Тойота на японском языке как пишется

Toyota Motor Corporation トヨタ自動車株式会社
Год основания	1937 год
Основатели	Киитиро Тоёда
Ключевые фигуры	Фудзио Чо (председатель правления) Акио Тоёда (президент)
Тип	Публичная компания
Девиз компании	Управляй мечтой (Россия), Drive Your Dreams. 人、社会、地球の新しい未来へ。(Япония)
Расположение	Япония: Тоёта, префектура Айти
Листинг на бирже	TYO: 7203.T, NYSE: TM, LSE: TYT
Отрасль	Производство автомобилей
Продукция	Легковые и коммерческие автомобили, автобусы Toyota, Scion
Дочерние компании	Toyota Financial Services Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd. Hino Motors, Ltd. DENSO Toyota Industries
Число сотрудников	286,0 тыс. человек (+7,3 %)
Оборот	▲ ¥21,03 трлн или USD $179 млрд (2006 год, +13,4 %)
Чистая прибыль	▲ USD $11,7 млрд (2006 год, +7,1 %)
Веб-сайт	www.toyota.co.jp

Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC, яп. トヨタ自動車株式会社, Тоёта Дзидо́ся Кабусикигайся, TYO: 7203.T, NYSE: TM, LSE: TYT) или Toyota — крупнейшая японская автомобилестроительная корпорация, также предоставляющая финансовые услуги и имеющая несколько дополнительных направлений в бизнесе. Штаб-квартира — в городе Тоёта, префектура Айти (Япония).

Toyota Motor Corporation является основным членом Toyota Group. С этой компанией в основном ассоциируется бренд Toyota. Логотип компании изображает стилизованную ткацкую петлю и связан с тем, что свою деятельность компания начинала с выпуска автоматических ткацких станков.

История

В 1933 году компания по производству автоматических ткацких станков Toyoda Automatic Loom Works создала новое отделение, специализирующееся на производстве автомобилей; его руководителем стал Киитиро Тоёда. В 1929 году Киитиро Тоёда совершил поездки в Европу и США для изучения автомобильной промышленности и в 1930 году приступил к разработке автомобилей с бензиновым двигателем. Правительство Японии всячески поощряло такую инициативу компании Toyoda Automatic Loom Works. В 1934 году компания произвела свой первый двигатель типа А, который был использован в первой модели пассажирского автомобиля А1 в мае 1935 года и в грузовике G1 в августе 1935 года. Производство пассажирского авто модели АА началось в 1936 году. Ранние модели напоминали уже существовавшие модели Dodge Power Wagon и Chevrolet.

Toyota Motor Co., Ltd. была основана в качестве самостоятельной компании в 1937 году. Несмотря на то, что фамилия основателей компании звучит как Тойода, для упрощения произношения и в качестве символа отделения деловой деятельности от семейной жизни, компании было решено дать имя «Тойота». В Японии название «Тойота» (トヨタ) считается более удачным названием, чем «Тойода» (豊田), так как 8 считается числом, приносящим удачу, а слово «Тойота», написанное катаканой (японской азбукой) как раз состоит из 8 черт.

Во время Второй мировой войны компания практически занималась только производством грузовиков для Японской императорской армии. Из-за строгого дефицита в тогдашней Японии военные грузовики делались в самых упрощенных вариантах, например, с одной фарой. Некоторые считают, что война быстро закончилась из-за бомбардировок союзников в городе Аити, уничтоживших заводы Toyota.

После войны в 1947 году начался выпуск коммерческих пассажирских авто модели SA. В 1950 году была создана отдельная компания по продажам — Toyota Motor Sales Co. (она просуществовала до июля 1982 года). В апреле 1956 года была создана дилерская сеть Toyopet. В 1957 году Toyota Crown стал первым японским автомобилем, экспортируемым в Америку (не только в США, но и в Бразилию).

Тойота начала расширяться быстрыми темпами в 1960-е годы. Первый автомобиль марки «Тойота», произведённый за пределами Японии, вышел с конвейера в апреле 1963 года в городе Мельбурн, в Австралии.

В мае 2009 года компания завершила финансовый год с убытками^[1]. Этого не было с 1950 года.

Собственники и руководство

Основные владельцы акций компании на декабрь 2008 года: The Master Trust Bank of Japan (6,29 %), Japan Trustee Services Bank (6,29 %), Toyota Industries Corporation (5,81 %), 9 % — казначейские акции^[2].

Председатель правления компании — Фудзио Чо. Президент — Акио Тоёда^[3].

Деятельность

Компания выпускает пассажирские, грузовые автомобили и автобусы под брендами Toyota, Lexus, Scion, Daihatsu, Hino.

За 2005—2006 финансовый год, закончившийся 31 марта 2006 года, корпорация продала 7,97 млн автомобилей. Выручка за этот период составила $190,3 млрд, операционная прибыль — $16,9 млрд, чистая прибыль — $12,3 млрд.

В 2008 году Toyota продала 8,972 млн автомобилей.

Крупнейший автопроизводитель в мире

В I квартале 2007 Toyota Motor впервые выпустила и продала больше автомобилей, чем General Motors. 24 апреля японская компания сообщила, что выпустила в I квартале 2,37 млн автомобилей и продала 2,35 млн. Таким образом, она впервые опередила GM, у которой соответствующие показатели составили 2,34 млн и 2,26 млн машин.^[4]

Toyota в России

В 1998 году компания открыла московское представительство Toyota Motor Corporation. Затем, в связи с динамичным развитием автомобильного рынка, было принято решение о создании национальной компании по маркетингу и продажам ООО «Тойота Мотор».

С 1 апреля 2003 года ООО «Тойота Мотор» начало свое функционирование на территории России.

В апреле 2005 года Toyota подписала соглашение с Минэкономразвития России и администрацией Санкт-Петербурга о строительстве в городе (промзона Шушары) автомобильного завода. Производство было открыто 21 декабря 2007 года; на первом этапе завод будет выпускать 20 тысяч автомобилей класса «Е» Toyota Camry в год для внутреннего российского рынка (в дальнейшем возможны поставки на экспорт). В дальнейшем объём производства будет увеличен до 50 тысяч автомобилей в год, а в перспективе — до 200—300 тысяч машин. Объём инвестиций в проект расценивается на уровне около $150 млн.^[5][6] В 2009 году Toyota Motor заморозит план строительства новых заводов в России на фоне спада глобального спроса на автомобили. Об этом сообщает агентство Reuters со ссылкой на субботнее издание японской газеты Sankei^[7].

Руководители завода Тойота:

2005-2008

Генеральный директор завода Масааки Мидзукава, его заместитель Итиро Тиба.^[8]

с 1 марта 2008 года

Генеральный директор завода — Мицуаки Сугимори.^[9].

Продажи новых автомобилей через сеть официальных дилеров в России ^{[10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20]}:

	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008
	3 мес.	6 мес.	9 мес.	Итого	3 мес.	6 мес.	9 мес.	Итого	3 мес.	6 мес.	9 мес.	Итого	3 мес.	6 мес.	9 мес.	Итого	3 мес.	6 мес.	9 мес.	Итого
Yaris				н.п.				н.п.	229	1 125	1 776	2 714	920	2 256		4 775				5 693
Auris				н.в.				н.в.				н.в.	11	3 774		10 908				19 342
Corolla	2 976	5 390	8 746	12 973	4 231	10 505	16 982	22 442	4 680	12 866	23 019	31 222	10 345	22 584		38 942			47 260	63 986
Corolla Verso				н.п.	−	−	230	402	236	661	987	1 228	242	559		1 039				923
Avensis	н.д.	2 902	4 330	6 092	1 455	4 301	6 367	8 612	2 290	5 866	9 112	13 140	3 834	10 529		20 843				19 337
Camry	1 651	4 545	6 873	9 797	2 203	6 417	9 914	12 860	2 039	6 804	12 060	18 099	4 081	11 921		26 358			21 640	28 029
RAV4	1 090	2 664	4 406	6 156	1 268	3 596	4 977	6 335	2 346	5 445	8 589	12 030	5 058	10 704		22 856				22 918
Land Cruiser Prado	773	1 573	2 252	3 667	1 049	2 421	3 354	4 449	1 466	3 753	5 888	8 382	2 552	5 431		11 542				16 236
Land Cruiser 100	949	2 212	3 551	4 964	1 007	2 355	3 448	5 314	1 696	4 171	6 443	8 502	2 243	4 360		6 425
Land Cruiser 200				н.в.				н.в.				н.в.				н.в.				12 388
Hiace				н.п.	7	62	145	224	46	148	259	372	82	213
Всего:	9 213	19 404	30 323	43 649	11 220	29 798	45 417	60 638	15 028	40 839	68 133	95 689	29 368	72 331		144 975			144 547	188 866

н.п. — не продавался в России
н.в. — не выпускался
н.д. — нет данных
Прим.: при несовпадении данных по количеству проданных автомобилей в разных отчетах, брались данные из более новых.

Экологичные технологии

Гибридные технологии.

Toyota Motor активно продвигает гибридные технологии на автомобильный рынок и является первой компанией, начавшей массовое производство и продажу гибридных автомобилей (Toyota Prius). Позднее компания стала комплектовать гибридной силовой установкой модели Camry, а позже и Lexus. Компания назвала собственную гибридную технологию «Hybrid Synergy Drive», а для линии Lexus это название звучит как «Lexus Hybrid Drive». Модель Prius стала самой продаваемой в США. Тойота сейчас имеет три линии гибридных авто, основанных на системе «Hybrid Synergy Drive»: Prius, Highlander и Camry. Популярный минивэн Toyota Sienna в гибридной версии планируется к выпуску на 2010 году, а к 2030 году компания планирует перевести на «Hybrid Synergy Drive» всю линейку своей продукции.

Электромобили.

После того, как компания General Motors заявила о своих планах по созданию электромобиля Chevrolet Volt, Toyota Motor заявила о своём намерении начать разработку аналога. Сейчас компания испытывает «Toyota Plug-in HV’ в Японии, США и Европе. Аналогично Chevrolet Volt, эта модель основана на аккумуляторе типа Li-ion. Считается, что электромобиль менее пагубно влияет на окружающую среду, нежели автомобили на гибридном двигателе.

Девизы компании по странам

Toyota в автоспорте

Ралли

NASCAR

Формула 1 (F1)

В 2002 году Toyota начала участвовать в гонках Формулы 1 с Toyota Team Europe, базирующейся в Кёльне, Германия. Несмотря на огромный бюджет, команда не показывала тех результатов, которые от нее ждали болельщики.

В 2004 году был нанят проектировщик Майк Гаскойн. Но из-за невысоких результатов и различий с управлением по мнению о том, как команда должна прогрессировать, он был освобожден от своего контракта в середине сезона 2006.

В настоящее время пилотами команды являются Ярно Трулли и Тимо Глок.

С 2007 года Toyota поставляет свои двигатели команде Williams.

Принципы ведения бизнеса

Основная статья: Toyota: 14 принципов ведения бизнеса

14 принципов менеджмента в компании Тойота (Toyota Production System)

1. Принимай управленческие решения с учётом долгосрочной перспективы, даже если это наносит ущерб краткосрочным финансовым целям.
2. Процесс в виде непрерывного потока способствует выявлению проблем.
3. Используй «вытягивающую» схему, чтобы избежать перепроизводства. Организация работы производства требует, чтобы потребитель получил то, что ему требуется, в нужное время и в нужном количестве.
4. Выравнивай объёмы работ. Для того, чтобы создать правильное бережливое производство и добиться улучшение качества обслуживания, нужно выровнять график производства, не всегда строго следуя порядку поступления заказов.
5. Останавливай производство, если того требует качество.
6. Стандартные задачи и делегирование полномочий сотрудникам — основа непрерывного совершенствования.
7. Используй визуальный контроль, чтобы ни одна проблема не осталась незамеченной.
8. Используй только надёжную, испытанную технологию.
9. Воспитывай лидеров, которые досконально знают своё дело, исповедуют философию компании и могут научить этому других.
10. Воспитывай незаурядных людей и формируй команды, исповедующие корпоративную философию.
11. Уважай своих партнёров и поставщиков, ставь перед ними трудные задачи и помогай совершенствоваться.
12. Хочешь разобраться в ситуации — посмотри на всё своими глазами.
13. Принимай решение не торопясь, взвесив все возможные варианты.
14. Сделай свою компанию обучающейся организацией за счёт неустанного анализа и непрерывного совершенствования.

Кароси

Кароси (過労死) — смерть на работе от усталости. Впервые отмечена в 1969 году у 29-летнего сотрудника японской газетной компании.

В компании Toyota также встречаются случаи «кароси»: в июле 2008 года в возрасте 45 лет умер инженер, разрабатывающий гибридный Camry, в январе 2006 года умер сотрудник компании на Авто-шоу в Детройте, и т. д.^[21]

Примечания

См. также

• Toyota Group
• Toyota: 14 принципов ведения бизнеса
• Toyota Prius
• Список автомобилей Тойота
• Hino

Ссылки

• Официальный сайт компании(рус.)
• Официальный сайт компании(англ.)

Toyota Motor Corporation
Подразделения	Toyota Group • Toyota Labs • Toyota Motor Corporation • Toyota Housing
Бренды	Toyota • Scion • Hino Motors • (FHI 8.9%) • (5.9%)
Текущие модели	4Runner • Allion • Alphard • Aurion • Auris • Avalon • Avanza • Avensis • Aygo • bB • Belta • Blade • Brevis • Caldina • Camry • Camry Hybrid • Camry Solara • Century • Coaster • Comfort • Corolla • Crown •Crown Majesta • Dyna • Estima • FJ Cruiser • Fortuner • Harrier • Harrier Hybrid • Hiace • Highlander • Highlander Hybrid • Hilux • Hilux Surf • Hilux SW4 • Innova • Ipsum • iQ • Isis • Ist • Kijang • Kluger • Land Cruiser • Land Cruiser Prado • Liteace • Matrix • Mark II Blit • Mark X • MR-S • Noah • Passo • Porte • Premio • Previa • Prius • Probox • Progrés • Qualis • QuickDelivery • Ractis • Raum • RAV4 • RegiusAce • Reiz • Revo • Rush • Sequoia • Sienna • Sienta • Succeed • Tacoma • Tarago • TownAce • ToyoAce • Tundra • Vellfire • Venza • Vios • Vitz • Voxy • WISH • Yaris
Прошлые модели	2000 GT • AA • Allex • Altezza • Aristo • Cami • Carina • Carina ED • Cavalier • Celica • Celsior • Chaser • Classic • Corolla Levin (AE86) • Corona • Cressida • Cynos • DA90 • DA115 • Duet • Echo • FJ40 • FJ70 • Fun Cargo • G1 • Granvia • Lexcen • Mark II • Mega Cruiser • MR2 • Opa • Origin • Paseo • Picnic • Platz • Pronard • Publica • S800 • SA • Sera • Soarer • Sprinter Trueno (AE86) • Starlet • Stout • Supra • T100 • Tamaraw • Tercel • Van • Verossa • Vista • Voltz • WiLL • Windom
Концепт-кары	Alessandro Volta • CS&S • Camry TS-01 • eCom • F3R • FINE-N • FINE-S • FT-HS • FT-SX • FTX • i-swing • i-unit • Motor Triathlon Race Car • NLSV • PM • Pod • RSC • Sportivo Coupe
Кэйрэцу	DENSO • Aisin Seiki Co. • Koito
Двигатели • Трансмиссии • Hybrid Synergy Drive • Toyota Racing Development

Состав индекса TOPIX 100
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Свое название корпорация «Тойота» получила от имени создателя Сакити Тоёда. Наименования моделей выбираются из разных языков, часто претерпевая небольшие изменения ради красивого звучания. А споры о том, что означает значок «Тойота», не утихают и сегодня.

История бренда TOYOTA

Начало крупнейшей мировой корпорации в автомобилестроении положил Сакити Тоёда в 1924 году, запатентовав автоматический ткацкий станок. Сын продолжил дело отца, открыв в 1933 году новое направление – автомобилестроение. В 1937 г. в качестве отдельного производства выделилась «Тойота мотор корпорейшн».

Американская бомбардировка в годы Второй Мировой войны разрушила заводы «Тойоты». Но выпуск автомобилей удалось быстро восстановить, и уже в 1947 году с конвейера завода сошли новые семейные авто Toyopet SA. В начале 2007 года компания была признана первой по числу выпущенных автомобилей, обогнав действующего чемпиона «Дженерал Моторс».

Об имени, логотипе, эмблеме

За почти 100-летнюю историю имя и символика компании менялись несколько раз. Нет единого мнения, что изображено на эмблеме и что означает логотип «Тойоты».

Как переводится и что означает слово «Тойота»

Первоначально корпорация носила название «Тойода», что дословно переводится как «урожайное рисовое поле». Произошедшая смена названия с «Тоёда» на «Тоёта» была вызвана верой японцев в число «8», приносящее удачу (написание слова «Toyota» на катакане состоит из 8 черточек). Еще одной причиной стало стремление уйти от ассоциации с сельским хозяйством.

Слово «Тойота» означает лишь саму компанию, так как в японском языке записывается на катакане, а не иероглифами. Слоги японского алфавита передают только звучание и не имеют перевода. Поэтому слово «Тойота» переводится как имя собственное – «Тойота».

Значение и история эмблемы

Эмблема корпорации – три перекрещивающихся овала – появилась в 1979 году. Есть несколько интерпретаций символа. Две версии происхождения – дань прошлому корпорации. По одной из них значок «Тойоты» означает нить, вставляемую в игольное ушко, или ткацкую петлю.

По другой трактовке символ «Тойота» означает единство производителя, партнеров и клиентов или сердце покупателя, современные технологии и качество продукции. Ряд людей находит в овалах зашифрованные буквы «Toyota».

Знак обновлялся один раз, в 2004 году. Плоские овалы получили объем, а цвет (серебристый металлик) большую глубину.

Логотипы «Тойоты» разных годов

За время существования компании логотип «Тойоты» представал в семи формах:

• красный прямоугольник с белыми буквами «TOYODA» на фоне синего кристалла;
• красный круг с белой окантовкой, внутри которого на катакане белым написана фамилия основателя;
• зеленый круг с белой каймой и буквой «Т» по центру;
• надпись «TOYOTA», оформленная как российский дорожный знак «Начало населенного пункта»;
• красная надпись «TOYOTA»;
• предыдущий вариант, дополненный эмблемой перед наименованием.

С 1989 года логотип корпорации состоит из латинского наименования «TOYOTA» и расположенной над ним эмблемы. Цветовая схема –  бело-красная. Размещенный на корпусе товара логотип «Тойоты» означает, что продукция прошла строгий контроль и является образцовым экземпляром.

Как переводятся и что означают названия автомобилей «Тойота»

Названия марок Toyota берет из разных языков: японского, английского, итальянского, испанского, португальского, французского, русского, немецкого, греческого и латыни.

B-сегмент

Небольшие машины (3,7-4,2 м) для городской среды. Разделение условное. Авто в кузове седан может относится к B-классу, но та же модель хэтчбек будет считаться уже С-классом.

IST

Перевести «IST» на русский язык, используя одно слово, не представляется возможным. Суффикс обозначает творческого, увлеченного человека (художника, артиста и т.п.).

С-сегмент

Класс небольших семейных машин, выполненных в кузове седан, хэтчбек или универсал.

Auris

Мнения о происхождении названия «Аурис» разделились. По одной версии, в основу имени легло слово Aura («аура», англ.), по другой, Aurum («золото», лат.). Первая серийная машина, представленная на Парижском автосалоне, была выкрашена в золотой цвет.

Corolla

Название пришло из биологии, «королла» обозначает «венчик» – лепестки цветка, составляющие внутреннее кольцо. Corolla является королем продаж: число выпущенных машин так велико, что модель включили в Книгу рекордов Гиннесса.

В России больше прижилось название «корова».

Vista

С английского «Виста» переводится как «перспектива». Название возникло в связи с присутствием у «Вист» старшей сестры – «Тойоты Камри». Модели развивались связно с момента выпуска первого авто Vista в 1982 году и до 1998 года, когда Camry выделилась в отдельную ветвь.

D-сегмент

Семейные автомобили большого размера, чаще выполненные в кузове седан и универсал (реже – хэтчбек).

Avensis

Название «Авенсис» пришло от французского «Avancer» («двигаться вперед»). Инженеры «Тойоты» хотели подчеркнуть, что новая модель превосходит предшественника и готова открыть владельцу новые горизонты.

Е-сегмент

Машины бизнес-класса. Чаще выпускаются в виде седанов, реже попадаются универсалы.

Camry

Слово «камри» представляет собой транскрипцию иероглифа «канмури», означающего «небольшая корона». Модель получила мировое призвание. Одна из возможных причин популярности – сравнительно низкая цена запчастей.

Cresta

Испанское «креста» означает «гребень», «пик». Некоторым владельцам значок «Крест» напоминает самурайские шлемы.

Другой вариант названия связан с позиционированием модели как роскошного седана бизнес-класса, занимающего вершину автомобильной эволюции тех времен.

