Toyota and Mörel, Switzerland: Difference between pages

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Revision as of 23:33, 2 July 2007

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{{Infobox Swiss town

{{npov}}

| subject_name = Mörel

{{Cleanup|November 2006}}

| municipality_name = Mörel

{{otheruses}}

| municipality_type = municipality

{{Infobox_Company |

| imagepath_coa = |pixel_coa=

| company_name = トヨタ自動車株式会社<br>Toyota Jidōsha [[Kabushiki Kaisha|Kabushiki-gaisha]]<br>Toyota Motor Corporation

| map =

| company_logo = [[Image:Toyota svg.svg|250px|Toyota Motor Corporation logo]]

| languages = French

| company_type = [[Public company|Public]] ({{nyse|TM}}, {{tyo|7203.T}}, {{lse|TYT}})

| canton = Valais

| company_slogan = Moving Forward<br/>([[a.k.a.]] It's Time to Move Forward.)

| iso-code-region = CH-VS

| foundation = 1933 by [[Kiichiro Toyoda]]

| district = [[Raron (district)|Raron]]

| location_city = Toyota, Aichi

| lat_d=46|lat_m=21|lat_NS=N|long_d=8|long_m=2|long_EW=E

| location_country = Japan

| postal_code = 3983

| key_people = [[Hiroshi Okuda]], [[Chairman]] <br> [[Katsuaki Watanabe]], [[President]]

| municipality_code = 6179

| industry = [[Automobile]] manufacturing, <br>Financial services,<br>[[Biotechnology]]

| area = 1.2

| num_employees = 264,410

| elevation = 746|elevation_description=

| products = Toyota,<br>[[Lexus]],<br>[[Scion (car)|Scion]]

| population = 491|populationof=December 2002

| subsid = [[Toyota Financial Services]],<br>[[Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd.]],<br>[[Hino Motors, Ltd.]], <br>[[DENSO]],<br>[[Toyota Industries]]

| website = www.moerel.ch

| revenue = {{profit}}$173 Billion ([[United States|U.S.]]) (2005)

| mayor = |mayor_asof=|mayor_party=

| homepage = [http://www.toyota.co.jp/en/index.html www.toyota.co.jp]

| mayor_title = |list_of_mayors =

}}

| places =

| demonym =

| neighboring_municipalities=

| twintowns =

|}}

'''Mörel''' is a [[Municipalities of Switzerland|municipality]] in the district of [[Raron (district)|Raron]] in the [[Cantons of Switzerland|canton]] of [[Valais]] in [[Switzerland]].

'''Toyota Motor Corporation''', or simply called '''Toyota''' is a [[Japan]]ese [[multinational corporation]] and the [[List of automobile manufacturers|world's second largest]] automaker that manufactures [[automobile]]s, [[truck]]s, [[bus]]es and [[robot]]s and the world's eighth largest company by revenue.<ref name="fortune500">[http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/global500/2006/full_list/ FORTUNE Global 500 2006 list] @ cnnmoney.com</ref> Its headquarters are in [[Toyota, Aichi]], Japan with factories and offices around the world.

==External links==

The company was founded in [[1933]] by [[Kiichiro Toyoda]]. Since then, Toyota has become one of the most successful and profitable [[Japan]]ese companies and one of the world's most industry leading automobile corporations as producing industry's first commercially available [[Advanced Parking Guidance System]] (automatic parking), eight-speed automatic transmission, real-time [[traffic]] guidance with dynamic rerouting, and four-zone climate control with [[infrared]] technology in its [[Lexus]] division models{{citation needed}}. It's also one of few automobile corporations that extensively produced and pushed car based on the [[hybrid]] fuel technology in the market such as in the hybrid [[Prius]], Toyota and even in the luxury Lexus division cars. Toyota consistently ranks as building some of the most reliable automobiles in the world<ref name="carquality">[http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15638076/ Consumer reports lists Toyota as having the most reliable cars]</ref> according to surveys and analysis.

* [http://www.moerel.ch Official website] {{fr icon}}

{{Municipalities of the district of East Raron}}

According to current predictions, it is expected to become the world's largest automaker, overtaking [[General Motors]], by producing and selling 9.8 million vehicles in [[2008]] along with increasing sales.<ref>[http://business.guardian.co.uk/story/0,,1877181,00.html ''Toyota gears up to overtake General Motors as sales rise'']</ref>

It is one of the Japanese "big three" challenging American automobile manufacturers that includes [[Nissan]] and [[Honda]] with high success.

