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Masanao Shiomi

Masanao Shiomi

ToyotaDevelopment lead

A key figure behind Toyota's environmental image, who created the first Estima and led hybrid vehicle development from the front

Timeline

  1. 1959

    Joined

    Toyota Motor Corporation

  2. 1974

    Toyota Motor Corporation Chassis Design Section, Engineering DepartmentManager

  3. 1980

    Chief engineer (shusa)

  4. 1983

    Chief engineer (CE)

  5. 1988

    Director in charge of engineering

  6. 1990
    Estima 1st generation
    Estima 1st generation

    1990–2000Development lead

    Not laid down, but a low-profile engine

    As chief engineer of the Estima, Shiomi proposed mounting a downsized engine tilted at 75 degrees to fit it under the floor. When it was called a "laid-down engine" during development, people teased that he was trying to bring Toyota down, so from then on he called it a "low-profile engine" and pressed on. The first Estima was called Toyota's "genius egg" and won many awards, including Car of the Year.

  7. 1992

    Managing DirectorDirector, Development Center 3

  8. 1996

    Araco CorporationPresident

  9. 2001

    Chairman

  10. 2004

    Toyota Auto Body Co., Ltd.Chairman

  11. 2005

    Senior Technical Executive

Connections

    Masanao Shiomi

    Masanao Shiomi

    Profile

    From Fukuchiyama, Kyoto Prefecture. Graduated from Nagoya Institute of Technology, Department of Mechanical Engineering in 1959. Chief engineer (CE) of the first-generation Estima. After serving as chief engineer of the TownAce, he became chief engineer of the Estima. Setting out the concept of "space efficiency on a par with a full cab-over", he proposed mounting the engine tilted at 75 degrees so that it could be stowed under the floor. As managing director and head of the Third Development Center, he set up a new EV development division and pursued research into environmental technologies such as hybrid vehicles and fuel cell vehicles. He is known as "the driving force behind environmental Toyota".

    Translated from Japanese sources.

    Toyota engineers

    All Toyota engineers