Toyota Celebrates 60 Years of Innovation in America

Toyota first started to build cars in 1937, but the company didn’t make its official debut in North America until October 31, 1957. Its humble beginning was in a 3,000 square foot headquarters and was just one single dealership situated in Hollywood, California. Toyota’s first vehicle sold in America was Toyopet Crown which wasn’t very successful. Sixty years later, Toyota celebrated its anniversary in the U.S.

Toyota has established itself firmly in the U.S. in the last sixty years. Today, Toyota has a presence in every state, including 10 manufacturing facilities, 14 in North America, nearly 1,500 Toyota and Lexus dealerships nationwide and 136,000 U.S. employees. Almost all of Toyota’s operations for North America are run from its headquarters in Plano, Texas.

“Celebrating our anniversary isn’t just about the products we’ve sold the past 60 years,” said Toyota Motor North America CEO Jim Lentz. “It’s also about celebrating Toyota’s thousands of employees who will help the company embark on the next leg of its American journey and continuing to improve our products and services for our customers.”

Commemorating its 60th anniversary, Toyota rededicated its 50th anniversary time capsule originally devoted at its former Torrance, California headquarters in 2007. This capsule includes items like a 2000GT die cast matchbox edition model car, a Toyota Formula One racer scale model and an original key for a 1977 Toyota Hilux truck. The capsule is to be re-opened on the 100th anniversary in 2057, and Plano Mayor, Harry LaRosiliere, who was also present at this ceremony, said that the capsule represents a new chapter for the Toyota company.

“As Toyota moved their North American corporate offices to Plano over the last three years, the entire region has experienced the positive impact of their team members unique character and culture. The entire organization exhibits a sense of purpose, innovation, and family. We are proud they call Plano home, and we are honored to be part of today’s anniversary celebration,” LaRosiliere said. “We look forward to the next 60 years with Toyota in the City of Plano.”

It is argued that Toyota’s presence in the U.S. automotive market was marked by the arrival of the Toyota Corolla in 1960. Toyota was considered a major player after its introduction. This car was hugely successful. A numbers of iconic vehicles were sold by Toyota in the past 60 years on the U.S. market which includes: the Land Cruiser, Corolla, Celica, Camry, Supra and 4Runner. Toyota filled its lines in the ’90 with models like the Avalon, Sienna, Tacoma, RAV4, Lexus, the LX, GS and RX.

Scion was launched in 2003 in order to bring in younger customers and to test out revolutionary products and processes. As a result, the xB became an icon for the new millennium. Toyota also changed the world by pushing its hybrid technology and by introducing the Prius hybrid and the Mirai hydrogen fuel cell vehicle.

All these facts, and many more, ensure Toyota’s bright future for years to come. Toyota Motor North America (TMNA) has completely transformed itself from a sales company to a mobility company.