[[Category:Municipalities of Valais|Morel]]

==Introduction==

[[Image:Toyota Group Pavilion.jpg|thumb|200px|Toyota Pavillon at the Expo in Aichi]]

The [[headquarter]]s of Toyota is located in [[Toyota, Aichi]], Japan. Toyota also provides financial services through its subsidiary, [[Toyota Financial Services]], and participates in other lines of business. It manufactures vehicles sold in the [[United States]] under the brand names Toyota, [[Scion (car)|Scion]] and [[Lexus]]. Toyota also owns majority stakes in [[Daihatsu]] and [[Hino Motors, Ltd.|Hino]], and 8.7% of [[Fuji Heavy Industries]], which manufactures [[Subaru]] vehicles. They also acquired 5.9% of [[Isuzu|Isuzu Motors Ltd.]] on [[November 7]], [[2006]].

{{Valais-geo-stub}}

As of 2005, Toyota, combined with its half-owned subsidiary [[Daihatsu Motor Company]], produced 8.54 million vehicles, about 500,000 fewer than the number produced by GM that year. In July 2006, Toyota passed [[Ford]] in selling cars, although Ford regained its lead over Toyota in the following month and lost it again due to heavy gas prices. Toyota has a large market share in the [[United States]], [[Europe]] and [[Africa]] and is the market leader in Australia. It has significant market shares in several fast-growing [[Southeast Asia]]n countries.<ref>''Toyota's plan for Lexus is a reminder of its real goal'' (August 1 2005). Financial Times, p. 16.</ref>

{{DEFAULTSORT:Morel}}

[[de:Mörel VS]]

In the [[Fortune Global 500]], it is the 8th largest company in the world outpacing [[Ford Motor Company]] in all listings in terms of revenue and growth and in the 2006 [[Forbes Global 2000]] it is the 12th largest company in the world. It has been consistently gaining market share in the United States, while shrinking sales for Ford and General Motors in the United States.

[[fr:Mörel]]

[[it:Mörel]]

Its [[slogan]] is ''"Moving forward"'' or ''"It's time to move forward"'' in the [[United States]] and various other countries in the world. In [[Europe]] their common slogan is ''"Today. Tomorrow. Toyota."'' In some countries such as [[Australia]], the slogan is ''"Oh what a feeling!"'' which was Toyota's slogan in the US during the 1980s.

[[lmo:Mörel]]

[[nl:Mörel (Zwitserland)]]

==History==

[[pt:Mörel]]

[[Image:Kiichirotoyoda.jpg|thumb|left|[[Kiichiro Toyoda]], founder of Toyota.]]

[[Image:Toyota Model AA.jpg|thumb|150px|Replica of the Toyota Model AA, the first production model of Toyota in 1936]]

The Toyota Motor Corporation was founded in September [[1933]] when [[Toyota Industries|Toyoda Automatic Loom]] created a new division devoted to the production of [[automobiles]] under the direction of the founder's son, [[Kiichiro Toyoda]]. Soon thereafter, the division produced its first Type A Engine in [[1934]], 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]].

Although the Toyota Group is best known today for its cars, it is still in the [[textile]] business and still makes automatic [[loom]]s, which are now fully computerized, and electric [[sewing machine]]s which are available worldwide.

Toyota Motor Co. was established as an independent company in [[1937]]. Although the founding family name is Toyoda (豊田), the company name was changed in order to signify the separation of the founders' work life from home life, to simplify the pronunciation, and to give the company a happy beginning. ''Toyota'' (トヨタ) is considered luckier than ''Toyoda'' (豊田) in Japan, where eight is regarded as a lucky number, and eight is the number of strokes it takes to write ''Toyota'' in [[Katakana]]. In [[Chinese language|Chinese]], the company and its vehicles are still referred to by the equivalent characters ([[Traditional Chinese]]: 豐田; [[Simplified Chinese]]: 丰田), with Chinese reading.

During the [[Pacific War]] the company was dedicated to truck production for the [[Imperial Japanese Army|Imperial Army]]. Because of severe shortages in [[Japan]], military trucks were kept as simple as possible. For example, the trucks had only one headlight on the center of the hood. The war ended shortly before a scheduled [[Allies|Allied]] bombing run on the Toyota factories in [[Aichi prefecture|Aichi]].

Commercial passenger car production started in [[1947]] with the model SA. In [[1950]] a separate sales company Toyota Motor Sales Co. was established (which lasted until July [[1982]]). In April [[1956]] the Toyopet dealer chain was established. The following year, the [[Toyota Crown]] became the first Japanese car to be exported to the [[United States of America|United States]] and Toyota's American and [[Brazil]]ian divisions, ''Toyota Motor Sales Inc.'' and ''Toyota do Brazil S.A.'', were also established.

Toyota began to expand in the 1960s with a new research and development facility, a presence in [[Thailand]] was established, the 10 millionth model was produced, a [[Deming Prize]] and partnerships with [[Hino Motors, Ltd.|Hino Motors]] and [[Daihatsu]] were also established. By the end of the decade, Toyota had established a worldwide presence, as the company had exported its 1 millionth unit.

The expansion continued throughout the 1970s. The company was awarded its first Japanese Quality Control at the start of the decade and a presence in [[Toyota Motor Corporation#Motorsport history|Motorsport]] was established.

