Written by Toyota Motor Corporation
Toyota Motor Corporation is the Japanese car maker that grew out of a loom company, and it is best known for the Corolla, the Land Cruiser and the Prius hybrid. This guide covers the current Toyota lineup, as well as the company’s history and ownership, its biggest achievements and its racing history.
Toyota Motor Corporation at a Glance
Founded 28 August 1937 Grew out of Toyoda Automatic Loom Works
Founder Kiichiro Toyoda Son of loom inventor Sakichi Toyoda
Headquarters Toyota City Aichi Prefecture, Japan
Listed TSE: 7203 · NYSE: TM Tokyo, Nagoya and New York
Group sales 2025 11,322,575 World record; No. 1 for the sixth year
Leadership Kenta Kon CEO since April 2026; Akio Toyoda is chairman
Toyota Motor Corporation Model Lineup
Toyota Motor Corporation sells a different range in each region, so the list below shows its core models in 2026, grouped by type. Most now come as hybrids, and several, including the Camry and the new RAV4, are hybrid-only in North America. Meanwhile, the GR Supra ended production in 2026, and an all-electric, three-row Highlander built in Kentucky is due to go on sale in late 2026.
Cars (4)
Compact car
Toyota Corolla
Gas Hybrid Sedan & hatchback
The Corolla is the best-selling car nameplate in history, because more than 50 million have been sold since 1966. Today it is sold as a sedan, hatchback or wagon, depending on the market.
Mid-size sedan
Toyota Camry
Hybrid Sedan
Launched for 2025, the ninth-generation Camry is also sold only as a hybrid in North America. It sold 316,185 in the US in 2025, while its hybrid version had its best year ever.
Hybrid hatchback
Toyota Prius
Hybrid Plug-in hybrid
When the fifth-generation Prius arrived in 2023, it swapped the old wedge shape for a low, sleek design. It is also offered as a plug-in hybrid.
Small car
Toyota Yaris
Hybrid Europe & Asia
The Yaris is Toyota’s small hatchback for Europe, Japan and other markets, so it is not sold in the US. For Europe it is built in France and sold mainly as a hybrid.
SUVs (4)
Compact SUV
Toyota RAV4
Hybrid Plug-in hybrid Global
When the sixth-generation RAV4 arrived for 2026, it became a hybrid or plug-in hybrid only. It is also Toyota’s best-seller in the US, with a record 479,288 sold in 2025.
Three-row SUV
Toyota Grand Highlander
Gas Hybrid 3 rows
This larger three-row family SUV launched in 2023, and since then it has been built in Indiana. As a result of strong demand, 2025 was its best US sales year, with 136,801 sold.
Off-road SUV
Toyota 4Runner
Gas Hybrid 4×4
The body-on-frame off-roader was all new for 2025 in its sixth generation, and for the first time it is also offered with a hybrid option.
Off-road SUV
Toyota Land Cruiser
Hybrid Diesel 4×4
The Land Cruiser is Toyota’s longest-running nameplate, because it dates from 1951. After a break, the Land Cruiser 250 (sold as the Prado in some markets) returned to North America in 2024, while the larger Land Cruiser 300 is sold in other regions.
Pickups and vans (4)
Mid-size pickup
Toyota Tacoma
Gas Hybrid Pickup
When the fourth-generation Tacoma arrived for 2024, it brought turbocharged and hybrid engines. It then sold a record 274,638 in the US in 2025, so it remains America’s best-selling mid-size pickup.
Full-size pickup
Toyota Tundra
Gas Hybrid Pickup
Unlike the smaller Tacoma, Toyota’s full-size pickup is built in the US, in San Antonio, Texas. Since the current generation launched for 2022, it has used a twin-turbo V6 with an optional hybrid system.
Pickup
Toyota Hilux
Diesel Electric Global
The famously tough Hilux is sold in more than 180 markets, although not in the US. In addition, the ninth generation, revealed in late 2025, adds a fully electric version and a mild-hybrid diesel.
Minivan
Toyota Sienna
Hybrid Minivan
The Sienna is a hybrid-only family minivan for North America, and it is also built in Indiana. It sold 101,486 in the US in 2025.
Electric (2)
Electric SUV
Toyota bZ
Electric Global
Toyota’s first dedicated electric SUV initially launched as the bZ4X in 2022. Since 2026 it has been sold as the bZ in North America, with more power and a range of up to 314 miles (EPA).
Electric SUV
Toyota C-HR (electric)
Electric New for 2026
This compact electric crossover launched in 2026. It is sold as the C-HR in North America but as the C-HR+ in Europe, with a range of up to 290 miles.
