Toyota

Kiichiro Toyoda transitioned his family's textile loom business into automobiles in 1933. Toyota Motor Co. was established as a separate entity in 1937. Post-war rebuilding was assisted by American manufacturing experts including W. Edwards Deming, leading to the Toyota Production System. The Corona and Corolla (1966) made Toyota a global export force. In the US, Toyota quality became a watchword during the malaise era of the 1970s and 1980s. The Supra, Celica, and MR2 built performance credibility. The 1997 Prius became the world's first mass-produced hybrid, a landmark of efficiency engineering. Land Cruiser has been the definitive off-road workhorse since the 1950s. GR Yaris, GR86, and GR Supra form a modern performance sub-brand.