Who Owns Toyota?
Toyota is the flagship brand of Toyota Motor Corporation, a publicly traded Japanese multinational automotive company. Toyota trades on NYSE under ticker TM and TYO under 7203. Toyota is headquartered in Toyota City, Aichi, Japan.
Parent Company
Toyota Motor Corporation
Founded
1937
Status
Publicly Traded
Headquarters
Toyota City, Aichi, Japan
Who Owns Toyota?
- Parent Company: Toyota Motor Corporation
- Ownership Type: Wholly owned
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock Ticker: TSE: 7203
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| Toyota | Toyota Motor Corporation | Wholly owned |
History of Toyota
- Founded: 1937
- Founders: Kiichiro Toyoda
Toyota Motor Corporation was founded on August 28, 1937, by Kiichiro Toyoda as a spinoff from Toyoda Automatic Loom Works, his father Sakichi Toyoda's textile machinery company. The company name was changed from "Toyoda" to "Toyota" because the latter required eight brush strokes to write in Japanese, which was considered a lucky number. The first Toyota passenger car, the Model AA sedan, was produced in 1936.
After World War II, Toyota nearly went bankrupt during Japan's economic crisis. The company survived through a painful restructuring that included layoffs and the resignation of founder Kiichiro Toyoda. This crisis profoundly shaped Toyota's corporate culture, instilling a deep commitment to financial discipline and continuous improvement.
In the 1950s, Toyota engineer Taiichi Ohno developed the Toyota Production System (TPS), a revolutionary manufacturing methodology based on just-in-time production, continuous improvement (kaizen), and waste elimination. TPS became the foundation of lean manufacturing and has been adopted by manufacturers worldwide across virtually every industry.
Toyota entered the American market in 1957 with the Toyota Crown, which initially struggled. However, the Corolla, launched in 1966, became one of the best-selling cars in history, with over 50 million units sold worldwide. The Camry, introduced in 1982, has been the best-selling car in America for most of the past two decades.
Toyota's most significant innovation came in 1997 with the launch of the Prius, the world's first mass-produced hybrid vehicle. The Prius pioneered hybrid technology and established Toyota as the global leader in electrified vehicles. Toyota has since sold over 20 million hybrid vehicles worldwide. The company has pursued a multi-pathway approach to electrification, investing in battery electric vehicles, hydrogen fuel cell technology (the Mirai), and plug-in hybrids alongside its dominant hybrid lineup.
About Toyota Motor Corporation
What does Toyota own?
Toyota Motor Corporation owns the Toyota and Lexus automotive brands, which are sold in more than 170 countries worldwide. Toyota also holds majority ownership of Daihatsu Motor Company (small vehicles for Asian markets) and a significant stake in Hino Motors (commercial trucks). Toyota holds minority stakes in several major automotive component suppliers including Denso, Aisin, and Toyota Industries, as well as a stake in Subaru Corporation.
Is Toyota publicly traded?
Yes, Toyota Motor Corporation is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange under ticker 7203. The company's American Depositary Receipts also trade on the New York Stock Exchange under ticker TM. Toyota has a broad institutional and retail shareholder base with no single controlling shareholder. The Toyoda family maintains significant influence through board representation, with Akio Toyoda serving as Chairman.
Who founded Toyota?
Toyota Motor Corporation was founded by Kiichiro Toyoda in 1937. Kiichiro was the son of Sakichi Toyoda, who had founded Toyoda Automatic Loom Works in 1926. Kiichiro used proceeds from the sale of the loom patent to fund automobile research and established the automobile division of Toyoda Automatic Loom Works in 1933 before spinning off Toyota Motor Corporation as an independent company in August 1937.
Where is Toyota headquartered?
Toyota Motor Corporation is headquartered in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture, Japan. Toyota City was renamed in honor of the company in 1959, reflecting the automaker's central role in the local economy. The company also maintains significant operations in Tokyo and operates manufacturing facilities in more than 28 countries worldwide.