Performance (GR) (2)
Hot hatch
Toyota GR Corolla
Gas All-wheel drive Manual or automatic
The GR Corolla is a rally-bred hot hatch from Toyota Gazoo Racing, so it gets a turbocharged three-cylinder engine and all-wheel drive. Consequently, 2025 was its best US sales year.
Sports car
Toyota GR86
Gas Rear-wheel drive Coupe
The GR86 is an affordable rear-wheel-drive sports coupe developed with Subaru, which also sells its own version as the BRZ.
What Is Toyota Motor Corporation?
Toyota Motor Corporation is a Japanese car maker headquartered in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture, and it is the world’s largest car maker by sales. Initially, it was the car department of Toyoda Automatic Loom Works, the company of inventor Sakichi Toyoda. His son Kiichiro Toyoda then built the first passenger car, the Model AA, in 1936, before Toyota Motor Co. became a separate company on 28 August 1937.
The spelling changed from Toyoda to Toyota in 1936, because the new name takes eight strokes to write in Japanese katakana, a number considered lucky. It also separated the business from the family name. After the Second World War, Toyota developed the Toyota Production System, the “just-in-time” way of building cars that manufacturers around the world still study.
Today Toyota Motor Corporation sells cars under the Toyota and GR (Gazoo Racing) names as well as Lexus. It also owns the small-car maker Daihatsu and holds stakes in several other Japanese car and truck makers. Instead of betting on one technology, it offers hybrids, plug-in hybrids, electric and hydrogen cars side by side, so nearly half of its US sales in 2025 were electrified.
Toyota Motor Corporation History
Toyota Motor Corporation grew from a loom company in Aichi into the world’s best-selling car maker in less than a century.
- 1926 Sakichi Toyoda founds Toyoda Automatic Loom Works, long before the family builds cars.
- 1933 His son Kiichiro Toyoda then sets up a car department inside the loom company.
- 1936 Three years later, the Model AA, Toyota’s first passenger car, goes on sale.
- 1937 Toyota Motor Co. is founded as a separate company on 28 August.
- 1951 The four-wheel-drive Toyota BJ appears, and it is renamed Land Cruiser in 1954.
- 1955 The Toyopet Crown is launched and soon becomes Toyota’s first car exported to the US.
- 1966 The first Corolla goes on sale in Japan and soon becomes a best-seller.
- 1984 Toyota starts building cars in the US through NUMMI, a joint venture with General Motors in California.
- 1989 Toyota then launches its luxury brand, Lexus, with the LS 400.
- 1997 The Prius becomes the world’s first mass-produced hybrid car.
- 2008 Toyota finally passes General Motors to become the world’s largest car maker by production.
- 2018 Following years of near misses, Toyota wins the 24 Hours of Le Mans for the first time.
- 2021 The Corolla passes 50 million sales.
- 2025 The Toyota group sells a record 11.3 million vehicles worldwide.
- 2026 Kenta Kon becomes president and CEO, while Toyota wins Le Mans for the sixth time.
Iconic Toyota Models
These six cars shaped the reputation of Toyota Motor Corporation, from its first car to the first mass-produced hybrid.
1936
Toyoda Model AA
First passenger car
The Model AA was Toyota’s first production passenger car, although it was still badged Toyoda. Its streamlined styling was also inspired by American cars of the time.
1960–1984
Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40
4×4 Built for 24 years
This classic short-wheelbase Land Cruiser made Toyota’s name for toughness around the world, especially in Africa and Australia.
1966
Toyota Corolla (first generation)
Best-selling nameplate
The small family car started it all. Since then, its successors have made the Corolla the best-selling car nameplate in history.
1967–1970
Toyota 2000GT
Grand tourer 351 built
Japan’s first supercar was built with Yamaha in tiny numbers. In addition, two open-top examples appeared in the 1967 James Bond film You Only Live Twice.
1993–2002
Toyota Supra (A80)
Turbocharged Tuning icon
The fourth-generation Supra and its 2JZ straight-six became legends of the tuning scene, especially after a starring role in the 2001 film The Fast and the Furious.
1997
Toyota Prius (first generation)
First mass-produced hybrid
When it launched in Japan in December 1997, the first Prius proved that hybrids could be sold in large numbers, and so it began Toyota’s hybrid lead.
Who Owns Toyota Motor Corporation?
Toyota Motor Corporation is a public company listed in Tokyo, Nagoya and New York. Although the founding Toyoda family no longer owns a controlling stake, Akio Toyoda, grandson of the founder, is chairman. Toyota also owns Lexus and Daihatsu outright and holds stakes in several other Japanese car and truck makers. When AutoGathering has a page for a brand, its name below links to that page.