Chaser

В переводе с английского «чайзер» означает «охотник». Модель официально не экспортировалась в другие страны, но встречается на дорогах России. Автомобиль популярен среди любителей автоспорта, так как изначально производится в спортивном стиле.

F-сегмент

Крупнейшие легковые автомобили с повышенной комфортностью, относящиеся к высшему классу (люкс).

Crown

Еще одна модель с королевским именем: на латыни «краун» («кроун») означает «корона». Название подчеркивает элитность и люксовость модели, хотя первоначально автомобили проектировались под такси.

J-сегмент

Внедорожники, в числе характерных черт которых полный привод и увеличенный дорожный просвет.

Fortuner

«Фортунер», или «счастливчик», разработанный в Тайланде, первоначально не планировался для выпуска на мировой рынок. На территории «Свободной страны» Fortuner завоевал звание самого продаваемого автомобиля SUV-класса.

Harrier

«Харриер», или «лунь», в экспортном варианте известен как Lexus RX. На эмблеме изображена хищная птица. В русском языке машина приобрела имя «хорек» из-за схожести звучания иноязычного наименования модели со зверьком.

Land Cruiser Prado

В дословном переводе «ленд крузер прадо» звучит как «наземный луговой крейсер». Автомобиль проектировался для жителей небольших деревень, фермеров и других работников, занятых в сельском хозяйстве.

RAV 4

Название «РАВ 4» состоит аббревиатуры «RAV», которая расшифровывается: Recreation («отдых»), Active («активный»), Vehicle («транспорт»), и цифры «четыре», символично обозначающей полный привод. Позиционируется как молодежный внедорожник для активного отдыха и спорта.

Venza

Одна из немногих моделей «Тойота», которая никак не переводится с японского на русский. Первоначально проектировались под американский рынок. Поставки «Венз» в Россию производились с 2013 по 2016 год. В 2020 г. ожидается обновление модели и ее возврат в автосалоны.

M-сегмент

Минивэн или универсал повышенной проходимости представляет собой легковой транспорт с бескапотной компоновкой.

Ipsum

Слово «ипсум» в переводе с латинского означает «себя». Почему для названия модели не был взят номинативный падеж «ipse» («сам») остается загадкой.

На европейском рынке Ipsum известен под названием Picnic, что выглядит логичнее, поскольку вместительный автомобиль идеален для путешествий на природу большой компанией.

Lite Ace

«Лит айс», или «легкий козырь», как и весь М-сегмент, предназначен для путешествий. В некоторых комплектациях имеется подключаемый полный привод.

Nadia

Название «Надия» не требует перевода, поскольку пошло от знакомого имени «Надя». По легенде, японский конструктор дал машине имя возлюбленной, с которой познакомился в Москве. В Nadia нет резких и угловатых форм, все элементы выполнены плавными и изящными.

Noah

Перевод «Ноах» отсылает к библейским сказаниям, а именно к известному персонажу – Ною. Внешне модель и правда чем-то напоминает ковчег. У «Ноя» есть пара братьев-близнецов: Voxy («Вокси») и Esquire («Эсквайр»).

Ractis

Считается, что слово «рактис» произошло от слегка видоизмененного «ракета», намекающего на быстроту модели. Но представители класса М не считаются динамичными машинами. «Рактис», в зависимости от комплектации, способен разогнаться до сотни за 13,7-12,1 секунду.

WISH

Английское «виш» переводится на русский язык как «желание». Небольшой минивэн официально в Россию не поставляется. Встречается на дорогах Дальнего Востока. Приобрести WISH хотят многие автолюбители России.

Пикап

В европейской классификации пикапу места не нашлось. Большой и прожорливый автомобиль с закрытой кабиной и открытой легковой площадкой в большей степени симпатизирует жителям Северной Америки.

Hilux

Название «Хайлюкс» произошло от слияния двух английских слов: «High» («высокий») и «Lux» («роскошь»). Неубиваемая машина с отличной ремонтопригодностью сочетает комфорт и удобство, оправдывая свое имя.

Для многих автомобилистов логотип и значок «Тойоты» означает знак качества. Концерн продолжает выпуск новых моделей. Впереди ждут новые загадки имен.

This article is about the Japanese car manufacturer. For other uses, see Toyota (disambiguation).

Toyota Motor Corporation

File:Toyota carlogo.png
File:Toyota Headquarter Toyota City.jpg Headquarters in Toyota, Japan
Native name	トヨタ自動車株式会社
Romanized name	Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
Type	Public (Kabushiki gaisha)
Traded as	TYO: 7203 Template:NAG NYSE: TM Template:LSE Nikkei 225 component TOPIX Core30 component
ISIN	JP3633400001
Industry	Automotive
Founded	August 28, 1937; 85 years ago
Founder	Kiichiro Toyoda
Headquarters	Toyota City, Aichi , Japan
Area served	Worldwide
Key people	Takeshi Uchiyamada (Chairman) Shigeru Hayakawa (Vice chairman) Akio Toyoda (President)
Production output	9,472,556 (FY21) 9,213,195 (2020)
Services	Banking, financing, leasing
Revenue	¥27,214,594 million US$256.7 billion (FY21)
Operating income	¥2,197,748 million (FY21)
Net income	¥2,282,378 million (FY21)
Total assets	¥62,267,140 million US$562 billion (FY21)
Total equity	¥24,288,329 million (FY21)
Number of employees	366,283 (FY21)
Parent	Toyota Group
Divisions	Toyota Lexus Ranz Scion (defunct)
Subsidiaries	Daihatsu Denso (25%) FAW Toyota (China, 50%) GAC Toyota (China, 50%) Hino Motors Toyota Argentina Toyota Auto Body Toyota Financial Services Toyota Motor Corporation Australia Toyota Motor Europe Toyota Motor East Japan Toyota Motor Kyushu Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indonesia (95%) Toyota Motor North America Toyota Motor Philippines Toyota Motor Thailand (86%) Toyota South Africa Motors
Website	global.toyota
Footnotes / references Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21) is April 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021. References:[1][2]

Toyota Motor Corporation (Japanese: トヨタ自動車株式会社, Hepburn: Toyota Jidōsha kabushiki gaisha, IPA: [toꜜjota], English /tɔɪˈoʊtə/, commonly known as simply Toyota) is a Japanese multinational automotive manufacturer headquartered in Toyota City, Aichi, Japan. It was founded by Kiichiro Toyoda and incorporated on August 28, 1937. Toyota is one of the largest automobile manufacturers in the world, producing about 10 million vehicles per year.

The company was as a spinoff of Toyota Industries, a machine maker started by Sakichi Toyoda, Kiichiro’s father. Both companies are now part of the Toyota Group, one of the largest conglomerates in the world. While still a department of Toyota Industries, the company developed its first product, the Type A engine in 1934 and its first passenger car in 1936, the Toyota AA.

After World War II, Toyota benefited from Japan’s alliance with the United States to learn from American automakers and other companies, which would give rise to The Toyota Way (a management philosophy) and the Toyota Production System (a lean manufacturing practice) that would transform the small company into a leader in the industry and would be the subject of many academic studies.

In the 1960s, Toyota took advantage of a rapidly growing Japanese economy to sell cars to a growing middle-class, leading to the development of the Toyota Corolla, which would go on to become the world’s all-time best-selling automobile. The booming economy also funded an international expansion that would allow Toyota to grow into one of the largest automakers in the world, the largest company in Japan and the ninth-largest company in the world by revenue, as of December 2020
. Toyota was the world’s first automobile manufacturer to produce more than 10 million vehicles per year, a record set in 2012, when it also reported the production of its 200 millionth vehicle.

Toyota was praised for being a leader in the development and sales of more fuel efficient hybrid electric vehicles, starting with the introduction of the Toyota Prius in 1997. The company now sells more than 40 hybrid vehicle models around the world. However, more recently, the company has also been accused of greenwashing for its skepticism of all-electric vehicles and its focus on the development of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, like the Toyota Mirai, a technology that is costlier and has fallen far behind electric batteries.

Toyota Motor Corporation produces vehicles under five brands: Daihatsu, Hino, Lexus, Ranz and the namesake Toyota. The company also holds a 20% stake in Subaru Corporation, a 5.1% stake in Mazda, a 4.9% stake in Suzuki, a 4.6% stake in Isuzu, a 3.8% stake in Yamaha Motor Corporation, and a 2.8% stake in Panasonic, as well as stakes in vehicle manufacturing joint-ventures in China (GAC Toyota and FAW Toyota), the Czech Republic (TPCA), India (Toyota Kirloskar) and the United States (MTMUS).

Toyota is listed on the London Stock Exchange, Nagoya Stock Exchange, New York Stock Exchange and on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, where its stock is a component of the Nikkei 225 and TOPIX Core30 indices.

History

Main article: History of Toyota

1920s–1930s

File:Toyota Loom Mass Production Bertel Schmitt.jpg

In 1924, Sakichi Toyoda invented the Toyoda Model G Automatic Loom. The principle of jidoka, which means the machine stops itself when a problem occurs, became later a part of the Toyota Production System. Looms were built on a small production line. In 1929, the patent for the automatic loom was sold to the British company Platt Brothers,^[3] generating the starting capital for automobile development.^[4]

The production of Toyota automobiles was started in 1933 as a division of Toyoda Automatic Loom Works devoted to the production of automobiles under the direction of the founder’s son, Kiichiro Toyoda.^[5] Its first vehicles were the A1 passenger car and the G1 truck in 1935. The Toyota Motor Company was established as an independent company in 1937.

File:Toyoda Standard Sedan AA 1936 Bertel Schmitt.jpg

Vehicles were originally sold under the name «Toyoda» (トヨダ), from the family name of the company’s founder, Kiichirō Toyoda. In April 1936, Toyoda’s first passenger car, the Model AA, was completed. The sales price was 3,350 yen, 400 yen cheaper than Ford or GM cars.^[6]

In September 1936, the company ran a public competition to design a new logo. Of 27,000 entries, the winning entry was the three Japanese katakana letters for «Toyoda» in a circle. However, Rizaburo Toyoda, who had married into the family and was not born with that name, preferred «Toyota» (トヨタ) because it took eight brush strokes (a lucky number) to write in Japanese, was visually simpler (leaving off the diacritic at the end), and with a voiceless consonant instead of a voiced one (voiced consonants are considered to have a «murky» or «muddy» sound compared to voiceless consonants, which are «clear»).

Since toyoda literally means «fertile rice paddies», changing the name also prevented the company from being associated with old-fashioned farming. The newly formed word was trademarked and the company was registered in August 1937 as the Toyota Motor Company.^[7][8][9]

The Japanese government supported the company by preventing foreign competitors Ford and General Motors from importing automobiles into Japan.^[10]

1940s

Japan was heavily damaged in World War II and Toyota’s plants, which were used for the war effort, were not spared. On 14 August 1945, one day before the surrender of Japan, Toyota’s Koromo Plant was bombed by the Allied forces.^[11] After the surrender, the U.S.-led occupying forces banned passenger car production in Japan. However, automakers like Toyota were allowed to begin building trucks for civilian use, in an effort to rebuild the nation’s infrastructure.^[12] The U.S. military also contracted with Toyota to repair its vehicles.^[13]

By 1947, there was an emerging global Cold War between the Soviet Union and the U.S., who had been allies in World War II. U.S. priorities shifted (the «Reverse Course«) from punishing and reforming Japan to ensuring internal political stability, rebuilding the economy, and, to an extent, remilitarizing Japan. Under these new policies, in 1949, Japanese automakers were allowed to resume passenger car production, but at the same time, a new economic stabilization program to control inflation plunged the automotive industry into a serious shortage of funds, while many truck owners defaulted on their loans.^[14] Ultimately, the Bank of Japan, the central bank of the country, bailed out the company, with demands that the company institute reforms.^[15]

1950s

As the 1950s began, Toyota emerged from its financial crisis a smaller company, closing factories and laying off workers. At about the same time, the Korean War broke out, and being located so close to the battlefront, the U.S. Army placed an order for 1,000 trucks from Toyota. The order helped to rapidly improve the struggling company’s business performance.^[16] In 1950, company executives, including Kiichiro’s cousin Eiji Toyoda, took a trip to the United States where they trained at the Ford Motor Company and observed the operations of dozens of U.S. manufacturers.^[17] The knowledge they gained during the trip, along with what the company learned making looms, would give rise to The Toyota Way (a management philosophy) and the Toyota Production System (a lean manufacturing practice) that would transform the company into a leader in the manufacturing industry.^[18]

File:1955 Toyopet Crown 03.jpg

Toyota started developing it’s first full-fledged passenger car, the Toyopet Crown, in January 1952. Prior to the Crown, Toyota had been outsourcing the design and manufacturing of auto bodies, which were then mounted on truck frames made by Toyota.^[19] The project was a major test for Toyota, who would need to build bodies and develop a new chassis that would be comfortable, but still stand up to the muddy, slow, unpaved roads common in Japan at the time.^[19] The project had been championed for many years by founder Kiichiro Toyoda, who died suddenly on March 27, 1952. The first prototypes were completed in June 1953 and began extensive testing, before the Crown went on sale in August 1955.^[20] The car was met with positive reviews from around the world.

After the introduction of the Crown, Toyota began aggressively expanding into the export market. Toyota began shipping Land Cruiser knock-down kits to Latin America in November 1955,^[21] sending complete Land Cruisers to Burma (now Myanmar) and the Philippines in 1956 as part of war reparations provided by the Japanese government,^[22] establishing a branch in Thailand in June 1957,^[23] and shipping Land Cruisers to Australia in August 1957.^[22] Toyota established a production facility in Brazil in 1958, the company’s first outside of Japan.^[24]

Toyota entered the United States market in July 1958, attempting to sell the Toyopet Crown. The company faced problems almost immediately, the Crown was a flop in the U.S. with buyers finding it overpriced and underpowered (because it was designed for the bad roads of Japan, not high-speed performance). In response, exports of the Crown to the United States were suspended in December 1960.^[25]

After Kiichiro’s death, his cousin Eiji Toyoda would later become the leader of the company. Eiji helped establish the company’s first plant independent from the Loom Works plant.^[26] He would go on to lead the company for the next two decades.

1960s–1980s

At the start of the 1960s, the Japanese economy was booming, a period that came to be known as the Japanese economic miracle. As the economy grew, so did the income of everyday people, who now could afford to purchase a vehicle. At the same time, the Japanese government heavily invested in improving road infrastructure.^[27] To take advantage of the moment, Toyota and other automakers started offering affordable economy cars like the Toyota Corolla, which would go on to become the world’s all-time best-selling automobile.^[28][29]

Toyota also found success in the United States in 1965 with the Toyota Corona compact car, which was redesigned specifically for the American market with a more powerful engine. The Corona helped increase U.S. sales of Toyota vehicles to more than 20,000 units in 1966 (a threefold increase) and helped the company become the third-best-selling import brand in the United States by 1967. Toyota’s first manufacturing investment in the United States came in 1972 when the company struck a deal with Atlas Fabricators, to produce truck beds in Long Beach, in an effort to avoid the 25% «chicken tax» on imported light trucks. By importing the truck as an incomplete chassis cab (the truck without a bed), the vehicle only faced a 4% tariff.^[30] Once in the United States, Atlas would build the truck beds and attach them to the trucks. The partnership was successful and two years later, Toyota purchased Atlas.^[31]

The energy crisis of the 1970s was a major turning point in the American auto industry. Before the crisis, large and heavy vehicles with powerful but inefficient engines were common. But in the years after, consumers started demanding high-quality and fuel-efficient small cars. Domestic automakers, in the midst of their malaise era, struggled to build these cars profitably, but foreign automakers like Toyota were well positioned. This, along with growing anti-Japanese sentiment, prompted the U.S. Congress to consider import restrictions to protect the domestic auto industry.

The 1960’s also saw the slight opening of the Japanese auto market to foreign companies. In an effort to strengthen Japan’s auto industry ahead of the market opening, Toyota purchased stakes in other Japanese automakers. That included a stake in Hino Motors, a manufacturer of large commercial trucks, buses and diesel engines, along with a 16.8 percent stake in Daihatsu, a manufacturer of kei cars, the smallest highway-legal passenger vehicles sold in Japan.^[32] That would begin what would become a long-standing partnership between Toyota and the two companies. As part of the partnership, Daihatsu would supply kei cars for Toyota to sell and to a lesser extent Toyota would supply full-sized cars for Daihatsu to sell (a process known as rebadging), allowing both companies to sell a full line-up of vehicles.

1980s

File:1987 Toyota Corolla (AE82) CS sedan (2015-11-11) 01.jpg

After the successes of the 1970s, and the threats of import restrictions, Toyota started making additional investments in the North American market in the 1980s. In 1981, Japan agreed to voluntary export restraints, which limited the number of vehicles the nation would send to the United States each year, leading Toyota to establish assembly plants in North America. The U.S. government also closed the loophole that allowed Toyota to pay lower taxes by building truck beds in America.

Also in 1981, Eiji Toyoda stepped down as president and assumed the title of chairman. He was succeeded as president by Shoichiro Toyoda, the son of the company’s founder.^[26] Within months, Shoichiro started to merge Toyota’s sales and production organizations, and in 1982 the combined companies became the Toyota Motor Corporation. The two groups were described as «oil and water» and it took years of leadership from Shoichiro to successfully combine them into one organization.^[33]

Efforts to open a Toyota assembly plant in the United States started in 1980, with the company proposing a joint-venture with the Ford Motor Company. Those talks broke down in July 1981.^[34] Eventually in 1984, the company struck a deal with General Motors (GM) to establish a joint-venture vehicle manufacturing plant called NUMMI (New United Motor Manufacturing, Inc.) in Fremont, California.^[35] GM saw the joint venture as a way to get access to a quality small car and an opportunity to learn about The Toyota Way and the Toyota Production System. For Toyota, the factory gave the company its first manufacturing base in North America allowing it to avoid any future tariffs on imported vehicles and saw GM as a partner who could show them how to navigate the American labor environment. The plant would be led by Tatsuro Toyoda, the younger brother of company president Shoichiro Toyoda.^[36] The first Toyota assembled in America, a white Corolla, rolled off the line at NUMMI on October 7, 1986.^[37]

Toyota received its first Japanese Quality Control Award at the start of the 1980s and began participating in a wide variety of motorsports. Conservative Toyota held on to rear-wheel-drive designs for longer than most; while a clear first in overall production they were only third in production of front-wheel-drive cars in 1983, behind Nissan and Honda. In part due to this, Nissan’s Sunny managed to squeeze by the Corolla in numbers built that year.^[38]

File:Lexus LS 400 UCF10 I.jpg

Before the decade was out, Toyota introduced Lexus, a new division that was formed to market and service luxury vehicles in international markets. Prior to the debut of Lexus, Toyota’s two existing flagship models, the Crown and Century, both catered exclusively for the Japanese market and had little global appeal that could compete with international luxury brands such as Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Jaguar. The company had been developing the brand and vehicles in secret since August 1983, at a cost of over US$1 billion.^[39][40] The LS 400 flagship full-size sedan debuted in 1989 to strong sales, and was largely responsible for the successful launch of the Lexus marque.

1990s

File:Toyota Supra SZ (A80) front.jpg

In the 1990s, Toyota began to branch out from producing mostly compact cars by adding many larger and more luxurious vehicles to its lineup, including a full-sized pickup, the T100 (and later the Tundra), several lines of SUVs, a sport version of the Camry, known as the Camry Solara. They would also launch newer iterations of their sports cars, namely the MR2, Celica, and Supra during this era.

December 1997 saw the introduction of the first-generation Toyota Prius, the first mass-produced gasoline-electric hybrid car.^[41] The vehicle would be produced exclusively for the Japanese market for the first two years.

With a major presence in Europe, due to the success of Toyota Team Europe racing, the corporation decided to set up Toyota Motor Europe Marketing and Engineering, TMME, to help market vehicles in the continent. Two years later, Toyota set up a base in the United Kingdom, TMUK, as the company’s cars had become very popular among British drivers. Bases in Indiana, Virginia, and Tianjin were also set up.

Toyota also increased it’s ownership of Daihatsu during this period. In 1995, Toyota increased its shareholding in the company to 33.4 percent, giving Toyota the ability to veto shareholder resolutions at the annual meeting.^[32] In 1998, Toyota increased its holding in the company to 51.2 percent, becoming the majority shareholder.^[42]

On September 29, 1999, the company decided to list itself on the New York and London Stock Exchanges.

The later half of the 1990s would also see the Toyoda brothers step back from the company their father had founded. In 1992, Shoichiro Toyoda would shift to become chairman, allowing his brother Tatsuro to become president, a job he held until his retirement in 1995.^[36] Shoichiro would step down as Chairman in 1999. Both would retain honorary advisory roles in the company. Hiroshi Okuda would lead the company as President from 1995 until 1999 when he became Chairman and the President’s office would be filled by Fujio Cho.

2000s

In 2001, Toyo Trust and Banking, which was part of the Toyota Motor Corporation, merged with Sanwa Bank and Tokai Bank to form UFJ Bank (United Financial of Japan Bank). UFJ was one of the largest shareholders of Toyota and the Chairman of Toyota was a director on the UFJ board. The bank would later be accused by Japan’s government of corruption, making bad loans to alleged Yakuza crime syndicates, and blocking Financial Service Agency inspections.^[43] After the scandal broke, three UFJ executives were indicted and the bank was listed among Fortune Magazine‘s largest money-losing corporations in the world.^[44] On October 1, 2005 the beleaguered bank merged with the Mitsubishi Tokyo Financial Group to form the Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group.

