In the 1950s, the Korean War was in full swing.
The North Koreans had taken over South Korea.
The USA wanted to help the South Koreans fight back.
This was just after the Second World War.
The North Koreans had taken over South Korea.
The USA wanted to help the South Koreans fight back.
This was just after the Second World War.
The USA was still in control of Japan and they urged the Japanese to fulfill an urgent requirement of theirs. They needed small off-road SUVs.
Toyota stepped in and made a vehicle that looked oddly like the Jeep used by the American troops in World War.
Toyota stepped in and made a vehicle that looked oddly like the Jeep used by the American troops in World War.
These vehicles were absolutely dependable. They loved it.
Once the war over, Toyota realized they had a good product on their hands. They started selling these cars to civilians too.
Once the war over, Toyota realized they had a good product on their hands. They started selling these cars to civilians too.
In comparison to the others in the same range, Toyota’s car didn’t have much to offer - it was very bare and utilitarian.
But it had one very crucial thing going for it - it was reliable.
This meant that people who truly depended on cars loved these Toyotas. Farmers, mostly.
But it had one very crucial thing going for it - it was reliable.
This meant that people who truly depended on cars loved these Toyotas. Farmers, mostly.
Over the years, gradually, these cars evolved and became better with each generation.
And with that, more people who weren’t farmers started buying them.
Just as gradually, luxurious items like AC and music system were added.
And with that, more people who weren’t farmers started buying them.
Just as gradually, luxurious items like AC and music system were added.
With the adoption by families, Toyota gave it a nice name - Toyota Land Cruiser.
Similarly, Toyota also launched a pickup truck called the Hilux.
One peculiarity was that these Toyotas weren't always equipped with the latest tech in automobiles.
Similarly, Toyota also launched a pickup truck called the Hilux.
One peculiarity was that these Toyotas weren't always equipped with the latest tech in automobiles.
They had a habit of holding onto technology that was time-proven.
But buyers who bought these Toyotas mostly overlooked the technology bit.
Why?
Because this SUV and this pickup truck were practically indestructible.
But buyers who bought these Toyotas mostly overlooked the technology bit.
Why?
Because this SUV and this pickup truck were practically indestructible.
Both were sold all over the world - Australia, Asia, Africa, America, everywhere.
And everywhere, the owners said one thing in unison: these vehicles just went on and on.
They just don’t go bad!
Their reliability was unmatched.
And everywhere, the owners said one thing in unison: these vehicles just went on and on.
They just don’t go bad!
Their reliability was unmatched.
There are stories of owners who “forgot” to service engine oil in their cars for years. And the thing still worked.
There’s a video of Top Gear (TV show) abusing a Toyota Hilux - they submerged it in the ocean, dropped it from a great height, and a lot more.
There’s a video of Top Gear (TV show) abusing a Toyota Hilux - they submerged it in the ocean, dropped it from a great height, and a lot more.
And after all that, it still switched on - something it had always done.
Look at documentaries of places that have incredibly tough terrain - the middle-east, Africa, south-east Asia, and Australia.
Look at documentaries of places that have incredibly tough terrain - the middle-east, Africa, south-east Asia, and Australia.
It could be a documentary about anything - photography, wildlife, society, protests and movements... anything.
More often than not, the vehicles they'd be using would be a Toyota truck or SUV.
More often than not, the vehicles they'd be using would be a Toyota truck or SUV.
The United Nations sends aid to regions torn by civil war. They don’t use Jeeps or Range Rovers.
They use Toyota Land Cruisers.
There are good off-road vehicles out there. Jeep, Range Rover, and a bunch of others.
They use Toyota Land Cruisers.
There are good off-road vehicles out there. Jeep, Range Rover, and a bunch of others.
They all can take you to places where roads are a distant dream. And so can the Toyota.
But none can offer the absolutely dependable reliability that a Toyota can.
This philosophy trickles down to Toyota's other cars also.
But none can offer the absolutely dependable reliability that a Toyota can.
This philosophy trickles down to Toyota's other cars also.
There’s a reason why cab operators love the Etios and Innova. They’re more reliable than others.
Why is that so?
Toyota only uses technology that it knows will work. Toyota doesn't send out cars with new technology until it is absolutely sure it works.
Why is that so?
Toyota only uses technology that it knows will work. Toyota doesn't send out cars with new technology until it is absolutely sure it works.
This also means that some of these techs take longer to appear in Toyota cars when compared to their availability in other cars.
When you add something new and complicated, there’s a chance something might go wrong.
When you add something new and complicated, there’s a chance something might go wrong.
The more complicated something is, the more the chance of something going wrong.
Human nature is such, if you spend enough time and effort, complicated things become simpler.
Human nature is such, if you spend enough time and effort, complicated things become simpler.
When we were little toddlers, reading a 5 letter word like ‘apple’ required effort.
Now, we can finish fat books in a matter of hours.
Toyota adds to its cars what it thinks is simple.
And for it to think something is simple, it needs to have mastered it.
Now, we can finish fat books in a matter of hours.
Toyota adds to its cars what it thinks is simple.
And for it to think something is simple, it needs to have mastered it.
This is why any new tech is first available on other cars but takes time to show up on a Toyota SUV or pickup truck.
Toyota would rather skip the latest trendy tech than adding something unproven.
Toyota would rather skip the latest trendy tech than adding something unproven.
If you’re new to investing, there will be many strategies and ideas that appeal to you.
They might all be great strategies. They might work very well for many people.
But do you know those strategies enough to use them? Are those strategies simple to you?
They might all be great strategies. They might work very well for many people.
But do you know those strategies enough to use them? Are those strategies simple to you?
Because if they’re not, you’re not going to be able to use them even if they work.
With your investment, be exactly like Toyota.
You are Toyota and your investments are Toyota Hilux.
It’s your most prized possession.
With your investment, be exactly like Toyota.
You are Toyota and your investments are Toyota Hilux.
It’s your most prized possession.
Make sure you thoroughly understand what you’re doing with your investments.
If some new investment or strategy or stock or mutual fund or asset attracts your attention, make sure you understand it enough before making it a part of your investment.
If some new investment or strategy or stock or mutual fund or asset attracts your attention, make sure you understand it enough before making it a part of your investment.
Never heard of the name Toyota Hilux?
In India, we don’t have such a big market for pickup trucks. So it isn’t sold in India.
In India, we don’t have such a big market for pickup trucks. So it isn’t sold in India.
But Toyota does sell it in India - sort of.
Based on the Hilux pickup truck, Toyota developed an SUV - that they sell in India.
This name you’d have heard of - Toyota Fortuner.
<end>
Based on the Hilux pickup truck, Toyota developed an SUV - that they sell in India.
This name you’d have heard of - Toyota Fortuner.
<end>
This is what we sent out in our Weekly Groww Digest today. Check your email if you're signed up on Groww.
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