Shareholders Public shareholders TSE: 7203 · NYSE: TM · Toyota group companies hold cross-shareholdings
This page Toyota Motor Corporation Toyota City, Aichi · Toyota, Lexus and GR brands
100% Lexus Luxury brand, launched in 1989
100% Daihatsu Small cars; wholly owned since 2016
25% Archion Holding company of Hino and Mitsubishi Fuso trucks, since April 2026
20% Subaru Toyota’s largest stake in another car maker
Partners and stakes
Toyota also shares models, engines and technology with other car makers, and these deals are often backed by small shareholdings.
- Lexus (luxury brand)
- Subaru (about 20%; GR86/BRZ and bZ/Solterra)
- Mazda (about 5%)
- Suzuki (about 5%)
- Isuzu (about 5%)
- BMW (GR Supra and Z4, hydrogen fuel cells)
In addition, Toyota Industries, the loom maker where Toyota began, was bought out by the Toyota group in March 2026 and is leaving the stock market, while Toyota Motor keeps its stake of about 25%.
Former brands and ventures
- NUMMI (1984–2010) A joint factory with General Motors in Fremont, California, which Tesla now uses.
- Scion (2003–2016) A youth-focused brand for North America until it was folded back into Toyota.
- Toyota F1 (2002–2009) Toyota’s own Formula 1 team, based in Cologne, Germany, until it quit in 2009.
- Hino Motors (majority owner until 2026) The truck maker then moved under the Archion holding company, together with Mitsubishi Fuso.
Toyota Motor Corporation Accomplishments
The record of Toyota Motor Corporation rests on scale, reliability and hybrids, as well as on a racing program that has won the biggest endurance and rally events.
11.3 million
Vehicles sold in 2025
It was a record for the Toyota group, so Toyota became the world’s best-selling car maker for the sixth year in a row.
50 million
Corollas sold
The Corolla passed 50 million sales in 2021, more than any other car nameplate.
1997
First mass-produced hybrid
The Prius put hybrid cars into large-scale production for the first time, long before most rivals.
TPS
Toyota Production System
Its “just-in-time” and “jidoka” methods became the basis of lean manufacturing, which is used far beyond the car industry.
2008
World’s largest car maker
Toyota overtook General Motors in production, and it has held the lead for most years since.
6
Le Mans wins
Toyota won the 24 Hours of Le Mans every year from 2018 to 2022 and then again in 2026.
9
WRC manufacturers’ titles
World Rally Championship titles came in 1993, 1994, 1999, 2018 and then every year from 2021 to 2025.
4
Dakar Rally wins
The Hilux won the Dakar car category in 2019, 2022 and 2023, and then again in 2025.
479,288
RAV4s sold in the US in 2025
It was the best year yet for Toyota’s best-selling model in America.
Toyota Racing History
Toyota Motor Corporation competes at the top level of endurance racing, rallying and rally raids through Toyota Gazoo Racing, while Toyota Racing Development runs its American programs. Its biggest wins came at the Circuit de la Sarthe, home of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and it hosts its home races at Fuji Speedway, which Toyota owns. In NASCAR, Toyota has also won the Daytona 500 at Daytona. Earlier, Toyota raced in Formula 1 from 2002 to 2009.
World Endurance Championship
Toyota at Le Mans
6 overall wins Hybrid prototypes
Toyota finally won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2018 after years of near misses, and it kept winning every year until 2022 with its hybrid TS050 and GR010. It then won again in 2026 with the TR010 Hybrid, driven by Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi and Nyck de Vries.
World Rally Championship
Toyota in the WRC
9 manufacturers’ titles 10 drivers’ titles
Toyota has won nine manufacturers’ titles with the Celica, Corolla and Yaris, including five in a row from 2021 to 2025. In addition, drivers have won 10 world titles in Toyotas, a joint record, most recently when Sébastien Ogier took his ninth title in 2025.
Rally raid
Toyota Hilux at the Dakar
4 wins Hilux
The Toyota Hilux has won the Dakar Rally car category four times: first with Nasser Al-Attiyah in 2019, 2022 and 2023, and then with Yazeed Al-Rajhi in 2025.
Stock car racing
Toyota in NASCAR
3 Cup titles Camry
Toyota entered the NASCAR Cup Series in 2007 with the Camry. Since then, Kyle Busch (2015 and 2019) and Martin Truex Jr. (2017) have won Cup championships in Toyotas, while Denny Hamlin won the Daytona 500 three times for the brand.
Talk Toyota With Other Owners
Toyota owners have plenty to share, whether it is a high-mileage Corolla or a Land Cruiser overland build. Soon, AutoGathering will connect this page to a Toyota community space where owners and enthusiasts can compare models, share maintenance tips and plan meetups.
