BookTitleToyota Tsusho 70-Year History

Summary

Toyota Tsusho 70-Year History

CongratulationsAkio ToyodaPresident & CEO Toyota Motor CorporationCongratulations to Toyota Tsusho on your 70th anniversary.I would like to offer my sincere congratulations to Toyota Tsusho on having reached this major milestone inspite of facing, and overcoming, many difficulties since your establishment.As a general trading company, you are the only company in the Toyota Group that has expanded its businessnot only in the automotive sector but also in other fields, ranging from plants and resources to food andelectronics.I am particularly impressed with your business successes in Africa. These are the result of many years ofeffort during which you expanded business to 53 of the 54 nations in the Africa region, gaining knowledge in thefield, having a strong presence on the ground, and harnessing your passion for Africa. This is why we have leftthe African market entirely up to you.The automobile industry is now undergoing a once-in-a-century period of transformation. It is an era in whichthe common sense and experience that we have built up over the years, such as who our competitors are and therules of engagement, no longer apply. We are about to be thrust into a fight for our very existence.I want the car to remain a beloved industrial product into the future. And I want to support people’s livesthrough not just cars but mobility. I want to give everyone the freedom of movement. I want to make everyonesmile. To that end, I believe that it is necessary for the Toyota Group to transform and evolve from an automobilecompany into a mobility company.I hope that Toyota Tsusho will continue to actively pursue challenges in new fields and regions. In particular,I think that Toyota Tsusho’s goal of contributing to the resolution of social issues is an initiative that directlyconnects and enriches people’s lives and that can lead to the development of a mobility that is in tune with thenature of each region. I think that the experience and expertise gained through these activities, and the networksbuilt by Toyota Tsusho, will turn out to be indispensable for the Toyota Group as we attempt to transform into amobility company and find a path to the future.Although we are facing a turbulent era, we must continue to work together side-by-side, just as we have donefor the past 70 years. Here on the occasion of your 70th anniversary, I offer everyone at Toyota Tsusho myheartfelt congratulations and my hope that you achieve even further growth in the future.February 20196