Toyota

Year of foundation 1933

The history of Toyota Motor Corporation is one of the most fascinating and successful in the global automotive landscape. Originating from a textile industry, it has evolved to become one of the largest and most influential vehicle manufacturers on the planet.

The Origins: From Sewing Machines to Automobiles (1920s-1930s)
The story begins with Sakichi Toyoda, a Japanese inventor and entrepreneur. In 1926, he founded the Toyoda Automatic Loom Works, specializing in the production of automatic looms. His son, Kiichiro Toyoda, had a great passion for automobiles, which he had developed during his travels in Europe and the United States.

With his father's support, Kiichiro decided to launch a division dedicated to automobile production. In 1933, the automobile division was created within the Toyoda Automatic Loom Works. The first results were soon evident:

1935: The first prototype, the Model A1, was produced.

1936: The first production vehicle, the Model AA, was launched, a sedan inspired by American cars of the time, such as the Chrysler Airflow.

The Birth of Toyota Motor Corporation (1937)
On August 28, 1937, the automobile division separated from its parent company to form Toyota Motor Company. It was at this time that the name "Toyoda" (meaning "fertile rice field") was changed to "Toyota." This change was no accident:

In Japanese, "Toyota" is written with eight brush strokes, a number considered lucky.

The new name sounded better and was easier to pronounce.

During World War II, vehicle production was primarily focused on heavy vehicles and trucks for the Japanese military.

Postwar and Global Expansion (1950s–1970s)
The postwar period was a period of great difficulty for Japan, and Toyota faced bankruptcy. However, thanks to rigorous management and the implementation of a new production approach, the company managed to recover.

Kiichiro Toyoda and other managers, such as Taiichi Ohno, developed what would become world-famous as the Toyota Production System (TPS). The core principles of TPS are:

Just-in-Time (JIT): Producing what is needed, when it is needed, and in the quantity needed, to reduce waste.

Jidoka: Automation with a human touch, allowing the production line to be stopped in the event of anomalies.

Kaizen: Continuous improvement.

These principles revolutionized the automotive industry and allowed Toyota to produce high-quality vehicles efficiently and economically.

1957: Toyota exported its first cars to the United States, the Toyopet Crown sedan. The beginning was difficult, but perseverance led to gradual success.

1960s: Iconic models such as the Corolla (1966), which became the world's best-selling car, and the 2000GT sports car were launched.

The Era of Growth and Innovation (1980s–2000s)
The 1980s saw Toyota's exponential growth. The oil crisis of the 1970s had driven consumers to seek more efficient cars, and Toyota's reliable and economical models were the perfect answer.

1989: The luxury brand Lexus was launched to compete directly with European and American automakers such as Mercedes-Benz and BMW. Lexus was an immediate success, quickly becoming synonymous with luxury and reliability.

1997: Toyota took a giant leap in eco-innovation with the launch of the Prius, the world's first mass-produced hybrid car. This model revolutionized the market and consolidated Toyota's leadership in green technologies.

The New Millennium and the Challenges of the Future
In the 21st century, Toyota continued to dominate the market. It faced significant challenges, such as the 2008 financial crisis and the mass recalls of certain models in the early 2010s. However, it demonstrated remarkable resilience and the ability to adapt.

Today, Toyota is one of the world's largest automobile manufacturers, known for quality, reliability, and innovation. The company is investing heavily in new technologies, such as hydrogen-powered cars (the Mirai is one example), electric vehicles, and autonomous driving, to address the mobility challenges of the future and remain an industry leader.