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Toyota Corporation (株式会社豊田, Kabushiki-gaisha Toyota), a Japanese automaker, is the world's largest automaker in terms of number of vehicles sold (GM sold 8,885,599 total vehicles in 2007, while Toyota sold 9,370,000),  net worth, revenue and profit, based on 2007 totals. In terms of name recognition, Toyota is also the only car manufacturer to appear in the top 10 of the BrandZ name recognition ranking.

The company was founded in 1937 by Kiichiro Toyoda as a spinoff from his father (Sakichi Toyoda)'s company Toyota Industries to create automobiles. In 1934, while still a department of Toyota Industries, it created its first product Type A engine and its first passenger car (the Toyota AA) in 1936. Toyota is headquartered in the Japanese cities of Toyota and Nagoya in Aichi Prefecture and in Tokyo. It also provides financial services through its division Toyota Financial Services and also creates robots besides automobiles. The company along with the original Toyota Industries form bulk of the Toyota Group.

Toyota owns and operates Toyota, Lexus, Scion, has a majority shareholding in Daihatsu Motors, and has minority shareholdings in Fuji Heavy Industries, Isuzu Motors, and the engine, motorcycle and marine craft manufacturer Yamaha Motors. The company includes 522 subsidiaries. Toyota planned to produce 9.51 million and sold 9.37 million vehicles in 2007. It they are able to fulfill their goal of producing 9.95 million and selling 9.85 million vehicles in 2008, they will set a new industry record.

On 8 January 2008, the company dropped the "Motor" part from its corporate name, calling itself simply "Toyota Corporation" (株式会社豊田 Kabushiki-gaisha Toyota) from "Toyota Motor Corporation." Also, Toyota changed the Japanese writing of its brand name from Katakana to Kanji and "Corporation" has moved from the end to the beginning.


HiluxSURF/4Runner

The Toyota 4Runner is an SUV manufactured by Toyota and sold in countries such as the United States, Canada, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Australia and Chile from 1984 to the present. The original 4Runner was a compact SUV and a little more than a Toyota pickup truck with a fiberglass shell over the bed, but the model has since undergone significant independent development into a mid-size SUV. All 4Runners have been built at Toyota's plant in Tahara, Aichi, Japan or at Hino Motors' Hamura, Japan plant.

The 4Runner is sold in other markets, for example Pakistan as the Toyota Hilux Surf.

Allion

The Toyota Allion is a compact sedan sold in Japan by Toyota.

The name is created based on the phrase "all-in-one".

Launched in December 2001, it replaced the Toyota Carina. The Allion is a younger, more edgy counterpart to the Toyota Premio sedan, launched at the same time.. The Premio and the Allion shares the same engines. The Allion has a much sharper look and is considered a sporty type car.


Alphard

The Toyota Alphard is a luxury MPV produced by the Japanese automaker Toyota since 2002. It is available as a seven or eight-seater with 2.4 and 3.0-litre gasoline engines in 3 different model lines - Alphard G, Alphard V and Alphard Hybrid. The Alphard is primarily made for the Japanese market, but is also sold in Hong Kong, Bangladesh, Thailand, and Malaysia. The vehicle was named after the Alphard, the brightest star in the constellation Hydra.

Toyota states its "E-Four electric 4WD system that regulates a rear-mounted, rear-wheel-propelling electric motor and coordinates electric power distribution to all four wheels. An ECB (Electrically Controlled Brake system) provides efficient wheel-by-wheel brake control."

The full-size Alphard Hybrid MPV qualifies as an Ultra-Low Emissions Vehicle (ULEV), achieving levels 75% lower emissions than the Japanese government's 2000 benchmark. The 2.4-litre gasoline engine has been developed specifically for use in Toyota's hybrid systems and features a high-expansion ratio cycle that raises efficiency and reduces friction.

In 2006, a Royal Lounge Alphard was introduced; it is known as a luxurious, four-seat version of the Alphard.


Auris

The Toyota Auris is a compact 3 door and 5 door hatchback which shares the same E platform with the Toyota Corolla. In Europe, Toyota positioned the Auris as the replacement of Corolla Hatchback, while the notchback Sedan continued by the Corolla nameplate.

