Have you noticed during all the press Toyota has received in the past year that the company president's name is Toyoda, not Toyota? Apparently some others have noticed that too and now are finally curious enough to ask why. Well, I have to admit I did notice and it didn't really bother me. I mean what's one letter? But for those of you who are concerned let's set the record straight. Lake Worth used car buyers who want to know the specifics and the implications behind the nuances of the name can just keep reading to find out the fascinating saga of "Toyoda to Toyota". Toyota was founded by the grandfather of the current president, Akio Toyoda, and was then known as Toyoda Motor Sales until 1936. That's when a brush stroke, literally, changed the name. How is that possible, you ask? Well, in Japanese the name "Toyoda" takes 10 brush strokes, but "Toyota" only needs eight. At least that's how John R. Malott, president of the Japan-America Society of Washington D.C. tells it. Palm Beach used car customers may not care one way or another. It apparently all comes down to symbolism and a bit of superstition. The number eight is a safe number in the Japanese culture but 10 requires two crossed strokes, kind of like a plus symbol. In the culture it can also represent an uncertain path like a crossroads, which might be bad luck for the company. Another theory suggests the name may have been altered to avoid such a rural association. Japanese language expert Chie Tamaki says "Toyoda", which is made up of two characters, means "fertile" and "rice paddy". She is not sold on this theory, though. Toyoda is a common Japanese name, similar to the English "Smith", yet we don't always think of a blacksmith or a silversmith. So it doesn't make sense to assume that the Japanese would associate Toyoda with a rural setting. The official company stance is that the name was changed because it "sounded better", but that could certainly be up for debate. In English the two certainly don't sound much different. You say "Toyoda", I say "Toyota". But instead of "calling the whole thing off", Lake Worth used car dealers are selling more than ever. Either way you say it, it comes out meaning quality, tradition and the most popular hybrid on the road. Loyal Toyota buyers and newer Prius fanatics will likely not argue with the pronunciation. Palm Beach used car customers certainly won't. And we should always remember: A Toyoda by any other name is still a Toyota (or a Toyoda). That's what Shakespeare said, anyway.
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