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
Further details
1997
May
Recycling and disassembly assessments commenced
Further details
 
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
Further details
 
European prototype functions transferred to Belgium (TME)
 
2002
 
FCHV mass production commenced
Further details
 
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
Further details
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
 

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