The Auris succeeds the Corolla RunX in Japan and the RunX (no Corolla badging) in South Africa.

Toyota Australia and Toyota New Zealand resisted suggestions from Toyota Japan to adopt the new European Auris name for the Corolla citing the experience of Nissan Australia where the Tiida replaced the well known Pulsar name.  The new Corolla was released in Australia in May-June, 2007. The Toyota Matrix redesign will be based on the Auris.


Avalon

The Toyota Avalon is a full-size car produced by Toyota in the United States. It was also produced in Australia, up until July 2005, and was later replaced in November 2006 by the Toyota Aurion. It is produced as a front-wheel drive four-door sedan. The first Toyota Avalon rolled off the assembly line in Georgetown, Kentucky on February 21, 1994 as a 1995 model. A second generation model was released in the United States and Japan in 1999.

The Avalon filled the gap left by the cancellation of the Toyota Cressida in the American market in 1992. The new Avalon was a large car, whereas the Cressida was an upper-level mid-size, was rear-wheel drive, and had an straight-6 engine. The Avalon however, was front-wheel drive and had a V6 engine.


Avanza

The Toyota Avanza is an Indonesian designed mini MPV produced in Indonesia and also assembled in Malaysia, with supervision from Toyota, who also sell the car under their Daihatsu brand. The car was launched at the Gaikindo Auto Expo in 2003 and sold over 100,000 units that year. The name "Avanza" was taken from the Italian word avanzato, which means "advance".

The Avanza is a new model develop as low premier MPV to split Toyota Kijang/Toyota Unser to 2 different models, another new model is the Toyota Innova which is higher spec and aimed at a higher market.

Toyota Avanza is sold in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, South Africa and Mexico.


Avensis

The second generation Toyota Avensis was launched in early 2003 an all-new format; this time it offered more in the way of driver involvement and visual appeal. The 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0-litre petrol and 2.0-litre turbodiesel engines were carried over from the previous Avensis, and the 2.4-litre four-cylinder from the Camry was also added to the range. This was the first Avensis that is exported to Japan. Due to the Camry wagon ending production, the Avensis Wagon is exported to New Zealand, in both 1.8 and 2.0-litre forms. In Britain, there were no 1.6 versions available.

In the 2004 European Car of the Year contest, the Avensis was just edged out of the top three by the Fiat Panda, Volkswagen Golf and Mazda3.

Following the withdrawal of the Toyota Camry in 2004 (2005 in Switzerland), the Avensis became the largest Toyota saloon sold in Europe.

Trim levels in the UK are the T2, T3-S, T3-X, T4, T Spirit and the T180. There is also a special edition, based on the T2 called the Colour Collection. In Ireland there are four trim levels - Aura, Strata, Luna, and Sol.

The original 115 PS (85 kW) D-4D Diesel engine has been complemented with a 2.2 L D-4D in 150 PS (110 kW) and 177 PS (130 kW) versions. Newer versions have dropped the "D-4D" and "2.0" badging from the front wings and tailgate respectively.

In Japan, the Avensis is sold as 2.0 Xi, 2.0 Li, and 2.4 Qi. Only the base model 2.0 Xi is offered with 4-wheel drive.

The Avensis Verso continued to be available alongside the new Avensis until 2006. A replacement to take over from the Avensis Verso and Previa has yet to be unveiled, but is rumoured to feature Toyota's 2.2-litre D-4D engine.

The new facelifted Toyota Avensis became available in June 2006. Some changes from the old model are the inclusion of turn signals in the side mirrors, an MP3/WMA/ASL-ready audio system, new front bumper, and a new grille. Interior materials and cloth seats have also been changed for 2006. Its multi display with on-board computer will be integrated in optitron display and is navigation ready. Also added are automatic headlights and a height-adjustable front passenger seat.

The most notable mechanical difference is the addition of a 124 bhp (92 kW) D-4D engine. This, coupled to a six-speed manual gearbox has lowered fuel consumption, emissions, and gives a quoted 0-60 mph time of 10.5 seconds.


Aygo

The Toyota Aygo (pronounced [ˈaɪ goʊ], Japanese romaji) is a city car sold since 2005. All Aygos are built at the new factory of the TPCA joint-venture (Toyota Peugeot Citroën Automobile) in the city of Kolin, Czech Republic. The Aygo was first displayed at the 2005 Salon de l'Automobile de Genève.