In August 2000, exports began of the Prius.^[41] In 2001, Toyota acquired it’s long time partner, truck and bus manufacturer Hino Motors. In 2002, Toyota entered Formula One competition and established a manufacturing joint venture in France with French automakers Citroën and Peugeot. A youth-oriented marque for North America, Scion, was introduced in 2003. Toyota ranked eighth on Forbes 2000 list of the world’s leading companies for the year 2005.^[45] Also in 2005, Fujio Cho would shift to become chairman of Toyota and would be replaced as president by Katsuaki Watanabe.

In 2007, Toyota released an update of its full-sized truck, the Tundra, produced in two American factories, one in Texas and one in Indiana. Motor Trend named the Tundra «Truck of the Year», and the 2007 Toyota Camry «Car of the Year» for 2007. It also began the construction of two new factories, one in Woodstock, Ontario, Canada, and the other in Blue Springs, Mississippi, USA.

The company was number one in global automobile sales for the first quarter of 2008.^[46]

Toyota was hit by the global financial crisis of 2008 as it was forced in December 2008 to forecast its first annual loss in 70 years.^[47] In January 2009, it announced the closure of all of its Japanese plants for 11 days to reduce output and stocks of unsold vehicles.^[48]

Between 2009 and 2011, Toyota conducted recalls of millions of vehicles after reports that several drivers experienced unintended acceleration. The recalls were to prevent a front driver’s side floor mat from sliding into the foot pedal well, causing the pedals to become trapped and to correct the possible mechanical sticking of the accelerator pedal.^[49] At least 37 were killed in crashes allegedly related to unintended acceleration,^[50] approximately 9 million cars and trucks were recalled,^[51] Toyota was sued for personal injuries and wrongful deaths,^[52] paid US$1 billion to settle a class action lawsuit to compensate owners for lost resale value,^[53] and paid a US$1.2 billion criminal penalty to the United States government over accusations that it had intentionally hid information about safety defects and had made deceptive statements to protect its brand image.^[54]

File:Akio Toyoda.jpg

Amid the unintended acceleration scandal, Katsuaki Watanabe stepped down as company president. He was replaced by Akio Toyoda, grandson of company founder Kiichiro Toyoda, on June 23, 2009. Akio had been with Toyota since 1984, working jobs in production, marketing and product development, and took a seat on the board of directors in 2000.^[55] Akio’s promotion by the board marked the return of a member of the Toyoda family to the top leadership role for the first time since 1999.^[56]

2010s

In 2011, Toyota, along with large parts of the Japanese automotive industry, suffered from a series of natural disasters. The 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami led to a severe disruption of the supplier base and a drop in production and exports.^[57][58] Severe flooding during the 2011 monsoon season in Thailand affected Japanese automakers that had chosen Thailand as a production base. Toyota is estimated to have lost production of 150,000 units to the tsunami and production of 240,000 units to the floods.

On February 10, 2014, it was announced that Toyota would cease manufacturing vehicles and engines in Australia by the end of 2017.^[59][60] The decision was based on the unfavourable Australian dollar making exports not viable, the high cost of local manufacture, and the high amount of competition in a relatively small local market.^[60] The company planned to consolidate its corporate functions in Melbourne by the end of 2017, and retain its Altona plant for other functions. The workforce is expected to be reduced from 3,900 to 1,300.^[61] Both Ford Motor Company and General Motors (Holden) followed suit, ending Australian production in 2016 and 2017 respectively.

The automaker narrowly topped global sales for the first half of 2014, selling 5.1 million vehicles in the six months ending June 30, 2014, an increase of 3.8% on the same period the previous year. Volkswagen AG, which recorded sales of 5.07 million vehicles, was close behind.^[62]

In August 2014, Toyota announced it would be cutting its spare-parts prices in China by up to 35%. The company admitted the move was in response to a probe foreshadowed earlier in the month by China’s National Development and Reform Commission of Toyota’s Lexus spare-parts policies, as part of an industry-wide investigation into what the Chinese regulator considers exorbitantly high prices being charged by automakers for spare parts and after-sales servicing.^[63]

In November 2015, the company announced that it would invest US$1 billion over the next 5 years into artificial intelligence and robotics research.^[64] In 2016, Toyota invested in Uber.^[65] In 2020, a corporate governance report showed that Toyota owns 10.25 million shares of Uber, which was valued at $292.46 million as of March 30, 2020. According to Reuters, this was roughly 0.6 per cent of Uber’s outstanding shares.^[66]

In March 2016, Toyota partnered with Yanmar to create a fiberglass pleasure boat using Yanmar outboard marine diesel engines or Toyota inboard engines.^[67]

In August 2016, the company purchased all remaining assets of Daihatsu, making the manufacturer of small cars a wholly owned subsidiary of Toyota.^[68]

On August 27, 2018, Toyota announced an investment of US$500 million in Uber‘s autonomous cars.^[69]

2020s

By 2020, Toyota reclaimed its position as the largest automaker in the world, surpassing Volkswagen.^[70] It sold 9.528 million vehicles globally despite an 11.3% drop in sales due to the COVID-19 pandemic.^[70] This includes subsidiaries Daihatsu and Hino Motors.^[70][71]

In March 2021, Toyota, its subsidiary Hino, and Isuzu announced the creation of a strategic partnership between the three companies. Toyota acquired a 4.6% stake in Isuzu while the latter plans to acquire Toyota shares for an equivalent value. The three companies said they would form a new joint venture by April called Commercial Japan Partnership Technologies Corporation with the aim of developing fuel cell and electric light trucks. Toyota would own an 80% stake in the venture while Hino and Isuzu would own 10% each.^[72]

In April 2021, Toyota said that it will buy Lyft‘s self-driving technology unit for $550 million and merge it with its newly created Woven Planet automation division.^[73]

In June 2021, the company defended its donations to United States Republican lawmakers after they voted against certifying the results of the 2020 presidential election, saying it did not believe it was «appropriate to judge members of Congress» for that one vote.^[74] A report by Axios found that Toyota was the top donor to 2020 election objectors, by a substantial margin.^[75] The company then reversed course in July 2021 and ceased donations to election objectors, releasing a statement saying it understood that its PAC’s donations to those objectors, which far outpaced those of any other company, «troubled some stakeholders.»^[76]

Toyota will increase its software engineer intake to around 40% to 50% of all technical hires from the second quarter of 2022, the move plans to address a transformation to so-called CASE — connected, autonomous, shared and electric — technologies in an environment of intensifying global competition.^[77]

Product line

Further information: List of Toyota vehicles

As of 2009, Toyota officially lists approximately 70 different models sold under its namesake brand, including sedans, coupes, vans, trucks, hybrids, and crossovers.^[78] Many of these models are produced as passenger sedans, which range from the subcompact Toyota Yaris, compact Corolla, to mid-size Camry and full-size Avalon.^[78] Vans include the Innova, Alphard/Vellfire, Sienna, and others.^[78] Several small cars, such as the xB and tC, were sold under the Scion brand.^[78]

SUVs and crossovers

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Toyota SUV and crossover line-up grew quickly in the late 2010s to 2020s due to the market shift to SUVs. Toyota crossovers range from the subcompact Yaris Cross and CH-R, compact Corolla Cross and RAV4, to midsize Harrier/Venza and Kluger/Highlander.^[78] Other crossovers include the Raize, Urban Cruiser.^[79] Toyota SUVs range from the midsize Fortuner to full-size Land Cruiser.^[78] Other SUVs include the Rush, Prado, FJ Cruiser, 4Runner, and Sequoia.^[78]

Pickup trucks

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Toyota first entered the pickup truck market in 1947 with the SB that was only sold in Japan and limited Asian markets. It was followed in 1954 by the RK (renamed in 1959 as the Stout) and in 1968 by the compact Hilux. With continued refinement, the Hilux (simply known as the Pickup in some markets) became famous for being extremely durable and reliable.^[80] Extended cab and crew cab versions were eventually added, and Toyota continues to produce them today under various names depending on the market in various cab lengths, with gasoline or diesel engines, and 2WD and 4WD versions.

In the United States, the Hilux became a major model for the company, leading the company to launch the Tacoma in 1995.^[81] The Tacoma was based on the Hilux, but with a design intended to better suit the needs of US consumers who often use pickup trucks as personal vehicles. The design was a success and the Tacoma became the best-selling compact pickup in America.

After the success of its compact Hilux pickups in the US, Toyota decided to enter the full-size pickup market, which was traditionally dominated by domestic automakers. The company introduced the T100 for the 1993 US model year. The T100 had a full-size 8-foot (2.4 m) long bed, but suspension and engine characteristics were similar to that of a compact pickup. Sales were disappointing and the T100 was criticized for having a small V6 engine (especially compared to the V8 engines common in American full-size trucks), lacking an extended-cab version, being too small, and too expensive (because of the 25% tariff on imported trucks).^[82] In 1995, Toyota added the more powerful V6 engine from the new Tacoma to the T100 and also added an extended cab version.^[82] In 1999, Toyota replaced the T100 with the larger Tundra, which would be built in the US with a V8 engine and styling that more closely matched other American full-size trucks.^[83]

Luxury vehicles

See also: Lexus

File:2012 Toyota Crown-Royal 01.jpg

In the Japanese home market, Toyota has two flagship models: the Crown premium sedan and the Century limousine.

In the 1980s, Toyota wanted to expand its luxury car offerings but realized that existing Japanese-market flagship models had little global appeal and could not compete with established brands such as Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Jaguar or the Acura and Infiniti marquees being launched by Japanese competitors.

Before the decade was out, Toyota introduced Lexus, a new division that was formed to market and service luxury vehicles in markets outside of Japan. The company developed the brand and its vehicles in secret since August 1983, at a cost of over US$1 billion.^[39][40] The Lexus LS flagship full-size sedan debuted in 1989 to strong sales, and was largely responsible for the successful launch of the Lexus marque. Subsequently, the division added sedan, coupé, convertible and SUV models.

The Lexus brand was introduced to the Japanese market in 2005, previously all vehicles marketed internationally as Lexus from 1989 to 2005 were released in Japan under the Toyota marque.

Buses

The Toyota Coaster is a minibus introduced in 1969 that seats 17 passengers. The Coaster is widely used in Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Australia, but also in the developing world for minibus operators in Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, the Caribbean, and South America to operate as public transportation.

Technology

Hybrid electric vehicles

Main articles: Hybrid Synergy Drive, Hybrid electric vehicle, and Toyota Prius

File:2018 Toyota Prius (facelift).jpg

Toyota is the world’s leader in sales of hybrid electric vehicles, one of the largest companies to encourage the mass-market adoption of hybrid vehicles across the globe, and the first to commercially mass-produce and sell such vehicles, with the introduction of the Toyota Prius in 1997.^[84][85] The company’s series hybrid technology is called Hybrid Synergy Drive, and it was later applied to many vehicles in Toyota’s product lineup, starting first with the Camry and the technology was also brought to the brought the luxury Lexus division.

As of January 2020
, Toyota Motor Corporation sells 44 Toyota and Lexus hybrid passenger car models in over 90 countries and regions around the world, and the carmaker has sold over 15 million hybrid vehicles since 1997.^[86] The Prius family is the world’s top-selling hybrid gasoline-electric vehicle nameplate with almost 4 million units sold worldwide as of January 2017.^[86]

Besides the Prius, Toyota’s current hybrid lineup includes the Alphard/Vellfire, Avalon, Aqua/Prius c, Camry, C-HR, Corolla/Allion/Auris/Levin, Corolla Cross, Crown, Harrier/Venza, Highlander/Kluger, RAV4/Wildlander, Sienna, Sienta, Voxy/Noah/Esquire, and Yaris. The Lexus hybrid lineup consists of the CT, ES, IS, LC, LM, LS, NX, RC, RX, and UX

Plug-in hybrids

Main articles: Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid and Toyota RAV4 Prime

File:2017 Toyota Prius Prime front 6.20.18.jpg

The Prius Plug-In Hybrid Concept was exhibited in late 2009, and shortly after, a global demonstration program involving 600 pre-production test cars began. The vehicles were leased to fleet and government customers, and were equipped with data tracking devices to allow Toyota to monitor the car’s performance. The vehicle was based on the third generation Toyota Prius and outfitted with two additional lithium-ion batteries beyond the normal hybrid battery pack.^[87] The additional batteries were used to operate the car with minimal use of the internal combustion engine until they are depleted, at which point they are disengaged from the system. They are not used in tandem with the main hybrid battery pack.

After the conclusion of the demonstration program, the production version of the Prius Plug-in Hybrid was unveiled in September 2011. The production Prius Plug-in had a maximum electric-only speed of 100 km/h (62 mph), and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rated the vehicle as having an range of 18 kilometres (11 mi) in blended mode (mostly electric, but supplemented by the internal combustion engine).^[88] Toyota ultimately only did a small production run with 75,400 vehicles being produced between 2012 and 2016.^[89]

The second-generation Prius Plug-in (renamed the Prius Prime in the USA) was unveiled in early 2016.^[90] Unlike the prior generation, where the plug-in battery was limited by being added to the existing Prius, this model would be developed in tandem with the fourth generation Prius allowing Toyota to increase the range to 40 kilometres (25 mi), with a top speed of 135 km/h (84 mph), without needing the assistance of the internal combustion engine.^[91] The second-generation Prius Plug-in went on sale starting in late 2016, with Toyota expecting to sell up to 60,000 units globally per year.^[92]

A second plug-in hybrid model, the Toyota RAV4 PHV (RAV4 Prime in the USA) was unveiled in December 2019. The vehicle has an EPA-estimated 68 kilometres (42 mi) of all-electric range and generates a combined 225 kilowatts (302 hp), enabling it to be Toyota’s second fastest car currently in production (behind the GR Supra sports car).^[93] Sales started in mid-2020.

All-electric vehicles

See also: Toyota RAV4 EV and Toyota iQ EV

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Toyota has been slow to adopt all-electric vehicles to its lineup, and has been publicly skeptical about battery-electric technology, and has lobbied against government mandates to transition to zero tailpipe emission vehicles.^[94]

Toyota’s first all-electric vehicle was made in response to one of those government mandates. The company created the first generation Toyota RAV4 EV after the California Air Resources Board mandated in the late 1990s that every automaker offer a zero-emissions vehicle.^[95][96] A total of 1,484 were leased and/or sold in California from 1997 to 2003, when the state dropped its mandate under legal pressure from lawsuits filed by automakers. At the lessees’ request, many units were sold after the vehicle was discontinued.^[97] As of mid-2012, there were almost 500 units still in use.^[98]

A second generation of the RAV4 EV was developed in 2010 as part of a deal with then-fledgling automaker Tesla, and shortly after, a demonstration program involving 35 pre-production test cars began. Tesla supplied the lithium metal-oxide battery and other powertrain components based on components from the Roadster.^[99][100] The production version was unveiled in August 2012, using battery pack, electronics and powertrain components from the Tesla Model S sedan (also launched in 2012).^[101] The RAV4 EV had a limited production run which resulted in just under 3,000 vehicles being produced, before it was discontinued in 2014.^[102][103] According to Bloomberg News, the partnership between Tesla and Toyota was «marred by clashes between engineers».^[104]

Starting in 2009, Toyota introduced three generations of concept electric vehicles called the FT-EV built on a modified Toyota iQ platform. In late-2012, the company announced plans build a production version of the car called the Toyota iQ EV (Scion iQ EV in the US, Toyota eQ in Japan),^[105] but ultimately production was cut back to 100 cars for special fleet use in Japan and the U.S. only.^[106]

In late 2012, Toyota announced that it would back away from fully electric vehicles, after producing less than 5,000. At the time, the company’s vice chairman, Takeshi Uchiyamada, said: «The current capabilities of electric vehicles do not meet society’s needs, whether it may be the distance the cars can run, or the costs, or how it takes a long time to charge.» Toyota’s emphasis would be re-focused on the hybrids and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.^[106][22]

Toyota’s next production all-electric car wouldn’t come until late 2020, when it introduced the C+pod, a 2-seater kei car with an estimated range of 100 kilometres (62 mi) and a top speed of 60 kilometres per hour (37 mph).^[107][108]

In April 2021, Toyota revealed the bZ4X, an electric crossover SUV which will be the first vehicle built on an electrified version of the Toyota New Global Architecture platform called e-TNGA when it went on sale in mid-2022.^[109] Toyota says the bZ4X is the first model of the bZ («beyond Zero») series of battery electric vehicles.^[110]

Hydrogen fuel-cell

File:Toyota MIRAI Z»Executive Package» (ZBA-JPD20-CEDHS(E)) front.jpg

See also: Toyota Mirai

In 2002, Toyota began a development and demonstration program to test the Toyota FCHV, a hybrid hydrogen fuel cell vehicle based on the Toyota Highlander production SUV. Toyota also built a FCHV bus based on the Hino Blue Ribbon City low-floor bus.^[111][112] Toyota has built several prototypes/concepts of the FCHV since 1997, including the Toyota FCHV-1, FCHV-2, FCHV-3, FCHV-4, and Toyota FCHV-adv. The Toyota FCV-R fuel cell concept car was unveiled at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show. The FCV-R sedan seats four and has a fuel cell stack including a 70 MPa high-pressure hydrogen tank, which can deliver a range of 435 mi (700 km) under the Japanese JC08 test cycle. Toyota said the car was planned for launch in about 2015.^[113]

In August 2012, Toyota announced its plans to start retail sales of a hydrogen fuel-cell sedan in California in 2015. Toyota expects to become a leader in this technology.^[114] The prototype of its first hydrogen fuel cell vehicle will be exhibited at the November 2013 Tokyo Motor Show, and in the United States at the January 2014 Consumer Electronics Show.^[115]

Toyota’s first hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles to be sold commercially, the Toyota Mirai (Japanese for «future»), was unveiled at the November 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show.^[116] In January 2015, it was announced that production of the Mirai fuel cell vehicle would increase from 700 units in 2015 to approximately 2,000 in 2016 and 3,000 in 2017.^[117] Sales in Japan began on December 15, 2014, at a price of ¥6,700,000 (~US$57,400). The Japanese government plans to support the commercialization of fuel-cell vehicles with a subsidy of ¥2,000,000 (~US$19,600).^[118] Retail sales in the U.S. began in August 2015 at a price of US$57,500 before any government incentives. Initially, the Mirai will only be available in California.^[119][120] The market release in Europe is slated for September 2015, and initially will be available only in the UK, Germany, and Denmark, followed by other countries in 2017. Pricing in Germany starts at €60,000 (~US$75,140) plus VAT (€78,540).^[121]

In 2015, Toyota released 5,600 patents for free use until 2020, hoping to promote global development of hydrogen fuel-cell technology.^{[122][123][124][125]}

Autonomous vehicles

File:Toyota e-Palette.jpg

Toyota is regarded as being behind in smart car technology and in need of innovation.^[126] Although the company Toyota unveiled its first self-driving test vehicle in 2017, and has been developing its own self-driving technology named «Chauffeur» (intended for full self-driving) and «Guardian» (a driver assist system), neither of these has been introduced into any production vehicles.^[127]

The company had setup a large research and development operation by 2018, spending almost US$4 billion to start an autonomous vehicle research institute in California’s Silicon Valley^[126] and another ¥300 billion on a similar research institute in Tokyo that would partner with fellow Toyota Group companies and automotive suppliers Aisin Seiki and Denso.^[128][129]

Toyota has also been collaborating with autonomous vehicle technology developers and, in some cases, purchasing the companies. Toyota has acquired the autonomous vehicle division of ride-hailing service Lyft for $550 million dollars,^[130] invested a total of US$1 billion in competing ride-hailing service Uber‘s self-driving vehicle division,^[131][132] invested $400 million in autonomous vehicle technology company Pony.ai,^[133] and announced a partnership with Chinese electronics e-commerce company Cogobuy to build a «Smart Car Ecosystem.»^[134]

In December 2020 Toyota showcased the 20-passenger «e-Palette» shared autonomous vehicle, which was used at the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games.^[135][136] Toyota has announced it intends to have the vehicle available for commercial applications before 2025.^[137]

Since February 2021, Toyota has been building the sensor-laden “Woven City» which it calls a «175-acre high tech, sensor-laden metropolis» at the foot of Mt. Fuji. When completed in 2024 the Woven City will be used to run tests on autonomous vehicles for deliveries, transport and mobile shops with the city’s residents participating in the living laboratory experiment.^[138][139]

Motorsports

File:Toyota, Paris Motor Show 2018, Paris (1Y7A1780).jpg

Main article: Toyota in motorsport

See also: Toyota Gazoo Racing and Toyota Racing Development

Toyota has been involved in many global motorsports series, providing vehicles, engines and other auto parts under both the Toyota and Lexus brands.

