Toyota motor vehicles

Toyota is a global leader in the automotive industry, renowned for its commitment to reliability and lean manufacturing through the Toyota Production System (TPS). Originally founded as a division of Toyoda Automatic Loom Works in 1933 by Kiichiro Toyoda, the brand officially became Toyota Motor Company in 1937. The capital for its automotive pivot famously came from the sale of automatic loom patents. Today, the brand is the core of a massive multinational conglomerate headquartered in Toyota City, Japan.

Toyota's manufacturing footprint is truly global, adhering to a "build where you sell" philosophy. It operates dozens of plants across Japan, the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, the United Kingdom, France, Turkey, China, Thailand, and South Africa, among others. By 2026, the company continues to expand its production of electrified vehicles, including hybrids and battery-electric models, maintaining its position as one of the world's largest vehicle producers.

Ownership of the brand remains under the Toyota Motor Corporation, which is a publicly traded entity on the Tokyo and New York stock exchanges. While the founding Toyoda family maintains significant cultural influence through leadership roles like Chairman Akio Toyoda, the company is owned by a mix of Japanese institutional investors (such as Toyota Industries and Denso) and international shareholders.