Toyota Motor Corp is a limited liability joint-stock company which was incorporated under the Corporation Act of Japan. It commenced operations in 1933 as the automobile division of Toyota Industries Corporation and became a separate company on August 28, 1937. The Company conducts business in the automotive industry. It also conducts business in finance and other industries. The Company's business segments include; automotive operations, financial service operations and all other operations. The Company's automotive operations include the design, manufacture, assembly and sale of passenger cars, minivans and commercial vehicles including trucks and related parts and accessories. The Company's vehicles can be classified into two categories: hybrid vehicles and conventional engine vehicles. Its product line-up includes subcompact and compact cars, mini-vehicles, mid-size, luxury, sports and specialty cars, recreational and sport-utility vehicles, pickup trucks, minivans, trucks and buses. The Company sells its vehicles in approximately 170 countries and regions; and its markets for its automobiles are Japan, North America, Europe and Asia. The Company's financial services business consists of providing finance to dealers and their customers for the purchase or lease of Toyota vehicles. The Company through financial services also provides retail leasing through the purchase of lease contracts originated by its dealers. The Company's all other operations business segment includes the design and manufacture of prefabricated housing, information technology related businesses including an e-commerce marketplace called GAZOO.com, and sales promotions for KDDI communication related products (predominantly the au brand). The Company's competitors in Europe are Volkswagen, Opel, Renault, Ford and Peugeot, as well as Korean manufacturers Hyundai and Kia. Its competitors for retail financing and retail leasing include commercial banks, credit unions and other finance companies. The Company is subject to laws in various jurisdictions regulating the levels of pollutants generated by its plants. In addition, it is also subject to regulations relating to the emission levels, fuel economy, noise and safety of its products.
