Toyota production hits 200 million vehicles

By Tim Beissmann
July 25th, 2012

FIND DEALS

Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) has reached a staggering new milestone, confirming the production of its 200 millionth car in June.

The milestone came almost 77 years after the first Toyota, the Model G1 truck, was produced in August 1935 by Toyoda Automatic Loom Works Ltd, which went on to become TMC.

It took Toyota more 50 years to produce its first 50 million vehicles, with the company achieving that milestone in 1985.

The pace of production has stepped up significantly since then, with the latest 50 million vehicles assembled in just six years and five months, a rate of roughly one car every four seconds.

The Corolla has been the company’s most successful model, accounting for approximately one in every five Toyota vehicles ever sold. Almost 40 million have been sold around the world, including 1,190,750 in Australia.

Australia has played a prominent role in Toyota’s history. Local production started in 1963 and exports followed in 1986, both of which continue today with the Camry, Camry Hybrid and Aurion sedans. Headlined by the Camry, Australian production is just short of one million vehicles.

More than 5.5 million Toyota vehicles have been sold in Australia – 3.1 million passenger cars and 2.4 million commercial vehicles – accounting for 2.77 per cent of total global production.

Toyota has dominated the Australian market for the past decade, and will officially notch up its 10^th year at the top of the sales charts at the end of 2012.

The Camry is the second-best-selling Toyota in Australia in history, with 792,508 delivered up to June 2012. The HiLux (738,571), LandCruiser (621,217) and Corona (354,086) fill the top five, while newer nameplates like the RAV4 and Yaris have moved into the top 10 in recent years.

Toyota president Akio Toyoda took the opportunity to express his appreciation and thanks for all the people around the world who have contributed to the milestone.

“I also have the most profound respect and gratitude for the efforts of all persons who were involved in developing, manufacturing and marketing Toyota and Lexus vehicles over the years,” Toyoda said.

“We are determined to make our cars even better, to continue to give our customers the best possible product. This is the common goal of our 300,000 Toyota staff members worldwide.”

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PIZZA

King of boring…..There is a big different between making cars that people want and making cars that people buy…and no car makers understand this more than Toyota….
- Henry F
  
  Well now you know how many boring people there are in the world – at least 200 million
  
  But seriously, congrats to Toyota for reaching a great milestone. Not too many manufacturers can claim to have achieved those sales numbers.
  - Smart US
    
    barely 3% of boring ppl – would think it could be more
Basil Exposition

Wow that is a lot of boring plastiky and tinny cars out there. I’ll have mine in white with a battleship grey interior to match my grey cardy.
- jr
  
  those tinny plastic cars will still be on the road in 20 yrs time unlike the over priced euro trash
  - Sumpguard
    
    Haha too true.
  - Phil
    
    So where do I buy these old Toyotas? Toyota was selling more than 10 times as many cars than Mercedes 20 years ago. Yet a search on Carsales,com,au reveals only 850 pre 1992 Toyotas avaliable for sale in registered working order. So in proportion, you’d expect just 85 Mercs over 20 years old for sale? Yet there are 380 which is more than 4 times that.
    So on that basis the “overpriced euro trash” Mercedes is around four times more likely to be on the road in 20 years time than a Toyota.
    - Smart US
      
      well if you spent 10x more for a car than you could than you pamper it a little wont you?
      - Phil
        
        Well with Toyotas 3-6 month service intervals, Toyota’s get serviced more than twice as frequently than Mercs….
        Any regardless of the reason, we’re at least in agreement that Mercs typically last longer.
      - Robin_Graves
        
        All cars need repairing especially at the 20 year mark. Yes Mercs are generally very solid especially the older ones but the parts are still very expensive to buy and hard to find.
        
        Out of curiosity, how many veedud’s are still around after 20 years? Beetles, type 3′s, kombis? Any water cooled ones were crushed long ago.
      - Phil
        
        Oh Robin, what specific repairs are needed at the 20 year mark? Is there some sort of built in timer put into them that goes off at the 20 year mark?
        I’ve had two old Mercs both aged past the 20 year mark , there was no drama at the 20 year mark. I was able to buy servicable parts at Repco for the same price as Toyotas except Mercs have service intervals twice as long as Toyota’s so really those parts are half price for Mercs. For more obscure parts, Mercedes still make all of them for all the old models so no problem there yet Toyota doesn’t do that. As for the prices of the obscure parts – got any examples of Toyota part prices vs Merc parts prices?
        
