The Fuel Cell Seminar & Exposition

Hiroyuki Watanabe, 2003 Fuel Cell Seminar Award Winner

The Fuel Cell Seminar Award is presented annually to an individual who has been an avid supporter of research, development and demonstration of fuel cell technology. The 2003 Fuel Cell Seminar Award was presented to Hiroyuki Watanabe, Senior Managing Director, Toyota Motor Corporation.

Hiroyuki Watanabe joined Toyota Motor Corporation upon receiving a master's degree in aeronautical engineering at Kyushu University, Japan, in 1967. He has worked primarily in body engineering during his career and became a manager in the Body Engineering Division in 1980.

In 1987, Mr. Watanabe became a general manager in the product planning sector. Later that year, he became the chief engineer for the Crown, which is the best -selling luxury model in Japan, and Lexus GS. He supervised Crown development for three generations and Lexus GS development for two generations.

Named to the Board of Directors in 1996, he was responsible for development of electric vehicle, hybrid vehicle and fuel cell vehicle. After being named to the Board of Directors, Mr. Watanabe was instrumental in the success of the world's first attempt at mass producing hybrid vehicles. He was appointed as managing director in 1999 and senior managing director in 2001. In December 2002, he led the success of the world's first fuel cell vehicle lease sale. As of June 2003, he directs Environmental Affairs Div., Quality Control Group and IT & ITS Group.

He is also involved in several activities. Currently, he is a member of Fuel Cell Commercialization Strategy Study Group organized by Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, METI. As part of the Strategy Study Group, he advocated the Well to Wheel evaluation method to respond to the diversification of Powerplants, and presented target levels for fuel cells. In 2000, as Vice Chairman of the Fuel Cell Commercialization Conference of Japan, FCCJ, Mr. Watanabe initiated the Hydrogen Infrastructure and Verification Test Program.

He is also an Environmental committee chairman of Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, Inc., JAMA.

FUEL CELL®