History of Toyota
Toyota Motor Company is a global Japanese automaker with its main offices in Toyota City, Aichi, Japan. Kiichiro Toyoda established it, and it became a corporation on August 28, 1937. Toyota, one of the largest manufacturers in the world, cranks out around 10 million cars every year. The business was first established as a subsidiary of Toyota Industries, a manufacturer of machines that Kiichiro Toyoda's father, Sakichi Toyoda, created. The Toyota Group, one of the biggest corporations in the world, now includes both businesses.
The Toyoda Type G Automatic Loom was created in 1924 by Sakichi Toyoda. The Toyota Production System subsequently included the jidoka principle, which states that when a problem arises, the machine automatically pauses.
Toyoda Automatic Loom Works formed an Automobile Division on September 1, 1933, and publicly proclaimed its plan to start producing vehicles on January 29, 1934, both under the guidance of Kiichiro Toyoda, the founder's son.
A new version of Toyota's full-sized truck, the Tundra, debuted in 2007. It was made in two US plants, one in Texas and one in Indiana. The 2007 Toyota Camry was selected "Car of the Year" by Motor Trend, while the Tundra was chosen "Truck of the Year" for 2007. In addition, it started the building of two additional plants, one in Canada's Woodstock, Ontario, and the other in the United States' Blue Springs.
Manufacturer plants and facilities
The first manufacturing plant for Toyota outside of Japan was constructed in Brazil in 1958. Toyota now has plants across the majority of the world's countries and is one of the leading automobile manufacturers outside of Japan in terms of production volume. Vehicles are assembled by the firm in Venezuela, United Kingdom, United States, South Africa, Thailand, Turkey, Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, the Czech Republic, France, Indonesia, Mexico, and the Philippines.
The business furthermore operates a joint venture, authorised, or contract factories in China, France, India, Malaysia, Pakistan, Taiwan, the United States, and Vietnam. In August 2022, Toyota announced an increase in investment at its factory close to Greensboro, North Carolina, and promised up to $5.6 billion towards the development of electric car batteries. Toyota was able to continue being the best-selling manufacturer in the world for the third consecutive year in 2022.
Vehicle range
In the 1990s, Toyota started to diversify from making largely small cars by introducing a variety of bigger, more opulent automobiles to its range, such as a full-sized truck, various lines of SUVs and crossovers, and more recent versions of its sports cars. Toyota began selling hybrid electric cars, plug-in hybrids, battery electric vehicles, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, and autonomous vehicles in 1997.
Interesting facts
On September 25, 1934, a prototype Toyota Type A engine was finished. The following May, the company's first prototype vehicle, the A1, was finished. Kiichiro originally concentrated on truck manufacturing since he had no prior expertise in vehicle production. The business's first truck, the G1, was finished on August 25, 1935, and it had its Tokyo premiere on November 21 that year, becoming the first production model for the company. 379 G1 trucks in all were eventually manufactured.
By forbidding rival foreign automakers Ford and General Motors from bringing cars into Japan, the Japanese government backed the business.
In January 1952, Toyota began work on the Toyopet Crown, the company's first full-fledged passenger vehicle. Previous to the Crown, Toyota had been contracting out the design and production of car bodywork, which was then installed on the truck chassis that Toyota had also produced.
After the triumphs of the 1970s and the fear of import quotas, attempts to establish a Toyota assembly factory in the US began in 1980, with the corporation proposing a joint venture with the Ford Motor Company. Japan agreed to voluntary export limitations in 1981, which put a cap on the annual volume of automobiles the country could sell to the US.
In the end, in 1984, the business agreed to a joint venture automobile production facility in Fremont, California, named NUMMI (New United Motor Manufacturing, Inc.). The joint venture was seen by GM as a means of gaining access to a reliable, compact vehicle and a chance to learn about The Toyota Way and the Toyota Manufacturing System. For Toyota, the facility provided the business with its first North American manufacturing base, enabling it to avoid any future levies on imported automobiles. Toyota also regarded GM as a partner who could help them negotiate the American labour market.