        VW was absent from the Australian market during the 1980s and early 90s so you won’t find any 20-30 year old VWs on the road here bar a few grey imports.
      - Legnib
        
        I thought it was obvious that he meant, by the 20 year mark.
    - vin
      
      I heard that toyota dealers have all the old trade-ins scrapped so they keep their quality tag.
    - Infraboy
      
      I would and everyone else would rather have a 1989 LS400 then a W126
      
      -And the W140 was a badly rushed vehicle to respond to the Lexus LS400
      - Phil
        
        AHAHAHAHAHA what a joke. The reality is the complete opposite of what you’ve said.
        The W140 was brought in during 1992 - which was three years after the LS400 and it was to replace the THIRTEEN year old W126 which had been released in 1979. THIRTEEN years for the W140 to come out…….and that is a rush?
        Please do tell me how long you think the W126 would have remained in production if the LS400 hadn’t come? 20 years? 30 years? Do keep in mind that the typical production run of a model is only 5-7 years……
        
        If everyone would rather a LS400 over a S class, then how come people didn’t respond with their wallets and buy more LS400s than S class’? Again with the resale values – people are generally asking more money for 1989 S class models than any 1989 LS400 and that’s despite the LS400 being a brand new model for that year against the ten year old S class.
    - Garrywhopper
      
      Phil what you are saying is childish and quite retarded
      - Phil
        
        I’ve stated facts. You can look up the facts I’ve mentioned for yourself.
        I find it interesting that you find facts childish. What would you prefer? Fairytales?
      - Jober As A Sudge
        
        The only fact you’ve stated is that the number of vehicles for sale on a website. Those numbers don’t tell you which brand is more reliable you clown
      - Lena
        
        They’re awfully selective facts that aren’t really representative of or lend much weight to your broader argument. I’m not on either side of this argument and I think it’s completely silly and hilarious that everyone is getting so defensive and riled up over this.
      - Phil
        
        Jober, its a indication of how many cars are still registered and in running order after 20 years and the question was which cars are still on the road after 20 years.
        I’ll try break it down a little more to show why how many cars for sale does indicate that Toyota’s typically DO NOT last past the 20 year mark (and neither do Mercs but Mercs are far more likely to).
        
        There are 6000 5 year old Toyotas for sale
        
        There are 1500 10 year old Toyotas for sale
        
        And finally we have just 800 20 year old Toyotas for sale
        
        Do you see the trend there? Do I need to explain it further?
        You can try and ignore the trend by making up some story that when Toyota’s get old, people hang on to them like Robin claims, but the reality is that the vast majority of Toyotas have died before they reach 20 years.
      - everything zen
        
        hey phil i see alot more 20 year old plus camrys on the road then 20 year old euros! as boring as a car the camry is I have seen a fair few now reach over 400 000kms still on original motor!!! its still a good car for people that want one for a first car or just an old reliable car. just not a very exciting one
    - Robin_Graves
      
      Maybe people dont want to sell their 20 year old Toyota because its still going OK and cheap to repair if something does go wron?. A 20 year old Merc is like a 3 year old VeeDud, ready to burn a big hole in your pocket to keep it running. I’m no Toyota fan but you draw some pretty big lines between the dots there. Talk about rose coloured euro glasses.
      - Phil
        
        If people liked 20+ year old Toyotas that much, the ones that do come up for sale would command high prices which they don’t.
      - Jober As A Sudge
        
        I’m lost…what point are you trying to make?
      - lbrinsmead
        
        Don’t worry about it Phil, Robin and alike has minimal appreciation of proper luxury. Maybe reliability is the only appreciation, which is just plain boring to me.
        
        I appreciate Toyota and Lexus’ reliability, but I don’t really appreciate their interiors and drive, however the new GS is 80% or more as good as a BMW 5 Series. If the Toyota Corolla had an interior and drive akin to a Golf then hey presto, but they don’t, yet.
        
        You get either more innovation or reliability from different car brands, there are very few cars that can provide both at a high level. Any guess as to which?
      - Loca
        
        @
        lbrinsmead – I’ll bite. Mercedes, Lexus and Volvo.
      - Phil
        
        Jober –
        
        If 20 year old Toyotas are all still running, yet there are so few for sale, the ones that are for sale would fetch high prices. Think about how resale values work, then if you still don’t agree – explain to us why a 20 year old Toyota is so cheap to buy.
        
