In April 1946, Kanto Auto Works was established in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, as an independent company called Kanto Electric Motor Works which focused on repairing cars, assembling electric vehicles and producing bus bodies. In early 1948, it became a Toyota contractor, producing auto bodies. During its early years, the company also assembled some cars for Toyota (Toyota SB, Toyota Master, Toyota Crown).[3] The company also diversified into other products such as yachts and prefabricated homes.[4] In 1950, it adopted the Kanto Auto Works name. In 1960, the company became a permanent car assembler through a new Yokosuka plant.[3] Later, the company replaced Yokosuka for car assembly with the Higashi-Fuji (established in 1968) and Iwate (established in 1993) plants.[4]