In [[1982]], the Toyota Motor Company and Toyota Motor Sales merged into one company, the Toyota Motor Corporation. Two years later, Toyota joined [[NUMMI]], the ''New United Motor Manufacturing, Inc''. Toyota then started to establish new brands at the end of the 80s, with the launch of their luxury brand [[Lexus]] in [[1989]].

With a major presence with [[Europe]], due to the success of [[Team Toyota Europe]], the corporation decided to set up [[TMME]], ''Toyota Motor Europe Marketing & Engineering'', to help market vehicles in the continent. Two years later, Toyota set up a base in the [[United Kingdom]], ''[[TMUK]]'', as the company's cars had become very popular amoung British drivers. Bases in [[Indiana]], [[Virginia]] and [[Tianjin]] were also set up. In [[1999]], the company decided to list itself on the [[New York Stock Exchange|New York]] and [[London Stock Exchange]].

In 2001, Toyota's [[Toyo Trust and Banking]] merged to form the [[UFJ]], ''United Financials of Japan'', which was accused of corruption by the government for making bad loans to the [[Yakuza]] crime syndicates.{{fact}} The UFJ became one of the worst money losing corporations in the world, with Toyota's chairman serving as a director.{{fact}} At the time, the UFJ was one of the largest shareholders of Toyota. As a result of Japan's banking crisis, the UFJ was merged again to become [[Mitsubishi UFJ]] Financial Group.

In [[2002]], Toyota managed to enter a [[Formula One]] works team and establish joint ventures with [[France|French]] motoring companies [[Citroën]] and [[Peugeot]], this was established year after Toyota started producing cars in France.

==Worldwide presence==

[[Image:Toyota Headquarter Toyota City.jpg|thumb|200px|The headquarters of Toyota in Toyota City, Japan]]

Toyota has factories all over the world, manufacturing or assembling vehicles for local markets, including the [[Toyota Corolla|Corolla]]. Toyota has manufacturing or assembly plants in the [[United States]], [[Japan]], [[Australia]], [[Canada]], [[Indonesia]], [[Poland]], [[South Africa]], [[Turkey]], the [[United Kingdom]], [[France]], [[Brazil]], and more recently [[Pakistan]], [[India]], [[Argentina]], [[Czech Republic]], [[Mexico]], [[Malaysia]], [[Thailand]], [[China]], [[Venezuela]], and [[Philippines]].

The first Toyota built outside of Japan was a Land Cruiser FJ-251, built in [[São Paulo, Brazil]] in May 1959.

Toyota invests a great amount of research into cleaner-burning vehicles such as the [[Toyota Prius]], based on technology such as the [[Hybrid Synergy Drive]], although the added costs of hybrid technology do not result in any cost savings for many years.{{fact}} In 2002, Toyota successfully road-tested a new version of the RAV4 which ran on a Hydrogen [[fuel cell]]. ''[[Scientific American]]'' called the company its ''Business Leader of the Year'' in 2003 for commercializing an affordable [[hybrid car]].

[[Image:KatsuokaWatanabe.jpg|right|thumb|200px|President Katsuaki Watanabe of Toyota]]

In 2003, Toyota brought two of its popular cars from [[Japan]] (including the [[Toyota bB|bB]]) to America, and created a new badge, called [[Scion (car)|Scion]], meaning a descendant or heir. These cars are targeted towards the young, and young-at-heart. They are meant to be tuned up or be used as simple road cars. Both models, the xA (known in Japan as the [[Toyota ist]]) and xB (known in Japan as the [[Toyota bB]]) are powered by a 1.5L DOHC I4 engine. A third model, the [[Scion tC]], was introduced in 2004. They are all typically low priced and are affordable. Instead of importing an existing model from Japan as was done with the xA and xB, the tC was designed specifically for the North American market as a [[Toyota Celica]] replacement, using the four-cylinder engine and transmissions from the [[Toyota Camry]], and the basic platform of the European [[Toyota Avensis]].

Toyota is also famous in industry for its manufacturing philosophy, called the [[Toyota Production System]]. The system has subsequently been adopted worldwide by various companies.

[[Image:Toyotamanagement.jpg|thumb|200px|left|Toyota executive team]]

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==Brands==

===Lexus===

{{main|Lexus}}

[[Image:Lexus emblem.svg|right|150px|The Lexus emblem, symbol of Toyota’s luxury division.]]

Lexus is Toyota's [[brand name]] for its [[luxury vehicle]] division, much like what Lincoln is to the [[Ford Motor Company]]. Lexus vehicles are sold in [[North America]], the [[Middle East]], [[Europe]], [[Africa]], [[Latin America]], [[Asia]] and [[Oceania]]; in the United States, Lexus is the highest-selling brand of luxury cars. Until [[2005]], Lexus vehicles were sold under the Toyota marque in [[Japan]], at which point the Lexus marque was introduced.

