The Toyota Motor Corporation is a corporate behemoth that, in 2008, outstripped General Motors to become the largest carmaker in the world. The parent company oversees a network of over a thousand subsidiaries and affiliates that are mainly involved in the production of automobiles and automobile parts. In 2019, the company generated an automotive revenue of over $253 billion driven by sales of 10.74 million vehicles – only Volkswagen sold more vehicles in that period.

The company has its early beginnings rooted in 1933 but it wasn’t until 1967 that the Toyota Motor Company was formally established. The company’s history is marked with an array of noteworthy vehicles – cars like the Corolla, Camry, and Landcruiser that have established a rock-solid reputation in the automobile world.

However, there have also been a few occasions when the company misread the market and came up short with lackluster offerings that were more than just a minor inconvenience for the traditional Japanese company. So, among all the vehicles that Toyota ever put on the market, here are their 10 proudest accomplishments and 5 they still regret.

15 Proud Of - 1960 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40

1977-Toyota-FJ40-Land-Cruiser
via silodrome

The FJ40 series Landcruiser featured a functional design that was so iconic that it was largely unchanged during a production run that lasted over 20 years. The jeeps were sturdy and reliable; able to conquer any kind of terrain with relative ease. By the time the last one was produced in 1984, the FJ40 had cemented its status as the most memorable Landcruiser model ever built.

14 Proud Of - Toyota AA

1936-Toyota-AA
via bestcarsfeed

This car represented the beginnings of what would grow to become the world’s biggest carmaker. The first prototypes, called the A1, were built in the 1930s as the company transitioned from building textile looms to motor cars. In 1936, the A1 went into full production as the Toyota AA and one year later, the Toyota Motor Company was born.

13 Regret - Toyota Echo

Toyota-Echo
via wikipedia

The Toyota Echo, launched in 1999, was a stark reminder that even the best out there can make mistakes. The idea behind the budget-friendly model wasn’t wrong; it was the execution that was deeply flawed. The car was ugly and always looked like it was slamming on the brakes. Then, it lacked so many features that were standard on other similar models at that time.

12 Proud Of - Toyota Celica

2000-Toyota-Celica
via thetorquereport

The Toyota Celica debuted in 1970 and marked the first time Toyota used robots in the production process. In 2006, dwindling sales and a global economic downturn forced Toyota to discontinue the beloved model. However, the car had enjoyed significant successes during its 36-year production run; a period that witnessed seven different generations.

11 Regret - 1958 Toyopet Crown

Toyopet-Crown
via gtplanet

The Toyopet Crown was the first car Toyota introduced to the United States market. Back then, the marketing ads proclaimed it as ‘the kind of car that American families have been asking for’. In reality, it wasn’t and the car was yanked from the market after a challenging 2 years during which only 2,000 units were sold. The cars were heavy, underpowered, and just did not meet the needs of the typical American family. Ouch.

10 Proud Of - 1965 Toyota Corona

1965-Toyota-Corona
via bestcarsfeed

Toyota’s first foray into the American market was steeped in harsh lessons and ended in disappointment. However, they didn’t give up and by 1965, they were back - this time with the Toyota Corona. Luckily for them, they had learned their lesson and the Corona proved to be a big hit. This was the car that helped the company establish a strong foothold in the American market.

9 Proud Of - Toyota Hilux

2018-Toyota-HiLux
via toyotaoforlando

America may not want the Hilux but it remains the most popular pickup truck in all of Europe and it’s one of Toyota’s most profitable products. The Hilux has an established reputation for durability and all-round toughness. The Top Gear crew once famously tried all kinds of gimmicks to destroy one but the truck just kept going. It’s been around for 52 years and doesn’t look like it’s going away anytime soon.

8 Proud Of - Toyota GT86

toyota-gt86
via topgear

The GT86 represents one of the more successful partnerships Toyota has had with other carmakers; Subaru in this case. The car debuted at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show and has continued to woo JDM fans since then. The 2020 edition features a nippy 197hp 4-cylinder engine that’s pure joy to drive, especially at anything above 4,500 rpm where you get the maximum torque at your disposal.

7 Regret - Toyota T100

1993-Toyota-T100
via curbsideclassic

America loves its full-sized pickup trucks. Apparently, that was something Toyota didn’t quite get when it introduced the T100 into the market in the 90s. The small proportions of the T100 were the single most important factor that ruined the car and eventually led to its demise. It never sold more than 40,000 units per year even during the booming period when competitors were selling as much as 700,000 units.

6 Proud Of - Toyota Supra MK4

1997-toyota-supra
via motor1

The fourth-generation Supra enjoys a cult status today partly thanks to its portrayal in the hugely successful Fast and Furious movie franchise. The turbo models with manual transmission are generally the most desirable with one selling for $126,000 at a March 2020 auction. The MK4 laid a strong foundation for the current generation Supra but the jury is still out on that one. We’ll see how well it holds up in the next few years.

5 Regret - Toyota Cavalier

Toyota-cavalier
via autocart

The Cavalier was a result of a partnership between Toyota and General Motors when the American carmaker wanted to introduce its products to the Asian market. Needless to say, the car wasn’t well-received by the public and that idea was tossed after 5 painful years during which only 36,216 cars were sold against a plan of 20,000 units per year.

4 Regret - Toyota Master Ace

Toyota-Master-Ace
via vanlifenorthwest

The design was not very attractive but this was not the only reason why the Master Ace flopped. It had a mid-engine layout and that took up a lot of useful space, making the interior look rather small and cramped compared to its competitors. As if this wasn’t bad enough, the Master Ace was also marketed under the name 'Toyota Van' – yes, really.

Related: 15 Disappointing American Cars That Should Have Never Been Built

3 Proud Of - 1967 Toyota 2000GT

1967-Toyota-2000GT
via robbreport

The Toyota 2000GT is a highly desirable collectible car today and it is not unusual for them to sell for over half a million dollars at auctions. Here was a proper sports car built in conjunction with Yamaha. It was powered by a 150hp inline-six engine that revved to 7,000rpm and could propel the car to a top speed in excess of 130mph.

Related: 10 Fast Korean Cars We'd Love To Own (5 That Should Be Avoided)

2 Proud Of - Toyota Camry

2019-Camry-XSE
Toyota Canada

In 1982, the first Camry was introduced to the public, and today, it continues to dominate its market. As at the end of 2019, the Camry was voted the best-selling passenger car in the American market. The 2020 model seeks to continue that trend with the introduction of an all-wheel-drive option and a hardcore TRD model.

1 Proud Of - Toyota Corolla

2019-Toyota-Corolla-Sedan
via wheels.ca

No story of Toyota would be complete without a mention of the Corolla. It debuted in 1966 and is the current titleholder for the best-selling car of all time with almost 50 million units sold so far. Don’t bet against this changing anytime soon. The 2020 model is competitively priced and still offers a host of features that should keep it at the top of the pack. Well done, Toyota.

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