make swift investments in a rapidly changing environment.
Chairman Akio Toyoda, Toyota's president and CEO, has expressed his gratitude to Uchiyamada for his contributions to the company. Uchiyamada, in turn, has expressed his gratitude to his mentors, supervisors, colleagues, and teammates at Toyota, and has continued to support Akio Toyoda both openly and in private throughout his tenure.
Uchiyamada's 54-year career at Toyota can be summarized as a life filled with gratitude. His contributions to Toyota, particularly the development of the Prius, have transformed the company and positioned it as a leader in the environmental and technological domains.
References:
[1] Toyota Global. (2021). Takeshi Uchiyamada. Retrieved from https://global.toyota/en/newsroom/corporate/21850303.html
[2] The Japan Times. (2021). Toyota's Uchiyamada retires as chairman. Retrieved from https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2021/04/01/business/toyota-uchiyamada-retires-chairman/
- Toyota's strategic shift towards environmental and technological advancement, largely driven by Uchiyamada's work, has carved a niche for the company in the finance industry as a reliable investment for those seeking sustainable businesses.
- The technology sector recognizes Uchiyamada's significant contributions to automotive technology, most notably the development of the Prius, which revolutionized the industry and set a new standard for hybrid and eco-friendly vehicles.