After introducing the Toyota Prius in 1997, Toyota was hailed for being a pioneer in the design and marketing of more fuel-efficient hybrid electric cars. More than 40 hybrid car types are now available for purchase from the firm worldwide. In order to get government support for the development of a new line of hydrogen-powered pickup trucks named Hilux FC, the company signed an $11.3 million government deal with the UK's Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy in late 2022.
Toyota made a purchase of Uber in 2016. A corporate governance report from 2020 revealed that Toyota owned 10.25 million Uber shares, which were worth $292.46 million as of March 30, 2020. Around 0.6% of Uber's outstanding shares were sold, according to Reuters.
Toyota will overcome Volkswagen to retake the title of the biggest carmaker in the world by 2020. Despite an 11.3% decline in sales as a result of the COVID-19 epidemic, it sold 9.528 million automobiles worldwide. Included in this are the subsidiaries Daihatsu and Hino Motors.
In order to "produce BEVs (Battery Electric Vehicles) that appeal to consumers," BYD and Toyota established a new joint venture on April 2, 2020, under the name BYD Toyota EV Technology Co., Ltd.
A strategic alliance between the three businesses was announced by Toyota, its subsidiary Hino, and Isuzu in March 2021. The goal of the three businesses' new joint venture, Commercial Japan Partnership Technologies Corporation, is to create fuel cells and electric light trucks. The firm is expected to be established by April. Hino and Isuzu would each own a 10% interest in the business, with Toyota holding an 80% ownership position.
As of 2022, the Toyota Motor Company manufactures automobiles under the Daihatsu, Hino, Lexus, and the company's own Toyota brands.
Shortest and Largest model
The vehicle is just 2985 mm long and 1500 mm high, with barely two meters between the front and rear wheels. Toyota manufactures the full-size sedan known as the Avalon. It is the biggest front-wheel-drive sedan made by Toyota, and it represents the brand in the Middle East, China, the United States, and Canada.
Motorsport history
In 2002, Toyota became a member of Formula One and set up a manufacturing joint venture with Peugeot and Citroen in France.
Toyota has participated in several international motorsports competitions by donating cars, engines, and other auto components under the Lexus and Toyota brands.
Toyota's performance line, Toyota Gazoo Racing (GR), is used in many of the major racing competitions around the globe. Toyota Gazoo Racing Europe, located in Cologne, Germany, competes in the FIA World Endurance Championship, while Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT, based in Finland, competes in the World Rally Championship. Participating in the Dakar Rally is Toyota Gazoo Racing South Africa. Toyota Racing participated in Formula One from 2002 through 2009. Toyota was the winner in the 24 Hours of Le Mans for 2018 - 2020 with a Toyota TS050 hybrid and for 2021 with a Toyota GR010 hybrid.
The participation in important American racing events, including NASCAR, NHRA, Indy Racing League, and Formula Drift, is handled by Toyota Racing Development USA (TRD USA).
Toyota also produces engines and other car components for various Japanese motorsports, such as Super Formula, Super GT, Formula 3, and Toyota Racing Series.
Biggest competitors
Honda, Hyundai, Chrysler, Ford Motor Company, Nissan, Volkswagen, and Chevrolet are some of its main competitors.
Pros and cons of the manufacturer models
Most popular Toyota models
- Toyota Hilux - The Hilux is a Ute that never seems to stop giving and is perhaps Toyota's most recognisable design. The Hilux benefits from a wealth of safety features to complement its great performance. It is very dependable and built to thrive in the harshest settings. The Hilux has several modern choices, which increases its desirability.
- Toyota Camry - advantages from an alluring combination of characteristics. The end result is a vehicle with the fashionable exterior styling, strong engine performance (the Camry is a driver's car), a wide array of good safety systems, and enough technology, room, and extras to keep passengers pleased even on lengthy trips.
- Toyota Yaris - The Yaris is an excellent choice for urban usage thanks to its powerful 1.3 VVT-i engine, 6.1" touchscreen infotainment system, a plethora of safety features, and a swanky interior. It is also an absolute powerhouse and a clear leader among other compact vehicles in its class.
