Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) reached a manufacturing milestone in the middle of 2012, according to company bosses.
After nearly 77 years - 76 years and 11 months to be precise - Toyota's cumulative vehicle production reached 200 million vehicles, with the brand now visible in almost every country in the world. Although one of the world's largest manufacturing organisations, Toyota is still headed up by members of the original Toyoda family.
Toyota's 1936 Model AA sedan Image: TMC |
From it's beginnings in the fabric manufacturing industry, Toyoda Automatic Loom Works created an Automotive Department and began making the Model G1 truck in August 1935. One year later, the first passenger car - a Model AA sedan - was produced and a global automotive empire was born.
The company's automotive division was spun-off from the loom-making business, eventually becoming Toyota Motor Corporation and reached its 10 million unit milestone in January 1972.
Now, with manfacturing plants around the world, the 200 million mark has been reached. By the end of June 2012, Japanese production had totalled 145.21 vehicles, with overseas plants - including the UK, Czech Republic, Turkey, France and Russia - adding a further 55.12 million Toyota and Lexus-badged vehicles to the mix.
Despite and eight million vehicle recall in February 2010 and its factories and suppliers being severely damaged a year later in the earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan, Toyota has continued to grow its brand presence across the world, with the Corolla being the highest-produced of the Toyota range.
TMC President, Akio Toyoda, stated after the milestone was reached: “I wish to express my heartfelt appreciation to our customers the world over who made it possible for us to reach this milestone. I also have the most profound respect and gratitude for the efforts of all persons who were involved in developing, manufacturing, and marketing Toyota and Lexus vehicles over the years."
He continued: "We are determined to make our cars even better, to continue to give our customers the best possible product. This is the common goal of our 300,000 Toyota staff members worldwide.”