Kiichiro Toyoda
Kiichiro Toyoda | |
|---|---|
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| Born | June 11, 1894 |
| Died | March 27, 1952 (aged 57) |
| Occupation(s) | Founder, Toyota Motor Corporation |
Kiichiro Toyoda (豊田喜一郎 'Toyoda Kiichirō', June 11, 1894 – March 27 1952) was a Japanese entreprenuer and the son of Toyoda Loom Works founder Sakichi Toyoda. He made the decision for Toyoda Loom Works to branch into automobiles, considered a risky business at the time. Shortly before Sakichi Toyoda died, he encouraged his son to follow his dream and pursue automobile manufacturing — Kiichiro created what eventually became Toyota Motor Corporation.
He resigned from the company in 1948 due to flagging sales and profitability, passing away four years later. In 1957, his cousin and confidant Eiji Toyoda became head of Toyota Motor Corporation, overseeing its successful expansion worldwide and the launch of Japan's most prominent luxury vehicle brand, Lexus.