Toyota is the world's top automobile manufacturer. It beat General Motors States to claim the top place by producing 4.72 million vehicles in the first half of the present year compared to General motor's 4.67 million. While it plans to sell around 9.34 million vehicles this year, it is already aiming for an estimated production of more than 10 million vehicles by 2009.
Founded in 1937 by Kiichiro Toyoda, it is headquartered in Tokyo and Bunkyo, Japan. Presently it manufacturers some of the world's most admired automobiles across various segments such as cars, trucks, hybrids, SUV's, vans, futuristic, and concept vehicles. Toyota is renowned the world over for its path breaking Kaizen philosophy.
Toyota has commenced automobile production in India along with Kirloskar Group as Kirloskar Motor Private Limited (TKM). It has established a manufacturing facility in Bidadi, Karnataka with an initial investment of nearly 900 crores and employing nearly 2,300 individuals.
This plant commenced production in December 1999 with a manufacturing capability of around 60,000 units annually. Toyota currently manufactures four models in India - the Camry, Corolla, Innova, and Prado.