Former Toyota boss and honorary chairman Shoichiro Toyoda, who spearheaded the Japanese manufacturer’s transformation into a global car brand, has died in Japan aged 97.
The son of Toyota founder Kiichiro Toyoda, Shoichiro began his career at the firm in 1952. He went on to become president of Toyota in 1982 before assuming the position of chairman from 1992 to 1999.
In total, Toyoda served on Toyota’s board for 57 years, making him the firm’s longest-serving director.
