Tag Archives: toyota
The Toyota RAV4 concept made a tiny splash at the Tokyo Motor Show
A new Toyota RAV4 debuted last week, and in the 30 years since the original hit ToMoCo showrooms a lot has changed. Today the RAV4 has superseded the Camry as the default car for sensible but unimaginative shoppers. However, the … Continue reading
Toyota is coming out with a sub-Tacoma compact pickup
For years fans of Toyota trucks have been clamoring for a return to the compact pickup, the kind of mini-truck that helped Toyota establish itself in the US in the 70s and 80s. The Tacoma has gotten too big and … Continue reading
A brief history of the Toyota RAV4
Toyota debuted the sixth-generation RAV4 on May 21, continuing a crossover lineage that dates back 31 years. When the original launched in 1994 no one, probably not even Toyota, predicted how massive a sales success the model would be. Toyota … Continue reading
Toyota 2000GT and LFA casually appear in Lexus ad with no mention
Here’s a puzzler for ya. A new Lexus commercial features Toyota’s two most legendary sports cars, but neither is mentioned or spotlighted at all. Normally the presence of such revered chariots would hint at the company’s storied history or legacy … Continue reading
Could Toyota be Nissan’s financial savior?
Last week Nissan announced a new recovery plan to dig itself out of its downward spiral. It announced that its deficit for the fiscal year ending in March 2025 had swelled to $4.5 billion and that it will close seven … Continue reading
Vintage ANA livery with matching service vehicles
Here’s a Showa Snap taken by our friend Yoshida-san at Haneda Airport near Tokyo. The Boeing B727 is still finished in the old Mohican Blue livery of All Nippon Airways. Matching service cars include what appears to be a T130 … Continue reading
Toyota’s Le Mans livery pays homage to the legendary GT-One
Toyota has unveiled its liveries for the two cars it will enter in this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans. As it happens, 2025 marks Toyota’s 40th anniversary of Le Mans competition, which started with the Toyota 85C in 1985. … Continue reading
A Toyota Cressida-based Paragon prototype has surfaced in a California junkyard
An extremely weird car has appeared in a California junkyard. It’s a Paragon sedan, essentially a Toyota Cressida dressed up to look like it’s from the 1930s. Though fitted with skirted fenders flanking an elongated hood and upright grille, as … Continue reading
Tomica celebrates 55th anniversary by partnering with five actual carmakers
This year marks the 55th anniversary of Tomica, Japan’s favorite diecast car brand. To honor this milestone, Tomica worked with actual car designers from five automakers to come up with special anniversary graphics packages for models of their respective marques. … Continue reading
Akio Toyoda doesn’t like EV sports cars
Toyota chairman and racing driver Akio Toyoda has always been brutally honest about the auto industry, especially since he stepped down as the company’s CEO. His most recent sentiments about electric vehicles echo that of many enthusiasts — that he … Continue reading
Rally drivers Hiroshi Masuoka and Teruo Katsuta receive Japanese government’s Sports Achievement Award
Two rally racers have received the Japanese government’s Sports Achievement Award. The honor is given to individuals that have made outstanding contributions in the world of sports. Hiroshi Masuoka won the Paris-Dakar Rally back-to-back, contributing to Mitsubishi’s era of dominance … Continue reading
Taxis queue before Marunouchi Toei theater circa 1966
It’s springtime in 1966 and you’re looking to catch a flick at the Marunouchi Toei. It had just opened in 1960 (and still exists today). Will it be the yakuza drama Nihon Daikyôkaku (English title: Japan’s Most Chivalrous), or perhaps … Continue reading
To introduce the Celica and Carina, Toyota France mailed out self-contained record players
To herald the launch of the second-gen Celica and Carina, Toyota France came up with an ingenious way to pique the interest of potential buyers. They mailed out tiny vinyl records with messages asking customers to come down to the … Continue reading
Toyota is restoring an A70 Supra with GR Heritage Parts
Toyota is restoring an A70 Supra via its Gazoo Racing Heritage Parts Program. A few years ago Toyota restarted production of parts for both generations of the Supra, A70 and A80 (in Japan the A40 and A60 were called the … Continue reading
Gene Hackman drove a Toyota Celica in the 24 Hours of Daytona
Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman was found dead in his Santa Fe, New Mexico home yesterday, along with his wife and one of their three dogs. The cause of death is unknown as of yet. Though best known for his work … Continue reading