Since its debut in 1989, Lexus has developed a reputation for the [[reliability]] of its vehicles and the quality of its [[customer service]]. In 2006, consumer ratings firm [[J.D. Power]] named Lexus the most reliable brand in the U.S. based on its Vehicle Dependability Survey, a measure of over 47,000 vehicle owners and the problems they experienced in the first three years of vehicle ownership. It was the twelfth consecutive year that Lexus achieved this top rating <ref>[http://www.jdpower.com/corporate/news/releases/pressrelease.asp?ID=2006133 Lexus and Toyota Models Rank Highest]</ref>. That same year, [[Consumer Reports]] also named Lexus the most reliable brand in its Annual Car Reliability Survey of over one million vehicles nationwide. <ref>[http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/cu-press-room/pressroom/eng0604rel.htm Lexus Ranked First in Predicted Reliability for 2006 Models]</ref>. Additionally, Lexus ranks highly on surveys of [[Lexus#Service|dealership service]] experience.

===Scion===

{{main|Scion (car)}}

[[Image:Scion svg.svg|right|150px|Scion logo]]

Scion is a [[United States]]-only division of Toyota founded in [[2003]]. It is also a [[brand]] of [[Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.]] It currently has three models: the [[Scion xA]] also known as the Scion xA white and [[Scion xB|xB]] (both rebadged [[Japan|Japanese]] [[market]] cars, named [[Toyota ist|ist]] and [[Toyota bB|bB]], respectively) and the [[Scion tC|tC]] (a new design based on the [[Europe]]an-market [[Toyota Avensis]]). Scion's long-term goal is to appeal to [[Generation Y]] consumers, expected to dwarf the market size of [[Generation X]] by [[2020]]. Scion grew from [[Toyota Project Genesis]], a failed effort to bring younger buyers to the Toyota marque in the United States. Scion is Toyota's entry-level brand, slotting below Toyota in the lineup. Currently Scion sells its vehicles in the [[United States]], and [[Guam]] and [[Puerto Rico]].

===Current models===

''(Note: Models and definitions do vary between markets. For specifics, see individual models.)''

'''Toyota Brand'''

[[Image:Toyotatacoma2005.jpg|thumb|right|250px|2006 [[Toyota Tacoma]]]]

[[Image:Toyota-Tundra.jpg|thumb|right|250px|[[Toyota Tundra]]]]

[[Image:2007ToyotaCamry.jpg|thumb|right|250px|[[Toyota Camry]]]]

[[Image:1998_Toyota_Altezza_01.jpg|thumb|right|250px|[[Toyota Altezza]]]]

*[[Toyota Aygo|Aygo]] (citycar passenger)

*[[Toyota Yaris|Yaris]] (subcompact passenger)

*[[Toyota Vios|Soluna/Vios]] (subcompact passenger, S.E. Asia)

*[[Toyota Probox|Probox]] (small wagon)

*[[Toyota Corolla|Corolla/Altis]] (compact passenger)

*[[Toyota Prius|Prius]] (hatchback - [[Hybrid vehicle|hybrid]] flagship)

*[[Toyota Allion|Allion]] (lower midsize sedan)

*[[Toyota Avensis|Avensis]] (midsize passenger)

*[[Toyota Caldina|Caldina]] (midsize wagon)

*[[Toyota Camry|Camry]] (midsize passenger)

*[[Toyota Solara|Solara]] (Camry based coupe)

*[[Toyota Progres|Progres]] (midsize luxury sedan)

*[[Toyota Mark X|Mark X]] (midsize sporty sedan)

*[[Toyota Crown|Crown]] (large luxury sedan)

*[[Toyota Avalon|Avalon]] (full-size passenger)

*[[Toyota Century|Century]] (full-size luxury sedan)

*[[Toyota Matrix|Matrix]] (CUV)

*[[Toyota RAV4|RAV4]] (small SUV)

*[[Toyota Highlander|Highlander]] (crossover SUV)

*[[Toyota 4Runner|4Runner]] (midsize SUV)

*[[Toyota Sequoia|Sequoia]] (full-size SUV)

*[[Toyota FJ Cruiser|FJ Cruiser]] (compact 4x4)

*[[Toyota Land Cruiser|Land Cruiser]] (full-size 4x4)

*[[Toyota Sienta|Sienta]] (small MPV)

*[[Toyota Wish|Wish]] (compact MPV)

*[[Toyota Ipsum|Ipsum]] (midsize MPV)

*[[Toyota Sienna|Sienna]] (minivan, N. America)

*[[Toyota Estima|Estima/Tarago/Previa]] (minivan)

*[[Toyota Alphard|Alphard]] (full-size MPV)

*[[Toyota Hilux|Hilux/Tacoma]] (midsize pickup)

*[[Toyota Tundra|Tundra]] (full-size pickup, N. America)

