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History of Toyota

Ever since its founding, Toyota has sought to contribute to a more prosperous society through the manufacture of automobiles, operating its business with a focus on vehicle production and sales. To celebrate its 75th anniversary, the company has compiled 75 Years of Toyota. Have a look at the company's progress over the last three-quarter century.

History of Toyota

1867
Sakichi Toyoda is born.
1890s
Sakichi Toyoda invents the wooden Toyoda handloom.
1894
Kiichiro Toyoda is born.
1924
Sakichi Toyoda completes the non-stop shuttle change type Toyoda automatic loom (Type G).
History-Of-Toyota-2
Non-stop shuttle change type Toyoda automatic loom (Type G)
1929
Kiichiro Toyoda travels to Europe and the United States to investigate automobiles. The British company Platt Brothers gains the automatic loom patent rights.
1930
Kiichiro Toyoda starts research into gasoline-powered engines.
1933
Automobile Department is established in Toyoda Automatic Loom Works, Ltd.
1935
Hinode Motors (currently Aichi Toyota) starts operations.

A1 prototype passenger car is completed.


History-Of-Toyota-3
A1 prototype passenger car
<   /td>

G1 truck is completed.


History-Of-Toyota-4
G1 truck
1935
Hinode Motors (currently Aichi Toyota) starts operations.
1936
First export of a Toyota car (G1 truck).
History-Of-Toyota-6
First export of a Toyota car (G1 truck)
1936
Toyota's logo is established.
1936
Toyoda Model AA Sedan, AB phaeton and GA truck are announced.
History-Of-Toyota-5
Toyoda Model AA Sedan
1937
Toyota Motor Co., Ltd. is established.
1938
Just-in-time" system launches on a full-scale basis.
History-Of-Toyota-8
Production line at Koromo Plant
1938
Koromo Plant (currently Honsha Plant) starts operations.
History-Of-Toyota-7
Koromo Plan
1938
Toyota Motor Co., Ltd. is established.
1940
Toyoda Seiko, Ltd. (currently Aichi Steel Works, Ltd.) is established. Toyoda Physical and Chemical Research Institute is established.
1941
Toyota Machine Works Co., Ltd. is established.
1941
Production of AE passenger car starts.
1942
Production of KB truck starts.
1943
Tokai Hikoki Co., Ltd. (currently Aisin Seiki Co., Ltd.) is established.
1943
Production of AC passenger car and KC truck starts.
1945
Toyota Shatai Kogyo Co., Ltd. (currently Toyota Auto Body Co., Ltd.) is established.
1946
Kanto Electric Auto Manufacturing, Ltd. (currently Kanto Auto Works, Ltd.) is established.
1947
Production of BM truck, SB small truck and SA compact passenger car starts.
History-Of-Toyota-9
SB truck
1947
100,000th Toyota vehicle is produced domestically.
History-Of-Toyota-11

1947
SA compact passenger car racing with express train
History-Of-Toyota-9
1948
Nisshin Tsusho Co., Ltd. (currently Toyota Tsusho Corporation) is established.
1949
Production of SD compact passenger car starts.
1949
Nagoya Rubber Co., Ltd. (currently Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.) is established.
1949
Nippondenso Co., Ltd. (currently DENSO CORPORATION) is established.
1950
Events

・ Financial crisis/Labor dispute/Voluntary retirement.
・ Toyota Motor Sales Co., Ltd. is established.
・ Minsei Spinning Co., Ltd. (currently Toyoda Boshoku Corporation) is established.

1951
Creative Idea Suggestion System begins.
1951
New Model Introductions

・ BX truck and BJ Toyota Jeep (currently Land Cruiser) are announced.

・ Production of SF compact passenger car starts.

1952
Production of SG small truck starts.
1953
Towa Real Estate Co., Ltd. is established.
1953
RH Toyopet Super and RK small truck are announced.
1953
Corporate slogan "Good Thinking, Good Products" is established.
History-Of-Toyota-6
Slogan is established
1954
SKB small truck (currently Toyo Ace) is announced.
1954
Main Technical Building (Technical Center) is completed.
1955
Toyopet Crown, Toyopet Master and Crown Deluxe are announced.
History-Of-Toyota-13
Toyopet Crown
1956
Toyopet dealerships start operations.
1956
Head Office test course is completed.
1956
RK52 small truck (currently Dyna) is announced.
1957
DA60 diesel truck and Toyopet Corona (currently Premio) are announced.
1957
First export of Japanese passenger car (Crown) to the United States.
History-Of-Toyota-6
First export of Japanese passenger car (Crown) to the U.S.
1957
Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. is established.
History-Of-Toyota-6
Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
1958
Toyota do Brasil S.A. starts operations.
1959
Motomachi Plant starts operations.
History-Of-Toyota-6
Motomachi Plant
1960
Toyota Central Research & Development Laboratories, Inc. is established.
1960
Main Building is completed.
History-Of-Toyota-17
Main Building of Toyota Head Office
1961
Publica is announced.
Publica
1961
Important Events

・ Publica dealerships (currently Toyota Corolla dealerships) start operations.