How many vehicles does Toyota sell annually?
Toyota is the world's largest automaker by annual vehicle sales volume. In fiscal year 2025 (ended March 31, 2025), Toyota sold approximately 10.8 million vehicles globally under the Toyota and Lexus brands. The company achieved record US sales of approximately 2.5 million vehicles in calendar year 2025, with approximately 47% of global sales being electrified models including hybrids, plug-in hybrids, battery electric vehicles, and fuel cell vehicles.
Who owns Toyota?
Toyota Motor Corporation is publicly traded with a broad and diversified shareholder base. No single shareholder holds a controlling stake. The Toyota Group companies, including Toyota Industries Corporation, Denso, and other affiliates, collectively hold significant stakes in Toyota Motor Corporation through cross-shareholding arrangements. The Toyoda founding family maintains influence through board representation, with Akio Toyoda serving as Chairman, but does not hold a majority economic interest in the company.
- Founded: 1937
- Headquarters: Toyota City, Aichi, Japan
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock: TSE: 7203
Where Is Toyota Made / Based?
- Headquarters: Toyota City, Aichi, Japan
- Manufacturing / Operations: Japan, United States, China, Thailand, Various international locations
Brands Owned by Toyota Motor Corporation
- Lexus - Luxury automotive brand owned by Toyota Motor Corporation, specializing in premi...
Toyota Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +World's largest automaker by vehicle sales volume
- +Industry-leading reliability and durability reputation
- +Pioneer and global leader in hybrid vehicle technology
- +Toyota Production System sets manufacturing efficiency standards
- +Strong resale values across the product lineup
Considerations
- -Perceived slower adoption of battery electric vehicles compared to competitors
- -Intense competition from Chinese EV manufacturers in key markets
- -Complex cross-shareholding structure reduces corporate governance transparency
- -Dependence on internal combustion engines during transition period
- -Regulatory challenges regarding emissions standards globally
Frequently Asked Questions About Toyota
Where to Buy
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Toyota on AmazonCompetitors to Toyota
These competing brands operate in the same categories and provide similar products or services. Compare key attributes to understand market positioning and competitive landscape.
| Brand | Parent Company | Country | Founded | Market Position | Primary Market | Gender Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bmw Group | Germany | 1916 | Mass Market | Europe | All Genders | |
| Bmw | Germany | 1923 | Luxury | Europe | All Genders | |
| Stellantis | USA | 1900 | Mass Market | North America | All Genders | |
| Ferrari | Italy | 1947 | Mass Market | Europe | All Genders | |
| General Motors | USA | 1992 | Mass Market | North America | All Genders | |
| Stellantis | USA | 1941 | Mass Market | North America | All Genders |
Learn More About Competitors
BMW
Owned by BMW Group
German luxury automobile brand known for performance-oriented sedans, SUVs, and electric vehicles.
BMW Motorrad
Owned by BMW Group
Premium motorcycle division of BMW Group, producing motorcycles and two-wheeled vehicles since 1923.
Dodge
Owned by Stellantis
American brand of automobiles and performance vehicles, specializing in muscle cars, SUVs, and performance-oriented vehicles, owned by Stellantis.
Ferrari
Owned by Ferrari N.V.
Italian luxury sports car manufacturer, one of the world's most valuable and iconic automotive brands.
Hummer
Owned by Unknown Company
American automotive brand producing large sport utility vehicles, owned by General Motors.
Jeep
Owned by Stellantis
American brand of automobiles and off-road vehicles, specializing in SUVs and off-road vehicles, owned by Stellantis.
Competitive Analysis
Market Positioning: Toyota competes with 6 brands in the same categories, ranging from mass market to luxury positioning.
Geographic Distribution: Competitors are headquartered across multiple regions, indicating global competition in this market segment.
Brand Heritage: Competitor brands range from established heritage brands to newer market entrants, with founding years spanning several decades.
Toyota Motor Corporation Stock Information
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