BookTitleToyota Tsusho 70-Year History

Summary

Toyota Tsusho 70-Year History

Celebrating Toyota Tsusho’s70th AnniversaryShoichiro ToyodaHonorary Chairman Toyota Motor CorporationIt is my great pleasure to congratulate Toyota Tsusho Corporation on 70 years of prosperity since itsestablishment.I would also like to reiterate my respect for the unparalleled efforts of past executives and employees.Your company was established in 1948 as Nisshin Tsusho. Its predecessor, Toyota Kinyu was established in1936 to provide installment sales financing for Toyota automobiles. The company was renamed Toyota Sangyoin 1942 and functioned as Toyota’s holding company before it was required to be dissolved after the war bythe Decentralization Act. Thanks to the outstanding negotiating power and effort exerted by President RisaburoToyoda and Executive Vice President Tojiro Okamoto on the General Headquarters of the Allied Forces, thecompany’s Trading Department was able to be established as a separate company. This company made a newstart, taking on the role of the Toyota Group’s general trading company.During the postwar industrial and economic turmoil, although your company faced various difficulties, itwas able to solidify its foundation as the general trading company of the Toyota Group, steadily promotingthe expansion of the commodities it handled and strengthening its bases for domestic and overseas sales andinformation sharing.In the automobile business in particular, Toyota Tsusho worked together with us in all areas of the business,from exporting and local production support to expansion of sales and service networks. Toyota Tsusho helpedus execute our strategy of looking at situations from a local perspective and contributing to local communities,never hesitating to take on a challenge. Our global growth and development would not have been possiblewithout your efforts. Thank you again.Entering the 21st century, Toyota Tsusho looked to expand its business portfolio, merging with Kasho Co.,Ltd. and with Tomen Corp. and establishing joint ventures with other companies. One such example is ToyotaTsusho’s investment in French general trading company CFAO S.A.S., made with a view to future developmentin Africa. While keeping the automotive business as its core concern, Toyota Tsusho is also making steadyprogress in developing businesses around the world in other fields, such as life and community and resourcesand environment, and I feel sure that the company will succeed.As you know, the automotive industry is facing a once-in-a-century period of profound transformation, as weevolve from an automobile society to a mobility society.As we stand on the edge of change, we must take on the challenges we face with bold ideas and action andhave the spirit and passion to mold the mobility society of the future with our own hands.Here at your 70th anniversary, I would like to say to everyone at Toyota Tsusho that, based on the strongbonds of our two companies, we are committed to work together with you to establish a new mobility societyand make society more prosperous, in this way honoring the hard work and sacrifices of your predecessors.February 20194