Toyota cars arrived in the UK for the first time in 1965 with the introduction of the Toyota Crown, Toyota's large family saloon. Initial sales were slow as the car was expensive compared to domestic models like the Ford Cortina. By 1967, Toyota set up its first import company and dealership network in the UK, laying the foundations for its future growth.

The Toyota Corolla arrived in 1968 and proved much more popular than the Crown. The more affordable Corolla found buyers thanks to its reputation for dependability and economy. Toyota cemented its 'reliability' image in the 1970s and started increasing sales steadily. Models like the Carina and Celica demonstrated Toyota's expertise in building smaller, fuel-efficient cars that appealed to the UK market.

By the 1980s, Toyota had become a major player in the UK car market. It invested heavily in its Burnaston manufacturing plant to build cars like the Carina and Corolla on British soil. The ground-breaking Toyota Starlet first introduced the concept of a 'supermini' car to Britain. Moreover, the 1980s saw Toyota pioneer new engineering features like lean burn engines and catalytic converters.

The iconic Toyota Camry also debuted in the 1980s and became Toyota's main rival to European-made family saloons. Toyota's reliable and affordable image served it well during the economic downturns of the 1970s and 1980s. The decade also marked Toyota's entry into the emerging market for luxury vehicles with the launch of its Lexus marque in 1989.

The 1990s witnessed Toyota cement its 'green' credentials with the pioneering Prius hybrid in 1997. The Prius showed Toyota's focus on new technologies to improve fuel efficiency and lower emissions. It also launched important new mainstream models like the Rav4 compact SUV and Avensis. Toyota's reputation went from strength to strength following major victories in the gruelling World Rally Championships in the 1990s.

In the 2000s, Toyota emerged as the bestselling car brand in the UK, overtaking domestic manufacturers. With mainstream family cars like the Avensis and Corolla, alongside the growing popularity of SUVs like the RAV4, Toyota offered reliability, efficiency and affordability to British buyers. The Yaris also consistently topped the charts for sales of small cars.

Recent years have seen Toyota lead the way in developing hybrid technology, now rolled out across its model ranges. All-electric models like the Prius Plug-In, have expanded Toyota's low-emissions portfolio. Today, Toyota remains a top ten bestselling car brand in Britain, respected for quality, durability and environmental leadership. From humble beginnings, Toyota has become a trusted household name and a cornerstone of British car manufacturing.

In summary, Toyota's history in the UK charts its rise from a niche imported brand in the 1960s to a car making powerhouse today. By investing in British factories, leading engineering innovations, competing in motorsports and responding to the needs of UK car buyers, Toyota has earned its place as a staple choice on British roads for over 50 years. For Toyota Bumpers and Headlights, visit our Toyota dedicated page