Toyota renamed the vehicle Land Cruiser and began selling it as such in the middle of 1954
Credit the Korean War for the birth of the Toyota Land Cruiser. Following North Korea’s invasion ofSouth Korea in June 1950, the United States of America sought to support pro-Western SouthKorea against its Soviet-backed aggressors. Military trucks were needed, and the U.S., which thenstill occupied Japan, urged the island nation to develop a domestically produced vehicle for thisneed. The idea was thus: The U.S. could use such a locally sourced truck in conflicts throughout the region.
By the beginning of 1951, Toyota had developed a military-truck prototype.
By the beginning of 1951, Toyota had developed a military-truck prototype. The Toyota Jeep BJ, asit was initially known, was motivated by the company’s B-type 3.4-liter inline-six engine andfeatured styling that was inspired by the off-road-friendly, military-spec Jeeps driven by U.S. forcesstationed in Japan. Although the Japanese brand’s military truck would be passed over by thecountry’s National Police Reserve Forces for the Willys Jeep, the Toyota made enough of an impression that it soon was commissioned for use as a patrol car for Japan’s National PoliceAgency.
The Toyota Jeep BJ soon found itself in the crosshairs of Willys’ legal team, though, as the American automaker claimed ownership of the “Jeep” name and believed that Toyota was infringing on its trademark. In response, Toyota renamed the vehicle Land Cruiser and beganselling it as such in the middle of 1954. It wouldn’t be until 1958, however, that U.S. consumers would have the opportunity to get their hands on one. Click through to learn more about thehistory of Toyota’s iconic SUV in America.
