Toyota History: from Looms to Cars
On August 28, 1936, the Toyota automobile company was founded. The history of Toyota began in the 30s of the last century, when Kiichiro Toyoda, the son of the owner of Toyoda Automatic Loom Works, engaged in the production of looms and textiles, opened an automobile department at his father's company.
(11 photos in total)
1. The idea arose after Kiichiro Toyoda traveled to America and Europe in 1929, where he got acquainted with the development of the automotive industry there. The Japanese government strongly supported the initiative of Toyoda Automatic Loom Works.
2. Already in May 1934, the company produced its first Type A engine, which was used in the first model of the A1 passenger car and in the G1 truck.
3. Production of the AA passenger car began in 1936. At first, early Toyoda Automatic Loom Works models resembled the Dodge Power Wagon and Chevrolet.
4. Independent company Toyota Motor Co., Ltd. it became in 1936. One letter in the original name had to be changed. The word Toyota, written by katakana, consists of 8 traits, and the eight is traditionally considered a symbol of good luck.
5. In 1957, the Toyota Crown became the first Japanese car exported to America.
6. Production expanded rapidly: in 1963, the first Toyota car was assembled in Melbourne, and a few years later, the first Toyota Land Cruiser rolled off the assembly line.
7. In 1982, the 1st generation of the best-selling Toyota Camry, produced to this day, appears.
8. Since 1988, Toyota has confidently begun to conquer the North American market with the Lexus brand.
9. In April 2005, Toyota began construction of an automobile plant in Shushary in the Leningrad region.
10. Since 1997, Toyota has been actively promoting hybrid technologies. The Toyota Prius hybrid became the first mass-produced "hybrid". By 2030, Toyota Motor plans to equip the entire model range of the company with such power plants.
11. It seems that the company is confident of success, because one of the 14 principles of Toyota management says: "Use only reliable, proven technology."