Japanese Automobile Manufacturers

Whenever one thinks of a Japanese vehicle, one thinks of extreme reliability and good quality. The sole reason for the popularity of Japanese automakers across the world is that they stood well on all the promises made. The main focus of Japanese makers is always towards customer’s satisfaction. Japanese vehicles are known for being reliable, safe, durable, and high on quality and above all fuel-efficient. Along with the new vehicles, used Japanese vehicles are also popular among people. People are willing to buy a used vehicle as even though the vehicle is used, but still its overall condition is excellent and are available at practical prices. These vehicles are well accepted for less engine trouble and their superb quality.

There's no doubt that Japanese auto makers understand the taste of automobile buyers very well. Vehicles from every segment from Japanese makers are popular among people. Japanese vehicles are known for being reliable, safe, durable, and high on quality and above all fuel-efficient. Along with the new vehicles, used vehicles from Japan are also popular among people. So, here is the list of automakers from the Land of the Rising Sun.

• Toyota Motor Corporation:-
  

  HQ- Toyota, Aichi Prefecture, Japan

  Established on August 28, 1937, Toyota Motor Corporation is one of the largest automobile industries in the world. Toyota started as a division of Toyota Automatic Loom Works for commercial weaving applications in the town of Koromo. They were hired by the Japanese government for manufacturing cost-effective cars for military purposes. Toyota’s first vehicles were the A1 passenger car and the G1 truck in 1935. In ’50, Toyota expanded its area by introducing small cars.

  The main business activity of Toyota Motor is vehicles production and sales. Generally Toyota produces passenger cars. However, Toyota minivans, Toyota buses, Toyota trucks and related parts and accessories are also manufactured under Toyota name. Toyota Motor is also paying attention towards developing environment friendly vehicles. By manufacturing Prius, Toyota became one of the first major automakers to manufacture Hybrid vehicles. And now with the launch Toyota FCV, which is a hybrid hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, Toyota becomes the world’s first brand to sell hydrogen FCV commercially.

• Suzuki Motor Corporation:-
  

  HQ- Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan

  Michio Suzuki, in 1909, founded Suzuki Loom Works. During first 30 years, the company focused on the development and production of weaving machines. In 1952, by manufacturing the Power Free 36cc, 2-cycle motorized bicycle, Suzuki enters in motor-vehicle segment. In June 1954, the name changed to Suzuki Motor Co. Ltd. which on October 1990, renamed to Suzuki Motor Corporation. The first two wheeled vehicle manufactured by a bicycle fitted with a motor called the “Power Free”.

  The company specializes in manufacturing automobiles, four-wheel drive vehicles, motorcycles, All-Terrain Vehicles (ATV), outboard marine engines, wheelchairs, generators, water pumps and variety of small internal combustion engines. The motorcycle products of Suzuki include cruiser, motocross, off-road, scooter, street, touring models. Suzuki has around 35 main production facilities in 23 countries and 133 distributors in 192 countries.

• Nissan Motor Co. Ltd.:-
  

  HQ- Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa, Japan

  Nissan Motor Company Ltd, popularly known as Nissan was established on December 26, 1933 under Yoshisuke Aikawa. The first small-size Datsun was manufactured by an integrated assembly system at the Yokohama Plant in April 1935. During that period Datsun car symbolizes Japan’s rapid development in modern industrialization. In 1999, Nissan entered into an alliance with Renault, forming Nissan-Renault Alliance.

  Nissan is generally involved in the production and sales of automotive products and marine equipments as well as other related accessories. Vehicles manufactured by Nissan are incorporated with technologies such as Blind Spot Warning, Lane Departure Warning, Active Ride Control, and many more. Nissan currently manufactures vehicles in 20 countries and areas across the world. Cars of Nissan Motors are sold under the brands, Nissan, Datsun, Infiniti, and NISMO.

