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Toyota Part 2 - A Technological Giant

Now used car warranty customers are invited to read the next installment...

Toyota had a natural incentive to develop engines and vehicles that were very fuel efficient because Japan had very few natural resources. As early as 1939 the company established a research center to begin work on battery powered vehicles. In 1940 the Toyoda Science Research Center and the Toyoda Works, which later became Aichi Steel Works, was established. In 1941 the Toyoda Machine Works was founded to produce both machine tools and auto parts.

After World War II ended and the Japanese motor industry was beginning to recover there was concern that American and European automakers would take over the Japanese auto market because of their economic and technical superiority. Toyota decided to concentrate on making small cars since American automakers were concentrating on medium and larger sized cars.

In 1947 Toyota engineers completed their first prototype of a small car; its chassis was the backbone and the front suspension relied mainly on coil springs. The maximum speed was 54 miles per hour. After some crucial restructuring in 1949 it was decided to incorporate Toyota's sales division as a separate company. This led to the formation of the Toyota Motor Sales Company in 1950. They handled all of the domestic and worldwide marketing of Toyota's automobile products.

In 1950 the company's new executives Eiji Toyoda and Shoichi Saito visited the US. They were looking for new ideas for the company and toured the Ford Motor Company factories and observed the latest American production technology. They came back with useful ideas and encouraged employees to make suggestions for improvements of any kind.

It became clear in the early 1950's that Toyota would have to make additional investments in manufacturing facilities to keep up with the flood of American cars in the Japanese market. In 1954 Toyota introduced the "Kanban" or synchronized delivery system. This meant that as products or parts were taken off of the shelf they were immediately replenished. The Kanban system became the basis for Toyota's entire production system.

Also in the 50s, major research and development efforts were begun for the development of new cars. Toyota started to offer a more complete line of products. In 1955 they introduced the Crown model and then the 1,000 cubic centimeters Corona. Toyota then introduced Japan's first cab over truck and a large sized diesel truck. In 1966 the Toyota Corolla went on sale and quickly became Japan's most popular car, leading the market in compact cars of its size.

After the 1973 oil crisis Toyota decided to make their production systems more flexible to meet changes in consumer preferences. The 1970's brought environmental awareness and the passing of the Muskie Act which set limits on automobiles engine emissions. Toyota moved forward and started to develop a new generation of cleaner and more fuel efficient engines. After studying all alternatives Toyota decided catalytic converters were the most flexible option. They proceeded to succeed in producing automobiles that conformed to the world's toughest emissions control standards.

In 1984 Toyota entered a joint manufacturing venture with General Motors - the New United Motor Manufacturing. This allowed Toyota to begin production in the US and allowed General Motors to have insight into Japanese production methods and management styles. By the beginnings of the 1990's Toyota was solidifying its global operations and carving new markets in Latin America.

In 1988 they established the Sichuan Toyota Motor Company; this was Toyota's first vehicle production plant in China. In the 1990s Toyota had stakes in four Chinese parts manufacturing plants. Also during this period Toyota took an aggressive approach to cornering the domestic market by drastically cutting prices on vehicles sold in Japan. To extend its hold on the domestic market the company implemented a number of environmental initiatives both at home and abroad.

Probably the most significant recent innovative device that Toyota have developed is the Hybrid Synergy Drive (HSD) which uses all electric compressors for cooling. It is a 'drive by wire system' that has no direct mechanical connection between the engine and engine controls. It is thanks to this system that we now have the hybrid Toyota Prius - launched in 1997. The Prius combined a highly efficient gas engine with a self regenerating electric motor. This revolutionary engine reduced carbon dioxide emissions by half. The Prius hit the US and European markets in late 2000.

Toyota also introduced alternative fuel vehicles in 2006. It adapted all of its vehicles sold worldwide to run on E10 fuel and in 2007 introduced flexible fuel Corolla models in Brazil that can run on E100. The flexible fuel Tundra and Sequoia were introduced in North America in 2008.

Amongst other technologies that Toyota has designed is the Smart Key System - which sends an electronic signal to the car's computer allowing the user to start it - and the Intelligent Parking Assist system which was launched with the 2003 Toyota Prius. The IPA system calculates the correct course to park the car most effectively and automatically engages the required steering angle to do so.

The Toyota Corporation not only exceeds at putting innovative technology into their vehicles they also use it on their production lines. Over the years they refined a number of concepts and production methods. For example, they use the 'just in time' concept. They employ the most sophisticated supply chain systems, which makes sure that parts arrive just when needed. At every stage of the assembly line there are devices that allow workers to stop production to correct defects.

Toyota is always changing and improving the way their productions lines work. Toyota continues to revamp and design engines and cars that will contribute to cleaner emissions, lower CO2 emissions and increase fuel efficiency, as well as incorporating some of the coolest gadgets, buttons and electronic functions in the automotive industry.

Click the link for Toyota Part 3: The Cars of the Mighty Toyota Motor Corporation...

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