11 Facts About Akio Toyoda

On 1 April 2023, Toyoda stepped down as Toyota president and become chairman of the board.

Akio Toyoda was born 3 May 1956, in Nagoya, to Shoichiro Toyoda and Hiroko.

Akio Toyoda was the chief contender for the family business when Katsuaki Watanabe was reassigned as Vice-Chairman in the wake of the quality control crisis.

Akio Toyoda completed his undergraduate work in law at Keio University in Japan and was awarded his Masters of Finance at Babson College in Massachusetts.

In 2005, Akio Toyoda was promoted to the position of executive vice president.

In January 2009, it was announced that Akio Toyoda was chosen as the forthcoming president of the company.

Akio Toyoda has participated as a driver at events including the 2009 24 Hours Nurburgring race employing the pseudonym Morizo Kinoshita.

In 2016, Akio Toyoda approved the project that would result in the GR Yaris; during the development of that car, Akio Toyoda served as a test driver.

Akio Toyoda focused on three key issues: Toyota's basic philosophy regarding quality control, the cause of the recalls, and "how we will manage quality control going forward".

On 24 February 2010, accompanied by president and COO of Toyota Motor North America, Yoshimi Inaba, Akio Toyoda testified before the House of Representatives' Oversight and Government Reform Committee.

At a press event held on December 14,2021, where Toyota unveiled multiple concept cars with battery electric drivetrains, Akio Toyoda was asked how he felt about BEVs, given the company's prior emphasis on emissions reduction and elimination through hybrid and hydrogen vehicles.