• Mazda Motor Corporation:-
  HQ- Fuchu-cho, Aki-gun, Hiroshima, Japan

  Mazda Motor Corporation started as the Toyo Cork Kogyo Co. Ltd founded in Hiroshima, Japan in 1920. It was renamed as Toygo Kogyo Co. Ltd in 1927. In 1931, Toygo Kogyo shifted to vehicle manufacturing from machine tools with the introduction of the Mazda-Go autorickshaw. In 1960, the Mazda R360 was introduced, followed by the Mazda Carol in 1962.

  Mazda is known for providing “Zoom-Zoom” cars that are fun to drive. Principal products are four-wheeled vehicles, gasoline reciprocating engines, diesel engines, automatic and manual transmission for vehicles. Mazda’s SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY is famous across the world for giving driving pleasure, environmental and safe performance. Along with this Mazda’s hydrogen rotary engine is perfectly environment friendly. There are many products inline that will improve brand value of Mazda.

• Honda Motor Company Ltd.:-
  

  HQ- Minato, Tokyo, Japan

  Honda Motor founded in 1948 by Sochiro Honda. He was a mechanic who developed the design for piston rings. Soichiro first tried to sell his design to Toyota Motors, but was declined and eventually, after ten years, in 1948 he established his own company Honda Motor. The first complete motorcycle by Honda, with the frame and engine was the 1949, Model D. The T360 mini pick-up truck was the Honda’s first production automobile. And the Honda’s first production car was S500 sports car.

  Along with Honda’s automobile and motorcycle businesses, the company also manufactures garden equipment, marine engines, personal watercraft and power generators. Honda is also associated with artificial intelligence and developed its first ASIMO robot in 2000. They are also associated with the established of GE Honda Aero Engines and Honda HA-420 Honda Jet. Honda has also manufactured many hybrid vehicles, plug-in electric vehicles, and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles in order to protect the environment from harmful chemicals.

• Subaru:-
  

  HQ- Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan

  Subaru is the automobile manufacturing division of Japanese transportation company, Fuji Heavy Industries (FHI). FHI started as the Aircraft Research Laboratory in 1915. In 1932, the company was reorganized as Nakajima Aircraft Company Ltd and became a major manufacturer of aircrafts. At the end of World War II, it was renamed as Fuji Sangyo Co. Ltd. In 1950, Fuji Sangyo was divided into 12 smaller corporations. During 1953 and 1955, six companies decided to merge and form the Fuji Heavy Industries. Later on July 7, 1953, the company was renamed as Subaru. The first official car by Subaru was the Subaru 1500, also known as P-1. The first mass produced car was Subaru 360.

  Starting with unique models with the Subaru 360 and Subaru 1500 and moving to 4 wheel drive passenger vehicles, Subaru has developed a huge array of vehicles. Some popular models of Subaru are Impreza, Legacy, and Forester.

• Daihatsu Motor Co. Ltd.:-
  

  HQ- Ikeda, Osaka Prefecture, Japan

  Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd. established in 1951, is a successor to Hatsudoki Seizo Co. Ltd. founded in 1907 and produces internal combustion engines. In 1958, Daihatsu launched its range of four wheelers, but before that it released its low priced small engine three wheelers. The company, now part of Toyota Motors is specialized since beginning in manufacturing of small-capacity passenger cars and four-wheel drive off-roaders. In 1966, Daihatsu Diesel Motor Manufacturing Company was formed which specializes in the production of marine engines and diesel generators. The first four-wheel drive off-roader was the utility Taft with engine ranges from 1.0 liter petrol to 2.5- liter diesel. Daihatsu Motor Co. Ltd. mainly deals with small and mini cars and mini trucks, passenger car engines.

• Mitsubishi Motors Corporation:-
  

  HQ- Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan

  The Mitsubishi Company was established in 1870 as a shipping company by Yataro Iwasaki. In 1873, the name was changed to Mitsubishi Shokai. In 1881, the company was bought in coal mining. The company grew rapidly while undergoing a number of name changes including Mitsukawa Shokai, Mitsubishi Shokai, Mitsubishi Jokisen Kaisha (Mitsubishi Steamship Company), Yubin Kisen Mitsubishi Kaisha (Mitsubishi Mail Steamship Company). By the year 1960, Japan’s economy was gearing up and the demand for passenger and commercial vehicles increases, thus Mitsubishi shifted the focus on the automotive industry and on April 22, 1970, the Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) was formed.

