Toyota chair Akio Toyoda inducted into Automotive Hall of Fame

MANILA: Toyota Motor Corporation Chairman and former President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Akio Toyoda, has been inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame. 

The aforementioned was made official at the Automotive Hall of Fame for 2026 ceremonies held at Detroit, Michigan, where Toyoda was introduced by the Vice Chairman of Penske Automotive Group Greg Penske. 

Penske cited Toyoda’s fearless leadership in spite of momentous challenges. At the start of Toyoda’s role as President and CEO of Toyota, he faced down the global financial crisis and testified in front of the U.S. Congress.

Toyoda was likewise praised by his memorable declaration of “no more boring cars,” which were headlined by numerous Gazoo Racing nameplates such as the GR 86, GR Yaris, GR Supra, GR Corolla, and the very striking redesign of the Prius. 

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Under his “Morizo” persona, Toyoda also showed love for driving by becoming a master behind the wheel by the age of 52. In this capacity, the Toyota Chairman directly participated in the car brand’s vehicle development, as well as the global proliferation of initiatives such as Gazoo Racing. 

Capping this off was Penske’s description of Toyoda as an “automotive rockstar.”

At the said event, Toyoda likewise thanked global Toyota and Lexus dealers, customers, employees, suppliers, and dealers from all around the world. 

Additionally, the Toyota Chairman professed his love for cars. 

“Who in the world has ever been unhappy when taking delivery of a car? Cars are exciting, joyful, extraordinary things,” Toyoda said. 

“We get to be part of the single greatest, most exciting, most rewarding, and in my opinion, coolest industry, in the world!” Toyoda added. 

Notably, Akio Toyoda joins four other Toyota-connected inductees to the Automotive Hall of Fame. All are said to have contributed massively to the advancement of the car industry in the United States. 

These are: 

• Kiichiro Toyoda, founder of Toyota Motor Corporation.
• Eiji Toyoda, founder of NUMMI.
• Taiichi Ohno, the father of the Toyota Production System (TPS).
• Shoichiro Toyoda, who spearheaded Toyota’s US-based manufacturing and general localization

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