Haval vs Toyota: Founders, CEOs and History
Haval was founded in 2013 by Wei Jianjun (Jack Wey) and is led by Mu Feng. Toyota was founded in 1937 by Kiichiro Toyoda, Sakichi Toyoda and is led by Kenta Kon.
Company facts
Founders
Haval
Wei Jianjun (Jack Wey)
Wei Jianjun (Jack Wey), born in 1964, became head of Great Wall Motor in 1990 at age 26.
Toyota
Kiichiro Toyoda
Kiichiro Toyoda was an absolutely legendary Japanese mechanical engineer, fiercely visionary industrial pioneer, and the profoundly influential founding patriarch fundamentally responsible for architecting the massively dominant Toyota Motor Corporation.
Sakichi Toyoda
Sakichi Toyoda was not the founder of Toyota Motor Corporation but his inventions and philosophy created the foundation on which it was built. His loom patents generated the capital Kiichiro needed to experiment with automobiles.
CEOs and their tenures
Haval
- Wei Jianjun1990–present
Chairman, Great Wall Motor
Wei Jianjun has led GWM since 1990 and is its controlling shareholder. He decided to separate Haval from the Great Wall brand in 2013 and still sets group strategy.
Source - Wang Fengying2002–2016
President, Great Wall Motor
Wang Fengying was GWM's long-time president and helped build Haval's dealer and marketing strategy during the H6's rise, before leaving in 2016.
Source - Mu Feng2022–present
President and CEO, Great Wall Motor
Mu Feng runs GWM's day-to-day operations across Haval, WEY, Tank, ORA and the pickup brand, with a focus on new-energy models and global production.
Source
Toyota
- Akio Toyoda2009–2023
President and Chief Executive Officer (now Chairman)
Akio Toyoda took leadership during one of Toyota's hardest modern periods, including the global financial crisis and the unintended acceleration recall crisis.
Source - Koji Sato2023–2026
President and Chief Executive Officer (now Vice Chairman)
Koji Sato inherited a profitable but scrutinized Toyota.
Source - Kenta Kon2026–present
President and Chief Executive Officer
Toyota's CFO from April 2020; became President and CEO on April 1, 2026, when Koji Sato moved to vice chairman and chief industry officer.
Source
Timeline: Haval and Toyota side by side
1937Toyota
Toyota Motor Corporation incorporated
Toyota Motor Corporation was incorporated after Kiichiro Toyoda expanded the Toyoda family business from automatic looms into automobile manufacturing.
1955Toyota
Toyopet Crown launched
The Toyopet Crown gave Toyota a postwar passenger-car platform and later became its first passenger car exported to the United States.
1966Toyota
Corolla launched
Toyota launched the Corolla, a compact car that became central to its mass-market export strategy.
1989Toyota
Lexus launches
Toyota launched Lexus with the LS 400, moving into premium vehicles with a quality-led strategy.
1997Toyota
Prius launches in Japan
Toyota launched the Prius, turning hybrid technology into a mass-produced passenger vehicle.
2002Haval
Great Wall Safe (Saijun) SUV Launched
Launched China's first mass-market affordable SUV, igniting the domestic consumer SUV boom.
2011Haval
Launch of the Revolutionary Haval H6 Crossover
Introduced the unibody compact SUV that became China's best-selling SUV for over 100 consecutive months.
2013Haval
Haval Spun Off as Independent Dedicated SUV Brand
Wei Jianjun officially established Haval as an independent marque with its own brand logo and dealer network.
2018Haval
Haval Cumulative Global Sales Surpasses 5 Million SUVs
Celebrated 5 million cumulative SUV sales, solidifying its title as China's 'SUV King'.
2020Haval
Launch of Haval Big Dog (DaGou) Rugged Lifestyle Crossover
Pioneered the popular 3/4-scale rugged lifestyle crossover segment, appealing to outdoor enthusiasts.
2023Haval
Launch of Proprietary Hi4 Intelligent Hybrid 4WD Technology
Commercialized GWM's dual-motor hybrid system, offering 4WD capability at 2WD pricing and fuel efficiency.
2024Haval
Haval Expands Hybrid and Export Range
Expanded Hi4 and hybrid versions of the H6, Jolion and Raptor across China and export markets.
2025Haval
About 758,000 Haval SUVs Sold
Haval remained GWM's largest brand as group revenue rose 10.2% to ~$31 billion (RMB 222.82 billion).
2026Haval
Haval H6 Refresh and Brazil Plant Plan
GWM launched a refreshed H6 in China in June 2026 and announced a new 200,000-unit factory in Espírito Santo, Brazil.
2026Toyota
Kenta Kon becomes president and CEO
Kenta Kon became president and CEO on April 1, 2026, while Koji Sato moved to vice chairman and chief industry officer.
2026Toyota
FY2026 sales revenues reach ~$340B (JPY 50.685T)
Toyota reported FY2026 sales revenues of ~$340 billion (JPY 50,684.952 billion) and net income attributable to Toyota Motor Corporation of ~$25.8 billion (JPY 3,848.098 billion).
Acquisitions
Haval
- Mercedes-Benz Iracemápolis plant (Brazil)2021Undisclosed
- General Motors Rayong plant (Thailand)2020Undisclosed
Toyota
- Lyft Level 52021$550M
- CARMERA2021Undisclosed
- Renovo Motors2021Undisclosed
- Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd.2016Undisclosed
- Toyota Auto Body2012Undisclosed
Questions about Haval vs Toyota
Who is the CEO of Haval and Toyota Motor Corporation?
Haval is led by Mu Feng and Toyota Motor Corporation is led by Kenta Kon. Both serve as the top executive responsible for the company's strategy, operations, and financial performance.
When was Haval founded vs Toyota Motor Corporation?
Toyota Motor Corporation was founded in 1937 — 76 years before Haval, which was founded in 2013. Toyota Motor Corporation's longer operating history gives it a deeper track record but also potentially more institutional inertia compared to the younger Haval.
How many employees does Haval have compared to Toyota Motor Corporation?
Toyota Motor Corporation employs approximately 375,235 people. A verified employee count for Haval is not currently available.
Where are Haval and Toyota Motor Corporation headquartered?
Haval is headquartered in China and Toyota Motor Corporation is headquartered in Japan. Their different home markets mean they may face different regulatory frameworks, tax regimes, and currency exposure.
Who founded Haval and Toyota Motor Corporation?
Haval was founded by Wei Jianjun (Jack Wey). Toyota Motor Corporation was founded by Kiichiro Toyoda, Sakichi Toyoda.
Which company has a longer operating history — Haval or Toyota Motor Corporation?
Toyota Motor Corporation has been operating for approximately 89 years, making it the more established of the two companies. Haval has been in operation for around 13 years. A longer operating history often signals greater institutional resilience and brand recognition, though it can also mean slower adaptation to new market conditions.
Figures come from each company's filings and the sources linked beside them. Amounts reported in another currency are shown in US dollars at an approximate rate and marked with ~. Back to the Haval vs Toyota overview