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NewsWPLG Local 10 – Main FeedAugust 12, 2026Miami-Dade

Former Toyota CEO Hiroshi Okuda dies at 93

Hiroshi Okuda, the former president and chairman who led Toyota's global expansion and the development of the Prius, has died at age 93. He served in leadership roles at the company from 1995 through 2006 and was instrumental in establishing Toyota's manufacturing presence in the U.S. and Europe.

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Why It Matters

The passing of a major corporate leader marks the end of an era for Toyota, a company that significantly shaped global automotive manufacturing and fuel-efficiency standards.

Key Facts

  • Hiroshi Okuda died at age 93.
  • Okuda served as president and chairman of Toyota Motor Corp. from 1995 to 2006.
  • He led the development of the gas-electric hybrid Prius, launched in 1997.
  • He oversaw Toyota's global expansion, including opening manufacturing plants in the U.S. and Europe.
  • Okuda was the first leader of Toyota not from the founding Toyoda family.
  • He served as an adviser on Toyota's board when Jim Press became the first American board member in 2007.
  • Okuda held leadership roles in major Japanese business organizations, including Keidanren.
  • He graduated from Hitotsubashi University in 1955.

Who's Mentioned

organizationToyota Motor Corp.“Global automaker”organizationFord“U.S. automaker”personHiroshi Okuda“Former CEO and Chairman of Toyota Motor Corp.”organizationNissan Motor Co.“Japanese automaker”organizationChrysler“U.S. automaker”personJim Press“First American added to Toyota's board in 2007”organizationKeidanren“Japan Business Federation”organizationHonda Motor Co.“Japanese automaker”organizationGeneral Motors“U.S. automaker”