Hiroshi Okuda, an executive that helped transform Toyota into a global powerhouse and hybrid pioneer, died this week at the age of 93. His death, attributed to natural causes, was confirmed Thursday in a press release from the automaker. Okuda served as CEO and then chairman of Toyota from 1995 to 2006, part of a 45-year career with the automaker. He’s generally credited with pushing for development of the Prius, which launched on his watch in 1997 in Toyota’s home market. That earned Okuda the appellation “father of the Prius,” although the breakthrough hybrid had many parents. Takeshi Uchiyamada has also been called the “father of the Prius” because he…
Longtime Toyota CEO and Father of the Prius Hiroshi Okuda Dies at 93