        As for Robin’s claim about Toyota’s being cheap to repair – did you see how much it costs to repair a Yaris after a 10kmh bump? Over $13,000 !!!!!! AHAHAHAHAHA.
        Maybe that explains why there are so few old Toyotas around – they had a minor bingle and had to write it off because they’re so expensive to repair.
      - Jober As A Sudge
        
        A 20year old Toyota is cheap to buy because it was a cheap car to start with and there is no prestige in owning one. I still fail to see what that has to with comparing reliability of a 20 yr old Merc and a 20yr old Toyota though. I don’t disagree that a 20yr old merc is probably more reliable than a similar vintage Toyota but the stats you used don’t really lend weight to your argument.
      - everything zen
        
        your only paying for a badge!!! I’d rather buy a belted up commodore. at least parts are cheaper
      - Legnab
        
        Not so grave digger , my bro ran a 1985 E class wagon 2.3l auto for 23 years over 300,000 km , now his son has it still going strong built like a tank , slow off the blocks but a very impressive car when cruising in the country , biggest spend exhausts several times over , most 85 falcoons would be crushed by now , very basic compared to the 85 merc .
      - everything zen
        
        still see more XFs getting around then 20 year old euros thou. I’d be betting more on most of them being rusted out. XFs werent a bad car thou. its mostly rust and bloody door handles you got too watch on them!!! still dont know why we compare a luxury car too basic australian transport for??? am i the only one that thinks by comparing a luxury car too a cheap basic car brings the car down??
    - ggg
      
      Did you consider the fact that perhaps people are still driving their old Toyotas, whereas the old Mercs might not even be in working condition and/or their owners are desperately trying to offload them…
      - Phil
        
        If the Merc owners are “desperately” try to get rid of them, why are they still asking thousands of dollars and have kept the rego going?
        The prices for the Mercs are well above the Toyotas, people won’t pay more for a non working old Merc over a Toyota in working condition.
      - everything zen
        
        probabbly because the owners payed too much for the merc in the first place and are “wanting” there money back. gee they must be a “great” car if you compare them to ageing toyotas. heres an idea. try getting parts for a 20 year old euro then try getting parts for an australian built car. its common knowledge parts are getting harder for 20 year old cars but you’ll have more chance of picking up parts for the australian car. another reason why there a still heaps of toyotas on the road.
  - AndyGF
    
    20 years of misery VS. 19 years of smiles.
    (smile so big, not even a lemon -pun intended- could wipe it off your face).
    
    All you “reliability” wallies really cant get it into your thick craniums, if you look after ANY car it will last, but I would rather spend 20% more on something I want, than save 20% and buy something I don’t…
    - Jbc
      
      Yeah your golf is the envy of the world??
      
      What do you drive anyway?
- Phil
  
  Can you please stop using the name ‘Basil Exposition’. You’re tarnishing the good name of the original character with your rather negative and unwitty comments. I’m a fan of those films and you’re kind of ruining them for me.
  - Garrywhopper
    
    Phil I know complete moron called Phil, you are doing his job perfectly
- Lisa
  
  All you arguers in this thread need to get over yourselves and accept that you guys won’t see eye to eye. Just ignore any hater comments and enjoy the articles. Like with Playboy.
Bradley

Congratulations Toyota. It’s an impressive feat.
Ima_Hogg

Good job toyota but what car was their 200th million?
andrew_diablo@gmail.com

Wondering how Toyota count 200th million? They have factories around the world at different time zones.
Cherycherry

w t f is wrong with toyta and their “quantity” obsessiveness
- Berry
  
  I think it’s a thing with every car company. Hundred-thousandth model this, millionth model that. Lets line up the employees for a photo-op. You see it all the time with every maker. But 200 million is pretty impressive, regardless.
Edward

Thats nothing. I bet LG have made more than 200 million fridges.

Though i do like the 86, the rest of Toyota’s cars are as exciting as kitchen appliances.
- Ivana
  
  Are you saying any person or company who might be second best at something (or even lower) should not be recognised for their own achievements?
  I’ve read comments like yours hundreds of times and frankly, I’ve seen it better and wittier. Maybe you should just stop trying.
  - Edward
    
    Im not sure why you seem to be rattled. I didnt make any statement about the irrelevance of milestones. I simply gave my opinion and said counting Toyotas is like counting kitchen appliances, with some exceptions.
    