*[[Toyota Hiace|Hiace]] (Commuter and commercial van)

*[[Toyota Dyna|Dyna]] (Commercial light truck)

*[[Toyota Coaster|Coaster]] (mini bus)

IMV Vehicle Lineup (mainly for S.E. Asia)

*[[Toyota Fortuner|Fortuner]] (midsize SUV)

*[[Toyota Hilux|Hilux]] (midsize pickup)

*[[Toyota Innova|Innova]] (minivan)

*[[Toyota Avanza|Avanza]] (mini MPV)

'''Lexus brand'''

[[Image:Lexus_ls430.jpg|thumb|right|250px|[[Lexus LS]] 430]][[Image:2007lexusgs.jpg|thumb|right|250px|[[Lexus GS]]]]

[[Image:G_ext9.jpg|center|250px|right|thumb|[[2007]] [[Lexus]] LS with the automatic parking technology among other brand new inventions from Toyota]]

*[[Lexus IS|IS]] (compact luxury sedan)

*[[Lexus ES|ES]] (midsize luxury sedan)

*[[Lexus GS|GS]] (midsize luxury sedan)

*[[Lexus LS|LS]] (large luxury sedan)

*[[Lexus SC|SC]] (personal luxury coupé convertible)

*[[Lexus GX|GX]] (midsize luxury SUV)

*[[Lexus LX|LX]] (large luxury SUV)

*[[Lexus RX|RX]] (midsize luxury crossover)

'''Scion brand'''

*[[Scion xA|xA]] (compact hatchback)

*[[Scion xB|xB]] (subcompact hatchback)

*[[Scion tC|tC]] (compact coupe)

[[Image:CelicaST185GT4ALongBeach1.jpg|thumb|right|250px|1993 [[Toyota Celica]] GT-Four with [[All-trac]]]]

[[Image:Cressida.JPG|thumb|right|250px|1984 [[Toyota Cressida]] sedan.]]

===Historic models===

'''Toyota Brand'''

*[[Toyota 2000GT|2000GT]] (1965-1970)

*[[Celica]] (October 1970 - April 2006 in Japan, 1971-2005 for export)

*[[Toyota Starlet|Starlet]] (1973-1999)

*Corona and Carina (succeeded by Premio, Allion, Avensis)

*Mark II (succeeded by Mark X), Chaser and Cresta

*[[Toyota Cressida|Cressida]] (succeeded by Avalon)

*Echo (2000-2005) (now called Yaris in the U.S.)

*[[Toyota Supra|Supra]]

*[[Town Ace/Lite Ace]] (passenger van models are succeeded by Noah / Voxy)

*Paseo / Cynos (1991-1998)

*Tercel (1978-1999)

*[[Toyota MR2]]

*Revo/Kijang/Unser/Z-Ace (succeeded by Innova, marketed as Kijang Innova in Indonesia)

*Qualis

==Hybrid technology==

{{main|Hybrid Synergy Drive}}

The [[Prius]] has become the top selling hybrid car in America. Toyota now has three hybrid vehicles in its lineup (Prius, Highlander, & [[Toyota Camry Hybrid|Camry]]). The popular minivan Toyota Sienna is supposed to join the hybrid lineup by 2010, and by 2030 Toyota plans to have its entire lineup of cars, trucks, and SUVs to have a Hybrid Synergy Drive option.

Lexus also has their own hybrid lineup, consisting of the GS450h, RX400h, and soon in 2007, the LS600h.

==Manufacturing facilities==

[[Australia]]

* [[Altona, Victoria]] - [[Toyota Camry|Camry]] and [[Toyota Aurion|Aurion]] (formerly [[Toyota Avalon|Avalon]]). 109,222 vehicles and 85,769 engines in 2005.

[[Canada]]

*[[Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada]], [[Cambridge, Ontario]] - [[Toyota ZZ engine#1ZZ-FE|1.8L engines]], [[Toyota Corolla|Corolla]], [[Toyota Matrix|Matrix]], [[Toyota Harrier|Lexus RX]] and from 2008 [[Toyota RAV4|RAV4]]<ref>[http://www.toyota.ca/cgi-bin/WebObjects/WWW.woa/15/wo/Home.TMMC-m4bOLNuN7TaDekaZEbE9Zg/0.13?t121000e%2ehtml Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada]</ref>.

[[Mexico]]

*[[Toyota Motor Manufacturing de Baja California]], [[Baja California]] - [[Toyota Tacoma|Tacoma]]

[[United Kingdom]]

*Burnaston, [[Derbyshire]] - [[Toyota Avensis|Avensis]] and [[Toyota Corolla|Corolla]]

[[United States]]

* [[Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky]], [[Georgetown, Kentucky]] - [[Toyota Camry|Camry]], [[Toyota Avalon|Avalon]] and [[Toyota Solara|Solara]].

