Honorary Chairman Toyoda Enters U.S. Automotive Hall of Fame

Tokyo―TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION announced today that Honorary Chairman Eiji Toyoda was inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame during its annual awards ceremonies conducted in Detroit, Michigan, on September 15.

Eiji Toyoda's long career in the Japanese auto industry began in 1936, when he joined Toyoda Automatic Loom Works, the founding company of Toyota Motor Corporation. The following year, he joined the newly-formed Toyota Motor Company, working in every aspect of company operations from manufacturing to sales. Eiji Toyoda became president of Toyota Motor Corporation in 1967, rose to chairman in 1982, and in 1992, was made honorary chairman. Through the years, Eiji Toyoda energetically promoted new manufacturing concepts which became the base of the Toyota Production System such as kaizen (continuous improvement), jidoka (the use of machines that shut down when irregularities occur), and the Just-in-Time delivery system.

Concerning his induction into the Automotive Hall of Fame,
Eiji Toyoda made the following comments:

"As a member of the automobile industry, this is indeed a great moment for me. Ever since Toyota's establishment in 1937, I have been involved in this wonderful business, and as long as my engine keeps running, I intend to give back as much as I can for the industry's further development. I regard this honor as something that was made possible through the extraordinary efforts and support of all the Toyota people around the world, and I would like to thank them from the bottom of my heart."