Central Motors

Central Motors was a Japanese automobile manufacturer associated with the Toyota Group. The company was established on 4 September 1950 by Ryuichi Tomiya after Toyota closed its Kamata Plant in Tokyo. Former employees of that facility formed the new business, making Central Motors an operational successor to Toyota's Kamata manufacturing operation rather than an entirely unrelated entrant into the automotive industry. The company initially developed as a Toyota production partner. In 1956, it began manufacturing light commercial vehicles for Toyota. Toyota acquired Central Motors in 1959, after which production was moved from Kamata to Sagamihara in Kanagawa Prefecture. Central Motors subsequently expanded beyond vehicle assembly into automotive-parts manufacturing and operated multiple facilities in Japan. A major later change was the development of a new headquarters and vehicle-assembly plant at Ohira in Miyagi Prefecture. The Ohira facility began production in January 2011, while the older Sagamihara plant was closed later that year. At the end of its independent existence, the company operated facilities at Ohira for headquarters and vehicle assembly and at Wakayanagi for automotive-parts production. Its manufacturing footprint was concentrated in Japan, although much of its output was intended for export, particularly to Europe and North America. Central Motors produced or assembled a range of Toyota-related vehicles and specialized products over its history. Its work included Toyota and Toyopet passenger and commercial models, special-purpose vehicles for police and fire services, campers, and completely knocked-down kits for the Toyota Tundra. The company was described as one of Toyota's larger export-oriented vehicle manufacturers, reflecting its role within Toyota's distributed production network rather than the development of an independent consumer-facing marque. Central Motors ceased to exist as a separate company on 1 July 2012. Toyota combined it with Toyota Motors Tohoku and Kanto Auto Works to create Toyota Motor East Japan, Inc. The merged company inherited manufacturing assets and facilities from the three former businesses. The new corporate headquarters was established at the former Central Motors site in Miyagi, and the former Central Motors location retained a workforce of just over 1,500 employees after the integration. Central Motors is therefore best understood as a defunct Toyota Group manufacturing company whose facilities and production capabilities continued under a successor organization.

Central Motors originated in the restructuring of Toyota's manufacturing operations after the closure of the Kamata Plant in Tokyo. Employees made redundant by the closure established Central Motors on 4 September 1950 under the leadership of founder Ryuichi Tomiya. This origin gave the company a direct institutional connection to Toyota's earlier Kamata operation and shaped its subsequent role as a Toyota production partner. The company entered vehicle manufacturing for Toyota in 1956, producing light commercial vehicles. Toyota acquired Central Motors in 1959 and transferred production from Kamata to Sagamihara in Kanagawa Prefecture. The move provided a larger manufacturing base and positioned Central Motors within Toyota's expanding network of specialized and affiliated production companies. Over time, the company added facilities for automotive-parts production as well as vehicle assembly. Central Motors manufactured a variety of Toyota and Toyopet products during different periods. The recorded model range included the Toyota Dyna, Toyopet Type FS Ambulance, Toyopet Corona Mark II Pickup, Toyopet Crown Station Wagon, Toyopet Corona Van, Toyota Carina Surf, and Toyota Tundra completely knocked-down kits. It also produced specialized vehicles, including vehicles for police and fire departments, and campers. These activities demonstrate that its role was broader than conventional passenger-car assembly and included commercial, emergency-service, recreational, and export-oriented production. The company later reorganized its physical operations in northeastern Japan. A new headquarters and assembly plant was constructed at Ohira in Miyagi Prefecture and began production in January 2011. The Sagamihara plant was closed later in the same year. At the time of closure as an independent company, Central Motors operated the Ohira headquarters and assembly plant and an automotive-parts facility at Wakayanagi. Its output was directed substantially toward export markets in Europe and North America, making it an important production link in Toyota's international supply and distribution system. Central Motors' independent corporate history ended on 1 July 2012. Toyota merged Central Motors with Toyota Motors Tohoku and Kanto Auto Works to form Toyota Motor East Japan, Inc. The successor company took over the former companies' manufacturing facilities and assets. Its headquarters was located at the former Central Motors site in Miyagi, where more than 1,500 employees remained associated with the Central Motors location after the integration. The merger consolidated Toyota's regional production subsidiaries and preserved Central Motors' manufacturing capabilities under a new corporate structure.