Toyota Gazoo Racing (GR) is responsible for participation in many of the world’s major motorsports contests. Toyota Gazoo Racing Europe competes in the European Le Mans Series, the FIA World Endurance Championship and the World Rally Championship (Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT team). Toyota Gazoo Racing South Africa competes in the Dakar Rally. Between 2002 and 2009, the Toyota Racing team competed in Formula One. Toyota won the 2018 24 Hours of Le Mans, 2019 24 Hours of Le Mans, and 2020 24 Hours of Le Mans with a Toyota TS050 Hybrid.

Toyota Racing Development USA (TRD USA) is responsible for participation in major motorsports contests in the United States including NASCAR, NHRA, Indy Racing League and Formula Drift.

Toyota also makes engines and other auto parts for other Japanese motorsports including Super Formula, Super GT, Formula 3, and Toyota Racing Series.

Non-automotive activities

Aerospace

Toyota is a minority shareholder in Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation, having invested US$67.2 million in the new venture which will produce the Mitsubishi Regional Jet, slated for first deliveries in 2017.^[140] Toyota has also studied participation in the general aviation market and contracted with Scaled Composites to produce a proof of concept aircraft, the TAA-1, in 2002.^[141][142]

Pleasure boats

In 1997, building on a previous partnership with Yamaha Marine, Toyota created «Toyota Marine»,^[143] building private ownership motorboats, currently sold only in Japan. A small network in Japan sells the luxury craft at 54 locations, called the «Toyota Ponam» series, and in 2017, a boat was labeled under the Lexus brand name starting May 26, 2017.^[144]

Philanthropy

File:Toyota museum 026.JPG

Toyota supports a variety of philanthropic work in areas such as education, conservation, safety, and disaster relief.

Some of the organizations that Toyota has worked with in the US include the American Red Cross, the Boys and Girls Club, Leaders in Environmental Action for the Future (LEAF), and the National Center for Family Literacy.^[145]

The Toyota USA Foundation exists to support education in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.^[146]

In addition, Toyota works with nonprofits to improve their processes and operations such as the Food Bank For New York City.^[147][148]

Toyota also supports a variety of work in Japan.^[149]

The Toyota Foundation takes a global perspective providing grants in the three areas of human and natural environments, social welfare, and education and culture.^[150]

Higher education

Toyota established the Toyota Technological Institute in 1981, as Sakichi Toyoda had planned to establish a university as soon as he and Toyota became successful. Toyota Technological Institute founded the Toyota Technological Institute at Chicago in 2003. Toyota is supporter of the Toyota Driving Expectations Program, Toyota Youth for Understanding Summer Exchange Scholarship Program, Toyota International Teacher Program, Toyota TAPESTRY, Toyota Community Scholars (scholarship for high school students), United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Internship Program, and Toyota Funded Scholarship.^[151] It has contributed to a number of local education and scholarship programs for the University of Kentucky, Indiana, and others.^[151]

Robotics

Main article: Toyota Partner Robot

File:Toyota Robot at Toyota Kaikan.jpg

In 2004, Toyota showcased its trumpet-playing robot.^[152] Toyota has been developing multitask robots destined for elderly care, manufacturing, and entertainment. A specific example of Toyota’s involvement in robotics for the elderly is the Brain Machine Interface. Designed for use with wheelchairs, it «allows a person to control an electric wheelchair accurately, almost in real-time», with his or her mind.^[153] The thought controls allow the wheelchair to go left, right, and forward with a delay between thought and movement of just 125 milliseconds.^[153] Toyota also played a part in the development of Kirobo, a ‘robotic astronaut’.

In 2017, the company introduced T-HR3, a humanoid robot with the ability to be remotely controlled. The robot can copy the motions of a connected person. The 2017 version used wires for the connection but the 2018 version used 5G from a distance up to 10 km.^[154][155]

Agricultural biotechnology

Toyota invests in several small start-up businesses and partnerships in biotechnology, including:

• P.T. Toyota Bio Indonesia in Lampung, Indonesia
• Australian Afforestation Pty. Ltd. in Western Australia and Southern Australia
• Toyota Floritech Co., Ltd. in Rokkasho-Mura, Kamikita District, Aomori Prefecture
• Sichuan Toyota Nitan Development Co., Ltd. in Sichuan, China
• Toyota Roof Garden Corporation in Miyoshi-Cho, Aichi Prefecture

Sewing machine brand

Aisin, another member of the Toyota Group of companies, uses the same Toyota wordmark logo to market its home-use sewing machines. Aisin was founded by Kiichiro Toyoda after he founded the Toyota Motor Corporation. According to Aisin, he was so pleased with the first sewing machine, he decided to apply the same Toyota branding as his auto business, despite the companies being independent from each other.^[156]

Controversies

Death from overwork

See also: Karōshi

On February 9, 2002, Kenichi Uchino, aged 30 years, a quality control manager, collapsed then died at work.^[157][158] On January 2, 2006, an unnamed chief engineer of the Camry Hybrid, aged 45 years, died from heart failure in his bed.^[157]

Fines for environmental breaches

In 2003, Toyota was fined $34M for violating the United States Clean Air Act.^[159]

In January 2021, Toyota was fined $180M for violating U.S. emissions regulations from 2005 to 2015.^{[160][161][162]} At the time, this was the biggest civil penalty ever levied for violating United States Environmental Protection Agency emission reporting requirements.^[160][161]

2009–2011 unintended acceleration recalls

See also: 2009–2011 Toyota vehicle recalls

Between 2009 and 2011 Toyota, under pressure from the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), conducted recalls of millions of vehicles after reports that several drivers experienced unintended acceleration. The first recall, in November 2009, was to prevent a front driver’s side floor mat from sliding into the foot pedal well, causing the pedals to become trapped. The second recall, in January 2010, was begun after some crashes were shown not to have been caused by floor mats and may be caused by possible mechanical sticking of the accelerator pedal.^[49] Worldwide, approximately 9 million cars and trucks were impacted by the recalls.^[51]

NHTSA received reports of a total of 37 deaths allegedly related to unintended acceleration, although an exact number was never verified.^[50] As a result of the problems, Toyota faced nearly 100 lawsuits from the families of those killed, drivers who were injured, vehicle owners who lost resale value, and investors who saw a drop in the value of their shares. While most of the personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits were settled confidentially,^[52] Toyota did spend more than US$1 billion to settle a class action lawsuit to compensate owners for lost resale value,^[53] and the company agreed to pay a US$1.2 billion criminal penalty to the United States government over accusations that it had intentionally hid information about safety defects from the public and had made deceptive statements to protect its brand image. The penalty was the largest ever levied against a car company.^[54]

Takata airbag recalls

See also: Takata airbag recalls

Toyota, like nearly every other automobile manufacturer, was impacted by the recall of faulty airbag inflators made by Takata. The inflators can explode, shooting metal fragments into the vehicle cabin. Millions of vehicles produced between 2000 and 2014 were impacted by the recall, with some needing multiple repairs.^[163][164]

June 2010 Chinese labour strike

On June 21, 2010, a Chinese labor strike happened in Tianjin Toyoda Gosei Co, Tianjin. Toyoda Gosei Co supplies parts to Tianjin FAW Toyota Motor Co.^[165]

Opposition to California’s fuel efficiency standards

In October 2019, Toyota backed the Trump Administration’s proposal that federal authority should override California’s ability to set its own emissions standards for automobiles. The proposal would reduce California’s 2025 fuel efficiency standard from about 54.5 to 37 MPG.^[166] This shift by Toyota away from fuel efficiency damaged the company’s reputation as a green brand.^[167][160]

Greenwashing Controversies

Toyota has repeatedly been the subject of greenwashing controversies, owing to their criticism of electric cars, while promoting hydrogen and hybrid vehicles – with the manner in which they have advertised and marketed hybrid vehicles causing particular consternation.^[168][169]

Toyota President, Akio Toyoda, has made repeated statements about electric cars, claiming that they are “Overhyped” and that “the more EVs we build, the worse carbon dioxide gets.”^[170] This stance has led Transport & Environment to rank Toyota as the least ready OEM to transition to battery electric vehicles by 2030, stating: “Toyota has not set a target for 2030 and it plans to produce just 10% BEVs in 2025. It is expected to rely on polluting hybrid technologies.^[171]”

Alongside their commitment to hybrid vehicles, Toyota has repeatedly stated its commitment to producing hydrogen cars, claiming that they will be the future of the company.^[172][173] Many journalists and environmental activists have accused Toyota of greenwashing due to their stance on hydrogen vehicles in the face of clear evidence that they are considerably less efficient than battery electric cars, and will create more greenhouse gas emissions due to energy-intensity of the hydrogen extraction process.^{[174][175][176][177]}

Self-Charging Hybrids

In 2019, Toyota launched a global campaign for its self-proclaimed ‘self-charging hybrid’ vehicles, which use fossil fuel to charge the on-board batteries in their cars, rather than using an external electricity source, as with plug-in hybrids.

The language around ‘self-charging’ hybrids caused much consumer criticism that this was misleading, as the vehicles did not self-charge, but instead required users to input fossil fuels, and these vehicles could not run on electric power alone – as was made clear during the Covid-19 pandemic, when Toyota contacted the owners of these vehicles to inform them of the need to regularly refuel the vehicles with fossil fuels.^[178][179]

Complaints about self-charging hybrid advertising were recorded in multiple countries,^[180] and in 2020 the Norwegian Consumer Authority banned the adverts outright in Norway for misleading consumers^[181]., stating: “It is misleading to give the impression that the power to the hybrid battery is free of charge, since the electricity produced by the car has consumption of gasoline as a necessary condition.”.^[182]

Later in 2020, a study by Transport & Environment^[183][184] concluded that real-world Template:CO2 emissions from hybrid vehicles were, on average, over two and a half times those of official test values.^[185][186] Another report found that even the most efficient hybrid vehicles produce at least 40-70% of the emissions of a petrol or diesel car, and will have created 15% more emissions in its manufacturer than a battery electric vehicle would have.^{[187][188][189]}

As the world’s biggest producer and marketer of hybrid vehicles, Toyota has attracted the greatest attention in the wake of these reports, given that the Japanese manufacturer plans to increase hybrid production at a time when most major manufacturers are switching to solely producing electric vehicles by 2035 due to the contribution of cars to the Climate crisis.^[190][191]

This was compounded in early 2021, when Toyota was fined a record $180 million for failing to comply with the Clean Air Act’s emissions reporting requirements from 2005-2015.^{[192][193][194]}

Misleading Marketing

Toyota has also drawn negative attention for its marketing campaigns, which use studies funded by the manufacturer to substantiate claims about the efficiency of their vehicles.
An exposé by IrishEVs found that Toyota Ireland had paid University College Dublin to conduct a study of just seven cars over seven days to make claims about the efficiency of their hybrid vehicles.^[195][196]

Furthermore, Toyota Ireland had consistently used funded polls to substantiate claims about their Template:CO2 emissions, and their perception as a “leading brand tackling climate change in Ireland.” No data or evidence was offered to validate these claims.^[197]

Corporate affairs

File:Headquarter of Toyota Motor Corporation 4.JPG

Toyota is headquartered in the city of Toyota,^[198] which was named Koromo until 1951, when it changed its name to match the automaker. Toyota City is located in the Aichi Prefecture of Japan. The main headquarters of Toyota is located in a four-story building that has been described as «modest».^[199] In 2013, company CEO Akio Toyoda reported that it had difficulties retaining foreign employees at the headquarters due to the lack of amenities in the city.^[200]

Surrounding the headquarters are the 14-story Toyota Technical Center and the Honsha plant (which was established in 1938). Toyota and its Toyota Group affiliates operate a total of 17 manufacturing facilities in Aichi Prefecture and a total of 32 plants in Japan.

Toyota also operates offices in Bunkyo, Tokyo and Nakamura-ku, Nagoya.^[198]

Worldwide presence

Top 10 Toyota vehicle sales by country, 2019[201]
Rank in Toyota	Location	Vehicle sales
1	United States	2,383,348
2	China	1,620,698
3	Japan	1,610,169
4	Template:Country data GCC	368,433
5	Thailand	332,380
6	Indonesia	332,354
7	Canada	237,091
8	Brazil	217,430
9	Australia	215,378
10	Philippines	162,011

Top 10 Toyota vehicle production by country, 2019[201]
Rank in Toyota	Location	Vehicle production
1	Japan	3,415,864
2	China	1,404,305
3	United States	1,194,824
4	Thailand	570,852
5	Canada	467,998
6	Turkey	251,949
7	France	224,073
8	Mexico	192,983
9	Brazil	187,866
10	Indonesia	172,314

See also: List of Toyota manufacturing facilities

Outside of Japan, as one of the world’s largest automotive manufacturer by production volume, Toyota has factories in most parts of the world. The company assembles vehicles in Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, the Czech Republic, France, Indonesia, Mexico, the Philippines, Poland, Russia, South Africa, Thailand, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Venezuela.

Additionally, the company also has joint venture, licensed, or contract factories in China, France, India, Malaysia, Pakistan, Taiwan, the United States, and Vietnam.

North America

Main article: Toyota Motor North America

File:2018 Toyota Camry (ASV70R) Ascent sedan (2018-08-27) 01.jpg

Toyota Motor North America is headquartered in Plano, Texas, and operates as a holding company for all operations of the Toyota Motor Corporation in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. Toyota’s operations in North America began on October 31, 1957, and the current company was established in 2017 from the consolidation of three companies: Toyota Motor North America, Inc., which controlled Toyota’s corporate functions; Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. which handled marketing, sales, and distribution in the United States; and Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America which oversaw operations at all assembly plants in the region. While all three companies continue to exist in legal name, they operate as one company out of one headquarters campus.

Toyota has a large presence in the United States with six major assembly plants in Huntsville, Alabama, Georgetown, Kentucky, Princeton, Indiana, San Antonio, Texas, Buffalo, West Virginia, and Blue Springs, Mississippi. In 2018, Toyota and Mazda announced a joint venture plant that will produce vehicles in Huntsville, Alabama starting in 2021.^[202]

It has started producing larger trucks, such as the new Tundra, to go after the full-size pickup market in the United States. Toyota is also pushing hybrid electric vehicle in the US such as the Prius, Camry Hybrid, Highlander Hybrid, and various Lexus products. Currently, Toyota has no plans to offer diesel motor options in its North American products, including pickup trucks.^[203]

Toyota Canada Inc., which is part of Toyota Motor North America, handles marketing, sales, and distribution in Canada. Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada operates three assembly plants: two in Cambridge, Ontario and one in Woodstock, Ontario.^[204] In 2006, Toyota’s subsidiary Hino Motors opened a heavy duty truck plant, also in Woodstock, employing 45 people and producing 2,000 trucks annually.^[205]

Europe/Western Asia

Main article: Toyota Motor Europe

Toyota Motor Europe is headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, and oversees all operations of the Toyota Motor Corporation in Europe and western Asia. Toyota’s operations in Europe began in 1963. Toyota has a significant presence in the Europe with nine production facilities in Kolín, Czech Republic, Burnaston, England, Deeside, England, Onnaing, France, Jelcz-Laskowice, Poland, Wałbrzych, Poland, Ovar, Portugal, Saint Petersburg, Russia, and Arifiye, Turkey.^[206] Toyota also operates a joint venture plant with Citroën and Peugeot in Valenciennes, France.

Australia

Main article: Toyota Australia

In 1963, Australia was one of the first countries to assemble Toyotas outside Japan. However, in February 2014, Toyota was the last of Australia’s major automakers to announce the end of production in Australia. The closure of Toyota’s Australian plant was completed on October 3, 2017, and had produced a total 3,451,155 vehicles. At its peak in October 2007, Toyota manufactured 15,000 cars a month.^[207] Before Toyota, Ford and GM’s Holden had announced similar moves, all citing an unfavorable currency and attendant high manufacturing costs.^[208]

Financials

Toyota is publicly traded on the Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Fukuoka, and Sapporo exchanges under company code TYO: 7203. In Japan, Toyota’s stock is a component of the Nikkei 225 and TOPIX Core30 indices.

In addition, Toyota is foreign-listed on the New York Stock Exchange under NYSE: TM and on the London Stock Exchange under LSE: TYT.

Toyota has been publicly traded in Japan since 1949 and internationally since 1999.^[209]

Company strategy

File:Toyota Plant Ohira Sendai.jpg

The Toyota Way

Main article: The Toyota Way

The Toyota Way is a set of principles and behaviors that underlie the company’s approach to management and production (which is further defined as the Toyota Production System).

The company has been developing its corporate philosophy since 1948 and passing it on as implicit knowledge to new employees, but as the company expanded globally, leaders officially identified and defined the Toyota Way in 2001. Toyota summarized it under two main pillars: continuous improvement and respect for people. Under the continuous improvement pillar are three principals: challenge (form a long-term vision), kaizen (a continual improvement process), and genchi genbutsu («go and see» the process to make correct decisions). Under the respect for people pillar are two principals: respect and teamwork.^[210]

In 2004, Dr. Jeffrey Liker, a University of Michigan professor of industrial engineering, published The Toyota Way. In his book, Liker calls the Toyota Way «a system designed to provide the tools for people to continually improve their work.»^[211] According to Liker, there are 14 principles of The Toyota Way that can be organized into four themes: (1) long-term philosophy, (2) the right process will produce the right results, (3) add value to the organization by developing your people, and (4) continuously solving root problems drives organizational learning. The 14 principles are further defined in the Wikipedia article on The Toyota Way.

Toyota Production System

Main article: Toyota Production System

The Toyota Way also helped shape the company’s approach to production, where it was an early pioneer of what would be come to be known as lean manufacturing.^[212] The company defines the Toyota Production System under two main pillars: just-in-time^[213] (make only what is needed, only when it is needed, and only in the amount that is needed) and Jidoka^[214] (automation with a human touch).

The origin of the Toyota Production System is in dispute, with three stories of its origin: (1) that during a 1950 trip to train with the Ford Motor Company, company executives also studied the just-in-time distribution system of the grocery store company Piggly-Wiggly,^[215] (2) that they followed the writings of W. Edwards Deming,^[216] and (3) they learned the principles from a WWII US government training program (Training Within Industry).^[217]

After developing the Toyota Production System in its own facilities, the company began teaching the system to its parts suppliers in the 1990s. Other companies were interested in the instruction, and Toyota later started offering training sessions. The company also has donated the training to non-profit groups to increase their efficiency and thus ability to serve people.

Logo and branding

File:Toyota Sign Development Bertel Schmitt.jpg

In 1936, Toyota entered the passenger car market with its Model AA and held a competition to establish a new logo emphasizing speed for its new product line. After receiving 27,000 entries, one was selected that additionally resulted in a change of its moniker to «Toyota» from the family name «Toyoda», which means rice paddy. The new name was believed to sound better, and its eight-stroke count in the Japanese language was associated with wealth and good fortune. The original logo was a heavily stylized version of the katakana characters for Toyota (トヨタ).^[218]

As the company started to expand internationally in the late 1950s, the katakana character logo was supplemented by various wordmarks with the English form of the company name in all capital letters, «TOYOTA.»^[218]

Toyota introduced a worldwide logo in October 1989 to commemorate the 50th year of the company, and to differentiate it from the newly released luxury Lexus brand.^[219] The logo consists of three ovals that combine to form the letter «T», which stands for Toyota. Toyota says that the overlapping of the two perpendicular ovals inside the larger oval represents the mutually beneficial relationship and trust between the customer and the company while the larger oval surrounding both of these inner ovals represents the «global expansion of Toyota’s technology and unlimited potential for the future».^[220][221] The new logo started appearing on all printed material, advertisements, dealer signage, and most vehicles in 1990.

In countries or regions using traditional Chinese characters, e.g. Hong Kong and Taiwan, Toyota is known as «豐田».^[222] In countries using simplified Chinese characters (e.g. China, Singapore), Toyota is written as «丰田»^[223] (pronounced as Fēngtián in Mandarin Chinese and Hɔng Tshan in Minnanese). These are the same characters as the founding family’s name «Toyoda» in Japanese.

File:Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro P4250811.jpg

Toyota still uses the katakana character logo as it’s corporate emblem in Japan, including on the headquarters building,^[224] and some special edition vehicles still use the «TOYOTA» wordmark on the grille as a nod to the company’s heritage.^[225]

On July 15, 2015, the company was delegated its own generic top-level domain, .toyota.^[226]

Toyota sponsors several teams and has purchased naming rights for several venues, and even competitions, including:

• Toyota Alvark Tokyo, basketball team
• Toyota Cup
• Toyota Center, Houston, Texas
• Toyota Center, Kennewick, Washington
• Toyota Field, San Antonio, Texas
• Toyota Park, Bridgeview, Illinois
• Toyota Sports Center, El Segundo, California
• Toyota Stadium, Georgetown, Kentucky
• Toyota Stadium, Frisco, Texas

As of 2017
, Toyota is an official sponsor of Cricket Australia,^[227] the England and Wales Cricket Board^[228] and the AFL.^[229] In March 2015, Toyota became a sponsor partner for the Olympic Games, in the form of supplying vehicles and communications between vehicles until 2024.^[230]

See also

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• List of Toyota engines
• List of Toyota manufacturing facilities
• List of Toyota transmissions
• List of Toyota vehicles
• Nagoya Grampus, formerly the company’s football club and still sponsored by them
• Toyota model codes
• Toyota Verblitz, the company’s rugby team
• Toyota War, a conflict between Libya and Chad which saw a heavy use of Toyota’s pickup trucks.

