Timeline Hiroshi Okuda

Japanese businessman who served as president (1995-1999) and chairman (1999-2006) of Toyota Motor Corporation, leading the company's rise to become the world's largest automaker. The first person from outside Toyota's founding Toyoda family to lead the company in 28 years, he was known for his outspoken style and management credo that 'not changing is evil'. He championed the Prius hybrid, expanded Toyota's global manufacturing footprint, and later served as chairman of Keidanren, Japan's most powerful business lobby.

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Hiroshi Okuda 10

1932 Hiroshi Okuda born in Tsu, Mie Prefecture Born Hiroshi Okuda in the city of Tsu, Mie Prefecture, central Japan, near Toyota's headquarters region.
1955 Joined Toyota Graduated from the prestigious Hitotsubashi University in Tokyo with a degree in business and joined Toyota Motor Sales Co., beginning a 45-year career with the company.
1982 – 1988 Rise Through the Ranks Rose through Toyota's management hierarchy, gaining a reputation for cost-cutting prowess and quick decision-making. Spent time in Toyota's overseas operations, developing his understanding of global markets.
1995 President of Toyota Named president of Toyota Motor Corporation, the first person from outside the founding Toyoda family to hold the position in 28 years. His management credo was 'not changing is evil' — a direct challenge to Toyota's sometimes conservative corporate culture.
1997 Launch of the Prius Championed the launch of the Toyota Prius, the world's first mass-produced hybrid car. The Prius would become a symbol of the auto industry's push toward green technology and sell millions of units worldwide.
1998 – 1999 Global Expansion Accelerated Toyota's overseas expansion, opening new manufacturing plants in Europe and the United States while navigating concerns about anti-Japanese sentiment as Toyota's growth threatened the dominance of America's Big Three automakers.
1999 Became Chairman Stepped up to chairman of Toyota Motor Corporation, continuing to shape the company's strategic direction while a new president handled day-to-day operations.
2002 – 2006 Chairman of Keidanren Served as chairman of the Japan Business Federation (Keidanren), Japan's most powerful business lobby, giving him influence over national economic policy. He used the platform to advocate for corporate reform and globalisation.
2006 Stepped Down Stepped down as Toyota's chairman after eleven years of leading the company. Under his tenure, Toyota had risen from Japan's largest automaker to one challenging General Motors for the global crown.
2026 Death Died at the age of 93. Toyota confirmed his passing during the company's summer break. He was remembered as the leader who had laid the foundation for Toyota's rise to become the world's largest automaker.