Toyota-The Biggest Car Company in the World

INTRODUCTION

Toyota is the world’s largest car company, with over 300,000 employees and operations in over 170 countries. The company was founded in 1937 by Kiichiro Toyoda, and today produces over 10 million vehicles each year. Toyota is best known for its cars, but the company also manufactures trucks, buses, SUVs, and hybrids. Toyota’s products are sold under a number of different brands, including Lexus and Scion. The company also has a controlling stake in Daihatsu and Hino Motors.Toyota is headquartered in Toyota City, Japan, and its shares are traded on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. The company has a market capitalization of over $200 billion.

AUTOMOBILE SCENE IN INDIA

The Indian automotive industry is one of the largest in the world with an annual production of over 23 million vehicles in FY 2018–19, and is expected to grow to 31 million by FY2026. With such a large market, it’s no surprise that the automobile scene in India is quite vibrant. There are a number of domestic and international automakers present in the country, producing a wide range of vehicles to suit the needs of Indian consumers. In recent years, there has been a growing trend towards more premium and luxury cars, as well as SUVs and MPVs. The competition in the Indian automotive market is quite intense, with new models and variants being launched on a regular basis. Automakers are constantly trying to outdo each other in terms of features, pricing, and fuel efficiency. This competitive environment is good for consumers as it results in better quality cars at more affordable prices.

TOYOTA IN INDIA

Since its establishment in India in 1997, Toyota Kirloskar Motor Pvt. Ltd. (TKM) has been spearheading the Toyota brand in India and currently markets 12 vehicles — Innova Crysta, Fortuner, Corolla Altis, Yaris, Vellfire, Camry, Etios Liva & Platinum Etios Cross, Etios Valco, Rush and Urban Cruiser. In March 2001, TKM commenced operations with the launch of the first-generation Toyota Qualis. The company followed it up with the launch of the second-generation Qualis in 2005 and introduced the country’s first multi-purpose vehicle (MPV), the Toyota Innova in 2006. TKM further strengthened its product portfolio with the launch of the SUV — Fortuner in 2009 and the Corolla Altis sedan in 2010 .With a strong focus on customer service and continuous improvement of its products and processes[t1] , TKM today has a nationwide network of over 240 dealerships and service points across 169 cities. The company also has a state-of-the-art manufacturing plant at Bidadi near Bengaluru which was inaugurated by His Excellency Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam in October 1999. The plant currently manufactures vehicles designed for both domestic as well as export markets.

HISTORY OF TOYOTA

1937-Founding

In 1937, Toyota Motor Company was founded by Kiichiro Toyoda. The company’s first product was the Type A engine, which was used in the company’s first car, the Toyota AA .Toyota Motor Corporation is a Japanese multinational automotive manufacturer headquartered inside Toyota City, Aichi, Japan. The business was started by Kiichiro Toyoda in 1937 as a spinoff from his father’s business Toyota Industries to create automobiles. Three years earlier in 1934, while still a department of Toyota Industries, it created its first product Type A engine and followed with its first passenger car in 1936, the Toyota AA.

1947-First Truck produced

In 1947, the first truck was produced by Toyota. This was a very important event for the company, as it marked their entry into the automotive market. The truck was called the G1 and was based on the earlier Japanese Army Type 97 vehicle. It featured a 3.4-liter engine and had a payload capacity of 1 ton. Only 50 of these trucks were ever made, and they were only sold to businesses in the Toyota area.

1955-Toyopet Crown launched

In 1955, Toyota launched the Toyopet Crown, its first passenger car. The Crown was a hit with Japanese consumers and helped Toyota establish itself as a serious player in the global automotive market. The Crown was based on the Toyota AA, a small sedan that had been launched in 1936. The AA was popular in Japan but didn’t sell well overseas. The Crown, however, was designed with export markets in mind and quickly became one of Toyota’s best-selling models in the United States and other countries. The Crown was available with a 1.5-liter inline-four engine or a 2.0-liter inline-six. It was offered in both two-door and four-door body styles and could seat up to five people. In 1957, Toyota also introduced the Toyopet Crown Custom, a longer wheelbase version of the standard car that featured additional luxury items such as power windows and air conditioning. The Toyopet Crown remained in production until 1962 when it was replaced by the Toyota Corona.

1961-Publica launched

In 1961, the Toyota Publica was launched as the company’s first ever mass-produced passenger car. The vehicle was designed to offer a more affordable and practical alternative to the expensive and luxurious cars that were on the market at the time. The Publica was a hit with consumers and helped to establish Toyota as a major player in the automotive industry. Despite its success, Publica was discontinued in 1965 due to financial difficulties within the company. However, it would later be revived in 2002 as the Toyota Liva, a subcompact car that is still in production today.

1966-Corolla Line off

In 1966, the Corolla line was discontinued. This was due to the fact that Toyota was now focusing on the production of larger vehicles such as the Crown and the Corona. The discontinuation of the Corolla line marked a significant shift in Toyota’s production priorities.

1974-Nisshin Training center completed

In 1974, the Nisshin Training Centre was completed in Toyota City. The training center was built to provide employees with the skills they need to work at the Toyota Motor Corporation. The centre has a library, classrooms, and a conference room.

1989-Lexus LS400 launched

In 1989, Toyota launched the Lexus LS 400, its first foray into the luxury car market. The LS 400 was a hit, and helped establish Toyota as a major player in the luxury car segment. The LS 400 was followed by the Lexus GS 300 and Lexus ES 300, which further solidified Toyota’s luxury car credentials.

1997-Prius Launched

In 1997, Toyota launched the Prius, the world’s first mass-produced gasoline-electric hybrid car. The Prius was a breakthrough in automotive engineering, and it quickly became a symbol of Toyota’s commitment to environmental leadership. Today, the Prius is the best-selling hybrid car in the world, with over 4 million units sold.

2009-LFA launched

In 2009, the LFA was launched as a supercar. It was designed to be a halo car for the Toyota brand. The LFA was developed over six years and cost over $400 million to produce. It featured a 4.8 liter V10 engine that could rev to 9,000 rpm. The LFA had a top speed of 202 mph and could accelerate from 0–60 mph in 3.6 seconds. Only 500 units were produced, making it one of the most exclusive cars in the world.

2014-Mirai-First hydrogen car

In 2014, Toyota released the Mirai, the world’s first hydrogen car. The Mirai uses a fuel cell to convert hydrogen into electricity, which powers the electric motor. The Mirai has a range of over 300 miles on a single tank of hydrogen, and emits nothing but water vapor from its tailpipe.

Present

In the present, Toyota Motor Corporation is a multinational automotive manufacturer headquartered in Aichi, Japan. The company produces vehicles under five brands, including the Toyota brand, Hino, Lexus, Ranz, and Daihatsu. It also has a majority stake in Subaru and minority stakes in Isuzu, Mazda, and Suzuki. In 2019, Toyota sold over 10 million vehicles globally, producing over 9 million of those vehicles itself. The company has factories all over the world in countries including China, Canada, France, Poland, South Africa, Turkey, and the United Kingdom.

FUTURE OF TOYOTA

The future of Toyota is looking very bright. The company has set itself apart from its competitors by making some very bold moves, such as investing in electric vehicles and driverless cars. It is also expanding its business into new markets, such as India and Africa. With its strong financial position and commitment to innovation, Toyota is well-positioned to continue its success in the years to come.