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What is Toyota called in Japan?

In Japan, the automotive giant Toyota is known by a different name - "Toyoda." This name, which is the original family name of the company's founder, holds significant cultural and historical significance. Understanding the story behind Toyota's Japanese name provides insight into the company's roots and its evolution into a global powerhouse.


The Origins of "Toyoda"


The Toyota Motor Corporation was founded in 1937 by Kiichiro Toyoda, the son of Sakichi Toyoda, the inventor of the Toyoda power loom. The company's original name was "Toyoda Automatic Loom Works," reflecting its origins in the textile industry. The name "Toyoda" is derived from the Japanese kanji characters "豊田," which can be translated to mean "abundant rice fields."


The Toyoda family had a long history in the textile industry, and the name "Toyoda" was well-established within the company and the local community. However, when the company decided to transition into the automotive industry, they made the strategic decision to change the name to "Toyota."


The Transition to "Toyota"


The decision to change the company's name from "Toyoda" to "Toyota" was not made lightly. The primary reason for the change was to make the name easier to write and pronounce for non-Japanese speakers. The new name, "Toyota," was chosen because it was considered more visually appealing and easier to remember for international audiences.


Additionally, the change to "Toyota" was seen as a way to distance the company from its textile roots and establish a stronger identity in the automotive industry. The new name also allowed the company to create a unique brand that could be easily recognized and associated with high-quality vehicles.


The Significance of "Toyoda" Today


Despite the official change to "Toyota," the original "Toyoda" name still holds significant meaning within the company and in Japan. The Toyoda family name is still used in various contexts, such as the Toyoda Automatic Loom Works, which continues to operate as a subsidiary of the Toyota Motor Corporation.


Furthermore, the "Toyoda" name is often used in reference to the company's history and its deep roots in the Japanese textile industry. This connection to the company's origins is seen as an important part of its identity and helps to reinforce the values of innovation, quality, and craftsmanship that have been central to Toyota's success.

What is the Japanese word for Toyota?


Although the founding family's name was written in the Kanji "豊田" (rendered as "Toyoda"), the company name was changed to a similar word in katakana - トヨタ (rendered as "Toyota") because the latter has 8 strokes which is regarded as a lucky number in East Asian culture.



What is lexus in Japanese?


Lexus (レクサス, Rekusasu) is the luxury vehicle division of the Japanese automaker Toyota Motor Corporation.



What is the name of Toyota in China?


Feng Tian
Toyota 丰田 (Feng Tian): "bountiful fields." Honda 本田 (Ben Tian): "one's own fields." Nissan 日产 (Ri Chan): "made in Japan." Mitsubishi 三菱 (San Ling): "three diamonds."



What do Japanese think of Lexus?


The majority of participants at 51% chose their dream car brand because they “like the design”. This was followed by 28% who said it “gives a sense of status” and 25% who “feel it has good performance”. While 37% of people chose Lexus because of its design, 46% chose it for its status value.



What are Toyotas called in Japan?


Vehicles were originally sold under the name "Toyoda" (トヨダ), from the family name of the company's founder, Kiichirō Toyoda. In September 1936, the company ran a public competition to design a new logo. Of 27,000 entries, the winning entry was the three Japanese katakana letters for "Toyoda" in a circle.



What is the other name for Toyota?


Toyoda
Toyota is a variation of the name Toyoda. The original Toyoda company invented and produced numerous types of looms. In 1933, Toyoda decided to foray into the automotive market, expanding greatly in 1956 after steady successes.



Why is Toyota not called Toyoda?


Toyota Motor Corporation was founded by the Toyoda family. The word "Toyoda" uses ten Japanese strokes to write while "Toyota" uses only eight. Eight is considered a lucky number in Japanese culture. For these reasons "Toyota" was chosen as the company's name.



What is Lexus in Chinese?


Líng zhì Lexus see also 雷克薩斯|雷克萨斯[Lei2 ke4 sa4 si1] 凌志美 Líng Zhì měi.



What is Mazda called in Japan?


マツダ



What is Nissan called in China?


Dongfeng Nissan

OwnerDongfeng Motor Group (50%) Nissan (50%)
Number of employeesApproximately 70,000
SubsidiariesDongfeng Automobile Company
Chinese name
Simplified Chinese东风汽车有限公司


Kevin's Auto

Kevin Bennett

Company Owner

Kevin Bennet is the founder and owner of Kevin's Autos, a leading automotive service provider in Australia. With a deep commitment to customer satisfaction and years of industry expertise, Kevin uses his blog to answer the most common questions posed by his customers. From maintenance tips to troubleshooting advice, Kevin's articles are designed to empower drivers with the knowledge they need to keep their vehicles running smoothly and safely.