Toyota Executive Vice President
Shinichi Kato
As head of Toyota’s technology research and development, Executive Vice President Shinichi Kato has been a voice for the Prius since before it left the drawing board in 1997. "The Prius is no diversion. The technologies we have applied here are part of our vision for future powertrain development. To be greener, cars will get more complex, and automakers will be required to employ increasingly diverse
technologies. The Prius is merely the first example ofthis new thinking to reach the market. There are three new concepts here. The first of these is a redefinition of how an engine provides motive force. The second is the use of a battery and electric motor to make the most of the engine's performance. The third is a power distribution and control system that maximizes system efficiency.
Greener Thinking for a New Automotive Age