・ Total Quality Control (TQC) is adopted throughout company.

・ Haruhi Plant (currently Haruhi Center) is completed.

1962
1 millionth Toyota vehicle is produced domestically.
1962
Toyota Motor Thailand Co., Ltd. is established.
1962
Labor-Management Joint Declaration is signed.
History-Of-Toyota-6
Signing ceremony for Labor-Management Joint Declaration
1963
RK170B light bus (currently Coaster) is announced.
1964
Crown Eight, FA100 and DA100 heavy-duty trucks are announced.
1965
The Deming Prize for major advances in quality improvement is awarded.
History-Of-Toyota-6
The Deming Prize is awarded
1965
Kamigo Plant starts operations.
1965
Toyota Sports 800 is announced.
1966
Corolla is announced.
History-Of-Toyota-6
Corolla
1966
Higashifuji Proving Ground is completed.
History-Of-Toyota-6
Higashifuji Proving Ground
1966
Enter into business partnership with Hino Motors, Ltd.
1966
Takaoka Plant starts operations.
1967
Enter into business partnership with Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd.
1967
Toyota Auto dealerships (currently Netz Toyota dealerships) start operations.
1967
Toyota 2000GT, Hiace and Miniace are announced.
History-Of-Toyota-6
Toyota 2000GT speed trial
1968
Hilux, Corolla Sprinter and Corona Mark II are announced.
1968
Miyoshi Plant starts operations.
1969
Cumulative exports reach 1 million units.
History-Of-Toyota-6
Cumulative exports reach 1 million units
1969
Annual domestic sales reach 1 million units.
1970
Tsutsumi Plant starts operations.
1970
Carina (currently Allion), Celica and Light Ace are announced.
1970
First Japan Quality Control Medal is awarded.
History-Of-Toyota-6
Japan Quality Control Medal is awarded
1972
10 millionth Toyota vehicle is produced.
1973
Calty Design Research, Inc. is established.
1973
Publica Starlet is announced.
1973
Myochi Plant starts operations.
1974
Nisshin Training Center is completed.
History-Of-Toyota-6
Nisshin Training Center
1974
The Toyota Foundation is established.
1974
Toyota Kuragaike Commemorative Hall is completed.
1975
Prefabricated housing business starts.
1975
Shimoyama Plant starts operations.
1975
Cumulative exports reach 5 million units.
1976
Town Ace is announced.
1977
Toyota Kaikan Exhibition Hall is completed.
1977
Chaser is announced.
1977
Toyota Technical Center U.S.A., Inc. is established.
1978
Kinuura Plant starts operations.
1978
Celica XX (currently Supra), Tercel and Corsa are announced.
History-Of-Toyota-6
Celica
1979
Cumulative exports reach 10 million units.
History-Of-Toyota-6
Cumulative production reaches 10 million units
1979
Tahara Plant starts operations.
History-Of-Toyota-6
Tahara Plant
1980
Toyota Vista dealerships starts operations.
1980
Celica Camry (currently Camry) and Cresta are announced.
1981
Toyota Technological Institute is inaugurated.
1981
Soarer is announced.
History-Of-Toyota-6
Soarer
1982
Toyota Motor Co., Ltd. and Toyota Motor Sales Co., Ltd. merge into Toyota Motor Corporation.
History-Of-Toyota-6
Merger of Toyota Motor Corporation and Toyota Motor Sales Co., Ltd.
1984
Toyota-General Motors joint venture in the United States, known as New United Motor Manufacturing, Inc. (NUMMI), starts production.
History-Of-Toyota-6
NUMMI
1984
Shibetsu Proving Ground is completed.
1984
Hilux Surf and MR2 are announced.
1985
Tobishima Center is completed.
1985
Cumulative exports reach 20 million units.
1986
Teiho Plant starts operations.
1986
50 millionth Toyota vehicle is produced domestically.
History-Of-Toyota-6
50 millionth Toyota vehicle is produced domestically
1987
TMME (Toyota Motor Europe Marketing & Engineering S.A.) Technical Center is established.
History-Of-Toyota-6
Ground breaking ceremony for TMM plant
1987
Toyota Memorial Hospital is completed.
1987
Kasugai Housing Works starts operations.
1988
Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, Inc. starts production.
1988
Annual domestic sales reach 2 million units.
1989
Tokyo Design Center is established.
1989
Toyota Automobile Museum is completed.
1989
Hirose Plant starts operations.
1989
Tochigi Housing Works starts operations.
1989
Lexus dealerships are established in the U.S.
1989
Celsior is announced.
History-Of-Toyota-6
Celsior
1990
Toyota Motor Europe Marketing & Engineering S.A. (TMME) is established.
1990
Amlux opens.
1990
Estima is announced.
1991
Yamanashi Housing Works starts operations.
1991
Windom and Aristo are announced.
1992
Toyota Motor Hokkaido, Inc. starts operations.
1992
Toyota Motor Manufacturing (U.K.), Ltd. (TMUK) starts production.
History-Of-Toyota-6
Aerial view of TMUK
1992
Toyota Motor Kyushu, Inc. starts operations.
History-Of-Toyota-6
Announcement of new plant in France
1992
Toyota Earth Charter is established.
1992
Guiding Principles at Toyota are announced.
1992
DUO dealerships for Volkswagen and Audi cars open.
1994
Industrial Technology Memorial Museum opens.
1994
RAV4L and RAV4J are announced.
1994
Annual overseas output exceeds 1 million units.
1995
Avalon and Toyota Cavalier are announced.
1996
Ipsum is announced.
1996
Genesis Research Institute, Inc. is established.
1997
Prius and Harrier are announced.
History-Of-Toyota-6
Prius
1998
Toyota Motor Tohoku, Inc. starts operations.
1998
"Toyota Auto" sales channel changes name to "Netz Toyota."
1998
Tianjin Toyota Motor Engine Co., Ltd. (TTME) starts operations.
History-Of-Toyota-6
Tianjin Engine Plant starts operations
1998
Altezza is announced.
1998
Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana, Inc. (TMMI) and Toyota Motor Manufacturing, West Virginia, Inc. (TMMWV) start operations.
1999
Toyota Kirloskar Motor, Ltd. starts operations..
1999
Annual overseas sales exceed 3 million units.
1999
Vitz, Cami, Platz, FunCargo and MR-S are announced.
History-Of-Toyota-6
Vitz
1999
MEGA WEB opens.
1999
100 millionth Toyota vehicle is produced domestically.
History-Of-Toyota-6
100 millionth Toyota vehicle is produced domestically
1999
TMC is listed on the New York and London Stock Exchanges.
2000
Events

