Toyota doesn’t just build cars; it builds an automotive industry. Paraphrased, these are the words of Kiichiro Toyoda, founder of what would become the world’s largest automaker. It’s an adage echoed in the John Donne poem and popular saying, “No man is an island” where he says that humanity seeks connection, and it’s through this connection that society is uplifted.
In the 1930s, a time when Japan was incapable of making cars, Kiichiro, ever the industrialist, had a long-term vision in mind. What he sought out was not to simply build Toyota as a company, but an entire industry. He gathered those who share his sentiment, and together—be it through suppliers, dealers, and financial institutions—they created what would become the formidable Japanese automotive machinery everyone knows today.
Kiichiro’s way of thinking—one where Toyota invests first in people and the ecosystem to build an industry even before the first car ever rolls off the production line—drives their corporate values. It intrinsically links Toyota into a region or country’s history, and it’s this history that helps drive what the carmaker aims to do in the long-term.
In the words of Toyota’s chairman, Akio Toyoda, “We cannot make customers happy by just promoting the total number of vehicles. Becoming the best-in-town is what is most important. Toyota affiliates, plants, distributors, and dealerships should always aim to be the best-in-town company that people in their respective towns trust the most.”
This trust, Toyota recognizes, makes them remain competitive in the good times and the bad. Its long history and staying power sparks confidence from its affiliates, partners, and customers that Toyota will remain strong in any region that they are in, no matter what. Since trust is a two-way street, it helps Toyota develop a strong relationship with its partners and suppliers, while also helping them keep in touch with the psyche of its customers. This enables them to design and engineer vehicles that meet the needs of the market at the right time.
One example is the global vehicle platform called IMV. The “Innovative International Multi-Purpose Vehicle” which was introduced in 2002 had the goal of creating a common platform to support different vehicles that meet the diverse mobility needs of developing markets.
Beyond platforms, Toyota applies the very same philosophy when it comes to the technologies that rolls out. With “Mobility for All” being its primary mission, Toyota comes to understand that “All” represents that every individual deserves the right mobility solution. It’s about offering the right choice; the right technological solution to ensure that no one is left behind.
Here, the IMV continues its relevance through the Tamaraw and Land Cruiser FJ which provide new mobility value. A soon-to-be-launched IMV Battery Electric Vehicle also provides choice for customers where electrification may suit their needs.
Unlike other carmakers who are blindsided by sales numbers or ranking, Toyota sees this as a result. It’s the result of listening to customers and balancing innovation with enduring benefits. By investing in the regions that they’re in, Toyota builds vehicles which are well-attuned to its customers. Moreover, it’s a constant reminder that Toyota will always be there.
Toyota is world #1 by hardwork and dedication; never by accident.
ReplyDeleteBYD want to be number 1 thru subsidies and zero mileage sales
ReplyDeleteThey bother you that much that you randomly bring them up, huh? lol
DeleteYeah its bothered me much that reuters reports byd 3rd quarter profit down 32% year on year and byd market share in china also down from 18% to 14% and 2025 sales target reduced by 16%
DeleteStrange, your first comment gives the impression that you dislike BYD, and now your follow up shows that you are very concerned for them.
DeleteLook into getting some therapy. Conflicting positions can be very bothersome. Hope you get better 😘
Hmmnn...Someone here just being sarcastic and someone dudnot not get it😁😁😁
DeleteThe irony of thinking a sarcastic reply is a case of someone misunderstanding sarcasm is delicious. 😋
DeleteJust testing someone's IQ.
DeleteThey are overall number 1 world-wide but their formula doesn't work as well in some markets.
ReplyDeleteIn India, for example, Toyota is #5 in total sales selling less than 1/5th of the #1 company which is Suzuki. According to some car journalists over there, Toyota seems to be not so interested in investing heavily in that market (as opposed to what the final statement of this article says) and they even resort to taking winning models from Suzuki and slapping some Toyota design cues and branding on it. However, as amusing contrast to here in the Philippines, people still avoid the Toyota version since they associate them as having less available service stations (which is true in their case).
My point is, it's not always a given, and they've showed they will ignore certain markets if they feel like it.
Basta tuloy Ang pagbigay ng China ng Rare Earth sa Toyota they'll stay number 1 if not baka magaya Sila sa VW, factory shutdown Muna.
ReplyDeleteToyota said they want and will be no.1 in the year 2000. Now they are reversing the claim. How untrusty they are.. they dont even build engines. Their angines by majority were designed and built by yamaha.
ReplyDeleteWhat are you talking about? Toyota seeker help from Yamaha mainly on their legendary engines that sounds so good like the Supra Mk4 specifically with the 2JZ-GTE engine and Lexus LFA, as well as the Toyota 2000GT.
Delete