The Toyota Innovation System

Toyota is admired worldwide for its quality, efficiency, and legendary Toyota Production System (TPS). But hidden behind the production lines is a lesser-known engine of success: Toyota’s systematic approach to innovation.

From the launch of the Prius—the world’s first mass-produced hybrid car—to today’s race toward solid-state batteries and hydrogen power, Toyota has consistently turned long-term vision into market-shaping technologies. Unlike Silicon Valley “moonshots” or Western automakers’ trial-and-error strategies, Toyota innovates with a repeatable system built on discipline, leadership, and philosophy.

In this groundbreaking book, Dr. Mohamed Hamed Ahmed Soliman reveals:

• How Toyota’s Chief Engineer System empowers individuals to lead radical innovation.

• Why Set-Based Concurrent Engineering accelerates development and reduces risk.

• The difference between Kaizen (incremental) and Kakushin (radical) innovation—and how Toyota balances both.

• The inside story of the Prius Project (1993–1997) and its global impact.

• What Toyota’s approach means for the future of electric vehicles, hydrogen, and autonomous tech.

Whether you are a business leader, entrepreneur, engineer, or innovation strategist, this book gives you a rare look at the systematic, repeatable process of innovation at Toyota—and how you can apply the same principles to your own organization.

About author: Dr. Mohamed Hamed Ahmed Soliman, a professor of industrial and systems engineering and a long-time researcher in automotive innovation. He also the author of the Toyota Production System Concepts series, the Future of Automotive Engineering series, and the Lean Foundation & Advanced AI Applications series. Through his work, he aims to bridge the gap between world-class manufacturing, engineering, and strategic innovation, providing actionable insights for leaders and practitioners alike.