Eiji Toyoda

12 September 1913 – 17 September 2013

Eiji Toyoda (1913–2013) was a Japanese industrialist who served as president of Toyota Motor Company from 1967 to 1982 and then as chairman of Toyota Motor Corporation until 1992. A cousin of Toyota founder Kiichiro Toyoda, he oversaw the development of the Toyota Production System and the company's expansion into a global carmaker, including the creation of the Lexus brand.

Comparing
Compare

Lived at the same time

Well-documented people whose lives overlapped with Eiji Toyoda.

Life events

Born in Nagoya, Japan
12 September 1913

Born in Nagoya into the Toyoda family, which ran the Toyoda Automatic Loom Works.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Birth ✓
Graduated in mechanical engineering from Tokyo Imperial University
1936

Completed a degree in mechanical engineering at Tokyo Imperial University, now the University of Tokyo.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Education ✓
Joined the Toyoda Automatic Loom Works
1936

Went to work for the family company, moving into its new automobile operation, which became Toyota Motor Company in 1937.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Career ✓
Studied Ford's River Rouge plant in the United States
1950

Spent several weeks touring Ford's operations in Michigan, an experience that shaped Toyota's approach to production.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Career ✓
Became a managing director of Toyota Motor Company
c. 1950

Rose to the board of Toyota, taking responsibility for production and engineering.

Career ?
Became president of Toyota Motor Company
1967 – 1982

Led Toyota through its growth into a major exporter, with the Toyota Production System developed under Taiichi Ohno.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Career ✓
Became chairman of the merged Toyota Motor Corporation
1982 – 1992

Served as chairman after Toyota Motor Company merged with Toyota Motor Sales.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Career ✓
Initiated the project that created the Lexus luxury brand
1983

Set Toyota the challenge of building a luxury car to rival established makers, leading to the Lexus LS 400.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓
Died in Toyota City, Japan
17 September 2013

Died of heart failure at Toyota Memorial Hospital, five days after his 100th birthday.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Death ✓