Toyota
Toyota, founded in 1937 by Kiichiro Toyoda, is a Japanese multinational car manufacturer and the number one car company in the world with 10.59 million vehicles produced in the 2019 financial year. Toyota’s success is attributed to their concept of the Toyota Way – a commitment to continually striving for perfection and improvement. This has enabled the company to increase their market share and remain competitive in the global auto market. Toyota vehicles are known for their reliability, affordability and high-quality craftsmanship. The company is also dedicated to environmental sustainability and has become a leader in alternative fuel technologies. Some of the most popular Toyota models include the Camry, Corolla, Highlander, Prius and RAV4.
Toyota has grown from a single factory in Japan to a network of manufacturing plants and research and development facilities in countries all over the world. Toyota is actively engaged in the global auto market and has a presence in the United States, Japan, Australia, India, Thailand, China and the United Kingdom. In the US, Toyota has been the top-selling car brand since 1996 and continues to be the market leader in hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles.
Aside from their automotive industry success, Toyota is also a leader in advanced technologies such as autonomous vehicles. The company has invested heavily in research and development of autonomous vehicles and has developed sensors, sensing technologies and other advanced autonomous systems for its vehicles. Toyota is one of the only companies that has been able to create a viable mass-market for autonomous vehicles with its Lexus brand.
Toyota is also a technology leader in motor sports. The company sponsors multiple racing teams and their vehicles have won numerous championships in Formula 1, NASCAR and other motor sports events. Toyota is also credited with popularizing race-inspired performance cars such as the Toyota Supra and the Celica GT-Four.
Volkswagen
Volkswagen, or VW, is the second largest car manufacturer in the world and the leading car manufacturer in Europe. Volkswagen was founded in 1937 and has since become one of the most recognizable auto brands. VW is known for its reliable and affordable vehicles. The company’s iconic Beetle has been a favorite among drivers since its debut in 1938 and has gone through several design updates over the years.
Volkswagen has invested heavily in the research and development of electric vehicles and in 2019 the company announced their plan to invest 53 billion euros into electric vehicle production over the next five years. In 2020, Volkswagen unveiled the ID.3 – their first entirely electric vehicle with a range of up to 500 kilometers as well as the ID.4 – their first electric crossover SUV. These vehicles are predicted to be the first big success stories in the electric vehicle industry.
Other popular Volkswagen models include the Golf compact, the Jetta compact sedan and the Touareg mid-size SUV. VW was one of the first companies to make the turbo-diesel engine widely available in the US and their turbodiesel engines are regarded as some of the most reliable and fuel efficient engines in the world.
Aside from their automotive success, Volkswagen is an active supporter of multiple charities and environmental organizations such as the United Nations environmental programs and the WWF. The company is active in promoting environmental sustainability and other social causes.
General Motors
General Motors is the third-largest car company in the world with a market share of 8.9 percent of the global automotive industry. GM was founded in 1908 and is one of the oldest auto makers in the world. GM has a wide array of vehicles in their lineup including trucks, SUVs, cars and luxury vehicles. GM is a leader in the pickup truck market with their popular models such as the Chevrolet Silverado and the GMC Sierra.
General Motors has invested heavily in electric and alternative fuel vehicles and their lineup of cars includes the Chevrolet Volt and Bolt electric vehicles as well as the Cadillac CT6 and XT5 hybrid vehicles. GM has also invested in hydrogen fuel cell technology and has recently unveiled the Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle – a zero emissions vehicle that can travel up to 300 miles on a single charge.
In the US, General Motors is the second largest automaker behind Toyota and the company has been the market leader in truck sales for more than 30 years. GM vehicles are known for their reliability and craftsmanship and the company is actively involved in community service and charitable causes.
Ford
Ford, founded in 1903 by Henry Ford, is the fourth largest car maker in the world and the second-largest in the US. Ford is the only automaker in the US that produces cars with the Ford nameplate. The highest selling Ford vehicles include the Fusion, Mustang, Escape, Expedition and F-150.
Ford is a leader in connected car technology and their vehicles are equipped with a variety of features that allow drivers to stay connected while on the road. Ford’s Sync 3 infotainment system is one of the most user-friendly systems in the industry and has earned numerous awards for its innovative features. Ford also has a wide selection of safety and driver-assist features that are designed to keep drivers and passengers safe.
Ford has invested heavily in electric vehicles and is planning to expand their electric vehicle lineup with the introduction of the all-electric Mustang Mach-E and the F-150 Hybrid. Ford has also been a leader in autonomous vehicles with their self-driving car – the Ford Fusion Hybrid Autonomous Research Vehicle.
Ford has been active in the racing community and their vehicles have been competing in various competitions since 1901. Ford cars and trucks have won numerous championships in NASCAR, Formula 1 and the World Rally Championships.
Hyundai
Hyundai is a South Korean auto maker that has risen in popularity over the past decade and is now the fifth largest car company in the world. The company was founded in 1947 and has a wide selection of vehicles in its lineup including cars, SUVs and minivans. The most popular Hyundai vehicles include the Elantra, Sonata, Tucson SUV and the Santa Fe SUV.
Hyundai has also invested heavily in electric vehicles and in 2019 the company announced their plan to invest 9 billion pounds to develop electric vehicles and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles over the next eight years. Hyundai’s all-electric Kona EV has been one of the best-selling electric vehicles in 2019 and the company is planning to introduce more electric vehicles in 2020.
Hyundai is actively involved in the racing community and their vehicles have won numerous championships in Rallying, Formula 1 and the World Rallycross Championship. Hyundai has also been involved in the automotive industry’s development of autonomous vehicles and their vehicles are equipped with advanced driver-assist technologies.
Nissan
Nissan is the sixth largest car company in the world and the third leading automaker in the US. The company was founded in Yokohama, Japan in 1933 and has become a leader in the auto industry. Nissan is known for their reliable, affordable and fuel-efficient vehicles and their lineup includes cars, trucks and SUVs.
The highest selling Nissan vehicles include the Altima, Rogue SUV, Maxima, Sentra and Titan pickup. Nissan is also a leader in electric vehicles and the company’s Leaf EV is the best-selling EV in the US. Nissan has also invested heavily in autonomous vehicle technology and their vehicles are equipped with advanced driver-assist systems.
Nissan has been a popular brand in the motorsports community since the early 1960s and their vehicles have won multiple championships in Formula 1, Rallying, the World Touring Car Championship and the Global Rallycross Championship. Nissan also sponsors multiple motorsports teams including the Nissan GT-R team.
Honda
Honda is the seventh largest car company in the world and the fourth biggest automaker in the US. Honda was founded in 1948 and is one of the most recognizable auto brands in the world. Honda is known for their reliable and fuel-efficient vehicles and their lineup includes cars, SUVs and minivans.
The highest selling Honda vehicles include the Civic, Accord, CR-V SUV, Pilot SUV and the Odyssey minivan. Honda has also invested heavily in electric and alternative fuel vehicles and their lineup includes the Clarity EV and the Clarity Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle. Honda is also a leader in autonomous vehicle technology with their advanced driver-assist systems.
Honda has been involved in the motorsports community since 1964 and their vehicles have won countless championships in Formula 1, IndyCar, Super GT and MotoGP. Honda also sponsors multiple teams in the Super GT and MotoGP championships.
