60 Years of Toyota in America

Sept/Oct 2017

1957 - Two Toyopet Crown sedans ship to the United States. Toyota Motor Sales founded in California.

1958 - Toyota opens for business in California.

1958 - First five dealers offer Toyopet Crown for sale.

1958 - First Land Cruiser sold in the United States.Toyota sales for 1958 total 288.

1959 - Toyota sales for 1959 total 1,028 from 97 dealers.

1964 - Stout pickup truck introduced to U.S. market.

1965 - Toyota begins selling Corona sedan through a network of 384 U.S. Toyota dealers.

1967 - Toyota dedicates new headquarters in Torrance, California.

1967 - Advertising slogan “Get Your Hands on a Toyota and You’ll Never Let Go,” introduced.

1967 - 2000GT introduced.

1968 - Corona hard-top sedan joins product lineup.

1971 - Atlas Fabricators of Long Beach is signed to produce truck beds for pickups, marking Toyota’s first U.S. production (name later changed to TABC).

1972 - Toyota Technical Center opens its first U.S. R&D facility in Michigan.

1972 - Toyota sells 1 millionth vehicle in the United States.

1973 - Calty Design Research established in Southern California.

1975 - Toyota becomes No. 1 in import vehicle sales in the U.S. with total annual retail sales of 328,918.

1976 - Ad slogan “You Asked For It, You Got It!” helps launch Toyota’s 22-model lineup.

1979 - Toyota Racing Development, U.S.A. established.

1979 - Ad slogan “Oh, What a Feeling!” debuts the “Toyota Jump.”

1981 - Celica Supra introduced.

1982 - TMS national headquarters building and complex open in Torrance, California.

1983 - Camry introduced to the United States as a replacement for the Corona.

1983 - Toyota Financial Services opens its door.

1984 - The first 4Runner hits showroom floors.

1986 - Groundbreaking is held on Toyota’s $800 million manufacturing plant in Georgetown, Kentucky.

1986 - NUMMI launches the Corolla FX16, the first Toyota vehicle produced in America.

1987 - Lexus named the luxury car division of Toyota.

1987 - Toyota USA Foundation is established with a $10 million endowment.

1990 - Ad slogan “I Love What You Do For Me, Toyota” showcases 1990 vehicles.

1993 - 1 millionth Camry rolls off the line at Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky.

1996 - Two new plants – Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana (assembly) and Toyota Motor Manufacturing, West Virginia (engine) – break ground.

1996 - RAV4 introduced.

1996 - Toyota enters IndyCar racing.

1996 - Toyota’s 20 millionth vehicle is sold in the U.S.

1997 - Camry becomes the best-selling car in America.

1997 - Sienna minivan launches.

1999 - Toyota Motor Corporation is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

2000 - Prius hits the road in the U.S.

2000 - North American Parts Center, Kentucky, opens.

2003 - Scion’s xA and xB go on sale.

2003 - Toyota sells its 30 millionth vehicle in the United States.

2003 - Construction begins on Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Texas (TMMTX).

2006 - Tundra production begins at TMMTX.

2007 - Camry begins competing in NASCAR.

2012 - Tundra tows the space shuttle Endeavour on its journey to the California Science Center.

2012 - Toyota partners with Hiring Our Heroes program for military vets and families.

2014 - Hydrogen-powered Mirai is introduced.

2014 - Toyota's Collaborative Safety Research Center launches.

2014 - Toyota announces new North American headquarters and consolidation of operations in Plano, Texas.

2015 - Lexus ES rolls off the line at TMMK.

2016 - 3 million hybrids sold.

2016 - Toyota Research Institute begins operations.

2016 - The company establishes Toyota Connected.

2016 - Ground breaks on 15th manufacturing plant in North America, Toyota Motor Manufacturing de Guanajuato (TMMGT).

2017 - Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Alabama, hits 5 million engine production milestone.

2017 - TMNA opens new HQ in Plano, Texas.

2017 - C-HR crossover is introduced.

2017 - Toyota becomes first-ever mobility partner of the International Olympic Committee and the International Paralympic Committee.