Kief Cars

Toyota is also the world’s largest auto manufacturer. This multi-national corporation employs about 316,000 people worldwide today. According to the 2008 Fortune Global 500, Toyota is the world’s 5th largest company. Toyota was hit by the global financial crisis in 2008 and was forced to report its first annual loss in December 2008.

In 1867, Sakichi Toyoda was born in Japan. In 1924 Toyoda invents the Toyoda Model G Automatic Loom. In 1929 the patent for the automatic-loom is sold to a British company. In 1930 Kiichiro Toyoda begins research on small gasoline-powered engine. In 1933 the company’s Automobile Department is established at Toyoda Automatic Loom Works, Ltd. In 1935 precepts are compiled. In 1936 the company completes the AA Sedan. The Toyota Motor Company Limited is established in 1937. In 1938 Toyota’s Honsha Plant begins production. In 1950 Toyota faces a financial crisis and the Toyota Motor Sales Company Limited is established. The Suggestion System begins in 1951. In 1955 Toyota launches the the Toyopet Crown, Toyopet Master and Crown Deluxe. The first prototypes of the Crown are exported to the USA in 1957. Toyota Motor Sales USA, Inc is established in the same year. Toyota’s Motomachi Plant begins production in 1959. A joint declaration of labor and management is signed in 1962. Toyota wins the Deming Application Prize for quality control in 1965. In 1966 Toyota launches the Corolla and begins a business tie-up with Hino Motors Ltd. In 1967 Toyota ties up business with Daihatsu Motor Company. In 1974 the Toyota Foundation is established. In 1975 Toyota starts their prefabricated housing business. In 1982 the Toyota Motor Company Ltd and Toyota Motor Sales Company Ltd are merged into the Toyota Motor Corporation. In 1984 Toyota begins a joint venture with General Motors (NUMMI) and begins production in the USA. Toyota Motor Manufacturing, USA, Inc. (present TMMK) begins production in 1988. The Lexus brand is launched in the USA by Toyota in 1989. Toyota Motor Manufacturing (UK) Ltd. begins production in 1992. The Prius is launched by Toyota as the world first mass-produced hybrid car in 1997. By 1999 cumulative domestic production reaches 100 million vehicles. Sichuan Toyota Motor Company Ltd. begins production in China in the year 2000. In 2001 Toyota Motor Manufacturing France S.A.S. begins production in France. In 2002 Toyota enters Formula 1 World Championship. Tianjin Toyota Motor Company Ltd. begins production in China. In 2004 Toyota unveils the Toyota Partner Robot publicly. The Lexus brand is introduced in Japan in 2005. Worldwide Prius sales tops the 1-million mark in 2008.

One can find classifieds for 2nd hand Toyota cars, bakkies and trucks in publications and on websites all around the world. This truly is one of the best known car brands in the world and needs no introduction. I’m sure that we will still be seeing Toyota vehicles on the road in the year 2050. I’ve seen Toyota vehicles that are still running perfectly, even though they’ve got more than 300,000 km on their dials.

Here is a timeline of the history of the Opel Kadett:

