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History of Toyota and Kirloskar

The Toyota Group was founded in Japan in 1937 by Kiichiro Toyoda. Initially, the company was established as a handloom company, not an automobile company. After the First World War, the company entered the automobile sector in view of the growing demand for vehicles in Japan and ‘Toyota Motor Corporation’ was established. Going forward, Toyota developed the ‘Toyota Production System’ (TPS), a system for producing high-quality goods and cars at low cost. Today, Toyota is one of the largest automobile manufacturers in the world.

The Kirloskar Group was founded by Laxmanrao Kashinath Kirloskar at a very young age in 1888. The venture, which started from a bicycle repair shop in Belgaum, grew to a company called ‘Kirloskar Brothers’ thanks to the help received from the kings of the state of Aundh. The ‘Kirloskarwadi’ factory, which was started in Kundal in Sangli district, initially produced only agricultural iron products and diesel. Kirloskar achieved great success for machinery used in agriculture. Further, in the 90s, Kirloskar entered the automobile sector.

Empowerment of future road safety workers through TSEP from Toyota Kirloskar Motor

Establishment of ‘Toyota Kirloskar Motors’

In 1997, Japan’s Toyota Motor Corporation and India’s Kirloskar Group came together to form a joint venture called ‘Toyota Kirloskar Motor Private Limited’ (TKM) in India. India’s Kirloskar Group holds an 11% stake in the joint venture, while Toyota Motor Corporation owns 89%. The headquarters of the company was established in Bangalore, Karnataka. Their main factory is located in Bidadi Karnataka.

Key products of Toyota Kirloskar

Toyota Kirloskar is known for their comfortable robust SUVs and hybrid cars. Innova Crysta and Innova Hicross are their most popular Multipurpose Vehicle (MPV) in India. Along with it, the most successful and premium SUVs in the country are Fortuner and Legend. Urban Cruiser Highrider is an SUV with hybrid technology, and many other famous models like Glanza, Hilux, Land Cruiser 300 are offered to India by the company.

How is the customer response to Toyota Kirloskar Motor vehicles? How many vehicles sold in September 2025?

Investment in Maharashtra

Toyota Kirloskar has announced the construction of a massive new manufacturing plant at Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Bidkin) Industrial Area in Maharashtra. With an investment of around Rs 16,000 to 21,000 crore, it is promised to manufacture 1 lakh vehicles every year. This project will create thousands of new jobs.