Toyota To Sell The Iconic " Toyota Crown" In 40 Nations

The Toyota Crown, a vehicle famous for ferrying around Japan’s corporate and political elite, is slated for distribution in 40 countries and territories starting in 2019.

Toyota Motor Corp. is banking on the decision to revitalise the venerable but mostly niche brand, which has been offered nearly entirely in Japan since its introduction in 1955. The Crown is a representation of the postwar success of the manufacturer because it was the first Toyota passenger car to be totally designed and produced in Japan.

“This flagship car represents Japan’s success and pride,” Toyota President and Chief Executive Officer Akio Toyoda said as he unveiled four new versions of the Crown at an event near Tokyo on Friday. “I want the world to know what Japan’s Crown embodies.”

Toyota plans to sell nearly 200,000 Crown vehicles annually after the global rollout, up from the roughly 20,000 it sold domestically in 2021.

New variants of the Crown diverge dramatically from the executive sedans that cruise Tokyo's business districts in order to increase its global appeal. A sports utility vehicle is one of the models, highlighting the preference for larger cars in markets like the US.

The first of the new models, scheduled to go on sale in Japan this fall, is a crossover hybrid. This reflects Toyota's approach of easing into the era of completely electric vehicles at a pace it deems to be most logical and fair.

According to Hiroki Nakajima, president of Toyota's mid-sized vehicle division, the corporation will assess what type of powertrain is best suited for Crown models in various locations.

“We’ve always worked to adapt to the times,” Nakajima said. “That’s why this vehicle has sold for so long.”