  MMC has seven vehicle manufacturing facilities in five countries, named, Japan, Netherlands, Philippines, Thailand and United States. And twelve plants co-owned in partnership with others. Mitsubishi vehicles are produced, and sold in more than 160 countries across the world. Vehicles manufactured by Mitsubishi Motors have strong focus on quality vehicles that gives environmentally friendly performance and are fun and safe to drive.

• Isuzu Motors Limited:-
  

  HQ- Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, Japan

  Isuzu has its roots back in 1916, when Tokyo Ishikawajima Shipbuilding and Engineering Co. Ltd. plan a corporation with the Tokyo Gas and Electric Industrial Co. to manufacture automobiles. In 1922, A-9 car, the first Wolseley model was produced domestically. 1933, Ishikawajima Automotive Works merges with DAT Automobile Manufacturing Inc. and became Automobile Industries Co. Ltd.. Earlier products of the company were sold under Sumiya and Chiyoda, which were in 1934 renamed as Isuzu. In 1937, Automobile Industries is reorganized and formed into Tokyo Automobile Industries Co. Ltd. Later in 1949, Isuzu was adopted as the company’s name.

  Isuzu is mainly involved in the production of heavy-medium-light duty trucks, buses, Sport Utility Vehicles, and passenger vehicle engines and industrial- use diesel engines. Isuzu is involved in the development of hybrid electric trucks by using reliable diesel engines. By expanding its operation across the world, Isuzu export its products in over 100 countries.

• Hino Motors Ltd.:-
  

  HQ- Hino-shi, Tokyo, Japan

  Hino Motors Ltd. is a Japanese manufacturer of commercial vehicles and diesel engines. In 1910, Tokyo Gas Industry Co. Ltd. was established. The company was renamed to Tokyo Gas and Electric Industry Co. Ltd. In 1937, the automobile division of Tokyo Gas and Electric Industry Co. Ltd., Automobile Industry Co. Ltd. and Kyodo Kokusan K.K. were merged into Tokyo Automobile Industry Co. Ltd. In 1941, it was later renamed to Diesel Motor Industry Co. Ltd. Hino plant separated from Diesel Motor Industry Co. Ltd. and renamed Hino Heavy Industry Co. Ltd. to produce military track-laying vehicles. After World War II, the company stopped producing diesel engines for marine applications and dropped “Heavy” from its name. From there, the company, Hino Motors Ltd., concentrated on the heavy duty trailer-trucks, buses and diesel engines.

  Hino Motors is a major producer of medium and heavy duty diesel trucks in Asia. It mainly deals with the production of trucks and buses, light-commercial vehicles, passenger vehicles (commissioned from Toyota Motor Corporation), various types of engines, spare parts.

• Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation:-
  

  HQ- Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa, Japan

  In 1932, the first B46 bus was built and named “Fuso” at Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co. Ltd’s Kobe Works. In 1934, it renamed into Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Co. Ltd. In 1949, Fuso Motors Sales Co. Ltd. was established, which in 1952 renamed as Mitsubishi Fuso Motors Sales Co. Ltd. In Japan, Mitsubishi Fuso truck and buses are manufactured at the Kawasaki Plant, Nakatsu Plant and the Mitsubishi Fuso Bus Manufacturing Co. Ltd. Mitsubishi Fuso is a leading truck and bus maker in Asia and the Middle East, with business in around 150 countries across the world.

• UD Trucks Corporation:-
  

  HQ- Ageo-shi, Saitama, Japan

  UD Trucks, where UD stands for Ultimate Dependability was established on December 1, 1935. In 2007, the company became the part of the Volvo Group, one of the world’s leading producers of trucks, buses, construction equipments and drive systems for marine and industrial applications. The company was earlier known as Nissan Diesel Motor Co. Ltd. and in February 2010 was renamed as UD Trucks Corporation. The company deals with the manufacturing and sale of diesel engine, light- medium and heavy duty trucks and special purpose vehicles.