・ Sichuan Toyota Motor Co., Ltd. (SCTM) starts production in China.
・ Toyota Financial Services Corporation is established to oversee Toyota's finance companies worldwide.
・ Sichuan Toyota Motor Co., Ltd. (SCTM) starts production in China.

2001
Toyota Motor Manufacturing France S.A.S. (TMMF) starts production.

・ Allex, Allion, Voxy, WiLL VS, Brevis and Verossa are announced.
・ Toyota Motor Manufacturing France S.A.S. (TMMF) starts production.

2002
Events

- ist, Alphard, Probox and Succeed, Voltz and WiLL CYPHA are announced
- Toyota FCHV is introduced on a limited sales basis
- North American production achieves 10 million units cumulative production
- Worldwide Prius sales achieve 100,000 units. - Toyota enters Formula One (F1) competition. - Toyota Peugeot Citroen Automobile Czech, s.r.o. is established. - Toyota Motor Manufacturing Poland SP.z o.o. (TMMP) starts production. - China FAW Group Corporation (FAW) signs a cooperative agreement in China. - Toyota Motor Manufacturing de Baja California S.de R.L.de C.V. is established. - Toyota Kirloskar Auto Parts Private Ltd. is established. - Tianjin Toyota Motor Co., Ltd (TTMC) starts production in China. - Toyota Motor Industries Poland Sp.z o.o. (TTIP) is established.

2003
Events

・ WISH, Sienta and Avensis are announced.
・ Toyota Home Inc. (house retail company) is established.
・ Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Texas, lnc. (TMMTX) is established.
・ Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Alabama, lnc. (TMMAL) is established.

2004
Events

・ Passo, Porte, Isis and Mark X are announced.
・ Toyota FAW (Tianjin) Dies Co., Ltd. is established.
・ FAW Toyota Changchun Engine Co., Ltd. is established.
・ Guangzhou Toyota Motor Co., Ltd. is established.

