16/12/2024
has made a significant impact in the Indian automotive market with several interesting and lesser-known facts about its operations in the country:
1. Early Entry into India: Toyota entered the Indian market in 1997 with the launch of the Toyota Qualis, a popular MPV (multi-purpose vehicle) at the time. It was one of the first foreign automakers to establish a significant presence in India.
2. Joint Venture with Kirloskar: Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) is a joint venture between Toyota Motor Corporation and Kirloskar Group. This partnership began in 1997, and the company has since been a major player in the Indian automotive market.
3. Local Manufacturing Facilities: Toyota’s manufacturing plants in India are located in Bidadi, Karnataka, and at a second plant in Tamil Nadu. These plants are equipped with advanced technology and have a significant local content, contributing to Toyota's commitment to the “Make in India” initiative.
4. Toyota’s Global R&D Hub: Toyota established its Global Business Services (GBS) center in Bengaluru, which is one of the key hubs for Toyota’s global research and development activities. This center focuses on various aspects of automotive technology, including IT and engineering solutions.
5. Hybrid Technology Leader: Toyota was a pioneer in hybrid technology with the introduction of the Toyota Prius, the world’s first mass-produced hybrid car. In India, Toyota introduced its hybrid technology with the Toyota Camry Hybrid in 2013, making hybrid vehicles more accessible in the Indian market.
6. First Indian Plant to Produce Hybrid Vehicles: The Toyota Kirloskar Motor plant in Bidadi was one of the first in India to manufacture hybrid vehicles locally. This move helped reduce costs and increase the availability of hybrid technology in the Indian market.
7. Toyota’s Commitment to Sustainability: Toyota India has a strong focus on sustainability and environmental initiatives. The company has invested in various eco-friendly projects, including rainwater harvesting, waste management, and energy conservation measures at its manufacturing facilities.
8. Innovative Safety Features: Toyota was among the first to introduce advanced safety features in its vehicles in India. For instance, the Toyota Fortuner and the Toyota Camry were among the first to offer features like Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and multiple airbags in their segments.
9. Community Engagement: Toyota India actively engages in community service and social responsibility projects. The company is involved in various initiatives such as promoting education, healthcare, and rural development through its Toyota Kirloskar Motor CSR programs.
10. Exclusive Models for India: Toyota has developed and manufactured certain models specifically for the Indian market, such as the Toyota Etios and the Toyota Liva. These models were designed to cater to Indian customers' preferences and budget constraints.
11. Innovative Production Techniques: Toyota's manufacturing plants in India use advanced production techniques, including the Toyota Production System (TPS), which emphasizes efficiency, quality, and continuous improvement. This system has helped Toyota maintain high standards of production in India.
12. Local Supplier Network: Toyota has developed a robust network of local suppliers in India, contributing to the growth of the Indian automotive supply chain. This approach not only supports local businesses but also helps in reducing production costs and enhancing the localization of Toyota’s vehicles.
13. First Mass Market SUV: The Toyota Fortuner, launched in 2009, was one of the first SUVs to become a mass-market success in India. Its combination of ruggedness, luxury, and reliability made it a popular choice among Indian consumers.
14. Support for Road Safety: Toyota India actively supports road safety initiatives through various programs and partnerships. The company is involved in educating drivers about safe driving practices and promoting road safety measures in collaboration with government and non-governmental organizations.
15. Employee Training and Development: Toyota India places a strong emphasis on employee training and development. The company offers various programs and initiatives to enhance the skills and knowledge of its employees, ensuring high standards of performance and customer service.
These facts highlight Toyota's significant contributions to the Indian automotive industry and its commitment to innovation, sustainability, and community engagement
The history of
began with the discovery of two critical principles: The first is camera obscura image projection, the second is the discovery that some substances are visibly altered by exposure to light[2]. There are no artifacts or descriptions that indicate any attempt to capture images with light sensitive materials prior to the 18th century.
