October 31, 1957
Today, after a two-month look-see of the American car market by a three-man team from Japan, auto manufacturer Toyota took the plunge, founding Toyota Motor Sales USA and installing Shotaro Kamiya (pictured) as president. The fledgling company set up shop in a car dealership in Hollywood, California, and by the close of business in 1958, had unloaded some 287 Toyopet Crown models (top right) and a single Land Cruiser. The rest, as they say, is history. During 2006, Toyota Motor Sales USA sold 448,445 Camrys, enough to make it the best-selling passenger car in the United States. Again. From a Hollywood beginning comes a Hollywood ending.
Toyopet Crown image courtesy of ToyotaNation.com
Camry Hybrid and Shotaro Kimaya images courtesy of Toyota
Source: History.com