- Hybrid ownership
- Reliability and high mileage
- Maintenance and repairs
- Off-road and overland builds
- GR and performance
- Classic Toyota restoration
- Toyota meets and events
- Buying used
Toyota Motor Corporation FAQ
Who founded Toyota Motor Corporation?
Kiichiro Toyoda founded Toyota Motor Corporation. He started a car department in 1933 inside Toyoda Automatic Loom Works, the company of his father, inventor Sakichi Toyoda. Toyota Motor Co. then became a separate company on 28 August 1937.
Why is it called Toyota and not Toyoda?
The name was changed in 1936, because “Toyota” takes eight strokes to write in Japanese katakana, a number considered lucky. It also separated the company from the family name.
Who owns Toyota Motor Corporation?
Toyota Motor Corporation is a public company listed in Tokyo, Nagoya and New York. Its shares are held mainly by banks, investment funds and other Toyota group companies. Although the Toyoda family does not control it, Akio Toyoda, the founder’s grandson, is chairman.
What brands does Toyota own?
Toyota Motor Corporation owns the luxury brand Lexus and the small-car maker Daihatsu, and it also sells performance models under the GR (Gazoo Racing) name. In addition, it holds 25% of Archion, the parent of Hino and Mitsubishi Fuso, and about 20% of Subaru, as well as smaller stakes in Mazda, Suzuki and Isuzu.
What is Toyota’s best-selling car?
Over its history, the Corolla is the best-seller, with more than 50 million sold since 1966. In the US today, however, it is the RAV4, which sold a record 479,288 in 2025.
Is Toyota the world’s biggest car maker?
Yes, by sales. The Toyota group, including Daihatsu and Hino, sold 11,322,575 vehicles in 2025, so it has now sold more than any other car maker for six years in a row.
Is Toyota going electric?
Toyota Motor Corporation offers hybrids, plug-in hybrids, electric cars and hydrogen fuel-cell cars instead of betting on one technology. Hybrids also made up most of the 47% of its 2025 US sales that were electrified. Meanwhile, it is adding electric models such as the bZ, the C-HR and a three-row electric Highlander built in Kentucky.
Has Toyota won Le Mans?
Yes, six times. It won every year from 2018 to 2022 and then again in 2026, when the TR010 Hybrid of Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi and Nyck de Vries took victory.
Explore More Manufacturers
Compare Toyota Motor Corporation with its luxury brand and its biggest rivals.
Photo credits
- Header image: TTTNIS, CC0, cropped and resized.
- Toyota Corolla Ascent Sport hatchback photographed in…: EurovisionNim, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Platinum White Pearl Toyota Camry hybrid sedan…: Ethan Llamas, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Silver fifth-generation Toyota Prius at the 2022…: © M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, cropped and resized.
- Red Toyota Yaris Hybrid hatchback photographed in…: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Sixth-generation Toyota RAV4 plug-in hybrid photographed in…: Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid XLE in…: Cutlass, CC0, cropped and resized.
- 2025 Toyota 4Runner TRD Sport in Wind…: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser 250 VX in…: Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- 2022 Toyota Tundra Limited CrewMax 4x4 with…: MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Black 2026 Toyota Hilux Z pickup of…: TTTNIS, CC0, cropped and resized.
- White 2021 Toyota Sienna XLE Hybrid minivan…: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Grey Toyota C-HR+ electric SUV, sold as…: © M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, cropped and resized.
- 2024 Toyota GR Corolla Circuit Edition in…: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- White 2022 Toyota GR86 Premium sports coupe…: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Toyoda Model AA at the Toyota Commemorative…: Mytho88, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped and resized.
- 1982 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40 in Freeborn…: Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped and resized.
- 1966 Toyota Corolla Deluxe (KE10) two-door at…: Oq10pass, CC0, cropped and resized.
- Toyota 2000GT at the Toyota Automobile Museum: Unknown, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped and resized.
- Fourth-generation Toyota Supra (A80) photographed in Hong…: Dinkun Chen, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Silver 1998 Toyota Prius (NHW10), the first-generation…: Damian B Oh, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Toyota TR010 Hybrid number 8 at Raidillon…: MarcelX42, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Kalle Rovanperä's Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 at…: Lukas Raich, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Toyota Hilux Dakar Rally car on display…: Matti Blume, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Toyota Camry NASCAR Cup Series show car…: TaurusEmerald, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Orange fourth-generation Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road pickup…: Alexander-93, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- 2026 Toyota bZ4X electric SUV, sold as…: Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.