Toyota created the Corolla and Prius and became one of the world’s largest automakers by market value.
The Toyota Corolla, introduced in 1966, became one of the best-selling car nameplates in history. The Prius, launched in Japan in 1997, helped popularize gasoline–electric hybrid vehicles for mass-market drivers and became a defining product in Toyota’s efficiency strategy.
Toyota Motor Corporation was established in 1937 by Kiichiro Toyoda. Its production system emphasized just-in-time manufacturing, standardized work, and continuous improvement, concepts that influenced factories worldwide. Toyota’s brands also include Lexus and Daihatsu.
Market value rankings among automakers can change with share prices and investor expectations. Toyota is often compared with Volkswagen, Tesla, and other major manufacturers, but the company’s identity is rooted in large-scale vehicle production, hybrid technology, and the Toyota Production System.