Toyota automobile history timeline

Business History

Toyota, a renowned Japanese automotive manufacturer, has a rich and fascinating history. It all began in 1933 when the company was founded by Kiichiro Toyoda as a division of his father's textile company. Initially, Toyota focused on producing automatic looms, but Kiichiro had a vision of venturing into the automotive industry.
In 1936, Toyota unveiled its first passenger car, the AA, which was followed by the introduction of several successful models in the years to come. However, the onset of World War II led to a halt in car production, and Toyota shifted its focus to manufacturing trucks for the Japanese military.

After the war, Toyota faced numerous challenges but managed to rebuild and grow rapidly. In the 1950s, the company introduced the iconic Land Cruiser, a rugged off-road vehicle that gained popularity worldwide. This was followed by the launch of the compact Corona sedan in 1960, which marked Toyota's entry into the global market.

Toyota's commitment to innovation and quality led to remarkable achievements in the coming decades. In the 1970s, they introduced the fuel-efficient Corolla, which became one of the best-selling cars worldwide. In the 1980s, Toyota revolutionized the automotive industry with the introduction of the Lexus brand, offering luxury and performance in a distinctive package.

Toyota's dedication to environmental sustainability became evident with the launch of the Prius, the world's first mass-produced hybrid car, in 1997. This groundbreaking vehicle showcased Toyota's commitment to reducing emissions and promoting eco-friendly transportation.

Over the years, Toyota has expanded its global presence, establishing manufacturing plants and sales networks in various countries. Today, it is one of the largest automobile manufacturers worldwide, known for its reliability, durability, and technological advancements. With a strong focus on electric and autonomous vehicles, Toyota cont

Toyota events

General events

1951

February

Production Facility Modernization Five-Year Plan created

March 1

Order for 1,350 vehicles received as part of the Fourth Korean War Special Procurement boom

March

Funds accumulated from Japanese payments for previous U.S. aid loaned to Toyota, Nissan, and Isuzu

March 31

Dividend distributed in the 23rd fiscal year for the first time since the end of World War II

May

Creative Idea Suggestion System Committee launched

June

Operation of a large 2000-ton stamping machine commenced

June

Regulations on transfer of foreign used cars go into effect

July

Revised Road Transportation Act and Road Transport Vehicle Act go into effect

July

Vehicle Registration Order goes into effect

July

Commercial Code goes into effect (Companies Act completely revised)

July

Korean Cease Fire Conference commences

August 1

BX truck and BJ Toyota Jeep launched

September 24

First All-Toyota General Sports Competition held (ended after the 45th event)

September

San Francisco Peace Treaty and Japan-U.S.A. Security Treaty signed

October 1

Model SF compact passenger car launched

December

Hatsudoki Seizo Co., Ltd. is renamed Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd.

Central Japan Heavy Industries, Ltd. concludes a contract with Willys of the U.S.A. for knock-down assembly of the Jeep (production commenced in February 1952)

1952

January 7

TWI introduced as a program for educating supervisors

February

100 FX large trucks exported to Brazil

March 27

Former President Kiichiro Toyoda passes away

March

SG small truck launche

The history of Toyota started in 1933 with the company being a division of Toyoda Automatic Loom Works devoted to the production of cars under the direction of the founder's son, Kiichiro Toyoda. Kiichiro Toyoda had traveled to Europe and the United States in 1929 to investigate automobile production and had begun researching gasoline-powered engines in 1930. Toyoda Automatic Loom Works was encouraged to develop automobile production by the Japanese government, which needed domestic vehicle production, due to the war with China. Kiichiro Toyoda seized this opportunity to establish the Automotive Production Division on September 1, 1933, and began preparing to build prototype vehicles. In 1934, the division produced its first Type A Engine, which was used in the first Model A1 passenger car in May 1935 and the G1 truck in August 1935. Production of the Model AA passenger car started in 1936. Early vehicles bear a striking resemblance to the DodgePower Wagon and 1930's Chevrolet, with some parts actually interchanging with their American originals.

Although the Toyota Group is best known today for its cars, it is still in the textile business and still makes automatic looms, which are now computerized, and electric sewing machines which are available worldwide.

Beginning

See also: Toyota § History

Toyota Motor Co. was established as an independent and separate company in 1937. Although the founding family's name was written in the Kanji "豊田" (rendered as "Toyoda"), the company name was changed to a similar word in katakana - トヨタ (rendered as "Toyota") because the latter has 8 strokes which is regarded as a lucky number in East Asian culture. Since Kanji are e

Toyota's origins lie in the Japanese weaving industry when Sakichi Toyoda invented the world's first automatic loom and, subsequently, set up the Toyoda Spinning and Weaving Company in 1918. His invention reduced defects and increased yields since a loom stopped and would not go on producing imperfect fabric and using up thread after a problem occurred. This principle of designing equipment to stop automatically and call attention to problems immediately (jidoka) remains crucial to the Toyota Production System today.

The loom impressed a British Company, the Platt Brothers, so much that, in 1929, they bought the production and sales rights for £100,000. Sakichi gave those proceeds to his son, Kiichiro, to develop automotive technology at Toyoda. This in turn led to the launch of the Company's first ever passenger car in 1936, the Model AA, and in 1937, the Toyota Motor Company was born. Production of Toyota vehicles outside Japan began in 1959 in Brazil and now, besides its own plants, manufacturing subsidiaries and affiliates in Japan, Toyota manufactures Toyota and Lexus brand vehicles and components throughout the world.

Look back at the history of Toyota, starting with the birth of founder Sakichi Toyoda. It traces the company's development from 1937 when Toyota Motor Corporation was established to when the two millionth Prius hybrid was sold.

Find out more about the history of Toyota on the Toyota Motor Corporation website.