The invention of the automobile, a lightweight, self-propelled wheeled vehicle, did not start in its current form. The development of cars has gone through a long process.
Over 100 years of continuous improvement and innovation have embodied human wisdom and craftsmanship.
It has benefited from the support of various industries such as petroleum, steel, aluminium, chemicals, plastics, machinery, electricity, road networks, electronics, and finance, driving their advancements. Cars have evolved into various forms and specifications, widely used in multiple fields of socio-economic life. Since 1970, the global number of vehicles has almost doubled every 15 years, with a worldwide production of 87.38 million in 2013.
The first significant change in the automotive industry was the introduction of assembly line production from the United States, which revolutionized everything. Henry Ford introduced the first mass-produced model, the Ford Model T, in 1908. By 1914, the annual automobile production in the United States reached 485,000 units, with over 200,000 being Ford Model Ts.
In contrast, the total output of nearly 150 car manufacturers in France was only 45,000 units. Eventually, the total production of the Ford Model T reached an impressive 16.8 million units. Undoubtedly, Henry Ford realized earlier than others that cars were not just novelties for the wealthy but a practical tool accessible to countless households.
France's automobile industry had not yet modernized at that time, but the number of car manufacturers exploded: in 1915, France had over 150 car manufacturers. In 1912, André Citroën travelled to the United States and became fascinated with advanced assembly line manufacturing. He aimed to become France's Henry Ford.
In 1919, Citroën introduced the Type A car with assembly line production, accelerating the automotive industry. By the 1920s, the automotive manufacturing sector had become a crucial driver of global economic growth. By the 1930s, the United States and Europe produced 5 million cars annually, yet the industry was somewhat closed off.
In 1960, an unexpected player entered the fiercely competitive international car market and profoundly changed its landscape: distant Japan. Progress was swift: by 1962, Japanese cars flooded the global market, producing over 1 million vehicles that year, a staggering feat! Within less than five years, Japan's car production doubled, surpassing Italy and challenging France, which produced 1.5 million cars yearly.
Another significant signal from that time was that while the United States remained the most prominent car producer, its growth stalled, allowing Germany, with a slight advantage, to become the world's second-largest car manufacturer, on par with Britain, producing 1.8 million cars annually.
Like a cyclist pushing into the leading pack before a sprint, we witnessed Japan's ascent into the top group from 1963 to 1966. In 1967, Japan became the world's second-largest car manufacturer. Once mocked and described as "inferior products from Japan," Japanese cars were already recognized for their excellent quality at affordable prices.
Reviewing the history of Japan's automotive industry, Toyota, Honda, and Nissan have always been their mainstays. They invested substantial profits into automotive technology research and continuously improved their product offerings. Moreover, their diversified technological innovation system, involving component companies, universities, and industry organizations, became integral to driving comprehensive competitiveness.
