Cars That Changed Automotive History: 5 Toyota Models

How one Japanese brand changed the direction of the entire industry through its cars

By automotive manufacturer standards, Toyota is a relatively young brand — they released their first car only in 1935, while, for example, Peugeot traces its history back to 1810. But this did not prevent the Japanese from not only catching up with the flagships of the automotive industry, but also becoming a brand that sets global trends. Let's take a look at 5 Toyota models that have left their mark on world automotive history.

1. Toyota Land Cruiser

A legendary SUV that has been produced for over 60 years and has a reputation as a car that combines simplicity, comfort and durability. At one time, when Japan was in dire need of military SUVs, it was the rethought clone of the American Willys MB or Willys Jeep in Toyota's design that became the main wheels of the army. In peacetime, the Land Cruiser helped the brand gain a reputation as a brand with some of the most reliable cars.

Toyota Land Cruiser 300
Toyota Land Cruiser 300

2. Toyota Hilux

Another model that needs no introduction. At first, the Hilux did not stand out with anything significant, it was not the first pickup truck, the largest or the fastest, but time has shown that it is the most reliable. From the trio of the Top Gear program, he received the nickname "indestructible pickup" after he started and drove on his own, despite being drowned in the sea, set on fire, dropped from a height and pushed off a concrete wall. Also, you are unlikely to find another car that appears so often in military chronicles, and for the military, one thing is important — reliability.

Toyota Hilux 
Toyota Hilux

3. Toyota Prius

Yes, that very "Prius", which is most likely to come for you in an economy taxi and take you anywhere, barely sniffing gasoline. In our reality, hybrid cars have already become commonplace, but for 1997 the idea was very innovative. Not afraid of the "zero bet", Toyota hit the jackpot, and the Prius is still the most popular hybrid car. But the Prius did not win the love of the consumer with innovations alone, it also could not do without the legendary reliability of Toyota. And reliability + efficiency + environmental friendliness, which added free advertising to the car from the "green" Hollywood stars — the perfect recipe for capturing the market.

Toyota Prius
Toyota Prius

4. Toyota Corolla

And again, no sensations. An ordinary Corolla, of which there are thousands around us every day, an unremarkable everyday car at first glance. How did it affect the market? Corolla began to be produced back in 1966, when pompous American cars ruled the automotive world. And, perhaps, it would have remained a small car for small countries, if not for 1973 and the fuel crisis. Large and pompous cars quickly retired, many of their manufacturers were also buried, but the Corolla has been the best-selling car in the world for 25 times a year from 1974 to the present day. Otherwise, still nothing remarkable, just a small, nimble, unremarkable car.

Toyota Corolla
Toyota Corolla

5. Toyota Supra MK4

The dream of all the boys who grew up on Need For Speed and the first "Fast and Furious", now seemingly revived, but still "it was better before." The current "Supra" is essentially a BMW Z4, which fans of that old "Supra" do not like at all, because its spirit is completely lost. The Supra MK4, at a price slightly above the average car, had the habits of a supercar, and if you work with its legendary 2JZ engine, it became this supercar. "Supra" remained in history as a car that showed that a fast and powerful car does not have to be expensive.

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Sources
Motoram

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