Businessweek

re for smartphones starting in Japan and Thailand. In addition, the company offers its CRM (customer relationship management) system called e-CRB (evolutionary customer relationship building) in Thailand. e-CRB builds on a technology cultivated through the development of Gazoo and G-BOOK, and offers its customers various services, such as providing information of new vehicles, accepting requests for brochures and estimates, and notifying customers when it is time for maintenance by keeping track of the vehicle’s maintenance history and mileage. In addition, e-CRB offers an operation system that could be utilized at dealers, including new and used cars and services. The company is promoting e-CRB in countries, such as China, Thailand, Australia, India, and Brazil. The company also introduced a system called sales logistics integrated management in Guangzhou, China. By utilizing real sales information and linking with production and distribution, it is able to realize the Just-in-Time production system of producing and delivering only the number of vehicles that have been sold. To develop a global platform of the Toyota Smart Center, the company announced a partnership with Microsoft Corp. and Salesforce.com in 2011. Markets The company sells its vehicles in approximately 170 countries and regions. Its primary markets for its automobiles include Japan, North America, Europe, and Asia. The company’s principal European markets include Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, and Russia. Its principal Asian markets include Thailand, Indonesia, India, Malaysia, and Taiwan. Its principal markets also include Brazil in South and Central America; Australia in Oceania; South Africa in Africa; and Saudi Arabia in the Middle East. Joint Ventures The company has joint ventures with China FAW Group Corporation and Guangzhou Toyota Motor Co., Ltd. Distribution As of March 31, 2012, the company operated approximately 4.7 thousand sales and service outlets. Sales of Toyota vehicles in Japan are conducted through four sales channels, including Toyota, Toyopet, Corolla, and Netz. In addition, it distributes the Lexus brand vehicles through a network of 170 sales outlets. Suppliers The company’s supplier includes Denso Corporation. Environmental Matters The company’s automotive operations in Japan are subject to substantial environmental regulation under laws, such as the Air Pollution Law, the Water Pollution Control Law, the Noise Regulation Law, and the Vibration Control Law. Its assembly, manufacturing, and other operations in the United States are subject to a range of environmental regulation under the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, the Pollution Prevention Act, and the Toxic Substances Control Act. Seasonality The company’s unit sales levels have been highest in March of each year, with approximately 10% to 12% of annual unit sales generated during that month, and for each of the remaining months, its unit sales have generated approximately 6% to 9% of its annual unit sales. Significant Events In July 2012, Toyota Motor Corporation announced that Toyota Motor (Changshu) Auto Parts Co. Ltd. (TMCAP) was established on July 23, in the Changshu Southeast Economic Development Zone, Jiangsu Province, China. In August 2012, Toyota Motor Corporation has developed a power supply system that uses electricity generated within a fuel cell bus (FC bus) to supply electrical power to devices such as home electrical appliances. In January 2013, Toyota Motor Corporation and Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft are working together on next-generation batteries for green vehicles called lithium-air as their collaboration, first announced in 2011, moves ahead in fuel cells, sports vehicles and other fields. In February 2013, Toyota Motor Corporation and Menicon Co., Ltd. have jointly developed a livestock manure composting product that would join the 'resQ45' series of TMC-Menicon developed manure composting systems. In February 2013, Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft and Toyota Motor Corporation announced its strateg