The decision to make these cars was made on July 12, 2001, when the presidents of Toyota and PSA Group, Fujio Cho and Jean-Martin Folz respectively, decided to produce a small car to share development costs. This project was called B-Zero. The Peugeot 107 and Citroën C1 are rebadged versions of the same car.

The Aygo's starting price is €8,500 (£6,845 UK on the road price). The main difference between the Aygo and its siblings is in the interior equipment, badges, logos, etc. The planned production is 300,000 cars annually - 100,000 cars per brand. Sales began in July 2005 and the car is available as a three or five-door hatchback. There are two engines available, a 1.0 L three-cylinder engine rated at 68 bhp (51 kW), and a 1.4 L HDi diesel I4 engine rated at 54 bhp (40 kW).The Aygo has a 4-star EuroNCAP rating.


bB/xB

The Toyota bB is a small wagon produced by the Toyota Motor Corporation based on the Toyota Vitz. 1.3 L and 1.5 L I4 engines are available. While the box-shaped car was initially targeted towards Japanese men in their twenties, it is also popular with women buyers as well.

The 2nd generation bB was introduced as the music player in Dec 2005 and is equipped with 109hp 1.5L (Z Model) 3SZ-VE VVT-i engine or 92hp 1.3L (S Model) K3-VE VVT-i engine. 4WD is optional.

In United States, the first-generation version is sold under the Scion brand as the "xB". The 5-speed manual transmission version that is available in US is being prepared for release in Japan.


Belta/Vios/Yaris Sedan

The Vitz and the Belta share underpinnings with each other. However, while the Vitz was designed at Toyota's European design studios, the Belta was designed at Toyota's Japanese design studios – two completely different design projects for similar cars marketed toward different demographics. While the outgoing Vitz and Platz models look and feel virtually alike (the only things the cars don't share is the front clip, lights, rear doors and bodies from behind the B-pillar), the new Vitz and Belta are much more subtly related. Sharing a similar but different dashboard, they do not employ the same components. The cars only share a frame and the drivetrain options. Sheetmetal is completely different. The Belta has increased in size over the previous generation, its interior volume larger than the current generation Toyota Corolla.

The Canadian version of the Yaris sedan, which is simply called the Yaris, is based on the American Yaris S with power and all-weather guard packages, but with standard 14 inch wheels. Option packages comes in one of B, C, D, or Aero packages. The B adds 15 inch all-season tires, chrome trim on the decklid, front and rear splash guards, colour-keyed door handles, blacked-out side window frames, keyless entry and power door locks; the C adds ABS, air conditioning, power windows, colour-keyed mirrors and power mirrors; the D adds both side and side-curtain airbags; the Aero adds aluminum alloy wheels, wheel locks, a rear spoiler, and a body kit. The Aero, however, has neither air conditioning nor side airbags. The Canadian model lacks the two-tone interior, pseudo-metallic trim on the door panels, and the new audio system controls (instead it uses an old design) found on the Japanese and American models.

The American Yaris is similar to the version sold in Canada, but differs in trim and equipment details. The CE, LE, and RS packages in the Canadian hatchback cars are replaced by the more modular convenience, power, and all-weather guard packages. The Yaris Sedan is also available as the Yaris S, which has a standard convenience package. The power package on the Yaris Sedan offers alloy wheels as an option. Curtain airbags are optional while the more expensive Honda Fit has this as a standard feature.

The 2007 Yaris received EPA fuel economy ratings of 6 L/100 km (40 miles per gallon) on the highway and 7 L/100 km (34 miles per gallon) in the city, with a fuel tank capacity of 42 litres (11.1 gallons).


Blade

The upscale sister of Auris is called Toyota Blade. It replaces the Toyota Allex, which, in turn, was the replacement for the Toyota Sprinter. It has different nose and tail, and is powered by Toyota's 2.4 liter 2AZ-FE engine. Recently Toyota released the Blade Master and Blade Master G, an upgraded trim of the Blade which features Toyota's 280 PS 3.5 L 2GR-FE V6 engine, larger brakes, and an upgraded suspension.

