Toyota's Tokyo Motor Show History (1964 - 1973)

1964The 11th Tokyo Motor Show

The show's Japanese name was changed from All-Japan Motor Show to Tokyo Motor Show (although the English name of the show had always been that). Foreign exhibitors also participated, and the emphasis of the show shifted from exhibition to business.

The Publica Sports drew visitors' attention, as Toyota held a naming competition for the prototype during the show. The car was marketed as the Toyota Sports 800 the following year.

1965The 12th Tokyo Motor Show

The show took place right after the import of finished passenger cars had been deregulated. The exhibitors sought to win customers by setting up sales desks at the venue.

Among Toyota's exhibits, the Toyota 2000GT sports car and the dream car drew visitors' attention.

1966The 13th Tokyo Motor Show

Held in the year that later came to be referred to as Year 1 of the "private car age," the show was more focused on boosting car sales than ever before.

The Toyota booth was lit with T-shaped lighting panels, which gave a subdued ambience. The lineup of leading cars, including the Corolla and the Toyota 2000GT, enhanced the image of Toyota as a world-class car maker.

1967The 14th Tokyo Motor Show

Car makers presented 1,500 cc-class cars as their main exhibits, emphasizing their speed and durability suitable for the age of expressways. The traffic safety booth was also set up to offer safety tips to visitors.

1968The 15th Tokyo Motor Show

The imminent deregulation of foreign capital investment in Japan led to reorganization of the domestic auto industry this year, accelerating the move to form company groups or alliances.

Toyota exhibited 94 vehicles under the theme, "The World of Toyota." In a family-friendly atmosphere created by the low-key display design, Toyota demonstrated its wide varieties of production cars, prowess in technology development, and thorough attention to safety.

1969The 16th Tokyo Motor Show

The show emanated the rising power of the Japanese auto industry as it approached the 1970s.

Starting this year, the number of futuristic cars exhibited by automakers visibly increased.

Toyota presented its full lineup of vehicles available on market, and also demonstrated its future-oriented R&D efforts and their results in the advanced R&D corner.

1970The 17th Tokyo Motor Show

Foreign exhibits conspicuously increased in anticipation of the deregulation of foreign capitals. Exhibits on safety and pollution-prevention were also included.

Exhibits by Toyota included the newly announced Celica and Carina, as well as advanced cars such as the EX-7 for intercity travels and the Toyota Commuter and the Electronic Car for urban use.

1971The 18th Tokyo Motor Show

A new public transit system called CVS (Computer-controlled Vehicle System) was featured at this show along with futuristic cars.

As foreign capital investments in the Japanese auto industry were deregulated, the show added to its international flavor.

Toyota pointed to its future direction through three special exhibit corners (safety & pollution prevention technology, RV-1, MAC system).

1972The 19th Tokyo Motor Show

The show mainly featured passenger cars. Some foreign car makers also participated to add to the international flavor. A section for safety and pollution measures was set up jointly by members of the auto industry, attracting visitors' attention.

Toyota presented the results of its research into urgent issues facing the auto industry, including pollution, safety, and urban traffic. The company also exhibited a multi-purpose recreational vehicle that pointed to the future trend of motorization.

1973The 20th Tokyo Motor Show

The exhibitors eagerly demonstrated their anti-pollution, pro-safety stance.

The show became more international and comprehensive than before.

The asymmetric gull-wing luggage doors of the F101 wagon-type sedan caught people's attention. Demonstrating its alliance with the public sector, Toyota also exhibited the ESV, which conformed to the specifications of experimental safety vehicle set by the U.S. Department of Transportation, and the EV2 small electric vehicle that was developed as part of the large-scale project led by the (then) International Trade and Industry Ministry's Agency of Industrial Science and Technology.