Hiroshi Okuda, the man who bet on hybrids before EVs, dies at 93

The man who put Toyota on top of the global auto industry is gone. Hiroshi Okuda, former president of the Japanese giant, passed away at the age of 93. The company confirmed the news on Wednesday, marking the end of an era that shaped modern car manufacturing.

An outsider who took the wheel

Okuda took the presidency in 1995, when the company was struggling. It was a bold move — he became the first person from outside the founding family to lead Toyota in decades. He stayed on as chairman until 2006, guiding the company through its most transformative years. His legacy, however, goes far beyond corporate governance.

What does that mean for today's automotive landscape? Simple: Okuda believed in Toyota Prius before the world even knew it needed a hybrid. He championed the model that combined a traditional engine with an electric motor, at a time when electric vehicles were barely a concept. It was a bet that most industry watchers considered reckless.

Global expansion and overtaking General Motors

The numbers tell the story. Under Okuda, Toyota didn't just innovate — it expanded aggressively overseas. The company built factories around the world and eventually overtook Chevrolet as the world's largest automaker by sales. A historic shift that reshaped the entire industry.

Is that same boldness visible in carmakers today? Possibly not, but Okuda's influence remains in every hybrid on the road. Models he supported, like the Land Cruiser and Fortuner, still dominate the market. As the industry shifts to electric, his early faith in hybridization will be remembered as a pivotal moment — the moment Toyota stopped following and started leading.