3 Times Toyota Was Ahead Of The Curve

June 22, 2025

True innovation often surprises us when we least anticipate it, even if it takes some time to catch on. Take the case of CDs, introduced in 1982. It took nearly a decade for them to become the top-selling music format in 1991. At Toyota, innovation is a constant force, driving the company to explore new frontiers. Here are three instances where Toyota led the pack.

Traffic Management Systems

Traffic app

Inside Toyota's Comprehensive Automobile Traffic Control System

In the early 2000s, buying a Land Cruiser with built-in navigation was cutting-edge. Decades earlier, however, Toyota created a sophisticated traffic system aimed at easing congestion—long before such technology became mainstream. Toyota's Comprehensive Automobile Traffic Control System (CATCS) was groundbreaking for its era. As Toyota explained, "The system gathered real-time traffic data in a central control room and sent it to cars equipped with receivers. Drivers could then follow instructions to avoid busy routes and choose smoother alternatives." Although CATCS never reached full-scale production, it fueled advancements in future tech development.

The Toyota Production System

Toyota's approach to car manufacturing has always been unconventional—and highly effective. The Toyota Production System (TPS) embodies this philosophy through two key principles:

  • Jidoka: roughly meaning "automation with human wisdom."
  • Just-In-Time: ensuring parts arrive precisely when needed.

Developed through experimentation in the 1940s and '50s, TPS was rolled out across all plants by the '60s. Over the years, TPS has enabled Toyota to:

  • Deliver high-quality vehicles efficiently.
  • Ensure worker satisfaction and fair treatment.
  • Stay agile enough to adapt to market changes instantly.

    For those eager to learn more about TPS, additional resources are available here.

    Hybrid Innovations

    The Prius is widely credited with sparking the hybrid revolution since its launch in 1997. Globally, over a million units have been sold. Yet, another Toyota hybrid predates the Prius by two decades.

    Turbine

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

    Introducing the Sports Gas Turbine Hybrid, a unique concept car from 1977 based on the Toyota Sports 800. This roadster featured a gas turbine engine linked to a generator powering an electric motor connected to a 20-speed transmission. Though this prototype never entered production, it paved the way for future eco-friendly vehicles.

    Written by Jason Lancaster

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