What was Toyotas name before Toyota?
Toyota, one of the world's largest and most successful automotive manufacturers, was not always known by that name. The company's origins can be traced back to the early 20th century, when it was founded under a different moniker. In this article, we'll explore the fascinating history behind Toyota's name change and the events that led to the creation of this iconic brand.
The Birth of Toyoda
The company that would eventually become Toyota was founded in 1937 by Kiichiro Toyoda, the son of Sakichi Toyoda, the inventor of the Toyoda power loom. Initially, the company was known as Toyoda Automatic Loom Works, reflecting its origins in the textile industry. Kiichiro Toyoda, inspired by the success of the Toyoda power loom, decided to venture into the automotive industry, leading to the development of the company's first passenger car in 1936.
In 1937, the company officially changed its name from Toyoda Automatic Loom Works to Toyota Motor Corporation. The decision to change the name was primarily driven by the desire to create a more easily recognizable and memorable brand name. The new name, Toyota, was chosen because it was easier to write and pronounce in Japanese than the original Toyoda. Additionally, the word "Toyota" was considered to be more auspicious, as it contains eight strokes in the Japanese writing system, which is considered a lucky number.
The Reasons Behind the Name Change
- Easier to write and pronounce in Japanese: The new name, Toyota, was simpler and more accessible than the original Toyoda.
- More auspicious connotations: The word "Toyota" contains eight strokes in the Japanese writing system, which is considered a lucky number.
- Desire for a more recognizable brand: The company wanted to create a name that would be easily remembered and associated with their products.
The name change from Toyoda to Toyota was a strategic decision that helped the company establish a stronger brand identity and position itself for success in the global automotive market. This transition marked a significant milestone in the company's history and laid the foundation for the Toyota brand we know and recognize today.
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 was Toyotas first cars?
Toyoda Model AA passenger car
Toyota's first passenger car is the Toyoda Model AA passenger car, which was designed in 1935 using the Chevrolet and the Desoto as a reference. This was listed in the catalogue as a standard sedan, but that meant standard from the viewpoint of an advanced automotive country like the United States.
Why did Toyota change their name?
According to an official corporate history, the company changed its name to Toyota because it "sounded better" but whether it sounds better or not depends on the speaker, perhaps. "I'm from Chicago," Malott said, "so it's all Toyoda, anyway."
What is the oldest version of Toyota?
Only 1,404 examples of the first Toyota car, the Toyoda Model AA, were built in the six years of production from 1936 to 1942.
What was Toyota originally called?
TOYODA
From "TOYODA" to "TOYOTA"
The "Toyota" name stems from the family name of the founder, Sakichi "Toyoda," with early vehicles produced by the company originally sold with a Toyoda emblem. In 1936, the company ran a public competition to design a new logo, leading to a change in the brand name to the current Toyota.
What was the original Toyota truck called?
The First truck arrives in North America: the FJ45 Pickup
It started with a sedan called the Crown, and with the fabled Land Cruiser. And it was a pickup version of the Land Cruiser, a model called the FJ45 that was the very first Toyota pickup to arrive in North America.
What was the original Toyota car logo?
In 1935, the newly founded Toyota company unveiled its first logo design. It featured the name "Toyoda" in katakana - the original family name of founder Kiichiro Toyoda. The logo had a geometric, art deco style popular in the 1930s. The iconic Toyota red and white color scheme was present from the beginning.
Did Toyota have another name?
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.