View from the Window at Le Gras 1826 or 1827, believed to be the earliest surviving camera photograph.[1] Original (left) and colorized reoriented enhancement (right).
Around 1717, Johann Heinrich Schulze used a light-sensitive slurry to capture images of cut-out letters on a bottle. However, he did not pursue making these results permanent. Around 1800, Thomas Wedgwood made the first reliably documented, although unsuccessful attempt at capturing camera images in permanent form. His experiments did produce detailed photograms, but Wedgwood and his associate Humphry Davy found no way to fix these images.
In 1826, Nicéphore Niépce first managed to fix an image that was captured with a camera, but at least eight hours or even several days of exposure in the camera were required and the earliest results were very crude. Niépce's associate Louis Daguerre went on to develop the daguerreotype process, the first publicly announced and commercially viable photographic process. The daguerreotype required only minutes of exposure in the camera, and produced clear, finely detailed results. On August 2, 1839 Daguerre demonstrated the details of the process to the Chamber of Peers in Paris. On August 19 the technical details were made public in a meeting of the Academy of Sciences and the Academy of Fine Arts in the Palace of Institute. (For granting the rights of the inventions to the public, Daguerre and Niépce were awarded generous annuities for life.)[3][4][5] When the metal based daguerreotype process was demonstrated formally to the public, the competitor approach of paper-based calotype negative and salt print processes invented by William Henry Fox Talbot was already demonstrated in London (but with less publicity).[5] Subsequent innovations made photography easier and more versatile. New materials reduced the required camera exposure time from minutes to seconds, and eventually to a small fraction of a second; new photographic media were more economical, sensitive or convenient. Since the 1850s, the collodion process with its glass-based photographic plates combined the high quality known from the Daguerreotype with the multiple print options known from the calotype and was commonly used for decades. Roll films popularized casual use by amateurs. In the mid-20th century, developments made it possible for amateurs to take pictures in natural color as well as in black-and-white.
The commercial introduction of computer-based electronic digital cameras in the 1990s soon revolutionized photography. During the first decade of the 21st century, traditional film-based photochemical methods were increasingly marginalized as the practical advantages of the new technology became widely appreciated and the image quality of moderately priced digital cameras was continually improved. Especially since cameras became a standard feature on smartphones, taking pictures (and instantly publishing them online) has become a ubiquitous everyday practice around the world.
Ten Unknown Facts About
1. Founding and History: BMW, Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, was founded in 1916 in Munich, Germany, initially producing aircraft engines. The company transitioned to motorcycle production in the 1920s and eventually to automobiles in the 1930s.
2. Iconic Logo: The BMW logo, often referred to as the "roundel," consists of a black ring intersecting with four quadrants of blue and white. It represents the company's origins in aviation, with the blue and white symbolizing a spinning propeller against a clear blue sky.
3. Innovation in Technology: BMW is renowned for its innovations in automotive technology. It introduced the world's first electric car, the BMW i3, in 2013, and has been a leader in developing advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) and hybrid powertrains.
4. Performance and Motorsport Heritage: BMW has a strong heritage in motorsport, particularly in touring car and Formula 1 racing. The brand's M division produces high-performance variants of their regular models, known for their precision engineering and exhilarating driving dynamics.
5. Global Presence: BMW is a global automotive Company
6. Luxury and Design: BMW is synonymous with luxury and distinctive design, crafting vehicles that blend elegance with cutting-edge technology and comfort.
7. Sustainable Practices: BMW has committed to sustainability, incorporating eco-friendly materials and manufacturing processes into its vehicles, as well as advancing electric vehicle technology with models like the BMW i4 and iX.
8. Global Manufacturing: BMW operates numerous production facilities worldwide, including in Germany, the United States, China, and other countries, ensuring a global reach and localized production.
9. Brand Portfolio: In addition to its renowned BMW brand, the company also owns MINI and Rolls-Royce, catering to a diverse range of automotive tastes and luxury segments.
10. Cultural Impact: BMW's vehicles often become cultural icons, featured in f