Toyota Honorary Chairman Shoichiro Toyoda dies at 97

Honorary Chairman of Toyota, Shoichiro Toyoda, has died of heart failure at the age of 97.

Toyoda was born on February 27, 1925, and was the grandson of Toyota group founder Sakichi Toyoda and son of Toyota Motor Corporation founder Kiichiro Toyoda.

He joined the carmaker in 1952 and helped transform the brand into a world leader in the automotive industry by pushing for the international sale of its vehicles.

Toyoda became a managing director of the company in 1961, before becoming vice president in 1972, and then president of Toyota’s marketing organisation in 1981.

From 1992 to 1999, he held the role of Chairman before becoming Honorary Chairman in 1999.

Throughout his years in the business, he oversaw the launch of the luxury Lexus brand as well as the introduction of the Prius hybrid.

In 2007, Toyoda was inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame in the US.

His son Akio Toyoda is currently the CEO of Toyota but will soon hand over the reigns to Koji Sato who plans to ramp up electrification of the brand.

A funeral for close family and friends of Shoichiro Toyoda will be held in the coming days.