Kiichiro Toyoda inducted into Automotive Hall of Fame

MANILA: Toyota Motor Corporation founder, the late Kiichiro Toyoda has been inducted into the prestigious Automotive Hall of Fame. The event was held in Detroit and highlights the achievements of people who have accomplished outstanding feats for the automotive industry. Few of the names in this list include greats such as Ferdinand Porsche, Henry Ford, Enzo Ferrari and Soichiro Honda. From the Toyota family, Eiji Toyoda and Shochiro Toyoda have already made it to the Automotive Hall of Fame. Kiichiro Toyoda joins the list with four other members of the auto fraternity this year. Frank Stronach, Mike Jackson, Ray and Tom Magliozzi are the other members of the Automotive Hall of Fame this year.

Before he started Toyota Motor Corporation, Kiichiro was working with his father at Toyoda Automatic Loom Works. He will go on to convert this business into what we know today as the mighty Toyota. Kiichiro served as the company’s president from 1941 to 1950. He passed away in 1952, leaving behind a very rich legacy. Kiichiro’s posthumous Hall of Fame award was collected by the current Toyota Motor Corporation chairman Takeshi Uchiyamada. During the presentation ceremony, the duplicated version of the 1936 Toyoda AA vehicle was showcased. This was the first car which the company built and needless to say, Kiichiro signed off the design for this car.

Akio Toyoda, the current president of Toyota Motor Corporation and grandson of Kiichiro said that the latter had a big say in converting from looms to auto. He said that Kiichiro didn’t think about his previous success or failure and his vision came at a time when the auto industry was facing huge changes. He says that Kiichiro’s message today will be to go ahead with revolutionising the auto business before thinking about profits and ultimate success.

Toyota Motor Corporation is looking forward to an electric-fuelled vehicle future. The company has recently tied up with Suzuki to share know-how of electric vehicles. The two will start by making badge-engineered vehicles from each others stables. It is expected that the first electric vehicle born out of this coalition will be showcased to the world in 2019. The car is expected to be designed in Japan but manufactured in India for cost effectiveness. Needless to say, it will sold as a global model.