2005
Events

・ Ractis and Belta are announced.
・ GS430, SC430 and IS350/250 are announced.
・ Worldwide Camry Sedan sales reach 10 million units.
・ Toyota starts production of the "Toyota Aygo" along with "Peugeot 107" and "Citroen C1" through a joint venture with PSA Peugeot Citroen in the Czech Republic.
・ "TOYOTA MOTOR MANUFACTURING RUSSIA"(TMMR) is established.
・ The Lexus brand is launched in Japan.
・ Toyota and Fuji Heavy Industries agree on Business Collaboration.

2006
Events

・ Rush is announced.
・ GS450 and LS460 are announced.
・ Collora Axio, Auris and Blade are announced.
・ Worldwide Prius sales achieve 500,000 units.
・ Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America Inc. (TEMA) is established.

2007
Events

・ LS600h/600hL is announced.
・ Vanguard and Mark X Zio are announced.
・IS F is announced.
・ Corolla Rumion is announced.
・ Worldwide Hybrid sales top 1 million units.
・ Toyota Motor Asia Pacific Engineering and Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (TMAP-EM) is established.
・ Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc. (SIA) starts production.
・ Tong Fang Global Logistics Co., Ltd (TFGL) is established.
・ "TOYOTA MOTOR MANUFACTURING RUSSIA"(TMMR) starts production.

2008
Events

・ Worldwide Prius sales top 1 million mark.
・ Leasing Advanced Fuel Cell Hybrid Vehicle begins.
・ Toyota Peugeot Citroën Automobile Czech, s.r.o. (TPCA) produces 1 millionth vehicle.
・Toyota Research Institute of North America (TRI-NA) is established in United States.
・ Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC), Daihatsu and FHI Research & Development and product-supply ties grow deeper.
・ The 21st Century Greater Beijing
・ Afforestation Center in China opens.
・ Toyota Motor Corporation Australia Ltd. (TMCA) starts Camry Hybrid vehicle production in Australia.
・ Toyota Motor Thailand Co., Ltd. (TMT) starts Camry Hybrid vehicle production in Thailand.
・ Testing Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles in the United Kingdom begins.
・ Toyota Technical Center, USA, Inc.(TTC) York Township campus opens in the U.S.
・ Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada Inc. (TMMC) starts RAV4 production in Canada.

2009
Events

・ RX450h/RX350, IS 250C, HS250h and LFA are announced.
・ SAI and Prius Plug-in Hybrid are announced.
・ Toyota Motor Manufacturing Turkey Inc. (TMMT) production exceeds 1 million units.
・ Worldwide Hybrid sales top 2 million units.
・ Toyota Marketing Japan (TMJ) is established.
・ Toyota Motor Sales & Marketing (TMSM) is established.
・ Toyota to withdraws from F1.

2010
Events

・ FJ Cruiser launched.
・ Worldwide Prius sales top 2 million units.
・ Thailand cumulative production reaches 5 million units.
・ Europe sales archives 20 million units.
・ Toyota and Mazda agree to Hybrid System Technology Licence.
・ Toyota and Tesla Motors agree on joint EV development.
・ Toyota's housing operations to integrate under Toyota Housing Corporation.
・ Toyota develops Advanced Energy Management System.

2011
Events

・ CT200h, Prius α, Pixis, Aqua are announced.
・ Worldwide Hybrid Vehicle sales top 3 Million mark.
・ Malaysian cumulative production reaches 1 million units.
・ GAC Toyota Motor Co., Ltd. (GTMC) produces 1 millionth vehicle.
・ Microsoft and Toyota forge a strategic partnership on Next-Generation Telematics.
・ Salesforce and Toyota form strategic Alliance to build 'Toyota Friend'.
・ Toyota Motor Manufacturing Mississippi, Inc. begins production in the USA.
・ BMW and Toyota agree to a mid-to-long-term research in environment-friendly technologies.

2012
Events

・ Toyota 86 sports car launched
・ Worldwide sales of TMC hybrids top 4 million units
・ IMV series cumulative production reaches 5 million units
・ TMC worldwide cumulative production tops 200 million units
・ North America cumulative production reaches 25 million units
・ BMW Group and Toyota agree to further strengthen collaboration

2013
Events

・ IS launched
・ Worldwide sales of TMC hybrids top 5 million units
・ Worldwide Prius sales top 3 million units.
・ Worldwide Corolla sales top 40 million units.