    When McDonalds used to count how many big macs they sold with a sign i didnt celebrate their milestone either for obvious reasons. Its fast food. Of course theyve sold millions.
    
    I have the same feelings towards Toyota, and i make no apology for giving my opinion on that subject matter. Im not here to please everyone.
Schn

That is quite a feat, good job Toyota. You’ve made some of the best cars in the past. You deserve this success.
gt86.com.au

I hope they focus on creating another factory for the 86.. They could easily sell a million of those if only they could make them fast enough!
nugsdad

Why is it Caradvice is always getting beaten to the punch by The Motor Report. Here we read about this sort of meaningless news and TMR has the latest on the E class, Audi S3,BMW 2 series convertible, the latest on the Mazda 6…………
CA you need to lift your game, your layout is much better but your content which is largely a cut and paste of Autoblog is weak.
Your contact page at the bottom of your site doesn’t work ( apparently 2 times one is not two) so I post these constructive comments here.
Be brave, leave this comment here and see what others think
- Garrywhopper
  
  Others think your a huge wanker
  - nugsdad
    
    I’m sure you mean “you’re” Funny how an insult from a half wit has no effect.
  - Shak
    
    No i agree with him. Most of the time CA is on the ball, but occasionally they just do a quick CTRL+C and CTRL+V job.
Infraboy

I have 1990 Hiace van with 602,567 KM and still running– though there’s a little bit on rust on some body panels, the engine runs great!
- everything zen
  
  those old hiaces might not look like much but i can personally tell you they have better ride then that horrible 2005 mercedes vito i did deliveries in. expected much better then that from a mercedes. even old kingswood utes have better ride then a vito
James

Toyotas are just awesome. All the farms I’ve been to use toyotas, all the construction sites use toyotas, the 3rd world countries I’ve been to worship toyotas, the UN uses toyotas and most people buy toyotas. No wonder it is the most revered car manufacturer in the world. My entire family from grandparents to my parents to myself have always bought toyotas. They may be cheap and boring looking but I’ll tell you this- toyotas are cheap to run/service and they are reliable. Ask ANYONE from Africa, India or another 3rd world country about which cars they use in those tough parts of the world. For most (including myself) a car, just like a bicycle or an airplane is used to get from a to b. If its cheap, reliable and has high resale value, that’s all that matters. Legendary…
- everything zen
  
  a good mate of mine in from sudan. he’ll tell you the same thing!!! he buys cheap old toyotas and mazdas etc for like $500 and they actually are pretty reliable and cheap. he buys cars for a A to B where as i play around with cars so i usally go for whats got easy parts. both my cars are running (ford falcons) very well
http://www.caradvice.com.au Jez Spinks

Nugsdad, you clearly know CarAdvice quite well so you should know we’re not afraid of feedback. Would have to disagree with your point, though. While it’s not realistic for us to be first with every single story in the extraordinarily frenetic world of the car industry, we are consistently breaking exclusive stories that leave rival sites scratching their heads. Just for some examples, we were the first to reveal: the BMW ActiveHybrid 5 was coming to Australia; Toyota will build a LandCruiser 70-Series dual-cab ute for the mining industry; the imminent announcement of the Holden Commodore/Chevy SS twins; that the new Suzuki Ertiga is under consideration for Australia; world exclusive details on the BMW 3-Series GT and BMW i8 supercar; that Mazda is planning a baby SUV called the CX-3; that the Volvo V40 that arrives next year will be its oldest model by 2015; that the Toyota 86 would be cheaper than a Golf GTI; world exclusive details on the 2013 Mercedes S-Class that will include a convertible version; that the Dodge Ram ute is under consideration for Australia; that the next-gen Toyota RAV4 will gain a diesel engine (still yet to be officially confirmed. So in the bigger picture, Nugsdad, I hope you can see why we believe we continue to be one of the must-read motoring websites. Rgs Jez
- nugsdad
  
  Thanks Jez I appreciate the feedback – it is still my first “go to” site.
  - http://www.caradvice.com.au/ Alborz Fallah
    
    In addition to that, Nugsdad, the contact form works, it’s just confusing as it asks for an answer in digits (e.g. 6 or 8) but some put in written numbers (six or eight). We are adding a better description to that field now, so thanks for the feedback.
    - Garywhopper
      
      Don’t kiss up to them cause you were proved wrong nugsdad, oh it’s my first day sorry sorry.