What motor company makes Toyota?
Toyota is produced by Toyota Motor Corporation, not by an external motor company. In other words, the maker of Toyota-branded vehicles is Toyota itself.
Founded in 1937 by Kiichiro Toyoda, Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) is a Japanese multinational automaker that designs, builds, and sells vehicles under the Toyota name. The group also operates the Lexus luxury division and owns several subsidiaries, including Daihatsu and Hino Motors, as part of its broader corporate umbrella. Headquartered in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture, Japan, TMC ranks among the world’s largest automakers by production and sales.
The maker's corporate structure
Toyota operates a multi-brand and multi-subsidiary structure that supports its global manufacturing and sales networks. The following components are central to its corporate family:
- Toyota (the core automotive brand)
- Lexus (the luxury vehicle division)
- Daihatsu (wholly owned subsidiary)
- Hino Motors (wholly owned subsidiary)
These relationships illustrate how Toyota functions as both the producer of Toyota-brand vehicles and the parent company for related brands and manufacturing entities.
Origins of Toyota Motor Corporation
Founding and early years
Kiichiro Toyoda shifted focus from textile machinery to automobiles in the early 20th century, laying the groundwork for what would become Toyota Motor Corporation. The automotive division evolved into Toyota Motor Co., Ltd. in 1937, marking the formal birth of the car-making arm that would propel the company into a global automotive powerhouse.
Global expansion and current status
Over the decades, Toyota expanded beyond Japan to build a worldwide manufacturing and sales presence. Today, Toyota is known for producing a broad range of vehicles—from compact cars to trucks and hybrids—and for its emphasis on reliability, efficiency, and technology. Its operations span manufacturing plants and R&D centers across the globe, reinforcing its role as a leading automotive group with multiple brands under one corporate roof.
Where Toyota vehicles are made today
Manufacturing footprint
Toyota maintains a vast global production network in Asia, the Americas, Europe, and beyond. The company uses a mix of wholly owned plants and collaborative ventures to manufacture Toyota-branded vehicles, as well as vehicles for its subsidiaries and affiliates, and to develop new technologies for the industry’s future.
Summary
In short, Toyota-branded vehicles are produced by Toyota Motor Corporation—the Japanese automaker at the heart of the Toyota brand. With Lexus as its luxury division and subsidiaries such as Daihatsu and Hino Motors, Toyota operates as a global automotive group rather than being made by a separate, external motor company. Its long history, expansive manufacturing footprint, and diversified brand portfolio position Toyota as one of the world’s leading players in the car industry.
What motor company owns Toyota?
Toyota's parent company is Toyota Motor Corporation, a Japanese multinational that owns brands like Lexus and Daihatsu and holds stakes in other companies such as Subaru and Mazda. Toyota Motor Corporation is the ultimate parent company for regional subsidiaries like Toyota Motor North America, which oversees marketing, sales, engineering, and manufacturing operations in the region.
- Parent Company: The ultimate parent company is Toyota Motor Corporation, a Japanese multinational.
- Owned Brands: Toyota Motor Corporation produces vehicles under its own brand, as well as the Lexus and Daihatsu brands.
- Subsidiaries: It has numerous subsidiaries, including Toyota Motor North America, which handles the company's operations in North America.
- Other Investments: Toyota also has strategic investments in other automakers, such as Subaru and Mazda.
- Other Businesses: Beyond car manufacturing, the Toyota Group has a presence in other sectors, including financial services, housing, and biotechnology.
Does Toyota own Nissan?
No, Toyota does not own Nissan; instead, Nissan is part of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance. In this alliance, the French company Renault is the largest shareholder, holding a significant stake in Nissan. Toyota is a separate and competing automaker with its own brands like Lexus and Daihatsu.
- Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance: Since 1999, Nissan has been a part of this alliance, which now also includes Mitsubishi Motors.
- Renault's ownership: Renault owns approximately 43.4% of Nissan, while Nissan holds a 15% non-voting stake in Renault.
- Competition: Toyota and Nissan are separate, competing companies that operate independently.
Is Mazda owned by Toyota now?
No, Toyota does not own Mazda, but they have a strategic partnership and a cross-ownership structure. Toyota owns a 5.05% stake in Mazda, while Mazda owns a 0.25% stake in Toyota. This relationship includes a joint manufacturing plant in Alabama and technology sharing in areas like electrification.
- Cross-ownership: Toyota is Mazda's largest single shareholder, but Mazda remains an independent company.
- Joint manufacturing: The two companies operate a joint factory, Mazda Toyota Manufacturing (MTM), in Alabama, which produces both Mazda and Toyota vehicles, such as the Mazda CX-50 and the Toyota Corolla Cross.
- Technology sharing: They collaborate on technology, with Mazda utilizing Toyota's technology for some of its hybrid vehicles and potentially other components.
Is Subaru owned by Toyota now?
No, Toyota does not own Subaru, but it owns just over 20% of the company, making Subaru an affiliated company. This strategic partnership allows them to share technology and collaborate on vehicle development, such as the Toyota 86/Subaru BRZ sports car. Subaru still operates independently with its own branding and operations.
- Ownership structure: Toyota is Subaru's largest shareholder with a stake of slightly over 20%, but Subaru remains an independent company.
- Strategic partnership: The two companies have a close partnership and collaborate on various projects.
- Shared projects: Notable examples of their collaboration include the co-development of the Subaru Solterra/Toyota bZ4X electric crossover and the Subaru BRZ/Toyota 86 sports car.
- Technology sharing: They share technology, particularly in areas like hybrid systems and electric vehicle development, and plan to collaborate on future EV platforms.
- Independent operation: Despite the significant ownership stake and collaboration, Subaru maintains its own management structure and brand identity.