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [[commons:Category:Toyota}}||Toyota Motor Corporation}}}}]].

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• Official website
• Business data for Toyota Motor Corp:
  • SEC filings

Template:Toyota cars

Template:Automotive industry in Japan

This article is about the Japanese car manufacturer. For other uses, see Toyota (disambiguation).

Toyota Motor Corporation

File:Toyota carlogo.png
File:Toyota Headquarter Toyota City.jpg Headquarters in Toyota, Japan
Native name	トヨタ自動車株式会社
Romanized name	Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
Type	Public (Kabushiki gaisha)
Traded as	TYO: 7203 Template:NAG NYSE: TM Template:LSE Nikkei 225 component TOPIX Core30 component
ISIN	JP3633400001
Industry	Automotive
Founded	August 28, 1937; 85 years ago
Founder	Kiichiro Toyoda
Headquarters	Toyota City, Aichi , Japan
Area served	Worldwide
Key people	Takeshi Uchiyamada (Chairman) Shigeru Hayakawa (Vice chairman) Akio Toyoda (President)
Production output	9,472,556 (FY21) 9,213,195 (2020)
Services	Banking, financing, leasing
Revenue	¥27,214,594 million US$256.7 billion (FY21)
Operating income	¥2,197,748 million (FY21)
Net income	¥2,282,378 million (FY21)
Total assets	¥62,267,140 million US$562 billion (FY21)
Total equity	¥24,288,329 million (FY21)
Number of employees	366,283 (FY21)
Parent	Toyota Group
Divisions	Toyota Lexus Ranz Scion (defunct)
Subsidiaries	Daihatsu Denso (25%) FAW Toyota (China, 50%) GAC Toyota (China, 50%) Hino Motors Toyota Argentina Toyota Auto Body Toyota Financial Services Toyota Motor Corporation Australia Toyota Motor Europe Toyota Motor East Japan Toyota Motor Kyushu Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indonesia (95%) Toyota Motor North America Toyota Motor Philippines Toyota Motor Thailand (86%) Toyota South Africa Motors
Website	global.toyota
Footnotes / references Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21) is April 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021. References:[1][2]

Toyota Motor Corporation (Japanese: トヨタ自動車株式会社, Hepburn: Toyota Jidōsha kabushiki gaisha, IPA: [toꜜjota], English /tɔɪˈoʊtə/, commonly known as simply Toyota) is a Japanese multinational automotive manufacturer headquartered in Toyota City, Aichi, Japan. It was founded by Kiichiro Toyoda and incorporated on August 28, 1937. Toyota is one of the largest automobile manufacturers in the world, producing about 10 million vehicles per year.

The company was as a spinoff of Toyota Industries, a machine maker started by Sakichi Toyoda, Kiichiro’s father. Both companies are now part of the Toyota Group, one of the largest conglomerates in the world. While still a department of Toyota Industries, the company developed its first product, the Type A engine in 1934 and its first passenger car in 1936, the Toyota AA.

After World War II, Toyota benefited from Japan’s alliance with the United States to learn from American automakers and other companies, which would give rise to The Toyota Way (a management philosophy) and the Toyota Production System (a lean manufacturing practice) that would transform the small company into a leader in the industry and would be the subject of many academic studies.

In the 1960s, Toyota took advantage of a rapidly growing Japanese economy to sell cars to a growing middle-class, leading to the development of the Toyota Corolla, which would go on to become the world’s all-time best-selling automobile. The booming economy also funded an international expansion that would allow Toyota to grow into one of the largest automakers in the world, the largest company in Japan and the ninth-largest company in the world by revenue, as of December 2020
. Toyota was the world’s first automobile manufacturer to produce more than 10 million vehicles per year, a record set in 2012, when it also reported the production of its 200 millionth vehicle.

Toyota was praised for being a leader in the development and sales of more fuel efficient hybrid electric vehicles, starting with the introduction of the Toyota Prius in 1997. The company now sells more than 40 hybrid vehicle models around the world. However, more recently, the company has also been accused of greenwashing for its skepticism of all-electric vehicles and its focus on the development of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, like the Toyota Mirai, a technology that is costlier and has fallen far behind electric batteries.

Toyota Motor Corporation produces vehicles under five brands: Daihatsu, Hino, Lexus, Ranz and the namesake Toyota. The company also holds a 20% stake in Subaru Corporation, a 5.1% stake in Mazda, a 4.9% stake in Suzuki, a 4.6% stake in Isuzu, a 3.8% stake in Yamaha Motor Corporation, and a 2.8% stake in Panasonic, as well as stakes in vehicle manufacturing joint-ventures in China (GAC Toyota and FAW Toyota), the Czech Republic (TPCA), India (Toyota Kirloskar) and the United States (MTMUS).

Toyota is listed on the London Stock Exchange, Nagoya Stock Exchange, New York Stock Exchange and on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, where its stock is a component of the Nikkei 225 and TOPIX Core30 indices.

History

Main article: History of Toyota

1920s–1930s

File:Toyota Loom Mass Production Bertel Schmitt.jpg

In 1924, Sakichi Toyoda invented the Toyoda Model G Automatic Loom. The principle of jidoka, which means the machine stops itself when a problem occurs, became later a part of the Toyota Production System. Looms were built on a small production line. In 1929, the patent for the automatic loom was sold to the British company Platt Brothers,^[3] generating the starting capital for automobile development.^[4]

The production of Toyota automobiles was started in 1933 as a division of Toyoda Automatic Loom Works devoted to the production of automobiles under the direction of the founder’s son, Kiichiro Toyoda.^[5] Its first vehicles were the A1 passenger car and the G1 truck in 1935. The Toyota Motor Company was established as an independent company in 1937.

File:Toyoda Standard Sedan AA 1936 Bertel Schmitt.jpg

Vehicles were originally sold under the name «Toyoda» (トヨダ), from the family name of the company’s founder, Kiichirō Toyoda. In April 1936, Toyoda’s first passenger car, the Model AA, was completed. The sales price was 3,350 yen, 400 yen cheaper than Ford or GM cars.^[6]

In September 1936, the company ran a public competition to design a new logo. Of 27,000 entries, the winning entry was the three Japanese katakana letters for «Toyoda» in a circle. However, Rizaburo Toyoda, who had married into the family and was not born with that name, preferred «Toyota» (トヨタ) because it took eight brush strokes (a lucky number) to write in Japanese, was visually simpler (leaving off the diacritic at the end), and with a voiceless consonant instead of a voiced one (voiced consonants are considered to have a «murky» or «muddy» sound compared to voiceless consonants, which are «clear»).

Since toyoda literally means «fertile rice paddies», changing the name also prevented the company from being associated with old-fashioned farming. The newly formed word was trademarked and the company was registered in August 1937 as the Toyota Motor Company.^[7][8][9]

The Japanese government supported the company by preventing foreign competitors Ford and General Motors from importing automobiles into Japan.^[10]

1940s

Japan was heavily damaged in World War II and Toyota’s plants, which were used for the war effort, were not spared. On 14 August 1945, one day before the surrender of Japan, Toyota’s Koromo Plant was bombed by the Allied forces.^[11] After the surrender, the U.S.-led occupying forces banned passenger car production in Japan. However, automakers like Toyota were allowed to begin building trucks for civilian use, in an effort to rebuild the nation’s infrastructure.^[12] The U.S. military also contracted with Toyota to repair its vehicles.^[13]

By 1947, there was an emerging global Cold War between the Soviet Union and the U.S., who had been allies in World War II. U.S. priorities shifted (the «Reverse Course«) from punishing and reforming Japan to ensuring internal political stability, rebuilding the economy, and, to an extent, remilitarizing Japan. Under these new policies, in 1949, Japanese automakers were allowed to resume passenger car production, but at the same time, a new economic stabilization program to control inflation plunged the automotive industry into a serious shortage of funds, while many truck owners defaulted on their loans.^[14] Ultimately, the Bank of Japan, the central bank of the country, bailed out the company, with demands that the company institute reforms.^[15]

1950s

As the 1950s began, Toyota emerged from its financial crisis a smaller company, closing factories and laying off workers. At about the same time, the Korean War broke out, and being located so close to the battlefront, the U.S. Army placed an order for 1,000 trucks from Toyota. The order helped to rapidly improve the struggling company’s business performance.^[16] In 1950, company executives, including Kiichiro’s cousin Eiji Toyoda, took a trip to the United States where they trained at the Ford Motor Company and observed the operations of dozens of U.S. manufacturers.^[17] The knowledge they gained during the trip, along with what the company learned making looms, would give rise to The Toyota Way (a management philosophy) and the Toyota Production System (a lean manufacturing practice) that would transform the company into a leader in the manufacturing industry.^[18]

File:1955 Toyopet Crown 03.jpg

Toyota started developing it’s first full-fledged passenger car, the Toyopet Crown, in January 1952. Prior to the Crown, Toyota had been outsourcing the design and manufacturing of auto bodies, which were then mounted on truck frames made by Toyota.^[19] The project was a major test for Toyota, who would need to build bodies and develop a new chassis that would be comfortable, but still stand up to the muddy, slow, unpaved roads common in Japan at the time.^[19] The project had been championed for many years by founder Kiichiro Toyoda, who died suddenly on March 27, 1952. The first prototypes were completed in June 1953 and began extensive testing, before the Crown went on sale in August 1955.^[20] The car was met with positive reviews from around the world.

After the introduction of the Crown, Toyota began aggressively expanding into the export market. Toyota began shipping Land Cruiser knock-down kits to Latin America in November 1955,^[21] sending complete Land Cruisers to Burma (now Myanmar) and the Philippines in 1956 as part of war reparations provided by the Japanese government,^[22] establishing a branch in Thailand in June 1957,^[23] and shipping Land Cruisers to Australia in August 1957.^[22] Toyota established a production facility in Brazil in 1958, the company’s first outside of Japan.^[24]

Toyota entered the United States market in July 1958, attempting to sell the Toyopet Crown. The company faced problems almost immediately, the Crown was a flop in the U.S. with buyers finding it overpriced and underpowered (because it was designed for the bad roads of Japan, not high-speed performance). In response, exports of the Crown to the United States were suspended in December 1960.^[25]

After Kiichiro’s death, his cousin Eiji Toyoda would later become the leader of the company. Eiji helped establish the company’s first plant independent from the Loom Works plant.^[26] He would go on to lead the company for the next two decades.

1960s–1980s

At the start of the 1960s, the Japanese economy was booming, a period that came to be known as the Japanese economic miracle. As the economy grew, so did the income of everyday people, who now could afford to purchase a vehicle. At the same time, the Japanese government heavily invested in improving road infrastructure.^[27] To take advantage of the moment, Toyota and other automakers started offering affordable economy cars like the Toyota Corolla, which would go on to become the world’s all-time best-selling automobile.^[28][29]

Toyota also found success in the United States in 1965 with the Toyota Corona compact car, which was redesigned specifically for the American market with a more powerful engine. The Corona helped increase U.S. sales of Toyota vehicles to more than 20,000 units in 1966 (a threefold increase) and helped the company become the third-best-selling import brand in the United States by 1967. Toyota’s first manufacturing investment in the United States came in 1972 when the company struck a deal with Atlas Fabricators, to produce truck beds in Long Beach, in an effort to avoid the 25% «chicken tax» on imported light trucks. By importing the truck as an incomplete chassis cab (the truck without a bed), the vehicle only faced a 4% tariff.^[30] Once in the United States, Atlas would build the truck beds and attach them to the trucks. The partnership was successful and two years later, Toyota purchased Atlas.^[31]

The energy crisis of the 1970s was a major turning point in the American auto industry. Before the crisis, large and heavy vehicles with powerful but inefficient engines were common. But in the years after, consumers started demanding high-quality and fuel-efficient small cars. Domestic automakers, in the midst of their malaise era, struggled to build these cars profitably, but foreign automakers like Toyota were well positioned. This, along with growing anti-Japanese sentiment, prompted the U.S. Congress to consider import restrictions to protect the domestic auto industry.

The 1960’s also saw the slight opening of the Japanese auto market to foreign companies. In an effort to strengthen Japan’s auto industry ahead of the market opening, Toyota purchased stakes in other Japanese automakers. That included a stake in Hino Motors, a manufacturer of large commercial trucks, buses and diesel engines, along with a 16.8 percent stake in Daihatsu, a manufacturer of kei cars, the smallest highway-legal passenger vehicles sold in Japan.^[32] That would begin what would become a long-standing partnership between Toyota and the two companies. As part of the partnership, Daihatsu would supply kei cars for Toyota to sell and to a lesser extent Toyota would supply full-sized cars for Daihatsu to sell (a process known as rebadging), allowing both companies to sell a full line-up of vehicles.

1980s

File:1987 Toyota Corolla (AE82) CS sedan (2015-11-11) 01.jpg

After the successes of the 1970s, and the threats of import restrictions, Toyota started making additional investments in the North American market in the 1980s. In 1981, Japan agreed to voluntary export restraints, which limited the number of vehicles the nation would send to the United States each year, leading Toyota to establish assembly plants in North America. The U.S. government also closed the loophole that allowed Toyota to pay lower taxes by building truck beds in America.

Also in 1981, Eiji Toyoda stepped down as president and assumed the title of chairman. He was succeeded as president by Shoichiro Toyoda, the son of the company’s founder.^[26] Within months, Shoichiro started to merge Toyota’s sales and production organizations, and in 1982 the combined companies became the Toyota Motor Corporation. The two groups were described as «oil and water» and it took years of leadership from Shoichiro to successfully combine them into one organization.^[33]

Efforts to open a Toyota assembly plant in the United States started in 1980, with the company proposing a joint-venture with the Ford Motor Company. Those talks broke down in July 1981.^[34] Eventually in 1984, the company struck a deal with General Motors (GM) to establish a joint-venture vehicle manufacturing plant called NUMMI (New United Motor Manufacturing, Inc.) in Fremont, California.^[35] GM saw the joint venture as a way to get access to a quality small car and an opportunity to learn about The Toyota Way and the Toyota Production System. For Toyota, the factory gave the company its first manufacturing base in North America allowing it to avoid any future tariffs on imported vehicles and saw GM as a partner who could show them how to navigate the American labor environment. The plant would be led by Tatsuro Toyoda, the younger brother of company president Shoichiro Toyoda.^[36] The first Toyota assembled in America, a white Corolla, rolled off the line at NUMMI on October 7, 1986.^[37]

Toyota received its first Japanese Quality Control Award at the start of the 1980s and began participating in a wide variety of motorsports. Conservative Toyota held on to rear-wheel-drive designs for longer than most; while a clear first in overall production they were only third in production of front-wheel-drive cars in 1983, behind Nissan and Honda. In part due to this, Nissan’s Sunny managed to squeeze by the Corolla in numbers built that year.^[38]

File:Lexus LS 400 UCF10 I.jpg

Before the decade was out, Toyota introduced Lexus, a new division that was formed to market and service luxury vehicles in international markets. Prior to the debut of Lexus, Toyota’s two existing flagship models, the Crown and Century, both catered exclusively for the Japanese market and had little global appeal that could compete with international luxury brands such as Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Jaguar. The company had been developing the brand and vehicles in secret since August 1983, at a cost of over US$1 billion.^[39][40] The LS 400 flagship full-size sedan debuted in 1989 to strong sales, and was largely responsible for the successful launch of the Lexus marque.

1990s

File:Toyota Supra SZ (A80) front.jpg

In the 1990s, Toyota began to branch out from producing mostly compact cars by adding many larger and more luxurious vehicles to its lineup, including a full-sized pickup, the T100 (and later the Tundra), several lines of SUVs, a sport version of the Camry, known as the Camry Solara. They would also launch newer iterations of their sports cars, namely the MR2, Celica, and Supra during this era.

December 1997 saw the introduction of the first-generation Toyota Prius, the first mass-produced gasoline-electric hybrid car.^[41] The vehicle would be produced exclusively for the Japanese market for the first two years.

With a major presence in Europe, due to the success of Toyota Team Europe racing, the corporation decided to set up Toyota Motor Europe Marketing and Engineering, TMME, to help market vehicles in the continent. Two years later, Toyota set up a base in the United Kingdom, TMUK, as the company’s cars had become very popular among British drivers. Bases in Indiana, Virginia, and Tianjin were also set up.

Toyota also increased it’s ownership of Daihatsu during this period. In 1995, Toyota increased its shareholding in the company to 33.4 percent, giving Toyota the ability to veto shareholder resolutions at the annual meeting.^[32] In 1998, Toyota increased its holding in the company to 51.2 percent, becoming the majority shareholder.^[42]

On September 29, 1999, the company decided to list itself on the New York and London Stock Exchanges.

The later half of the 1990s would also see the Toyoda brothers step back from the company their father had founded. In 1992, Shoichiro Toyoda would shift to become chairman, allowing his brother Tatsuro to become president, a job he held until his retirement in 1995.^[36] Shoichiro would step down as Chairman in 1999. Both would retain honorary advisory roles in the company. Hiroshi Okuda would lead the company as President from 1995 until 1999 when he became Chairman and the President’s office would be filled by Fujio Cho.

2000s

In 2001, Toyo Trust and Banking, which was part of the Toyota Motor Corporation, merged with Sanwa Bank and Tokai Bank to form UFJ Bank (United Financial of Japan Bank). UFJ was one of the largest shareholders of Toyota and the Chairman of Toyota was a director on the UFJ board. The bank would later be accused by Japan’s government of corruption, making bad loans to alleged Yakuza crime syndicates, and blocking Financial Service Agency inspections.^[43] After the scandal broke, three UFJ executives were indicted and the bank was listed among Fortune Magazine‘s largest money-losing corporations in the world.^[44] On October 1, 2005 the beleaguered bank merged with the Mitsubishi Tokyo Financial Group to form the Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group.

In August 2000, exports began of the Prius.^[41] In 2001, Toyota acquired it’s long time partner, truck and bus manufacturer Hino Motors. In 2002, Toyota entered Formula One competition and established a manufacturing joint venture in France with French automakers Citroën and Peugeot. A youth-oriented marque for North America, Scion, was introduced in 2003. Toyota ranked eighth on Forbes 2000 list of the world’s leading companies for the year 2005.^[45] Also in 2005, Fujio Cho would shift to become chairman of Toyota and would be replaced as president by Katsuaki Watanabe.

In 2007, Toyota released an update of its full-sized truck, the Tundra, produced in two American factories, one in Texas and one in Indiana. Motor Trend named the Tundra «Truck of the Year», and the 2007 Toyota Camry «Car of the Year» for 2007. It also began the construction of two new factories, one in Woodstock, Ontario, Canada, and the other in Blue Springs, Mississippi, USA.

The company was number one in global automobile sales for the first quarter of 2008.^[46]

Toyota was hit by the global financial crisis of 2008 as it was forced in December 2008 to forecast its first annual loss in 70 years.^[47] In January 2009, it announced the closure of all of its Japanese plants for 11 days to reduce output and stocks of unsold vehicles.^[48]

Between 2009 and 2011, Toyota conducted recalls of millions of vehicles after reports that several drivers experienced unintended acceleration. The recalls were to prevent a front driver’s side floor mat from sliding into the foot pedal well, causing the pedals to become trapped and to correct the possible mechanical sticking of the accelerator pedal.^[49] At least 37 were killed in crashes allegedly related to unintended acceleration,^[50] approximately 9 million cars and trucks were recalled,^[51] Toyota was sued for personal injuries and wrongful deaths,^[52] paid US$1 billion to settle a class action lawsuit to compensate owners for lost resale value,^[53] and paid a US$1.2 billion criminal penalty to the United States government over accusations that it had intentionally hid information about safety defects and had made deceptive statements to protect its brand image.^[54]

File:Akio Toyoda.jpg

Amid the unintended acceleration scandal, Katsuaki Watanabe stepped down as company president. He was replaced by Akio Toyoda, grandson of company founder Kiichiro Toyoda, on June 23, 2009. Akio had been with Toyota since 1984, working jobs in production, marketing and product development, and took a seat on the board of directors in 2000.^[55] Akio’s promotion by the board marked the return of a member of the Toyoda family to the top leadership role for the first time since 1999.^[56]

2010s

In 2011, Toyota, along with large parts of the Japanese automotive industry, suffered from a series of natural disasters. The 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami led to a severe disruption of the supplier base and a drop in production and exports.^[57][58] Severe flooding during the 2011 monsoon season in Thailand affected Japanese automakers that had chosen Thailand as a production base. Toyota is estimated to have lost production of 150,000 units to the tsunami and production of 240,000 units to the floods.

On February 10, 2014, it was announced that Toyota would cease manufacturing vehicles and engines in Australia by the end of 2017.^[59][60] The decision was based on the unfavourable Australian dollar making exports not viable, the high cost of local manufacture, and the high amount of competition in a relatively small local market.^[60] The company planned to consolidate its corporate functions in Melbourne by the end of 2017, and retain its Altona plant for other functions. The workforce is expected to be reduced from 3,900 to 1,300.^[61] Both Ford Motor Company and General Motors (Holden) followed suit, ending Australian production in 2016 and 2017 respectively.

