SATOSHI OGISO

Chief engineer, product planning group, Toyota Motor Corp.

Chosen because: Since taking charge of the Prius nameplate in 2007, Satoshi Ogiso has presided over a family of hybrids that has multiplied to four vehicles: the standard Prius, Prius Plug-in, Prius V wagon and Prius C compact. Today the Prius is the best-selling electrified car series in the world, with combined sales exceeding 432,000 units worldwide in 2011. Ogiso, 51, has been working on the Prius lineup since 1993, when he did advance planning on the first-generation compact. Today he is executive chief engineer of the car's whole planning group, having played a key role in making the Prius name a global byword for "hybrid car."

Quote: "At this moment I think that from the practicality point of view, expanding hybrids -- regular hybrids -- is very important. Some companies say that the conventional gasoline engine will be improved more and more. But that also means that an improved gasoline engine together with hybrid also goes better."