Jan. 08, 2015

Toyota ‘Crown’ Turns 60

 

  • Toyopet Crown (first generation, 1955)
  • Toyopet Crown (first generation, 1955)
  • Toyopet Crown taxi in Okinawa, Japan (first generation, 1957)
  • A Crown and a Crown Deluxe waiting to be loaded onto a ship bound for the U.S. (first generation, 1958)
  • Crowns without headlights being loaded onto a ship bound for the U.S. (first generation)
  • Toyopet Crown (second generation, 1962)
  • Toyopet Crown (second generation, 1962)
  • Toyopet Crown (third generation, 1967)
  • Toyopet Crown (third generation, 1967)
  • Crown (fourth generation, 1971)
  • Crown (fifth generation, 1974)
  • Crown (sixth generation, 1979)
  • Crown (seventh generation, 1983)
  • Crown (eighth generation, 1987)
  • Crown (ninth generation, 1991)
  • Crown (10th generation, 1995)
  • Crown (11th generation, 2001)
  • Crown (12th generation, 2003)
  • Crown (13th generation, 2008)
  • Crown (14th generation, 2012)

Sixty years ago this week, Toyota launched the “Crown”, a luxury sedan that would go on to become the company's longest-running passenger-car nameplate and a significant vehicle in the history of the Japanese automobile industry.

In 1958 the Crown became the first Japanese passenger car to be exported to the United States, and also started Toyota’s passenger car exports to Africa in 1957 and Europe in 1962. Now in its 14th generation, its foremost models are the Crown Royal deluxe saloon and the Crown Athlete sports sedan, both with hybrid powertrain options.

In Japan, Toyota is marking the anniversary with the introduction of limited-time-only sky blue and bright green exterior body colors.

Toyota Crown Milestones
January 1955 First generation launched
April 1957 Exported to Ethiopia, Africa
August 1958 Exported to the United States
October 1962 Second generation launched
December 1963 Exported to Denmark, Europe
February 1965 Exported to Canada
February 1967 Assembly begins in Australia
September 1967 Third generation launched
February 1971 Fourth generation launched
October 1974 Fifth generation launched
September 1979 Sixth generation launched
August 1983 Seventh generation launched
September 1987 Eighth generation launched
October 1991 Ninth generation launched
December 1995 10th generation launched
October 2001 11th generation launched
December 2003 12th generation launched
March 2005 Production begins in China
February 2008 13th generation launched
December 2012 14th generation launched