1. About Us
  2. Toyota in Europe
  3. Our journey in Europe

Our history in Europe

From a small-scale car importer to nine manufacturing sites 
  • Our European story began on a very small scale nearly 60 years ago, with the first shipments of our cars to a motoring public who knew little about Toyota.  

Six decades of customer focus

Throughout our six decades in Europe we have kept pace with customers’ evolving tastes and requirements. We have increased our research and design resources here to be sure we produce the kind of cars Europeans want to drive. And we have constantly strived to do things better: offering ever better cars, better reliability and better service. 

Since those early days we have enjoyed years of progress and steady growth, to the point where we have nine manufacturing centres across the continent. Today, nearly three out of every four vehicles we sell in Europe were built here, too. 

  • Toyota in Europe through the decades 

    Our history is the basis of our continued growth and our European story continues to develop and become more exciting. Thanks to our customers around the world, our suppliers, our dealers, our partner companies, and the efforts of our employees, we are where we are today. On our way to becoming a mobility company we continue our investments in new technologies, innovations and our people, to continue the path we have been on for so long. We continue our efforts to contribute to the economic and social prosperity of countries around the world through good and affordable Mobility for All.

    The history of our company began in 1937 with the founding of the Toyota Motor Co. Ltd. But did you know the original Toyoda business was in textile weaving in the late 19th century?

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