• 1937 – 1940: The first ever Opel car to carry the Kadett name produced in Germany. 2nd World War interrupts production, production is moved to the Soviet Union.
• 1962 – 1965: First Opel Kadett after the 2nd World War. 649,512 cars built at the company plant in Bochum until July 1965. Model later named Kadett A.
• 1966 – 1973: Kadett B sold with 2 and 4 door saloons, a 3-door estate, and 2 coupés (regular and fastback, or Coupé F). The Kadett B was sold in the United States through Buick dealers from 1967 till 1972 simply as the Opel.
• 1973 – 1979: The Kadett C appears as Opel’s version of the General Motors’ “T-Car”. The T-Car was also built in Japan by Isuzu and sold as the Isuzu Gemini and in Australia where it was marketed as the Holden Gemini. In South Korea, Daewoo Motors built a version known as the Daewoo Maepsy.
• 1979 – 1984: The Kadett D introduced in 1979. Goes on sale in the UK some 5 months before the British version, the Vauxhall Astra Mark 1, which was launched in April 1980. All models designed as 3- or 5-door hatchbacks and estates or stationwagons. 2- and 4-door sedans also made which used same body shells as hatchbacks, but soon dropped.
• 1984 – 1992: The Kadett E (Vauxhall Astra Mark 2 in the UK) introduced in 1984. Voted Car of the Year in 1985, largely due to its advanced aerodynamic body styling. The 1984 model was also developed into a more conventional “three box” design with a boot (trunk), badged as the Vauxhall Belmont in the UK and the Opel Monza in South Africa. Convertible version also available, for the first time in 1987, built by Bertone of Torino / Italy. Seen as grey import in the UK, but it is not as popular as the Vauxhall Astra Mark 2. Never officially sold in Britain. By 1989 General Motors only marketing Vauxhall brand in the UK. Into late 1980s and early 1990s South African Kadett GSi’s are upgraded for touring car competitions. Around 500 built. Features more aggressive cams, locally developed limited slip differential and special 15″ wheels, nicknamed the “Superboss”, produces 125 kW (168 hp).
• 1992 – 1999: General Motors Europe decide in 1992 to standardize model names across 2 brands, Opel adopts Vauxhall’s name for the Kadett, Astra, for the replacement car for Europe which debuts that year. Kadett name only continues in South Africa on the first Opel Astra hatchback, until 1999. All models take Astra name in 1999.

The Opel Kadett was a very popular car in South Africa throughout the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. One can still find owners selling parts for vehicles or complete vehicles for sale in the classifieds publications in South Africa and on websites.

Related Links:
Opel – Official Website.

This is a timeline of the history of the Hyundai Motor Company:

• 1947 – Chung Ju-Yung founds the Hyundai Engineering and Construction Company.
• 1967 – Hyundai Motor Company Established.
• 1968 – The company’s first model, the Cortina released in co-operation with Ford Motor Company.
• 1975 – The Pony, the first Korean car released, with styling by Giorgio Giugiaro of Ital Design and powertrain technology provided by Japan’s Mitsubishi Motors.
• 1976 – Exports begin to Ecuador and soon thereafter to the Benelux countries.
• 1986 – Hyundai begins to sell cars in the United States, and the Excel was nominated as “Best Product #10″ by Fortune magazine, largely because of affordability.
• 1988 – Hyundai begins to produce models with its own technology, beginning with the midsize Sonata.
• 1991 – Succeeds in developing first proprietary gasoline engine, the 4-cylinder Alpha, and transmission, paving way for technological independence.
• 1996 – Hyundai Motors India Limited established with production plant in Irrungattukatoi near Chennai, India.
• 1998 – Hyundai begins to overhaul its image in an attempt to establish itself as a world-class brand.
• 1999 – Chung Ju Yung transfers leadership of Hyundai to his son, Chung Mong Koo. Hyundai heavily invests in the quality, design, manufacturing, and long-term research of its vehicles. Adds a 10-year or 100,000-mile (160,000 km) warranty to cars sold in the United States and launches aggressive marketing campaign.
• 2004 – Hyundai ranked 2nd in “initial quality” in survey/study by J.D. Power and Associates.
• 2006 – South Korean government initiates investigation of Chung Mong Koo’s practices as head of the company, suspecting him of corruption. Chung arrested on 28 April, charged for embezzlement of 100 billion won (US$106 million). Hyundai Vice Chairman and CEO, Kim Dong-jin, takes over as head of Hyundai.

Here are photos of Hyundai vehicles over the years:

Hyundai has become a very popular vehicle brand in South Africa. One is bound to found 2nd hand vehicles for sale in classifieds publications or on websites.

Related Links:
Hyundai – Official Website.

Mercedes-Benz is one of the oldest motoring companies in the world. The company was founded in 1881. One of the company’s founders, Karl Benz, is credited with creating the world’s first automobile in 1886. The Mercedes automobile was first marketed in 1901 by Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft. The first Mercedes-Benz branded vehicles were produced in 1926. The company’s headquarters are in Stuttgart, Germany. In my opinion this is one best-known brands in the world.

One is bound to find various adverts on classifieds websites and in publications all around the world featuring Mercedes Benz. The brand is really well known and will continue to be in years to come.

Related Links:
Mercedes-Benz – Official Website.