Who was Kiichiro Toyoda and what contributions were made by his company?

Kiichiro Toyoda was a Japanese industrialist and the founder of Toyota Motor Corporation. He significantly contributed to the automotive industry by introducing mass production techniques and innovative manufacturing processes, such as the Toyota Production System, which emphasizes efficiency and quality. Under his leadership, Toyota produced its first passenger car, the Toyota AA, in 1936, which laid the groundwork for the company's future success and global expansion in the automotive market. His vision transformed Toyota into one of the largest and most influential automotive manufacturers in the world.