News Source: autoblog.com

Toyota offers a robust lineup of cars in North America, but while the Crown may not be one of them, that wasn't always the case. And this year, the company's longest-running nameplate is marking its sixtieth anniversary.

First introduced way back in 1955, the Crown was Toyota's first major export. It became the first Japanese passenger car to reach the US market when the first-generation Crown was launched here in 1958, and marked the company's arrival in Europe when the second-gen model arrived in Denmark in 1963. It started building the Crown in Australia in 1967 and in China more recently in 2005.

The Crown is now on its fourteenth generation, and to mark its birthday, Toyota is launching the sedan for a limited time only in sky blue and bright green. Jan. 08, 2015

Toyota 'Crown' Turns 60

Sixty years ago this week, Toyota launched the "Crown", a luxury sedan that would go on to become the company's longest-running passenger-car nameplate and a significant vehicle in the history of the Japanese automobile industry.

In 1958 the Crown became the first Japanese passenger car to be exported to the United States, and also started Toyota's passenger car exports to Africa in 1957 and Europe in 1962. Now in its 14th generation, its foremost models are the Crown Royal deluxe saloon and the Crown Athlete sports sedan, both with hybrid powertrain options.

In Japan, Toyota is marking the anniversary with the introduction of limited-time-only sky blue and bright green exterior body colors.

Toyota Crown Milestones

January 1955  First generation launched
April 1957  Exported to Ethiopia, Africa
August 1958  Exported to the United States
October 1962  Second generation launched
December 1963  Exported to Denmark, Europe
February 1965  Exported to Canada
February 1967  Assembly begins in Australia
September 1967  Third generation launched
February 1971  Fourth generation launched
October 1974  Fifth generation launched
September 1979  Sixth generation launched
August 1983  Seventh generation launched
September 1987  Eighth generation launched
October 1991  Ninth generation launched
December 1995  10th generation launched
October 2001  11th generation launched
December 2003  12th generation launched
March 2005  Production begins in China
February 2008  13th generation launched
December 2012  14th generation launched