David W. Hermance, Toyota Motor Corp.'s U.S. executive engineer for hybrid-electric autos and other advanced technology vehicles, died Saturday when a small plane he was piloting crashed into the Pacific Ocean. He was 59.
Hermance, a licensed pilot who competed in aerobatic competitions, was performing stunts off the coast of Long Beach, Calif., when his Interavia E-3 aircraft may have stalled, Toyota spokesman Mike Michels said.
Calls to the Federal Aviation Administration and Los Angeles County Fire Department weren't returned.
Hermance joined Toyota's U.S. unit in 1991 to evaluate the company's engines for compliance with federal and California emissions regulations after 26 years as a General Motors Corp. engineer. In 2000, he became the Toyota City, Japan-based company's top North American engineer for the gasoline-electric system used in the Prius and other hybrid models.
"He was an eloquent spokesman for their hybrid program," said Thad Malesh, an Automotive Research Group analyst in Moorpark, Calif., who served on panels with Hermance.
"This is a huge loss for Toyota from an engineering standpoint and from a public relations standpoint."
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