Toyota and Lexus have an illustrious history that combines innovation, legacy, and creativity. From quirky city names to mind-blowing engineering feats, here are 101 captivating facts about Toyota and its luxury sibling, Lexus.
1. Toyota City
- In 1959, Japan renamed the city of Koromo to "Toyota City" to honor Toyota’s impact on local employment.
2. The Camry Dent Phenomenon
- Fans joke about the "Camry Dent" on social media, referring to the common rear bumper dent found on many Camrys.
3. Official Supra Name
- The BMW-partnered Toyota sports car isn’t just a Supra; it’s officially the Toyota GR Supra.
4. Corolla’s Record Sales
- A Corolla sells every 27 seconds globally, making it the best-selling car of all time.
5. Toyota's Longevity
- 80% of Toyotas made in the last 20 years are still on the road today.
6. Lexus Button Tester
- For the original Lexus LS, Toyota hired a specialist to test every button—using different sets of nails to mimic various customer profiles.
7. $1 Million Research Per Hour
- Toyota invests around $1 million in research and development every hour.
8. Flying Cars
- Toyota has been working on flying cars, with the SkyDrive SD-03 boasting a 10-mile electric range.
9. Textile Roots
- Toyota began as a textile business in 1933, and didn’t make its first car until 1935.
10. Camry and Corolla Names
- In Japanese, "Camry" means "Crown," and "Corolla" means "little Crown."
11. Revenue Champion
- Toyota’s annual revenue surpasses Nissan, Honda, and Suzuki combined.
12. Toyota’s Symbolism
- Toyota’s logo signifies a close customer-company relationship, with ovals representing the world embracing Toyota.
13. Family Business
- Toyota remains family-run, with Akio Toyoda, a descendant of founder Kiichiro Toyoda, as CEO.
14. Racing-Approved by Akio
- Akio Toyoda personally test drives Gazoo Racing cars before production approval.
15. The FJ Cruiser’s Extra Wiper
- It has three windshield wipers, partly due to its unique design.
16. Supra’s Logo Inspiration
- The Supra "S" resembles the famous Nürburgring S-curve.
17. Toyota-Themed Songs
- Toyota even inspired rap, though unofficial, with lines praising its reliability.
18. Not Just “White”
- Toyota’s iconic color isn’t white—it’s called French Vanilla.
19. Towing Space Shuttles
- In 2012, a stock Toyota Tundra towed the Space Shuttle Endeavour through Los Angeles.
20. Air-Conditioning for Skin and Hair
- New Lexus models have the Nanoe system, which moisturizes skin and hair.
21. Speed Icon: GR Supra
- The GR Supra is Toyota’s second-fastest car after the GT1, which reached 230 mph.
22. Korean War Rescued Toyota
- Near bankruptcy in 1950, Toyota was saved by a U.S. military order for 5,000 vehicles.
23. First to Use White Reversing Lights
- The Corolla introduced white reversing lights to the car market.
24. Copen GR Sport
- A front-wheel-drive convertible, only available in Japan.
25. Perfect Lexus Door Sound
- Lexus acoustic engineers collaborated with neuroscientists to achieve the perfect door-closing sound.
26. The Toyota 2000GT Collaboration
- Yamaha helped design Toyota’s 2000GT, a stunning car meant to rival global grand tourers.
27. 2000GT Convertible for Bond
- For James Bond's You Only Live Twice, Toyota modified the 2000GT into a convertible for Sean Connery.
28. Bose Suspension for Lexus
- Bose designed a Lexus LS400 suspension system called Project Sound, later scrapped for business reasons.
29. Toyota’s Dodge Inspiration
- Toyota’s founder Kiichiro Toyoda visited the U.S. in 1929, drawing inspiration from Dodge and Chevy.
30. Record-Breaking Supra Brakes
- The Supra held a braking distance record until 2004, with just 45 meters at 70 mph.
31. First Commercial Hydrogen Fuel Cell Car
- Toyota’s Mirai was the first hydrogen fuel cell car for sale to the public.
32. Winter-Ready Corolla
- Tested in Canada in 1967 to ensure it could withstand winter conditions.
33. A Car Every 3 Seconds
- Toyota produces one vehicle every 3 seconds.
34. Unkillable Hilux
- Top Gear attempted to destroy a Toyota Hilux in extreme ways, but it kept running.
35. Patent Powerhouse
- In 2016 alone, Toyota received 1,500 patents in the U.S., ranking with top tech companies.
36. Australian Favorite
- Toyota has been Australia’s top-selling brand for 25 consecutive years.
37. Special Edition Camry for Australia
- Australia received the Aurion TRD Camry with a supercharged V6.
38. Land Cruiser’s First Customer
- The Japanese police were the first to adopt the Land Cruiser for patrol in 1951.
39. Record Production in 2013
- Toyota became the first automaker to produce over 10 million cars in a single year.
40. Surfboard-Compatible Corolla
- The third-gen Corolla’s luggage area was designed to fit popular surfboards of the time.
Toyota and Lexus have crafted a legacy that extends far beyond the automotive industry, leaving a lasting impact on everything from global culture to groundbreaking technology. From creating some of the world’s best-selling cars and pioneering eco-friendly hybrids to developing luxurious Lexus features and venturing into flying cars, these brands are continuously pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. Their journey showcases an unyielding commitment to quality, innovation, and a deep understanding of their customers’ needs. As Toyota and Lexus drive into the future, one thing is clear: their influence and ingenuity will keep shaping the automotive world for generations to come.
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