Toyota’s Akio Toyoda joins Automotive Hall of Fame

Toyota Motor Corporation chairman Akio Toyoda was inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame on 23 September in Detroit, Michigan, in recognition of his contributions to the Japanese automaker and the global automotive industry.

Toyoda was among four inductees for 2026. The ceremony drew more than 700 guests from the automotive industry, including executives, dealers and motorsports professionals.

His induction makes him the third generation of the Toyoda family to receive the honor. His grandfather, Toyota founder Kiichiro Toyoda, entered the Hall of Fame in 2018, while his father, Shoichiro Toyoda, was inducted in 2007.

Two other figures closely associated with Toyota had previously received the distinction. Eiji Toyoda was inducted in 1994, followed by Toyota Production System architect Taiichi Ohno in 2022.

Toyoda used his acceptance speech to acknowledge the people who had supported him throughout his career.

“I may be biased, but I count myself lucky to have such exceptional partners,” he said of Toyota and Lexus dealers worldwide.

He also thanked the nearly 400,000 Toyota employees around the world and credited their contributions to the company's achievements.

“This honor really belongs to all of them,” he said.

Greg Penske, vice chairman of Penske Automotive Group, introduced Toyoda at the ceremony and recalled the difficult circumstances surrounding his appointment as Toyota president in 2009.

Toyoda assumed leadership during the global financial crisis and soon faced a massive vehicle recall controversy that eventually affected millions of vehicles worldwide.

In 2010, he appeared before the US Congress to answer questions about Toyota's vehicle safety problems. He accepted responsibility as chief executive and acknowledged that the company's rapid expansion may have outpaced the development of its workforce.

Penske described those early years as a “trial by fire” and credited Toyoda for his determination to improve Toyota's vehicles.

He also cited Toyoda's involvement in motorsports under the name Morizo and his decision to train as a master driver at age 52 to better understand vehicle performance and communicate with engineers.

Toyoda's enthusiasm for driving was evident even shortly before the induction ceremony.

He told guests that he had been involved in an accident while driving one of Toyota's off-road vehicles two days earlier.

“So, if I look a little banged up, it's because I am! But don't worry, the car is fine!” he joked.

During his speech, he emphasized that vehicle sales had never been his main measure of success. He placed greater importance on the enjoyment customers received from their cars.

Toyoda concluded with an appeal for greater cooperation across the automotive industry and encouraged companies to consider what they could accomplish together.

Established in 1939, the Automotive Hall of Fame has inducted more than 300 individuals and organizations. Its members include Henry Ford, Ferdinand Porsche and Formula One legend Ayrton Senna.

Among the other 2026 inductees was Italian motorsports engineer Giampaolo Dallara, founder of the race car manufacturer Dallara.