* [[Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana]], [[Princeton, Indiana]] - [[Toyota Tundra|Tundra]], [[Toyota Sequoia|Sequoia]] and [[Toyota Sienna|Sienna]]. 364,983 vehicles produced in 2005. (127,431 Tundra, 44,852 Sequoia and 192,700 Sienna)

* [[Toyota Motor Manufacturing Texas]], [[San Antonio, Texas]] - [[Toyota Tundra|Tundra]]. Annual capacity of 200,000 pickup trucks.

<!-- GOT A GOOD START BUT I'M TOO LAZY, SOMEONE ELSE COULD DO THE REST. GOOD LUCK! (SEE http://www.toyota.com/about/operations/manufacturing/index.html) -->

===Joint venture, licensed, and contract factories===

[[Czech Republic]]

*[[Toyota Peugeot Citroën Automobile Czech]] (joint venture with [[PSA Peugeot Citroën]]), [[Kolín]], [[Czech Republic]] - [[Toyota Aygo|Aygo]]

[[Japan]]

*[[Toyota Industries]], Japan (contract facility) - [[Toyota Vitz|Vitz/Yaris]] and [[Toyota RAV4|RAV4]]

[[United States]]

*[[NUMMI]] ([[joint venture]] with [[General Motors|GM]]), [[Fremont, California]] - [[Toyota Corolla|Corolla]] and [[Toyota Tacoma|Tacoma]]

*[[Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc.]] (contract facility, starting in Spring 2007), [[Lafayette, Indiana]] - [[Toyota Camry|Camry]]

==Motorsport history==

Toyota's presence in Motorsport can be traced by to the early 1970s, when [[Sweden|Swedish]] driver, [[Ove Andersson]] drove for Toyota during the RAC Rally of Great Britain. During the winter of 1972, Andersson formed ''Andersson Motorsport'' in his native country and began running a Rallying program for Toyota. The move turned out to be an inpratical one and three years after establishing his team, Andersson moved its base from Sweden to [[Brussels]] in [[Belgium]]. From there the team was renamed, ''[[Team Toyota Europe]]''.

[[Image:Toyota Monte-Carlo 1999.jpg|thumb|250px|[[Carlos Sainz]]'s [[Toyota Corolla]] WRC during the [[Monte Carlo Rally]] of [[World Rally Championship 1999 results|1999]].]]

Toyota's first win in motorsport came at the 1975 1000 Lakes Rally of [[Finland]], when [[Hannu Mikkola]] and his co-driver, Atso Aho, won the event in a [[Toyota Corolla]]. Three years later, the team moved to a new base in [[Cologne]], in western [[Germany]]. It wasn't until the 1980s when Toyota began to gain notable success, especially in the [[Africa]]n rallies, where [[Bjorn Waldegaard]] and [[Juha Kankkunen]] were usually top of the time sheets. The team then set-up its all purpose Motorsport facility in Cologne three years later, which is still used today.

In 1990, [[Carlos Sainz]] gave Toyota its first ever Championship win in a [[Four-wheel drive]] [[Toyota Celica]] and repeated the feat 2 years later. In 1993, Toyota bought the team from Andersson and named it ''Toyota Motorsport GmbH'', in the same year Juha Kankkunen won the WRC title and Toyota won the Contsructors' Championship, becoming the first Japanese Manufacturer to do so. This success was repeated a year earlier, but this time it was [[France|Frenchman]] [[Didier Auriol]] who was responsible.

[[Image:Saxony rally racing Toyota Corolla WRC 02 (aka).jpg|thumb|250px|Despite Toyota's exit from rallying in 1999, the company's cars, namely the [[Toyota Celica|Celica]] and [[Toyota Corolla|Corolla]] (''pictured''), are still a popular choice among rally drivers.]]

1995 proved to be a difficult year for Toyota, as the team were caught using illegal [[turbo]] chargers and were given a 12-month ban by the [[FIA]]. The company returned to rallying in 1996, but its competition, notably [[Mitsubishi]] and [[Subaru]], had a clearer advantage over their cars.

[[World Rally Championship 1997 results|1997]] would prove to be another uncompetitive year for Toyota, with the team still behind its fellow Japanese manufacturers, Subaru and Mitsubishi, and the Carlos Sainz the highest place Toyota driver in the Drivers' Championship in third place, 11 points behind champion [[Tommi Mäkinen]]. Sainz came within 1 point of the [[World Rally Championship 1998 results|1998]] title, when his Corolla suffered an engine failure on the final stage of the final rally in [[United Kingdom|Great Britain]], while Toyota were within 6 points of the Contsructors' Championship, many people place the blame on Toyota's choice to run Belgian Freddy Loix as one of the team's points scoring drivers at the Rally of Spain instead of regular driver Didier Auriol, because Auriol managed to win the event ahead of second-placed Loix.

