HISTORY

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.[1] 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.[2] 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 Dodge
Power Wagon and Chevrolet, with some parts actually interchanging with their American
originals.[2]

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.

PHYSICAL STRUCTURE
Toyota Motor Corporation (TYO: 7203) has often been referred to as the gold standard of the
automotive industry. In the first quarter of 2007, Toyota (NYSE: TM) overtook General Motors
Corporation in sales for the first time as the top automotive manufacturer in the world. Toyota
reached success in part because of its exceptional reputation for quality and customer care.
Despite the global recession and the tough economic times that American auto companies such
as General Motors and Chrysler faced in 2009, Toyota enjoyed profits of $16.7 billion and sales
growth of 6% that year. However, late 2009 and early 2010 witnessed Toyota’s recall of 8
million vehicles due to unintended acceleration. How could this happen to a company known for
quality and structured to solve problems as soon as they arise? To examine this further, one has
to understand about the Toyota Production System (TPS).
TPS is built on the principles of “just-in-time” production. In other words, raw materials and
supplies are delivered to the assembly line exactly at the time they are to be used. This system
has little room for slack resources, emphasizes the importance of efficiency on the part of
employees, and minimizes wasted resources. TPS gives power to the employees on the front
lines. Assembly line workers are empowered to pull a cord and stop the manufacturing line when
they see a problem.
However, during the 1990s, Toyota began to experience rapid growth and expansion. With this
success, the organization became more defensive and protective of information. Expansion
strained resources across the organization and slowed response time. Toyota’s CEO, Akio
Toyoda, the grandson of its founder, has conceded, “Quite frankly, I fear the pace at which we
have grown may have been too quick.”

SERVICE

To ensure that your car stays in perfect running and safe condition, it’s always best to
have regular Periodic Maintenance at any Toyota Dealer.
Toyota requires that you bring your car to a Toyota dealer for Periodic Maintenance every 5,000
Km or 3 months whichever comes first.
This will comply with your Toyota’s warranty requirement and will also keep your car in superb
and safe running condition, enjoy better fuel economy, longer vehicle life and higher vehicle
resale value since it’s Toyota-maintained, and of course, that peace-of-mind you get every time
you sit behind the steering wheel.
Toyota recommends that you bring your car in for Periodic Maintenance within 30 days after
delivery or 1,000 km whichever comes first. This will allow Toyota to thoroughly check your
vehicle as well as to provide you additional support and assistance that you may need for your
new purchase. Labor is FREE for the first 1,000km and 5,000km Periodic Maintenance Service,
all you have to pay are the regular maintenance items and materials such as oils & oil filters.

OFFICE PICTURE

PRODUCT HISTORY
The history of the Toyota Hilux spans eight generations, during which the pick-up has earned a
reputation as one of the world’s most trusted and reliable commercial vehicles. Having survived
extreme environments in the Arctic and Antarctic – and all points in between – the credentials of
this ultra-tough machine are proven beyond doubt. It has sold over 17.7 million units and is
Europe’s best-selling pick-up, so Hilux is clearly the workhorse of choice for many businesses.

Yet despite its no-nonsense approach, the Hilux package has gradually developed over the years
to become a complete motoring solution, bridging the gap between work use and everyday
driving needs.

Technically, the history of the Toyota Hilux begins outside of Toyota Motor Corporation. Its
roots are found in the Briska line of small pick-ups made by Japanese commercial vehicle
manufacturer Hino Motors since 1961. Toyota’s history with pick-ups dates back to the SB
model of 1947 but halfway through production of the second-generation Briska, Toyota
partnered with Hino Motors and pushed forward minor model improvements.

It was March 1968 when Toyota dealerships in Japan took delivery of the first genuine Toyota

Hilux pick-up. This new model bore the N10 chassis code, and although it was conceived by

Toyota, the new Hilux continued to be engineered and built at Hino Motors’ Hamura Plant.

Upon its launch, the Hilux swelled Toyota’s light-duty pick-up range from two to three separate
models, the new pick-up joining the existing Corona and Masterline (Crown). The latter two were

car-based derivatives and Toyota swiftly phased them out to create space between Toyota’s light
commercial vehicle range and its passenger cars.

IMPROVEMENTS

It was March 1968 when Toyota dealerships in Japan took delivery of the first genuine Toyota

Hilux pick-up. This new model bore the N10 chassis code, and although it was conceived by

Toyota, the new Hilux continued to be engineered and built at Hino Motors’ Hamura Plant.

Upon its launch, the Hilux swelled Toyota’s light-duty pick-up range from two to three separate

models, the new pick-up joining the existing Corona and Masterline (Crown). The latter two

were car-based derivatives and Toyota swiftly phased them out to create space between Toyota’s

light commercial vehicle range and its passenger cars.

“We’re certainly not going to rest on our laurels,” Toyota Australia product public relations

manager Stephen Coughlan told CarAdvice.

“HiLux has a very long history in Australia and it's something that’s very close to our heart. It's

a long-standing nameplate, it’s something that people can trust and rely upon, and we continue to

improve the offering of the range as well.”

“We’re certainly not going to rest on our laurels,” Toyota Australia product public relations

manager Stephen Coughlan told CarAdvice.

“HiLux has a very long history in Australia and it's something that’s very close to our heart. It's

a long-standing nameplate, it’s something that people can trust and rely upon, and we continue to
improve the offering of the range as well.”

Well aware of the ever-growing popularity of the 4x4 dual-cab ute formula, Coughlan hinted

that as interest from even premium marques increases – such as the soon-to-arrive Mercedes-
Benz X-Class and a recently discussed rival from BMW – Toyota has to keep the HiLux
evolving.

“Truth be told, and it’s no surprise here, the competition in the segment is red hot,” Coughlan
said.

“There are more marques coming in and that are interested than ever, so we’ll continue to

improve and evolve the product, and we’ll continue to offer what local buyers want in terms of

the range and the variants.”

MANUFACTURING OPERATION

Europe is a major manufacturing centre for us. Today we have nine manufacturing centres
building cars, engines and transmissions across the continent, each one committed to delivering
ever better cars for our customers.