Dr. Shoichiro Toyoda to Receive SAE Foundation's 2005 Manufacturing Leadership Award

TROY, Mich., March 15 -- Dr. Shoichiro Toyoda, Honorary Chairman, Toyota Motor Corporation is the recipient of the 2005 Manufacturing Leadership Award issued by the SAE Foundation. Dr. Toyoda will travel from Japan to receive the award at the Annual SAE Foundation Banquet on Tuesday, May 24, at the Renaissance Center Wintergarden in Detroit.

The banquet benefits educational programs for students in elementary, middle and high school as well as college and beyond offered through the SAE Foundation.

The Manufacturing Leadership Award recognizes individuals who have made meaningful contributions to the development of the automobile, truck or automotive industry. Nominees must have achieved a significant level of success in their manufacturing careers, demonstrated innovation and risk taking, and established a new direction or developed a position which challenged their industry. Applicants must also have made contributions outside the automotive industry exemplified through community education, philanthropic or government activities.

"I am honored to receive the 2005 Manufacturing Leadership Award," Toyoda said. "Quality control, technology and factory management are at heart of our success as the world's leading quality manufacturer. Toyota associates around the world have helped our company to succeed and to make a notable difference in the communities in which we do business."

The educational programs from SAE involve mentors from the engineering profession who work with students and teachers in the classroom on projects that bring many math and science principles and theories to life.

Dr. Shoichiro Toyoda

Shoichiro Toyoda was born in 1925, and graduated from Nagoya University in 1947 with a degree in engineering. He joined Toyota in 1952 and later earned a doctorate in engineering. His doctoral thesis was about fuel injection.

Dr. Toyoda became managing director at the Company in 1961. After promotions to senior managing director in 1967 and to executive vice president in 1972, he was named president of the Company's marketing organization in 1981. Dr. Toyoda assumed the presidency of the newly integrated Toyota Motor Corporation upon the merger of the sales and production organizations in 1982, and later served as chairman from 1992 to 1999. Dr. Toyoda became honorary chairman of the Company in 1999.

Automotive technology, quality control, and factory management have been primary emphases for Dr. Toyoda throughout his career, and he received the Deming Prize in 1980 for his contributions to quality control. In 1984, he received Japan's prestigious Medal with Blue Ribbon for outstanding public service through business. Dr. Toyoda, who is a prominent spokesman for the automotive industry, has served as chairman of the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association. He also has served as both vice chairman and chairman of the Japan Federation of Economic Organizations (Keidanren), and currently serves as honorary chairman of the organization. In 1995, Dr. Toyoda was awarded Knight Commander of the British Empire, U.K.; Order Francisco de Miranda, First Class, Venezuela; and Grand Cordon of the Order of the Sacred Treasure by the Emperor of Japan. In 1996, Dr. Toyoda assumed duties as Chairman of the Economic Council of Japan's Economic Planning Agency, and was awarded the Ordem Nacional do Cruzeiro do Sul, Brazil. In 1997, Dr. Toyoda was selected as Chairman of Japan Association for the 2005 World Exposition. In 1998, Dr. Toyoda was awarded the Order of Merit, Turkey; the Legion D'Honneur, Commandeur, France; and the Grande Ufficiale, Italy. In 1999, Dr. Toyoda was appointed Honorary Companion (AC) within the General Division of the Order of Australia. He was also honored by the government of Austria with the Grand Decoration of Honor in Gold with Star. In 2000, Dr. Toyoda was awarded the highest level (Comendador) of the Medal of Isabel la Catolica by H.R.H. Juan Carlos, King of Spain, and also the FISITA Medal, as only the second Japanese (after Eiji Toyoda) to receive the top honor bestowed by the France-based Federation Internationale des Societes d'Ingenieurs des Techniques de l'Automobile (the International Federation of Automotive Engineering Societies). In 2001, he earned the Federal Republic of Germany's Commander's Cross of the Order of Merit. In 2002, he was awarded Grand Gordon of the Order of the Rising Sun by the Emperor of Japan and selected as Honorary Chairman of Nippon Keidanren. In 2004, Dr. Toyoda was awarded the Commander's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland, as well as Thailand's Knight Grand Cordon (First Class) of the Most Admirable Order of the Direkgunabhom.

Dr. Toyoda enjoys traditional Japanese music, gardening, and golf. He and his wife, Hiroko, have a daughter and a son.

The SAE Foundation Banquet

The SAE Foundation Banquet begins at 6:30 p.m. with a reception and student exhibit. Dinner begins at 7:30 p.m., and the award ceremony immediately follows. Tickets are $325 each or $3,000 for a table of 10. Corporate sponsorship opportunities are available. For reservations and sponsorship information, call 248-273-2480.