Toyota decided to quit running in the WRC at the end of the [[World Rally Championship 1999 results|1999 season]], quoting that "all that can be achieved has been achieved". The team managed to secure the Manufacturers' title in their last season, 18 points ahead of their nearest rival Subaru, while Didier Auriol came within 10 points of the Drivers' title.

Toyota were replaced the following season by [[Peugeot]], who went onto win the Manufacturers' title in succession from 2000-2002.

Toyota raced in [[Champ Car|CART]] from 1996 to 2002. Its early years in the series were marked by struggles. Toyota-powered cars, campaigned by the All-American Racers and [[PPI Motorsports]] teams, languished at the back of the grid, slow and unreliable. Toyota didn't even lead a lap until [[Alex Barron (driver)|Alex Barron]] led 12 laps at the [[Vancouver]] street circuit in September 1998.

Toyota started seeing its fortunes improve in 1999 as [[Scott Pruett]] took pole position at the final race of the season at the [[California Speedway]]. The next year, [[Juan Pablo Montoya]] gave Toyota its first-ever CART win at the [[Milwaukee Mile]], the first of 5 races won by Toyota-powered cars that year. Toyota-powered cars won six races in 2001. In 2002, Toyota's final year in the championship, it turned things around completely from its bleak debut. Toyota won the Manufacturer's championship, 10 races, and [[Cristiano Da Matta]] rode Toyota power to the driver's championship, with [[Bruno Junqueira]], also Toyota-powered car, finished second.

[[Image:Gtoneatmega.jpg|thumb|250px|The [[Toyota GT-One]] was raced in the 1998 and 1999 [[24 hours of Le Mans]]. Ex-Formula One drivers: [[Thierry Boutsen]], [[Martin Brundle]] and [[Ukyo Katayama]] drove the GT-One in both events.]]

Toyota started recruiting staff for their [[Le Mans 24 Hours|Le Mans]] efforts in 1997, with an aim to start a [[Formula One]] team. Toyota's efforts for a Le Mans car was the [[Toyota GT-One]], which was driven by ex-Formula One drivers: [[Martin Brundle]]; [[Thierry Boutsen]] and [[Ukyo Katayama]]. The 3.6 litre twin-turbo GT-Ones were beaten in 1998 and 1999 but came close to victory, breaking down late in the race. The GT-One held the lap record for the Sarthe Circuit up until 2006 however.

Toyota moved to the [[Indy Racing League]] in [[2003 in IRL|2003]] and provided factory support to former CART teams [[Penske Racing]] and [[Chip Ganassi Racing]] as well as other teams. They were one of the top engines in their first year, winning the [[Indianapolis 500]] with [[Gil de Ferran]] and the championship with [[Scott Dixon]]. However, [[2004 in IRL|2004]] and [[2005 in IRL|2005]] were not so kind and wins were few and far between. Following the [[2005 in IRL|2005 season]], the Penske and Ganassi teams announced they would switch engines to [[Honda]], leaving Toyota with no championship contenders. As a result of this and their intent to re-allocate resources for NASCAR, Toyota announced they would leave the series during the off-season.

:''Main article: [[Toyota F1]]''

[[Image:Toyota F1 logo.png|right|250px|thumb|Toyota [[F1]] racing logo]]

In 2002 Toyota started racing in Formula One with Toyota Team Europe, based in [[Cologne, Germany]]. Despite a huge investment, the team's performances have been considered average by fans and pundits alike.

In 2004, designer [[Mike Gascoyne]] was hired, but left the team midway through the [[2006 Formula One season|2006 season]]; by 2005 the team had advanced from the midfield to challenging for the top positions. [[Jarno Trulli]] achieved two second places and one third place in the first five races of the season, helping the team to retain second position in the Constructors Championship for several races. [[Jarno Trulli]] and [[Ralf Schumacher]] are the team's current drivers.

For [[2007 Formula One season|2007]], Toyota will be supplying two teams, those being the works Toyota team and the [[WilliamsF1|Williams]] team.

Toyota also races the [[Toyota Tundra]] in the [[NASCAR]] [[Craftsman Truck Series]].

Toyota will run over six teams in the [[Nextel Cup]] Series and [[Busch Series]] with the Camry in the start of the 2007 season.

==TRD==

Toyota Racing Development was brought about to help develop true high performance racing parts for many Toyota vehicles. TRD has often had much success with their aftermarket tuning parts, as well as designing technology for vehicles used in all forms of racing.

==Shareholders==

Toyota is publicly traded on the [[Tokyo Stock Exchange]] under number 7203 (first section). Also on [[NYSE]] under {{nyse|TM}}.

==Holdings==

Toyota reports on its consolidated financial statements 540 consolidated subsidiaries and 226 affiliates.

