Toyota Motor’s cumulative vehicle production in Japan has passed 150m units with the milestone reached on 5 December, the automaker announced on Friday (24 January, 2014).
The milestone took 78 years and 5 months to reach and began with production of the Model G1 truck in August 1935 at Toyoda Automatic Loom Works’ Automotive Department, which spun off and later became TMC.
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As of the end of December, Toyota’s cumulative global production totaled approximately 210m vehicles, with units produced in Japan making up approximately 70%. Of the Japan cumulative total, the Corolla accounts for the largest share at 25.45m units.
Overseas assembly, initially by independent importers from knock-down (KD) kits, began with the Landcruiser in Brazil in 1959, South Africa (1962), Australia (1963 Tiara), New Zealand (1967 Corona), Malaysia (1968) and Indonesia (1970).
Parts production began in the US in 1972 followed by a full manufacturing plant, initially making the Camry, in Kentucky in 1988. The UK plant in Burnston, initially building the Corona rebadged as the Carina II, started operations in 1992.
“Toyota continues to position its production plants in Japan as strategic bases for bolstering global competitiveness, while striving to contribute to global society through the manufacturing of ever-better cars,” the automaker said in a statement.
