President Kon
Carrying forward Sakichi’s spirit, and with the aim of contributing to Japan’s future, it was Kiichiro Toyoda, the founder of Toyota Motor Corporation, who took on the challenge of the automobile industry.
He said, “It is not just about making automobiles. With Japanese ideas and skills, we must create an automobile industry for Japan.”
This is the origin of Toyota Motor Corporation. It was a time when we had neither capital nor technology, and when people said that automobiles could not be made in Japan.
Today, you see a Century displayed on stage.
The Century traces its roots to Toyota’s early years, when iconic models such as the Crown and Corona were developed. It was born from a bold challenge taken on by Toyota’s first chief engineer, Kenya Nakamura, and a young Shoichiro Toyoda, Honorary Chairman—to create a luxury car uniquely suited to Japan.
And it is also a car that Honorary Chairman Shoichiro Toyoda continued to drive as his personal car throughout his life.
Last year, at the Japan Mobility Show, Chairman Akio Toyoda announced that “Century” would be launched as a new brand.