*[[Toyota Motor North America]] (100% - 2004)

*[[Toyota Canada Inc.]] owned via [[Toyota Motor North America]]

*[[Daihatsu Motor Company]] (51.2% - [[March 31]] [[2005]])

*[[Hino Motors]] (50.1% - [[March 31]] [[2005]])

*[[Toyota Industries]] (23.5% - [[March 31]] [[2006]])

*[[Aisin Seiki Co.]] (23.0% - [[March 31]] [[2005]])

*[[DENSO]] (22.98% - [[March 31]] [[2005]])

*[[Fuji Heavy Industries]] (8.7% - [[October 5]] [[2005]])

*[[Isuzu Motors]] (5.9% - [[November 10]] [[2006]])

==The Toyota Production System==

Toyota has long been recognized as the automotive industry leader (as well as compared to all other businesses, in general) in manufacturing and production. This system, more than any other part of the company, is responsible for having made Toyota the company it is today.

It’s ironic that Toyota, who has constantly been taking away Ford an GM’s market share in the United States, got their inspiration for the production system in the United States. This occurred when a Delegation from Toyota visited the United States to study its commercial enterprises. Naturally, they first visited Ford automotive plants in Michigan, but, despite Ford being the auto industry leader at that time, found their methods to be unappealing. They were mainly appalled by the large amounts of inventory that were laying around and how the amount of work being done by the various departments within the factory were uneven on most days. However, the Toyota Delegation first got inspiration for their production system at an American Supermarket (a Piggly Wiggly, to be precise). They saw the virtue in the supermarket only reordering and restocking goods once they’d been bought by customers.

Toyota applied the lesson from Piggly Wiggly by reducing the amount of inventory they would hold only to a level that its employees would need for a small period of time, and then subsequently reorder. This is highly representative of a Just-in-Time (JIT) inventory system.

While low inventory levels certainly is a key component to the Toyota Production System, just as important is the philosophy behind its system to work intelligently and eliminate waste. In Jeffrey Liker’s the Toyota Way, these principles are outlined as follows:

1. Base your management decisions on a long-term philosophy, even at the expense of short-term goals

2. Create continuous process flow to bring problems to surface

3. Use “pull” systems to avoid overproduction

4. Level out the workload

5. Build a culture of stopping to fix problems, to get quality right the first time

6. Standardized tasks are the foundation for continuous improvement and employee empowerment

7. Use visual control so no problems are hidden

8. Use only reliable, thoroughly tested technology that serves your people and processes

9. Grow leaders who thoroughly understand the work, live the philosophy, and teach it to others

10. Develop exceptional people and teams who follow your company’s philosophy

11. Respect your extended network of partners and suppliers by challenging them and helping them improve

12. Go and see for yourself to thoroughly understand the situation (genchi genbutsu)

13. Make decisions slowly by consensus, thoroughly considering all options; implement decisions rapidly

14. Become a learning organization through relentless reflection and continuous improvement

==Non-automotive activities==

===Robot===

Toyota has been developing multitask robots destined for elderly care, manufacturing, and entertainment.

===Finance===

Toyota [[Financial Services]] Corporation provides financing to Toyota customers.

===Agricultural biotechnology===

Toyota invests in several small start-up businesses and partnerships in [[biotechnology]], including:

* P.T. Toyota Bio Indonesia in [[Lampung]], [[Indonesia]]

* Australian Afforestation Pty. Ltd. in [[Western Australia]] and [[Southern Australia]]

* Toyota Floritech Co., Ltd. in [[Rokkasho, Aomori|Rokkasho-Mura]], [[Kamikita District, Aomori|Kamikita District]], [[Aomori Prefecture]]

* Sichuan Toyota Nitan Development Co., Ltd. in [[Sichuan]], China

* [[Toyota Roof Garden Corporation]] in [[Miyoshi, Aichi|Miyoshi-Cho]], [[Aichi Prefecture]]

==See also==

{{Portal|Japanese Car}}

*The [[Toyota Group]]

*[[List of Toyota vehicles]]

*[[List of Toyota engines]]

*[[Toyota transmissions|List of Toyota transmissions]]

*[[EPA 2004 fuel economy report appendix M2#Toyota|EPA 2004 fuel economy report (Toyota)]]

*[[Toyota automobile collectibles]]

*[[Toyota Production System]]

==References==

<references />

*[http://www.canadiandriver.com/news/040105-13.htm 2005 Toyota Highlander Hybrid.] Retrieved [[January 11]] [[2004]] from CanadianDriver Communications, Inc. (2004)

*[http://www.toyota.co.jp/en/pdf/2005/toyota_up_close0511.pdf Toyota up close] Sales figures of Toyota.

*[http://quote.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000006&sid=a_zhJuk2gAn8 Toyota becomes 3rd ranked US automaker behind GM and Ford] Bloomberg Report.

== External links ==

{{commonscat|Toyota}}

*[http://www.toyota.co.jp/ Toyota Motor official site]

*[http://biz.yahoo.com/ic/41/41889.html Yahoo! - Toyota Motor Corporation Company Profile]

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