Why we have Tacoma's Today . . The History of Toyota

Kiichiro Toyoda (June 11, 1894 – March 27, 1952) was a Japanese entrepreneur and the son of famed inventor and entrepreneur Toyoda Loom Works founder Sakichi Toyoda.

Kiichiro studied engineering at the University of Tokyo, then traveling to England; he worked at Platt Brothers and Company, a leading manufacturer of textile machinery. Later he came to the United States and studied American manufacturing techniques. Returning to Japan he worked at his father's loom-making business (Toyoda Industries Corporation) where he engineered improvements to the looms' high-draft spinning frames, and patented a carding machine. It was there he began his research into automotives by dismantling and reassembling an imported motorcycle, and briefly considered the feasibility of a charcoal-powered engine.

After his father's death, Kiichiro convinced Toyoda Industries' new president, his adoptive brother Risaburo Toyoda, to fund research into auto-making. In 1930, Kiichiro Toyoda began to develop a compact petrol engine car. The company opened a specialized automotive division of Toyoda Automatic Loom Works Ltd. in 1933.

Kiichiro Toyoda purchased a new Chevrolet and brought in several of Japan's top engineers to disassemble and reassemble it. By 1934 Toyoda and his team had designed and built their first gasoline-powered engine, and convinced stockholders to fully fund his new division.

In 1935 Toyoda built the prototype for its first car, combining Japanese components with Ford and Chevy parts under a Chrysler body to construct what they called Model A1. Legend has it that Kiichiro Toyoda drove the prototype to his father's gravesite, to show what he had accomplished.

Toyoda vehicles were manufactured beginning in July 1935, and in 1936 the output of Toyoda Model AA was announced.

The first car - a convertible on the chassis of the Chevrolet - was a hybrid model of Chrysler and Ford. The model sold well before the war and then with some modifications it was produced in the postwar period.

In 1936 the spelling of the nameplate was altered from Toyoda to Toyota, as Toyoda himself believed the new name was easier to pronounce (the family name, when presented in English, remains Toyoda). The auto division was successful and spun off as a separate business with Toyota Motor Co. Ltd. officially opening in 1937, with Kiichiro Toyoda as Vice President and becoming President in 1941.

In 1950, the business was near bankruptcy in Japan's post-war recession, Toyota Motor Corp announced massive layoffs and its workers went on strike. To settle the strike, Toyoda and other top executives tendered their resignations, with Toyoda dying two years later.

In 1958 the company began selling in the U.S., and four years later - in Europe. The first model introduced into the European market was the Corolla 1100. The rate of sales rose up steeply - quality and design were comparable with European and American brands, and the price was much lower.

In 1967, Toyota joined Daihatsu Motor Company. Achieving sustainable growth, the company began to digest the market of off-road sports car. A few number of Toyota Land Cruiser owners know that a prototype of the famous SUV appeared back in 1951.

In the late 90s the company Toyota Motor Corporation manufactured its 100 millionth vehicle.

Currently, Toyota is actively developing and cooperating with partners around the world. In 2005 it was decided to build a plant in Russia.

Now the company is the member of the Toyota financial and industrial group. The company is rightfully considered one of the leaders of the world automotive industry. In addition to the Toyota brand the company produces cars under the brand name of Lexus.

 

I went to the Toyota museum in japan and saw the old Toyoda looms. interesting stuff

 

Pictures?

 

Nice suspension setup Konaborne.

 

This reminds me of an article I read a while ago. It was about the history between Toyota and Datsun in the 60's and the gentleman's agreement they had. Basically, Datsun had their off road vehicle, the Patrol, but wanted their new sports car, 240Z, to take off. Toyota had their sports car, 2000GT, but wanted their off road vehicle, Land Cruiser, to take off. So they made a gentleman's agreement to each stop production of one vehicle to let the other model thrive. That's a quick run down Barney style of the article. From there Toyota's 4x4's became popular and Nissan's Z's became popular. I'm sure there was more to it though.

 

My Mom owned a Datsun when I was young. It was an awesome little car from what I can remember.

 

I am a big fan of the old Datsuns. 240Z and 510 to be exact! I have a '70 and '73 240Z and had a '73 510. They are fun cars to drive. They are very simple cars and actually make you feel like you are driving. My dad had an old 40 series Land Cruiser and I would love to have one some day. The simplicity of the old vehicles is what I like. They were simple and they worked.

 

I'll post them up later

Have an assload haha



Also fun note:

Toyota selects their tour guides and public face workers based on both resume...and appearance.

receptionist and guide were sizzling. Ahaha

 

My dad had a 71 510 wagon, I had a 76 610 wagon, a 210, drove a B210, love those old Datsuns

 

cool, interesting thread! I chalk the Tacoma's popularity to the 79-85 pickup though. I believe they developed the reputation for Toyota trucks running forever.

I know I miss mine

 

Thats my birthday too, only 94 years later the listed yoda.

 

One of my first pickups was an old Datsun in my earlier years. It was a stick and very basic, with lots of rust. Every time I went over a bump I heard a banging sound. The passenger side separated from the frame, but it ran like a champ and got me through two winters until I junked it. To bad on the frame rust, the motor never stopped running.

 

First pickup was a 74 Datsun. Eventually fell victim to California's smog laws, which in the long run was probably a good thing; I loved it but that thing was an obvious freakin' deathtrap.

 

LOL FTD! I felt the same way every time I used mine, but I loved driving the darn thing. It got me to work and back and probably the reason I was hooked on pickups ever since.