The automaker narrowly topped global sales for the first half of 2014, selling 5.1 million vehicles in the six months ending June 30, 2014, an increase of 3.8% on the same period the previous year. Volkswagen AG, which recorded sales of 5.07 million vehicles, was close behind.^[62]

In August 2014, Toyota announced it would be cutting its spare-parts prices in China by up to 35%. The company admitted the move was in response to a probe foreshadowed earlier in the month by China’s National Development and Reform Commission of Toyota’s Lexus spare-parts policies, as part of an industry-wide investigation into what the Chinese regulator considers exorbitantly high prices being charged by automakers for spare parts and after-sales servicing.^[63]

In November 2015, the company announced that it would invest US$1 billion over the next 5 years into artificial intelligence and robotics research.^[64] In 2016, Toyota invested in Uber.^[65] In 2020, a corporate governance report showed that Toyota owns 10.25 million shares of Uber, which was valued at $292.46 million as of March 30, 2020. According to Reuters, this was roughly 0.6 per cent of Uber’s outstanding shares.^[66]

In March 2016, Toyota partnered with Yanmar to create a fiberglass pleasure boat using Yanmar outboard marine diesel engines or Toyota inboard engines.^[67]

In August 2016, the company purchased all remaining assets of Daihatsu, making the manufacturer of small cars a wholly owned subsidiary of Toyota.^[68]

On August 27, 2018, Toyota announced an investment of US$500 million in Uber‘s autonomous cars.^[69]

2020s

By 2020, Toyota reclaimed its position as the largest automaker in the world, surpassing Volkswagen.^[70] It sold 9.528 million vehicles globally despite an 11.3% drop in sales due to the COVID-19 pandemic.^[70] This includes subsidiaries Daihatsu and Hino Motors.^[70][71]

In March 2021, Toyota, its subsidiary Hino, and Isuzu announced the creation of a strategic partnership between the three companies. Toyota acquired a 4.6% stake in Isuzu while the latter plans to acquire Toyota shares for an equivalent value. The three companies said they would form a new joint venture by April called Commercial Japan Partnership Technologies Corporation with the aim of developing fuel cell and electric light trucks. Toyota would own an 80% stake in the venture while Hino and Isuzu would own 10% each.^[72]

In April 2021, Toyota said that it will buy Lyft‘s self-driving technology unit for $550 million and merge it with its newly created Woven Planet automation division.^[73]

In June 2021, the company defended its donations to United States Republican lawmakers after they voted against certifying the results of the 2020 presidential election, saying it did not believe it was «appropriate to judge members of Congress» for that one vote.^[74] A report by Axios found that Toyota was the top donor to 2020 election objectors, by a substantial margin.^[75] The company then reversed course in July 2021 and ceased donations to election objectors, releasing a statement saying it understood that its PAC’s donations to those objectors, which far outpaced those of any other company, «troubled some stakeholders.»^[76]

Toyota will increase its software engineer intake to around 40% to 50% of all technical hires from the second quarter of 2022, the move plans to address a transformation to so-called CASE — connected, autonomous, shared and electric — technologies in an environment of intensifying global competition.^[77]

Product line

Further information: List of Toyota vehicles

As of 2009, Toyota officially lists approximately 70 different models sold under its namesake brand, including sedans, coupes, vans, trucks, hybrids, and crossovers.^[78] Many of these models are produced as passenger sedans, which range from the subcompact Toyota Yaris, compact Corolla, to mid-size Camry and full-size Avalon.^[78] Vans include the Innova, Alphard/Vellfire, Sienna, and others.^[78] Several small cars, such as the xB and tC, were sold under the Scion brand.^[78]

SUVs and crossovers

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Toyota SUV and crossover line-up grew quickly in the late 2010s to 2020s due to the market shift to SUVs. Toyota crossovers range from the subcompact Yaris Cross and CH-R, compact Corolla Cross and RAV4, to midsize Harrier/Venza and Kluger/Highlander.^[78] Other crossovers include the Raize, Urban Cruiser.^[79] Toyota SUVs range from the midsize Fortuner to full-size Land Cruiser.^[78] Other SUVs include the Rush, Prado, FJ Cruiser, 4Runner, and Sequoia.^[78]

Pickup trucks

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Toyota first entered the pickup truck market in 1947 with the SB that was only sold in Japan and limited Asian markets. It was followed in 1954 by the RK (renamed in 1959 as the Stout) and in 1968 by the compact Hilux. With continued refinement, the Hilux (simply known as the Pickup in some markets) became famous for being extremely durable and reliable.^[80] Extended cab and crew cab versions were eventually added, and Toyota continues to produce them today under various names depending on the market in various cab lengths, with gasoline or diesel engines, and 2WD and 4WD versions.

In the United States, the Hilux became a major model for the company, leading the company to launch the Tacoma in 1995.^[81] The Tacoma was based on the Hilux, but with a design intended to better suit the needs of US consumers who often use pickup trucks as personal vehicles. The design was a success and the Tacoma became the best-selling compact pickup in America.

After the success of its compact Hilux pickups in the US, Toyota decided to enter the full-size pickup market, which was traditionally dominated by domestic automakers. The company introduced the T100 for the 1993 US model year. The T100 had a full-size 8-foot (2.4 m) long bed, but suspension and engine characteristics were similar to that of a compact pickup. Sales were disappointing and the T100 was criticized for having a small V6 engine (especially compared to the V8 engines common in American full-size trucks), lacking an extended-cab version, being too small, and too expensive (because of the 25% tariff on imported trucks).^[82] In 1995, Toyota added the more powerful V6 engine from the new Tacoma to the T100 and also added an extended cab version.^[82] In 1999, Toyota replaced the T100 with the larger Tundra, which would be built in the US with a V8 engine and styling that more closely matched other American full-size trucks.^[83]

Luxury vehicles

See also: Lexus

File:2012 Toyota Crown-Royal 01.jpg

In the Japanese home market, Toyota has two flagship models: the Crown premium sedan and the Century limousine.

In the 1980s, Toyota wanted to expand its luxury car offerings but realized that existing Japanese-market flagship models had little global appeal and could not compete with established brands such as Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Jaguar or the Acura and Infiniti marquees being launched by Japanese competitors.

Before the decade was out, Toyota introduced Lexus, a new division that was formed to market and service luxury vehicles in markets outside of Japan. The company developed the brand and its vehicles in secret since August 1983, at a cost of over US$1 billion.^[39][40] The Lexus LS flagship full-size sedan debuted in 1989 to strong sales, and was largely responsible for the successful launch of the Lexus marque. Subsequently, the division added sedan, coupé, convertible and SUV models.

The Lexus brand was introduced to the Japanese market in 2005, previously all vehicles marketed internationally as Lexus from 1989 to 2005 were released in Japan under the Toyota marque.

Buses

The Toyota Coaster is a minibus introduced in 1969 that seats 17 passengers. The Coaster is widely used in Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Australia, but also in the developing world for minibus operators in Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, the Caribbean, and South America to operate as public transportation.

Technology

Hybrid electric vehicles

Main articles: Hybrid Synergy Drive, Hybrid electric vehicle, and Toyota Prius

File:2018 Toyota Prius (facelift).jpg

Toyota is the world’s leader in sales of hybrid electric vehicles, one of the largest companies to encourage the mass-market adoption of hybrid vehicles across the globe, and the first to commercially mass-produce and sell such vehicles, with the introduction of the Toyota Prius in 1997.^[84][85] The company’s series hybrid technology is called Hybrid Synergy Drive, and it was later applied to many vehicles in Toyota’s product lineup, starting first with the Camry and the technology was also brought to the brought the luxury Lexus division.

As of January 2020
, Toyota Motor Corporation sells 44 Toyota and Lexus hybrid passenger car models in over 90 countries and regions around the world, and the carmaker has sold over 15 million hybrid vehicles since 1997.^[86] The Prius family is the world’s top-selling hybrid gasoline-electric vehicle nameplate with almost 4 million units sold worldwide as of January 2017.^[86]

Besides the Prius, Toyota’s current hybrid lineup includes the Alphard/Vellfire, Avalon, Aqua/Prius c, Camry, C-HR, Corolla/Allion/Auris/Levin, Corolla Cross, Crown, Harrier/Venza, Highlander/Kluger, RAV4/Wildlander, Sienna, Sienta, Voxy/Noah/Esquire, and Yaris. The Lexus hybrid lineup consists of the CT, ES, IS, LC, LM, LS, NX, RC, RX, and UX

Plug-in hybrids

Main articles: Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid and Toyota RAV4 Prime

File:2017 Toyota Prius Prime front 6.20.18.jpg

The Prius Plug-In Hybrid Concept was exhibited in late 2009, and shortly after, a global demonstration program involving 600 pre-production test cars began. The vehicles were leased to fleet and government customers, and were equipped with data tracking devices to allow Toyota to monitor the car’s performance. The vehicle was based on the third generation Toyota Prius and outfitted with two additional lithium-ion batteries beyond the normal hybrid battery pack.^[87] The additional batteries were used to operate the car with minimal use of the internal combustion engine until they are depleted, at which point they are disengaged from the system. They are not used in tandem with the main hybrid battery pack.

After the conclusion of the demonstration program, the production version of the Prius Plug-in Hybrid was unveiled in September 2011. The production Prius Plug-in had a maximum electric-only speed of 100 km/h (62 mph), and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rated the vehicle as having an range of 18 kilometres (11 mi) in blended mode (mostly electric, but supplemented by the internal combustion engine).^[88] Toyota ultimately only did a small production run with 75,400 vehicles being produced between 2012 and 2016.^[89]

The second-generation Prius Plug-in (renamed the Prius Prime in the USA) was unveiled in early 2016.^[90] Unlike the prior generation, where the plug-in battery was limited by being added to the existing Prius, this model would be developed in tandem with the fourth generation Prius allowing Toyota to increase the range to 40 kilometres (25 mi), with a top speed of 135 km/h (84 mph), without needing the assistance of the internal combustion engine.^[91] The second-generation Prius Plug-in went on sale starting in late 2016, with Toyota expecting to sell up to 60,000 units globally per year.^[92]

A second plug-in hybrid model, the Toyota RAV4 PHV (RAV4 Prime in the USA) was unveiled in December 2019. The vehicle has an EPA-estimated 68 kilometres (42 mi) of all-electric range and generates a combined 225 kilowatts (302 hp), enabling it to be Toyota’s second fastest car currently in production (behind the GR Supra sports car).^[93] Sales started in mid-2020.

All-electric vehicles

See also: Toyota RAV4 EV and Toyota iQ EV

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Toyota has been slow to adopt all-electric vehicles to its lineup, and has been publicly skeptical about battery-electric technology, and has lobbied against government mandates to transition to zero tailpipe emission vehicles.^[94]

Toyota’s first all-electric vehicle was made in response to one of those government mandates. The company created the first generation Toyota RAV4 EV after the California Air Resources Board mandated in the late 1990s that every automaker offer a zero-emissions vehicle.^[95][96] A total of 1,484 were leased and/or sold in California from 1997 to 2003, when the state dropped its mandate under legal pressure from lawsuits filed by automakers. At the lessees’ request, many units were sold after the vehicle was discontinued.^[97] As of mid-2012, there were almost 500 units still in use.^[98]

A second generation of the RAV4 EV was developed in 2010 as part of a deal with then-fledgling automaker Tesla, and shortly after, a demonstration program involving 35 pre-production test cars began. Tesla supplied the lithium metal-oxide battery and other powertrain components based on components from the Roadster.^[99][100] The production version was unveiled in August 2012, using battery pack, electronics and powertrain components from the Tesla Model S sedan (also launched in 2012).^[101] The RAV4 EV had a limited production run which resulted in just under 3,000 vehicles being produced, before it was discontinued in 2014.^[102][103] According to Bloomberg News, the partnership between Tesla and Toyota was «marred by clashes between engineers».^[104]

Starting in 2009, Toyota introduced three generations of concept electric vehicles called the FT-EV built on a modified Toyota iQ platform. In late-2012, the company announced plans build a production version of the car called the Toyota iQ EV (Scion iQ EV in the US, Toyota eQ in Japan),^[105] but ultimately production was cut back to 100 cars for special fleet use in Japan and the U.S. only.^[106]

In late 2012, Toyota announced that it would back away from fully electric vehicles, after producing less than 5,000. At the time, the company’s vice chairman, Takeshi Uchiyamada, said: «The current capabilities of electric vehicles do not meet society’s needs, whether it may be the distance the cars can run, or the costs, or how it takes a long time to charge.» Toyota’s emphasis would be re-focused on the hybrids and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.^[106][22]

Toyota’s next production all-electric car wouldn’t come until late 2020, when it introduced the C+pod, a 2-seater kei car with an estimated range of 100 kilometres (62 mi) and a top speed of 60 kilometres per hour (37 mph).^[107][108]

In April 2021, Toyota revealed the bZ4X, an electric crossover SUV which will be the first vehicle built on an electrified version of the Toyota New Global Architecture platform called e-TNGA when it went on sale in mid-2022.^[109] Toyota says the bZ4X is the first model of the bZ («beyond Zero») series of battery electric vehicles.^[110]

Hydrogen fuel-cell

File:Toyota MIRAI Z»Executive Package» (ZBA-JPD20-CEDHS(E)) front.jpg

See also: Toyota Mirai

In 2002, Toyota began a development and demonstration program to test the Toyota FCHV, a hybrid hydrogen fuel cell vehicle based on the Toyota Highlander production SUV. Toyota also built a FCHV bus based on the Hino Blue Ribbon City low-floor bus.^[111][112] Toyota has built several prototypes/concepts of the FCHV since 1997, including the Toyota FCHV-1, FCHV-2, FCHV-3, FCHV-4, and Toyota FCHV-adv. The Toyota FCV-R fuel cell concept car was unveiled at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show. The FCV-R sedan seats four and has a fuel cell stack including a 70 MPa high-pressure hydrogen tank, which can deliver a range of 435 mi (700 km) under the Japanese JC08 test cycle. Toyota said the car was planned for launch in about 2015.^[113]

In August 2012, Toyota announced its plans to start retail sales of a hydrogen fuel-cell sedan in California in 2015. Toyota expects to become a leader in this technology.^[114] The prototype of its first hydrogen fuel cell vehicle will be exhibited at the November 2013 Tokyo Motor Show, and in the United States at the January 2014 Consumer Electronics Show.^[115]

Toyota’s first hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles to be sold commercially, the Toyota Mirai (Japanese for «future»), was unveiled at the November 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show.^[116] In January 2015, it was announced that production of the Mirai fuel cell vehicle would increase from 700 units in 2015 to approximately 2,000 in 2016 and 3,000 in 2017.^[117] Sales in Japan began on December 15, 2014, at a price of ¥6,700,000 (~US$57,400). The Japanese government plans to support the commercialization of fuel-cell vehicles with a subsidy of ¥2,000,000 (~US$19,600).^[118] Retail sales in the U.S. began in August 2015 at a price of US$57,500 before any government incentives. Initially, the Mirai will only be available in California.^[119][120] The market release in Europe is slated for September 2015, and initially will be available only in the UK, Germany, and Denmark, followed by other countries in 2017. Pricing in Germany starts at €60,000 (~US$75,140) plus VAT (€78,540).^[121]

In 2015, Toyota released 5,600 patents for free use until 2020, hoping to promote global development of hydrogen fuel-cell technology.^{[122][123][124][125]}

Autonomous vehicles

File:Toyota e-Palette.jpg

Toyota is regarded as being behind in smart car technology and in need of innovation.^[126] Although the company Toyota unveiled its first self-driving test vehicle in 2017, and has been developing its own self-driving technology named «Chauffeur» (intended for full self-driving) and «Guardian» (a driver assist system), neither of these has been introduced into any production vehicles.^[127]

The company had setup a large research and development operation by 2018, spending almost US$4 billion to start an autonomous vehicle research institute in California’s Silicon Valley^[126] and another ¥300 billion on a similar research institute in Tokyo that would partner with fellow Toyota Group companies and automotive suppliers Aisin Seiki and Denso.^[128][129]

Toyota has also been collaborating with autonomous vehicle technology developers and, in some cases, purchasing the companies. Toyota has acquired the autonomous vehicle division of ride-hailing service Lyft for $550 million dollars,^[130] invested a total of US$1 billion in competing ride-hailing service Uber‘s self-driving vehicle division,^[131][132] invested $400 million in autonomous vehicle technology company Pony.ai,^[133] and announced a partnership with Chinese electronics e-commerce company Cogobuy to build a «Smart Car Ecosystem.»^[134]

In December 2020 Toyota showcased the 20-passenger «e-Palette» shared autonomous vehicle, which was used at the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games.^[135][136] Toyota has announced it intends to have the vehicle available for commercial applications before 2025.^[137]

Since February 2021, Toyota has been building the sensor-laden “Woven City» which it calls a «175-acre high tech, sensor-laden metropolis» at the foot of Mt. Fuji. When completed in 2024 the Woven City will be used to run tests on autonomous vehicles for deliveries, transport and mobile shops with the city’s residents participating in the living laboratory experiment.^[138][139]

Motorsports

File:Toyota, Paris Motor Show 2018, Paris (1Y7A1780).jpg

Main article: Toyota in motorsport

See also: Toyota Gazoo Racing and Toyota Racing Development

Toyota has been involved in many global motorsports series, providing vehicles, engines and other auto parts under both the Toyota and Lexus brands.

Toyota Gazoo Racing (GR) is responsible for participation in many of the world’s major motorsports contests. Toyota Gazoo Racing Europe competes in the European Le Mans Series, the FIA World Endurance Championship and the World Rally Championship (Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT team). Toyota Gazoo Racing South Africa competes in the Dakar Rally. Between 2002 and 2009, the Toyota Racing team competed in Formula One. Toyota won the 2018 24 Hours of Le Mans, 2019 24 Hours of Le Mans, and 2020 24 Hours of Le Mans with a Toyota TS050 Hybrid.

Toyota Racing Development USA (TRD USA) is responsible for participation in major motorsports contests in the United States including NASCAR, NHRA, Indy Racing League and Formula Drift.

Toyota also makes engines and other auto parts for other Japanese motorsports including Super Formula, Super GT, Formula 3, and Toyota Racing Series.

Non-automotive activities

Aerospace

Toyota is a minority shareholder in Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation, having invested US$67.2 million in the new venture which will produce the Mitsubishi Regional Jet, slated for first deliveries in 2017.^[140] Toyota has also studied participation in the general aviation market and contracted with Scaled Composites to produce a proof of concept aircraft, the TAA-1, in 2002.^[141][142]

Pleasure boats

In 1997, building on a previous partnership with Yamaha Marine, Toyota created «Toyota Marine»,^[143] building private ownership motorboats, currently sold only in Japan. A small network in Japan sells the luxury craft at 54 locations, called the «Toyota Ponam» series, and in 2017, a boat was labeled under the Lexus brand name starting May 26, 2017.^[144]

Philanthropy

File:Toyota museum 026.JPG

Toyota supports a variety of philanthropic work in areas such as education, conservation, safety, and disaster relief.

Some of the organizations that Toyota has worked with in the US include the American Red Cross, the Boys and Girls Club, Leaders in Environmental Action for the Future (LEAF), and the National Center for Family Literacy.^[145]

The Toyota USA Foundation exists to support education in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.^[146]

In addition, Toyota works with nonprofits to improve their processes and operations such as the Food Bank For New York City.^[147][148]

Toyota also supports a variety of work in Japan.^[149]

The Toyota Foundation takes a global perspective providing grants in the three areas of human and natural environments, social welfare, and education and culture.^[150]

Higher education

Toyota established the Toyota Technological Institute in 1981, as Sakichi Toyoda had planned to establish a university as soon as he and Toyota became successful. Toyota Technological Institute founded the Toyota Technological Institute at Chicago in 2003. Toyota is supporter of the Toyota Driving Expectations Program, Toyota Youth for Understanding Summer Exchange Scholarship Program, Toyota International Teacher Program, Toyota TAPESTRY, Toyota Community Scholars (scholarship for high school students), United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Internship Program, and Toyota Funded Scholarship.^[151] It has contributed to a number of local education and scholarship programs for the University of Kentucky, Indiana, and others.^[151]

Robotics

Main article: Toyota Partner Robot

File:Toyota Robot at Toyota Kaikan.jpg

In 2004, Toyota showcased its trumpet-playing robot.^[152] Toyota has been developing multitask robots destined for elderly care, manufacturing, and entertainment. A specific example of Toyota’s involvement in robotics for the elderly is the Brain Machine Interface. Designed for use with wheelchairs, it «allows a person to control an electric wheelchair accurately, almost in real-time», with his or her mind.^[153] The thought controls allow the wheelchair to go left, right, and forward with a delay between thought and movement of just 125 milliseconds.^[153] Toyota also played a part in the development of Kirobo, a ‘robotic astronaut’.

