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Valenda Newell
November 12, 2016 | Indianapolis, IN
TOKYO (AP) — Eiji Toyoda, a member of Toyota's founding family who helped create the super-efficient "Toyota Way" production method, has died. He was 100.
Toyoda, a cousin of the Japanese automaker's founder Kiichiro Toyoda, died Tuesday of heart failure at Toyota Memorial Hospital in Toyota city, central Japan, Toyota said in a statement.
Eiji Toyoda served as president from 1967 to 1982, engineering Toyota's growth into a global automaker. He became chairman in 1982, and continued in advisory positions up to his death.
He spent his early years on the shop floor, and helped pioneer Toyota's reputed just-in-time production to cut waste and empower workers for continuous improvement or "kaizen."
A graduate of the prestigious University of Tokyo with a degree in mechanical engineering, he joined Toyoda Automatic Loom Works in 1936.
Toyota started out as a loom maker, founded by Kiichiro Toyoda's father Sakichi. Eiji Toyoda's father was Sakichi's brother.
During his years at the helm of what is now the world's biggest automaker, Eijji Toyoda led the development of the Toyota Corolla, which has become one of the best-selling cars of all time. He also pushed Toyota to develop luxury vehicles, which later became the Lexus brand.
One of Japan's most respected businessmen, Toyoda was also one of the main figures to forge Toyota's partnership with General Motors Co. to set up a joint plant in Fremont, California called NUMMI, New United Motor Manufacturing, in 1984. NUMMI closed in 2010.
Toyoda is survived by his three sons, Kanshiro, Tetsuro and Shuhei, all executives at Toyota affiliates. A private family funeral is planned.
YURI KAGEYAMA, AP Business Writer
Copyright © 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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Valenda Newell
November 12, 2016 | Indianapolis, IN
My late father was one of the first employees at NUMMI, and had many good memories of Toyoda-san. On one trip back to Japan, Toyoda-san and his wife surprised my grandmother in Hawai'i by stopping to visit Bob-san's mother. His graciousness has not been forgotten and his contributions to the world will live on.
Cynthia Gonsalves
October 10, 2013 | Santa Clara, CA
My first car toyota corolla thanks
torres carlos
September 22, 2013 | Puerto Rico
I enjoyed my toyota5 speed
erma breeden
September 20, 2013 | Macon, GA
My condolences to your sons Toyoda-San. Having you at NUMMI was an honor and privilege. May your family hold tight the wonderful memories you had made together.
Darlene Dobrolenski - Toledo,Ohio
Darlene Dobrolenski
September 18, 2013 | Toledo, OH
Thank you for your Dreams that made my Dreams come alive. My condolances to all the Toyoda (Toyota) family. May your heart find comfort.
Paula Vigil
September 18, 2013 | Tracy, CA
I just bought me a toyota corolla and i thank him for that wonderful car.May the God who gives peace be with all the family.
m b
September 18, 2013 | Conyers, GA
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
G. Freeman
September 18, 2013 | GA
My condolences to your family during this time of grief.
September 18, 2013 | Houston, TX