- Toyota Corolla - The Corolla is extremely reasonably priced, has a huge selection of conveniences, and can be customised to match customers' unique demands. There are several reasons why the Corolla is such a well-liked option. It's a hassle-free sedan or hatchback that's ideal for drivers who seek safe, reliable performance.
- Toyota Aurion - The Aurion offers good all-around value with choices for everything from leather-trimmed seats to a sports kit, quality speakers, and a
- Toyota Prius – The Prius, a hybrid vehicle made by Toyota, is available in a variety of nice looks. From the smaller "city slicker" Prius C up to the seven-seater "V," there's a Prius version to suit practically any motorist.
- Toyota Rav4 - Its incredible fusion of features and strength is responsible for its durability. There is a lot of value and a bewildering array of technological goodies in a top-spec Rav 4 with a 2.5l engine. The Rav4 can survive both on and off-road and is available in 2- or 4-wheel drive configurations.
- Toyota Kluger - combines a powerful 3.5L Dual VVT-i V6 engine with excellent traction control, heated seats, and a rear-seat entertainment system to provide drivers and passengers with an amazing driving experience. It checks all the right boxes.
- Toyota Prado - Toyota's toughest off-road vehicle to date. Although the Fortuner GX is unmistakably an off-road vehicle, the GXL and Crusader variants provide a variety of extra improvements (such as satellite navigation, three-zone air conditioning, leather-accented seats, and surround sound). They make the Prado an elegant, sophisticated vehicle that the driver and passengers may enjoy.
- Toyota Landcruiser 200 - While off-roaders may have different perspectives on this, the 200 is often regarded as "the ultimate" off-road vehicle and has many other features as well. They include anti-lock brakes on all four wheels, two fuel tanks, vehicle stability control, a dynamic suspension system, and more.
The worst models and their imperfections
- 1958 Toyopet Crown The Toyopet, which was never tested in America but was designed for Japanese roads with normal peak speeds of around 40 mph, proved to be wholly unsuitable for our driving conditions. Its 60-hp engine was utterly outclassed by its heavy-gauge steel shell, which resulted in a painful 25.9 second 0-60 mph time.
- 1984–1989 Toyota Van - Toyota had to learn the hard way that American car buyers want more than just a well-built vehicle. The odd-looking Toyota Van, with its uninspired name, was based on a Japanese-market cargo van. It featured a short wheelbase, a bumpy ride, and an unnerving propensity to raise the inside rear (drive) wheel in sharp turns.
- 1991 Toyota Previa - The engine compartment's size, rather than maintenance, was the issue. A clever new auxiliary drive placed most of the often accessible equipment up front, where it could be reached via a standard hood. As compared to domestic minivans, the Previa only had place for a four-cylinder engine, which struggled with the Previa's roughly two-ton curb weight. Toyota considered installing a supercharger, which increased speed but also noise levels significantly and raised Previa's already exorbitant price.
- 1992 Toyota Paseo - The Paseo was designed to be a fast, two-door Corolla that would be affordable, deliver cheap thrills, and have decent fuel efficiency. Sales started off slowly for the first three years before becoming appalling. Toyota gave up in 1997.
- 1993–1999 Toyota T100 - Toyota responded to early complaints about the lack of an extended cab later in the model cycle, but the absence of a V-8 engine revealed a significant divergence with US truck consumers. While Toyota attempted supercharging the T100's V-6 using a blower, it didn't perform any better than it did for the Previa.
- 1999–2003 Toyota Camry Solara - While the Solara was expected to provide a more exciting ride, it didn't: The Solara's handling performance in a 1999 instrumented test conducted by this newspaper was actually poorer than the Camry sedan's. In 2008, Toyota discontinued the coupe, and in 2009, the convertible.
- 2000–2005 Toyota Echo - Common necessities like power steering, power mirrors, air conditioning, and a clock were all on the options list in order to keep the price low, and power windows weren't even offered. While the tall body accentuated the sensation of body lean, the engine was strong and economical, and the handling was adequate.
- 2001–2003 Toyota Prius - The original Prius, which was created for the Japanese market, had a cabin size similar to that of a Corolla, which was inadequate for the majority of US families. A finer, roomier mid-size vehicle of the era would have cost less than the Prius, and consumers were unlikely to make up the difference in fuel savings.
