
In 1952, Toyota embarked on developing its first fully designed and manufactured passenger car, the Toyopet Crown, a significant departure from its previous practice of outsourcing body designs and using truck frames for passenger vehicles. This ambitious project aimed to create a vehicle suitable for Japan's challenging road conditions, which were often muddy and unpaved. The development required Toyota to innovate, designing both the car's body and a new chassis that combined durability with comfort.
The project had been championed by Toyota’s founder, Kiichiro Toyoda, who envisioned a fully independent passenger car production capability for the company. However, Kiichiro passed away unexpectedly on March 27, 1952, before seeing the project completed. His vision and legacy continued to inspire Toyota's engineers, who completed the first prototypes in June 1953.
Leadership transitioned to Eiji Toyoda, Kiichiro's cousin, who guided the company for the next two decades. Eiji oversaw Toyota’s transformation into an independent and fully-fledged automotive manufacturer, separating operations from the Toyoda Automatic Loom Works.
After three years of development, the Toyopet Crown was launched in August 1955, marking a pivotal moment in Toyota’s history. The Crown was met with widespread acclaim, earning positive reviews both in Japan and internationally. This success positioned Toyota as a competitive force in the global automotive industry and laid the foundation for the company’s future growth and innovation.