The Toyota Home website shows a wide range of options, with the most common Sincé series of dwellings essentially a series of modular pre-fabs built around a rigid steel-frame structure. But while around 10 million Toyota and Lexus vehicles were shipped globally in 2023, annual Toyota house sales typically number just a few thousand each year.
Vauxhall – Tanks
Many car makers have assisted in military efforts, and here in Britain one of the most famous interventions was Vauxhall’s production of the 38-ton A22 Infantry Tank, which subsequently became known as the Churchill, for World War II.
The government specifically requested Vauxhall make the tank, which featured a 350bhp, 21-litre, 12-cylinder engine that the company had previously worked on for an aborted Harland & Wolff design. Given the urgency demanded by the conflict, the Churchill itself went from design sketch to working prototype in just a year. Much of the testing was carried out at the Luton Hoo Estate, and the tank proved such a success that around 5,500 were produced before the end of the war.
Volkswagen – Sausages
Yes, sausages. The currywurst was once hailed as Volkswagen’s biggest-selling product, with around seven million being gobbled up at its peak. It’s been around since 1973 when it first started appearing in the company’s staff restaurants, before being made available in selected supermarkets.
And so beloved is the acclaimed spiced-pork sausage that it even has its own part number – 199 398 500. Indeed, such is the high regard for it in Germany, the former chancellor Gerhard Schröder felt compelled to intervene when VW removed currywurst from a canteen menu in 2021 as part of an effort to switch to meat-free options. “If I were still on the supervisory board of VW there would have been no such thing,” he posted on social media. “Currywurst with fries is one of the [staples] of the skilled worker in production.”
Which is your favourite non-car related product made by car manufacturers? Let us know in the comments…