• 2012

  Company merged into Toyota Motor East Japan

  [1]Central Motorsen.wikipedia.org

  Central Motors was combined with Toyota Motors Tohoku and Kanto Auto Works on 1 July to form Toyota Motor East Japan.

• 2011

  Ohira plant began production

  [1]Central Motorsen.wikipedia.org

  Central Motors' new assembly plant and headquarters in Ohira, Miyagi, started production in January; the Sagamihara plant closed later that year.

• 1959

  Toyota acquired Central Motors

  [1]Central Motorsen.wikipedia.org

  Toyota acquired the company and moved production from Kamata to Sagamihara.

• 1956

  Production of Toyota light commercial vehicles begins

  [1]Central Motorsen.wikipedia.org

  Central Motors began producing light commercial vehicles for Toyota.

• 1950

  Central Motors founded

  [1]Central Motorsen.wikipedia.org

  Ryuichi Tomiya and former employees of Toyota's closed Kamata Plant established Central Motors in Japan on 4 September.

A Toyota Group manufacturing subsidiary focused on vehicle assembly, automotive components, specialized vehicles, and export-oriented production rather than an independent retail automobile brand.

• Light commercial vehicle · 1957

  Toyota Dyna

  The Toyota Dyna was among the commercial vehicles associated with Central Motors' historical production activities. The model represented the company's role in manufacturing Toyota-branded commercial vehicles rather than selling vehicles under a separate Central Motors consumer marque.

• Emergency vehicle · 1961

  Toyopet Type FS Ambulance

  This ambulance was one of the specialized Toyopet vehicles included in Central Motors' historical production range. It illustrates the company's ability to manufacture purpose-built vehicles for public-service applications alongside ordinary passenger and commercial models.

• Passenger vehicle · 1982

  Toyota Carina Surf

  The Toyota Carina Surf was among the passenger-oriented models listed in connection with Central Motors. Its inclusion reflects the company's involvement in Toyota's distributed assembly system across multiple vehicle categories.

• Completely knocked-down vehicle kit

  Toyota Tundra CKD kits

  Central Motors produced completely knocked-down kits for the Toyota Tundra. CKD production involved supplying vehicle components for subsequent assembly, supporting Toyota's international manufacturing and export arrangements.

• Police, fire-service, and recreational vehicle

  Special-purpose vehicles

  The company manufactured specialized vehicles including police vehicles, fire-department vehicles, and campers. These products complemented its standard Toyota and Toyopet vehicle work and demonstrated its capacity for application-specific production.

• 2012

  Integration into Toyota Motor East JapanM&A

  Background

  Toyota sought to combine the operations of Central Motors, Toyota Motors Tohoku, and Kanto Auto Works.

  Action taken

  The three Toyota subsidiaries were merged on 1 July 2012, with their manufacturing facilities and assets transferred to Toyota Motor East Japan.

  Aftermath

  Central Motors ceased operating as a separate company. The successor retained the former Central Motors site in Miyagi and its associated workforce and manufacturing capabilities.

  Source

• 2011

  Relocation of core production to OhiraStrategy

  Background

  Central Motors developed a new headquarters and vehicle-assembly facility in Ohira, Miyagi, as part of a change in its manufacturing footprint.

  Action taken

  Production began at the Ohira plant in January 2011, and the older Sagamihara plant was closed later that year.

  Aftermath

  The Ohira site became the company's principal headquarters and assembly location and later served as the headquarters site of Toyota Motor East Japan.

  Source

1. 1Central Motorsen.wikipedia.org