Toyota vs Volkswagen: Founders, CEOs and History
Toyota was founded in 1937 by Kiichiro Toyoda, Sakichi Toyoda and is led by Kenta Kon. Volkswagen was founded in 1937 by Ferdinand Porsche and is led by Oliver Blume.
Company facts
Toyota
- Founded
- 1937
- Headquarters
- Toyota City, Aichi, Japan
- Current CEO
- Kenta Kon
- Employees
- 375,235
Volkswagen
- Founded
- 1937
- Headquarters
- Wolfsburg, Germany
- Current CEO
- Oliver Blume
- Employees
- 663,000
Founders
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.
Volkswagen
Ferdinand Porsche
Ferdinand Porsche (1875-1951) was an Austrian-born automotive engineer who had worked for Lohner, Austro-Daimler and Daimler-Benz before opening his own design office in Stuttgart in 1931.
CEOs and their tenures
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
Volkswagen
- Hermann Münch1946–1947
Chief Executive Officer
Chief executive of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft from 1946 to 1947.
Source - Heinrich Nordhoff1948–1968
Chief Executive Officer
Chief executive of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft from 1948 to 1968.
Source - Kurt Lotz1968–1971
Chief Executive Officer
Chief executive of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft from 1968 to 1971.
Source - Rudolf Leiding1971–1975
Chief Executive Officer
Chief executive of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft from 1971 to 1975.
Source - Toni Schmücker1975–1982
Chief Executive Officer
Chief executive of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft from 1975 to 1982.
Source - Carl Hahn1982–1993
Chief Executive Officer
Chief executive of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft from 1982 to 1993.
Source - Ferdinand Piëch1993–2002
Chief Executive Officer
Chief executive of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft from 1993 to 2002.
Source - Bernd Pischetsrieder2002–2006
Chief Executive Officer
Chief executive of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft from 2002 to 2006.
Source - Martin Winterkorn2007–2015
Chief Executive Officer
Chief executive of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft from 2007 to 2015.
Source - Matthias Müller2015–2018
Chief Executive Officer
Chief executive of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft from 2015 to 2018.
Source - Herbert Diess2018–2022
Chief Executive Officer
Chief executive of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft from 2018 to 2022.
Source - Oliver Blume2022–present
Chairman of the Board of Management
He also ran Porsche AG alongside the group role until Michael Leiters took over as Porsche CEO on January 1, 2026, leaving Blume focused on Volkswagen Group.
Source
Timeline: Toyota and Volkswagen 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.
1937Volkswagen
Volkswagen founded
Volkswagen was founded under the German Labour Front as part of a state-directed people's car program.
1945Volkswagen
Wolfsburg restarted
British military administration helped restart peacetime production at Wolfsburg after World War II.
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.
1965Volkswagen
Audi foundation added
Volkswagen acquired Auto Union from Daimler-Benz, creating the foundation for modern Audi.
1966Toyota
Corolla launched
Toyota launched the Corolla, a compact car that became central to its mass-market export strategy.
1974Volkswagen
Golf production begins
The Golf gave Volkswagen a modern front-engine, front-wheel-drive compact platform after the Beetle era.
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.
2012Volkswagen
Porsche consolidated
Porsche became a controlled sport-luxury profit anchor within Volkswagen Group.
2024Volkswagen
Rivian software joint venture
Volkswagen and Rivian launched a software joint venture targeting next-generation electrical architecture.
2025Volkswagen
Revenue reaches ~$364B (EUR321.9B)
Volkswagen reported ~$364 billion (EUR321.9 billion) in sales revenue, ~$10.1 billion (EUR8.9 billion) in operating result, and 8.984 million deliveries.
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
Toyota
- Lyft Level 52021$550M
- CARMERA2021Undisclosed
- Renovo Motors2021Undisclosed
- Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd.2016Undisclosed
- Toyota Auto Body2012Undisclosed
Volkswagen
- Porsche AG2012Undisclosed
- Bentley Motors1998Undisclosed
- Auto Union / Audi1965Undisclosed
Questions about Toyota vs Volkswagen
Who is the CEO of Toyota Motor Corporation and Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft?
Toyota Motor Corporation is led by Kenta Kon and Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft is led by Oliver Blume. Both serve as the top executive responsible for the company's strategy, operations, and financial performance.
When was Toyota Motor Corporation founded vs Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft?
Both Toyota Motor Corporation and Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft were founded in 1937, making them the same age.
How many employees does Toyota Motor Corporation have compared to Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft?
Toyota Motor Corporation employs approximately 375,235 people, while Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft employs approximately 663,000. Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft has the larger workforce at 663,000 employees, compared to Toyota Motor Corporation's 375,235. A higher headcount does not necessarily imply greater efficiency — it often reflects differences in business model (e.g., manufacturing vs. software).
Where are Toyota Motor Corporation and Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft headquartered?
Toyota Motor Corporation is headquartered in Japan and Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft is headquartered in Germany. Their different home markets mean they may face different regulatory frameworks, tax regimes, and currency exposure.
Who founded Toyota Motor Corporation and Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft?
Toyota Motor Corporation was founded by Kiichiro Toyoda, Sakichi Toyoda. Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft was founded by Ferdinand Porsche.
Which company has a longer operating history — Toyota Motor Corporation or Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft?
Toyota Motor Corporation has been operating for approximately 89 years, making it the more established of the two companies. Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft has been in operation for around 89 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 Toyota vs Volkswagen overview