- 2007–2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser - Sales were good for the first few years, but by the middle of 2008, everyone who wanted one got one. At that point, Toyota realised that vintage cars are difficult to follow up with a popular design. In 2014, the FJ's path came to an end—at least in the US. Toyota is still producing and offering it in other markets.
- 2009 Toyota Venza - The Venza wasn't a subpar car; it was simply terribly, awfully timed. Toyota sought to sell it as a saloon to the point of disputing with us over its categorization since the market strategy was done when petrol prices were at their highest and "SUV" was a terrible word.
- 2012–2015 Toyota iQ - The iQ might have been forgiven if it had been offered at half the price, but it wasn't; it was the same price as a fully equipped Toyota Corolla. Sales of the iQ fell behind those of the Smart in its debut year, with just under 9,000 units sold. This decline continued every year until Toyota gave up in 2015.
Innovations
The automated loom invention was sold to the British business Platt Brothers in 1929, providing the seed money for the creation of automobiles.
The Toyota Corolla, the all-time best-selling vehicle in the world, was developed in the 1960s as a result of Toyota taking advantage of a rapidly expanding Japanese middle class to sell automobiles to. The robust economy also allowed for worldwide growth that would enable Toyota to become one of the major automakers in the world, the largest corporation in Japan, and the ninth largest business in the world by revenue by December 2020. In 2012, when it announced the manufacturing of its 200 millionth car, Toyota made history by becoming the first automaker in the world to create more than 10 million automobiles annually.
By the beginning of the 1980s, Toyota won its first Japanese Quality Control Award and started competing in a broad range of motorsports.
The first mass-produced gasoline-electric hybrid vehicle, the Toyota Prius, made its debut in December 1997.
Safety and reliability
Toyota vehicles have a well-earned reputation for dependability. They generally survive for many years and miles with little mechanical issues. Toyota automobiles with more than 200,000 miles on the odometer and 20 years on the road are not uncommon. Toyota was also awarded the most dependable automaker by Consumer Reports.
Resale value is another advantage of Toyota cars' strong dependability. They maintain their worth better than the majority of other car manufacturers due to fewer mechanical faults and other dependability concerns.
Problems and customer complaints
Toyota recalled millions of cars between 2009 and 2011 in response to allegations that a number of drivers had experienced unexpected acceleration. The purpose of the recalls was to stop a floor mat on the front driver's side from sliding into the foot pedal well and trapping the pedals, as well as to fix any potential mechanical sticking of the accelerator pedal. Toyota was sued for bodily harm and wrongful death agreed to pay $1 billion to resolve a class action lawsuit to reimburse owners for lost resale value and agreed to pay a US$1.2 billion criminal fine to the US government over allegations that it had knowingly concealed information about safety flaws and made false statements. At least 37 people were killed in crashes allegedly caused by unintended acceleration. Nearly 9 million cars and trucks were also recalled.
Electric models
The Toyota Motor Company started looking into electric cars (EVs) in the late 1960s and introduced its first EV, the Toyota EV1, in 1997. The Toyota RAV4 EV and Toyota Prius EV were released in 1998 and 2000, respectively, as successors to the EV1. Toyota has since launched a number of additional electric vehicles, including the Toyota Highlander Hybrid EV in 2007 and the Toyota Camry Hybrid EV in 2004.
By 2025, there will be around 70 electric automobiles on the market worldwide. Carbon neutrality will be objective by 2050. Internal combustion engines and batteries are used to power the overwhelming majority of Toyota's current electric vehicle sales.
Explore the electric options from Toyota lineups:
- Hybrid - Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV) combine a petrol engine with one or more electric motors to provide the most power and efficiency.
- Plug-In Hybrid - Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV) function similarly to hybrid vehicles but may go farther on electric power alone due to a bigger battery pack.
- Fuel Cell Electric - Storage hydrogen is transported to the fuel cell stack, where it reacts with atmospheric oxygen to produce energy that drives the engine.
- All-Electric - Electric motors, rather than combustion engines, are used in these all-electric cars to provide torque that is smooth and almost immediate.