Camry

The Toyota Camry is a mid-size car assembled by Toyota in Georgetown, Kentucky; Altona, Victoria, Australia; Guangzhou, China; and the original factory in Tsutsumi (Japan). In some markets, the top range Camry models are seen as executive cars. The Camry has been the best selling car in the United States, its largest consumer market, for nine of the last ten years starting in 1997, with the only exception being 2001. The Camry also sells very well in Australia, Canada, and a number of Asian markets - in particular Cambodia where the vast majority of cars are Camrys. It has not sold as well in Europe and Japan; many criticize its design as ill-suited for European and Japanese tastes. An up-branded luxury version of the Camry was sold in Japan as the Toyota Windom until 2006; the related Lexus ES in North America, Asia, and the Middle East shares major chassis and drivetrain components with the Camry.

The name "Camry" comes from a phonetic transcription of the Japanese word kanmuri (冠, かんむり), which means "crown", as did the names of the Toyota Crown, Corolla and Corona.


Camry Solara

The Toyota Camry Solara, also more commonly known as the Toyota Solara, is a mid-size
coupe/convertible designed and engineered by Toyota. Created to appeal to a demographic of slightly
more sport-minded drivers than those who prefer the Toyota Camry sedan, The Camry Solara looks
to bring together sport car performance and style with spacious practicality.

Prior to the production of the Camry Solara, the 2-door version of the Toyota Camry was simply
known as the "Camry Coupé"; it was added to the third generation Camry lineup in 1994 to compete
with the Honda Accord and other cars in its class. However, due to it never being nearly as popular
as the 4-door sedan of the Camry, the Camry Coupé was dropped in 1997. In 1999, retaining the goal to
compete with other similar coupés, Toyota launched the Camry Solara. Instead of mirroring the now-fourth
generation Camry's design, the Solara had its own unique design with a swooped roofline, heavily
creased sides and unique front and rear fascia. The name "Camry Solara" can be divided into two
parts: the Camry portion to reflect on its roots, and the "Solara" portion to portray the radiance of the sun.
However, all models of the Camry Solara only feature the
"Solara" portion of the name on exterior emblems, and the "Camry" portion of the name is rarely used when
referring to the car in general.

Century

The Toyota Century is a large four-door limousine produced by Kanto Auto Works, Ltd.
under contract for Toyota mainly for the Japanese market. Production of the Century began
in 1967 and the model received only minor changes until a redesign in 1997. This second-
generation Century is still sold in Japan, with some exports to Asian countries, notably
Hong Kong where it was used as the official transportation for the Chief Executive until
July 2007, when it was replaced by a Lexus LS 600h L. The Century derived its name
from an 100 year anniversary of Japan becoming an open country, when Japan began to
trade and interact with the world in 1867, after the Meiji Restoration. The name "Century" is
written as センチュリー in Japanese characters and is pronounced similar to the English word.

The Century is produced in limited numbers and is built in a "nearly hand-made" fashion.
It is often used by royalty, government leaders, and executive businessmen.
The Century is comparable in purpose to the Austin A135, ZIS/ZIL Chinese Red Flag,
Rolls-Royce and Maybach limousines. The Toyota Century is equipped with the fender mirrors
characteristic of Japanese cars. A special version, called the Toyota Century Royal,
was produced for the Japanese Imperial Household, to be used by senior members of
the imperial family, with the same purpose of the Bentley State Limousine presented to the
British Royal Family. This special version has wool cloth upholstery, granite running board
steps and Japanese rice paper headliner. Five vehicles were originally ordered, but due to
 the cost per vehicle, only four vehicles were built. This vehicle replaced the fleet of 30 year
old Nissan Prince Royal limousines that were beginning to show their age, when one recently
broke down in service. The exterior styling of the Century has, with some modifications,
remained unchanged since its introduction, primarily due to its perceived social status as
the "preferred vehicle denoting conservative success" . Its appearance is iconic in Asian
countries, usually painted black. The closest Asian competitor is the Nissan President,
with a similar reputation.

Comfort

The Toyota Comfort, released in 1995, is designed for use as a taxicab. It is popular in
Japan, Singapore and especially Hong Kong, where more than 90% of all taxis are
Toyota Comforts.


Corolla