Learning to see waste and systematically eliminate it has allowed lean companies such as Toyota to dominate entire industries. Lean thinking defines value as 'providing benefit to the customer' anything else is waste.

I've developed a huge regard for Toyota for its environmental awareness for its immense commitment to research and development in this field and for its leadership in developing hybrids which others are now following.

My first car was a 1976 Toyota Corolla Liftback in red like the one in 'The Blues Brothers.' I painted a Union Jack on the roof. I was absolutely in love with it until I destroyed it which broke my heart!

Toyota was the first to put a commercial fuel cell powered car on the road and I have no doubt that Toyota will continue to be in the front lines in the development of competitive fuel cell vehicles.