In 2017, the company introduced T-HR3, a humanoid robot with the ability to be remotely controlled. The robot can copy the motions of a connected person. The 2017 version used wires for the connection but the 2018 version used 5G from a distance up to 10 km.^[154][155]

Agricultural biotechnology

Toyota invests in several small start-up businesses and partnerships in biotechnology, including:

• P.T. Toyota Bio Indonesia in Lampung, Indonesia
• Australian Afforestation Pty. Ltd. in Western Australia and Southern Australia
• Toyota Floritech Co., Ltd. in Rokkasho-Mura, Kamikita District, Aomori Prefecture
• Sichuan Toyota Nitan Development Co., Ltd. in Sichuan, China
• Toyota Roof Garden Corporation in Miyoshi-Cho, Aichi Prefecture

Sewing machine brand

Aisin, another member of the Toyota Group of companies, uses the same Toyota wordmark logo to market its home-use sewing machines. Aisin was founded by Kiichiro Toyoda after he founded the Toyota Motor Corporation. According to Aisin, he was so pleased with the first sewing machine, he decided to apply the same Toyota branding as his auto business, despite the companies being independent from each other.^[156]

Controversies

Death from overwork

See also: Karōshi

On February 9, 2002, Kenichi Uchino, aged 30 years, a quality control manager, collapsed then died at work.^[157][158] On January 2, 2006, an unnamed chief engineer of the Camry Hybrid, aged 45 years, died from heart failure in his bed.^[157]

Fines for environmental breaches

In 2003, Toyota was fined $34M for violating the United States Clean Air Act.^[159]

In January 2021, Toyota was fined $180M for violating U.S. emissions regulations from 2005 to 2015.^{[160][161][162]} At the time, this was the biggest civil penalty ever levied for violating United States Environmental Protection Agency emission reporting requirements.^[160][161]

2009–2011 unintended acceleration recalls

See also: 2009–2011 Toyota vehicle recalls

Between 2009 and 2011 Toyota, under pressure from the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), conducted recalls of millions of vehicles after reports that several drivers experienced unintended acceleration. The first recall, in November 2009, was to prevent a front driver’s side floor mat from sliding into the foot pedal well, causing the pedals to become trapped. The second recall, in January 2010, was begun after some crashes were shown not to have been caused by floor mats and may be caused by possible mechanical sticking of the accelerator pedal.^[49] Worldwide, approximately 9 million cars and trucks were impacted by the recalls.^[51]

NHTSA received reports of a total of 37 deaths allegedly related to unintended acceleration, although an exact number was never verified.^[50] As a result of the problems, Toyota faced nearly 100 lawsuits from the families of those killed, drivers who were injured, vehicle owners who lost resale value, and investors who saw a drop in the value of their shares. While most of the personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits were settled confidentially,^[52] Toyota did spend more than US$1 billion to settle a class action lawsuit to compensate owners for lost resale value,^[53] and the company agreed to pay a US$1.2 billion criminal penalty to the United States government over accusations that it had intentionally hid information about safety defects from the public and had made deceptive statements to protect its brand image. The penalty was the largest ever levied against a car company.^[54]

Takata airbag recalls

See also: Takata airbag recalls

Toyota, like nearly every other automobile manufacturer, was impacted by the recall of faulty airbag inflators made by Takata. The inflators can explode, shooting metal fragments into the vehicle cabin. Millions of vehicles produced between 2000 and 2014 were impacted by the recall, with some needing multiple repairs.^[163][164]

June 2010 Chinese labour strike

On June 21, 2010, a Chinese labor strike happened in Tianjin Toyoda Gosei Co, Tianjin. Toyoda Gosei Co supplies parts to Tianjin FAW Toyota Motor Co.^[165]

Opposition to California’s fuel efficiency standards

In October 2019, Toyota backed the Trump Administration’s proposal that federal authority should override California’s ability to set its own emissions standards for automobiles. The proposal would reduce California’s 2025 fuel efficiency standard from about 54.5 to 37 MPG.^[166] This shift by Toyota away from fuel efficiency damaged the company’s reputation as a green brand.^[167][160]

Greenwashing Controversies

Toyota has repeatedly been the subject of greenwashing controversies, owing to their criticism of electric cars, while promoting hydrogen and hybrid vehicles – with the manner in which they have advertised and marketed hybrid vehicles causing particular consternation.^[168][169]

Toyota President, Akio Toyoda, has made repeated statements about electric cars, claiming that they are “Overhyped” and that “the more EVs we build, the worse carbon dioxide gets.”^[170] This stance has led Transport & Environment to rank Toyota as the least ready OEM to transition to battery electric vehicles by 2030, stating: “Toyota has not set a target for 2030 and it plans to produce just 10% BEVs in 2025. It is expected to rely on polluting hybrid technologies.^[171]”

Alongside their commitment to hybrid vehicles, Toyota has repeatedly stated its commitment to producing hydrogen cars, claiming that they will be the future of the company.^[172][173] Many journalists and environmental activists have accused Toyota of greenwashing due to their stance on hydrogen vehicles in the face of clear evidence that they are considerably less efficient than battery electric cars, and will create more greenhouse gas emissions due to energy-intensity of the hydrogen extraction process.^{[174][175][176][177]}

Self-Charging Hybrids

In 2019, Toyota launched a global campaign for its self-proclaimed ‘self-charging hybrid’ vehicles, which use fossil fuel to charge the on-board batteries in their cars, rather than using an external electricity source, as with plug-in hybrids.

The language around ‘self-charging’ hybrids caused much consumer criticism that this was misleading, as the vehicles did not self-charge, but instead required users to input fossil fuels, and these vehicles could not run on electric power alone – as was made clear during the Covid-19 pandemic, when Toyota contacted the owners of these vehicles to inform them of the need to regularly refuel the vehicles with fossil fuels.^[178][179]

Complaints about self-charging hybrid advertising were recorded in multiple countries,^[180] and in 2020 the Norwegian Consumer Authority banned the adverts outright in Norway for misleading consumers^[181]., stating: “It is misleading to give the impression that the power to the hybrid battery is free of charge, since the electricity produced by the car has consumption of gasoline as a necessary condition.”.^[182]

Later in 2020, a study by Transport & Environment^[183][184] concluded that real-world Template:CO2 emissions from hybrid vehicles were, on average, over two and a half times those of official test values.^[185][186] Another report found that even the most efficient hybrid vehicles produce at least 40-70% of the emissions of a petrol or diesel car, and will have created 15% more emissions in its manufacturer than a battery electric vehicle would have.^{[187][188][189]}

As the world’s biggest producer and marketer of hybrid vehicles, Toyota has attracted the greatest attention in the wake of these reports, given that the Japanese manufacturer plans to increase hybrid production at a time when most major manufacturers are switching to solely producing electric vehicles by 2035 due to the contribution of cars to the Climate crisis.^[190][191]

This was compounded in early 2021, when Toyota was fined a record $180 million for failing to comply with the Clean Air Act’s emissions reporting requirements from 2005-2015.^{[192][193][194]}

Misleading Marketing

Toyota has also drawn negative attention for its marketing campaigns, which use studies funded by the manufacturer to substantiate claims about the efficiency of their vehicles.
An exposé by IrishEVs found that Toyota Ireland had paid University College Dublin to conduct a study of just seven cars over seven days to make claims about the efficiency of their hybrid vehicles.^[195][196]

Furthermore, Toyota Ireland had consistently used funded polls to substantiate claims about their Template:CO2 emissions, and their perception as a “leading brand tackling climate change in Ireland.” No data or evidence was offered to validate these claims.^[197]

Corporate affairs

File:Headquarter of Toyota Motor Corporation 4.JPG

Toyota is headquartered in the city of Toyota,^[198] which was named Koromo until 1951, when it changed its name to match the automaker. Toyota City is located in the Aichi Prefecture of Japan. The main headquarters of Toyota is located in a four-story building that has been described as «modest».^[199] In 2013, company CEO Akio Toyoda reported that it had difficulties retaining foreign employees at the headquarters due to the lack of amenities in the city.^[200]

Surrounding the headquarters are the 14-story Toyota Technical Center and the Honsha plant (which was established in 1938). Toyota and its Toyota Group affiliates operate a total of 17 manufacturing facilities in Aichi Prefecture and a total of 32 plants in Japan.

Toyota also operates offices in Bunkyo, Tokyo and Nakamura-ku, Nagoya.^[198]

Worldwide presence

Top 10 Toyota vehicle sales by country, 2019[201]
Rank in Toyota	Location	Vehicle sales
1	United States	2,383,348
2	China	1,620,698
3	Japan	1,610,169
4	Template:Country data GCC	368,433
5	Thailand	332,380
6	Indonesia	332,354
7	Canada	237,091
8	Brazil	217,430
9	Australia	215,378
10	Philippines	162,011

Top 10 Toyota vehicle production by country, 2019[201]
Rank in Toyota	Location	Vehicle production
1	Japan	3,415,864
2	China	1,404,305
3	United States	1,194,824
4	Thailand	570,852
5	Canada	467,998
6	Turkey	251,949
7	France	224,073
8	Mexico	192,983
9	Brazil	187,866
10	Indonesia	172,314

See also: List of Toyota manufacturing facilities

Outside of Japan, as one of the world’s largest automotive manufacturer by production volume, Toyota has factories in most parts of the world. The company assembles vehicles in Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, the Czech Republic, France, Indonesia, Mexico, the Philippines, Poland, Russia, South Africa, Thailand, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Venezuela.

Additionally, the company also has joint venture, licensed, or contract factories in China, France, India, Malaysia, Pakistan, Taiwan, the United States, and Vietnam.

North America

Main article: Toyota Motor North America

File:2018 Toyota Camry (ASV70R) Ascent sedan (2018-08-27) 01.jpg

Toyota Motor North America is headquartered in Plano, Texas, and operates as a holding company for all operations of the Toyota Motor Corporation in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. Toyota’s operations in North America began on October 31, 1957, and the current company was established in 2017 from the consolidation of three companies: Toyota Motor North America, Inc., which controlled Toyota’s corporate functions; Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. which handled marketing, sales, and distribution in the United States; and Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America which oversaw operations at all assembly plants in the region. While all three companies continue to exist in legal name, they operate as one company out of one headquarters campus.

Toyota has a large presence in the United States with six major assembly plants in Huntsville, Alabama, Georgetown, Kentucky, Princeton, Indiana, San Antonio, Texas, Buffalo, West Virginia, and Blue Springs, Mississippi. In 2018, Toyota and Mazda announced a joint venture plant that will produce vehicles in Huntsville, Alabama starting in 2021.^[202]

It has started producing larger trucks, such as the new Tundra, to go after the full-size pickup market in the United States. Toyota is also pushing hybrid electric vehicle in the US such as the Prius, Camry Hybrid, Highlander Hybrid, and various Lexus products. Currently, Toyota has no plans to offer diesel motor options in its North American products, including pickup trucks.^[203]

Toyota Canada Inc., which is part of Toyota Motor North America, handles marketing, sales, and distribution in Canada. Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada operates three assembly plants: two in Cambridge, Ontario and one in Woodstock, Ontario.^[204] In 2006, Toyota’s subsidiary Hino Motors opened a heavy duty truck plant, also in Woodstock, employing 45 people and producing 2,000 trucks annually.^[205]

Europe/Western Asia

Main article: Toyota Motor Europe

Toyota Motor Europe is headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, and oversees all operations of the Toyota Motor Corporation in Europe and western Asia. Toyota’s operations in Europe began in 1963. Toyota has a significant presence in the Europe with nine production facilities in Kolín, Czech Republic, Burnaston, England, Deeside, England, Onnaing, France, Jelcz-Laskowice, Poland, Wałbrzych, Poland, Ovar, Portugal, Saint Petersburg, Russia, and Arifiye, Turkey.^[206] Toyota also operates a joint venture plant with Citroën and Peugeot in Valenciennes, France.

Australia

Main article: Toyota Australia

In 1963, Australia was one of the first countries to assemble Toyotas outside Japan. However, in February 2014, Toyota was the last of Australia’s major automakers to announce the end of production in Australia. The closure of Toyota’s Australian plant was completed on October 3, 2017, and had produced a total 3,451,155 vehicles. At its peak in October 2007, Toyota manufactured 15,000 cars a month.^[207] Before Toyota, Ford and GM’s Holden had announced similar moves, all citing an unfavorable currency and attendant high manufacturing costs.^[208]

Financials

Toyota is publicly traded on the Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Fukuoka, and Sapporo exchanges under company code TYO: 7203. In Japan, Toyota’s stock is a component of the Nikkei 225 and TOPIX Core30 indices.

In addition, Toyota is foreign-listed on the New York Stock Exchange under NYSE: TM and on the London Stock Exchange under LSE: TYT.

Toyota has been publicly traded in Japan since 1949 and internationally since 1999.^[209]

Company strategy

File:Toyota Plant Ohira Sendai.jpg

The Toyota Way

Main article: The Toyota Way

The Toyota Way is a set of principles and behaviors that underlie the company’s approach to management and production (which is further defined as the Toyota Production System).

The company has been developing its corporate philosophy since 1948 and passing it on as implicit knowledge to new employees, but as the company expanded globally, leaders officially identified and defined the Toyota Way in 2001. Toyota summarized it under two main pillars: continuous improvement and respect for people. Under the continuous improvement pillar are three principals: challenge (form a long-term vision), kaizen (a continual improvement process), and genchi genbutsu («go and see» the process to make correct decisions). Under the respect for people pillar are two principals: respect and teamwork.^[210]

In 2004, Dr. Jeffrey Liker, a University of Michigan professor of industrial engineering, published The Toyota Way. In his book, Liker calls the Toyota Way «a system designed to provide the tools for people to continually improve their work.»^[211] According to Liker, there are 14 principles of The Toyota Way that can be organized into four themes: (1) long-term philosophy, (2) the right process will produce the right results, (3) add value to the organization by developing your people, and (4) continuously solving root problems drives organizational learning. The 14 principles are further defined in the Wikipedia article on The Toyota Way.

Toyota Production System

Main article: Toyota Production System

The Toyota Way also helped shape the company’s approach to production, where it was an early pioneer of what would be come to be known as lean manufacturing.^[212] The company defines the Toyota Production System under two main pillars: just-in-time^[213] (make only what is needed, only when it is needed, and only in the amount that is needed) and Jidoka^[214] (automation with a human touch).

The origin of the Toyota Production System is in dispute, with three stories of its origin: (1) that during a 1950 trip to train with the Ford Motor Company, company executives also studied the just-in-time distribution system of the grocery store company Piggly-Wiggly,^[215] (2) that they followed the writings of W. Edwards Deming,^[216] and (3) they learned the principles from a WWII US government training program (Training Within Industry).^[217]

After developing the Toyota Production System in its own facilities, the company began teaching the system to its parts suppliers in the 1990s. Other companies were interested in the instruction, and Toyota later started offering training sessions. The company also has donated the training to non-profit groups to increase their efficiency and thus ability to serve people.

Logo and branding

File:Toyota Sign Development Bertel Schmitt.jpg

In 1936, Toyota entered the passenger car market with its Model AA and held a competition to establish a new logo emphasizing speed for its new product line. After receiving 27,000 entries, one was selected that additionally resulted in a change of its moniker to «Toyota» from the family name «Toyoda», which means rice paddy. The new name was believed to sound better, and its eight-stroke count in the Japanese language was associated with wealth and good fortune. The original logo was a heavily stylized version of the katakana characters for Toyota (トヨタ).^[218]

As the company started to expand internationally in the late 1950s, the katakana character logo was supplemented by various wordmarks with the English form of the company name in all capital letters, «TOYOTA.»^[218]

Toyota introduced a worldwide logo in October 1989 to commemorate the 50th year of the company, and to differentiate it from the newly released luxury Lexus brand.^[219] The logo consists of three ovals that combine to form the letter «T», which stands for Toyota. Toyota says that the overlapping of the two perpendicular ovals inside the larger oval represents the mutually beneficial relationship and trust between the customer and the company while the larger oval surrounding both of these inner ovals represents the «global expansion of Toyota’s technology and unlimited potential for the future».^[220][221] The new logo started appearing on all printed material, advertisements, dealer signage, and most vehicles in 1990.

In countries or regions using traditional Chinese characters, e.g. Hong Kong and Taiwan, Toyota is known as «豐田».^[222] In countries using simplified Chinese characters (e.g. China, Singapore), Toyota is written as «丰田»^[223] (pronounced as Fēngtián in Mandarin Chinese and Hɔng Tshan in Minnanese). These are the same characters as the founding family’s name «Toyoda» in Japanese.

File:Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro P4250811.jpg

Toyota still uses the katakana character logo as it’s corporate emblem in Japan, including on the headquarters building,^[224] and some special edition vehicles still use the «TOYOTA» wordmark on the grille as a nod to the company’s heritage.^[225]

On July 15, 2015, the company was delegated its own generic top-level domain, .toyota.^[226]

Toyota sponsors several teams and has purchased naming rights for several venues, and even competitions, including:

• Toyota Alvark Tokyo, basketball team
• Toyota Cup
• Toyota Center, Houston, Texas
• Toyota Center, Kennewick, Washington
• Toyota Field, San Antonio, Texas
• Toyota Park, Bridgeview, Illinois
• Toyota Sports Center, El Segundo, California
• Toyota Stadium, Georgetown, Kentucky
• Toyota Stadium, Frisco, Texas

As of 2017
, Toyota is an official sponsor of Cricket Australia,^[227] the England and Wales Cricket Board^[228] and the AFL.^[229] In March 2015, Toyota became a sponsor partner for the Olympic Games, in the form of supplying vehicles and communications between vehicles until 2024.^[230]

See also

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• List of Toyota engines
• List of Toyota manufacturing facilities
• List of Toyota transmissions
• List of Toyota vehicles
• Nagoya Grampus, formerly the company’s football club and still sponsored by them
• Toyota model codes
• Toyota Verblitz, the company’s rugby team
• Toyota War, a conflict between Libya and Chad which saw a heavy use of Toyota’s pickup trucks.

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [[commons:Category:Toyota}}||Toyota Motor Corporation}}}}]].

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• Official website
• Business data for Toyota Motor Corp:
  • SEC filings

Template:Toyota cars

Template:Automotive industry in Japan

Тойота
Штаб-квартира в Toyota в Японии
Творчество	1924  : Завод автоматических ткацких станков Toyoda 1937  : Toyota Motor Corporation
Ключевые даты	2004  : 1- я Королла 1999  : Производство Yaris во Франции 2007  : 1 — й  Всемирный Builder 2016  : 1- й  Мировой Строитель 2019  : 1- й  Мировой Строитель
Учредители	Киичиро Тойода
Правовой статус	Кабушики гайша
Действие	TSE  : 7203.T NYSE  : TM LSE  :  TYT
Лозунг	Всегда лучше, всегда дальше
Головной офис	Toyota , Айти Япония
Направление	Акио Тойода
Директора	Акио Тойода
Акционеры	Toyota Industries (0,07) и Nippon Life Insurance Company (0,04)
Деятельность	Автомобильная промышленность Робототехника
Товары	Легковые автомобили Легкие коммерческие автомобили
Дочерние компании	Lexus Daihatsu Hino Trucks (50,1%) Denso (25%) Gazoo Racing Aisin Seiki (24,5%) Subaru Corporation (16,5%) KDDI Corporation (12%) Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd (20%)
Эффективный	348 877 (по состоянию на март 2017 г.)
Интернет сайт	www.toyota.co.jp
Заглавные буквы	21,816,055 млн иен в декабре 2019 г.
Оборот	30,225,681 млн иен в марте 2019 г.
Чистая прибыль	1,882,873 миллиона иен в марте 2019 г.

Toyota , официально Toyota Motor Corporation (ト ヨ タ 自動 車 株式会社, Toyota jidōsha kabushiki gaisha ^? ) , Производитель автомобилей из Японии . Штаб-квартира группы находится в городе Тойота . Именно в 2017 году на 1 ^şţ по  величине автопроизводитель в мире по финансовым показателям на Volkswagen и Daimler . В 2014 году Toyota продала 10,23 млн автомобилей (+ 3% по сравнению с 2013 годом), Группа остается ведущим производителем в мире по количеству проданных автомобилей. Согласно рейтингу Forbes, в 2017 году Toyota имела самую высокую оценку в мире в автомобильном секторе и восьмое место в мире по всем видам деятельности в совокупности с 41,1 миллиарда долларов (или 33,42 миллиарда евро). Однако в конце 2016 года Volkswagen свернул с престола Toyota и стал ведущим производителем автомобилей в мире по количеству проданных автомобилей. По данным Forbes Global 2000 , это десятая глобальная компания в мире.1 — ^го мая 2017. Виюнь 2020, Tesla свергает Toyota и становится ведущим автопроизводителем в мире по рыночной капитализации.

Тойота является истоком оригинальной производственной системы , производственной системы Тойота , которая породила Тойотизм .

История

Название бренда происходит от фамилии Toyoda (豊 田^? ) . Первоначально это имя было транслитерировано в хирагану Тойодой (と よ ​​だ^? ) . Поле (田^? ) В конце слова на японском языке произносится не та, а да. Эта транскрипция была написана десятью мазками, а название было намеренно изменено на Toyota (と よ ​​た^? ), Которое написано восемью мазками, число, приносящее удачу.

Сегодня название этой компании пишется не кандзи или хираганой , а катаканой (ト ヨ タ), обычно зарезервированной японским письмом для слов иностранного происхождения, если не для слоганов или рекламы.

