Takashi Ishihara, 91; President, Chairman of Nissan Motor Co.

Takashi Ishihara, 91, who as head of Nissan Motor Co. helped turn the Japanese carmaker into a global competitor, died of heart failure Dec. 31 in a Tokyo hospital.

Ishihara, president of the company from 1977 to 1985 and chairman for another seven years, helped create the company’s first manufacturing plants outside Japan, including those in the U.S. and Great Britain. His efforts helped spur other Japanese manufacturers to develop multinational operations. During his tenure as president, he helped Japan outpace Detroit to become the world’s largest auto producer.

Born in Tokyo and educated in law at Tohoku University, where he was a star rugby player, Ishihara joined Nissan in 1937.

Twenty years later, as head of export operations, he launched a determined export program to change world consumer belief that Japanese products were shoddy.

Ishihara established a design studio near San Diego that turned out innovative designs, including the 1986 Hardbody pickup, 1987 Pathfinder and 1987 Pulsar NX.