Research and Development Support
Prototypes
Year
|
Month
|
Events
|
Further details
|
---|---|---|---|
1987
|
|
Side member integrated processing begins
|
|
|
Prototype processes using the Toyota Production System created
|
|
|
1988
|
October
|
Tailored blank production using laser welding commenced (installation of laser welders)
|
|
|
First-generation Celsior (prototype vehicle) production commenced
|
|
|
|
DCM process put into practical application
|
|
|
1989
|
June
|
North American procurement site established in the United States; prototype functions established in North America [TEMA-TTC]
|
|
|
Body production lines integrated. Production capacity increased as a result of the integration of body production lines
|
|
|
|
Cumulative prototype vehicle production reaches 40,000
|
|
|
1991
|
February
|
European procurement center established in the United Kingdom [TME]; prototype functions established in Europe
|
|
|
Prototype vehicle production begins at TEMA-TTC
|
|
|
1992
|
|
Body Engineering Department and Vehicle Engineering Department established as engineering organizations
|
|
1993
|
|
Development of roller hemming process commenced
|
|
1994
|
|
Cumulative prototype vehicle production reaches 50,000
|
|
1996
|
|
RAV4 EV mass production commenced
|
|
1997
|
May
|
Recycling and disassembly assessments commenced
|
|
|
Construction of Engineering Logistics Building completed
|
|
|
|
Assessment using digital assembly commenced (V-Comm introduced)
|
|
|
1999
|
August
|
Production of rapid prototype parts commenced (introduction of stereo lithography equipment)
|
|
|
'e-com' mass production commenced
|
||
|
European prototype functions transferred to Belgium (TME)
|
|
|
2002
|
|
FCHV mass production commenced
|
|
|
IMV-series prototype car production commenced
|
|
|
|
Cumulative prototype vehicle production reaches 60,000
|
|
|
2003
|
|
Operation of global prototype parts procurement and production management system commenced
|
|
2004
|
January
|
Prototype costs control operations commenced in Prototype Production Division
|
|
January
|
Logistics Section transferred to Technical Administration Division
|
|
|
January
|
Certification Testing Section transferred to Engineering Administration Division (the name at the time)
|
|
|
January
|
Prototype vehicle production and assessment functions reorganized
|
|
|
|
Fuel cell units for 'i-Unit' and 'FCHV bus' used at Expo 2005 Aichi produced (at TC) as utilization of prototyping capabilities
|
||
2005
|
|
Asia-Pacific procurement site established in Thailand; Prototype production functions launched in Thailand (TMAP-EM)
|
|
|
Assessment using rapid prototyping commenced
|
|
|
|
Verification vehicles started to produce in China
|
|
|
2006
|
|
LFA prototype car production commenced
|
|
2007
|
January
|
Prototype cost control operations transferred to Technical Administration Division
|
|
|
Prototype vehicle production commenced at TME
|
|
|
|
Cumulative prototype vehicle production reached 70,000 units
|
|
|
2008
|
|
China Procurement Site established; Prototype production functions launched in China (TMEC)
|
|
2009
|
January
|
Prototype costs control operations transferred from Technical Administration Division to Prototype Production Division (now Prototype Development Promotion Department)
|
|
|
Prototype vehicle modification and rearrangement assemble commenced at TMAP-EM
|
|
|
2011
|
|
Nibbler introduced for disassembly assessment
|
|
|
All prototype vehicle production implemented at TEMA-TTC as a North American project
|
|