Город Коромо , специализирующийся на шелке , в эпоху Мэйдзи и Тайсё , компания Toyota изначально была текстильной фабрикой . Падение спроса на шелк-сырец в Японии и за рубежом привело город к постепенному упадку. Этот упадок побудил Киитиро Тойода (豊 田 喜 一郎^? ) И его двоюродного брата Эйдзи Тойода (豊 田 英To ^? ) Искать промышленные альтернативы семейному бизнесу автоматических ткацких станков. Это привело к основанию компании, которая позже стала Toyota Motor Corporation.

В 1936 году был завершен опытный образец модели «AA». Фактически это будет точная копия рядом с Chrysler Airflow.  Эта первая модель, оснащенная 6-цилиндровым 3,4- литровым двигателем, будет продаваться за 1404 единицы. Его производство прекратилось в 1943 году .

в 28 августа 1937 г., Toyota Motor Company (позже получившая название Toyota Motor Corporation) была образована с Рисабуро Тойода в качестве ее первого президента.

Город Коромо, в котором расположена штаб-квартира группы, в 1959 году был переименован в Toyota (豊 田 市^? ) В честь компании.

В 1937 году Киичиро Тойода (豊 田 喜 一郎^? ) Реализовал принцип « точно вовремя  » («  Just in time », JIT).

В 1948 году из-за плохих продаж и низкой прибыльности, вместо того, чтобы массово уволить своих сотрудников, он оставил свой пост в компании. Он умер четыре года спустя27 марта 1952 г., тогда 57 лет.

В 1957 году его двоюродный брат Эйдзи Тойода (豊 田英 二^? ) Стал главой Toyota и руководил успехом ее экспансии в мире. Он запустил люксовый бренд Lexus в 1987 году.

В 1980-х годах Toyota сотрудничала с военной диктатурой в Бразилии , передавая информацию о деятельности профсоюзных активистов компании. Эта информация используется полицией для отслеживания, преследования и ареста профсоюзных активистов с целью предотвращения организации забастовок.

Toyota открыла свой первый завод в зоне евро в Оннаинге (Франция) в 1999 году.

В 2007 году группа Toyota, включая производство грузовиков Daihatsu и Hino , произвела 9,51 миллиона автомобилей, что сделало ее новым мировым лидером, по сравнению с 9,259 миллиона автомобилей у ее основного конкурента: General Motors , которая занимала эту позицию в течение 72 лет.

Став мировым лидером продаж в 2008 году, группа показала отличные производственные показатели, справедливое долгосрочное видение и хорошую прибыльность. Prius , является бесспорным лидером в гибридных транспортных средств, повысило имидж группы. Однако финансовый кризис 2008 года вызвал неожиданное падение продаж в Соединенных Штатах , где группа получала наибольшую прибыль, а также на многих других рынках. Быстрый рост иены, до того недооцененной (+ 23% по сравнению с 2008 годом по отношению к доллару), одновременно снизил конкурентоспособность продукции, вынудив группу объявить первый убыточный год в своей истории.

В 2009 году после кризиса и близкого банкротства « большой тройки» в США рынок изменился. Toyota остается ведущим производителем с 7,81 млн автомобилей в мире в 2009 году по сравнению с 8,97 млн ​​годом ранее, в то время как десять брендов группы Volkswagen продали 6,29 млн автомобилей по всему миру. Вмарт 2016Ее оборот составил 235,8 миллиарда долларов США , заняв 10- ^{е место}  среди крупнейших компаний по своим финансовым показателям.

В январь 2016, Toyota объявляет о приобретении не принадлежащих ей пакетов акций Daihatsu , или 48,8% компании, за 3 миллиарда долларов.

в 24 мая 2016 г., Toyota объявляет о партнерстве с Uber (компанией) для предоставления услуг совместного использования автомобилей в странах, где она растет.

В август 2017 г., Toyota объявляет о партнерстве с Mazda , в результате чего ей приобретается 5% акций последней. Это партнерство также направлено на совместное строительство двух заводов в США за 1,6 миллиарда долларов. Это партнерство также охватывает область электромобилей.

В апреле 2021 года Lyft объявила о продаже своей дочерней компании, занимающейся автономным автомобилем, компании Toyota за 550 миллионов долларов.

Логотип

Toyota логотип , который появился в 1990 году, описывается тремя эллипсы , которые, по мнению японской марки автомобиля, символизирующих «союз потребителя и душу продукта». Стилизованная буква «Т» состоит из двух маленьких внутренних эллипсов.

Однако у Toyota есть много логотипов, некоторые из которых связаны с конкретной моделью и связаны с полным спектром транспортных средств. Задний логотип у всех моделей одинаковый, но передний логотип в Японии часто отличается в зависимости от модели.

Президент

• Ризабуро Тойода (1937–1941)
• Киичиро Тойода (1941–1950)
• Тайдзо Исида (1950–1961)
• Фукио Накагава (1961–1967)
• Эйдзи Тойода (1967–1982)
• Шоичиро Тойода  (en) (1982–1992)
• Тацуро Тойода  (ru) (1992–1995)
• Хироши Окуда  (en) (1995-1999)
• Фудзио Чо  (en) (1999-2005)
• Кацуаки Ватанабэ (2005–2009)
• Акио Тойода (2009–)

Основные акционеры

В 20 декабря 2019 г., :

Toyota Motor Corporation	14,6%
Корпорация Toyota Industries	7,31%
Страхование жизни Nippon	3,39%
DENSO Corporation	2,76%
Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Asset Management	2,68%
Группа Авангард	2,08%
Nomura Asset Management	1,99%
MS&AD Insurance Group Holdings	1,74%
Tokio Marine Holdings	1,56%
Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Grou	1,23%

мероприятия

Toyota производит разные модели автомобилей . Работу Toyota можно разделить на четыре периода, соответствующих четырем направлениям деятельности.

С 1985 по 1989 год Toyota работала только в автомобильном секторе, затем с 1990 по 1995 год Toyota начала осваивать новые виды транспорта (морской, аэрокосмический). С 1996 по 2001 год компания занялась перспективными секторами, такими как биотехнологии, секторами, которые компания будет развивать еще больше в четвертый период — начиная с 2002 года — опять же за счет биотехнологий, морской и аэрокосмической промышленности, а также исследований в области робототехники. , окружающая среда и в области энергетики.

Гибридные автомобили

Toyota — одна из крупнейших компаний по разработке гибридных автомобилей и первая компания, которая начала массовое производство и продажу этих автомобилей; таким образом, ее лидер, Toyota Prius, производится и развивается с 1997 года. Компания адаптировала свои технологии для небольших автомобилей, таких как Toyota Auris или Toyota Yaris , а также для моделей своего люксового бренда Lexus . Эта технология была названа и продается под названием «  Hybrid Synergy Drive  » для моделей Toyota и « Lexus Hybrid Drive  » для моделей  Lexus.

Prius стал самым продаваемым гибридным автомобилем на рынках Северной Америки . В 2010 году у Toyota есть несколько гибридных автомобилей: Prius, Highlander, Sienna и Camry . Фирма надеется, что самое позднее к 2020 году сможет предложить полный спектр легковых, грузовых автомобилей и внедорожников с опцией Hybrid Synergy Drive.

Мировые продажи гибридных автомобилей Toyota достигли миллиона автомобилей на 31 мая 2007 г. и отметка в два миллиона была передана 31 августа 2009 г., с рынком сбыта более чем в 50 странах.

Подключаемые гибридные автомобили

После успешного тестирования Toyota Plug-in HV в Японии и США в 2011 и 2012 годах, Toyota начала серийное производство линейки гибридных автомобилей с подключаемым модулем . Как и Chevrolet Volt , в нем используется литий-ионный аккумулятор . Ожидается, что модельный ряд 2015 года будет состоять из Prius, Camry, Highlander SUV и Lexus PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle), которые могут иметь меньшее воздействие на окружающую среду, чем существующие гибриды.

Полностью электрические автомобили

Toyota решила ускорить разработку различных моделей автомобилей, работающих только на электричестве, с целью массового производства в 2011-2012 годах. ВМай 2010 г., Toyota начала сотрудничество с Tesla Motors для разработки своих будущих моделей, таких как новый RAV4 в 2012 году.

Автомобильные гонки

Toyota Motorsport , автоспортивное подразделение Toyota, имеет различные команды, участвующие в самых престижных автомобильных соревнованиях: 24 часа Ле-Мана (с 1985 по 1993 год , с 1998 по 1999 год и с 2012 года ), Чемпионат мира по ралли (с 1982 по 1995 год , с 1997 по 1999 г. , а с 2017 г. ). Toyota также участвовала в чемпионате мира Формулы-1 с 2002 по 2009 год .

В ралли, в течение сезона 1993 года , Канккунен был «чемпионом мира в то время как Toyota выиграл Конструктор водителей чемпионат мира. В 1994 году Toyota сохранила два титула, а Дидье Ориоль стал чемпионом мира среди пилотов. Затем Toyota во второй раз выиграла чемпионат мира по ралли как производитель в 1999 году .

В 2014 году Toyota выиграла чемпионат мира по гонкам на выносливость FIA (WEC).

Подразделения и дочерние компании

• Toyota: универсальный производитель.
• Lexus  : бренд роскошных моделей, созданный в 1987 году компанией Toyota.
• Daihatsu  : специализируется на производстве автомобилей keijidōsha, 100% принадлежащих компании с 2016 года.
• Scion  : бренд, продаваемый только в США и Канаде, исчез3 февраля 2016 г..
• Hino Trucks  : специализируется на производстве грузовиков и автобусов. 50,1% в собственности.
• Denso  : производитель оборудования, на 25% принадлежащий Toyota.
• Gazoo Racing .
• Айсин Сэйки специализируется на автомобильном оборудовании. В собственности 24,5%.
• Subaru Corporation Производство транспортного оборудования. В собственности 16,5%.
• KDDI Corporation — японский оператор связи. 12% в собственности.
• Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd. принадлежит 20%.

Летающие такси

В начале 2020 года японский производитель объявил об инвестициях в развитие летающих такси, в частности в стартап Joby Aviation.

Производство

Производство группы в основном осуществляется в Японии, хотя производственные центры созданы на всех континентах. в10 февраля 2014 г., группа объявляет, что выведет все свои производственные предприятия на австралийской территории , что больше не является достаточно прибыльным.

Сайты производителя

В Японии

• Завод Тойота Такаока
• Завод Toyota в Цуцуми
• Завод Toyota в Тахаре
• Завод Тойота Фукуока
• Завод Toyota в Канегасаки
• Завод Toyota в Кокуре
• Завод Toyota Aichi
• Завод Toyota Gunma

Остаток мира

Европа

• Завод Toyota в Оннаинге , Франция
• Завод Toyota в Колине , Чехия
• Завод Toyota в Адапазары , Турция
• Завод Toyota в Бурнастоне , Великобритания
• Завод Toyota в Оваре, Португалия
• Завод Toyota в Санкт-Петербурге, Россия

Америка

• Бразилия
• Канада
• Соединенные Штаты

Азиатско-Тихоокеанский регион

• Австралия
• Индонезия
• Малайзия
• Пакистан
• Филиппины
• Тайвань
• Таиланд

Географическое распределение

Производство Toyota в 2009 году Континент Количество единиц Северная Америка 1,189,100 Европа 507 300 Африке 102 800 Азия 1 501 400 Япония 2 792 200 Океания 96 800 Мир 6 371 300

Продажи Toyota в 2009 г. Континент Количество единиц Северная Америка 1 975 400 Европа 886 000 Африке 201 400 Азия 1 533 900 Япония 1 375 500 Океания 231 200 Мир 6 979 600

Цифры продаж

В 2006 году годовой объем продаж Toyota составил 8,8 миллиона автомобилей, годовая чистая прибыль оценивается в 9,6 миллиарда евро, а количество сотрудников по всему миру составляет 286 000 человек (в том числе 38 000 в США). Для сравнения, General Motors объявила о производстве 9,09 миллиона единиц с годовой чистой прибылью в 1,5 миллиарда и 284 000 сотрудников. При аналогичном производстве Toyota, занимающая позицию претендента, приносит прибыль в шесть раз выше, чем ее прямой конкурент.

в 24 апреля 2007 г., Toyota стала ведущим производителем автомобилей в мире. В первом квартале 2007 года японский производитель продал 2,348 миллиона автомобилей; это на 88 000 автомобилей больше, чем у General Motors; он завершит год с общим объемом производства 9 497 000 автомобилей, что на 213 000 больше, чем 9 284 миллиона автомобилей нового конкурента.

Группа японского производителя объявляет, что в 2009 году она собрала по всему миру 6 979 600 автомобилей, несмотря на экономический кризис, который серьезно повлиял на автомобильный рынок, в Японии падение производства достигло 27,6%; на рынке, на котором она занимает 47,1% рынка; падение производства составляет 14,7% за рубежом и 21,7% в мире.

в 8 февраля 2009 г., Toyota сообщила о рекордных чистых убытках в размере около 5 миллиардов канадских долларов . Он прогнозирует более высокие убытки за финансовый год, заканчивающийся в 2010 году.27 августа 2009 г., Руководство Toyota решило закрыть завод, расположенный во Фремонте , Калифорния, и перенести производство группы в Онтарио , Канада .

В 2010 году Toyota сохранила лидирующие позиции среди производителей автомобилей, несмотря на кризис отзывов группы. С 8 420 000 автомобилей, что на 30 000 больше, чем у его прямого конкурента General Motors, показатели которого значительно выросли после продажи определенных брендов и реструктуризации компании в 2009 году.

в 11 марта 2011 г.Землетрясения на тихоокеанском побережье Тохоку и последующего цунами уничтожило большую часть Toyota заводов и запасов, что значительно уменьшились продажи и проигравших вместо п ^о  1 в мире в группе Toyota. Toyota очень быстро оправилась от последствий землетрясения 2011 года и вернулась к нормальному уровню производства летом 2011 года. Производитель переживает очень успешный 2012 год, достигая рекордов продаж во всем мире, особенно в Японии. Таким образом, он возвращается всего через год, заняв ^{первое место в}  мире в мае. Производитель объявил в 2012 году, что с 1997 года он продал в мире 4 миллиона гибридных автомобилей.

В 2013 году Toyota — производитель, который продал больше всего автомобилей в мире — 9,98 миллиона единиц. При этом в 2014 году Toyota продала 1,26 миллиона гибридных автомобилей.

В 2018 году Toyota должна инвестировать 400 миллионов евро и создать 700 рабочих мест на площадке Onnaing, а также создать торговую площадку Mirakl .

Эволюция производства и продаж группы Toyota

С 1935 по 1979 год Год Всего Япония Соединенные Штаты Производство Продажи Производство Продажи Продажи 1935 г. 20 1936 г. 1,142 1937 г. 4 013 1938 г. 4 615 1939 г. 11 981 1940 г. 14 787 1941 г. 14 611 1942 г. 16 302 1943 г. 9 827 1944 г. 12 720 1945 г. 3 275 1946 г. 5 821 1947 г. 3 922 1948 г. 6 703 1949 г. 10 824 1950 11 706 1951 г. 14 228 1952 г. 42 106 1953 г. 16 496 1954 г. 22 713 1955 г. 22 786 1956 г. 46 716 1957 г. 79 527 1958 г. 78 856 1959 г. 101 194 1960 г. 154 770 1961 г. 210 937 1962 г. 230 350 1963 г. 318 495 1964 г. 425 764 1965 г. 477 643 1966 г. 587 539 1967 832 130 1968 г. 1 097 405 1969 г. 1 471 211 1970 г. 1 609 190 1971 г. 1 955 033 1972 г. 2 087 133 1973 2 308 098 1974 г. 2 114 980 1975 г. 2 336 053 1976 г. 2 487 851 1977 г. 2,720,758 1978 г. 2 929 157 1979 г. 2 996 225

С 1980 по 2009 год Год Всего Япония Соединенные Штаты Производство Продажи Производство Продажи Продажи 1980 г. 3 293 344 девятнадцать восемьдесят один 3 220 418 1982 г. 3 144 557 1983 г. 3 272 335 1984 г. 3 429 249 1985 г. 3 665 622 1986 г. 3 660 167 1987 г. 3 638 279 1988 г. 3 956 697 2 120 273 1989 г. 3 975 902 2 308 863 1990 г. 4 212 373 2 504 291 1991 г. 4 085 071 2 355 356 1992 г. 3 931 341 2,228,941 1993 г. 3,561,750 2,057,848 1994 г. 3 508 456 2 031 064 1995 г. 3 171 277 2 060 125 1996 г. 3 410 060 2 135 276 1997 г. 3 502 046 2 005 949 1998 г. 5 210 000 1999 г. 5 462 000 2000 г. 5 954 723 1,619,206 2001 г. 5 847 743 4 046 637 2,291,503 1,741,254 2002 г. 6 309 307 4 138 873 2,218,324 1,756,127 2003 г. 6 826 166 4 244 667 2 305 635 1 866 314 2004 г. 7 547 177 4 454 212 2 387 556 2 060 049 2005 г. 8 232 143 4 611 076 2 368 817 2 260 296 2006 г. 9 017 786 5 085 600 2 368 706 2,542,524 2007 г. 9 497 754 5,119,631 2 261 515 2 620 825 2008 г. 9,225,236 4 911 861 2 153 197 2 217 662 2009 г. 7 234 439 3,543,199 1 996 174 1,770,147 2010 г. 8 418 000 2 010 700 2012 г. 9 747 762 2 411 890 2013 8 948 000 2014 г. 9 147 000 2015 г. 10 150 726 2 169 469 2016 г. 10 175 726 2,231,202 2017 г. 10 386 000 2 331 839 2018 г. 10 594 000 2 281 991 2019 г. 10 742 122 2 338 893 2020 г. 7 973 453 1,553,280

Записывать

В Июнь 2012 г., Toyota объявляет, что с момента своего рождения в 1935 году, то есть за 76 лет и 11 месяцев, она превысила отметку в 200 миллионов автомобилей, произведенных во всем мире, в том числе 145,21 миллиона автомобилей, произведенных в Японии.

Возникшие проблемы

Условия труда

В 1976 году японский журналист Сатоши Камата , проработав несколько месяцев на заводах Toyota, показал широкой публике очень суровые методы работы группы (которые вдохновили многих конкурентов). Он издает книгу на эту тему, которая будет переведена во всем мире: « Тойота, фабрика отчаяния»: журнал сезонного рабочего .

в 31 марта 2011 г., на заводе TMMF в Оннаинге забастовали некоторые рабочие, получив премию в размере 800  евро по случаю запуска модели 850L и установления тринадцатого месяца.

Ошибки и отзывы

в 24 августа 2009 г., Toyota осуществила самый крупный отзыв в своей истории, включая около 680 000 автомобилей, проданных в Китае ( Camry и другие седаны).

В начале 2010 года Toyota столкнулась с беспрецедентным кризисом из-за неисправности педали акселератора нескольких моделей, которая привела к отзыву около девяти миллионов автомобилей по всему миру с оценочной стоимостью 1,4 миллиарда евро, а через несколько дней 270 тысяч автомобилей были отозваны. отозван из-за производственного брака тормозов гибридной модели. Это второй по величине отзыв в мировой автомобильной истории после компании Ford . Генеральный директор компании Акио Тойода дошел до того, что извинился перед парламентской миссией Конгресса США, что является редкостью в отрасли.

В связи с этим случаем агентство Associated Press (AP) запросило у Toyota разъяснения относительно данных, зафиксированных черными ящиками автомобилей Toyota. AP утверждает, что Toyota более секретна, чем ее конкуренты, когда дело доходит до своих данных: говорят, что Toyota неохотно передает информацию в судебные органы, даже заходит так далеко, что стирает ее из стенограмм.

в 19 марта 2014 г., Toyota была оштрафована на 1,2 миллиарда долларов в Соединенных Штатах за программу, чей «код низкого уровня» на борту многих транспортных средств привел к гибели семьи из четырех человек в Калифорнии и 89 погибших в общей сложности, о чем свидетельствует экспертный отчет истцов на испытание.

в 11 июня 2014 г., Toyota объявляет об отзыве 2,27 миллиона автомобилей по всему миру из-за «проблем с подушками безопасности».

В июнь 2016Компания Toyota столкнулась с двумя серьезными отзывами, связанными, с одной стороны, с возможной неисправностью подушек безопасности в ее автомобилях, а с другой стороны, с риском появления трещин, способных вызвать утечку топлива на некоторых моделях. Эти две кампании отзыва затронули почти 3,4 миллиона автомобилей.

Примечания и ссылки

Примечания

использованная литература

Смотрите также

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• Scion , марка автомобиля
• WiLL  (ru) , марка автомобиля
• Команда Toyota F1
• Тойотизм
• Путь Toyota
• Тип двигателя Тойота
• Toyota Motorsport
• Сан ген сюги
• Генчи Генбуцу
• Toyota Австралия

внешние ссылки

• (ja) Официальный сайт
• (in) Toyota Motor Corporation
• (ru) Toyota.com
• Toyota Франция
• (fr) (en) Toyota Canada
• (ja) Toyota Япония