TIMELINE: Milestones in Toyota's 70-year history

(Reuters) - Seventy years since its founding, Toyota Motor Corp is at the pinnacle of the global auto industry, having overtaken Ford Motor Co and General Motors Corp in vehicle sales.

The Japanese automaker now has 40 vehicle assembly plants around the world and 12 research, development and design centers. It employs 310,000 people.

Here is a chronology of key events and milestones in Toyota's history:

1933 - Automobile department established within textile loom maker Toyoda Automatic Loom Works -- now Toyota Industries Corp -- founded by inventor Sakichi Toyoda

1935 - First vehicle, the Model G1 truck, built. First Toyota dealership established

1936 - Production starts of its first car, the Model AA

1957 - Crown becomes first passenger car made in Japan to be exported to the United States

1962 - First overseas vehicle plant, in Brazil

1964 - First Asian vehicle plant outside Japan, in Thailand