AT-Group

AT-Group (株式会社ATグループ) is a Japanese pure holding company headquartered in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture. It was established in 2006 as a subsidiary of Aichi Toyota Motor Co., Ltd. and transitioned to a holding company structure on April 1, 2007. The group's origins trace back to 1935, when its predecessor Hinode Motors became the first authorized Toyota dealership in Japan. In 1942, under wartime distribution controls, several automotive companies in Aichi Prefecture merged to form Aichi Prefecture Automobile Distribution Co., Ltd., which is considered the founding year of the current entity. After World War II, the company resumed Toyota dealership operations and was renamed Aichi Toyota Motor Co., Ltd. in 1948. It listed on the Nagoya Stock Exchange in 1961 and was delisted in June 2022 following a management buyout (MBO) by Hinode Co., Ltd. Today, AT-Group oversees a portfolio of subsidiaries including Aichi Toyota EAST, Aichi Toyota WEST, Toyota Rental & Lease Aichi, Toyota L&F Chubu, Toyota Home Aichi, Aichi Suzuki Sales, and other support companies. The group's core business is automobile sales, particularly Toyota-brand vehicles, along with related services such as rental, leasing, home construction, and credit services. The group operates primarily in Aichi Prefecture and parts of Shizuoka Prefecture, with a total of 101 business locations as of recent data. AT-Group is known for its community engagement, including partnerships with local governments and universities, and sponsorships such as the Dragons Crown Award and Grampus Land Cruiser Award.

The history of AT-Group begins in 1935 when Hinode Motors, a former General Motors Japan dealer, became the first authorized Toyota dealership in Japan. In December 1935, it sold Toyota's first vehicle, the G1 truck. In 1937, it was renamed Nagoya Toyota Sales Co., Ltd. In 1942, under wartime government controls that mandated one distribution company per prefecture, Nagoya Toyota Sales merged with other automotive companies in Aichi Prefecture to form Aichi Prefecture Automobile Distribution Co., Ltd. This is considered the founding of the current company. After World War II, the distribution system was abolished, and in 1946 the company resumed as a Toyota dealer under the name Aichi Toyota Sales Co., Ltd. In 1948, it changed its name to Aichi Toyota Motor Co., Ltd. The company expanded its operations, adding petroleum products in 1952, motorcycle sales in 1953, and establishing various subsidiaries. In 1961, it listed on the Nagoya Stock Exchange Second Section. Over the decades, it grew into a major Toyota dealer group in Aichi Prefecture. In 2006, a subsidiary named AT Group Co., Ltd. was established, and on April 1, 2007, the company transitioned to a pure holding company structure. The original Aichi Toyota Motor Co., Ltd. changed its name to AT Group Co., Ltd., and a new Aichi Toyota Motor Co., Ltd. was established to inherit the dealership business. In 2022, the company announced a management buyout (MBO) and was delisted from the Nagoya Stock Exchange in June 2022. In 2023, four group dealership companies (Aichi Toyota, Toyota Corolla Aihou, Netz Toyota Aichi, Netz Toyota Tokai) were merged and reorganized into Aichi Toyota EAST and Aichi Toyota WEST, both under AT Group. The group continues to operate as a holding company for Toyota-related sales and service businesses.

• Hinode Motors becomes the first Toyota dealership in Japan.

• Sells Toyota's first vehicle, the G1 truck.

• Renamed Nagoya Toyota Sales Co., Ltd.

• Established as Aichi Prefecture Automobile Distribution Co., Ltd. through merger.

• Renamed Aichi Toyota Sales Co., Ltd. and resumed Toyota dealership.

• Renamed Aichi Toyota Motor Co., Ltd.

• Listed on Nagoya Stock Exchange Second Section.

• Established AT Group Co., Ltd. as a subsidiary.

• Transitioned to pure holding company structure; renamed AT Group Co., Ltd.

• Delisted from Nagoya Stock Exchange following MBO.

• Merged four dealership companies into Aichi Toyota EAST and Aichi Toyota WEST.

A regional holding company managing Toyota automotive sales and related services, with a focus on stable management and community contribution.

• Toyota vehicles

  New Toyota cars sold through Aichi Toyota dealerships.

• Lexus vehicles

  Lexus brand vehicles sold through Lexus dealerships in Aichi and Shizuoka.

• Volkswagen vehicles

  Volkswagen brand vehicles sold through former DUO stores.

• Used cars

  Used car sales under the 'carat' brand.

• Forklifts

  Toyota L&F Chubu sells forklifts and material handling equipment.

• Toyota homes

  Toyota Home Aichi constructs and sells residential homes.

1. 1株式会社ATグループat-group.jp
2. 2ATグループの歴史at-group.jp
3. 3ATグループとはat-group.jp
4. 4アクセスat-group.jp
5. 5愛知トヨタ自動車 - Wikipediaja.wikipedia.org
6. 6AT-Groupwikidata.org